It is that time of year.. aside from being the “silly season”.. (why do they call it that? And I wonder if when they started saying it they knew about blended families, in-law’s, out-laws, sibling rivalry.. and all the wonderful things that make up our messy old lives.)

it is a good time for some gentle reflection..

How has this year been for you? What are you looking to achieve next year? Personally, professionally, spiritually?

I am hoping to write more. I have just started another blog. And would like to write more here at reikiblogger. Especially, about other reiki styles (we have mainly been talking about western Takata reiki here this year), buddhism, energy training (including tai chi, chi kung, feng shui) and healing the western soul.

I would like to give more treatments, both to myself and others. And I would like to keep encouraging myself to keep trying to meditate and follow my spiritual teacher’s advice.

The last week has been crazy for me and my little family. (Which consists of my wife donyo, and sons solomon and jameson, with our latest addition to the group due in late march!) trying to run around and see 4 sets of parents (both our folks are divorced) and friends before we go away for a nice 5-6 day break.

So, next week will be pretty quiet with posting aswell.. (as this week)

I wanted to share with you all some of this year’s top posts on reikiblogger.. and encourage you to leave comments or email me, if there is something you would like to read about in the new year.

Alot of people asked about “clearing” this year and the interest was reflected with the top two posts being about clearing:

#1 Reiki clearing symptoms

#2 Reiki clearing symptoms 2

(note to self: make up some more interesting post titles!)
The third most popular post was on healing depression, and why reiki is the best thing for it.

#3 Reiki Healing, the best thing for depression

Number four was a popular one too. And at the top of the list for most of the year. It consists of a list of training tips for reiki people. But perhaps some interesting reading for people thinking about taking on reiki training, also.

#4 reiki, 10 training tips

Number 5 was our look at healing mental habits with reiki. There is still some much more we can talk about in the area of mental healing. But, letting your mind rest in its natural flow of reiki energy is allowing it to be in harmony with the natural healing rythmns of the universe, and is always the ultimate answer.

#5 Reiki, healing mental habits

Number 6 is about how to give reiki with your eyes

#6 reiki, giving reiki with your eyes

And number 7 for this years top 7 at christmas was:

#7 Using reiki to keep your center

I hope you have enjoyed this year at reikiblogger. It was a short year, because we only started in October, but it has been a good year.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to look around and make yourself at home. Reikiblogger is here for you to enjoy. And feel free to send me an email, even just to say hi.

Merry christmas!

What are the important things to consider when you are looking for a reiki teacher?

I have put together a bit of a list of some of the things that my wife and I have found helpful to consider, from our own and other reiki friends’ experience..

# Reiki teacher not Spiritual Guru

Perhaps the most important distinction to make when looking for a good reiki teacher is that they are not spiritual gurus. I know that there are a lot of reiki “masters” out there that think you need to behave toward them like they are.. but perhaps that is not the best sort of person to learn reiki from. (more…)

Does your reiki space help your healing?

Do you start feeling like you are closer to your healing path when you enter your reiki space?

It is really good if you do.

Here are some of the things we have found that help promote healing and make our reiki space a healing space.

# Only use it for reiki

There seems to be a cumulative effect from the practise of reiki healing. That is why it is so good if you are able to give yourself reiki everyday. Even for just 10 minutes.

And one of the amazing things about reiki (especially when you first encounter it..) is that not only is it REAL (lol..) but that it works! And it works for that matter on both people and things.

The more you give reiki in a particular space of your house or clinic. The more the space will come into balance with the deeper healing rythmns of the universe.

# Bring your game face

(you can see I used to play alot of sport when I was younger!)

This is a good one though. When you come to give yourself reiki, someone else, something else (a situation perhaps via distant healing) or put some time into gentle sitting meditation, it is really good if you can bring an intention to do just that. Or better yet the intention to give an honest effort/ best effort (to avoid self critism, blame or guilty feelings on those ineviatable days when we have trouble motivating ourselves for the greater good.. which otherwise you might find yourself doing nothing instead! which would be not so good)

So much of the time we find ourselves thinking or worrying over other things during the times we put aside for spiritual training. And really that is what it is.. training. No one is supposed to be all enlightened and perfect already. We are just working towards healthier selves and happier minds.. so we can be of greater benefit. Well at least that is how I think about it.

If you can keep your mind on reiki, when you are in your reiki space, that will create a better healing space.

# Incense, crystals, water fountains and music

Be creative in your healing space. (Which mind you, does not have to stop here.. it can.. and is best.. if it spills out into your whole life.. imagine that! your whole life as a healing space!)

Anyway.

Using things that inspire you, and bring you closer to your healing path is a sacred way of creating a healing space. It is the general idea around altars in most wisdom traditions. The idea being that the external objects of veneration or admiration bring you back to a rythmn of thinking that is in line with the motivations and inspirations of you spiritual path.

One of the great things about reiki is that it is not all caught up in dogma and sectarianism. So, people have the freedom to use whatever things speak to them. And they can come from anywhere.

Usually, after giving yourself reiki regularily for a year or so, you will start to notice things that speak to your heart more easily.

Tibetan things, American indian themes, Aboriginal, whales, rainbows, Africa, water, clouds, Taoism, whatever..

I encourage you to use whatever you find helps you get into your reiki mindset. Personally, I like Tara Healing Incense alot. That really lifts any negativity (lack of constructive thinking is probably more accurate) from my mind.

# Give reiki to the healing space

Heal the healing space.

Just by practising reiki in your chosen healing space will bring it into balance with the deeper healing rythmns of the universe, but to also treat the space directly with reiki is great.

You can do this in the traditional way. But putting the Choco (I am not going to say that mantra, because if you have the 2nd level reiki empowerment you know what I am talking about, and if you do not then you need to have it to be able to treat the space this way. If not, never fear, the next paragraph is for you) symbol in the corners and the doorways, then the SayHey symbol in the center of the space and then sending reiki to that symbol. Finally, you finish by putting the Choco symbol over the SayHey and giving thanks for the blessings.

If you do not have the 2nd level reiki training, or you might prefer this method just cause (I prefer it, actually, and use this method the most.. but that might be because I am lazy sometimes too!).

You just need to bring your mind to thinking about treating the healing space with reiki. And then sit in reiki meditation. Focussing you attention of the reiki in your body. And letting it get stronger and stronger, and go out to heal the space. Like lightening a dark room. (That is a good visualisation if you like visualising. You can practise seeing the room in your minds eye as changed from darkness to daylight)

There are a couple of reasons why I like reiki healing so much.

* It is easy to learn
* It should be relatively inexpensive to study
* You can practise is alone or with a group
* It works

But, when it comes to depression, nothing really compares to reiki. In my opinion.

There are 3 main reasons:

# You do not have to do anything

I have suffered mild depression. Of course family members in their wisdom, thought they needed to convince me it was far more severe than mild depression. But, luckily I had a good local doctor whom I trusted and was able to give me some clarity about how severe it really was. And, even for me I can tell you it was very difficult to find the motivation or inclination to change things. I knew lots of great things that might lift the energy: meditation, tai chi, martial arts, pilates. But, the problem it not so much not knowing what to do, when you suffer depression, it is actually finding the willingness to act.

That is the great thing about reiki. You go along to a reiki person’s shop/clinic, or house, and you get a treatment. It is like a massage. You just lie there. But, the difference between reiki and the massage, is that it heals the underlying cause of the problem. (if you give it enough time)

# Reiki is non-invasive

Or perhaps non threatening is a better way of saying that. You keep your clothes on for one thing. The reiki person can even give you a reiki session without actually touching you at all. (The hands can rest 1-2cm above you body and give the reiki treatment that way if the person feeling more comfortable) There is no dogma that comes with reiki. No cult you need to join. Or organised religion you need to subscribe to.

# Reiki is gentle energy

About the last thing someone needs if they are reaching out for help is to have an extreme reaction. Reiki is a very gentle and loving energy which heals over time. Not all at once. Can you imagine getting old all at once. It would be a pretty big shock. And so would healing all your physical, emotional and spiritual issues or inspirations. Reiki works best when done regularily and consistently over a period of time. It is said that in Usui Sensei’s day the reiki practitioners would have some idea approximately how many treatments would be needed to clear the energy block that was causing a particular symptom. And, I am very confident there are reiki people that can practise that way today.

Conclusion

Actually, the main reason why reiki is so helpful with depression, is that is just works. Over time, a genuine sense of happiness and purpose can return. And merely from letting someone give you reiki. Though, in my experience (and it is taught in Usui Sensei’s too) if you want the healing to be lasting you need to learn to give yourself reiki and practise the 5 reiki ideals.

Today, reikiblogger is fortunate enough to be hosting the #63 Carnival of Healing, Living and Dying. 

I must confess we cheated a little bit hosting a carnival called “living and dying”.. because it is such a broad topic area. Truthfully, I was a little worried that I would not be able to find enough good articles for you if I made the subject too narrow.

But, I am please to share that we received an overwhelming response with article submissions and found some great resources, hopefully there is a little bit of something in there for everyone!

First off I wanted to just turn back a little to some great previous carnivals.. in particular #51 at other lights.. on death and dying.. and back to #32 at spiral visions and #25 at intuitive living.. with some brilliant stuff collected that goes towards our look on living.

Well worth a glance back.. and while you are back there the carnival archives too are full of great resources for people looking for healing information and inspiration.

Living and Dying 

The tibetan buddhist tradition talks about life and death as bardos.. periods of experience. Taoism talks about the flow of life in terms of “times”.. Life and death are two such “times” that we all flow through.

Being prepared for death gives you great impetus to fulfill your life. To appreciate the “times” you have. And to seek out meaning and value from your days.

Thinking about death and dying perhaps runs counter to our modern culture. But, many of our wisdom traditions emphasise the benefits of its contemplation. Perhaps, seeking to help us find the acceptance of its reality and the genuine belief that it is actually going to happen, to all of us.

So.. without further adieu lets launch head first into this weeks carnival of healing..

99 ways to keep your heart pumping  posted at Ririan Project: “Heart disease kills more people than any other disease. According to the American Heart Association, almost 33 million American men have cardiovascular disease, and over 430,000 die from it every year. Sadly, many of these deaths were preventable.”

truth in health makes furtile bodies posted at fertility help: “Truth in science is important. I discovered that TRUTH in real cures and real health is UN-PROFITABLE for the multinational pharmaceutical industry, multinational food and drink industry, schools and big media they sponsor.”

My eczema cure story  posted at eczema cure: “Eczema is cureable. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. I got well. You can too.”

needles in my feet  posted at conscious pursuit of a good life: “When I decided to be treated by an acupunturist, I was almost proud of myself for being so bohemian and clever for thinking of it. I told my friends and family about my impending visit and how much I was looking forward to being relaxed, the energy flows of my body all unblocked, and a holistic sense of well being descending upon me.”

natural remedies for dark under eye circles  posted at home natural remedies: “Are you sick of those dark circles under your eyes? Here are some quick remedies that could help you with this problem.”

stay well through the winter  posted at set higher standards: “The winter-time is well known for family holiday’s, gift giving and getting, plenty of food….and of course….colds and the flu! Take a few precautions now, and your holiday season is bound to be more enjoyable”

anchoring a habit  posted at change your thoughts: “I was reading an article written by Gleb Reys ‘Creative habit naming’ and I thought it was a great idea. It got me thinking about how else we could develop habits so that they don’t become a chore for us.”

five things I do to make me feel more positive  posted at center for emotional well being: “Peggy tagged me to share five things people don’t know about me. I decided to focus on the things that I do on the days I feel depressed or anxious”

powerful story of survival: thirty one years and still standing  posted at dragon slayers guide to life: “Michael was a star hockey player injured in a high school playoff game 31 years ago, later watching his team go on to win the Illinois State Championship. He never stopped being an athlete, though and his grueling daily exercise routine has been critical to keeping him functioning at his absolute maximum.  While he is no longer able to walk, he is still able to stand, a miracle I witnessed myself this past June. ”

pyramid of life  posted at GT: “Life is like a pyramid.  As much fun as a box of chocolates is, a pyramid tends to hold a bit more meaning.  In many ways existence is pyramidal.  As things increase in complexity, they decrease in number. Humans, the most complex organism know to man, are 6.5 billion strong. The molecules of which we are comprised are a multiple of that.  The atoms which comprise the molecules also number a multiple of the molecules, and so on.  The less complex an organism, the more of them there are.  The more complex the organism the less of them there are. Things like governments, Harvard, the Internet, the Universe, etc. have few peers.  Things like atoms and electrons are so inumerable they defy counting.”

all I know I learned way back in  posted at wisdom of wenchypoo’s mental wastebasket: “I know it’s been a good long while since I wrote anything in the “way back in med school” series, but a pertinent issue seems to have made it under my nose for inclusion. That pertinent issue is financial in nature—specifically, doctors who sit on corporate boards of research firms and drug companies, collecting big bucks for selling out their integrity.”
laugher is the best medicine  posted at american desi notes: “Truely, laughing often with friends and family is very healthy for an individual. Laughing can help a person get through rough times. The best thing I ever did when I was in depression was hang out with friends; it was hard to get up and join them but once I was with them I was laughing and haning fun and I forgot about my depression for the time being.”

the analytical couch and sir paul  posted at dr deborah serani: “Sir Paul McCartney said that writing music was great therapy but sometimes he sought treatment on the analytical couch - psychoanalysis, that is.”
kapalabhati pranayam  posted at beauty and personality grooming: “breathing exercise is an excellent way of maintaining good health and fighting diseases. ‘Kapala’ means ‘skull’ (and ‘forehead’ also) and ‘bhati’ means ‘shining’. By doing kapalabhati, the ‘nadis’(nerves) of the brain get good exercise. This is achieved by exercising the diaphragm”

rewire your brain to control your emotions and behaviours posted at intensive care for the nurturers soul, “only when you break free from your past, can you truly live the life you want.”

in the beginning posted at art life spirit. “It started with a search. I wanted to know my life purpose… I wanted to know who I am… And I wanted to be myself, a free being.”

a weekend in new your city posted at art life spirit: “I went to New York City for 3 individual workshops held on Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 27-29. The first workshop was about seeing auras, viewing past lives and connecting with spiritual guides, the second was “Angelic Seals,” and the third was about the shaman’s challenge and identifying patterns.”

is coffee good for you? posted at energise for life: health, nutrition, detox and energy: “There has been more debate on this than I know what to do with, so I will try and keep this concise. Brevity has not always been my strong point (been living with a girl for too long), but I will try my hardest to keep this quick and to the point!”

chronic back pain cure posted at universe of success: “There are a number of possible reasons why people suffer from chronic back pain. These range from generally poor posture induced by slouching forward when standing or sitting, obesity causing excessive strain on the spine, regularly carrying heavy objects or even from having one leg longer than the other. These and other causes can place a repetitive strain on the spine and over a period of time result in a degeneration of the spinal column.”

are you leaking posted at christine kane: “If you get overwhelmed or scattered or unclear - especially when making changes in your life or setting more powerful intents - then maybe you’re leaking.”

life is endless posted at zenchill: “With the news of the passing of my friend Kevin, my thoughts about the true nature of life came back into my awareness. I truly believe that life is endless.”

beat the blues posted at a better you blog: “Life has its seasons that are not dictated by a calendar. During the holidays, or a special celebration such as a wedding, you may wonder why you do not share the same happiness or enthusiasm as those around you.”

pressure proof your holidays posted at intensive care for the nurturers soul: “The holidays are fast approaching. Are you feeling stress and overwhelm, instead of joyful anticipation? With so many competing obligations and needs in our modern life, preparing for the holidays might feel like yet another daunting chore. I’ll share 5 key strategies to help you pressure-proof your holidays, so you can enjoy instead of “endure” your holidays.”
the way of reiki posted at manifesting universe: “Though I’ve done extensive reading on the subjects of energy, energy healing, and such, in this particular article I want to provide you with some of what Reiki is about. . . not the history of it, nor the ‘how to do it’.”

eat, conventional vs organic vs pasture fed meats posted at wellness tips: “Conventional meat and poultry are fed conventional food, that usually being grain (such as GMO soy), as carbohydrates are just as effective at fattening animals as humans. The pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers in the grain are then stored as toxins in the fat of the animals.”

Well, there you have it. #63 Carnival of Healing. I hope you found some interesting reading in there, and perhaps some new favourite sites. Just a quick reminder last weeks carnival was held at wisdom of healing and next week we look forward to carnival #64 at other lights.

 

I am hopeful that we might have found a fix for the problem we have been having with our comment submission. (interesting to think about the energy block/ karma that lies at the heart of that one!)

They seem to be working at the moment.

So please feel free to post your thoughts on reikiblogger and our posts. I will be able to see comments on past posts if you have one you have previously wanted to contribute to and have not been able to get through on. New readers will see them too, as they go back into the archives.

Do not be bashful with leaving your thoughts, you never know whether it may strike a chord with someone, someday, and may help them along their spiritual adventure.

It will be nice to get your feelings about reiki and healing anyway. Hope your reiki practise is going well!

Peace, TC

It is pretty common that when you practise reiki, whether by receiving regular treatments or by giving yourself treatments.. at some point or another you will come across clearing symptoms.

Below are 10 of the most common clearing symptoms..

#1 Going to the toilet alot

This is such a common reiki thing. I thought it was a bit hilarious when my reiki friend first mentioned that I might be needing to go to the toilet a bit during the reiki 1 workshop. But, she was right. And I have noticed also, since that time that this clearing symptom, like all the others, is not specifically connected to reiki practise, it is common to all shifts in energy or perception. For example, if I have been pondering a topic and find some clarity, inevietably I will go to the toilet soon after.

#2 Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps

This is one that my wife has experienced alot of during her reiki travels. Again, it is not something limited to reiki practise, she has experienced it alot during other spiritual practises also. In buddhist terms clearing is usually labelled purification. And is generally thought in connection with negative causes or conditions. For example, every cause will produce a result, and perhaps there lay within your energy a cause for say your boss to get angry at you unreasonably, but because of all the good self treatments you have been giving yourself lately, that cause, rather than resulting in your boss being unreasonable, you have some nausea after some of your reiki sessions. (more…)

Other Resources: Mesothelioma DVD Video

Life can be pretty hectic.

Just living in the world can throw you off your center. My wife is pregnant at the moment with our third child and something that I have noticed is how much her rythmn changes when she is pregnant.

Donyo is naturally quite a gentle and shy person. And, when she is pregnant, I notice her energy becomes even more gentle and the pace that she moves through the day becomes even slower.

There really could not be a process that draws you back to the center of your being, much more than that of pregnancy. The process of creation. That must be what most of us believe the essence of our life itself to be?

I think that natures rythmns are actually our (humanity’s) natural rythmns aswell.

And, I think if we can keep ourselves in harmony with natures rythmns we will find ourselves more relaxed, able to cope with stress and problems better and just generally happier.

Reiki helps restore our harmony with nature.

(more…)