It was with some degree of interest that I began to look into the 2011 World Tapping Summit recently. After all, there was talk of people experiencing life changing and, in some cases, almost “miraculous” healings with everything from weight loss to money issues.
While listening to one of the presentations, I began to tap along on one of my problems—an obsession with food. I didn’t have any immediate “eureka” moments, but a day or two later, I thought I knew the reason for my problem and was on my way to freedom. I had been suppressing other cravings, so I turned to food to satisfy my desires. Made sense… or did it? I sent off an e-mail to Victor and Paul, my friends and mentors, describing my experience.
Paul responded to my newfound “freedom” with a question, “…you’re saying that tapping made you aware you have gone into bondage to food by repressing sexual thoughts. If so, now what?”
It got me thinking, “Wait a minute. Didn’t I pray to God, asking Him to take care of that about a year ago, thanking Him for, and accepting, my singleness?” Wasn’t that the real explanation for the absence of lustful thoughts?
Does tapping really help us gain emotional freedom, or is it merely us trying to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps? If emotions are the problem, is digging further into our emotions the answer? It isn’t psychoanalysis that will win the day. Faith in and obedience to God will.
I’m not disputing that tapping can have benefit for some, if for no other reason than that it encourages one to tell the truth. In listening to some of the sessions over the first few days, I heard things that helped create an awareness of things in my life, but it also conjured up a lot of thoughts that I didn’t know how to deal with. A lot of non-issues. If I didn’t have wise teachers to set me straight, I could have been looking for answers in all the wrong places.
What are emotions, anyway? Can they be trusted? How have I approached many things in life? By my feelings. And where have they gotten me? They get you UP, and then get you DOWN! But do they get you forward?
Recently I have made some decisions that have gone contrary to my feelings, doing things I knew to be right, regardless of whether I was comfortable with them. I can attest to the results. Do we wish to be governed by our feelings? Or is there a better way?
What does the Bible have to say about our feelings?
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
“For the wicked boasts of his heart’s cravings. He blesses the greedy, and condemns the LORD. The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God” (Psalms 10:3-4 HNV).
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? I, the LORD, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10 HNV).
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Not the kind of emotions we typically want to foster—dependence, brokenness, and contrition.
It’s true that many of our physical problems have an emotional root; this has been proven in study after study. This being the case, where can we start? Why not start by giving thanks?
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6).
This leaves psychotherapeutic processes or techniques in the dust, hands down. Those who have the Lord, and walk with Him, have all these psychotherapy issues taken care of in the best possible way! Instead of getting “tapped out” trying to uncover your emotions, the Source taps into you.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones” (Proverbs 3:6-8).
Tapping uses several positive techniques. Acupressure points are known to accumulate energy blockages that need to be released to allow free flow through the body. It also encourages those tapping to tell the truth, to set goals, and to forgive others—valuable principles in and of themselves.
Victor, Paul, and I watched the EFT Rwandan video, which showed young survivors of the Rwandan genocide using tapping to address emotional issues. Could it be that the healing experienced by the orphans was due to exercising forgiveness? Forgiveness is a powerful tool. So is honesty, especially honesty about ourselves. Think of what could happen if these children went a step further, thanking the Lord for their circumstances, and further still, learning to trust and obey Him!
This is the only way peace can come to the world.
Sean Fife
Victor adds: When I first looked into this tapping therapy, I recognized some value in it. However, as I examined it further, I realized that the believer’s principles of acceptance of one’s circumstances and giving thanks for them are far more powerful and effective. It has been my pleasure and privilege to turn midnight to high noon within minutes, if not seconds, just by giving God thanks and praise for tough situations within and without. What could be more powerful than that?
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; give thanks unto Him, and bless His Name. For the LORD is good; His mercy endures for ever; and His faithfulness unto all generations” (Psalms 100:4-5 JPS).
This I know: When we acknowledge our Lord and Savior, not only with our lips, but with our lives, He honors us and delivers us from all our fears. Read Acceptance.
Paul adds: A problem with tapping is that knowledge outpaces wisdom. It forces you to take the lead position in charting your course, rather than relying on God:
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV).
– March 15, 2011