Kyo Dake Wa, Goo Hage Me.

Just for today, work hard/diligently/honestly.  This is our fourth Reiki precept, and is a theme I remembered reading in The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz:  “Always do your best”.  Many of us were taught this lesson, first by our parents, and then our school teachers.

As Reiki practitioners, it is our duty to do our best on any given day, and there are many things we should consider to make that happen.

First and foremost, we need to make sure that we are a clear vessel for the sacred energy passing through us.  Look after yourself in mind, body and spirit.  Eat clean food, abstain from toxins, especially before giving treatments, and allow your body the exercise and rest it needs to stay healthy.  I find that the cleaner I eat and drink (organic food and clean water or beverages), the better I can channel Reiki.

Secondly, give yourself Reiki every day, whenever possible.  Each time we invite Reiki into our bodies, we are keeping our channels clear and open.  We are always ready to give Reiki whenever it is required.  Receiving our attunements again from our teachers is highly recommended and is something I encourage with my students.  It is said that Sensei Usui invited his students to receive their attunements frequently.

Next, recite the Reiki precepts daily, morning and night, if possible.  These five (simple) principles remind us of what we need to practice each and every single day.  If we are angry or worried about something and try to share Reiki with someone, we all know that it will be going against this fourth precept, because we will not be working diligently.  When we are angry or worried, we are closing down our energy channels, not opening them up….When we are grateful for our gifts and our lives, Reiki flows much more easily.  And when we are kind and love every living thing, we remind ourselves of our connection to all that is Divine and wondrous and are open vessels for Reiki.  We are working from our hearts.
*     *     *
Here is a short recording, so you can practice reciting them:
The Five Usui Principles in Japanese

*     *     *
Provide a clean space for working with Reiki energy, whether it is for a client or family or friends.  Be sure to clear the space using CKR, or with a smudging ceremony.  I always fill the room with all of the Reiki symbols before my clients arrive.  In fact, I do this to my healing room every morning, as I never know when I may get an unexpected request for Reiki.  This is just as important a practice if you are doing a distance Reiki session! Remember to clean the room afterwards, too.

I hope this information has been useful to you.  Much of what I have written is what we learn in our Reiki training.  But as with all lessons, they can always bear repeating!

Thank you, Namaste,
Julie

 

 

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Changing the Filters We Use

Recently, I took part in a photo challenge.  The idea was to post a black and white photo each day, for 7 days.  The photo was not to include pets or people, nor an explanation.  And it was supposed to represent my life.

I had an interesting time selecting subjects to photograph.  Finding things that “represented” me was thought provoking and insightful.  However, what I found the most interesting was how the photos underwent a complete change, in some instances, when I used my camera filter to take transform them to black and white photos.  Wow, everything became stark and “right in your face”.  When I experimented with various filters, adding more jewel tones, or washes of sepia….each picture changed drastically.

And that got me thinking…..

What if we switched the filters we use daily in our interactions with others…and with our lives?

What if we stripped away all the colour, and looked at the basic outlines and textures instead?

What if we added vibrant colours to where there were none?

*        *        *        *        *

I once read about how first impressions are imprinted very strongly in our brains.  No matter how many times we may have another encounter with the same person – or situation – it is probably our first impression or judgement that our brain recalls for us.  We don’t look with fresh eyes any more, but rather, go back to our “files” and get the information.

And what a shame that is.

I mean, who stays exactly the same, from day to day?  One day, I may wake up feeling ready to take on the world, looking everyone in the eye, grinning from ear to ear, basically in a really good mood.  But sometimes,  circumstances may weigh me down.  I don’t wake up feeling quite that positive.  (Thank goodness I have my essential oils and Reiki to help out).  What if I met someone THAT morning, before all my self-help “kicked in”?  Would their impression of me be “accurate”?  Most days, I do wake up as Miss Sunshine, so if a snapshot of me was taken using a grey filter, to be filed away, I don’t think that would be a truthful representation of me.  I would grab that camera and change the filter!

Sometimes, we get stuck using the same filter because of our own experiences.  We allow OUR experiences to filter how we see others.

The truth is, we can change the filter on any picture we take.  When you see someone, take several “pictures”.  Give them the benefit of the doubt.  Isn’t that what you would want for yourself?

 

 

I Forgive You

“I forgive you.”

Next to “I love you”, I believe that these are the three most powerful words which can change lives, create hope where there was none, to be an immeasurable blessing that could be considered miraculous.  In the last few months, I have seen the grace that appears when forgiveness is granted, I have felt my own heart heal and grow stronger….and softer.

As children, we were taught to say “I’m sorry” when we did something wrong, and if it didn’t come to us right away, we were prompted, “now say you’re sorry….”  For a very long time, I believed that this was the toughest part about being a responsible adult, to be able to apologize without prompting,  and really mean it.  But now I’m not so sure….

Reiki practitioners recite these 5 Reiki precepts (or guidelines) daily:

     ” 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.”

I would love to add one more precept…. “Just for today, I will offer forgiveness to every one and every thing.”

I am sure that everyone can think of many occasions where we have been slighted, or wronged, or insulted and there was no apology issued.  Depending on the circumstances, sometimes it can be relatively easy to brush off these “injustices”.   Don Miguel Ruiz wrote in his book “The Four Agreements” to not take things personally.  Let’s face it, there are many times when our feelings are hurt because we DO take it personally.

But what if we can’t forgive?  What if time goes by and instead of diminishing, our hurt ego/heart/feelings start to fester or develop some scar tissue?  And what if even more time goes by and we revisit that hurt, rip off that scar tissue and hurt some more?

Ever since our daughter’s accident a year and a half ago, I now truly believe in miracles.  I no longer accept the word “impossible”.   I know in my heart that EVERYTHING is possible, even if it’s beyond my wildest expectations.

So when a close family member appeared back in my life, “out of the blue”, I was able to chalk up another one on the Miracle Board.  So many emotions, but most importantly, so much gratitude for this second chance.  Any resentment and hurt feelings vanished into thin air, and we were able to create some wonderful new memories together, an opportunity I never imagined I would have.  More importantly, all was forgiven.

And yet, there were family members who could not forget their hurt feelings, or forgive, including the family member who came back.  Despite all my attempts to hold space for a reconciliation, they would not – or could not – find it in themselves to forgive.  And in the end, that caused me much sorrow and sadness.  I saw the lost opportunity to heal and to move on.  It pained me to see people I love deeply struggle with their ability to forgive.  I knew that this chance was a gift, and was so frustrated to see any hope of healing fade away….

Reiki has been a huge part of my life the last 5 years, and I am grateful for how much I have grown and changed since embracing the concept of unconditional love.

“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” – Bryant H. McGill

When we love unconditionally, without exception or exemptions, when we are filled with gratitude for each day, forgiveness comes much more easily.  Do I still struggle occasionally?  Of course I do.  I’m human.  But I now have tools to help me.  My Reiki practice has taught me that when I return to the Source and ask to be filled with Divine energy (ie. Love)  even the toughest challenges are conquerable. When our hearts are filled with love, there is no room for anything else.

In addition, I now use my essential oils to support these emotional struggles.  They have been incredibly effective, and I will be forever grateful to my friend, Mary, for introducing me to doTERRA.  The Forgive Blend, as well as Console and Peace, are always the oils I turn to when I need some extra help.

Some people say that life is short, that we shouldn’t waste it by being angry or hurt.  I say that life is a journey and a lesson.  We need to be grateful for every single day and when we have the chance to grow, we should embrace the opportunity, despite the temporary discomfort.  The reward is greater than we can ever imagine.

“Forgiveness is the giving, and so the receiving, of life.” – George MacDonald

 

 

 

 

 

Love. Pass it On.

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No not just for some but for everyone.”  – Burt Bacharach, 1967

As a Reiki practitioner, I know that the most powerful healing energy is present when we are connected to that Higher Power that has many names.  When we are connected to that divine Source, we are connected to and experience unconditional love.  That surprising wave of love that a parent feels for their newborn child.  The charitable love we feel at Christmas time.  The compassionate love we feel for those who have experienced loss.  The love we feel when we are cared for by those who love us and protect us.  All facets of LOVE.  We call it “unconditional” because we place no conditions when we give it, no expectation of being “repaid” in kind.  It’s there for the taking, no strings attached.  And there is no limit to how much we can give, because it comes from a limitless source.

“Giving” love to others doesn’t deplete our own supply, as long as we remain connected to the Source.

Today,  I spoke with someone who had just returned from a funeral.  He had lost his own wife two years ago, and  when he told me of the much-too-early passing of his friend’s wife,   his own personal grief came bubbling up. As we spoke more of his wife’s illness, his eyes started watering.  And when he shared the final moments of her life with me and her last conversation with him, the tears flowed freely.  There was nothing for me to do, but to come around the counter and hug him and hold him.

We stood there, with open hearts, for close to a minute.  No awkwardness, just comfort.  No words.  What words would help?  Sometimes, all we can offer is a hug.  And that’s enough.

During a Reiki session, I am doing much the same.  I am opening my heart – wide open – and receiving from a divine source.  I allow it to flow through me, through my hands, and into the person receiving Reiki.  I am holding space for this to happen.  My intention is that the person on my table will receive the exact amount of Reiki energy that is for their highest good, on that given day.  As I have often said to my students, giving Reiki should never feel like it’s draining you.  It should feel as if you have been in the presence of Divinity itself, and basked in its glow.  Yes, I may make observations of blockages in the (energy) body, and can help balance that energy, so that my client can then do the healing they need to do.  But at the end of a session, I am always grateful and humbled to have been given the opportunity to share.

There have been times in my life when I have been at a loss for what to do in a challenging situation.  No great words of wisdom came to me.  No easy solutions.  All I could do was to send love and show love.  And let go of expectation, just trust.  I haven’t been let down yet.

Let’s all open our hearts.  There is enough love for everyone.  Hug a stranger who needs it.  Hug your children, your employees, your hairdresser.  Take the time to be a vessel of love. No strings attached.  Trust me, you get more than you give.  Because as John Lennon said in 1965, “all you need is love”.

* * *

For the month of February, I am offering a one hour Reiki session for $30 (one offer per person, please).  If you are feeling stressed because of world events, if you need to feel comfort and calming, please consider taking advantage of my offer.  As well, I am going to be teaching Reiki Level I in March, so you can learn to give yourself and your loved ones Reiki.

Sharing is Caring

Today, I attended a very special event at Manorun Organic Farm, near Hamilton.  It was the second ever Farmer Health Retreat Day, organized by the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario and I was there offering my services as a Reiki practitioner.  (I had taken part in the first event held at Zocalo Organics, near Erin, earlier this summer.)

The day consisted of scheduled talks and workshops, with opportunities for the attendees to experience various healing modalities at scaled down prices.  These included acupuncture, shiatsu, massage, osteopathy and Reiki – I was booked solid.  Although I was on my feet all day, except to sit down for the delicious potluck lunch, and I had to travel an hour and a half to participate, it was such an incredible experience, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

The intent of the day was to offer some respite to these hard-working young farmers, and to support them mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  The conversations at lunchtime almost always started with “How is your day going so far?”  There was a beautiful sense of community and shared understanding, and a curiosity to learn about each others’ experiences – farming and otherwise.  It was great to get reacquainted with some farmers I had met at the previous retreat day, and to get the opportunity to offer them a Reiki session if they had missed out the first time.

From my vantage point by the side of the pond, I had a great view of the day’s activities.  The morning started with an introduction from each of the practitioners and was followed by a yoga class on the grass.  White clouds occasionally floated by in the incredible late summer blue sky, the crickets and other insects were singing enthusiastically in the meadow of goldenrod and grasses.  Horses grazed in a nearby field… it was a truly peaceful start to the day.

The occupation of all the visitors on my Reiki table was the same, but each person had their unique challenges and situations to address.  And that’s the beauty of Reiki – it goes where it is needed, and supports mind, body and spirit.  So whether it was upcoming lifestyle changes, or sore muscles, or a need to de-stress, each person was treated to the same beautiful flow of universal energy.  Naturally, they all loved it!  As a practitioner, I am always honoured to be channelling this energy, and I never grow tired of seeing the facial expressions upon opening their eyes, and looking completely relaxed and serene.  And that’s what fills my cup.

As I worked, I could observe the workshops.

Naomi Krucker, the Membership Services Coordinator for the EFAO, told me that there have been requests for more of these types of retreats.  I was so happy to hear that, because by the end of the day, when the sessions were all complete, and many of the participants enjoyed a swim in the pond, I could see how much they had all benefited from the day.  Not only had they learned some things from the guest speakers, but they were able to lift each other up and to share with each other.  I was so grateful that I was also able to share with them.  Because sharing is caring.

A fabulous art installation along the back of the pond.  The “arms” moved with the wind, in a beautiful dance.

 

 

I Believe – Part Two

 

One of the incredible gifts Reiki provides is that it connects us with divinity.  Whether we choose to call that God, or the Source, the Spirit That Moves Through All Things, or Allah, when we are present and open to it, our hearts are open and we are connected to everything.

Of course, we can make that connection without Reiki…. A glorious sunrise, or a robin’s song echoing up from the cedar bush will help me make it to that wonderful “space”.  A piece of classical music can move me to the point of tears, and I know that there is nothing “earthly” about how I feel, that it surely must come from a Source greater than all of us.

And when I feel that connection to the Divine, I believe.

I believe that anything – and everything – is possible.  Especially miracles.  For what is a miracle but something that is outside our realm of understanding or belief?

When I live my life following the Reiki precepts, when I meditate and give myself Reiki, it becomes very easy to feel the connection.  And so, the more I practise Reiki as a way of living my life each day, the more I believe.

Before we left for our holiday to Peru, I was given a HUGE lesson in belief.  For whatever reason, Ralph and I neglected to check our passport expiry dates until the night before we left for Peru (yikes!!)  Turns out, they were going to expire in two months’ time.  Almost all countries require at least 90 days before the expiry date to allow you in.  All the websites we frantically searched at 9:30 pm told us that not only would we need updated passports, but the minimum time required to get one in an emergency was 24 to 48 hours.  Our flight left in less than 15 hours.  As I dialled to speak to someone at the Canadian passport office, I chanted under my breath, “I believe, I believe, I believe…”  I felt the relief in my heart.   And a miracle happened.  Despite everything we had read online (and knew to be true), I was told that because we had a return flight booked before our passports’ expiry dates, and we had funds to fly home, there was no reason we should be denied entry.  Intense relief!!!  I was convinced.  I believed.

Releasing doubt and worry made it possible.

When we took three connecting flights back home (arranged in a hurry after Natalie’s accident), we had several hair-raising moments.  Our first flight was late leaving, and we landed with mere minutes to spare to catch the next flight.  As we literally ran through the airport, again, I believed. Somehow, we would make it.   It was just like in the movies, cutting through the customs lines, reading overhead signs in Spanish, and arriving totally out of breath at the gate.  We made it!  We laugh about it now, but it was pretty stressful at the time.

At one point, we were lost in the Bogota airport, no one spoke English, and we had to find the Air Canada check-in desk.  It was a huge airport.  I felt helpless.  And then I just looked upwards and said, “Please send us some help”.  Ten seconds later, I spotted a man wearing a white shirt with gold epaulets, a flight captain….who spoke English!  I looked up again and whispered, “thank you”.  He directed us to the area we needed to go to, and although we weren’t able to arrive home with our luggage, we did get things sorted out and had time to spare.  (Our luggage was delivered to the farm two days later, completely intact.)

Entertaining stories, perhaps, but for someone who was raised to believe in “rules” ,in an often pessimistic environment, to me they are reminders that when we believe – and feel that belief – believing can result in miracles.  (For more insight on this topic, I highly recommend Gregg Braden’s book “Secrets of the Lost Mode of Prayer” )

I encourage you to find your way to connect to the divine.  Try some meditation.  Recite the Reiki precepts daily.  Let go, and accept.  Believe.  It’s amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Believe – Part One

It’s been a while since I’ve last written, so this post may be a bit longer than others…

In January, while on holiday in Peru, my husband and I received word that our 26 year-old daughter had been in a head-on car accident, and had been airlifted to hospital.  After my initial shock wore off, and we had scrambled to get more information, I went to our room and started sending Reiki right away.

But I need to backtrack a bit….

I had a feeling that our trip to Peru would hold some surprises for me.  Somehow I knew that there would be some valuable insights and lessons awaiting me.  Little did I know it would start with our flight down.

Just before midnight, I heard two announcements on the plane, asking for any doctors or nurses to make themselves known to the flight staff.  After the third announcement asked for anyone with any medical training to come forward, I knew I had to go.  I explained to a flight attendant that I was a Reiki practitioner, and she took me up to the front of the plane, right outside the cockpit.  There sat a young mother with her 20-month old son, on the floor.  The boy was drooling and feverish, despite getting medication from his mother.  I offered Reiki as a way to help calm the child (and mother), and sat with them, while explaining what Reiki was (in a mix of English and Spanish). The little one slowly started to settle down, and at one point, his mother looked at me with a shy smile and said , “I can feel something…here…” and she pointed to her heart.  After 45 minutes, the boy fell asleep and ended up sleeping until our plane landed two hours later.  (The medication did keep his temperature from rising further and we agreed that his condition was probably brought on by teething.)  His mother and I hugged, and we both had tears in our eyes from sharing such a beautiful experience together.

When I returned to my seat, my husband woke up and I told him what had happened.  I could tell he was proud of me for offering my help.  As I thought about it, I realized that this was a “test” of sorts for me, to see if I was truly committed to sharing Reiki with everyone.  I wasn’t sure what the flight crew would think, or if the mother would allow me to help, but all I focused on was that little boy.  I opened my heart to him, and allowed the healing love that I was channelling to help soothe him.  And when I did,  I knew in my heart that this is my path.

Six days later, our daughter had her accident.  A vehicle in an oncoming lane crossed over to her side and hit her car.   She lost consciousness, received multiple cuts and bruises to her head and upper body, her ankle was badly sprained and her hip was dislocated.  I knew none of these details before I started sending distance Reiki to her, and yet, I instinctively felt the need to focus on her head and left side.  By channelling Reiki to send to her, I felt some calm return to my panicked and worried self.

I then reached out to all my lightworker friends and to family, asking them to start sending their prayers and Reiki to Natalie. Fortunately, I also had my essential oils with me, and used them to help keep me grounded and as calm as was possible under the circumstances.

Surgery two days later repaired her hip, with a metal plate and screws holding her shattered bones together in her hip.  (Weeks later, the surgeon and her physiotherapist have predicted a full recovery, and she will be able to walk, return to work, and most of all, ride and train her beloved horses.  In the meanwhile, there was – and still is – a lot of healing to take place.)

As parents, it was an extremely frightening and stressful experience for us, made all the worse by being so far away from our daughter.  When it became clear that she would be in the hospital for a week, we knew we had to cut our holiday short and get back as soon as possible.  There were many shared tears and feelings of helplessness, but Ralph and I were consoled by the fact that so many of our friends and family had rallied to be by Natalie’s side.  We couldn’t be there, but she was not alone.  We will be forever grateful for those who drove to the hospital (some from many hours away), and to her boyfriend, who flew in from Nova Scotia to be with her for the weekend, after her surgery.  When we arrived back in Canada, we saw all the cards and flowers in her room.  We heard the stories of those who had advocated on her behalf when she was in so much pain and could not speak for herself.  We found out how fortunate she was to still be alive.

Once I could be with Natalie, she received Reiki daily.  I even brought my oils to the hospital and used them.  The nurses did not question me when they saw me giving her Reiki, so I explained that it was an important part of her healing.  Physical wounds needed to be repaired, as well as her emotional ones.  The intense trauma she suffered has left her unable to put any weight on her left leg for three months, so the healing has been slow, but steady. (At this point, she has just over three weeks to go…)

I’ve realized how much this whole experience has changed us, and the lessons it has provided.  Our daughter has seen the amazing love her family and friends have for her, and is learning the frustrating lesson of patience.  Being so inactive for three months has been a huge challenge.  But she knows that she can do it, and that she must wait for everything to heal properly.  We are all so proud of her, and impressed with her courage, her determination and inner strength.  She has been simply amazing.

I have learned to trust.  To worry less.  To give up fear and accept love.  To make sure that before helping others to heal, I work on healing and clearing myself.

And I will always be grateful…

Cleansing our Spiritual Bodies

Here we are, in a brand new year… I’m still getting used to writing 2016 instead of 2015!

With a new year, many people take stock of their lives and decide to make some changes.  New Year’s resolutions are made (and often broken), homes are decluttered as we let go of things we no longer need, and many head to the gym to shed those extra “holiday” pounds.  In recent years, it has become more and more popular to do a detox or cleansing program.  This usually involves making healthier nutritional choices, often with the aid of herbal supplements to support our bodies as they get rid of stored toxins.  Let’s face it, none of us eats perfectly all the time.  We overindulge at the occasional birthday celebration or wedding, and even our surrounding environment contains pollutants that eventually enter our bodies.  Doing a cleanse at least once or twice a year is actually a great idea, and something I’ve tried to include in my personal health regime for many years.  There are shorter programs (7-10 days), as well as longer ones (lasting up to 30 days).  I suggest you start slowly, and if possible, with professional help.  There are many qualified nutritional and health coaches who are trained to help with exactly this.  I know several personally, and many of them write wonderful blogs and articles to support individuals on this path.

But what about our spiritual and mental bodies?  Do they get “polluted” or “backed up” ?   How can we cleanse and detox them?

Many of us have noticed that after de-cluttering our homes of old books, clothing and furniture, we just feel better.  Feng shui is a Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment.  It stands to reason that if we remove unneeded feelings and thoughts from ourselves, we will notice an improvement in our disposition (and many times, our physical health).  When we say a mantra or intention, our brain cells start relaying the message to the rest of the body.  You can explore this topic further by researching the work of Gregg Braden or Bruce Lipton, two of my favourite authors and speakers.

Every time I start a Reiki session, I instruct my clients to “let go” of anything that no longer serves them.  This can be a number of things:  worry, anger, fear, anxiety, bitterness, etc.  How does Reiki do this?  During a session, a Reiki practitioner acts as a channel for energy, which then travels through the energetic field of the client.  Reiki intuitively goes to where it is needed, to where we may be lacking in our life force (“ki” or “chi”).  If there is a blockage, it prevents the flow of energy.   Reiki may help break up those blockages as well.  When we say a mantra or intention, our brain cells start relaying the message to the rest of the body.  You can explore this topic further by researching the work of Gregg Braden or Bruce Lipton, two of my favourite authors and speakers.

I firmly believe that Reiki can be very helpful in cleansing our spiritual and emotional bodies.  Regular Reiki sessions ensure that our chakra system is functioning at optimum capacity, to support us in all aspects of our life.  Another suggestion is to become a Reiki practitioner yourself, so that you can give Reiki to yourself on a daily basis, and share it with others.

I have an upcoming workshop at the beautiful Maple Sweet Retreat in Rocklyn (Beaver Valley, ON) on February 27 and 28.  For more details, you can go to my website or to the retreat’s website.  I will be teaching Reiki Level I and II over a 2 day period, meals and shared accommodations will be provided.

Wishing you an inspiring, healthy and love-filled 2016!

Namaste, Julie

 

 

 

Seeing Hope

On Christmas Day, I went for a long walk along our local trail way.  The weather was unseasonably mild, the sun was shining, and my heart was full of gratitude and joy.  I walked with awareness, paying attention to the sounds and smells, as well as the sights, in our peaceful country setting.  And as I did so, I started seeing all the signs of hope that beckoned to me.  There were empty nests and birdhouses, waiting for the return of spring residents, and milkweed pods bursting with fluffy seed heads, ready to fly away and germinate.  With the mild weather, the recently planted tree saplings appeared to be in full bud, with the promise of fresh green growth.

It occurred to me that these signs could be just as easily be viewed as faded and past any semblance of “life”.  The birds were long gone, the milkweeds’ flowers spent, and the trees were bare and dormant.  With a different perspective, one could sadly pine for past beauty and life, rather than dream about future possibilities.  It’s all about our viewpoint and state of mind.  I choose to see hope.

* * *

2015 was an incredible year for me.  As for many of you, there were some milestones, some failures, some joy, some grief.  I view the hardships as lessons, without which I would have no growth.

My year started out with me taking on the role of teacher again, and I was bursting with pride when I taught Reiki Levels I and II.  To help my students set forth on their own Reiki path as practitioners gave me more joy than I ever thought possible.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be their teacher, their mentor, their fellow lightworker.

Mid-summer marked another personal and professional highlight as I joined the ranks of Raven Keyes’ Master Medical Reiki ™ group.  I couldn’t believe my fortune, to have the workshop taught right here in Orangeville!  And having Raven herself here, at our home, for a meal with other members of our group, was truly surreal….  Our Canadian group numbers 27 practitioners, and we have already forged some amazing bonds.  We all look forward to sharing Reiki in the operating room, to work alongside surgeons and other conventional professionals, as we help bring holistic, non-invasive healing energy to patients undergoing surgery.  As Raven said, “It’s all happening!”

Essential oils are being used in our home as well as my healing practice now.  I have been doing much studying and the more I learn about the powerful properties of these amazing plant-derived oils, the more I want to share them with others.  I taught many “make and take” classes, and plan on doing many more in 2016.  I look forward to helping others join my “oil team”, so that they can learn to use them, too.

More professional improvement came in the form of my Indian head massage training in October.  I wanted to offer another modality to my clients, and I had heard so much about it.   Like Reiki and the oils, this modality helps restore and support our energy, brings relaxation (and thus increases our immunity) and is easily accessible (all I need is a low-backed chair to do a treatment).  The case studies I have completed so far have demonstrated the numerous health benefits and I encourage you to come in for a session!

 

Phew!  So what is 2016 going to bring me?  For starters, I plan on continuing teaching Reiki and about using essential oils.  A “first” for me will be running a Reiki workshop at a retreat in February.  My hope is to broaden my teachings outside of my own community, and to bring more and more Reiki practitioners into the world.  I truly believe that we can make a difference. (Oh, and Jen?  I WILL be offering a Master Reiki workshop this year – I promise! )

I will continue to work hard to bring Reiki to the hospital setting, offering my services to anyone undergoing medical procedures, or looking for supportive care, be it palliative or recuperative.  Receiving Reiki should be an option available to anyone and everyone when they need medical attention.  I have seen its powerful benefits and am always grateful for the opportunities to share it with others.

And above all, I will see hope everywhere….  Namaste, my friends.  I wish you much Joy, Love and Abundance for 2016.

 

 

How am I Doing…Today?

Every morning, before I go to work at the farm, I spend some time in my healing room, preparing myself for the day.  Ideally, I would do this right after rising out of bed, but the reality is I enjoy my sleep, and enjoy making a healthy breakfast for my family.  Once they’re off, it’s quiet and I can take as much time as I want, without feeling rushed.

One of the first things I do is just “check in” with myself….how am I feeling today?  Each of the five Reiki precepts is prefaced with “Just for today”.  Every day is different – the euphoria we may have been enjoying yesterday may dissipate, the anxiety about something may have increased.  How am I feeling today, right now?

I take some deep, cleansing breaths, place my hands in Gassho position (Namaste gesture), and allow myself to feel grounded and connected to the Earth.  If my mind starts wandering to what I need to get done at the farm, or what items to add to my grocery shopping list, I have a few “tools”.  Visualizing roots growing from my feet, down into the ground, works great.  So does holding a crystal such as black tourmaline or obsidian.  And aromatherapy using a grounding blend, or pure Frankincense also does the trick beautifully.  (I don’t usually have to do anything but slow my breathing and focus, but these tools do help!)

I then recite the precepts, because they remind me of how I can best serve myself and others.

I have a beautiful singing bowl, which I purchased last winter.  It sits on my windowsill, and I often like to take it in my hands to play for a few minutes.  I discovered that when I have not done a good job of calming my mind and spirit, the bowl reflects this turmoil, and does not tone very loudly – if at all.  However, when I feel “connected”, peaceful and whole….the song fills the whole room!  Talk about bio-feedback!

Self-Reiki is also an important part of my daily practice.  At this point in my day, I will use Reiki to clear each of my chakras, to cleanse my healing room (and other rooms, if necessary).  I will do a short meditation and prayer.  When I am finished, I feel peaceful, grounded….and ready to take on anything I encounter in the day.

Tomorrow may well be a whole other story.  That’s okay.  I only need to focus on Today.

Namaste my friends!

 

Waking up this morning, I smile,
Twenty four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment
and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.  Thich Nhat Hanh