Ted Robinson's tips for doing Borrowing Benefits groups

By Ted Robinson

Hi Gary,

I received so many immediate inquiries about my Borrowing Benefits Group post that I thought it might be worthwhile for me to offer some additional specific information about how I conduct them so that others might get a better insight into how to do them as well.  This is just my way of doing it.  They may all do it anyway that works for them.  Here goes:

I hold weekly groups on Wednesdays between 7-9 PM for $20 US in our small "Center for Inner Healing" on Long Island, NY.  We usually get anywhere from 4-10 people and there is presently no advance reservation needed, although I expect to do that as more people come.  I also expect to have prepaid subscriptions put into place.  For now, anyone who walks through the door can participate, unless they're inebriated (tried that once - not good).

I have everyone introduce themselves on a first name basis only and make sure that everyone knows that whatever happens in that room is confidential and I get everyone's agreement to that effect before going any further.

If anyone doesn't yet know anything about EFT, I do an immediate 5-10 minute introduction and then tell them they can simply follow what everyone else is doing and they'll be fine … and they're always fine.  The refresher helps those who need it anyway, so it’s never a waste of time.

I then always start off with a single round of Even though I may have some resistance to change in my life, I love and accept myself anyway.  By doing this, we start from a place of neutrality about resistance and, from my experience, they then have the best chance to bring about real change in their lives that evening.

After that round, I then explain Borrowing Benefits and have everyone focus on a particular issue and assign a level of intensity on a scale of 0 to 10.  I always make sure they focus on a specific issue only, as general issues don't resolve as easily in this situation.

I also explain that I will be working with one person at a time and that while everyone else will be saying the same words along with me and that one person. They realize that they will actually be working on their own issue at the same time.  I then have each of them visualize a simple 2-3 second "movie" or vignette of the "high point" of their issue (or should I say low point?) and then give their "movie" a title of no more than 2-4 words.  The best I ever heard was, "I didn't do it!"

I then pick one person (usually the one that obviously needs it the most at that moment) and work with them while everyone else goes along with me saying the same words.  I remind them from time to time to "say your own words" within their minds to themselves as we tap all the points saying reminder phrases.  I only use the "short-cut" eight points as I find that it works best in a group setting.

When we finish, I instruct them to close their eyes, take a deep breath and evaluate their levels of intensity.  I then have everyone report their original number and their subsequent number to see where they are in their issue.  If anyone goes up in numbers, I explain that they've changed issues and advise them to work on the new aspect or issue as the case may be.

I continue to work with the person I've initially chosen until their level of intensity is down to a one or zero on a scale of 0 to 10.  I then do the same with everyone in the group until everyone has had at least one issue resolved as completely as possible.  I only move on to another person if its obvious that the person I'm working on is at their lowest level of intensity or they are not going to resolve any more that night on that issue.  If someone gets too stuck, I'll move on and tell them to stay later and I'll work on them privately for a few minutes to bring their numbers down more fully.  I don't like the energy of the group to get brought down with any one person's issue or story and I purposely keep the group at a high level of resolution to the best of my ability.

At that point the two hours have usually gone by quickly and we end with hugs and goodbyes until the next Wednesday.

I have to say, I think I look forward to those special Wednesdays more than any other member of the group does.  I feel so honored to be able to do this work with them.  Thank you Gary for suggesting it.  As I said, conservatively speaking, we get at least an 85-95% reduction or elimination of all issues from every participant, but its actually closer to 100% of the time. I just don't want to sound too heady or optimistic.  Borrowing Benefits really should be called the newest "Wonder of the World" in my opinion.

With great respect,

Ted