Listen, Then Practice
Do Not Argue With the Feeling
Fear is useful when it reflects a current threat. It can move you away from an unsafe edge or mobilize an appropriate response. Difficulty arises when old danger and present reality blend together.
If the body says I do not feel safe, begin there. Do not force the opposite statement. Orient to what is concretely true now and invite the Primitive Brain to update at a pace it can use.
Tapping: Add Present-Time Evidence
Side of the Hand: Even though I do not feel safe, and I have reasons from
my past, I invite the part of me that protects me to notice this moment.
Side of the Hand: Even though my body may still expect danger, I am here
now, and I can add accurate information without dismissing what happened.
Top of the Head: Part of me does not feel safe.
Eyebrow: It has learned to stay alert.
Side of the Eye: Right now I can feel the support under me.
Under the Eye: I have air to breathe.
Under the Nose: I have had food and water available.
Chin: I can look around and notice where I am.
Collarbone: I invite my body chemistry to reflect more of this moment.
Under the Arm: This may be what a little more safety feels like.
Top of the Head: Much of my life is working right now.
Eyebrow: I do not have to ignore what is difficult.
Side of the Eye: I can also notice what supports me.
Under the Eye: The floor, the walls, the light, and the sounds.
Under the Nose: A person, animal, object, or place I trust.
Chin: My courage brought me to this practice.
Collarbone: My Primitive Brain can notice what is working, too.
Under the Arm: I am letting present time become more real.
Invite All the Senses
Look, listen, feel, and—where appropriate—notice smell and taste. Sensory facts can reach the Primitive Brain more directly than a logical argument. Let it register one genuinely supportive detail at a time.
If there is current danger, respond to it. If the activation is too much, pause and seek capable support. The practice is not to declare everything safe; it is to make the assessment more current and complete.
Browse the complete course
Getting Started
Module 1 — Engaging the Primitive Brain
- 10-01 · Engaging the Primitive Brain
- 10-02 · It Won't Work For Me…
- 10-03 · I Hate My Primitive Brain
- 10-04 · Taking the Parking Brake Off
- 10-05 · Releasing the Internal Tug-o-War
- 10-06 · Forgiveness and Small Steps
- 10-07 · Guided Meditation #1 – 5 Senses
- 10-08 · Self-Reflection Homework – Module 1
- 10-09 · Q & A + Tapping Sessions – Module 1
Module 2 — Safety and the Primitive Brain
- 20-01 · Safety and the Primitive Brain
- 20-02 · The Prime Directive
- 20-03 · Outside-In Reprogramming
- 20-04 · I Don't Feel Safe — current lesson
- 20-05 · I Don't Know What Safe Feels Like
- 20-06 · Is It Safe to Feel Safe?
- 20-07 · Notice the Safety Around You
- 20-08 · Guided Meditation #2 – Alert Level Adjustments
- 20-09 · Self-Reflection Homework – Module 2
- 20-10 · Q & A + Tapping Sessions – Module 2
Module 3 — Taking Steps
- 30-01 · Taking Steps
- 30-02 · Perfect Baby Steps
- 30-03 · Disappointment
- 30-04 · Fear of Loss
- 30-05 · Avoidance and Clarity
- 30-06 · Looking for the YES
- 30-07 · Training the Brain to WIN
- 30-08 · Who Will I Be?
- 30-09 · Guided Meditation #3 – Releasing Disappointment and Loss
- 30-10 · Self-Reflection Homework – Module 3
- 30-11 · Q & A + Tapping Sessions – Module 3
Module 4 — The Heavier Emotions
- 40-01 · The Heavier Emotions
- 40-02 · Why Look at Heavy Emotions?
- 40-03 · Letting Go: Feeling, Honoring, and Releasing
- 40-04 · Shame and Guilt
- 40-05 · Shame: I Feel So Wrong
- 40-06 · Anger: The Power Rising
- 40-07 · My Unique Self
- 40-08 · Guided Meditation #4 – Sending Soothing
- 40-09 · Self-Reflection Homework – Module 4
- 40-10 · Q & A + Tapping Sessions – Module 4
Module 5 — Primitive Brain Reactions
- 50-01 · Primitive Brain Reactions
- 50-02 · Fight, Flight, Freeze
- 50-03 · Inner Tapping
- 50-04 · Specific Events
- 50-05 · Shock
- 50-06 · The Big Why
- 50-07 · Re-Empowering the Primitive Brain
- 50-08 · Guided Meditation #5 – Filling Your Tank
- 50-09 · Self-Reflection Homework – Module 5
- 50-10 · Q & A + Tapping Sessions – Module 5
Module 6 — Breaking Through and Moving Forward
- 60-01 · Breaking Through and Moving Forward
- 60-02 · Breaking Through the Frozen Fear
- 60-03 · Separating Your Emotions
- 60-04 · Continuing to Show Up
- 60-05 · Rejection and Acceptance
- 60-06 · Negative Thoughts
- 60-07 · Boundaries
- 60-08 · I Need to Be Perfect… Or Else
- 60-09 · Pulling It All Together
- 60-10 · Guided Meditation #6 – The Tree, the Beach, and the Fruit
- 60-11 · Self-Reflection Homework – Module 6
- 60-12 · Q & A + Tapping Sessions – Module 6
Bonuses for Your Primitive Brain
- 90-01 · Finding Your Why
- 90-02 · Keep Going with Confidence
- 90-03 · Creating a Clearing for New Beginnings
- 90-04 · When You Change Really Fast
- 90-05 · Deep, Restful Sleep – 5 Tapping Scripts
- 90-06 · Dealing With Other People’s Primitive Brains
- 90-07 · Blocks to Growing Your Business
- 90-08 · Self-Sabotage in Love & Relationships
- 90-09 · Self-Sabotage in Health & Well-Being
- 90-10 · Self-Sabotage in Money & Finances
- 90-11 · Financial Trauma Series
- 90-12 · EFT Master Carol Look on Procrastination and The Primitive Brain
- 90-13 · Sex & Relationships Expert Reid Mihalko on Relationships and The Primitive Brain
