Freedom Methods
I call anything that helps us escape what I call the viral spiral a “Freedom Method.” In order to get through episodes of anxiety, panic attacks, or even to assist in clearing, I have utilized commonly known and widely used methods such as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and Hoʻoponopono.
But I have also developed my own, which I have found to be even more useful during times of duress or stress. I think the reason these work for me even more is that I don’t even have to think about them in order to use them. The other methods require a certain amount of thought and rememberance, two things that ADD to my stress when I am already spiraling. For example, when I go to use EFT, I have to remember what order I do the tapping. This STRESSES ME OUT. For Hopo, I also sometimes stress about the order in which I say the mantra.
These two techniques involve little to no forethought, and yet they have immense power to take me out of my spiral. I hope they help you just as much.
The first of these, I simply call “Finding Center.” It is simple and you may wonder how it could even be helpful. Just TRY IT. In the moment, it makes all the difference in the world.
It involves only three steps:
Close your eyes.
Take your middle finger, either hand, and press right between your eyes above your nose. Hold here.
Focus on this pressure. Eyes still closed, release them. They may even feel like they’re going cross-eyed as you focus on your finger’s pressure. Feel the spinning stop as you come into this moment. You are here. You are are safe. You are now.
(Optional Step) If you need a bit more, you may want to add a second finger to the pressure point and rub slightly upward, then downward, helping alleviate the pressure and the tension.
That’s it! Now you know “Finding Center.”
The second of these Freedom Methods involves a bit more, but not much. Again, I developed these naturally, as I found myself wanting something as or more effective than other methods with less thought and stress involved. This second method I call “Infinite Relief and Release.” You’ll see why.
This method, you can also do anywhere at any time. I find myself drawn to it when, again, I am spiraling, and, especially, if “Finding Center” alone isn’t working.
Find your center, with placing your middle or index finger between your eyes above your nose.
With this finger, trace a continuous horizontal infinity symbol around your eyes and speak a soothing mantra of your choice.
While still speaking your mantra, change directions of the infinity symbol to vertical, to encircle your “third eye” where you found center and your nose. You can enlargen this to encircle your chin instead of nose if you prefer.
That’s it! You can vary it up between vertical and horizontal, as feels most natural to you.
You can also vary what you speak. I sometimes simply just say “I release you, I release you” to whatever has a hold of me, as I am circling with my finger. Or I have also found that whatever mantra you use with EFT tapping also works here, but with the added bonus of not having to think about what I am tapping (anything for less stress!).