This article is part of the EFT 102: How to do EFT, the basics series.

One of the beauties of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is it is very simple and very powerful.  It is a tool that is easy to learn, and can be done anywhere by anyone.  But it is important to note there are many ways of using EFT and there are many subtleties to the tool set.  

In many ways it is like a knife.  A knife is a very simple tool, that anyone can use anywhere, but how the knife is used is going to depend on the person using the knife.  If I have knife in my hand I am going to be able to cut rope and cut my stake for dinner.  If the same knife is placed in an artist's hand they are going to be able to carve beautiful woodwork.

It is the same knife, but who is using it makes a difference.  This doesn't mean that the knife isn't useful for me, but I am going to be limited in how I can use it based on my skill.  But, if I wanted to get better with my knife skills I could.  I could study and train to become more proficient.

EFT is no different.  It is a simple tool, that is very flexible, and what you can do with it is going to depend on who is using it.

Like all skills, it is best that you master the basic steps before you try to attempt more difficult tasks.  With that being said, it is important that when you are learning EFT that you master the basic skills before you move on to the more difficult approaches.  If you try and jump ahead too quickly you are not going to see any progress, be discouraged, and miss out on the power of EFT.

In our analogy of the knife we must first learn how to use it mechanically (simple cuts) before we can use it to create art.

Please don't be discouraged by this.  The basic mechanical EFT recipe that you are learning here is very powerful.  Even if you never move past this mechanical version of EFT you will be able to do wonderful things.  Just remember you must walk before you learn to run.

The basic recipe has four steps that are spelled out in the next few articles. They are:

• Step 0 (it is not really a step, but something you need to do before you start) - Drink Water
• Step one - Tune In and Rate
• Step two - Clear PR
• Step three - Tap
• Step four - Tune In and Re-rate