The Reiki Lady

JUST FOR TODAY……

Just for Today I Will Live The Attitude of Gratitude

Just for Today I Will Not Worry

Just for Today I Will Not Anger

Just for Today I Will Do My Work Honestly

Just for Today I Will Show Love and Respect to Every Living Thing.

SHINRIN-YOKU

Shinrin-Yoku is the Japanese art of forest bathing. It originated in Japan in the 1980’s, but has its roots in ancient times.

Forest bathing is not swimming in pools or waterfalls in the forest (although this can be part of the experience I suppose), but means immersing yourself and all your senses in the forest or woods. Taking in all the smells, touching leaves, trees, plants, etc

We have known for centuries that getting out into nature has both physical and mental health benefits, but studies into the benefits of Shinrin-Yuko have proven that indulging in this regularly reduces stress hormone production, improves feelings of happiness and creativity as well as lowering heart rate and blood pressure. It boosts the immune system and accelerates recovery from illness. Regular forest bathing may keep illness away in the first place!

We are part of nature, but have lost the art of being in nature. Caught up in modern life and technology, we need to get away from our machines every so often and get back to where we come from. Smelling flowers, listening to nature and touching trees, leaves and plants has such an amazing effect on our minds and bodies, even though we may not be aware of it.

It’s rather sad that, knowing all the benefits we get from trees, our weather, reducing flood levels, helping our world breathe, etc., that so many are cut down and destroyed without a second thought. Let’s change that – enjoy the benefits and spread the word!

HEALING HANDS

As we gradually emerge from lock-down and are able to get together again, I am sure that one of the most enjoyable things will be that we are able to touch one another again. We can hug, hold, just physically connect after so very long.

As a Reiki practitioner I feel, and have been told by many receiving Reiki treatments, just how re-assuring and comforting the feeling of hands are when you really need that contact from someone, confirming that it’s o.k. – you’re not alone. Whether you feel out of sorts physically, or mentally drained, just relaxing into a Reiki treatment and feeling the warmth from the practitioner’s hands can instantly have a positive effect. Even when I move from one part of the body to another, they have often said afterwards ‘I know you moved to my legs, but I could still feel your hands on my stomach. The effect of touch where and when we need it can leave a lasting impact.

I have mentioned in previous blogs that I also treat above the body for those not comfortable with physical contact. This in no way diminishes the effect of the Reiki treatment and one or two recipients have later asked me if I had put my hands on them, as they were sure they could feel them. This is the power of healing hands and the power of Reiki going where it is needed. The love and heat that flows from them has such a wonderful, even powerful, effect on those receiving the treatment. It is not invasive, but comforting and re-assuring those receiving the treatment that someone cares enough to want to help. Much the same as when we pat a baby’s back when we hold it – a sort of ‘It’s o.k. I’m here.’ sort of thing.

When we have a pain anywhere, we instinctively put our hands over the area. We all have the power to heal, it’s just a case of discovering how to harness it that is needed. What better way than the Reiki way?!

Be Self-ish

Not to be confused with selfish, being ‘self-ish’, means being aware of your self and your needs, and keeping balance between healthy body and mind, in order to be of use to others.

We must make time not only to treat ourselves, but allow time just to be ourselves, to re-energise and contemplate on the Reiki way of life. In my mind, the purpose of Reiki is to help others on all levels and to spread love and light wherever we can.

Relax into Reiki and let yourself enjoy being self-ish – you’ll be amazed at the results.

STRAWBERRY MOON

Sadly, the weather was so bad that I could not watch the sunrise on 21st June. How different from a few days before when I saw beautiful rose-gold sunrises. The heavy rain and winds made the longest day seem even longer, but I am hoping all the rain will result in lovely fruit from my damson trees this year. This means pots of lovely, homemade damson jam!

However, the 24th June brings a full moon known, as a Strawberry Moon. It is the first full moon after the Summer Solstice, when it reaches its full phase. It marks the last full moon of Spring and the first full moon of Summer. The Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota people (among others) named it to mark the ripening of strawberries and the short gathering time. June is a time of plenty for many, as flowers blossom and early fruit ripens.

The European name for this moon is Honey Moon or Mead Moon. As June was traditionally the month for marriages and is named after the Roman Goddess of Marriage – Juno. Our term ‘ honeymoon’ probably derived from this.

As it is a time of plenty for many, the Reiki Principles ‘Just for Today I Will Not Worry’ and ‘Just for Today I Will do my work Honestly’ come to mind as early fruit and blossoms are gathered, work done in a short time-span, resulting in not worrying for the moment as food is gathered in.

Here’s hoping the weather will be kinder and enable us to see a beautiful full Strawberry Moon.

VIBRATIONS

I was fascinated, some years ago, when I heard that each planet ‘sings’. They all have a vibration unique to themselves, as do we. Stars do too and space itself ‘hums’. It brought to mind a metal humming top I had as a child. The tone of the hum changed as it slowed down or sped up.

Why does everything vibrate, on earth and in space? It’s all down to energy. Everything is made of energy and so gives off a vibration. We are all connected by Universal energy and this is what we tap into when we practice Reiki Healing – it helps to connect us and balance things out. As Practitioners we act as a conduit between that energy and those being treated. Reiki (the energy) goes where our energy is depleted and re-charges us. It naturally flows where healing is needed, but you don’t have to be ill or have any sort of injury to benefit from a Reiki treatment. I treat myself daily, re-charging if you like, topping up my vibration. It is a wonderful way of spoiling yourself – try it, you’re worth it!

Maybe the vibrations in space, of the stars and the planets, is the Universe ‘talking’ to us. If only we knew how to listen, it may be giving us the answer to the Sixty-four Million Dollar Question – the answer to EVERYTHING!!!

THE BLISS OF SUMMER

What a season! Thinking of all we have to look forward to (even if it is only on the T.V.) is exciting. Something for everyone, as they say. Festivals, country shows, football, cricket, tennis and more. All competing against each other, yet coming together to provide not just entertainment but enthusiasm and happiness to others. Granted, this year will be a little different, but those events able to go ahead will do so with all safety precautions at the fore.

I love so much about Summer – the smell of mown grass (evoking childhood memories, so precious), hearing children having fun, strawberries and cream! It’s not just flowers and shrubs that bloom into colour in Summer, people do too. It appears to draw out a certain vibrant energy in us that blooms in our faces. After a ‘sleepy’ Winter and a turbulent Spring, Summer is here to revive us and we can let loose and have fun.

Wandering around country shows in the past, I have found new interests, particularly in ancient crafts and those in turn have led me to other interesting things. Learning new skills keeps the old grey matter active, which is important to our health in general. Happy mind, happy body. Dr. Mikao Usui learnt on his quest for healing that healing just the body, although obviously essential, is not enough. We need to heal the mind and the spirit too. Healing the mind lifts the spirit and that in itself is healing. All three work together to achieve a happy balance. This is where Reiki is so beneficial. Reiki will go where it is needed, whether it is the mind that needs healing, the spirit or the body. The Reiki Energy will flow, uniting all three and resulting in a much happier, energised you! Try it.

Enjoy your Summer doing whatever brings you happiness. If you can’t attend venues, watch them on T.V. I will be, and getting just as excited about it all!

HERE COMES SUMMER!

How lovely the last couple of days have been after such a mardy May. The 1st June (by the way, lucky month to you all) holds much promise judging by what I woke up to this morning. Flowers and shrubs seemed to have bloomed, popping in full colour, over night. Summer is on its way!

But, in true Reiki fashion, I am showing ‘The Attitude of Gratitude’ for the weather May brought us. Irritating though it may have been to us, the strong winds spread seeds far and wide to lend a hand to the rest of nature. The downpours fed the earth and sharpened the colours and smells of nature – I love the smell of the outside after rain. I like to think that this points to a lovely Summer and that all the rain was in preparation – preparing the plants, trees and grasses and filling ponds, streams and our reservoirs to keep us going through a glorious Summer. Fingers crossed I’m right!

As we venture forth, little by little, this will definitely be a Summer to remember, doing things we haven’t been able to do for quite a while in (hopefully) glorious sunshine. As though someone out there has shone a spotlight on us illuminating the joy and relief at getting back to our own forms of normal life.

This is a crucial time to remember the Fifth Reiki Principle – ‘Just for Today I will Show Love and Respect to Every Living Thing’ and still remember to keep a social distance and donning masks where needed. After all, not everyone has been fully vaccinated and even though we may have been, we can still be carriers. Who doesn’t love a Super Hero and many of them wear masks. I wear mine with pride at showing love and respect to all. It won’t affect my enjoyment this Summer and I will have fun seeking out new masks with appropriate Summer themes to match my Summer wardrobe.

Have fun and stay safe.

NATURE

This is something we are all aware of – or are we? We know it’s pretty and cute, sometimes harsh and dangerous, but are we really aware of just how important it is to our very existence. You wouldn’t think so by the way we abuse or ignore it.

Nature has inspired us from the very beginning of our human history. It sheltered us and fed and clothed us. It inspired medicine, art, weapons and so much that we probably don’t even realise. Did you know that the nose of the Japanese Bullet Train was inspired by the beak of the Kingfisher? It worked so much better than the original design which made so much noise travelling at such high speeds through inhabited areas that it caused harm and distress to the people there. As luck would have it, the engineer was a ‘twitcher’ (bird watcher) and thought of how the Kingfisher darts at unbelievable speed into the water to catch its prey without visually disturbing the water surface. This inspired his design of the nose on the present Bullet Train. Amazing! So many ideas and technology has been based on nature.

Dr. Mikao Usui received the Reiki Symbols whilst meditating in nature for 21 days on Mount Kurama in Kyoto, Japan. Surrounded by ancient giant cedar trees and given its size and strong energy, it provides the perfect setting for meditation.

We tend to ‘look after’ that of nature we see to benefit us directly, but are sometimes unaware of all that is vital to us indirectly. Nature works away to support us unseen, and our actions may destroy that and, ultimately, destroy the nature we know to directly benefit us.

I have often said that everything in the world, in the universe, is connected – it is so very true. It is not too late to do something about this – better late than never, as they say – but we all need to do something – be more aware, think more of our natural connection with nature. It can only be beneficial to both nature and ourselves.

TOUCH

This is a sense we have all been missing recently. Not being able to touch those we love and care about has been hard, but now there is the promise of it coming to an end! Slowly (and safely) we will be able to re-unite and hold those we have been missing, but don’t view this as having been bad. Yes, highly upsetting and frustrating, but in refraining from contact we have shown just how much we do love and care for those we have been apart from, keeping our distance to avoid the risk of, unintentionally, passing anything on. What greater love than sacrifice and what sweeter love than re-uniting.

Being deprived of that particular sense of touch has, hopefully, made us more appreciative of it. The touch of another human, or animal for that matter, is so very important in life. A touch can convey so much, particularly when words may elude us. It can bring love, comfort, support, healing and much more.

Touch in Reiki is fundamental, although not essential. I usually give ‘hands on’ Reiki treatments, but when a recipient prefers not to be touched I treat inches above them. The Reiki received is no different, but recipients usually like the feeling of contact during a treatment. They often say it feels comforting and relaxing to them.

When I have treated recipients without touching them, they have often said after the treatment that they felt my hands on them at various stage of the treatment. When I have given Distant Healing, those I have sent to have sometimes said the same. I explain that what they felt is the Reiki Power. Reiki goes where it is needed and what they felt is Reiki touching them – not me!

Touch can be received in several ways other than by physical contact. You can be touched by speech, by a look or just a thought – that is how important touch is to humans and animal alike – even plants!