Reiki As A Way Of Life

With every class I hold and every session I do, I feel the depth and breadth of Reiki flowing in our Universe.

It is difficult to put into words the experience of Reiki, yet so many ask how this modality is different from other Energy Medicine. I feel at times I am being asked to rate it, as better than another form, or on a scale of 1 - 10. This is not possible, at least not for me. I am not a "Reiki Snob" who believes this path is better than another. I will not get into a discussion such as those who herald their religion as the one and only or better than another. I will however attempt to give some idea to those who ask, what Reiki has done for me.

Reiki (as I experience it) is not a religion or a spiritual path per se, rather I see it as a protected, sacred way of being aware of who we are. It teaches us to let go, to allow the Universe to provide the best possible scenarios for our life. When we tune into this Sacred Art, we give permission for the Divine to take control, and relieve our ego of what it believes is it's responsibility. This idea of giving up control is scary for many, but through the process of attunements, we begin to see how much we are loved and protected when we allow a greater power to take the reins and steer us in the right direction. The principles are a way of life, not an in the moment kind of healing tool.

A friend can attest to the difference in my healing energy before and after Reiki Attunements. You see, we all run energy and with a right intention can create amazing change in our health and in our world. Energy is moved even without our thinking about it. Before attunements healing efforts using energy were sporadic and unpredictable.  After the attunements, there was less of me (the ego) and more of Spirit flowing through, creating change to a place of Divine Transmission. Spirit has a way of knowing what is really needed, the ego only believes it knows what is best for another.

We live in a vibrational world - a world of light and sound. We are composed of this light and sound so whenever we make a conscious attempt to create a specific change it will correspondingly adapt to our new vibration. It will also adapt to the vibration around us if we do not know how to protect our fields of energy which are put in place to protect us. Reiki teaches us how to keep these energy fields clear. Knowledge of Chakras is beneficial for this as well whether or not one is Reiki Attuned. When we protect our energy field there is less ability for the toxic energies around us to influence our health and happiness.

The symbols of Reiki help us to maintain our focus. These symbols are not a cure for anything, but symbols are energy and the direction and intention of moving energy in the way of the symbols help to protect us, protect those we are healing, as well as change the flow of energy for the benefit of all.

Most people who have been attuned find their house plants, gardens, pets and circumstances also become more aligned for a higher purpose. Plants, animals, family members and friends notice a higher rate of health and happiness. Those attuned will find they are able to better communicate with guides, angels and Universal Helpers. Some find they can see the auric or energy fields around people and things, thus being better able to serve others. Those attuned often find heightened intuition.

Will becoming Reiki attuned give you the ability to win lotteries or become rich overnight? Probably not. Reiki is not a tool which allows manipulation of events or people. It does however with sacred intention bring about the highest good for all in every situation where Reiki is allowed to flow. It will never permit a practitioner to use the practice for harm to anyone or anything. Reiki is Sacred and is the flow of Divine Energy. Spirit does not know or understand harm, hate, vengeance, anger, or spite and therefore cannot be used for such vices.

I hear people who have been attuned speak of turning this energy on and off. My experience is that you cannot do this. Once attuned Reiki just flows all the time. You can however let the ego override, which so many of us do with ease. When you lose sight of the sacred, the ego can still step in and take over a healing session, or manipulate a series of events. That is why I always caution people to get to know their practitioner before accepting healing work with them. It is important to know your healing is in your hands, in partnership with the Divine within and without.

Practitioners do not always seem as though Spirit is working in their favor. You will still see them struggle with day to day worries and concerns. They may still struggle financially or have their own health problems. Normally what you do notice though, is they move through these seeming struggles in a more peaceful state than those not attuned or at least familiar with how they are moving energy in their lives.

Often practitioners have even greater struggles. This is simply an indication they have agreed to overcome some pretty major lessons in this life time. Most recognize they are being given gifts, strengthening their ability to stay in trust and faith, knowing they are not only learning, but also teaching others, through their struggle. Just as Jesus met with deep pain and sacrifice for his love of God, so do practitioners meet with major events which test their faith, while giving faith to others.

Reiki helps us to turn inward when times are tough so we can see the bigger picture. With Reiki we can still our minds and open our hearts, knowing what is happening externally is just a reflection of beliefs we need to clear and heal. Through love, and the use of symbols we can ground and balance in order to stay above the debilitating sorrow that comes to many in times of trouble.

Reiki does not make us less human. It does however make us more humble as we realize we do nothing without Spirit. We are merely expressions and conduits for Divine Interaction and Intervention. We, of ourselves, do nothing, but all things can be done through us, if we are willing to let go of the ego, putting the best interest of all first and foremost in our hearts and minds.

The attunements were the difference for me, though I cannot explain why. Perhaps it gives an official feeling to the studies; perhaps the symbols do forever change the energy flow around us, or perhaps having the attunements ignites our own sacred, divine self so we are willing to step out of the way and let life flow as it will for our best interest. Each person you talk to will give a different viewpoint of Reiki and the attunements. Few will ever say it harmed them in any way.

Most of all I want to note, there is no reason to fear those who practice Reiki. They have no special power to harm you. They are not super beings with super powers. They are people who choose to put love, peace, health and prosperity first and foremost into life - both yours and theirs.

For those attuned I hope reading this article helps you to recognize the sacred gift you hold. To those considering attunements I hope this helps you make a decision for a more peaceful life where you begin to recognize the small and major blessings as miracles of life. For those who are just curious or have been afraid up till now, I hope you have a better understanding and less fear.

I know I will always be grateful for having stumbled onto this sacred gift. I give thanks to a very special person who began my journey into a broader perspective of life so I could be guided to have this gift bestowed upon me. Had it not been for learning the Chakras, Wicca, Shamanism, and Angels I would not be the person I am today, with many human faults yet to overcome, but happy for no reason, because I know nothing which is mine to hold can ever be taken, and all I wish to receive will be given to me through my giving to others.

Our paths to Reiki will differ. Our experiences of Reiki will be varied. One thing is constant with or without training, energy will flow in our lives. We have the choice to be aware and use tools to harness the energy for good or remain asleep, falling prey to the external energy around us.



Reiki - Creating Sacred Healing Space

Image Credit: www. reikitahoe.com

       Calling the Directions for Healing or Sacred Space

Once you have taken a moment to ground and center, focus your attention and intention to the idea of creating a healing sacred space for yourself and/or clients

Draw the double Cho Ku Rei doorway (if you are Reiki attuned) facing the East direction - the place of beginnings, illumination, vision and being in the moment.

Say and feel the following (or create your own invocation):

I invite the healing energy of the east to be present here, bringing with it the ability to let go of hindering beliefs, the fire of passion and illumination. Thank you for being present in this space for the highest good of all who enter here.

Turn to the South, draw Cho Ku Rei and say the following, feeling the energy flow into your being:

I invite the energy of the south to be present here, bringing with it strength of emotions, trust and vulnerability that I may share my truth with integrity. May I be filled with playfulness and the inquisitiveness of a child, to honor new teachings and information given here. Thank you for being present for the highest good of all who enter here.

Turn to the West, draw Cho Ku Rei and say the following, with feeling and intent:

I invite the healing energy of the west to be present here, bringing with it the willingness to surrender, to let go of limiting perceptions of the world. I give thanks for the setting sun, consuming any old patterns and addictions, allowing me to create healing in this space.

Turn to the North, draw the Cho Ku Rei and say the following with conviction and resolution:

I invite the energy of the North to be present here, bringing with it earth's healing energy, the wisdom of maturity, allowing me to reflect and to know what is for the highest good of those who enter here. Thank you for infusing all who enter with the desire to change what no longer serves, to feel safe and protected as they allow healing to occur for their highest good.

When the day is over close this space by thanking each of the directions and releasing them. Then energy created will be cleared and swept away so in the morning as you call it in again, it will be fresh and new, as each day should be.

Using this technique daily will bring a new perspective and strength to your healing, whether it is for you or clients. Those without Reiki Training can simply feel into the words without the symbols and create beautiful sacred space in their home, on their property, at the work place, anywhere they choose to create sacred healing space.

May you know the Blessing you are in this world.

 

 

 

Just For Today I Will Not Anger

"Just for today, I will not anger
 Just for today, I will not worry
 Just for today, I will be grateful
 Just for today, I will do my work honestly                  
 Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing"

Does this Prayer ask us to repress our feelings or pretend everything is okay when it feels no where near okay?

I don't believe it does. I think it asks us to look beyond what is happening in our external world and look within to see why we are experiencing the feelings in the moment. I think it is asking us to view the subtle difference between feelings (what is happening right now) and emotions which are the long held feelings we use to trigger our reactions in the present.

If we can for one minute believe there is nothing that can be taken from us, that no harm can come to us, that we are beings of light and love, held safely no matter where we are or what we are doing, then we can transcend the need for anger and worry.

Reiki asks us to be grateful, it asks us to honor our ancestors, our guides, our angels. Reiki invites us to heal our fears, the fears of others and in doing so ease our pain and suffering - mental, physical, emotional leaving us a place where we can live with the principles of Spirit and the Laws of the Universe.

Reiki offers us the opportunity to experience oneness with all things. When we operate from this place we are able to heal ourselves, which results in healing for our loved ones, animals, pets, plants, situations and people we have never met.

Anger is a good example of a fear based emotion that is dangerous to our planet, to our existence. Anger blocks energy, creates stagnation, and when held onto creates illness in both the giver and receiver. Many believe anger is justified and called for in certain circumstances, but one must only realize that we cannot end war with more war, more anger. It is the same whatever the situation is creating anger within you. You cannot win a battle with anger as it only blocks the solution from moving in to resolve whatever the issue is. If in the moment you begin to feel anger welling up inside you, you ask yourself what is the reason I am feeling this way, push forward with asking yourself if your reason is true, and holds a solution - do this until you find a true statement. See what is missing in your life. See what you feel is being threatened. Can anyone take away your true self? The answer is no. No matter what happens you will always be you. Anger only hides the light of you from others.

Some use anger as a manipulation to have what they want delivered in the way they expect - there by the quote, "Would you rather be right, or happy?" Life will only give us what is best for us if we let it. Sometimes what is right for us does not come in the way we would choose it to. Do not let this make you angry. Instead choose gratitude and move forward, in love. A cold shoulder and a shroud of anger leave no room for others to support you, no room for the apology you seek, no room for amends to be made.

Worry is much the same. It blocks the energy of a solution, blocks the window of opportunity, pushes resources away. Worry says I do not trust the Universe to assist me. Worry says, I am not safe, I am not protected, I am not cared for. Worry says you are separate from the Source that supplies all things. Worry says you have no faith, no trust. What you believe is what will be - a Universal Law. Worry, too will cause illness. Is illness worth the worry you give to things which you have no control?

If we will but wear this world lightly around our shoulders, without attachments to past events we will begin to see each scenario played out with new eyes, new feelings, new perceptions. Each time we let go of the past as a gauge of the present and future we open a new door for new experiences. When we hold feelings, creating emotions, we begin to live in a cyclical pattern which never changes and never ends. We can see the circle of our lives. Let go of the past and begin to see your world spiral, each time expanding and grower ever stronger.

With gratitude, as suggested in the prayer, you will begin to see your world in a whole new way, where anger and worry give way to love and forgiveness. From this place of appreciation new and wonderful events begin to happen and once again the spiral circles round, growing ever larger. Gratitude creates joy, joy creates love, love allows us to forgive rather than be angry. In this way the whole world is blessed by your presence. This is the epitome of Reiki - to allow yourself to become a blessing, a healer of the world.

Having let go of anger and worry, adopting gratitude you will find it easier to go out into the world as an authentic human being - perhaps not always saying or doing the perfect thing and the right time, but always from a heart space of truth and love. That is to do your work honestly. To do the work is to work on your inner plane, changing within what hurts you without. Always what is causing anger and worry is something from within, it has nothing to do with words said, or actions taken - these are only triggers. Working honestly is accepting your responsibility for everything going on in your life. There is no room for blame or vengeance.

In honesty and authenticity, kindness will come more easily but it is often the most difficult of the principles, because sometimes you may find yourself feeling like a doormat. This is not what this principle asks of you. There are times when you must speak up for yourself, or point out where others are hurting you, or perhaps hurting themselves. Speak from your heart and trust your words will be heard from the place of love you speak them. Some may take offense, become angry, walk away. You cannot help that - it is they who must work on their inner stuff or deal with your truth however it best suits them - continue to love them anyway.

Each of you will have your own perception of the principles. This is only my interpretation. As I work daily with Reiki, I delve more deeply into the principles. Experience is the best way to understand the words of the Prayer, remembering words never fully explain anything, they are always open to personal translation.

I share this because I am asked so often about anger and worry. May this post serve as a place where you can begin your own experience of the prayer.

Victim or Victory?

 WHO IS MORE POWERFUL?

  THE PERSON PUSHING THE ROCK OR THE PERSON HOLDING BACK THE ROCK THAT IS ROLLING ONTO THEM?

 

 

 

 

Of course we think to ourselves the one pushing the rock down the hill will have more power behind them. They have the law of gravity on their side. We cannot see in this picture how big the person is who is pushing the rock, and really it is of little consequence. The young small person holding the rock back, you are thinking, will be crushed. What law of nature does he have on his side?

 

How often have you been in this situation? You feel like you are powerless and the rock and person pushing it are just to big and strong to stand against. You think of giving up and giving in. How many times have you been pushed this way, yet found your own inner power to push back and survive?

 

I was thinking this morning of personal power; it's use and abuse in our daily lives. This picture created the vision of what it is like to be in circumstances seemingly beyond our control because there are people who would abuse their power, pushing against us as though wanting to crush our spirit. Are they truly powerful people? Can they, even with the power of influence on their side, crush anyone who stands in their path? They seem to think so. Somehow in their perception they justify their reasons for pushing that rock. They feel a sense of power in winning a battle, that was of their own choosing. They create the circumstance and drama in which to beat down one who appears to be a threat to their power or status. If a rock is not available they will simply "pull the rug out" from beneath you, leaving confusion and disappointment in their wake, while they feel the surge of adrenalin that comes from winning a mighty battle. Are they really so powerful? Have they won any great prize?

 

I look at so many such circumstances, where one has to create a victim, in order to feel worthy in their own lives. How sad and pathetic it is.

 

If you had to choose, which would you be? The person pushing the rock, the rock, or the one who is pushing back to hold on to their own life? Many would rather be the one on the other side of the rock. It seems easier doesn't it? But is it? It certainly appears safer in the moment. The truth is we all have the choice, and many of us have been all three during the course of our lifetime. Sometimes we have not even been aware of the consequence of our choices, we have unknowingly bought into a drama or scenario, that causes us to take on one of the roles. But if you could be aware of all your actions, words, and decisions, which would you choose?

 

Though at times I get tired of pushing back against the boulders of life, it is my choice. When I look upon the would be victims of this world, I see the strength of mankind, a much more powerful law than the law of gravity. Strength to keep holding on each day is far greater than the strength it takes to roll a rock downhill. If you saw the young person in the picture as a victim you are wrong. Those who are kicked when they are down, are not a victim at all. Society only makes it so. Society justifies it as victimhood so they can feel the power of their own influence; so they can feel powerful. In actuality those who use their position in life to crush others are the victims, they are the ones we should pity. How sad their guilty triumphs must be when looking back on their life at the end of time.

 

For those who see themselves as the victim, as you stand holding back the rock, wanting to just let go and be crushed, I say, keep pushing. You are always stronger than the obstacles you face and you have the power of the Universe behind you. Feel your power as you see the threat against you. No one can take from you your most valuable asset, your self-worth, and you are much more worthy than the one pushing or the rock itself. Your integrity to keep going, is much more valuable to the world, than the influence of those who push. Continue to stand in your truth for you can be trusted. Hold fast to your belief in yourself for you will know authentic success. Forgive those who torment you, for they are the ones to be pitied. Stand with your head held high, knowing you there is no force in this life that can hold you back from your dreams and desires. Stand up for yourself against these would be bullies, not with brute force, but with compassion for the pain they must be feeling. You will find yourself at the top of the hill, looking down at the pile of boulders pushed your way, and know the true power of survival. And in the moment you can feel the triumph of being a true winner, a champion of life.