My Self Therapy Treatment for Anxiety [continued]

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You may find it easier in the beginning to use a feeling word for very obvious emotional energies. For example, if you know what you're feeling is anxiety or nervousness, you can identify it that way, maybe saying "Hello nervousness". However, remember to listen only to the pure energy and to then describe its physical traits. DO NOT get caught up in trying to interpret your energies or associate them with external events. This energy describing process is actually a form of active listening. You are reflecting back to your inner energies your understanding of them. The process of reflecting helps maintain mental focus and requires clear observation. By focusing only on the physical characteristics, you limit the need for the intellectual activity that interpreting energies into feeling words requires. This is also the best way to stay focused on listening to the pure energy.

*The observing, describing, and reflecting step is the most important part of the Self Therapy process. The majority of your session should be devoted to this activity... So, if you would like to spend some more time listening to the energy that you are currently with, please feel free to do so now.

STEP V

Remember that the goal of Self Therapy is to increase tolerance for all emotions, not to rid yourself of the unwanted ones. There is some irony in this because as you spend time listening to your energies and becoming comfortable with them, they often transform into feelings that are no longer overwhelming. Usually this happens within a few hours after a Self Therapy session. You will notice that the energy that had perhaps been quite uncomfortable before your session becomes something that is easily tolerable. Sometimes energy shifts can even occur during the session itself. Energies may change shape or density, expand or contract, or move slightly. Sometimes an energy you spending time with may even disappear altogether. Just go with these transformations, and continue being present with the new forms that emerge. It will often be a nice side effect, but an elimination of unpleasant feelings should NOT be the objective of your interaction with body energy. To have a mental goal of dissolving your feelings will defeat much of Self Therapy's powerful benefits. You are learning to be with your energies, and in doing so eliminating the magnification of uncomfortable ones that is caused by avoidance. So do not try to empty yourself of emotions.

Please close your eyes again, and turn your attention back to the energy you were spending time with.. Affirm your acceptance of the energy's presence by repeating the following phrases to it:

• Energy, you are okay to be where you are
• Energy, I can handle you
• Feeling, I am okay with your presence in my body
• Energy, I do not seek to suppress you
• Sensation, I seek only to be comfortable with you
• Energy, I am okay with you
• Energy, I let you be as you are

STEP VI

Just read now.. You might have noticed that the manner in which we're communicating with body energies is similar to an interaction with a person. And that's an excellent way to view this process. For our purposes, you can treat the energies as separate entities, or friends, within you. In a way, they are indeed friends. Most energies arise because they are trying to provide us with something the subconscious mind thinks is useful information, as illogical as its interpretation might be. Most importantly, emotional energies are what make us human. Feelings, and our ability to experience all of them, make life rich and full. We do not want to eliminate this. Our number one goal here is to learn to listen to energies objectively. With a continued practice of this Self Therapy listening technique, your tolerance level will increase and you will be able to move through self-limiting emotions like fear and anxiety because they will no longer overpower you. The benefits build upon themselves day after day as you continue practicing.

Turn your awareness back once more to the energy you were spending time with. With a feeling of genuine appreciation, regardless of the nature of the energy, repeat the following phrases to your energy:

• Energy, thank you for the message you are trying to give
• Energy, I appreciate and accept your presence within me
• Energy, thank you for contributing to my humanness

These statements or something similar can conclude your Self Therapy session. When you're ready, you can now open your eyes.

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