Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Power of Words

Words - we use them constantly and most of the time we don't think about them; we don't think about the energy that goes into them; we don't think of them as a carrier wave of dreams. Words carry power. They can be blessings or the opposite.
Do you remember running around as a kid and saying - abracadabra? Abracadabra is a derivation that has been contorted over time and it originates from Hebrew "Evrah Kedabri" (אברא כדברי), I will create as I speak. What did you create as a child? What are you creating as an adult? Are you putting blessings around yourself and on others? Are you singing and bringing joy? Or not so?
Walk in Beauty is a Navajo prayer that I would like to share with you:


The Navajo Beauty Way Ceremony
In beauty may I walk
All day long may I walk
Through the returning seasons may I walk
Beautifully I will possess again
Beautifully birds
Beautifully joyful birds
On the trail marked with pollen may I walk
With grasshoppers about my feet may I walk
With dew about my feet may I walk
With beauty may I walk
With beauty before me may I walk
With beauty behind me may I walk
With beauty above me may I walk
With beauty all around me may I walk
In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk
In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk
It is finished in beauty
It is finished in beauty


Anonymous (Navajo)

As a way of planting positive thoughts and experiences, the Navajo use this expression - May you walk in beauty. Do you have expressions that invoke beauty and light?
I create as I speak... I create a beautiful home for my family, friends and community. I create healing for all those in need. I create...
What are you creating?


May you walk in beauty.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Reiki Meets Shamanic Sound Healing

When I started down the energy medicine path, I have never dreamed that I would be using my voice as a healing tool.
It all started with the song practices for the Lightson School of Shamanic Studies. During that time I had a realization: I like singing and it feels like it doesn't really matter how good I am at it. To my surprise, others think that my voice sounds very nice and I get a lot of compliments. We are talking about serious confidence booster here. I mean before I would go to the desert to sing just to make sure that no one could hear me....
One thing led to another and I found myself in the Shamanic Sound Healing class with my teacher Dr. Lauri Shainsky. I wasn't really sure why I was there but it felt right, it felt like my heart wanted to be there and it was amazing. I grew a lot. This class opened the doors to sound and songs for me and I am deeply thankful for the teachings.
Still the sound didn't come easily to me... it came but it had a hard time getting out of my mouth until...
One day I had a friend come for a Reiki treatment but she was also curious about the sound healing - she wanted to try it out. So what was I supposed to do? Of course I said yes even though my solar plexus was twitching from sudden energy surge. I called in the spirits, Reiki and the symbols and I set to work. After some time channeling Reiki, I felt a song energy coming in and I started singing - my heart was in it and I felt it sweep through my body and out to my friend. Things changed for her and for me, too.
I realized that when Reiki and Shamanic Sound Healing are used together that they are a very potent and powerful vessel for healing. I cherish this time of discovery, growth and expansion.
Are you ready to grow with me?

Friday, January 6, 2012

My Article in the Walk About Magazine

I am pleased to share with you the article that I wrote for the Walk About Magazine.
Walk About Magazine is a magazine for all those who enjoy walking, jogging or running. It is published in Portland and distributed to libraries and other wellness centers across town.
For all those who missed the physical issue - here is the article Reiki: Physical Healing, Spiritual Healing, and self improvement. Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Beginings

It is time to say goodbye to another year and welcome the new one. Welcome the unwritten pages of new opportunities, experiences, places, people - new life.Starting a new year is always so exciting. Here is this big book with clean pages; no writing or scribbles in it; we decide what to write in it, which way the plot should turn, what changes to make... so exciting.
So I take out my vision board and start putting up ideas and pictures of places, things that I want to bring in my life this year. I love the endless possibilities and playing with the imagination, dreams.
Then the next step is setting an intention for the upcoming year - what a challenge... Every year,  I set my intention in an achievable way - not too high, not too low. Since I started practicing Reiki my bar went up - with help everything is easier to reach. Reiki helps strengthen our will power and focus in the right direction.
I also like to participate in the Burning Bowl ceremony to release all the things that don't serve me any more and bring in more desired qualities...
At the beginning, I like to think that I know how my life will unfold even if that is not 100% true. I just know that taking that first step is easier if I can rely on my dreams, intentions and imagination...
Happy, bountiful journey in this new 2012!


Thursday, December 22, 2011

Bear Time

I have a love - hate relationship with winter. It is beautiful and awesome watching the changes that happen in nature. Everyone and everything gets tucked in for the winter to sleep and dream...
This time of year I love to go inward to do a little inventory on what was and is working well in my life and see if there are things that need to be let go of, things that don't serve me any more and do a little clean up.
Sleeping Bear Under Stars | Circle Clip ArtThe part that I love the most during this time is slowing down cooped up in the warm house in front of the fire with a cup of hot joy, dreaming just like a bear in hibernation or meditating in the dark of the early morning; did I mention chocolate - chocolate has a special appeal to me during these cold months. It is just awesome to listen to the call of nature and let my body completely rest, preserving the energy for the future. Slowing down...
The part that I don't like is the cold and the expectation to be at full speed just like during the summer... So don't take offense if it takes me a while to get back to you or if I am not thrilled about two parties in a row...
This time of year, I am more into the Burning Bowl  ceremony - a ceremony where we let go of things that don't serve us any more and bring in the things that we want in our lives; Reiki that works as well as the Burning Bowl ceremony; good food and family.
This Winter - slow down, take some deep breaths, look around, check in with yourself and take good care.
Happy holidays!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Reiki Flow

Recently, I started wondering if ReikiFlow is the right name for my blog... I went back and forth, weighing the pros and cons; considering a few different names but at the end of the day I came back to ReikiFlow.
In this process, I thought about Reiki and what it means to me; how it feels when it starts flowing through my body, mind and aura; how it feels when it passes through me and enters someone else...
I love to feel the flow, be part of it and feel the gifts that it brings to me and others. I like that its not stagnant; that it always moves and changes. I love when it flows and feels gentle like my child's warm hand in my hand or when it comes like a flood - strong and clearing everything in its path.
Being a Reiki Master just makes that flow stronger and deeper. My connection to it grows and deepens every day.
It reminds me of the choices that I made once I connected to its powerful flow. I listened to it and it improved me and the quality of my life. It reminds me of this:

"If the boulders are moved,
Even a river will change its flow. 
....
Life is the flow of energy. It is the air that we breathe, the force that moves the weather, the force of all minds combined.
It keeps the rivers flowing, our hearts beating, and the sky blue. This flow of energy moves constantly according to the fixed points that exist at any given moment. Therefore, by manipulating the cardinal points of our lives, we can change the flow. The freedom to choose and to change belongs to us."
~ 365 Tao Daily Meditations
by Deng Ming-Dao 

Reiki is the creator's life force energy. It comes and flows through us, changing us for the better; aligning us more with our higher self and purpose.
I work and live with and in that flow so ReikiFlow it will be.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Giving Thanks

Fall - the time to enjoy: the vivid colors of the leaves; the nippy air and the wind; the time to turn around and see the abundance of the world; the time to look inside and let go of things that don't serve us; the time to give thanks for the life, love and light all around us.
Thanksgiving is a holiday filled with gratitude. We consider the last year's journey, the beautiful things that came to us, the riches of the Earth that are given to us every single day, the beautiful beings that accompany us on our travels. At the holiday table, we give thanks. We give thanks to those around us, to the things that have immediate effect on us and it is just awesome - the purity of the heart and thought.
This year I invite you to broaden your horizon of gratitude. Take a look at the Iroquis Thanksgiving Address and try to incorporate some of their ideas into your own thanksgiving ceremony or speech.


THE IROQUOIS THANKSGIVING ADDRESS

"Ohenton Kariwahtekwen"

GREETINGS TO THE NATURAL WORLD

THE PEOPLE

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.

Now our minds are one.


THE EARTH MOTHER

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

THE WATERS

We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms-waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.

Now our minds are one.

THE FISH

We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

THE PLANTS

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.

Now our minds are one.

THE FOOD PLANTS

With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.

Now our minds are one.

THE MEDICINE HERBS

Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.

Now our minds are one.

THE ANIMALS

We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.

Now our minds are one.

THE TREES

We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.

Now our minds are one.

THE BIRDS

We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

THE FOUR WINDS

We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.

Now our minds are one.

THE THUNDERERS

Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.

Now our minds are one.

THE SUN

We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.

Now our minds are one.

GRANDMOTHER MOON

We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.

Now our minds are one.

THE STARS

We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.

Now our minds are one.

THE ENLIGHTENED TEACHERS

We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.

Now our minds are one.

THE CREATOR

Now we turn our thoughts to the creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.

Now our minds are one.

CLOSING WORDS..........

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.

Now our minds are one.*
*As found on the homeplanet.org

I give great thanks to all of you!