Listen, Then Practice
Find the Moment Time Seemed to Stop
Within a larger event, shock may be the instant something unexpected happened: the impact, announcement, look, sound, or realization before there was any way to respond. The body can remain organized around that fraction of a second even after other aspects have been processed.
Use current-time grounding and Inner Tapping. Imagine pausing the scene and approaching the shocked self with choice.
Tapping: It Is Okay to Unfreeze Now
Side of the Hand: Even though this was such a shock and everything stopped,
I am here with the part of me that did not know what would happen next.
Top of the Head: This frozen shock moment.
Eyebrow: It came out of nowhere.
Side of the Eye: My Primitive Brain was trying to plan for danger.
Under the Eye: There was no time to understand.
Under the Nose: I can be with the shock gently now.
Chin: The event is not still unfolding in this room.
Collarbone: It is okay to feel in my body again.
Under the Arm: It is okay to unfreeze one small amount now.
Restore the Next Moment
Ask the shocked self what would help: information, distance, a protector, movement, warmth, water, food, or reassurance that the immediate emergency has ended. Imagined nourishment can signal that survival continues; practical nourishment in the present may also help ground.
Look again at the face and posture in the scene. Invite the person to move, breathe, speak, or leave only if it feels right. Reorient fully afterward. Repeated gentle completion can teach the Primitive Brain that shock does not have to remain permanent.
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
- 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 — current lesson
- 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