Did You Enjoy Your Thanksgiving?

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and had much to be grateful for! Mine was fantastic. I got to spend the day with my niece, brother, and some friends. We had tacos…and I have to say those were the BEST tacos I’ve ever eaten. Thanks ED & Cindy!! Initially I felt uncertain about eating tacos on Thanksgiving, but I decided to be open to a new experience...be thankful I didn’t have to do the cooking;-) I did make homemade banana pudding for the meal, but it never became fluffy like pudding normally does. I managed to be thankful for the pudding, even though it was much like sweet-banana soup! My point in all this is that when I am practicing gratitude for “what is” and being open to new experiences life gets so much better –this happens pretty quickly!

 

I wanted to share a few of my older YouTube videos with you to promote happiness & gratitude. The following videos come from my “Feeling Good & Being Happy" mini series. So sit back and watch all three. I hope this will help you find a bit of joy and one or two things to feel blessed about!

 

 

 

Coming UP

Continue to check back for “Unlocking Your Awesomeness” interview series. I have an upcoming interview with Mystic Mandy a psychic visionary, Empath, and EFT practitioner. Mandy will be sharing with us about her amazing gifts and how she’s making this world a better place. I will also be interviewing my brother (co-creator of Sun Holistics) Nate Grage. Nate is a Consulting Hypnotist, Yoga Instructor and business genius. I will get the 411 on hypnosis, meditation, and his yoga practice!

In the mean time if you’d like to do a phone, one-on-one EFT session, or receive your very own personally individualized EFT script please come on over to my website. Have a beautiful Saturday! Love you all~

Discovering How to "Make Pictures"

The more I open my eyes and my heart up the more I become aware of the awesome people this world is made up of. This past Monday my brother Nate and I had our first talk for our new business Rising Sun Hypnosis and EFT. A lovely and unique lady showed up. She was excited to learn about hypnosis and partook in the tapping session with a wonderfully, upbeat attitude. I felt blessed to have her show up and I really enjoyed connecting with her. She told Nate and me a bit about Qi Gong. The meridian points I showed her, that I often use with EFT, reminded her of Qi Gong. She said that her teacher talked about the conception vessel meridian, which you locate by finding that spot on your chin where your finger fits perfectly…right below your bottom lip. Once you find it lightly tap the area with two fingers and you’re activating the conception vessel! She was relaxed by hypnosis then energized with EFT, it was a great experience.

Yesterday I was walking RJ in the park and met a man taking a close-up picture of a leaf. We started talking about his camera and photography. I soon discovered that photography is his hobby and passion. We had a great conversation and we somehow got on the subject of living in the present moment. He explained that every picture is a moment in time we’re able to capture with a press of a button. Whenever he feels overwhelmed he reminds himself of this and is able to find some peace. He also told me that he feels “taking pictures” has a negative connotation and that’s why he calls it “making pictures.” He went on to say that “taking” a picture makes it sound like something is stolen instead of created. I thought this was lovely so I will try to adopt this saving from now on whenever I’m out with my iPhone “making pictures.”

Today I was at the mechanics and I met a lovely woman waiting on her vehicle. She told me about her 22 year old car and how much love she has for her “hot rod”…her words!  We talked a bit about EFT and she told me I reminded her of her daughter because I seem to be a busy bee. She asked me if I ever slow down and I had to think about that for a moment…No! Not really, she reminded me that peace and rest is something all of us needs even when we’re going after something we are truly passionate about. She also said that her daughter could benefit from EFT so I truly hope she gives her my card! I loved hearing a bit about her car, her daughter, and herself.

So I ask you, have you met any remarkable people lately? Have you come across a truly unique and beautiful soul that taught you something new about life or yourself? I have to express my gratitude for all the wonderful & beautiful people in Rhode Island and all over the world. It seems whenever life is really chaotic all I have to do is come into this moment, have a conversation with a new or old friend, and look at all the things I can be “making pictures” of!

Create some memorable moments with EFT and stop by mywebsite, also subscribe to my YouTube channel for more scripts and tapping sessions.  Have a truly safe and Happy Halloween!!

Unlocking Your Awesomeness: Interview with Dr. Phillip Mountrose EFT Coach

Today’s interview is with Dr. Phillip Mountrose an amazing teacher, author, and EFT coach. Phillip and his wife Jane created Awakenings Institute. I was happy to speak with him about the incredible work he and Jane are doing, teaching others how to grow and expand with Emotional Freedom Techniques!

Where were you introduced to EFT? Did you know right away that it was something that could potentially change your life?

Jane and I were introduced to EFT at a Hypnotherapy conference in the mid 90’s. We saw a demonstration on Emotional Freedom Techniques and became intrigued. We were doing NLP and Soul Work at the time. Jane and I guided people through ‘soul transformations’ – where spiritual kinesiology uses the soul’s energetic awareness and healing to transform. As far as change goes, we had a sense that EFT coincided a great deal with the work we were already doing.

I see that you and your lovely wife Jane have been teaching others how to use EFT for over 20 years, what lead you to become an EFT teacher and coach?

Well, we were already working with people individually then so it wasn’t a difficult transition. Traditionally I was a teacher and I have always loved teaching and coaching others. Teaching others how to become EFT coaches themselves came quite naturally to me and Jane.

I so appreciate your mission to “create a more caring, collaborative, creative, and prosperous world.” Definitely something this world needs more of! Would you share with us how you created such an eloquent mission statement?

The essence of our work is guided by Spirit. Being spiritual people ourselves it impacts the way we live and do business. This allows us to open ourselves up to our higher self which leads to a more caring and prosperous world for everyone.

I am so impressed with the training courses that you offer! Your courses are very thorough, useful, and extremely in depth, how long did it take you to create the 4 month EFT certification course you offer?

The Holistic Coaching & EFT online course was an evolution that started in the mid 1990’s. We received a great deal of feedback from our clients, students, and many people we worked with. It has changed and developed into something profoundly beneficial and educational.

I know many people who have been transformed by EFT and consider becoming a practitioner themselves, do you have any advice you’d like to share with those wanting to take the next step towards accomplishing their dreams but are holding back?

Of course I recommend EFT if you feel like you are being ‘held back.’ We can sometimes try to be perfect or do too much at once and this can lead to stress, fear, and self-doubt. I remember one of the ladies that took our course, she felt this way. She was in a difficult marriage and having a tough time. After finishing the course her life changed a great deal. She started a new career she was excited about, she and her husband got a divorce, and she found true love with another man.

On your websites and blog you focus a great deal on creating a better world and helping others learn to lift themselves up while awakening their true purpose. Do have any tips on ways people can get started doing this right now?

I do have a few suggestions:

1^st Affirm that you actually want to live your purpose, make certain this is something that you want then say it!

2^nd Start looking for resources to get help and guidance, don’t feel like you have to do it all alone.

3^rd Take stock of how you want to improve the world.

Lastly, are there specific things you and Jane do daily to stay motivated and enthused about life?

This is a very good question; I have discovered that a lot of people think successful people are naturally happy. In truth, they design their lives so they can live optimally and be happy. Some of the very basic things can keep people feeling good and more inclined towards happiness, such as basic hygiene. I’m talking about eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising. All of these things help get your mind and body primed for the day.

A few other things I recommend doing:

1.       Set daily goals- this will keep you focused and on track.

2.      Practice some form of meditation.

3.      Remember not to let the day happen to you- have some idea of what you will be doing each day.

Jane and I have things we do together each day that help us keep motivated. One thing we always do together is walk the dogs; it’s a wonderful way to enjoy each other’s company. Above all, we know that our daily activities align with our bigger goals and purpose.

Wrapping Up

Thank you for these lovely and inspiring answers, Phillip! I so appreciate your spirit and all the ways you’re helping others discover their purpose through EFT! Please visit Phillip’s website for more information.

Continue to check back for new interviews and posts. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more EFT videos and please stop by my website! Remember to keep tapping!

Creating More Abundance & Money for Ourselves

Money, money, money…yeah, another post about money! I truly hope this finds you well! I took a small break from my blog while I focused more on building my EFT business locally (Rhode Island). During that time I’ve been using a ‘money abundance chant’ (still using it) each day. I mentioned the 21-day meditation with Deva Premal & Mitten in an earlier post. One of the chants was about creating more abundance in your life. I set my intention for money but really it can be for abundance, friendship, health, joy, love, hugs, laughter…anything!

Try it out yourself and watch the video below:

The more I expand my mind and open my heart the more I realize money doesn’t have any feelings or emotions attached to it…only that which I give it! When I nolonger resist the flow of life, money naturally comes to me. Money is a tool and it flows to me and from me just like the ocean tide—it does this for you as well!

Unfortunately it is way too easy to get caught up in negative thinking related to money, such as,it’s not spiritual; it’s greedy to want more; it’s hard to attain; etc. Once again these things are based on emotions and feelings (which come from beliefs often formed during childhood) that someone assigns to money. Once you relalize they came from a thought or experience that created a belief. You will begin to see these thoughts are only as real as you allow them to be; this is the moment you reclaim your creative power (your ability to create more abundance)!

It’s okay if you want more financial abundance, this doesn’t make you greedy. Forgive yourself if you in any way associate financial well-being with something negative or dirty. I think some of us see money as a very dirty. Releasing your fear and guilt over money clears a path for creating more in your life. The thing to remember is to not go about this in a state of lack and fear because that creates more lack & fear. This took me quite some time to process and adapt to.

Gratitude comes into play as well. The more grateful you can be for anything and everything the more good (including money) you attract into your life. Our brains are not designed to process gratitude and anxiety (or fear) at the same time. By taking some time to write down and say aloud what you’re thankful for you are occupying your brain with good feeling energy! You have to be honest though, these are things, people, and experiences that you’re truly happy about.

Speaking of gratitude, I am extremely grateful to be continuing on with my ‘Unlocking Your Awesomeness & Attracting What You Want’ series. Check back next Tuesday, October 15^th for my interview with an amazing EFT coach & teacher Phillip Mountrose. You will learn ways to become a happier & more successful you!

If you haven’t subscribed to my YouTube channel please do so! Also, check out my always expanding & changing website Anna G. EFT! Remember to keep tapping…or start tapping if haven’t yet!

Thanks for reading! Have a beautiful week~

Unlocking Your Awesomeness: Interview with Belle Salisbury Psychic Medium

Today’s interview is with the lovely and truly talented Belle Salisbury, a Psychic Medium and Spiritual Counsellor. Belle has worked with people around the world, helping them find clarity, love, healing, and peace. I was ecstatic over having her answer a few questions about her gifts and all the amazing things she’s been up to!

When did you discover you had psychic abilities?

I have been able to see the souls of those on the other side since I was a young child. The first I recall was a woman with dark brown hair pulled to the back of her head.  She was a simple woman that appeared to be in her mid-thirties.  Although she never spoke, her energy was always loving and comforting so I was never fearful of her presence around me.  It was not until several years later when I was shown a picture of my mother’s mother that I realized who this caring woman was.  My spirit visitor was my departed grandmother, Lily Belle, who had passed before I was born, yet it seemed only I could see her.

I was also able to know things beyond the capability of a young child. Whether it was information about a person, or just things in general, it was rather confusing trying to understand how I could know such information without any prior knowledge.  My grandmother Alley would refer to my ability as ‘the knowing.’ I knew it to be a part of God.

How did you ‘hone your craft’ so to speak in order to help others and eventually become a Spiritual Counselor?

All throughout my youth I searched for answers in a quest to understand my ability to speak to departed souls when it seemed others could not.  I felt quite alone from my family and friends who could not see nor hear what seemingly flowed to me from someplace outside of our present reality.  For years I noticed how others only looked at me with confusion, or wondered if perhaps I was delusional.  But I knew I was in touch with something greater than their ability to understand.

I connected with a Spirit Guide at a very young age, who is still with me to this day, by the name of Three Feathers. I now know him to be my Life Guide who entered with me from the time I was born and will reside with me until I depart this earth realm.  He is my mentor in that he helped me to understand my abilities and how I was to use them.

I spent most of my adult life studying every book I could find in search of understanding what it was that I did that made me feel so different from others. I connected with like-minded individuals which proved to be valuable in sharing similar experiences that helped me to feel that I wasn’t so strange after all.

I furthered my studies and education in the field of Metaphysics and later became an ordained Minister in the Spiritualist faith.

Would you mind explaining what a Spiritual Counselor does and how long you’ve been helping others find closure?

As a Spiritual Counselor I provide guidance to those seeking to better understand their life path. Although I do enjoy helping those who have distinct questions around their life experiences, I find my greatest joy is in assisting others to better understand why they are having these experiences and help them to grow through them rather than just going through them, only to repeat these same experiences time and again.

I feel it is so important to understand our life lessons. We chose our life path before coming into this particular lifetime. And with each choice we make through our own free will we create new experiences or lessons to grow through. My psychic ability enables me to see where their lessons lie and assist them in healing and progressing to embrace their lessons with love and understanding.

Whether ones experience is through the growth of making wise decisions or in healing through the loss of a loved one, as a Spiritual Counselor I assist them with understanding and seeing the purpose in these lessons.

I have been working as a professional psychic medium for 38 years. I have seen my work evolve over the years as we spiritual individuals have evolved toward a more meaningful existence. It is a great honor to be able to assist others along their path of learning and growth which has allowed me to grow within my own understanding of my life purpose.

Bellésprit which I now know means ‘beautiful spirit’ is such a lovely & healing site. When did you first come up with the idea for the magazine?

I was first impressed with the idea of creating a magazine in September of 2011 when I was told by Spirit that knowledge was to be shared freely. I felt a magazine platform would be the perfect fit in which to distribute the things I have learned throughout my life. I shared the idea with a few of my close friends who loved it and were anxious to come on board as contributors to assist in the idea of sharing what they had acquired.

It took a couple of months to come up with the name for the magazine. Spirit kept giving me the name belle…something. I couldn’t quite make out the full name of what they were saying. I believe that was partly because I did not want my name on the magazine so I was rejecting their suggestion. I did not want the magazine to be about me or have any part of ego. Still, they insisted upon belle… Finally they stated more clearly ‘beautiful spirit.’ I loved it! So, I researched the name and found that there was already another business using the term beautiful spirit. Then it came to me, the belle connection Sprit was trying to make with me; beautiful spirit – bel esprit. Spirit was giving me the French wording for beautiful spirit, and Bellesprit was born.

I created a Facebook Fan Page for Bellesprit and began working on a mission statement. To my amazement, the very next morning I had 75 likes on the Fan Page and I hadn’t even begun promoting it as it was still in the planning stages. Even more incredible was several of my friends on Facebook contacted me asking if they could also contribute to the magazine’s content. The concept of Bellesprit was appealing to them and they also believed in sharing their knowledge. To date, we have 53 contributing columnists in Bellesprit. We all agreed that the magazine should be offered as a free online magazine to continue with our goal of sharing knowledge freely.

A friend helped me with creating our website in which to display our magazine. So, here we are a year and a half later and Bellesprit has blossomed into the beautiful work of others being shared with the world.

I so appreciate the diamond emblem on your magazine and how it signifies ‘diamond in the rough.’ At one point in your life did you feel like you were an undiscovered gem?

Spirit is also responsible for giving me the idea of using a diamond as our logo for the magazine because it represents our full soul quality. Like a faceted diamond, each facet is unique holding a beauty all its own. Each facet represents a different characteristic of who we are as individuals, and yet when we look at the whole diamond, with its flaws and inclusions, we see the exquisiteness of the diamond in its entirety; the collective of the whole soul quality demonstrating that even in its imperfections it is still seen as beautiful.

I’ve always felt I was different from others as I was growing up. My goals in life didn’t necessarily resonate with theirs. I especially felt this from my own family from feeling I was different with my abilities, to what I wanted to be when I grew up. They were always insistent on my obtaining a ‘real’ job that paid well verses working for myself as a self-employed psychic medium. They just didn’t understand my need to follow my path and be true to what I knew I was meant to do in this lifetime. I felt the importance of embracing my abilities and utilizing them in which to help others. So even though I didn’t follow their plans for me, I am able to see the beauty in what I have chosen to do with my life.

I read your recent interview with actress Tera Garnett which is extremely inspirational for all women especially those who’ve been abused. How do you come up with your interview ideas and questions?

It was a great honour meeting and working with Tera during her interview. The questions that were asked just seemed to flow throughout our conversation. As she shared her many different character roles in the movies she has been in I was able to see the pattern she was being type-cast in. I was curious if she had also felt there was a repeating pattern and what that meant to her. I was especially interested in her use of empathy, which is what we know to be a psychic ability, in developing her characters and actually feeling what the experience must be like to have been abused. We realized from that content that this was to be the message of her feature article for our September issue.

You’re such a light for love and hope, what keeps you inspired and motivated each day?

Knowing that others are enjoying Bellesprit Magazine and gaining from it what we set out to accomplish is such a blessing to me. I have received emails from so many of our readers who have thanked me for the magazine and express how much it has helped them in their lives. I am so grateful for the guidance I receive from God each day in the direction our magazine is to take. I know He speaks through our magazine contributors in the messages they bring each month.

I am especially grateful for my husband and children who are my greatest supporters and fans who continue to encourage me to live my truth.

Do have any suggestion for those wanting to tap into their undiscovered abilities and start allowing more light & love into their lives?

Oh my, that is such a good question. My advice would be to stay close to your own personal belief system as a guide in your daily life. We are all blessed with abilities that can be used to guide us throughout our life. It is a matter of listening to that still small voice within. What I do is nothing special that isn’t already within each of us.

Spirit offers that as long as we can live our lives filled with love in all things and an appreciation for our trials as a means in which to grow, we can live a life of fulfilment. I believe we are the product of two main energies; love and fear. Fear is merely an avenue in which we can discover areas in need of healing where our weaknesses lie. When we can understand the fear by gaining knowledge of it, where it comes from and why, then the healing can begin. We then come to realize where fear once existed, forgiveness can take place and love can fill that void.

I do offer an intuitive development course online that runs for 8 weeks that is designed to educate about our various abilities and where they come from. I teach students how to connect with their abilities and recognize which is their strongest ability and how to work with them on a daily basis. Actually, I will be offering this course once again in October. For those who may be interested in taking part in this course can contact me at belle@bellesalisbury.com.

Learn more about Belle and her amazing talents on her website.

Wrapping Up

Thank you for these lovely answers, Belle! I so appreciate what you do for others. When you mentioned how you assist others in discovering why they’re here and help them see ways to grow instead of repeating the same thing over again I immediately thought of EFT! Which truthfully most things link to EFT in my mind! So many people have difficulty understanding why they do these things again and again...get in the same seemingly dead-end relationships; same types of low-energy jobs; continue to overeat; etc. I think it's amazing what you're doing to help others discover their own talents & beauty!

We've all been there wondering Why and How does these things keep happening & showing up in our lives? When you first accept where you’re at and give yourself love, compassion, kindness and acknowledgement (no matter what) it creates a path for healing and forgiveness. This in turn allows you to develop new healthier ways to live and start creating the kind of life you want. If you haven’t tried EFT you can discover more about it's healing abilities on my website and also check out & subscribe to my YouTube channel. Thanks for reading and remember to keep (or start) tapping!

Um like Om..Learning to Meditate One 'Om' at a Time!

Until I started using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) consistently I always found it very difficult to meditate for more than 5-10 minutes. Sitting in the floor or on a pillow for an extended amount of time felt a bit agonizing to me! I was like, “You want me to focus on my breath and chill for more than 20 minutes…are you serious?” Then I tried a few meditations with mantras and chanting. The chanting gave me something to focus on, which helped a great deal.  Some part of me felt connected to those chants and I started to open a bit more to the idea of having a more consistent meditation practice.

About two weeks ago my brother asked me if I’d like to meditate with him. He usually meditates for at least half an hour. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure if I could do it. When we first started I felt a bit anxious, Can I sit here and breathe…Can I just ‘be’ for a little while? I asked myself these questions and heard "Yes” somewhere within. At first I focused on breathing in and breathing out, my body swayed gently with my breath. Then my mind became beautifully quiet and alive all at the same time. I was completely relaxed and aware. When Nate told me the 30 minutes was up I was a bit surprised. I was proud of myself and I must say I slept exceptionally well that night.

Now I’ve started meditating a few minutes in the morning or at night (whichever works best) and realize how much more centered and calm I’ve become. I recently started a daily meditation & mantra. My friend Allison told me about this 21-day Mantra Meditation Journey, we did yoga the other day and she shared the mantra with me. I started it that day with Ally, day 3 of twenty-one days. This mantra-journey is with Deva Premal & Miten, a beautiful and loving couple. Once you sign up you’re able to listen to previous days recordings and do the mantras whenever you choose.  These mnatra’s  touch on love, healing, awareness, and much more. They’re truly beautiful and it’s wonderful to chant along.  If you’d like to be a part of this totally free program go to www.mentorschannel.com and sign up.  You will receive a link to a new mantra each day.

If you’ve tried meditation and struggled a bit I recommend incorporating some EFT into your meditation practice. It’s a simple, fast technique anyone can use to reawaken the meridians and calm the mind. EFT combines lightly tapping the acupressure points while talking out or simply breathing through something that stresses or bothers you. Try EFT when you’re brainstorming to tap into your creative juices, or any time you want to find a some peace. Please visit and subscribe to myYouTube channel and stop my new website for more info.

Don’t miss next week’s interview with Belle Salisbury, Certified Master Psychic and Medium! Learn a bit more about Belle, her abilities, her lovely online magazine Bellésprit, and how she’s created a life and business she’s proud of! Be sure to check back next Tuesday September 17, 2013 for another great interview! Remember to keep tapping!

Unlocking Your Awesomeness: Interview with Michael Lawrence

Today’s interview is with Michael Lawrence an author, hypnotherapist, speaker, motivator, and teacher. Michael teaches people to have an amazing life by directing the focus of their thoughts and taking charge of their mind!

How did you get started with hypnosis and eventually becoming a hypnotherapist?

My father was a Clinical Hypnotherapist and hypnotized me as a child and taught me self-hypnosis at age 12! I graduated college with a Business degree, but I was only a few credits shy of a Psychology degree as well. Because of this I decided to pursue advance Clinical training in Hypnotherapy.

Where did you learn so much about meditation?

I studied Martial Arts from age 5 to about 25 and meditating was a part of that training. I would often meditate within a self-hypnosis session.

What’s the easiest way to start meditating?

 

Understanding the mind mechanically makes meditation much easier. I created a video about this topic.

On your website you talk a great deal about managing your mind, are there any simple steps one could take to be more in control of the mind?

Always remember that you FEEL what you are thinking. To change how you FEEL shift your thoughts. Thought controls Emotion.

 

You’ve talked about ‘Attention’ a great deal in your workshops and videos. You stated that your attention is the power source for thought, do you mind elaborating on this?

Thought is harmless without your Attention. Attention powers your Thoughts. Focus your Attention on a Thought and you will experience that Thought every time. Withhold your Attention from a Thought and you will not experience that Thought. You have all the power because you control your Attention. However, by reacting to Thought you allow Thought to control your Attention.

I so appreciated when you said, “Beliefs are the only things that separate us.” I realize that what we believe impacts whether or not we think we can do something. How did you manage to change your beliefs so much that you cured yourself of depression and started creating a life you love?

We experience what we think about (emotion allows us to feel thoughts). In order to avoid sadness or stress you must shift your Attention to happy or peaceful thoughts and the change is instantaneous. Everything comes down to regaining conscious control of your Attention. This takes care of your mental suffering because you are the source, it also allows you to experience lasting happiness. You can’t change what life throws at you, but you have 100% control of how you experience it.   

Could you go into a bit more detail about the ‘Mental Lens’?

Our Mental Lens is the unique belief structure that we have acquired through our experiences of life. We all must see life through this lens which taints reality with our unique perceptions. Because of this we all don’t see life the same way and we are unaware of it. This is the main source of conflict with others.

What would you say the best way is to improve your attitude about yourself?

You must remember that only YOU can control how you FEEL nothing outside of you can do that. And you do this by what you choose to think about and you are free to think about anything. This is how you create amazing experiences.

Thank You

Thanks, Michael, for sharing some of your wisdom with us. For more information on all the wonderful things Michael is doing please visit his site.

If you’re struggling with meditation and directing your thoughts to a more positive place try EFT (tapping). Check out my website, centered on Emotional Freedom Techniques, and watch a few of my videos on YouTube to get started.

Thanks for reading and remember to keep tapping!

Unlocking Your Awesomeness: Interview with Ludmila Gin

Today’s interview is with Dr. Ludmila Gin an EFT practitioner and 2^nd Degree Reiki healer. It was wonderful to find out more about her work and how Ludmila incorporates EFT and Reiki into her practice!

What lead you to become a healer?

I would hesitate calling myself a healer… What I do helps people heal, but I would not say that I possess any special power. What I possess is the desire to help, certain tools (like EFT or Reiki) and my intuition based on my life experiences. As many people who engage in therapy I came to it through wrestling with my own demons, walking my dark tunnels and finding a way forward. In my blog on Self-love and Selfishness I share something of my personal journey. I thought of studying psychology when finishing school. But around that time a close friend of mine became ill with anorexia, got very depressed and nearly died. She never fully recovered, and the feeling of helplessness I have experienced engendered self-doubt that put me off the thought. It took me over twenty years to come round and finally embark on the path of therapy. I’ve done a lot of work on myself along the way and also discovered that I had a knack of bringing it out of people. Friends, colleagues and sometimes total strangers (like a person sitting next to me on a train) would share with me their emotions and concerns. They found talking to me helpful, and I also found it fulfilling as I really enjoy meaningful conversations. So I followed the thread, discovering my interests and my abilities. And gradually it led me to doing therapy.

I love what your website says about EFT therapy and how it “helps transform fear into faith, anxiety into trust, anger into compassion, pain into love.” When did you first discover Emotional Freedom Technique?

I first discovered EFT during a very stressful period of my life a few years ago. With all the personal development work that I’ve done, I’ve never heard about EFT before and suddenly within one week it has been brought to my attention from three different sources! And I also had a chance to experience it in action and was amazed at the relief that I felt. Be it a coincidence or fate, but I went and trained as an EFT practitioner with AAMET (Association for the Advancement of Meridian Energy Techniques), then added to it Reiki… Now I am doing MSc in Counseling and Psychotherapy. So my journey is unfolding!

As a practitioner do you come across many people skeptical about trying EFT? Is there something specific you do or say that alleviates their skepticism?

Skepticism is a healthy thing, I believe. I am the biggest skeptic myself! Having been involved in academia for many years I learned to question things. And – no one still knows how exactly EFT works. Just as nobody knows how acupuncture works. Or even paracetamol for that matter! Are these the particular meridian points that produce the effect or the fact that rhythmical tapping distracts the rational mind and helps one get in touch with their subconscious? I don’t try to dissuade the skeptics, but simply offer them to try and see for themselves. Often they are taken by surprise and become very enthusiastic about tapping! So far in my work it was not skepticism, but a fear of feeling emotions (grief, anger, fear, etc.) that presented a biggest problem. It is difficult to do tapping effectively with people who totally block their emotions and just “feel nothing.” It is a challenge and may require long preparatory work involving other techniques and approaches (for example, movement with music). 

I watched one of your videos in which a woman is discussing how tapping gets her into a meditative state; do you recommend people tap before they meditate? Are there specific things EFT does for a person’s meditation practice?

EFT is indeed a very good gateway to meditation. If you meditate in the evening, after a full busy day, tapping will help with releasing stress and calming your mind. Tapping is also good for sharpening your intention and tuning in to the meditative state or the topic you want to focus on. However, EFT on its own can also be seen as a meditation of sorts. When you tap your brain begins to function on a different wave length as you relax into the process, concentrate on one thing and follow it through instead of going in all directions after a myriad of thoughts. EFT-meditation could be a very good alternative for people who are high strung and find that their thoughts wander too much when they sit in silence.

I discovered you also do Reiki healing as well. How do you use Reiki in combination with EFT to help heal others? Are there specific benefits to Reiki?

Reiki is a hands-on treatment that promotes deep relaxation and facilitates re-balancing of energy – its emotional as well as physical aspects – in your body. In this way it also promotes healing. I often do Reiki as a complementary treatment to EFT because working with emotions can be very taxing and exhausting. Sometimes people feel shaky or chilly after a big emotional burden has been shifted. Reiki helps replenish the energy and also integrate the changes in your organism. When I do Reiki as a separate treatment I also like to precede it by a short tapping session – for the similar reasons as doing tapping before meditation. It removes the layer of stress and quiets the mind making one more receptive to Reiki.

With EFT one basically learns to accept and love who they are. In a world where thinking about & caring about yourself can be seen as selfish, would you mind explaining the difference between selfishness and practicing self-love?

This is a very big topic that causes a lot of confusion. I actually wrote a blog article precisely on this topic, you can read it here. In a nutshell, I compare self-love with a way a mature parent would care for a child, taking into consideration the child’s needs, desires and harmonious growth. Selfishness, on the other hand, is similar to a child’s attitude to him/herself and the world. Small children want an instant gratification of their desires and they lack maturity to consider the consequences of their actions. A child may want to eat a whole box of chocolate sweets or take a toy from another child without thinking how it will affect his/her health or his/her friendships. When you care for yourself in a mature way, when you are in touch with your needs and aware of your strengths and limitations you are also able to give more to people around you and you will not later resent what you have given. 

In addition to EFT, are there things you do daily to keep yourself motivated and happy?

Daily – oh, it is a difficult question for such an unsystematic person like myself! Although I actually manage to tap daily, even if only for a few minutes, I guess I try to do things that make me happy. Things that I find nourishing for my soul. Like spending time with people who share similar interests, reading a good book, doing something different (had a horse riding lesson the other day!), keeping active. If I sit at home for the whole day I begin feeling old and sluggish. So I make sure I go walking or cycling every day. Accomplishing things that I set for myself makes me feel good. And, of course, my therapy work is a big source of joy and motivation. When I have a successful session I feel inspired and it helps me gain confidence.

 

Over the years I have learned the importance of creating space for myself. The space where I can pause amongst the hustle and bustle of the daily rush and become aware of my self and my feelings. It is so easy for us to slide into becoming “human doings” rather than “human beings”! So, even though I don’t meditate daily, I make a conscious effort to reconnect to my center and rebalance my energy, in one way or another. 

Up Next

Thank you, Ludmila, for the amazing insight and tips. I so appreciate what you said about creating space for yourself, we all need to do that! I truly believe with EFT this & more is possible. For more information about all the wonderful things Ludmila is doing please visit her website.

 

Next week’s interview is with Michael Lawrence author, speaker, and meditation & hypnosis coach! Check back next Tuesday September 10^th to learn more Michael and his hypnosis & meditation techniques.

For more information on EFT please visit my website. For tapping video’s and guides on how to use EFT check out & subscribe to my YouTube Channel. Keep tapping!

 

Unlocking Your Awesomeness: Interview with Jason Stephenson

Today’s interview is with Jason Stephenson founder of the awesome Relax Me Online site where he provides truly beautiful music for meditation, yoga, hypnosis, and more. Jason is what I like to call a ‘Meditation Guru’ and has been studying meditation for over 15 years. I was thrilled to ask him a few questions about meditation, music, and motivation!

How did you get started meditating? Where did you learn so much about meditation and the importance of it?

It was really by accident as to how I started meditation. It was a usual Monday morning train trip from Wollongong to Sydney, from my home city in NSW Australia, up to the big smoke - Sydney. I was heading off to work and this morning I was feeling uneasy. Over the past months I had not been happy. Work was just that... work. I knew there was more to life. What about my dreams of acting and singing? They had been put on hold whilst I continued in a job that drove me into the ground.

Today something was about to overcome me on the train trip. My friends could see that I was unsettled on this trip and they were asking me what's wrong. I had no answers. We were about half way to Sydney when the train pulled up at a little station called Otford. Otford is known for its beautiful national parks and nature reserves. Something overcame me. I was compelled to grab my bag, jump the seats and get out. And so I did. I had no idea what I was doing. Well, maybe in some ways I did. I needed time to think. I made it out of the train door just as they closed and the train left. Along the train platform I could only see one guard. I was the only one there besides him.

So here I was in business clothing, black shiny shoes and getting off at Otford with my backpack heading up the mountains. At this point, I can only tell you that for the first time in 5 years I felt a freedom unlike anything I had ever experienced! It was overwhelming. Continuing up the steep incline things were racing through my mind; "What will my boss say?" (I had no mobile phone with me), "What am I doing?", "Where am I going?!" I had no idea, but all I knew was something exciting was about to happen. I came to a rocky outpost overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was a beautiful day and not one cloud in the sky. Taking a large breath of freedom, I breathed deep and began to relax. Not think. Just relax and be in the present moment (first time in years!!!)

Looking out over the big blue I sensed this amazing peace within me. Oh, I can't tell you, but wait, as they say, there's more! Closing my eyes, I pushed my backpack away from me, took off my shoes and just breathed. Bird life was abundant here and it was heaven to my senses. This WAS high quality ambient music. The birds, the ocean waves crashing way below and little lizards scurrying in the bushes - the sounds were relaxation music in progress…of a natural kind.

Now I must have sat here like this with my eyes closed for what may have been only a few minutes... 5, 10 or 15 minutes at the most. I've no idea. But it felt like eternity. Suddenly, I totally 'let go.' I was totally free within of everything. No thoughts were present. No sounds. No nothing! I was simply living in the moment. Suddenly, what I can only describe as "waves of peace" washed over my entire body huge, pulsing waves. And in those moments of peace I knew that everything I had ever wanted to be, everything I had, everything I dreamed of... was right here, right now in this present moment. Even all of the people I had ever loved - and even the ones I had not yet met, were with me in that present moment! All of the ambient music I had ever listened to before was all rolled into one - just through being with mother nature herself. Sure I know this may sound unreal and farfetched to you, but it was real. Within those few seconds, I had touched 'nirvana', 'heaven' or call it what you will. These moments changed my life forever. This was my very first meditation experience - not even setting out to meditate, I encountered it. No meditation music, no chanting... only silence and mother nature. It's kind of ironic that I now operate an online meditation music and ambient music store with Relax Me Online, many years after this experience. I left the national park that day, feeling new, refreshed and a changed man.

The following day I went in to work, handed in my notice and went ahead and pursued my dreams of acting and singing.

I know you grew up surrounded by music, did you always know how powerful music can be?

Oh yes! I have always been a highly sensitive person and picked up on music from a very early age - and the powers of it. My parents were both musicians so I was constantly surrounded by beautiful music and powerful voices. From as young as I can remember, music tapped into my emotions like no one or nothing else. It was my comfort. I was a loner during my school years, so music gave me all I ever needed. It was my best friend.

Would you mind explaining a bit about the healing power of music?

Music heals on many levels. Sounds (which are actually vibrations) can affect our emotions. Music can make us feel alive, happy, sad, joyful, and at peace. It can also be distracting and irritating to us if we choose to listen to the music that does not ‘fit’ with us at a particular time.

Music has been proven on a scientific level by Japanese Dr. Masaru Emoto that it can actually change the crystalline structures of water once frozen. He discovered  that when he  played classical music to a glass of water and then froze it, the crystals in the ice when put under a high powered microscope  were perfectly symmetrical and beautiful. He found the opposite when  he subjected the water to heavy metal music. The crystals were scattered in appearance and out of alignment.  The results of this experiment were nothing short of remarkable. And if you think about it, the human body is made up of around 70% water… Music must then affect us on physical levels too.

 

Could you also talk a bit about brain entrainment and how that helps people relax, heal, etc.?

Brainwave entrainment is something I have only discovered over the past 3 years, although has been around for decades. It’s a rapidly growing field that involves the study of how changing brainwaves by natural means, will allow people to effortlessly enter states of increased intelligence, creativity, relaxation, pure energy, and more.

Researchers and scientists have found that different bands of brainwaves, are associated with different mental states. For example, the brainwaves of a sleeping person are much different than the brainwaves of a person who is awake. There have been many scientific studies on this field, although more could be done, however “Big Pharma” would not fund these studies as there is no money to be made in natural healing. The studies have shown that brainwaves not only provide insight into an individual’s mind and body, but they can be stimulated to actually change that person’s mental state. And this is where brainwave entrainment recordings come into play; by causing the brain to produce, or decrease, specific types of brainwave frequencies, it is possible to bring about a large variety of mental states, and emotional reactions.

I have received countless letter from people that my recordings I produce have helped with lowering of blood pressure (one lady even come off tablets altogether!), assisting with depression and anxiety, deeper meditation etc. Personally, I love it for meditation.

For someone who has never really meditated, would you mind sharing a few easy tips to start meditating today?

First tip would be to start today… now. This moment, if only for 5 minutes…close your eyes, take a breath and re-connect with yourself. Meditation is not about trying, it’s about being. Just be. Yet many find it so hard to be in the present as we are expected to multi task today with so many things going on. Today, more than ever before, we need to slow our minds down.

You can turn your waking life into a meditation by learning to be in the present moment. When you walk, you can be meditating. Just walk. Be present. Feel the earth under your feet. Connect with your breathing. Allow thoughts to come and then go. Don’t try to push them out. Just observe them and send them on their way. So many people get angry when they cannot stop their minds from racing during meditation. This then defeats the purpose. Over time, your thoughts will become less and less when you begin to live in the moment. If a thought enters, just allow it to drift off like a cloud floating in the sky.

A guided meditation is a good way for a beginner too as this aids the mind in learning the techniques of connecting to the breath, and having a visualization can assist the mind from wandering.

 

Reading a bit about you I discovered that at one point in your life you began seeking a deeper peace within yourself. Would you say your wonderful site has helped you find even more peace and in what way?

I guess Relax Me Online is another part of my journey of healing and relaxation and returning to the source. In building this site, I have the opportunity on a daily basis to listen to beautiful music and produce music for others that can heal and relax them too. So it works for me and it works for my customers. This is a part of my journey to help make the world a more peaceful place. 

I also discovered you work with crystals, would you mind sharing a bit about crystals and their healing & restorative properties?

Like music, crystals too have energy. Everything is energy. I think Einstein said that didn’t he? Everything IS energy. And that goes for crystals too. Crystals come from deep within the earth, and not only look pleasing to the eye, but many people gain from touching them, meditating with them and even using them as healing tools. Some say that the power of crystals is all in the persons mind that is using them. If that is the case, then I still say it is a wonderful thing - even if it is a ‘placebo.’ Never underestimate the placebo effect. Find more information on Jason’s crystal site here. 

Are there specific things you do each day to keep motivated and optimistic?

For me, I write a list of to do things each morning with a cup of tea in my hand.  This helps me keep on track.  I pray and meditate. These are my times of peace and healing - and they are a part of my life - my connection with God is a personal one. We have a thing going on, God and I. I love my communication with him.

Coming Up

Thank you Jason for your lovely & helpful answers! I so enjoyed learning about the day you played hooky from work, climbed up a mountain, and for the first time in a long time came into the present moment! Check out Jason's website and learn to come into the present moment! Check back next Tuesday for more awesome tips on ‘Unlocking Your Awesomeness’ from EFT Practitioner & Reiki healer Ludmila Gin.
 

If you’d like more information on EFT please visit my website. Also check out my latest YouTube videos & please subscribe! Thanks for reading~