holistic healing

Last week I had a short break in between sessions and took my book outside. I didn’t want to take the time to walk to my usual outdoor bench and instead chose the picnic table at the playground next to my office.

I gave up trying to read because of the kids making a giant ruckus on the monkey bars and was simply sitting there enjoying the sunshine when I noticed I had a visitor.

A praying mantis! Such an unusual creature. I’m pretty sure they’re alien. I mean, those eyes are just too weird. He sat there a while looking at me and then crawled over the edge, presumably under the table. Or into an another dimension. Who knows?!

After I stopped obsessing about the possibility of alien-like bugs lurking out of sight all over the place, I sensed that there was a deeper message to this encounter.

I thought about how still he (don’t ask my why, but this guy definitely seemed like a he) was. How slow and deliberate his movements. I took it as a sign to slow myself down and be more pray-full throughout my days.

I receive guidance like this all the time. From nature and unusual events and characters that cross my path. The trick is paying attention. So often we’re just rushing about going to the next place that we don’t even notice the messages that appear right in front of us.

If had just gone to my normal spot, I would have missed this guy. If I had forced my eyes on my book even though I couldn’t pay attention to the words, I would have missed it too. If I hadn’t heeded the urge to get out of the office, just for 15 minutes, I definitely would have missed all the opportunities to have any live interactions.

If you have access to Reiki, you can do a practice, or series of practices, intending to be a better receiver of beneficial messages. And most of us could probably pay better attention to the world around us, keeping our eyes and hearts open to meaningful signs from the universe. Even the really weird ones. 😉

Insect Intervention

Last week I had a short break in between sessions and took my book outside. I…
Developing access to intuition is a whole lot easier when we start with the basics. Rather than jumping in the deep end when the pressure is on, we can start in the kiddie pool and practice until we get the hang of it. Approaching intuition like any other skill that takes time to master can prevent us from unrealistic expectations.

I’ve been collecting the real-life, seemingly silly presentations of my inner voice. None of these are monumental, and that’s exactly why I was able to benefit. There was nothing much on the line, so I could relax into the practice. I track these incidents so I can build trust in the process. When I can look back at a series of messages that were indeed in my best good, I’m more able to welcome the next message that comes through, even when it doesn’t make much sense in that moment.

Intuition: Get a spoon.

Me: What? No. I’m just going to the bedroom. I won’t need a spoon in there.

Me, 20 minutes later, in the bedroom, wishing I had a spoon.

Intuition: Put the house key in your pocket.

Me: Why? I’m not going outside.

Me, 3 hours later, locked out. GAH!

Intuition: Go to the co-op now.

Me: Are you crazy? It’s senior discount day, it will be super crowded. Fine, I’ll play along, but I don’t really want to…

Me, 15 minutes later at the co-op finding everything on my list on a one-day-only sale and running in to a client who wants to schedule another session but never remembers to email me.

People want access to intuition when a big change looms, but if they haven’t developed trust already, it can be difficult to hear. It would be like showing up at the marathon without having done any training.

In addition to paying attention to the unbidden guidance, you can ask for specific answers. Start with something easy.

Me: What should I wear?

Intuition: Sneakers!

Me: Really? I was thinking I should wear the cute (but not entirely comfortable) sandals.

Me, later in the day: Oh, am I going on an unexpected three mile walk? So glad I’m wearing sneakers!

Me: What should I watch on TV?

Intuition: Let’s watch this show that a friend suggested.

Me: What? I’m not really in the mood for a documentary.

Me, an hour later: Wow that was awesome and answered my question about how to treat this annoying problem.

Once you get a few dozen of these playful episodes under your belt, you can assess if you’re ready to tackle some bigger issues. But if you haven’t yet conditioned your intuition muscles, expecting clarity on a major life decision is likely going to lead to confusion and frustration.

Today’s a great day to get started with the basics. Choose a notebook or app to track your intuitive experiences. Make note of the ideas that appear out of nowhere. Ask for guidance on everyday issues. Follow that guidance! And remember to log the results.

Intuition Chronicles: Start with the Basics

Developing access to intuition is a whole lot easier when we start with the basics. Rather…
I took this super short video when I was sitting by the creek today. Being in nature is medicine for my soul. The fresh air, sunshine, falling leaves, and rushing water nourish me deeply.

My happy place 🙂

Many of the maladies that I see in today’s world seem to be rooted in malnourishment of the soul. The rat race drain us gradually over time and we might not even notice we’re bone dry until our health fails.

I’m not sure what your soul medicine is, but I bet you do. That thing you long to do but maybe haven’t made the time for in ages. That thing you imagine doing on vacation or when you retire. It could be singing, painting, playing with your kids or dogs, or cooking a favorite meal. It might be simply sitting on the porch to read a good book or talking with a dear friend.

Whatever it is, I encourage you to make the time to fill yourself up so you can carry on in good spirits and optimal health. These things usually require some determination and effort to plan as it’s easy to let our calendars fill up with busy-ness and meaningless distractions.

When I talk with clients about doing this, there’s often a sense of hopelessness, that they can’t do the exact thing that they desire, so why bother trying?

I have a few things to say to that. We bother trying because it matters. We matter and so does our health and happiness. And just because we can’t go from A to Z overnight doesn’t mean we can’t find some small way to tend to our dreams.

Ten minutes is a great starting point. Maybe it will quickly evolve to 20. Maybe it will get whittled down to 5. Still, over time we can accumulate nourishment. And the more nourished we are, the more likely we are to make decisions that benefit our well-being and the well-being of those around us.

Today is the perfect day to take just one small step in the direction you wish to go.

Soul Medicine

I took this super short video when I was sitting by the creek today. Being in…
Have you ever held a time slot for an event that got cancelled? I’m guessing we all have. In that process, we’ve possibly declined other conflicting invitations. When the original plan falls through, it’s natural to feel frustrated at having missed out on opportunities, some of which might be long gone.

What if, rather than ruining a potential girls’ night out, concert or Reiki circle, that canceled event was doing you a favor? What if it was just a placeholder, taking up space on your calendar so that you wouldn’t RSVP to requests that were not in your best interest? That perhaps there was something altogether different that was a better use of your time, something that you didn’t know about until later? It could be as simple as having quiet night at home to catch up on your reading or a last minute invitation for something fabulous.

This happens to me all the time when clients cancel appointments, some of which had been on my calendar for weeks. Then just moments later I learn about a class I’d love to attend or another client has an urgent situation and the now-open slot works perfectly for them.

I’ve learned to trust in divine timing and believe that the universe really is looking out for me in ways I don’t always understand. Learning how to let go of the desire to understand, btw, is a pre-requisite to living a soul-led life. Sometimes clarity arises in hindsight, but not always. I’ve learned to assume that many things are simply above my pay grade and simply follow the breadcrumbs.

This is not to say you need to tolerate consistent abrupt changes of plans that are simply bad manners from a friend or business associate. It’s true that some people are simply inconsiderate and might need a talking-to about respecting your time. I’ve had my share of this type of cancelation and have had to learn to stand up for myself in this regard.

And… sometimes, especially when your Spidey senses are tingling or magical synchronicity results, you can take note that something bigger than you arranged for an alternate experience.

The more we notice, acknowledge, and express gratitude for such interventions, the more likely they are to occur. The more we’re able to accept that we just don’t have the perspective to always know what the best thing is, the more easily we can go with the flow.

So when the maintenance crew’s truck is blocking the driveway and I’m delayed a few minutes, or the garbage truck is ahead of me and I choose to take a different route to avoid the fragrance, it’s entirely possible that I’ll benefit in unforeseen ways.

When there’s a guy sitting on my favorite bench by the creek and I walk a bit further to find the perfect log right next to the water, it’s obvious that the unexpected change worked in my favor. I don’t always have such obvious proof that this is the case, but there are so many examples that have demonstrated benevolent intervention that I’ve begun to trust that most of the time, the universe is orchestrating events on my behalf.

In case you’re in need of a tune-up or a recharge, a slot just now opened up in my schedule for tomorrow. Use the link below if you want to book yourself a much-needed Reiki session, either in-person in Philly or a remote Reiki treatment wherever you are. I suspect you also just had a cancellation that leaves you open at just the right time.

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Placeholders and Divine Intervention

Have you ever held a time slot for an event that got cancelled? I’m guessing we…
I really enjoyed this thoughtful podcast by Rebecca Campbell about being in right relationship with nature, particularly in regards to the tools of spiritual practice.

From the show notes: “Like many, I began working with incense early on in my spiritual journey, and yet it wasn’t until I really began working with plants and the earth and unpacking my relationship with them that I understood it and began to appreciate it in a meaningful way. For example, the burning of sacred plants such as white sage is one that has become quite problematic in spiritual communities. It has been commodified by those who are not of the culture it is sacred to, and as a result this Sacred herb is now endangered.”

We all need to do what we gotta do to eat, but when it comes to placing fresh flowers (possibly heavily sprayed with pesticides and flown in from tropical locations) on our altar or burning incense (possibly laden with petrochemicals) while meditating, hopefully we can be more discerning. How can we utilize tools in the name of spirituality while being mindful of their effects on the earth and all her inhabitants?

There’s no need to judge ourselves for what we didn’t know in the past. We don’t know what we don’t know! All we can do is make the best decisions moving forward with the information available to us.

Even if you don’t listen to the podcast (less than 35 minutes), I hope I have planted a seed that will take root and you’ll begin to consider how your choices affect the web that connects us all.

Sustainably Sourced Spirituality

I really enjoyed this thoughtful podcast by Rebecca Campbell about being in right relationship with nature,…
One of the most frequent questions I get from new clients is, “What did you notice during the session?” They seem torn between dread and hope that I’m interpreting information from their energy fields.

Not to worry! I don’t have access to your deepest, darkest secrets. Nor would I want that responsibility. I’m more interested in helping others develop self-awareness and access to inner wisdom rather than perpetuating the concept that we must rely on external “experts” to guide us.

When I’m giving a Reiki treatment, what I feel is a peaceful and healing energy flowing through me. Sometimes it gets more intense in certain places or my hands feel like they’re glued to a specific body part. I recognize that the client is really soaking up the energy when this happens and that this particular area is a potent access point.

All I need to know is that healing is happening and it’s beneficial to linger here.

The “why” is above my pay-grade.

It’s easy to jump to conclusions about the why, but I do my best to resist the ego’s urge to analyze and pretend to know exactly what is happening. I don’t have all the information to make such diagnoses or prognoses.

Fortunately, it’s not necessary. My job is simply to apply Reiki. It’s Reiki’s job to do the healing. Reiki is spiritual guided and emerges from the highest perspective, so it’s best to put it in charge.

I am well aware that other practitioners include reading of the energy field as part of the services they offer. Some claim to be psychic or highly intuitive, and I have no doubt that many are. Hopefully, they also have some training on how to discern the difference between the clients’ issues and their own projections and how to share information in a sensitive way so as to not cause harm.

I’ve had a great number of clients who carry the burden of a message delivered by another practitioner years, even decades, ago. This saddens me. After a Reiki treatment, folks are in an highly impressionable state. Words carry more meaning than perhaps they should. My early training stressed the necessity of approaching each session with unconditional compassion and non-judgment as the foundation of all healing work. Not all practitioners had such wise teachers.

My point being that Reiki practitioners are trained to deliver Reiki. It is a valuable service. If you’re seeking analysis of your energy field, that’s the realm of medical intuitives and psychics. If you want to be saturated in healing, spiritually-guided, innately intelligent life-force energy, you’ll benefit from a Reiki session. If you want information or advice, that’s a whole different treatment, one I don’t offer.

If you have any doubts about what a session entails, it’s a good idea to inquire before scheduling. All the Reiki practitioners I know love to talk about their work and relish a willing audience.

If you’ve received a troubling post-session report in the past, it’s possible that the practitioner was overstepping the scope of their practice. Likely they meant well, but just didn’t know that the implications of their well-meaning words might have been harmful.

I’m certain I’ve said things to clients that landed differently than I intended them to, and this also saddens me. We’re all doing our best with the resources we have in each moment. It is my hope that such shortcomings don’t prevent anyone from receiving the benefits of this amazing modality.

If you’re interested in a prediction/diagnosis/interpretation-free infusion of healing life-force energy, I’d be delighted to provide exactly that. Use the button below to schedule yourself a session. I look forward to it!

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What Do Reiki Practitioners Notice During a Session?

One of the most frequent questions I get from new clients is, “What did you notice…
I recorded a guided practice for my Reiki students and figured I’d share it here. It’s for anyone who has received a Reiki attunement. This is a meditative practice for meeting whatever is alive in the moment with compassion and healing energy.

I hope you find it helpful! Let me know what you think. 🙂

Guided Reiki Practice

I recorded a guided practice for my Reiki students and figured I’d share it here. It’s…
Funny that “let it flow” is a phrase I hear a lot in spiritual communities, but I’ve never heard “let it ebb” until it popped into my head just a moment ago.

I was lamenting that I haven’t posted a blog in over a week and didn’t really have much to say.

Maybe that’s because I’m teaching two separate Reiki certification classes and therefor have many hours each week to share about my passion for self-empowerment with receptive audiences.

Maybe I’ve been using up all my words in class.

Maybe it’s because my various injuries have healed enough that I’m able to get myself into the woods to commune with the trees after a long summer of hibernation.

Maybe it’s the turn of the season into the dark half of the year and I’m naturally turning inwards.

Maybe I’ll never really know why I’m not feeling particularly inspired to post blogs right now.

What I do know is that trying to force it never yields anything beneficial. It’s painful to try and produces dissatisfying results.

Curiously, the moment that I accepted that I’m in an ebbing phase that the flow of words emerged organically. Fighting the ebb only made things worse.

So you may or may not hear from me again soon! Who am I to say? I’m just going along with the currents and willing to see where they take me.

Let it Ebb…

Funny that “let it flow” is a phrase I hear a lot in spiritual communities, but…
Here in the northern hemisphere, we’re transitioning into autumn. HOORAY! As far as I’m concerned, this is the best time of year.

Sweater weather has descended.

The first quilt has been pulled from the back of the closet.

Flannel sheets are on deck.

Flip flops have lost their place of priority by the front door and socks have reappeared in the laundry basket.

In addition to all the obvious seasonal changes, it’s helpful to acknowledge the energetic shifts as well. Nature is urging us to finish up the harvesting process, be it literal or figurative, and to begin preparing for the dark, inward focused time of year.

It’s a good time for a new craft or creative project or buying a journal for contemplative practices.

And time to look after your immune system. Rather than consuming those yummy pumpkin pie spice lattes from Dunkin’ or Starbucks, consider this simple homemade version that has all natural ingredients rather than chemical “flavors” and high fructose corn syrup. Your body will thank you for the upgrade!

Happy Equinox!

Here in the northern hemisphere, we’re transitioning into autumn. HOORAY! As far as I’m concerned, this…