tap cross therapy | David M Masters

Limiting beliefs are a hidden but powerful force in our lives. They shape our perceptions, decisions, and actions, often without our conscious awareness. These subconscious roadblocks can prevent us from healing, achieving our goals, or living authentically. By understanding what limiting beliefs are and how they work, we can uncover the ways they may be sabotaging our progress and begin the transformative journey toward freedom and self-discovery.

Join me as we take a look at the nature of limiting beliefs, how they manifest, and two effective techniques to overcome them: Tap Cross Therapy and The Sweep. While uncovering these beliefs may feel challenging, approaching the process with curiosity and humor can make it a rewarding experience.

What Are Limiting Beliefs?

Limiting beliefs are subconscious thoughts or assumptions about ourselves, others, and the world that restrict our potential. These beliefs often originate in early childhood through experiences, societal messages, or the meanings we assign to situations. While they may feel true, they are often based on skewed interpretations rather than facts.

For example, a child who repeatedly experiences rejection may internalize the belief that they are unworthy of love. Over time, this belief can shape their adult relationships, leading to patterns of self-sabotage and unfulfilling connections.

Key Characteristics of Limiting Beliefs:

1. Subconscious: They operate beneath our conscious awareness.
2. Self-Reinforcing: They influence behavior in ways that perpetuate themselves.
3. Restrictive: They hinder growth, healing, and self-expression.

How Limiting Beliefs Block Healing

Many people find themselves stuck in a cycle of trying to heal or improve their lives, only to encounter repeated setbacks. This pattern is often driven by subconscious resistance.

Why Does Resistance Occur?

1. Perceived Benefits: At some level, the subconscious mind believes the current challenge provides protection or benefits.
2. Fear of Change: Healing may require stepping into the unknown, which the subconscious views as risky.
3. Conflicting Desires: A part of you wants to heal, while another part resists due to deeply ingrained beliefs.

For example, someone with a chronic illness may subconsciously associate healing with losing attention or care from loved ones. This inner conflict can prevent progress, even when conscious efforts are made.

The Impact of Limiting Beliefs on Behavior

Limiting beliefs act like filters, distorting how we see ourselves and the world. This distortion influences our thoughts, emotions, and actions, often leading to self-sabotage.

How Limiting Beliefs Create Patterns:

1. Skewed Perception: Beliefs act as a lens, filtering experiences to align with their narrative.
2. Reinforcement Loop: The subconscious seeks evidence to validate the belief, creating self-fulfilling prophecies.
3. Behavioral Constraints: Actions are shaped by these beliefs, often resulting in cycles of limitation.

Consider the belief, “I’m not creative.” Someone holding this belief might avoid opportunities to express creativity, reinforcing the idea and further embedding it in their identity.

Uncovering Limiting Beliefs

Discovering limiting beliefs requires introspection and honesty. It involves identifying patterns of thought and behavior that feel restrictive or self-sabotaging.

Questions to Help Identify Limiting Beliefs:

- Do I avoid certain opportunities because I believe I’ll fail?
- Is there a recurring thought that holds me back?
- When I think about healing or achieving my goals, do fears or doubts arise?

Two Techniques to Overcome Limiting Beliefs

Tap Cross Therapy
- Focus on the belief you want to release.
- Use your fingertips to tap gently on the four cross points of your body, then the four cross points of your face (forehead, chin, outside points of eyes).
- As you tap, affirm your intention to let go of the old belief and welcome new possibilities.
- Repeat. (See Release Emotional Trauma with Tap Cross Therapy)
The Sweep
- Imagine your limiting belief as a dusty, unwanted object in your mental space.
- Close your eyes, visualize a broom sweeping it away, and replace it with a new, empowering belief.
- Repeat affirmations that support the new belief, such as, “I am capable of healing.”

These techniques help reprogram the subconscious mind, creating space for healthier patterns and beliefs to take root.

A Lighthearted Approach to Serious Work

While uncovering and releasing limiting beliefs can feel daunting, infusing humor and curiosity can make the process more engaging. Think of yourself as a detective uncovering hidden clues about your inner world. Each discovery is a step closer to freedom and healing.

Time to Clear Limiting Beliefs

Limiting beliefs are like outdated software running in the background of your mind, subtly shaping your reality. By identifying and clearing these beliefs, you can align your subconscious with your conscious goals, paving the way for transformative change.

Healing begins when you challenge the narratives that no longer serve you. With tools like Tap Cross Therapy and The Sweep, you can take empowered steps toward releasing the mental blocks that have been holding you back.

Embrace this journey with patience, humor, and a willingness to explore the depths of your subconscious mind. As you clear limiting beliefs, you’ll unlock your full potential and discover a new, unbounded version of yourself.

I know people have heard about Tap Cross Therapy, and I get asked about it all the time, especially when people hear about the transformative results that come from this quick and easy bit of therapeutic science.

So, without further ado, I will tell you how it’s done, briefly. Do not be afraid to try this. There is not much to it, but it is extremely powerful in removing the emotional component from any highly charged thought/statement.

First, I establish a safe and secure environment for my client. I’ve already cleansed the room and prepared my self to be transparent through the process. After I have their agreement that the space is safe, secure, and sacred for this procedure, I have them write their most emotionally charged thought on a piece of paper. This is a thought, that when they think of it, it takes them straight to a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 represents the most upset, they could be.

I take a look at what they’ve written, and if I think they could do better, I encourage them to rewrite it in a way that represents all of the emotion they feel, not using politically correct jargon and including cuss words, if they feel it would be a more accurate representation.

When you have a nice, vile representation, which when read clocks in at a solid 10, you can continue.

I sit across from my client, face to face, with our faces at least two feet apart, and show them what we are going to do, as I show them. “This is a two-part process. We will to the head first, because that’s where the thought originates and triggers are fired. Then we will do the body, because that’s where the physical manifestation of the pain or upset resides.” As I demonstrate the tapping, I say, “First, we tap on the forehead at the area of where the third eye would be, as you read your statement with as much emotion as you can muster.

“Then, you will read it again as we tap the chin. Then the outside of the eye, then the outside edge of the other eye.

“After we’ve read and tapped those locations, we’re ready to move on to the body.

“Now, you may have noticed that this sequence is similar to the sign of the cross.” And I reassure them that any similarity is simply coincidental as these are actually therapeutic meridian points, such as those used in acupuncture, and there is no religious significance to the procedure.

“Repeating the same statement, we start at the third eye location again, tapping and reading the statement. Then do the same at the area of the belly or solar plexus. Then each opposing shoulder.

I continue, “Then I will have you repeat some closing affirmations which will conclude the process, and we will check for results.”

Then I ask them if they are ready? And have them take a deep cleansing breath. I have them look me in the eye, eye to eye, start tapping on the forehead, and have them shout their statement.

I keep moving through the process until we have finished tapping the outside of the second eye, then ask if they feel like they are ready to move onto the body? If they are, we continue. Then we do the body. When you’re moving to the shoulders, if there’s any Catholic background working away at them, they may hesitate. Just keep on tapping and repeating their phrase. (Note: I also tap the shoulders in reverse, as the client will mirror me, so they are tapping from shoulder to shoulder in the right direction, but this is not necessary.)

After we’ve completed a round of both the head and the body, I follow up with having them place their hand on their heart and repeat after me, “I totally love and forgive myself for having held onto this pain” (I totally love and forgive myself for having held onto this pain) “I now release these emotions to the universe” (I now release these emotions to the universe) “And I let them go.” (And I let them go) “I am loved” (I am loved) “I am love.” (I am love)

Then I announce that we are complete.

Now, I have them read the statement again, then measure their level of discomfort when it is read. You and your client will be shocked that they are now at a two or three on the scale of 1 to 10.

If not, you will notice some reduction, and another round or two may be necessary.

With the emotional context of the subject removed, your client will now be able to approach processing the situation or circumstance rationally, unimpeded by emotional overload.

Please use Tap Cross Therapy (TCT) whenever needed. You will find it works every time, with immediately measurable results.

Once your clients know how to do this, they can do it anywhere, any time they are feeling emotional overwhelm. This is a huge advantage for clients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as well as other emotionally debilitating disorders.

My gift to you.