I’m needing a “positive reality shifter” today. Maybe you are too? Thanks Laura Bruno, for introducing this to me all those years ago. ❤
Another one of my favorites from way back — a good reminder and focus for eclipse day, or any day. The Gayatri Mantra is one of the most powerful and positive reality shifters I’ve come across besides Reiki Healing Attunements.
Originally posted on Laura Bruno's Blog: Another one of my favorites from way back — a…
Happy equinox from Philly, where the snowbells are rioting.
Spring has definitely sprung here and today makes it official. It’s also the beginning of a new astrological year, making it a particularly good time to get clear about what you wish to create during this next spin around the sun.
What can you let go of that is no longer serving you? What beliefs need an overhaul? How can you invest your precious life force energy more wisely?
Clearing out the old helps make way for the new. If ever there was a time to brush ourselves off and make deliberate choices about the next steps forward, it’s now!
Happy equinox from Philly, where the snowbells are rioting. Spring has definitely sprung here and today…
Last week I headed downtown for a change of scenery. I don’t get out of the neighborhood very often these days and I was getting a bit antsy. The bar for excitement is set pretty low right now, so I’m choosing to call this excursion an “adventure”. It’s all relative, right?!
I met a friend for an outdoor chat and then set off with several free hours and no agenda. Naturally, I was drawn to find some yummy treats on this journey. 🙂 I splurged on an organic, gluten-free, vegan cupcake that was almost as heavenly as sitting in the sunshine somewhere besides my porch for a change. Not the greatest photo, but it isn’t all that easy to balance a very dear dessert in one hand and snap a pic with the other in the middle of a public park!
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This delight inspired a tour of my other favorite dessert dispensers, and I’m sad to report that two had closed down over the past year. Sigh. But my spirits remained high because I was out of the house and had no responsibilities; so a-wandering I went. I allowed curiosity and beauty to guide my way. I’ve always found the colonial alleyways of Philadelphia to be charming, so I meandered, trying to avoid the busier streets and absorbing the essence of the hidden nooks and crannies of the city.
Which is how I stumbled upon this interactive installation, courtesy of the Mural Arts Philadelphia program.
I was perplexed that passersby kept passing by without a glance! We city-folk can be like that sometimes. But as I stopped to read the instructions and took a spin of the wheel, others began show interest. Number 17 came up for me. That’s my birthdate and chosen numerical talisman, so I wasn’t at all surprised when it popped up out of 64 possibilities.
“THE NOISY MAN: if you want to be heard, adapt to the changes of this world. Examine your opinions and prejudices. Power lies in meeting the needs of others.” This was the message conveyed by my spin on this intriguing wheel.
Exactly what I needed to hear! It was more potent after allowing a sense of wonder to navigate my adventure and after discovering the closed restaurants, which had apparently been unable to adapt to the changes of this world.
The universe is full of magic and beauty if we only pay attention and follow the guidance of spirit. I’m reminded of Joseph Campbell’s famous quote, “Follow your bliss.” Well, this path of bliss via healthy-ish cupcakes and charming alleys led me to a surprising gift and reawakened my intention to let my spirit guide the way. I can’t wait to see what appears next!
Last week I headed downtown for a change of scenery. I don’t get out of the…
Sometimes my students are troubled to learn that a friend or family member scoffs at Reiki. They want to know how to convince their boyfriends, sisters, parents, etc. that Reiki is a powerful and effective therapy. As the students gain experience and see their own lives improving drastically, they become more and more eager to share it with others.
This is completely understandable. It’s only natural to want our loved ones to enjoy the same benefits (risk free, I might add!) that we do. Yet many individuals are skeptical of energywork as they can’t see it with their eyes, and often can’t feel it. Of course, we practitioners know that just because energy isn’t seen or felt doesn’t mean it isn’t working; just that we haven’t yet become sensitive enough to notice it.
So how do we convince folks that Reiki is legit?
We don’t.
I know; that’s a disappointing answer! I’m tempted to say I’m sorry, only I recently vowed to be very discerning with my apologies.
I gave up all persuasive attempts a long time ago. Many of my massage clients get a glazed look in their eyes when I mention Reiki. My biological family just isn’t into it. I can get two sentences deep into any conversation before the topic is abruptly changed. Some friends have stopped bringing up anything health-related in my presence to avoid my Reiki campaigns. This doesn’t mean that I’ve stopped talking about it, but I don’t waste my breath trying to convince anyone. (I will, however, talk the ear off of someone who is curious and open-minded!)
Instead, I’ve cultivated a Reiki family. People who actually desire to talk about All Things Reiki. One day we will resume meeting in person, but for now there are frequent check-ins and occasional video gatherings. The more time I spend with my Reiki peeps, the less I care about proving the effectiveness of this extraordinary modality to anyone determined to deny its very existence.
I recommend letting go of the desire to validate Reiki’s worthiness. I do have a few suggestions that might help bridge the gap though.
You might find it useful to apply Reiki to your intention to be seen, heard, and understood. These are all valid, universal human needs and worth pursuing. It won’t necessarily affect the specific relationship that you’re wishing to shift, but you might find it reveals something better. Something you never even knew was possible until it appears.
You can also Reiki your communication skills. My teacher shared with me a short prayer that has been invaluable over the years. “Give me the right words, the right tone, and the right expression so that I may be heard.” I’ve applied Reiki to my throat chakra in combination with this prayer when preparing for challenging conversations. Sometimes finding the appropriate vocabulary can make all the difference. I use different lingo to speak to medical professionals than I do to spiritual seekers.
Also, you can Reiki your attachment to wanting to convince someone. You’ll find greater peace in letting it go. Not what you wanted to hear, I imagine, but nonetheless the truth. Your value as a practitioner and the value of the Reiki you offer is in no way limited by the regard, or lack thereof, from anyone else. Once you get clear on that internally, you’ll have an easier time accepting the skeptics as they are. Surrendering the need to change others might actually be the proof you seek!
Sometimes my students are troubled to learn that a friend or family member scoffs at Reiki.…
Earlier in the week I posted about my emotional rollercoaster ride regarding the delivery of my eagerly awaited BioMat.
Rather than freaking out about the delay due to our most recent snowstorm, I chose to use Reiki to optimize my situation. So when the notification finally turned up announcing the updated ETA on the (seemingly) worst possible day, I continued to not freak out.
This level of trust in divine timing and surrender to the flow has taken years of practice and continuous application of Reiki for myself, my well-being, and all sorts of experiences. If you ask any of my Reiki students, they can attest to my devotion to using Reiki for pretty much everything! “Did you Reiki it?” is my standard response to any complaint. Be it housing, health, finances, exams, upset pets or misbehaving gadgets, Reiki helps us get in synch with the rhythms of nature and maximize our capacity to accept whatever circumstances arise and take guided action.
So much easier than struggling against bureaucracy and trying to get a supervisor on the phone to make special arrangements!
I generously distributed Reiki to the delivery, despite it being scheduled for today, the busiest day of my week. The one and only day my roommate (who generally works from home and might have been able to accept delivery in between meetings or during lunch) had an appointment downtown and was out of the house all day.
I had a break in between sessions this afternoon and did the only thing I possibly could to boost my chances of signing for my package. I went home as soon and as quickly as I could, prepared to spend the 37 minutes I had free waiting hopefully. I had barely sat down with a cuppa tea when I heard the truck outside!
That’s right! My package arrived in the very narrow window in which I was available!! In fact, I’m sitting on it right now as I type, treating my lower back to some healing heat. Once again, I’m amazed at the power of Reiki to bring me into alignment with my highest good in ways I never could have imagined. Thank you, thank you, thank you Reiki!
Earlier in the week I posted about my emotional rollercoaster ride regarding the delivery of my…
I learned a lot listening to this podcast from two renowned meditation teachers. They delve into a variety of hot topics with wisdom and compassion. If you’ve ever thought that meditation wasn’t useful in the real world, this might be an opportunity to change your mind! And I can attest from personal experience that changing your mind can change your life. Radical compassion is a fascinating subject and completely applicable to the challenges that most people face in this day and age. Check it out!
I learned a lot listening to this podcast from two renowned meditation teachers. They delve into…
Here in Philadelphia, we just had our third significant snowfall in as many weeks. It makes for a lot of rescheduling clients so they don’t drive home after a relaxing treatment on icy roads. And it’s also provided several unexpected free days. Kinda like snow days as a kid, and loads of time to spend with my beloved books. In short, the weather has been wreaking havoc on my schedule and I’m doing a pretty good job of rolling with it.
Until yesterday.
I’m expecting a delivery that has been delayed and have no idea how long. No big deal usually, but I need to sign for this one. When I ordered my BioMat weeks ago, I began sending Reiki to its travels all the way from Hawaii. Obviously there are lots of complications these days for such a lengthy journey, and snow is only one of them. So I turned to Reiki, and have been intending for safe and timely transport.
Last week when I learned that it was scheduled to arrive today, I was elated. At that time, I had no appointments booked and simply blocked out my calendar so I could hang out at home listening for the doorbell. Reiki at its finest! Admittedly, I was a little bit smug about my success.
Then the storm yesterday resulted in a notice that the package has been delayed, but no information as of yet as to how long it’s delayed. Curses! The rest of the week is rather full due to keeping today’s schedule vacant and all the moving clients around because of the weather.
Again, not usually a big deal, even as a dedicated pedestrian. The pick-up store is walkable. But this package is 18 pounds! Too heavy to carry, even to the nearest bus stop. Too difficult to schlep with a shopping cart as crossing every intersection on foot means climbing over a frozen slush bank created by the plows. The likelihood of finding a friend available to give me a lift in the middle of my now-full rest of the week is slim and Lyft and Uber seem rather unappealing these days.
From this perspective, it’s rather a downer. Somehow I’d forgotten about the magic of Reiki! As if the flow of life-force energy is unable to navigate a snowstorm? Puh-lease! I’m grateful I only lost a few moments of my precious life worrying about this triviality before I turned it back over to the ease and grace available when I’m connected to the flow of Reiki.
So, I still have no idea when the package is coming. I’m continuously releasing my attachment to having it arrive today as planned (after all, I’m really, really eager to experience the BioMat!) and releasing my attachment to knowing when it’s supposedly coming so I can make a plan. Instead, I’m placing my trust in Divine Timing and an intelligent and benevolent Universe.
It will get here when it gets here, and I’m certain that its arrival will be perfect in ways I can’t possibly know just yet.
Here in Philadelphia, we just had our third significant snowfall in as many weeks. It…
I get this question a lot from new clients. Is Reiki or massage better? It’s common knowledge that both are helpful for reducing stress and pain, so how does one choose which treatment will provide the most relief?
First of all, neither is better. They’re both fabulous. Just different.
For people who don’t wish to get undressed, don’t want their hair to get mucked up, or don’t like to be touched, Reiki is the perfect solution. Clients remain fully clothed, no oil or lotion is used, and healing energy can be transferred either with or without touch. For those who enjoy the gliding or kneading of bodywork or the moisturizing benefit of being coated in massage cream, well that’s an obvious choice as well.
For the rest of us, it all depends on the goals for the session and the origin of the stressors. Massage is extremely helpful for correcting postural imbalances from sitting too long at a desk and for muscle aches from repetitive movements. It’s my go-to technique for issues that are firmly rooted in the physical body.
For concerns that arise primarily from the mental/emotional realm, I find Reiki to be more helpful. For example, the type of stress that is unleashed from having too much to do and too little time. Reiki is brilliant. It excels at resetting the inner alarm system that keeps us on edge when we’re trying to unplug for a rest. Anxiety, depression, and insomnia all respond particularly well, as does old trauma that was hasn’t yet been released fully.
Yet it really isn’t as black or white as that. The physical, mental and emotional bodies are all interwoven and constantly impact one another. If I’m worried about meeting a deadline, the concern begins in my mind but it triggers physiological affect as well. If I spend 12 hours in front of my computer, it’s my body that is slumped over and achy, but my mood also pays a price.
If we bring in spiritual aspirations such as reclaiming worthiness or embodying the divine, the waters get even murkier. Releasing tension from the muscles allows us greater freedom to pursue a meditation practice or creative projects. And using Reiki to bring the chakras into alignment or balancing the flow of energy top to toe can give us the fuel we need to really dig into the necessary action steps.
The good news is, you don’t have to choose. This needn’t be an either/or situation. It can be a both/and scenario. It’s possible to blend energywork and bodywork together in a treatment. I really enjoy offering combination sessions as I can pull what’s most useful from each system for the immediate circumstances. Or it’s possible to alternate modalities depending on what your unique needs are on that particular day. This might require some advanced planning if you’re seeing two different practitioners. However, there are quite a lot of us hybrids out there who can adapt relatively easily.
I don’t think I’ve done a very good job answering the question! I guess my short answer is, it depends. In the care of a skilled and caring practitioner, you really can’t go wrong though. Either modality can be an effective tool for most complaints. Rather than trying to analyze the benefits intellectually, I think you’ll get a lot more information from experiencing a session. When in doubt, place a hand over your heart and inquire within. You have a great well of wisdom inside and who knows better than you what is in your best interest?
I get this question a lot from new clients. Is Reiki or massage better? It’s common…
Luminous Heart Reiki & Massage 