intuition

Reiki is an ancient healing practice that allows initiates to tap into universal life-force energy and direct it with our intention and attention.

The form of Reiki healing as it is commonly practiced here in the west has its roots in 20th century Japan. Usui Sensei, beloved founder of the practice (not the energy, the energy was/has always been available in nature), had a spiritual awakening while fasting and meditating on a mountain.

Reiki was the result of this awakening. He developed a style of accessing and utilizing this life-force energy that was very useful. I call it “traditional” Reiki.

It is a very linear process. Step A, B, C, etc. It works very well for people who like structure and want to know exactly what comes next.

Fast forward 100+ years and jump over to a very different culture, a different landscape, a different pace, in a world with very different needs; traditional Reiki, while still amazing, can feel constrictive to many.

Usui was a student of Buddhism, of meditation, of awakening the vast consciousness found in stillness. Some would call this a masculine approach to spirituality.

Not because it’s for men. No, this has nothing to do with gender. But because in the system of polarity, consciousness, linear thinking, working with the mind is considered to be masculine.

It’s one part of the puzzle of healing, but leaves those of us who revel in the feminine, the dance, the mystery, the depths of emotion and intuition can feel left out.

Neither is right or wrong. Just like night and day, they are both important, yet very different.

I teach a blend of the traditional, formulaic approach and the intuitive approach that has organically emerged in my practice.

I believe that there is something here for everyone and it’s my goal to help students find their own unique style.

Recently I told a student (who is finishing Master Teacher training with me after doing levels 1 and 2 elsewhere) that I almost always start a session at the feet.

She stared at me, mouth hanging open for a moment before sharing that her instinct is to do this too, but she had been chastised in her earlier training that this goes against tradition.

Yes. Yes, it does. Tradition says start at the head. This doesn’t make sense to me for many reasons and I find that beginning at the feet provides much-needed grounding and a less in-your-face start to a session. Literally.

I’ve done it this way for twenty years and it works well for me. My clients seem to enjoy it.

The history of Reiki is riddled with similar stories of evolution: students breaking the mold that was handed down but never really fit.

I offer something different. Let’s call it a buffet. On the buffet you’ll find a structure that you can use to get your bearings. Like training wheels. Then, maybe you learn to let go of the support when it becomes unnecessary over time. You can either continue going in that same direction or allow your intuition to guided you.

For me, this is a very personal practice. The more authentic I am, the more healing energy can flow through me.

If you’ve been trained in a strictly traditional fashion and feel too cramped, I invite you to spread your wings and experiment. The most important thing you can know about Reiki is that it can do no harm. Even when you start at the feet. I promise!

If you’d like to learn a different, less traditional, less restrictive way, what I call a natural evolution for those of us who aren’t monks in Japan in the 1900’s… well, I can teach you.

There’s a level 1 training coming up in Philly. I also teach virtual classes. Live classes, in real time, not recorded. I’m happy to discuss setting something up if that appeals to you.

In-person Reiki 1

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Reiki Classes: Evolved for Modern Needs

Reiki is an ancient healing practice that allows initiates to tap into universal life-force energy and…
If you’ve ever followed someone’s advice for healing an ailment and found yourself disappointed in the results, you aren’t alone.

Lots of people share with me the tricks they use for xyz and often they are things I’ve already tried to no avail.

It’s frustrating.

The thing is, the root of the problem is often hidden. Two people might have frequent headaches, but the same treatment might not be effective for both of them since the causes are different.

If you’re dehydrated and have a headache, a big glass of water can work wonders. You can go on to write a book about water being the miracle healer, yet it will be 100% ineffective for someone with a mold allergy or a tension headache.

No worries, though. Your body knows. There is an innate wisdom within and you can learn to access it. I’m not saying it’s easy, at least not in the beginning, but like any skill, you can hone it with practice.

My suggestion is to be like a cat. They move in ways that feel GOOD! Now, don’t go researching “how to move like a cat”. That’s something I would have done in the past. 🙄

Instead, feel into what movements your body would enjoy. Let pleasure be your guide.

It all starts with an intention to tap in and honor the messages that come from your body. Next, you’ll need to create time and space to listen. Many of us are just running around all day, every day, so that we can’t receive the messages that come through.

Remember the olden days when phones were atttached to the walls of homes? And you had to be at there when the call came through? And then you had to pick it up, at that moment, and listen to the voice on the other side?

It’s a lot like that.

Your body will tell you how it wants to move and rest, what it wants to eat and when, and all sorts of other information- if you pay attention.

But you have to be available to pick up the phone.

Yes, this means forgetting about tons of external rules about how many steps you should take or what your target heart rate is. It might mean shaking things up in your family, workplace, or circle of friends.

But, let’s face it. If you keep on doing what you’re doing, you’ll continue to get what you’ve already got. I’m guessing that if you’re reading this, you’d prefer a different outcome.

Why not go directly to the source of wisdom?

I find Reiki incredibly helpful for increasing my clarity, motivation, and capacity to receive messages from my body. If you want to do the work, it could help you too. Or if you prefer to receive support and let me do the work, that can also help. It’s not the only way by any means. As far as I can tell, it’s the simplest, easiest, and most accessible though.

One of the things I really love about Reiki is that the healing energy sinks beneath the symptoms and addresses the initial imbalance. It might be in the mental, emotional, spiritual, energetic, or circumstantial realm which would have been overlooked by modern medical treatment.

What would your body appreciate today? If it’s Reiki or some gentle bodywork, why not schedule a treatment? Or perhaps you’d like a walk, a bath, some time on your yoga mat, or a nap. Only you know for sure.

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Healing Isn’t One Size Fits All

If you’ve ever followed someone’s advice for healing an ailment and found yourself disappointed in the…
Holistic healing emerges from a belief system that all the parts of ourselves (body, mind, emotions, energy, lifestyle, circumstances, and soul path) affect the whole. They all weave together to form a rich tapestry. The overall objective is to come into balance by respecting and honoring all the different elements and this can often take time.

As we’re all imbalanced in unique ways, our journeys are also unique. There is no one-size fits all plan or magic pill that will do the work.

It might seem overwhelming to take on such a task when few of us have had any experience or role models, let alone training, in such endeavors. It might seem like a daunting goal, but just like everything else, we begin from wherever we are with one step in the direction we wish to go.

I feel grateful that my journey began in my youth when I wasn’t too dug into any particular belief system or behavioral patterns to welcome change. Today my life is fully immersed in the holistic health realm, but it was a gradual process over many years. That’s the cool thing about habits- they are easy to build on top of one another.

For those who come to this path in their adult years, there might be more resistance to trying something new. I get it! I tend to be set in my ways a lot of the time. But if your current treatment, whatever that may be, is not providing the results you desire, I’d encourage you to try a different way. Some people choose holistic healing as a complement to conventional treatment; it’s not an either/or situation.

My suggestion is to approach your healing goal with kindness and curiosity. Instead of attacking knee pain, psoriasis, grief, procrastination or anything else with an intention of eradicating it, try an exploratory approach. See it as a misunderstood or wayward ally instead of an outright enemy.

Carve out 15 minutes from your day and set yourself up in a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Tell your people that you’re unavailable for this time, excepting emergencies. (Perhaps also explain what qualifies as an emergency!) Turn off your devices, or better yet remove them entirely from your space. Have a notebook or journal handy to capture any messages.

Taking this time for yourself is crucial on the healing journey. Otherwise you will just be spinning your wheels, engaged in therapies or practices that others have suggested that might be totally off the mark for you.

Get yourself as comfortable as possible. You might need to stretch or dance it out or take some deep breaths to drop out of your head and into your body. In the spirit of kindness and curiosity, ask.

What is it that this condition is trying to tell me?

What does it need to feel relief?

What do I need to learn/integrate/release in order to feel better?

Be patient. Learning to hear your inner voice takes some time if you’re new to it. Trust whatever words, sounds, colors or images come through. It’s easy to dismiss your messages thinking you’ve “just made them up”. Maybe you did, and that’s ok. But there’s a good chance it was at least influenced by your subconscious or higher self or soul. Honor that by writing it down and at the very least, considering the wisdom within.

Then, and this is important, choose just one small step that you can do today and do it. Or put it on your calendar for a time when you can do it and commit to following through.

It’s easy to get lost in the analyzing stage and never take action. It’s easy to get frozen trying to figure it all out, but I assure you, you don’t need to figure it all out now. Just take one tiny step. See how that feels. Often breadcrumbs will appear showing the following steps. And remember the elements of kindness and curiosity. They will be your best friends and wonderful travel companions along the way.

If you’d like some support for your journey, consider booking a Reiki session in Philly or a remote session wherever you are. An infusion of life-force energy can help with clarity and motivation and give you the boost of connection that helps move you forward.

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Getting Started on the Holistic Healing Journey

Holistic healing emerges from a belief system that all the parts of ourselves (body, mind, emotions,…
Last night I closed up shop early because a street festival was taking place in front of my office. It’s always chaotic and not the energy I want my clients to slog through. Instead, I decided to brave the heat and the ginormous potholes for which PA is so famous and go on an adventure. To the suburbs. 🙂

My birthday is coming, and as you might already know, we Cancerians like to celebrate the month, not just the day. So I planned to have dinner with a friend I haven’t seen in a few years and explore the area where she lives.

She pointed me to a delightful metaphysical shop that really made my day! SO many gems to view, so little time. I had decided to splurge on a necklace as a birthday treat. I enjoy wearing my crystals so the healing energy is with me all day.

Rather than looking for a particular type of stone, I browsed. I waited for something to call out to me. A gorgeous rosy stone with delicate white swirls caught my attention. I nearly choked when I saw the price tag, but there was a smaller pendant next to it that didn’t blow my budget out of the water.

This photo pales in comparison to the real thing!

Rhodochrosite. I’d never heard of it. The staff was so helpful and shared about some of her (yes, this particular stone anyway, is most definitely a her) qualities and it was exactly the medicine I’m needing! If I had spent 100 hours online researching which crystal would serve me best, I doubt I could have made a better match.

I wanted to share this story because so many Reiki students ask me about using crystals in their practice. Reiki doesn’t need crystals to be super-powerful, but they do work nicely together as they are both natural energies. It can be overwhelming when you’re learning about crystals from a book because there are so many variations and so many benefits from each of them.

I start with the gemstone that wants to come home with me. I observe how I feel when we’re together and then, and only then, do I look at the information that is readily available from external sources such as a guidebook or website.

It’s important to cleanse your crystals right away as they are batteries for storing energy and you don’t need to be soaking up the residual vibes of everyone else who has handled them. You can then use Reiki to charge them, intending a specific healing purpose, if you like.

It turned out to be a lovely day and I’m so glad I got out and about for a change. I had the most delicious salmon tacos, sat on a bench under the trees by a creek in the park, and had a great catch-up with my friend over dinner. It turns out there was also a street festival there, but we ate inside since it was crazy hot.

I had to laugh that one event was the motivation to go elsewhere and a similar event was happening there. I don’t understand the desire to dine on the sidewalk when it’s 90 degrees out, but hundreds of people apparently do. Lucky for us, that made indoor seating much easier to come by.

All in all, this was a great reminder to go with the flow and let Life lead the way. I’m always pleased with the results when I do.

Let Your Crystals Choose You

Last night I closed up shop early because a street festival was taking place in front…
Last night, I met a friend at a park to honor the new moon and to create intentions for the upcoming lunar cycle. New moons are a great time to plant the seeds for what we’d like to experience. Layering that with even a rudimentary understanding of astrological events, we can surf the cosmic energies rather than struggle against the current.

We talked through our individual circumstances and goals as they related to the astrology and did a simple tarot reading to add another layer of guidance from the mystical realm. These particular cards were challenging to decipher, but we did our best. It helps not to take things too seriously!

As we were heading home in the near-dark night, a frog jumped across the sidewalk in front of us! Maybe that’s a common thing where you live, but this is Philadelphia, one of the largest cities in the U.S. Sure, there was a pond in the park we had just left, but that was about a half mile away, and all the times I had been in this area, I’d never seen a frog. Certainly not on the sidewalk!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When you’re on the hunt for guidance, it’s easy to cling to every little occurrence. If a squirrel or cat or mosquito had crossed our path, it would not have been noteworthy. But we both agreed that a frog was such an anomaly that it held meaning. Plus, the timing was too significant to ignore.

There’s plenty of information available online about the spiritual message frogs might deliver. I’m not going to repeat any of it here; you can find it easily enough. What’s even more important is the unique meaning that frogs carry for us. Happily this unusual sighting clarified and amplified the tarot reading as it related to the new moon energies. All of these clues allowed us to craft specific and potent intentions.

I’ve written a series of posts on accessing intuition- Intuition Chronicles. While this particular incident falls more into the category of divine guidance via synchronicity, it was intuition that helped us capture and decipher the guidance. It’s simply a matter of asking for support and paying attention to what unfolds.

The more tuned in I am to what’s happening in and around me, the more I am certain that the universe is dropping breadcrumbs along the path to my greatest good. It’s helpful to remember that powerful information can be found outside the traditional intellectual approach if we’re open to it. Deeper meaning and guidance are available to all of us if we choose to slow down and receive it. I’m heading down to sit on the porch and see what surprises the world has to share with me.

What the… Frog?!

Last night, I met a friend at a park to honor the new moon and to…
Welcome to the series detailing my personal journey of intuitive development. So many students ask me how they can learn to connect to their intuition that I decided to dive in to this complex and fascinating topic.

I keep track of the intuitive messages I receive in order to help strengthen my listening muscles. Hindsight is indeed 20/20.`One way that I learn is through contrast. When I ignore a nudge and experience unpleasant consequences, it highlights my desire to avoid future unpleasant consequences and activates my willingness to comply.

Intuition is constantly speaking to me. It’s my job to pay attention and take action. Free will allows me to override the messages I get, and sometimes stubbornness gets the best of me. When I record results, both positive and negative, I have a map that helps me move forward in the direction I wish to go. I think these particular episodes, as cringeworthy as they are, will be particularly effective at making my point.

Intuition: Bring your phone.

Me: I’m just going to the next room. I’ll be fine without it for now.

15 minutes later, entrenched in a project, my lap covered in layers of notes and books, thinking… I need my phone, why didn’t I just bring it?

This has literally happened dozens of times over the years! These incidents have been an annoyance, but hardly catastrophic, which is why it took so many repetitions for me to learn. Just take the darn thing when instructed to do so! Intuition can make my life easier, even in small ways; but only if I listen.

Intuition: Move your phone.

Me: No way! I’m going to need it any minute, I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll just let it charge while it sits on the table next to me.

30 minutes later, tripping over the cord, and praying the screen hasn’t cracked when it crashed to the floor. ARGH! Fewer applications of this lesson were needed. Intuition wants to help me avoid needless disasters, large and small.

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

Intuition: Don’t use that pocket.

Me: Whatever. I know it’s not a secure pocket, but I’m in a rush. It will be fine.

2 hours later, where is my phone? Did it fall out in my friend’s car? What the … bleep… she’s gone on a silent meditation retreat for the weekend and is notoriously bad at responding to messages even in real life. I won’t even know for sure that it’s under her passenger seat for days upon endless days. GAH! A minor crisis, all things considered, but an inconvenience intuition tried to help me avoid.

Intuition: Don’t use that other pocket.

Me:

3 minutes later, whoops! The phone falls in the toilet and now I must purchase a new one. Pocket lesson learned after two applications. Minor crisis, major expense, could have been avoided.

Intuition: Put your phone in your pocket. (Seriously!)

Me: I’m just going to let it charge for a few more minutes.

45 minutes later on a train, dependent on my phone to connect to the world whilst traveling for 8 hours, realizing it’s still plugged into the socket at my friend’s house. Pocket lesson variation, learned immediately. Major inconvenience, could also have been avoided!

This is how it goes for me. My intuition is rather bossy. It tells me what to do to avoid pitfalls. It tries to guide me towards my highest good and frequently my ego argues with it. Ridiculous! Looking back, it’s obvious to me which voice I’d prefer to follow going forward.

It’s easy to overlook these nudges when I’m not paying attention. It’s impossible to overlook when I’m tuned in. When I start the day by activating an intention to receive and understand soul messages by applying Reiki, even for just a few minutes to anchor this goal, I’m much more likely to catch on. Keeping a record of messages, received and ignored, helps me to be more aware the next time a message comes through.

This is the equivalent of practicing scales for musicians or conjugating verbs for language learners. It provides the foundation necessary for a more nuanced experience in the future. In this case, I’m learning to recognize and trust my inner voice. It never steers me wrong and my life would be so much easier should I just follow instructions!

The Intuition Chronicles: Cell Phone Edition

Welcome to the series detailing my personal journey of intuitive development. So many students ask me…
Yesterday my plans were shifted by consistent inner nudges to head to the local food co-op. Not the one closest to my home, but the one that generally requires a bus ride unless I’m feeling super energetic. I wasn’t and I just didn’t feel like going. OK, truth be told, it was hot. I turn into a bit of a princess in the summertime and tend to reverse hibernate in the afternoons. Yes, I know mid- May is not summertime, but tell that to the thermometer!

When it became clear that I was not going to be able to concentrate on anything, I surrendered. Maybe one day I’ll skip all the resistance and immediately acquiesce to the inner nudges, but it will mostly likely be in the winter!

As I stepped off the bus and started walking the half block to the co-op, I heard someone call my name. It was a former coworker who I haven’t seen in over a year. How he recognized me from behind is a mystery. Maybe it was my glamorous hair. 😉 We stopped to have a chat and it was lovely to catch up and hear that he and his massage business are doing well.

I figured this friendly collision was the agenda of the inner nudge and went on with my day. That evening when I got a call from a former workplace (not the same that he and I shared, but one he had remembered and even inquired about) asking if I’d be willing to do a house call for a client confined to a wheelchair, I declined knowing that both chair massage and traveling to people’s homes is just not my thing.

I wondered if perhaps this client would want to take my upcoming Reiki class, thinking that would be a great match for someone housebound and recovering from a stroke. It wasn’t till this morning that I put two and two together! I know someone who does home massage! Someone whose path crossed mine the very same day! Someone the universe nagged me until I couldn’t do anything except appear in his line of sight.

I have no idea if this massage therapist is a good match for this client. But I have no doubt that it’s my job to connect the two and allow the natural flow to take over from there.

I’m writing these words in case they may inspire someone to heed the nudges within as well as a reminder to myself that I have a role to play in the web of life that often is unclear until hindsight kicks in. (Also, because the nudge told me to tell this story!) Until omniscience awakens, it’s simply my job to go where I’m led and pay attention.

I can do that. Even in the summer.

Synchronicity Alert

Yesterday my plans were shifted by consistent inner nudges to head to the local food co-op.…
During these times of uncertainty and conflicting information from the media, I’m more grateful than ever for the amazing power of Reiki. It helps me tap into my inner wisdom. I find myself gently nudged in the direction my soul wishes me to go and when I follow along, things fall magically into place, just as if I’m effortlessly floating downstream.

Sometimes I forget how easy it can be and opt to paddle with gusto, trying and failing to get upstream. During these episodes, the nudges grow stronger, eventually becoming prods and finally discomfort intervenes as a last ditch effort to get my attention.

For the most part I’ve learned to avoid unnecessary discomfort by noticing synchronicity as well as my yearnings and moving in the direction my inner GPS suggests. I’ve been using Reiki to awaken my intuition for many years now and intentionally welcome the communication wholeheartedly.

Usually. 🙂 Sometimes I struggle against the flow, meeting obstacle after obstacle until I remember. Go with the flow. Abraham Hicks has said over and over and over again, everything I want is downstream.

Downstream is easy. I just stop paddling and the current carries me.

It might not always look easy from the outside as my path seems to frequently contradict the status quo. But I’m given the guidance and support I need every step of the way.

The longer I follow this path, the deeper my trust grows. Reiki helps me access my soul’s guidance and take action when I’m inspired to do so, and to remain patient when I’m not. No easy feat, but very doable with Reiki’s help.

Floating Effortlessly, Thanks to Reiki

During these times of uncertainty and conflicting information from the media, I’m more grateful than ever…
“Give it up. Stop!” This is the message I received in a dream last week. Yes, lyrics from Tom Petty’s song “Don’t Come Around Here No More”. What can I say- I went to high school in the 80’s and pop music was my primary language. A most effective message from dreamland as it stuck with me when most dreams fade upon waking.

As I’ve been asking for guidance through my dreams, it seemed really important to listen. I teach my Reiki students that intuition is like a friend. If you don’t answer the phone, she’ll eventually stop calling. While I’m courting dream guidance, it would be prudent to actually heed it!

Give what up? was the obvious question. Caffeine was the answer that came loud and clear. @#$%

Naturally, I negotiated.

Really! So silly, I know. I decided to cut back from 2 or 3 cups of green tea down to one. That seemed a reasonable decision.

Then a few days later the headache began. My response? I forgot all about the dream and increased my caffeine intake as that often helps resolve the problem for me. But this headache lasted for three days. That’s unheard of for me. This morning, Day Four, it lingered on. As I sat quietly contemplating on the patio (with a cup of black tea no less! Hey I’ve been miserable for the past three days, don’t I at least deserve a few sips of comfort?), I remembered.

It became quite clear that my body was telling me, YELLING at me, demanding that I give it up- stop! I had failed to heed the gentle warning and now I was receiving the message the hard way- through pain.

So I took one last sip, and poured out that delicious tea. Now I’m drinking a rooibos latte and enjoying it greatly. I’m confident this blasted headache will fade as the caffeine exits my system. I will allow myself a moment to grieve over an old friend who won’t come around here no more, and then I will celebrate a new level of reduced inflammation, deeper sleep, and greater clarity and creativity.

And that’s totally worth it.

Dream Message

“Give it up. Stop!” This is the message I received in a dream last week. Yes,…