I think addressing physical symptoms is the key to healing just about any emotional issue that includes a physical aspect. Addictions, colds, alergies, irrational fears/phobias, weight issues, and a host of others I find respond well to healing modalities, like Rapid Eye Technology (RET) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), focused on “What do you feel in your body when…?” rather than “How do you feel (emotionally) about that?”.

Emotions are so nebulous and esoteric for most people, I think. However, even those who profess to have no emotional energy about something may still feel something physical (a sensation) related to an emotion.

For example, I once worked with a lawyer who had absolutely no emotional responses to “How do you feel about your divorce?” But his body was wracked with pains of all sorts that he could not explain. And even for those aches and pains he could explain (over-exercise, etc.), they ALL responded to RET’s Instant Release Technique – but ONLY if I asked “what sensations do you feel right now in your body [as we're talking about the divorce]?”. He had four sessions and turned his life around completely (fortunately, his wife did RET sessions at the same time, so they felt they were working together to rescue their marriage – which they both felt was worth preserving after 40+ years).

Honoring Emotions

Interestingly, I’ve had many clients who really wanted to dig into their emotional problems – over and over and over again. These clients get a certain amount of pleasure from RET particularly as they feel they are HONORING their emotions – and sometimes finding new ones they did not know they had. Each time I’d see them, they’d report the very same emotional issues – over and over and over again. They were recreating rather than healing – or so I supposed. Actually, they were healing – IN THEIR OWN WAY. One shoe does not everyone fit.

Just because RET is fast and effective for most people does not mean that everyone who wants to do RET wants to deal with their issues quickly. Some want to “drag them out” and enjoy/honor their emotional journey. When we RET technicians hurry them along, we dishonor their process. And how does one identify such clients? For the most part, they tend to book multiple sessions in advance. They tend to want to “wallow” a little bit in their emotions. And many I’ve seen tell me to slow down a little. Think how disappointed and dishonored such a client must feel when they completely resolve their issue in their first RET session. I’ve had clients call me and complain that it felt we went too fast – even though we completely resolved their issue and they were happy with the results.

As fast as RET works, we still must encourage some of our clients to entertain the notion of doing multiple sessions where we can delve and explore more fully their emotional depth – far beyond mere “healing” – into the realm of “what’s next” in their personal evolution. “What ELSE is there?” or “What’s next for you?”

A UCLA research study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that people may be able to improve their cognitive function and brain efficiency by making simple lifestyle changes such as incorporating memory exercises, healthy eating, physical fitness and stress reduction into their daily lives.

“We’ve known for several years that diet and exercise can help people maintain their physical health and live longer, but maintaining mental health is just as important,” said lead investigator, Dr. Gary Small, professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. “The UCLA study is the first to show the impact of memory exercises and stress reduction used together with a healthy diet and physical exercise to improve brain and cognitive function.”

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Memories – such fleeting things sometimes. And yet, other memories seem to last and last – flush with details. Researchers at Duke University led by neuroscientist Roberto Cabeza, Ph.D. have discovered that information retrieved from memory is simultaneously processed in two specific regions of the brain, each of which focuses on a different aspect of a past event. The medial temporal lobe (MTL), located at the base of the brain, focuses on specific facts about the event. The frontal parietal network (FPN), located at the top of the brain, is more likely to process the global gist of the event.

What does this mean for us "ordinary folks?"

It's back to the eyes. When you move your eyes, you tend to focus attention in your brain in an opposite direction. For example, when you look to the left, you tend to activate right hemisphere areas of your brain; when you look up, you tend to focus attention on lower brain areas, etc. It is as though you have a line-of-sight fulcrum inside your head with the fulcrum center-point in the very center of your brain (at eye level, of course). When you swing your gaze to the left, the other end of the fulcrum swings right, etc.

Consider this process to fully recall a memory:

First, look down, activating the FPN to get the gist of the memory. Cast your eyes side to side while looking downward to gain further information from the cerebral hemispheres associated with the FPN. When you feel ready to recall the details of that memory, swing your eyes upward and side-to-side. The upward gaze will tend to activate the MTL portion of your brain while the side-to-side action will tend to activate right and left hemispheres associated with the MTL.

Now, one more thing…

When you access a brain region, it wants something to DO. I recommend that you consider blinking – it's a simple and easy thing to do that creates huge fluctuations in light (from all to nothing and back). What you'll probably find is that by looking up and blinking, you'll activate the details-oriented MTL – and you'll stop blinking automatically as the details of a memory come to mind. Same goes for the FPN. And my guess is that if someone were to be looking at your eyes while you do this, they'd see small but perceptible jumps in the size of your pupils as memory gist and details come to mind.

Perhaps someday some curious scientist will seek to investigate my theory that one can consciously access memory aspects better with eye movement and blinking. Rapid Eye Technicians and their clients are already aware of the connection between eye movement, blinking, and memory – and the discharge of emotional energy tied up in certain types of memories.

Although some consider Rapid Eye Technology to be a spiritual process, the movement and blinking of the eyes is a physical aspect of a psychological process of memory that can be personally experienced by anyone – and when done in a controlled fashion can enhance memory while separating memories from their emotional charge. Further, the basic processes and techniques of Rapid Eye Technology take advantage of the connection between physical, emotional, and mental aspects of memory.

High self-esteem is a critical factor that can positively affect many areas of your life. On the other hand, if you have low self-esteem, it will act as a constant challenge – a hurdle you have to jump over each time you want to try something new – a constant force dragging you down.

While self-esteem can be difficult to change, it’s not impossible. Here are a few time-tested tips for improving your self-esteem, and feeling better and more positive about yourself on a daily basis.

* Make a list of things you like about yourself – and refer back to it often. This list should include your successes and achievements, and your positive traits and qualities. The more you practice liking and accepting yourself, the more things you’ll be able to add to the list.

* Surround yourself with people who are loving and accepting. Don’t let yourself get dragged down by the negative attitudes of others. Your true friends will like you the way you are.

* Take care of yourself. Give yourself the care and attention you deserve, whether that means breaking a few bad habits, paying more attention to your physical health and appearance, or taking a break with some relaxing time alone.

* Do what you love. Find a way that you can shine, using your strengths and talents to the best of your abilities. Pursuing activities that you’re good at is one of the best ways to build self-confidence!

High self-esteem is a powerful motivator and an important predictor of future success. You can get started improving your self-esteem today.

Core Inner Strength, a hypnosis program developed by Dr. Shirley McNeal, is a fun and easy way to improve your self-esteem. In just four hypnotic sessions, you will discover the life-changing secrets behind experiencing comfort and safety in yourself, raising your self-esteem and self-confidence, and finding your inner strength.

Click here to learn more about Dr. McNeal’s program.

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