Imagination · “Feel It Real”
TAT 'I Choose'
To install a chosen positive outcome — after (or instead of) clearing a problem — by lightly holding the TAT head pose while resting attention on a present-tense choice (‘I choose ___’) and on seeing and feeling oneself already living it.
TAT “I Choose” in 5 lines: (Clear any block first, optional.) Take the TAT Pose — thumb and ring-finger above the inner eye corners, middle finger above the brow, other hand cradling the back of the head, light touch. Rest attention on “I choose ___“ (your outcome, present tense), then on “this is possible for me … I see and feel myself living this now … I’m grateful for this,” one at a time until each settles. Integrate with three poses (standard, hands switched, ears encircled): “all of this is completely integrated now.” Smile, drink water. It likely helps via rehearsal, affirmation and calm attention — not proven energy creation — so pair it with real action.
What it is
Most descriptions of Tapas Fleming’s TAT stop at clearing a problem. But Fleming’s own protocol ends with a distinct constructive phase: the “I Choose” step (Step 8) and Integration (Step 9).
Here you keep lightly holding the TAT Pose and, instead of resolving an upset, you rest your attention on a present-tense choice — “I choose ___“ — and then on a short menu of statements that have you see and feel yourself already living it.
It is TAT turned from release toward creation: a positive-intention / assumption practice done in the same still, receptive pose. Fleming frames it as choosing to “ resonate, identify, and connect with“ the new reality, the mirror image of the clearing steps where you stop resonating with the old one.
The Method
From Fleming’s official Steps of TAT® chart (2017), the I Choose / Integration sequence:
- (Optional) Clear first, then build. Fleming usually runs the clearing steps on any blocking problem first, then moves to choosing. But the I Choose step can also be used on its own to install a desired state. Decide your single, specific outcome.
- Set the opening intention. Hold the pose and silently intend that the healing is “on behalf of me, my family, my ancestors, all the parts of me, my conscious and subconscious mind … everyone involved,” and that it “will happen safely and easily.” 3. Take the TAT Pose. One hand: thumb tip and ring-finger tip lightly just above the inner corners (tear-duct area) of the two eyes, middle finger on the forehead about half an inch above and between the eyebrows (the “third eye”). Other hand cradles the back of the head, palm over the occiput. Light contact only; rest your arms whenever you like, even mid-step. Eyes open or closed; either hand in front.
- Make the choice — Step 8. Holding the pose, put your attention on: - “I choose _.” and/or “I choose to resonate, identify, and connect with _.” Fill the blank with the outcome in present tense (a feeling, a state, a result).
- Add the optional creation statements (one at a time). Still in the pose, rest attention on each of these in turn, for a few seconds up to a minute, until you feel a small settling (a sigh, a yawn, attention drifting — Fleming’s sign a step is “done”): - “This is possible for me.” - “I completely allow and accept this.” - “I like this and it feels great.” - “I see and feel myself living this now.” - “I see and feel all of Life supporting me in this.” - “I see and feel myself easily completing all the actions related to this.” - “I’m grateful for this.” Optionally, give yourself a big smile about what you chose.
- Integrate — Step 9, with all three poses. Put attention on “All of this is completely integrated now with my grateful thanks.” Do this with each of three poses: (a) the standard front-and-back pose; (b) switch hands so the hand that was in front goes to the back and vice versa; (c) encircle your ears with your fingers (thumbs behind, fingers in front, cupping each ear).
- Close. Drink water (Fleming suggests 6–8 glasses on TAT days), and notice how the chosen outcome feels now. (The bracketed statements are Fleming’s copyrighted wording, quoted short for fidelity from the official 2017 chart; surrounding instructions are faithful paraphrase. “Use the wording that is right for you while maintaining the meaning,” Fleming notes.)
Source & Lineage
Tapas Fleming, a California licensed acupuncturist, created TAT in 1993 (You Can Heal Now, 1999). While TAT is best known as a release method in the energy-psychology family (after Callahan’s TFT and Craig’s EFT), Fleming built a creative close into it: the I Choose step. → originator: TATLife.
It sits beside this library’s assumption / desired-state practices — Neville’s “feeling it real” and SATS, Coué’s autosuggestion, and affirmations — and is the constructive counterpart to the clearing protocol in.
The Traditions' versions
Neville’s “feeling it real” / SATS — dwell in the present-tense reality of the wish fulfilled; Fleming’s “I see and feel myself living this now” is the same move.
- Affirmations / Coué — present-tense, repeated positive self-statement; the “I choose / this is possible for me” lines are affirmations held in a calm pose.
- Gratitude practice — the “I’m grateful for this” close treats the outcome as already given.
- EFT “choices” (Patricia Carrington) — tapping while affirming a chosen positive outcome; a direct parallel from the sibling tapping tradition.
- Vision/mental rehearsal — athletes’ present-tense rehearsal of the completed performance.
Common refinements
Choosing the absence of a problem. “I choose to not be anxious” keeps attention on the problem. Choose the positive state you want instead.
- Skipping the clearing. If a strong block is active, Fleming has you clear it first; trying to “choose” over a live charge feels hollow.
- Reciting without feeling. The value is in seeing and feeling yourself living it (The Inner Creates the Outer/The Inner Creates the Outer), held until a small settle — not speed-reading the list.
- Crediting the pose. Treat the pose as a focusing/relaxing aid, not a proven energy device.
- Fantasy instead of action. Pair the chosen outcome with real steps; positive imagery alone can sap drive.
- Over-long sessions. Fleming caps total pose time at 15–20 min/day.