Unleash Your Primal Power Archives - Finding the Meaning in Everyday Life

I Love Bears

Bears have always been special to me. I’ve been smitten by all kinds of bears. I love black bears, polar bears, Smokey Bear, Gentle Ben, Winnie the Pooh, and stuffed bears. Most recently I’m in love with a black bear, cinnamon in color, that we have named Cinnamon Buns. Cinnamon Buns likes to visit my yard and eat all of the apricots from my tree.

In Unleash Your Primal Power I write about my close awareness of bear energies and I do believe that the bear is one of my spirit or totem animals. Perhaps it is my association with “momma bear” energy or possibly the frequent desire I feel for hibernation. Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson lists multiple characteristics associated with bear energy. These include strength, confidence, leadership, solitude, fearlessness, healing, mothering, cunning, nurturing, and gentle strength. I would add hungry!!

The bear sightings at my house started last year. It was quite shocking and exciting to see a bear sitting in the tree, so close that I could touch him (I at least think it is a he). He came back multiple days in a row and cleaned out the apricots from all three trees. He climbed, he shook the tree, and bounced up and down on the branches, until they were all gone from the tree. Then he devoured them. This year I have only see him once so far, but the apricots weren’t quite ready. So it seems he ate all of my tomatoes instead.

Another bear with 2 cubs was in the driveway last week. They ran so fast and went up a tree so I couldn’t get a good photo. Yesterday I found out that the forest service was out and trapped a bear because it was “menacing” in the neighborhood. I don’t really believe that he was menacing. I sure hope it wasn’t Cinnamon Buns or that momma bear with cubs. My apricots are almost ready so I’ll be watching for Cinnamon Buns to come any day now.

In late spring I had the experience of a behind the scenes tour with the polar bears at our local zoo. It was amazing to be within inches of them. I was somewhat glad to have that strong fencing between us, but another part of me wanted to touch that big beautiful paw so badly. I also want to scratch those ears.

There are several tapping exercises involving bear energies in my book, Unleash Your Primal Power, and I included one for you now. If you are unfamiliar with tapping here is a tapping tutorial if you click HERE.

Hiding

Bear sightings in most areas are infrequent. There are always reports of bears scavenging in campgrounds, and I’ve occasionally seen them near dumpsters. But, unlike Yogi Bear and Boo Boo, they general stay out of sight unless they are hungry. I often prefer to stay out of sight too.

Say this statement aloud: “I want to hide.” How true does that feel to you on a 10-point scale (0=not at all up to 10=very much)?

Setup: (tapping on the karate chop point) – I have a habit of, or preference for, hiding instead of being out in the open. It feels so much safer to hide, but this hiding doesn’t always bring the result I want. I don’t risk rejection, but I also don’t have the impact on the world that I really desire. Even though I’ve been hiding to stay safe, I love and accept myself. Although I’d prefer to hide most of the time, I honor myself and my old habits. Even though I’ve always hidden myself behind the scenes, I am excited about the possibility of making a change, the possibility of making a difference.

Eyebrow – I like to hide
Side of Eye – I prefer to be behind the scenes
Under the Eye – I dislike being out in the open
Under the Nose – It is pretty scary
Chin – Too risky
Collarbone – My need to hide
Under the Arm – Sure, it can keep me safe
Top of the head – But it doesn’t really fit well with my goals
Eyebrow – I want to make a real difference in the world
Side of Eye – And to do that
Under the Eye – I might need to stop hiding so much
Under the Nose – I’d like to be more comfortable with that
Chin – I’m open to clarity about this issue
Collarbone – I choose to increase my visibility
Under the Arm – And still manage to feel comfortable
Top of Head – I want to believe in my ability to protect myself, hiding or not

Take a deep breath and let it out gently. Say the statement aloud again “I want to hide and re-rate the truthfulness or intensity you feel. Notice any change?

Recently I snagged these bear photos. Enjoy!

Primal Power Has Gone Live

Unleash your Primal Power: Totem Tapping for Health and Happiness has gone live. It is now available at bookstores online and locally. I would really appreciate your feedback and reviews are definitely welcome.

It has been a long time coming. Although I’ve written other books, this one was probably the most fun to write. It is actually based on a chapter from my first book Tap It Away: 10 Minutes to Freedom. Unleash Your Primal Power expands on the concept that we can find a starting spot for tapping by considering the animals that we either love, fear, or have some sort of a strong feeling about. Of course there isn’t room in a single volume to describe all of the possible tapping options with each animal, but there are many examples that can help you get started on your own journey.

You will also find plenty of information about how to tap, why I tap, and other interesting facts. You can also find additional examples of primal power tapping throughout this website. If you have a particular animal that you would like me to provide some tapping about, just ask. You could also suggest a personality trait or challenge and then we could work backwards by thinking about what animal that might remind you of. The possibilities are almost endless.

Happy Tapping.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Primal Power has been set free.

I’ve been anticipating the completion of my new book Unleash Your Primal Power: Totem Tapping for Health and Happiness for quite a while now. Well, it is finally completed and available for sale. I am excited to share this book with everyone. It seems like I have been working toward this goal forever and I am pretty pleased with the outcome. Catchy title. Attractive Cover. But most of all, a topic that I am passionate about.

So far, Unleash Your Primal Power is available in softcover and e-book on both Amazon and Balboa Press. If it isn’t already, it should also be available at Barnes and Noble very soon. If you find it other places, please let me know. Once you have read it, honest reviews are appreciated.

One of the questions I was recently asked was what the title meant. The video that follows explains the concept and title. If you have other questions, please ask.

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 22 that also helps to explain the title.

I see primal power as the source or essence of our personality. It is that essential spark that is inherent in all of us and fundamental to the way we interact in our world. It is that part of us that is untainted by life’s hard knocks and is simmering at our core, waiting for expression.

Power is defined as the ability to do something or take action. Common synonyms include ability, capacity, potential, capability, and competence. When you pair the definition of primal with the definition of power you get an ability or potential for doing great things because of a fundamental essence or characteristic.

Then there is the word unleash. That means to release from a leash or similar type of restraint. Common synonyms are release, free, untie, untether, or unshackle. Combining this with the definitions or primal and power, this book has been about helping you to break free of the external and internal forces that have kept you imprisoned or that have made it hard for you to grow into the person you want to become so you can exercise that essential or fundamental ability to act in ways that you choose and desire.

Happy Tapping

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Ready, Set, Wait a Bit Longer for Unleash Your Primal Power

It has been an exciting week. On Friday I saw the cover design and interior layout for Unleash Your Primal Power: Totem Tapping for Health and Happiness. While a few tweaks will be necessary, the finish line for getting this book “on the shelves” is starting to come into view.

Just the title is enough to make you feel that something is happening. After all, the word UNLEASH gives you the sense that something powerful is about to be set free. Indeed I hope that is true for you. I believe that most, if not all people, have an inner wisdom or spirit, that if we just allowed it to flow freely or be “unleashed,” would guide and improve our lives.

Unleash Your Primal Power combines the technique – tapping, with animal characteristics to form an easily learned technology for lasting personal change. The book will guide you through multiple examples, using different animal characteristics, to help you get started.

Try this exercise:

What is the first animal you would like to visit at the zoo if you could just walk straight to it?
Name at least 3 characteristics of that animal that you admire or enjoy.
How similar are you to that animal?
In your daily life do you exhibit those 3 characteristics above? Do you behave somewhat different, or opposite of those 3 characteristics?
How would it help you to be more like the animal?
What situations do you see yourself in that, if you behaved or thought more like that animal, you would benefit?
Have there been specific times when you behaved the opposite?
Was there a specific time when you “learned” that having those characterstics was unsafe?
Is it still unsafe?
Imagine yourself exhibiting the characteristics of the animal. How does it feel?

I hope you wrote down your answers. Now, start tapping using the questions and answers above. Change tapping spots as you are guided by your intuition. When you are done, be sure to write down any thoughts or feelings that you had.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Fox – A Tapping Meditation

Adorable fluffy omnivorous orange fox with white spot on neck and brown eyes standing in wild nature on blurred background

The fox is known as the magician and the keeper of magic. It is also said that the fox possesses the gifts of shapeshifting and invisibility. They often live at the edges of forests and in the border areas. There are 21 different species but we almost never see them in the wild. Even though we don’t see them, they may have a lot to teach us.

We are not going to use a problem statement (MPI) or do the setup (karate chop), but instead are going to hop right into the tapping meditation. Take a few deep breaths and let them out slowly.

Eyebrow…Fox

Side of Eye…Concealment

Under the Eye…Fox

Under the Nose…Camouflage

Chin…Fox

Collarbone…Knowledge

Under the Arm…Fox

Top of Head…Silent

Eyebrow…Fox

Side of Eye…Keen senses

Under the Eye…Fox

Under the Nose…Recognizing opportunity

Chin…Fox

Collarbone…Trusting instincts

Under the Arm…Fox

Top of Head…Finding and accepting blessings

Eyebrow…Fox

Side of Eye…Sexuality

Under the Eye…Fox

Under the Nose…Cunning

Chin…Fox

Collarbone…Protector of family unity

Under the Arm…Fox

Top of Head…Adaptation

Eyebrow…Fox

Side of Eye…Swift thought and action

Under the Eye…Fox

Under the Nose…Decisive

Chin…Fox

Collarbone…What message do you have for me?

Under the Arm…Fox

Top of Head…Open to the wisdom of the fox

Eyebrow…I like the idea of being silent

Side of Eye…Becoming like the wind

Under the Eye…And being undetected in my observation of others and situations

Under the Nose…The downside is that I can feel I am not worth noticing

Chin…Sometimes I think I am too visible

Collarbone…Striving for recognition

Under the Arm…Experiencing jealousy or envy

Top of Head…Or putting myself in a position to be attacked

Eyebrow…The fox has the ability to shapeshift

Side of Eye…And choose when to be visible

Under the Eye…And when to be invisible

Under the Nose…It also can move silently

Chin…And not reveal its intentions to anyone

Collarbone…I need to learn more of this

Under the Arm…And I call upon the wisdom of the fox to teach me

Top of Head…I would like to be more mindful of how I interact in the world

Eyebrow…And learn to control my aura

Side of Eye…To be more harmonious with my environment

Under the Eye…And the people around me

Under the Nose…This totem teaches us

Chin…That we don’t have to reveal everything we know

Collarbone…This is another skill that I seem not to have developed

Under the Arm…I used to feel bad

Top of Head…When I wasn’t noticed

Eyebrow…But maybe that is just my inherent and unrecognized fox energy

Side of Eye…Working its magic

Under the Eye…Once recognized, I could learn to control it

Under the Nose…And enjoy being silent and invisible

Chin…When it suits me

Collarbone…And becoming visible when I think it is important

Under the Arm…Claiming the energy of the fox

Top of Head…Exercising my fox-ness.

Take a deep breath and let it out gently. If certain thoughts or feelings came up, be sure to write them down, or continue tapping with them now. As noted above, the fox tends to be invisible so I haven’t had very many personal experiences with them. I find them intriguing and am excited to seek out more opportunities to learn from them.

A couple of situations and tendencies did pop into my awareness and will need further tapping. I became aware of my tendency to call people out on things, just to let them known that I know what they are up to. This has not always worked to my advantage. To divulge the knowledge just so they don’t think I’m naive or gullible is not very fox-like. I also became aware of how my previous tendency to stay in the background is at odds with my desire to be known as an author. Obviously, to sell books and make a living I will need to be more in the spotlight. Some tapping about how that could be congruent with fox energy will be quite interesting I think.

You can find a video of tapping with this animal here.

Is there another animal that you would like to see a tapping about? Let me know. Perhaps you would like to tap with the lessons from the hawk. You can find more tapping about animal characterstics in Unleash Your Primal Power: Totem Tapping for Health and Happiness.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Until next time, Happy Tapping.

Transformational Power of the Snake

The transformational power of the snake totem is exemplified by the shedding of the snake’s skin. It is a physical rebirth process. Additionally, it teaches us that we can transform most things that come into our lives, for better or worse. We can create opportunity out of loss, passion from hardship, or vitality from illness. Consider the ways in which you have engaged in the process of transformation. Are there things in your life or personality that you would like to transform now?

I wanted to give you a sneak peek from my upcoming book Unleash Your Primal Power: Totem Tapping for Health and Happiness. This came from a chapter dedicated to the different characteristics of the snake. Think of a specific hardship you are facing right now or expect to be facing in the near future and then start tapping.

MPI: “I’m facing this hardship.”

Setup (Karate Chop Point) – Even though I am facing this hardship right now, I choose to remain open to learning how to use this experience to create a better opportunity. Even though I am facing this hardship right now, I choose to remain open to using this experience for growth and prosperity. Even though I am facing this hardship right now, I choose to remain hopeful and full of expectation for the great things that are coming next.

Eyebrow	This hardship
Side of Eye	Things are really hard right now
Under the Eye	And I’m having trouble seeing past this moment
Under the Nose	All I can focus on
Chin	Is this hardship
Collarbone	And how bad it feels
Under the Arm	This hardship
Top of Head	Stuck in this negative viewpoint
Eyebrow	I’m having a hard time
Side of Eye	But I choose to remember that things can transform
Under the Eye	Into something wonderful
Under the Nose	This hardship
Chin	And I choose to remember that things can transform
Collarbone	Into something special
Under the Arm	This hardship
Top of Head	I can transform it
Eyebrow	Seeking transformation
Side of Eye	Things will change
Under the Eye	Transforming hardship into something wonderful
Under the Nose	Things do change
Chin	Transforming hardship into something special
Collarbone	Transforming hardship into something better
Under the Arm	Things change
Top of Head	I claim this transformational power

Take a deep breath and let it out gently. What thoughts about your hardship came up? Did you have any thoughts about how you would like it to transform? How can the transformational power of the snake assist? Write those things down in your tapping journal and continue tapping until you feel resolution.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Happy Tapping.

Rabbit – A Tapping Meditation

When I put out a survey a while back I asked whether you wanted a tapping exercise about the cardinal or about the rabbit. The survey was a tie, and I already gave you the one about the cardinal. Today we will consider the rabbit.

I’d love to do some tapping videos about animals you are interested in. Let me know what you would like to see next.

Need to learn more about tapping? Click here.

Happy Tapping

Ants

Did you know that there are more than 10,000 ant species? I didn’t. I knew that there were red ones, brown ones, black ones, ants that bite, and ants that don’t. Ants are social insects and usually live in communities that have a queen ant. The worker ants are female. They have no wings, don’t reproduce, but have many duties within the colony such as foraging for food, caring for the queen’s baby ants, and protecting the community. Male ants have only one job – making baby ants with the queen. After they are done with that task they usually die.

Not very long ago I had an interesting infestation of ants in my kitchen. Actually it really wasn’t an infestation with swarms of ants everywhere; it was more of a semi-constant trickle. I did some cleaning and they seemed to be gone. That lasted about 3 hours then I saw another one walking across the kitchen floor. A few hours later I saw one walking across a kitchen counter.

I don’t harbor an intense dislike of ants and I don’t usually go out of my way to kill them if they are outside, but I don’t want them on my kitchen counters or in my drawers, and I don’t want to squish them under my bare feet when walking in the kitchen. Since they broke our “agreement” to stay outside I decided to spray the baseboards to try to stop them from coming in. That lasted for about 8 hours, then more ants.

While this ant battle was going on I was also having some struggles at work. I felt that I was being treated as insignificant, not being allowed to exercise my own judgment and creativity, and just felt that I was generally not appreciated. ON the inside I was rebelling about all of this as was trying to assert my individualism within a culture that clearly doesn’t value that.

The ants kept coming and I continued to feel dissatisfied. One morning while doing my lap swim I had the thought, “what if the ants are acting as one of my totems?” I started thinking about the ant characteristics that I’ve been writing about and became even more sure of it. I phoned a friend and shared my insight, thinking that it was hilarious that I had overlooked this possibility and quipped, “wouldn’t it be hysterical if the ants were gone when I get home?” After all, I had finally received the message about being industrious, fitting in, stamina, and perseverance.

When I got home the ants were indeed gone. I’m sure that I have more work to do pertaining to managing employment while nurturing my own dreams. I am glad the ants were persistent and that I finally caught on. It does make me wonder how many other times there have been animal totems willing to point me in the right direction, but I somehow missed out on getting the message.

Tapping Meditation

To get started, lets do a tapping meditation to get in touch with some of the characteristics associated with ants and to get ready for whatever messages ants might have for you.

Eyebrow	Ant
Side of Eye	Social
Under the Eye	Ant
Under the Nose	Colony
Chin	Ant
Collarbone	Solves complex problems
Under the Arm	Ant
Top of Head	Interactive
Eyebrow	Ant
Side of Eye	Industrious
Under the Eye	Ant
Under the Nose	Cooperative effort
Chin	Ant
Collarbone	Hard work
Under the Arm	Ant
Top of Head	Group-minded
Eyebrow	Ant
Side of Eye	Perseverance
Under the Eye	Ant
Under the Nose	Self discipline
Chin	Ant
Collarbone	Teamwork
Under the Arm	Ant
Top of Head	Orderly
Eyebrow	Ant
Side of Eye	Stamina
Under the Eye	Ant
Under the Nose	Honor
Chin	Ant
Collarbone	What message to you have for me?
Under the Arm	Ant
Top of Head	Open to the message of ants

Keep tapping while considering the knowledge, experiences, and meaning that the ant may have for you. Be sure to write down any thoughts, beliefs, or feelings that arise when you have finished the tapping meditation. Which characteristics of the ant would you want more of? Which characteristics do you have in abundance?

For me, the ant is a fairly neutral symbol. I was raised on the image of ants being a nuisance when they visit a picnic. I have also seen the painful bites or stings from fire ants. I’ve been intrigued by ant hills and loved the movie Ants. I even had an ant farm when I was growing up.

Ants are actually pretty important in Native American culture and lore. The Hope, Pueblo, and Akimal O’odham tribes have Ant Clans. The Cherokee celebrate with an Ant Dance. In the Cahuilla creation myth ants spread the earth out for people and animals to live upon. In a Hopi myth the ant people provided shelter to the humans during the destruction of the First World. The industriousness and cooperative spirit associated with ants is often the focus of these stories.

Ants are also a common feature in literature. Ants are mentioned in the Bible and in the Quran. Ants were featured in A Tramp Abroad by Mark Twain, The Once and Future King by T.H. White, Les Fourmis by Bernard Werber, and The Empire of the Ants by H.G. Wells. Do you remember the cartoon Atom Ant? Did you have an ant farm when you were growing up? Did you play the game Ants in the Pants? Maybe you are more familiar with the movies Antz by Dream Works Animation in which Z-4195 longs for the opportunity to express himself or the movie A Bugs Life from Pixar Animation Studios in which the misfit ant Flik fancies himself to be an individualist and inventor.

The above selection was from my upcoming book Unleash Your Primal Power: Totem Tapping for Health and Happiness. If you read my first book Tap It Away: 10 Minutes to Freedom With EFT you might remember that there was a chapter devoted to using animal characterstics to guide tapping on personality characteristics and change. The upcoming book is an expansion of the concept.

Cover Image of Tap It Away: 10 Minutes to Freedom With EFT by Dr. Leanna Manuel

Why Am I Here?

In legend and mythology, dolphins are associated with knowing one’s purpose. When you watch them you never get a sense of self-doubt or second guessing. I want that for my self. The tapping exercise that follows addressed the big existential question of what my purpose might be and hopes to answer the question, “Why am I here?”

Setup (tapping the karate chop point): Sometimes it is really hard to know why I am here. What is my purpose? What am I really meant to do? This uncertainty, this not-knowing, is quite uncomfortable. Even though I don’t know why I am here, I choose to search for my purpose. Even though I am unsure of my purpose, I choose to create meaning in my life. Even though I am not always clear about why I am here, I choose to believe that my purpose will eventually become more clear.

Eyebrow…Who am I?

Side of Eye…Why am I here?

Under the Eye…What is my purpose?

Under the Nose…What is my destiny?

Chin…Am I on the right path?

Collarbone…Is this my path?

Under the Arm…Who am I?

Top of Head…Unanswered questions

Eyebrow…All of this uncertainty

Side of Eye…This anxiety of not knowing

Under the Eye…Who am I?

Under the Nose…What is my purpose?

Chin…What is the plan?

Collarbone…Uncomfortable not knowing

Under the Arm…Infinite possibilities

Top of Head…Who am I?

Obviously this was a very short tapping on a great big topic. It was not intended to wrap everything up in a pretty little package. It was intended to stimulate thoughts and questions that are relevant to your journey. Most of us (myself included) will likely need a lot more tapping to address all of the aspects of an existential question of this magnitude.

If thoughts or feelings popped in, write them down and set aside some future time to tap on them. Why? We all think that if we have the thought or insight things will get better, and they might. However, if you use those thoughts and insights for tapping, things can get a lot better.

Happy Tapping

There Is Danger All Around Me

I don’t think anyone would argue that bears are quite strong. One of the episodes that I remember from the TV show Gentle Ben was one in which the bear protected people from danger. When you watch the news it becomes readily apparent that the world really can be a dangerous place. Often, when I am out running errands I often get the sense that there is danger all around me. When we are feeling more vulnerable than strong we can call upon the strength of the bear to help us cope.

Say this statement out loud “There is danger all around me.” How true does that feel to you? Rate it on a scale of 0-10, with 10 being very true.

Setup (karate chop point): Even though there is danger all around me, I choose to remain strong in the face of adversity. Even though I see danger everywhere I look, I choose to acknowledge my inner strength. Even though there is danger in my world I choose to exhibit fearlessness and gentle strength.

Eyebrow…I see danger all around me

Side of Eye…Danger is everywhere

Under the Eye…Some of it may only be in my mind

Under the Nose…But much of it is real

Chin…It makes me feel afraid

Collarbone…It makes me feel helpless

Under the Arm…I don’t like that feeling

Top of Head…I would rather feel strong

Eyebrow…I would rather be fearless

Side of Eye…I want to protect myself

Under the Eye…And protect others around me if I need to

Under the Nose…I wonder how that would feel?

Chin…Sure, I’d prefer that there was never anything dangerous out there

Collarbone…But that is just a fantasy

Under the Arm…I can choose to respond with gentle strength

Top of Head…To both the real dangers and my inner concerns.

Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Say the statement again, “There is danger all around me.” If the number has stayed the same, continue tapping with these or other statements until it goes down. If your number has gone up (sometimes that will happen), try thinking about a specific danger you are sensing and continue tapping while describing that.