The primary intention of the First Depth is to get set for manifestation. It establishes the healthy boundaries within which manifestation can occur. Its organ functions are Stomach and Spleen Function Energy. The attitude of worry prevents the Mediator from harmonizing the First Depth, and the resulting disharmony often shows up in the surface of the skin.

Worry arises when we keep ourselves constantly busy—running here and there, doing this and that, always fretting over something. The mind spins and spins. “Worry makes you feel important,” says Mary Burmeister (WMS). It is closely tied to the fear of being still. There is always something else to do—another excuse to avoid stopping, listening, and hearing the voice within.

When the First Depth is harmonized, it bestows a peaceful mind and clear, healthy boundaries.

To harmonize the First Depth:

  • Hold SELs 1 and 2: Place the right hand on R2 and the left hand on R1, reverse for the left side.
  • Hold the Thumb.
  • Hold one after another the Thumb, Middle Finger, and Little Finger. [SH1, p.22]
  • Reversing and Increasing of First Depth [T1, p. 62]
  • Quickie: Deep 6+Little Toe. This is a variation of Movement Order of Disharmony Harmonizing Sequence [T2, p. 49]. Use it as a self-help/quickie for Reversing and Increasing of First Depth.

1st-Depth Safety Energy Locks

SEL 1, The Prime Mover, General Practitioner

“Prime mover, connecting the extreme height with the extreme depth.” [SH2, p. 12]

Location: Safety Energy Lock 1 is located at the inner side of the knee.

High 1 refers to a position about a hand’s breadth above the regular SEL 1. Hi 1 – Hi 19 is a powerful hold to help SELs located on the upper back. It is also a quickie and self-help for the Mediator and can clear up congestions in the breasts.

Keywords: General Practitioner, Prime Mover, Self-consciousness

Meaning and Function: Number 1 is about unity, oneness, but also the active element, the drive to go out and do things.

Mary says: “[It] aids: abdominal distress (bloat discomforts); which in turn aids breathing; head discomforts.” [SH2, p. 12]

To open

  • SEL 1. Cross your arms and place your hands on the inner knees (opposite SEL 1)
  • SELs 1-2. Place the left hand on the right inner knee (SEL 1) and the right hand on the right hip (SEL 2). Reverse for the opposite side: right hand on left knee (SEL 1) and left hand on left hip (SEL 2). [SH 2, p. 13]
  • Hold your thumb.
  • 3-step sequence, (left). Place the left hand on the left hipbone (SEL 2), while the right hand goes on
    • (a) the left knee (SEL 1);
    • (b) the left inner ankle (SEL 5); and
    • (c) the left big toe (SEL 7).
  • 3-step sequence (right). Place the right hand on the right hipbone (SEL 2), while the left hand goes on
    • (a) the right inner knee (SEL 1);
    • (b) the right inner ankle (SEL 5); and
    • (c) the right big toe (SEL 7).

Further Commentary

Safety Energy Lock 1 is about beginnings.  If you do not know how to start, begin by harmonizing SEL 1. SEL 1 helps all 1st-Depth projects such as abdominal distress, digestion, stomach, spleen, pancreas projects.

Safety Energy Lock 1 supports exhalation and all descending flows. It is the birthplace of the Supervisors and reminds us that we are One. When you catch yourself comparing or competing, open SEL 1 to return to that awareness—if there is only One, who is there to envy?

Holding SELs 1 and 2 together is a simple, powerful way to ease abdominal discomfort.

SEL 2, Wisdom

“Life Force for all creatures (wisdom) – KNOW MYSELF IT IS” [SH2, p. 14]

Location: Safety Energy Lock 2 is located on the back above the hip bone.

Keywords: Chiropractor. Adjustment specialist. “Seeing Through the Creator’s Eyes”. 

Meaning and Function: Safety Energy Lock 2 helps digestion especially in combination with Safety Energy Lock 1. It also helps any tension and discomfort down the legs. It helps hips and any skeletal adjustments.

Mary says: “[It] aids: general well-being; back distress; digestion; breathing; leg tension/stress.” [SH2, p. 14]

To open

  • SELs 2-3:
    • (right) Place the left hand on the right shoulder (SEL 3) and the right hand on the right hip (SEL 2)
    • (left) Place the right hand on the left shoulder (SEL 3) and the left hand on the left hip (SEL 2)
  • Hold the ring finger
  • SELs 2-15: Hold SELs 2 and 15 together as in the anchor step of the Second Method Correction.
    • (left) Place the left hand on the left groin (SEL 15) and the right hand on the left hipbone (SEL 2)
    • (right) Place the right hand on the right groin (SEL 15) and the left hand on the right hipbone (SEL 2)
  • SELs 2-6:
    • (left) Place the left hand on the left hipbone (SEL 2) and the right hand on the left SEL 6.
    • (right) Place the right hand on the right hipbone (SEL 2) and the left hand on the right SEL 6.

Further Commentary

Number 2 represents duality—the foundation of our universe. It embodies yin and yang, left and right, exhalation and inhalation, and all complementary pairs. As a symbol of this dualistic world, SEL 2 supports the physical body directly, often bringing hip and spinal adjustments similar to chiropractic effects.

The adjustment sequence for SEL 2 helps harmonize Fifth Depth—Heart and Small Intestine Function Energy. When the right index finger during pulse listening shows disharmony in both superficial and deep pulses, apply the SEL 2 Harmonizing Sequence and observe how it restores balance.

SEL 3, Understanding, Relationship, The Door

Location: Safety Energy Lock 3 is located near the tip of the shoulder blade, at the level of thoracic vertebrae 2 and 3 (TV2 and TV3). Since Safety Energy Lock 11 lies at the level of TV1, the two SELs appear close in physical space. Energetically, however, they correspond to different levels of manifestation: SEL 3 belongs to the 1st Depth, while SEL 11 is within the 2nd Depth.

Keywords: The Door

Meaning and Function: Safety Energy Lock 3 means Understanding and Door. It serves as a defense against negative influences and is a powerful aid for strengthening immunity and resisting illness. However, SEL 15 must be opened first (see the top of page 17, T1).

Mary says: “[It] aids: breathing; fever and cold relief; sore throat; our personal anti-biotic; groin and foot congestion.” [SH2, p. 16]

To open

  • SELs 3-15:
    • (right) Place the left hand on the right shoulder and right hand in the right groin area.
    • (left) Place the right hand on the left shoulder and left hand in the left groin. [SH 2, p. 17]
  • Hold the middle finger
  • SEL 3 – fingers:
    • (left) Place the left hand on the left shoulder (SEL 3) and with the right hand, place the thumb over
      • (a) the right index fingernail;
      • (b) the right middle fingernail;
      • (c) the right ring fingernail; and
      • (d) the right little fingernail.
    • (right) Place the right hand on the right shoulder (SEL 3) and with the left hand, place the thumb over
      • (a) the left index fingernail;
      • (b) the left middle fingernail;
      • (c) the left ring fingernail; and
      • (d) the left little fingernail.

Further Commentary

In order for SEL 3 to function properly, SEL 15 must first be opened (T1, p. 17). As my friend Dave aptly put it, “Don’t bother breathing unless you’re laughing first.”

According to JSJ teacher Carlos Gutterres, if you find yourself in a difficult or threatening situation, opening SEL 3 allows you to stop, regroup, and change the course of events. As a “Door,” it opens to what is new and beneficial while closing to protect against the harmful.

SEL 3 governs relationships—between inner and outer, inhalation and exhalation—and supports the balance of rhythmic processes, helping us walk the middle path. Interestingly, Text 1 (p. 3) discusses the Three—Main Central, Supervisor, and Mediator—and their interrelationships. SEL 3 is also the point where the Mediator begins.

Known as the respiratory specialist (in contrast to SEL 6, the Respiratory Governor), SEL 3 can be opened by holding the middle finger.

Years ago, when I missed a step and twisted my ankle, I tried the adjustment sequence for SEL 3 and felt immediate, noticeable relief. I was puzzled at first, since I had mainly associated SEL 3 with immunity support, not with sprains or ankle discomforts. A few years later, I found my answer in Mary Burmeister’s Self Help Book 2, page 16, where she clearly notes that it “aids groin and foot congestion.”

SEL 4, The Window

Location: Safety Energy Lock 4 is located at the base of the skull, on both sides of the top cervical vertebra (CV1). Some adjustment sequences refer to a High 4, positioned slightly above the regular SEL 4. If you use your whole hand to open SEL 4, you’ll naturally engage both the standard and the higher position—no need to distinguish between them.

Keywords: Measuring Intelligence. The Weaving Princess. The General Manager.

Meaning and Function: Safety Energy Lock 4 came into the universe meaning “Measuring Intelligence—measuring out to each body energy function all its needs from the exhaustless abundance of our Source,” as Mary Burmeister explains in her Self Help Book 2 (p. 18). It is no surprise, then, that SEL 4 is called the General Manager. It oversees every body function energy, assessing their needs and ensuring they are met.

Mary says: “[It] aids: insomnia; head discomforts; eye, throat, leg tension/stress.” [SH2, p. 18]

To open

  • Hi 4 – 21 [SH2, p.19]:
    • (left) Place the right hand on the left Hi 4 (in the occipital area), place the left hand on the right SEL 21. This helps the right eye.
    • (right) Place the left hand on the right Hi 4 (in the occipital area), place the right hand on the left SEL 21. This helps the left eye.
  • SELs 4-13:
    • (left) Place the right hand on the left SEL 4 and the left hand on the left SEL 13
    • (right) Place the left hand on the right SEL 4 and the right hand on the right SEL 13
  • Hold the ring finger, since SEL 4 maps onto it.
  • SELs 4-12-9 [this is a modification of the quickie revitalization sequence from T1, p.18]:
    • (left) Place the left hand on the left SELs 4/12 (at the same time) and wrap the fingers of the right hand around the right thumb.
    • (right) Place the right hand on the right SELs 4/12 (at the same time) and wrap the fingers of the left hand around the left thumb.

Further Commentary

My favorite flow for relieving tired eyes (from too much computer time) is to hold High 4 with the opposite SEL 21. Apply the sequence on both sides before falling asleep and notice how refreshed your eyes feel when you wake up. The side of SEL 21 corresponds to that eye.

If both SELs 10 and 13 appear to be locked, you can open SEL 4, as it oversees them (T1, p. 18). On the same page, you’ll find that SEL 12 affects SELs 9 and 14, while SEL 11 affects SELs 2 and 15. These divisions correspond to the Bustline, Waistline, and Hipline, respectively, and can be observed in the pulses. For more detail, see the discussion on the Threefold Division and the lines of the body.

By the way, have you noticed that SEL 4 appears on page 18 in both Self Help Book 2 and Textbook 1? Something to ponder: what is the relationship between SEL 4 and the numbers 18 and 9?

If you need to make a decision or weigh the pros and cons of a situation, harmonizing SEL 4 might be just the thing. True to its name, Measuring Intelligence, it helps us measure rightly in all things and in every circumstance.

One of SEL 4’s key functions is to serve as a bridge between the spiritual and material levels. This bridging quality also allows SEL 4 to act as a connector between the front and back of the body. Practically speaking, SEL 4 enables us to use the front Safety Energy Locks as substitutes for those that are difficult to reach in the back. For example, when working with a heavy or immobile person, if SEL 9 is hard to reach, you can place your hand on the opposite SEL 14 instead.

This correspondence arises because the Left and Right Supervisor Circulation Patterns cross sides in the area of SEL 4 and then return to their respective sides at SEL 15. As a result, the function energy traveling down the left SELs 9, 10, 3, 11, and 12 appears along the right SELs 13, 14, and 15 before continuing back down the left leg through SELs 1, 5, and so on.