Transforming Times

How to milk a water buffalo...

2009-08-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

This email question tickled me and I thought you might enjoy reading it and my answer. It's from an EFT client of mine, a new father whose wife also worked with me during her pregnancy. This was their first baby, so along with EFT, we talked a lot about how best to prepare for labor and birth, and how he could support her to help make things easier.

J. writes:

By the way, have you ever done EFT for cows? We're starting milking (a water buffalo actually, but it's similar), and neither we nor she are used to it, so it's not too easy... In fact, we have to inject a small dose of oxytocin to get the milk to be let down. I don't like doing that as it isn't the natural way at all, but there doesn't seem to be any other way right now, and we have to milk her or she'll dry up. I kind of chuckled when I heard that oxytocin was what we needed -- reminded me of you and our discussions regarding labor and bonding. Funny how it's the same hormone for all those things. Anyway, I've heard of using EFT for animals but have no idea what on earth I could do that would help her let down her milk without drugs. Getting her to calm down and let us milk her would be awfully nice too... (Yes, I just finished milking, and it was one of the hardest we've had so far, so I'm rather frustated...) I am curious whether there's any way EFT could help?

At first, all I could do was giggle. It's the water buffalo part that is so amusing to me. To understand why, you really should check out The Water Buffalo Song. My kids listened to this song when they were younger, and they still love it. When I told them about the email, a rousing chorus of the song broke out. It was actually a lot of fun to write these things from the perspective of helping to milk a water buffalo. Hope you and your clients enjoy it as much as I did!

Here's my response:

To answer your question, I have not tapped on or for cows, no-- nor water buffalo, needless to say. But I have done EFT for dogs, cats and horses, all with great success. In fact, Gary Craig published an article I wrote about tapping for one of our dogs when she was sick. The article was in his newsletter and is on his website too (you can read it here).

Two important things to remember:

1. The same things that create optimal oxytocin release in a woman in labor will create optimal oxytocin release in ANY mammal. So... think of those 5 things and do them. They are, in no particular order: warmth, safety, darkness, quiet and privacy.

Most of these things help to increase oxytocin by DECREASING adrenaline. Adrenaline is the antagonist to oxytocin. So being warm helps because adrenaline is secreted when we're cold. Make sure the 'cow' is warm and your hands are too. Do whatever you can to help encourage her to feel safe around you. Being in a dimly light environment will help too, as opposed to a brightly lit one (total darkness is not necessary, thankfully!). Noise is also a no-no-- but lullabies or soft singing may help (music affects the limbic system of all mammals; it's a way to soothe the cow without her even realizing that it's working). And being away from other animals/people-- unless they specifically seem to have a calming effect on her-- may also help.

If you can't do all five, do as many as possible. From a physiological standpoint, the better you meet these needs, the easier it will be to milk your water buffalo.

2. Tapping on yourself and your frustration, etc, will often affect your animal(s). Once your attitude and energy shifts, so will the animal. This may be key, because it might be that this cow is picking up on your concern and it's making her uneasiness worse. If you become the calm, patient protector she can trust, and you stay in that energy very reliably, she will most likely be able to give up her skittishness very soon. And her milk will flow more easily because of it.

Once you're through tapping on you-- and don't hold back!; tap until you feel completely calm and mellow-- then you'll be ready and able to tap on the cow. You can tap on the animal, and some of them enjoy it. The points correspond with where they are located on our bodies, and they're not difficult to find. But for now, I suggest that you tap for her surrogately.

Start with the obvious:

Even though I, the water buffalo, can't let my milk down without drugs, I'm a good cow and my caretakers love and honor me.

Reminder: I'm the cow and I can't let my milk down without drugs

I'm the water buffalo, and even though milking time is hard for me, I'm a good cow and my caretakers love and honor me.

Reminder: I'm the cow and milking time is hard for me

Then you can branch out and tap on anything that comes into your head. Don't judge it, don't censor yourself. Even if it seems crazy or ludicrous or silly-- or all three!-- just tap on it.

You might find yourself tapping on the cow feeling scared of you, or guilty that she can't please you, or afraid you'll get rid of her if she continues to disappoint you (and she may not know why you're disappointed), or resentful that you want the milk she would ordinarily give a calf. She may be missing her own kind, or unhappy for some reason. Whatever. Just tap on whatever comes up, and trust that it will be the right thing.

Use the altered standard format, as above, unless you feel guided to use the "I deeply and completely accept myself" ending. Go with whatever reminders seem to fit. And don't be surprised if you find that some of the issues you 'sense' for the water buffalo are mirrored in your own (and/or your wife's) issues. There are no coincidences, and animals can be very good teachers for us.

I would LOVE to have an update on how this works!!!

Once J. has a chance to try my suggestions, I'll let you know about the results.

Fall 2009 EFT Level 1 Study Group

2009-08-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

Join us and learn the foundational basics of EFT! This study group will provide you with the tools you need to begin using EFT, a wonderful meridian tapping technique which is like a psychological form of acupuncture. The difference is that EFT uses no needles, so it can be used anywhere, any time, by anyone. In this series, you'll learn how to reduce physical pain and discomforts, address troubling memories and events, conquer cravings, release anxiety, and overcome fears/phobias. A beginner using EFT may accomplish in one session what those utilizing other methods need weeks, months or even years to achieve.

Day/Time: 1st Wednesday of each month, from 7-9:30 pm - 1st session on 9/2/09
Location: Charlotte, NC, near I-77 and Sunset Rd. (address & directions provided when you register)
Length of Series: 6-7 months, based on members' needs/wishes
Cost: $175 at the door, or register by 8/30 and pay only $150

Level 1 is for beginners. No previous experience with or knowledge of EFT is required. The curriculum is appropriate for both laypersons and therapists; those who wish to use EFT only on themselves and those who wish to become EFT practitioners (either informally with friends/family, or formally with patients/clients).

Our first meeting is scheduled for September 2, a Wednesday evening. Hope to see you there!

Additional Information

Series topics will include:

* The history and development of EFT
* How EFT works
* The EFT "basic recipe" (long form)
* The EFT shortcut form
* Psychological reversal: understanding and overcoming self-sabotage
* Refinements: being specific, working with aspects and more
* How to use EFT for common issues (physical pain, troubling memories, cravings, fears/phobias, anxiety, etc.)
* How to test your work and insure that the problem is cleared
* What to do when EFT doesn't seem to work
* And more

This 15+ hour series will include several hours of hands-on tapping; the equivalent of hundreds of dollars' worth of EFT sessions. You'll learn both the EFT long form and the shortcut form, and will use each one over and over. This is the key to long-term memorization of the tapping procedures, so EFT will be a permanent tool for your use. Throughout the series, you'll also have the opportunity to address and possibly resolve some of your own discomforts, troubling memories and other issues.

Homework will be assigned and may include video segments to watch, short reading assignments, and/or EFT tapping homework. At the end of the series, there will be a fun and comprehensive test of all the material covered.

A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who meet the requirements. These requirements are very basic and simple to fulfill: adequate attendance, participation, and homework, plus a demonstration of your acquired knowledge/skills on the final test.

Required Materials

* The EFT Manual - The manual is available for download here at no cost. Or if you prefer, you can purchase it in book form from Amazon.com or other online booksellers for ~$10.
* The EFT Course DVD set - This is the first set of EFT DVDs in Gary Craig's extensive training DVDs. It is currently offered for sale as part of the EFT Foundational Library, available here. You may purchase the library (which contains the required DVD set plus two other sets) for $150, or you may make copies of my personal set for free. (This duplication is legal and permitted by the World Center for EFT; see this link for more information.)

PLEASE NOTE: This EFT Study Group is not sponsored by Gary Craig or The World Center for EFT. The content offered within this series cannot replace nor replicate the standardized training offered by The World Center for EFT on their training DVDs. A certificate of completion will be given at the end of this series; however, certification as an EFT practitioner is available ONLY through the World Center for EFT. If you would like to become a Certified EFT Practitioner, please visit the World Center for EFT for information on the official training and certification process.

Working on website

2009-08-17T10:54:00.001-07:00

There will be a slight delay in moving the older posts over. I'm currently renovating my website (again), and also dealing with a 'flu-ridden spouse. Soooo much to do, so little time. Yes, I'm tapping on that!

Starting Over

2009-08-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

So I got tired of the continuing clash between Yahoo and WordPress and finally decided to do something about it. I'll pull the older posts over when I get a minute. Meanwhile, just getting settled in and learning the way things work with this interface. More very soon: lots of interesting things are coming up!

Keep tapping,

Eileen