SMaRT Releasing

This post assumes basic knowledge of releasing using both the Sedona Method and the Release Technique. The use of Holistic Releasing is also mentioned, which is explored in Hale Dwoskin’s course, Practical Freedom. The use of Holistic Releasing on resistance, mentioned here, is covered in the CD entitled “The Resistance Dissolver”.

Introduction

The founder of releasing, Lester Levenson, had two students whom he allowed to progress his technique. Hale Dwoskin went on to form Sedona Associates which teaches the Sedona Method. Larry Crane created the Release Technique which is also known as the Release Technique.

Both of these styles of releasing are very similar in their content. However, there are slight variations between the two methods, especially with the separate advanced modules which can be purchased separately to the basic courses.

I have found that different methods of releasing from both Hale and Larry’s courses can be combined to work together. This could be called SMaRT Releasing (Sedona Method and Release Technique).

SMaRT Releasing on Resistance

It seems that the want to think is ever-present. The mind is always vying for control by trying to figure things out. This is the want for control. Isn't it strange that hardly any self-help method discourages thinking? Other than meditation I suppose. Every other self-help method encourages thinking – particularly imagining yourself having something you want.

I was using holistic pairs on resisting thinking, swapping back and forth on both sides of the polarity, as per Hale Dwoskin’s CD Practical Freedom.

"Could you let go of resisting thinking?"

"Could you let go of resisting not thinking?"

But I suppose what got me doing this was when I listened to Larry Crane doing attachments and aversions on worrying in the Release Technique. Larry did likes/dislikes and/or advantages/disadvantages on worrying - so I thought I'd make them into holistic pairs. Worrying and thinking, of course, are pretty much synonymous. In the Release Technique, after working on likes/dislikes and/or advantages/disadvantages, Larry then asks if you could let go of your entire attachment/aversion.

So, after about 6 or so rounds of this pair – I would then ask:

"Could you let go of your entire attachment to thinking?"

"Could you let go of your entire aversion to thinking?"

I've only just started doing this and it works like magic!

I sometimes just jump to the "letting go of the entire" thing - without doing the pairs - that results in a strong chest release.

“Squeezing the Lemon”

Another good method from the Release Technique is something that Larry Crane calls Squeezing the Lemon. This is a technique of squeezing the last few drops of energy out of something, just when you thought you could not release anymore. This works by articulating two extreme opposite scenarios. A response should then arise from the subconscious mind, such as, “Oh no!” or “That would be wonderful!” Ask if this response is coming from wanting approval, control or security. Whatever want it is – ask if you could let it go.

"Imagine always thinking, no matter what you do, you can’t stop thinking..."

"Imagine never thinking again, no matter what you do, you can’t make yourself think..."

The squeezing the lemon questions ("Imagine never..." - "Imagine always...") can also be used as holistic pairs just by themselves.

There are other ways of applying the squeezing the lemon questions, for instance:

"Imagine always wanting..." (your goal, emotion, etc)

"Imagine always having..." (your goal, emotion, etc)

Other General Concepts to Release On

In the Release Technique Larry Crane uses generic, fundamental concepts - things that affect us all - such as money, guilt, worrying, relationships. I am convinced that if we worked with really important concepts such as these - we would be free quite quickly.

There are certain “programs” that are always running in the subconscious mind. Through releasing, we can switch-off these “programs” – for a period of time at least. I practiced this method with self-condemnation and self-justification, as these are things that affect everyone.

"Could I let go of resisting condemning/justifying myself..."

"Could I let go of resisting not condemning/justifying myself..."

Continue polarity back and forth until complete, then...

"Could you let go of your entire attachment to self-condemnation/self-justification..."

"Could you let go of your entire aversion to self-condemnation/self-justification..."

Now for the Squeezing the Lemon questions:

"Imagine always condemning/justifying myself..."

"Imagine never condemning/justifying myself again..."

And More…

Another wonderful technique that I learned from the Release Technique which I use all the time, is the statement “and more”. Larry Crane uses this almost all the time when he is doing a releasing exercise in the CD basic course. When we release, we don’t always let go of all of the energy of the emotion or want. Therefore, we need to ask the releasing question again, “Could I let go of…” However, when we follow a release with, “and more”, we release again – just as if we had asked the releasing question a second or third time. Repeat the “and more” statement until you feel you have fully released that want or emotion in that moment.

I still use this method from time to time – usually when I’m feeling stressed. I find it is a wonderfully effective “stress-buster”.