Releasing the Emotion of Guilt or Shame with Energy Work And EFT

The emotion of guilt is typically characterized by a feeling of remorse or responsibility for perceived wrongdoing or violation of moral or ethical standards. It arises when an individual believes they have acted in a way that goes against their own internalized values, societal norms, or personal expectations. Guilt can stem from both real and imagined transgressions, and its intensity can vary depending on the individual and the circumstances involved.

Guilt is often triggered by actions or decisions that result in harm to oneself or others, whether intentional or unintentional. It can be caused by a wide range of situations, such as lying, cheating, breaking promises, betraying trust, harming someone physically or emotionally, or failing to meet one’s own standards or responsibilities.

The experience of guilt can have significant effects on individuals. Some common consequences of guilt include:

1. Emotional distress: Guilt often leads to feelings of sadness, regret, shame, and anxiety. It can create a persistent sense of unease and internal conflict.

2. Self-punishment: People experiencing guilt may engage in self-punitive behaviors as a way to alleviate their feelings of wrongdoing. This can manifest as self-isolation, self-criticism, self-sabotage, or engaging in self-destructive behaviors.

3. Damage to self-esteem: Guilt can erode an individual’s self-esteem and self-worth. They may perceive themselves as flawed, unworthy, or undeserving of forgiveness or happiness.

4. Relationship strain: Guilt can impact interpersonal relationships by creating distance, strain, or conflict. The guilt-ridden individual may struggle with trust, have difficulty expressing themselves, or fear being judged or rejected by others.

5. Motivation for change: On the positive side, guilt can serve as a catalyst for personal growth and behavior modification. It can inspire individuals to make amends, seek forgiveness, or take actions to prevent similar situations in the future.

It is important to note that guilt can vary in intensity and duration. Some individuals may experience fleeting guilt that dissipates quickly, while others may struggle with chronic guilt that significantly impacts their well-being. Seeking support from trusted individuals, practicing self-compassion, and addressing the underlying causes of guilt through reflection or therapy can be helpful in managing and resolving guilt.

How-to use EFT

Follow Gary Craig’s EFT Video.

The Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), often referred to as “tapping,” is a therapeutic technique that combines elements of traditional Chinese medicine, psychology, and acupressure. Here is a basic recipe for practicing EFT:

1. Identify the issue: Begin by identifying the specific emotion or issue you want to address. It could be guilt, fear, anxiety, or any other negative emotion.

2. Rate the intensity: On a scale of 0 to 10, assess the intensity of the emotion or issue you identified. This will help you track your progress throughout the process.

3. Set up the statement: Create a setup statement that combines acknowledging the problem and accepting yourself. For example, “Even though I feel guilty about [specific situation], I deeply and completely accept myself.”

4. The tapping sequence: The EFT tapping sequence involves gently tapping with your fingertips on specific acupressure points on the body while repeating a reminder phrase. Here is the sequence of points to tap, starting from the side of the hand (karate chop point):

   • Top of the head (crown)
   • Eyebrow (at the inner edge)
   • Side of the eye (on the bone)
   • Under the eye (on the bone, in line with the pupil)
   • Under the nose (above the upper lip)
   • Chin (midway between the bottom of the lip and the chin)
   • Collarbone (the junction where the sternum, collarbone, and first rib meet)
   • Under the arm (about 4 inches below the armpit)
   • Wrists (tap them together)

   While tapping each point about 5-7 times, say a short reminder phrase that focuses on the issue or emotion you want to address. For example, “This guilt,” “This fear,” or “This anxiety.”

5. Check the intensity: After completing a round of tapping on all the points, reassess the intensity of the emotion or issue on a scale of 0 to 10.

6. Repeat as needed: If the intensity has decreased but is still not at 0, continue repeating the tapping sequence with the setup statement and reminder phrase until the intensity is significantly reduced or eliminated.

Remember, EFT is a self-help technique, but for more complex or deep-seated issues, it can be beneficial to seek guidance from a qualified EFT practitioner or therapist. They can provide personalized support and help you navigate through the process effectively.

Here’s the time to try it out on yourself.

If you have any aches or pains. Pick that to try EFT. If there are no body pains, then try to recall something that triggers a strong emotion in you. A good example is if you get scared when handling money. Scared is on the opposite side of Love. Pick something which makes you feel fear. Great, now do a few rounds of EFT on this problem.

Do you feel better?