The primary intention of the Third Depth is to “bring about the principle of activity.” It governs doing—how to act, when to take initiative, and when to delegate. The Body Function Energies corresponding to the Third Depth are the Gall Bladder and Liver Function Energies. When things don’t go as we wish, the resulting emotion is anger, expressed or suppressed as frustration, irritability, or outbursts. This attitude of anger prevents the Mediator from harmonizing the Third Depth and disturbs its main function—the building of blood. After all, we often say our “blood boils” when we’re angry.

Often, a shift in perception—or the realization that our anger isn’t truly about what we think it is—causes the emotion to dissolve. In such moments, we say we’ve gained a new vision of the situation. For this reason, the Third Depth is closely connected with vision and the eyes. The gift of harmonized Third Depth is Vision.

To harmonize:

  • Hold the Middle Finger [SH1, p. 11]
  • Hold in sequence the Little Finger, Ring Finger, and Middle Finger [SH1, p. 30]
  • Reversing and Increasing Third Depth [T1, p. 64]
  • Third Method Correction 
  • Any  SELs in 3rd Depth: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
  • Quickie: Hold SEL 14

3rd-Depth Safety Energy Locks

SEL 16, Breaking Down of Existing Forms for New Ones; Transformation

Location: Safety Energy Lock 16 is located on the outside side of the ankles, just opposite to SEL 5 (the inner ankle).

Keywords: Transformation, “SEL 16 changes fears to fun and problems to projects.” M.B.

Meaning and Function: Safety Energy Lock 16 helps us “recharge our … energy battery, harmonize the generative functions, skeletal balance, [and] tonify muscles.” [SH2, p. 43].

Mary says: “[It] aids: head, back, and elimination/stress projects.” [SH2, p. 43]

To open

Further Commentary

Holding Safety Energy Lock 16 is used in both Special Body Function Energy (2) and (3). In SBFE (2), SEL 16 is held together with Low SEL 8 as a quickie for 2nd Depth adjustments and as an aid for opening the hard-to-reach SEL 9. In SBFE (3), SEL 16 pairs with SEL 5 [T2, p. 52], serving as a quickie for 3rd Depth, flexibility, and pain projects. Interestingly, page 52 once again reduces to 7—just like Safety Energy Lock 16 itself.

According to Mary Burmeister [SH2, p. 43], Safety Energy Lock 16 “came into being meaning the basis of all human activity.” She further explains that it represents the breaking down of existing forms to make way for new ones. The 16th card in the Tarot, The Tower, mirrors this theme—symbolizing transformation through the destruction of the old to create space for the new.

It is also noteworthy that 16 reduces numerically to 7 (1 + 6), and that its description appears on page 43 (4 + 3 = 7) of the Self-Help books. Likewise, Text 1, page 16, presents Safety Energy Lock 2—which, fittingly, consists of seven steps.

To help speed up recovery for head injuries, stroke, or any disharmonies appearing in the head, hold SEL 16 with the same side little toe.

Safety Energy Lock 17. Intuition and Imagination

Location:  Outside of the wrist

Keywords: Relaxation of Mind and Nerves; Reproductive Energy

Meaning and Function: Relaxation, alleviation of nervous tension, reproductive functions.

Mary says: “[It] aids: chest congestion, bloating, swelling, heart and breast conditions, back tension and stress [SH2, p. 45].  

To open

  • Hold Right wrist with the left hand or vice versa  [SH2, p.45],
  • Ring finger [SH2, p.46], or
  • Little finger [SH2, p. 46]
  • 16-17-18-19 Sequence [T1, p. 31]

Further Commentary

Safety Energy Lock 17 brings wrist strength and helps with stress in the wrist. I held SEL 17 for about 15 minutes, alleviating a strong aching in my hand induced by too much typing and working on my computer.

It is related to the little finger and 5D by virtue of its location. The Heart Function Energy flows through SEL 17 on its way to become Small Intestine FE at the little finger. SEL 17 helps balance the nervous system and hence is very helpful in emergency “panicky” situations [TH, p.96]. It is like the “smelling salts” of the body and can help prevent losing consciousness. SEL 17 is great for the opposite ankle (similarly, SEL 16 can be used for wrist issues). It has a transforming power and can help us go through life changes.

When we had a fire in our house several years ago, it started late—around 11 p.m. Although my whole family, including our dog, escaped unharmed, we lost nearly all our possessions and spent the following year rebuilding our home. For many nights afterward, I struggled to fall asleep. Because the fire began so late at night, I found myself unable to relax, constantly alert for any sound, movement, or smell that might signal danger.

During that period of recovery, holding SEL 17 in bed became a great comfort. It didn’t necessarily help me fall asleep, but it brought me into a meditative, half-conscious state—is that what the state of theta waves is—where I felt expanded, peaceful, and protected. In that state, I no longer minded that I wasn’t fully asleep, and I would still wake up feeling rested and refreshed.

Holding SEL 17 helped stop a sneezing spell when I was driving and could not reach for my pinky toe to harmonize the Kidney Function Energy.

SEL 18, Body Intelligence, Natural Physical Intelligence, Mind specialist

Location: Safety Energy Lock 18 is located in the palm of the hand at the base of the thumb.

Key words: Natural Physical Intelligence, Mind specialist

Meaning and function: Safety Energy Lock 18 relates to body consciousness and any functions that affect human personality. [SH2, p. 47] It helps with good sleep and can clear the abdominal area. According to M. Burmeister, it aids chest and back tension and back of the head congestion. [SH2, p. 47]

To open

  • Hold the base of the left or right thumb
  • Hold left or right little finger per the Hand Map.
  • Hold SEL 25 with SEL 3 on the same side.
  • 16-17-18-19 Sequence

Further Commentary

So many times when I hold SEL 18, I end up holding my thumb that the two seem inseparable in my mind.

Don’t forget that the safety energy locks are spherical energetic balls the size of your palm. In that context, SEL 18 spans the entire area around the base of the thumb so that you can reach it from the back of the hand as well. I once met a mother of a young boy who helped her son through a scary incident of high fever by lightly massaging the back of his hand opposite to SEL 18 location.

SEL 19. Authority and Leadership, Perfect Balance

Location: On the elbow, along the thumb line.

Hi 19 refers to a point located about one handbreadth above the regular SEL 19. There is also a higher point, sometimes called Hi Hi 19, situated another handbreadth above Hi 19. Some flows use SEL 19, while others call for Hi 19; I have seen only one sequence that specifies the super Hi 19.

Because the powerful Hi 19–Hi 1 flow can substitute for many other flows, I have included the location of Hi SEL 1 in the diagram as well.

Meaning and function: Safety Energy Lock 19 relates to authority and leadership. Physically, its location aligns with Safety Energy Lock 9 on the back, making it useful for harmonizing the hard-to-reach 9s. It helps relieve backaches and chest congestion—including issues involving the breasts and lungs—as well as arm and head congestion.

To open

  • Fold your arms and hold your elbows
  • Hold the Thumb [SH2, p. 50]
  • Apply the 16-17-18-19 Sequence [T1, p. 31]
  • High 1 with High 19: hold your upper arm with the opposite thigh

Further Commentary

I hold SEL 19 often simply because it feels good, though I don’t have any particularly striking stories about it.

Folding our arms and naturally resting our hands on SEL 19—the elbows—is a familiar human gesture, especially when we’re feeling defiant or protective. 🙂

If you need extra strength to stand your ground in a challenging situation, consider holding SEL 19.

Safety Energy Lock 19 is wonderfully versatile. Together with SEL 14, it helps harmonize the Diaphragm Function Energy. Because of its location, it’s often used in place of SEL 9 when that area is difficult to reach. A High 19, located about one handbreadth above SEL 19, aligns with SEL 10 and can be used to support it. Holding Hi 19 and Hi 1 together helps clear congestion in the chest area and also serves as an effective alternative—or self-help variation—of the Mediator sequence.

SEL 20, Spiritual Vision

Keywords: Everlasting Eternity. [SH2, p. 51] Brain Specialist. The culmination of all mental activity.

Location: Just above the eyebrow.

Meaning and Function: Harmonizing SEL 20 clears head, eyes, and ears congestions. It serves as a bridge between the personal and the universal consciousness.

To open

  • Hold left and/or right SEL 22. [SH2, p. 51]
  • Hold left and/or right little finger per the Hand Map.
  • Use 20-21-22 adjustment sequence. [T1, p. 32]
  • Self Help 20-21-22
  • Use SEL 20 adjustment sequence. [T1, p. 33]

SEL 21. Release From Mental Bondage

Location: On the cheekbone

Meaning and Function: According to Mary Burmeister [SH2, p. 53], SEL 21 relates to profound security and the release from mental bondage. By helping us break free from limiting thought patterns, it can also support the resolution of addictions, which are mental in nature. On the physical level, SEL 21 serves as the anchor step for the Stomach Function Energy and supports digestion and weight-related projects. It helps equilibrium and dizziness projects, mental tension, energy buildup, and weight balance. [SH2, p. 53]

To Open

  • Hold left/right Hi 1 with the opposite hand. Place right hand on the upper left thigh (L Hi1) and/or left hand on the upper right thigh (R Hi 1)
  • Hold left or right thumb per the Hand Map.
  • Hi 19 with Hi 1
  • Use the 20-21-22 adjustment sequence. [T1, p. 32]

Further Commentary

Most frequently, I hold SEL 21 together with the opposite SEL 4. This sequence helps the eye on the side of SEL 21. Try it for yourself after a long day in front of the computer.

As we age, we often become entrenched in who we think we are. Old habits, past experiences, and ingrained patterns can hold us in place long after they’ve outlived their purpose. If you wish to open yourself to new adventures and better experiences—but feel that past beliefs are keeping you captive—keep your SEL 21 open. It helps release limiting beliefs and restores the freedom to grow and explore anew.

Rigidity in thought and habit can often manifest physically as tenderness around SEL 21. I once reached out to a person whose SEL 21s were likely quite fixed, and they immediately refused to let me touch the area. It wasn’t that their cheekbones were painful, they said—they simply couldn’t bear the idea of anyone touching that spot!

If you feel someone else needs their SEL 21 opened, please respect their boundaries. Instead, hold your own SEL 21. It will give you the strength and compassion to accept others exactly as they are.

SEL 22, Complete

Keywords: “Happy and content wherever I am.” The Central Station. Completion of all functions.

Location: At the collar bone

Meaning and Function: All Function Energy flowing to and from the head passes through Safety Energy Lock 22. Because of its location, SEL 22 helps release tension and stagnation in the head and can prevent physical disharmonies from developing. The thyroid gland lies between the left and right SEL 22, making this lock especially helpful for harmonizing thyroid-related projects.

To Open

  • Place your hands on the same side SEL 22 (both or one at a time).
  • Hold the left or right index finger per the Hand Map.
  • Use the 20-21-22 adjustment sequence. [T1, p. 32]
  • Hi 19 with Hi 1

Further Commentary

Let’s not forget that between the left and right SEL 22 lies a major energetic center—the Throat Chakra. This center governs our ability to express thoughts and emotions clearly, creatively, and with healing intent.

Safety Energy Lock 22 is the master key for everything related to ascending energy and the inhaling process, just as SEL 11 serves as the master key for descending energy and exhalation.

SEL 22 also resonates strongly with the vibration of “two,” as it is composed of two 2s.

Read more about how holding SEL 22 helped me ease a stiff back and back leg pain during a long airplane ride.