This week I came across a quote by Eckhart Tolle:
“Accept, then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it. This will miraculously transform your whole life.”

Can we stop for a moment and read that again?

In this world of increasing awareness, consciousness and evolution, we can sometimes find ourselves walking through our lives, pretending to be ‘fine’; to be full of love and light and all things nice. But the reality is, bad stuff still happens and we still have moments of feeling well below average, unhappy, depressed or stuck. And we still allow ourselves to become disconnected from who we truly are. And because of that, we’re also very good at being hard on ourselves for not ‘doing better’ because we should know better by now, shouldn’t we?? We can be our own worst enemy and definitely our own harshest critics.

So how lovely is it to be given permission to accept what is right now; all of it, exactly as it is, in all its perfect imperfection?

When we stop berating ourselves in a desperate attempt to try harder, be better, do better, or stop our mad panic in the race to embody the perfect, shiny, happy, healthy, glowing, never-angry-at-our-partner/kids (the list goes on …) ‘us’, we become free to embrace all we are uncomfortable with and love it just as it is (we might even have a bit of a laugh at the craziness of it all). When we can really do this, a massive weight lifts, a new authentic baseline is set and we are offered a fresh slate from which to work. We begin to operate from a place of truth and authenticity where there is no right and wrong or good and bad, there just is. The struggle of imperfection disappears, and we are left with the beauty of reality; of truth; of who we really are. And isn’t that a beautiful place from which to move and engage in this world.

These people inspire me because they are so ‘real’. They seem to see the Truth of reality not just our facades and ojections. Their heart seems constantly open and not ‘pulling back’ or dodging issues. It’s the withdrawing or not seeing of all that people are, of limiting them with our perception that reinforces pain. Our attitude and presence is often more important than the modality we practise.

I was 20 when I met Sr Mary back in the mid 80’s. She inspired me and triggered off years of question asking: how can one stay in an open hearted space without being overwhelmed by the suffering and pain of others? What is ‘helping’ and is what I’m doing actually ‘helping’? In 1991 I found my way to a Reiki workshop and felt that I had touched a way that could help me find some answers to those questions.

Reiki is a form of spiritual healing. The word Reiki in Japanese simply means Universal or all pervading nature or ‘God’ force (Rei). ‘Ki’ represents the chi, prana or personal energy/vitality of the body.

In simple terms it means the merging of spirit with matter, the manifestation of spirit in physical form. Reiki as a practice and philosophy was created by Dr Mikao Usui in the early 1900’s in Japan. Combining different teachings and spiritual practices, Usui wanted people to be able to connect more with our true nature – that luminous being, the clear light nature of mind; to be able to acknowledge our Unity with all and deepen our connection with life. He wished for all beings to be happy and that people could be motivated by compassion to help reduce suffering for self and others. Mikao Usui wanted his teachings to be available for everyone and easily accessible, not limited to one particular spiritual tradition.

Although there is a Buddhist basis to much of the Reiki philosophy, Mikao Usui drew upon his martial arts background (he was born into the Samurai class), as well as upon Shintoism, Buddhism and Shugendo, which is an amalgamation of ascetic aspects of Buddhism, shamanism and Shintoism. (refer to Frans and Bronwen Steine’s book ‘The Japanese Art of Reiki’ for more details) The aim of Reiki practice is to break down our old patterns of being and perceiving, to clear our obscurations to recognising the true nature of our being and that of the world around us. It is also an invitation for us to understand that healing need not be an externalised process we receive from a practitioner but that one that lies within all of us. The only ‘prerequisites’ for practising Reiki are a body, an intent and choosing to practice being within a heart space.

Reiki is a way of connecting with the wisdom of the body. Reiki energy doesn’t ‘cure’, in and of itself but supports the body’s inherent vitality and healing capability. The energy always flows to the cause. Often people will say ‘oh I can feel the energy in my knee’, when my hands are on their head or elsewhere. As practitioners we need to leave our expectations and assumptions at the door. It is not up to us to decide what needs to be ‘done’ for or to a body. We don’t need to direct the energy flow. I leave that up to the person’s being, and focus on being as present as possible and centered in a heart space. As we ‘be with’ a person and acknowledge them as whole, just as they are, much can shift. The most profound gift we can offer anyone is to be fully present with them, to see them as greater than their issues and diagnoses. In this way we are not reinforcing a person’s perceptions and projections. Such neutrality allows an opportunity to shift many things. It is only our perception that creates limitations.

The role of intention, motivation and focus is very important. They are the guiding force of how we connect with another being, how we perceive them, the rapport we develop and enables us to ‘listen’ to their being, wholeheartedly. Every thought we have is generating pattern that is emitted into the world. Everything we do, every breath and thought has impact – and collective impact. We are accountable for what we’re choosing to communicate to another being. I like to think of practising Reiki not as ‘doing’ another modality but as a space of Being. As such, it enables us to develop further awareness of unconditional love and compassion. You don’t ‘do’ love, you are love. Unconditional love has no object. Such a space creates a profound invitation for us to recognise more of who we really are, the Truth of our Being and this allows the potential for much movement and change.

Energy is continually flowing through us, through our subtle anatomy, our meridians, through every atom of our being. Matter is composed of light and sound. All we are is energy, in constant vibration. With Reiki we are starting to work with frequency a little more consciously. Reiki is ‘taught’ by a series of  attunements. These attunements don’t give us anything new or different but support an increased awareness of ourselves as energetic and spiritual beings. They provide an invitation for the heart chakra to open more, allowing the heart to be a balancing point of the body. This encourages our development of compassion and love and our ability to acknowledge the Oneness of being. The attunement process is not a magical ‘gift’ or makes a teacher ‘special’ in any way. All it is, is a reminder of who we really are.

As we start to shift our focus from the ways we separate ourselves from other people and experiences, then automatically there is a greater flow of energy through our being. We are already connected, already at One with all, the only thing that alters is our awareness of it. This is the gift of the Reiki attunement. I think of it like a tool or a vehicle to enable us to get from A to B, to go from dualistic awareness and the way we clutch onto some things and reject others, to a space of recognising that there is nothing that we are not, that all exists in Unity. Meditation techniques and other spiritual practices are also just as effective.

I think the reason why Reiki is so incredibly popular is because of the ease at which we can start to experience these insights.

As we still ourselves and bring our focus to connecting with the heart, energy flows through the practitioners’ body, ‘topping  them up’ then radiating through the auric field, through the hands and other chakras. Reiki practitioners usually say that they feel less tired when working and more energised at the end of the day. This is because energy is continually flowing through us. We are not using our own ‘reserves’. Reiki can be of assistance in many ways for clients, animals, or plants. People commonly say that they’ve never felt so relaxed (many fall asleep) or it’s the first time they’ve been without pain (or in less pain) in ages. Reiki can be useful for some people in supporting pain relief.

Working with Reiki is a spiritual practice, not just something I ‘do’ when clients come in. It is something I can practice throughout my day, a state of mindfulness. It is so easy to sit on my hill and meditate and feel virtuous, it’s another to get off my cushion and act within this state; when stressed, with clients, when cleaning my teeth, driving. When we are centered in the heart and choosing to Act from within this space it impacts on our whole environment and all within it. I like to do ‘community service’ work by walking down the street or in Coles in this space. My intention is that it be an offering to be of benefit in
any way, for anyone. Practicing Reiki supports the development of us learning to be kinder, more loving, generous and hopefully wise. To understand that we are not all separate but exist in Unity. As my own heart gradually chinks open a little further then I recognise the levels to which all beings experience pain and suffering in their lives. All that any of us really wants is to be  happy. Reiki promotes alleviation of suffering not by addressing a ‘problem’ or by a ‘fix it’ approach, but by inviting us to recognise the True nature of reality, that we are all, always whole and don’t actually need to be ‘healed’. As we can acknowledge more that we really are then our perception can start shifting and our reactions and judgements. This has a flow on effect through our physical body.

Working in this Reiki ‘space’ of openheartedness enables me to practice being more present with other people in a genuine and more neutral way. Often we ‘pull back’ from the pain of others, out of our own vulnerability and fear of overwhelm. For me Reiki is about developing a fearless heart; a heart that doesn’t close down in any circumstances, so that I can be with anyone without withdrawing or going into judgements and reactions. Reiki teaches me how much support is available moment to moment. It’s never just ‘me’ but me plus all that is available. As I connect with this space it provides an invitation for others to tap into it as well. It’s a process of self empowerment. As you radiate joy and love it enables others to connect with their own joy, clarity, and love. For me, Reiki is Coming Home.

This article is reprinted with kind permission from Pure Natural Therapies. All acknowledgements and credits for article to Jacquelyn Bushell.

Reiki energetic healing can have many benefits on every level for both the practitioner and the client. Reiki doesn’t ‘cure’ in and of itself but supports the flow of chi in our body and works with the innate intelligence of the body. Reiki can thus enhance our vitality and healing capability. It is safe to combine Reiki with other modalities and treatments. Reiki healing is suitable for babies, children, adults, animals and during pregnancy.

Reiki may be of benefit for people with physical ailments, or for those seeking support for spiritual or emotional issues. Reiki can be of benefit as an adjunct modality for those receiving psychotherapy and other medical treatments. Psychotherapists have reported back that clients concurrently receiving Reiki integrate issues or gain insights rapidly and feel very supported in their process of transformation.

Throughout the healing session you may notice different sensations; tingling, buzzing, pulsing, cool or warmth, or you may fall asleep. Generally people report feeling deeply relaxed, calm and nurtured. The most common and noticeable immediate effects of Reiki are stress reduction, relaxation and a feeling of wellbeing. As we relax more deeply, the body begins to unwind and our innate healing abilities can be supported and released.

As wel as chronic ill health, Reiki is very useful for acute symptoms, most noticeably in minor first aid injuries. Reiki is wonderful for helping sprains, strains and pains! Reiki is often of great assistance for pain relief, generally.

After a Reiki session it is important that you drink plenty of water and allow some quiet time for integration of the session. Some people have a mild detoxification after a Reiki healing, such as running nose, bowel changes, perspiration or perhaps some pimples. You may also experience mood changes, have vivid dreams, feel tired or have other bodily sensations. It is common for people who have been very busy and stressed to feel very tired after a reiki session. Your body will begin to relax deeply and may need to catch up on rest and sleep. It is common during and after a Reiki session that people have insights either about understanding what is happening for them or how to work with the issue.

Reiki supports the inherent balance of the body’s vital force, so healing can occur on any level; emotionally, physically, spiritually or mentally and often in ways we could not predict. Reiki works with the cause of an issue and we must let go of our expectations and assumptions for a particular direction of healing.

This article is reprinted with kind permission from Pure Natural Therapies. All acknowledgements and credits for article to Jacquelyn Bushell.

Reiki on babies often helps put them to sleep, (great for teething!) A good way to give your child Reiki is when they are asleep  – to help avoid the ‘squirming’ factor. Tell them that you will be doing hands on work while they are sleeping, or absent healing (also tell them, if possible – I usually tell a child I’ll be sending distant healing to that I’ll be sending them some love tonight to help with…… and they might have a dream. One delightful child I’ve worked with always has an amazing dream and draws a picture of it. ) With children I alsways ask permission before I put my hands on them so they don’t suddenly feel invaded with big hands coming at them. If they are pre-talking then I will put my hands out for them to interact with first and see how they respond. If they scream or run away, then take this for a ‘no’….. With small children it is easier if a parent holds the child while you are working with them. Depending on the age of the child, I rarely do more than 20 mins of hands on work.

Children can be attuned to Reiki but it is usually utterly unnecessary and irrelevant. They only require a little assistance in showing them what is possible. They are usually ‘naturals’ at picking up the concepts of letting love do the healing and placing hands on hurting parts. You just need to have a chat with them about letting people have choice about whether they receive energy or not. They shouldn’t rush up to the child who fell over in the playground and stick their hands on them.
Reiki is safe and wonderful during pregnancy. If you are not the baby’s parents do not consciously direct energy to the baby as this may induce restlessness, but you need to be aware that you are working with two beings. I prefer to avoid the sacral area, unless the woman specifically asks for my hands to go there. The baby is perfect in its’ cosy ocean and is still in close contact with the world of spirit and doesn’t require extra help. If you are ‘being with’ a pregnant woman in a space of unconditional love then no harm will be done, but it is not OK to manipulate her energy or the baby’s. If you are one of the parents that’s fine – you work as one unit – go for it with the hands on, in love! It is generally fine for a pregnant woman to receive a Reiki attunement unless she is ill or a miscarriage risk.

Animals are wonderful teachers – they will usually let you know exactly where to put your hands by positioning themselves accordingly eg putting their head onto your hands or backing towards you. They also let you know when they’ve had enough usually by getting up and moving or perhaps by snapping at you. Sometimes they get up, move and stretch and then return to your hands. A pet that is ready to pass over may reject Reiki; perhaps they feel it may hold them back (I have never experienced this in humans, it always eases their transition and only once in a dog who was dying who had been receiving (happily) an hour of Reiki per week, then a few days before she died she refused the Reiki). The timing varies also, I stay with the animal until it moves off and obviously has enough. This may be an hour or 10 minutes. You may find with your pets that some are happy to receive any time, and can be quite insistent ‘now’ please, others are fine with patting but just don’t do that other stuff thank you!. They will receive it if they need it, on their own terms. Respect this choice! Don’t take offence or think you must be awful at it, if you have a pet who disdains your skills…

Always give animals choice. Be polite and introduce yourself first. Like children, I put out my hands first for them to sniff and interact with.  I allow the animal space to move around, so that if they run for the hills, they probably don’t want Reiki today. If they have freedom to move they can stretch which sometimes can be a way of allowing shifts and adjustments to occur. Your pets may like to be in the room with you when seeing clients. This may or may not be appropriate as they can be a distraction or cause hayfever.

Wild animals can find hands on them overwhelming. It is much easier and gentler for them if you do distant healing or rescue them, put them in a cardboard box with something appropriate depending on the species, and then do hands on around the box.
Written by Jacqui Bushell. 

This article is reprinted with kind permission from Pure Natural Therapies. All acknowledgements and credits for article  to Jacquelyn Bushell.

One of the aims of Reiki is to break down old and habitual patterns of being and perceiving to clear obscurations. Reiki energy flows to the area most in need of treatment, healing the imbalance. Clients may experience a range of sensations during a treatment along with a deep sense of relaxation. Reiki is great for managing stress and experiencing tranquility.

Awareness Institute headquartered in Sydney, Australia is an organic community of professionally trained facilitators, clinicians & healers committed to inspiring an evolutionary shift in human consciousness. We value community, personal empowerment, integrity, self-responsibility and seek to provide the highest quality training for personal and global evolution through courses in Energetic Healing, Psychic Development, Shamanic Practices, Contemporary Astrology, Transformative Meditation, Reiki & Living Your Soul/Life Purpose.

Recently Louise went to Peru to learn from Basilio, a Q’ero shaman, descended from the Inca. They travelled to power places and age-old energetic portals in the high Andes, where Basilio conducted daily ceremonies, healings and initiations. The Spring Equinox and a full moon ramped up the cosmic energy.

“I felt incredibly honoured to become Basilio’s student. He is a powerful traditional shaman and a very generous teacher. He took my shamanic practices to new levels,some of which I’m still integrating. At the same time, he is a humble and very human man, who can relax in the most joyful way with his students.” Louise said.

We are very excited to offer this course, beginning in February 2012, that aligns ancient shamanic practices with the deep need in our modern world to live an effective, joyous and healthy life.

Written by Louise Gilmore.

For more information on our Certificate in Shamanic Practices contact us on 02 9436 1644

Awareness Institute headquartered in Sydney, Australia is an organic community of professionally trained facilitators, clinicians & healers committed to inspiring an evolutionary shift in human consciousness. We value community, personal empowerment, integrity, self-responsibility and seek to provide the highest quality training for personal and global evolution through courses in Energetic Healing, Psychic Development, Shamanic Practices, Contemporary Astrology, Transformative Meditation, Reiki & Living Your Soul/Life Purpose.

To know more http://awarenessinstitute.com.au/

But what is amazing is his insight to his injury. “It never did feel right to take that job.. it wasn’t meant to be mine” he told me as we were both pondering this sudden loss of income and what he could do now for work. And that’s the thing. Sometimes we jump at something because of what we believe is necessity (and money is a pretty basic survival necessity when there’s not much of it coming in and you have family committments!) But the truth is, he knew in his gut he shouldn’t have taken the job. We’d actually both discussed how unsuitable it was for him, physically, mentally and spiritually when it was offered to him and he had decided to turn it down. And yet, in a moment of panic, he took it thinking any job was a good job. And at that point, he was probably right, for that one reason of feeling he had purpose again. However, he knew on a deeper level it wasn’t where he needed to be and yet, how could he now get out of it? But, in its own divine intelligence, his body knew a way and that was by physically forcing him to resign after only a few months.

What is beautiful about this story is his ability to acknowledge his bodymind and respond accordingly. He’s not once been concerned about the future of his back or his inability to heal. He knows full well this is a temporary but very real sign from his inner core to move on, that this is not his path. And so he has the grace, even in the face of the same financial uncertainty, to listen and move on.

It’s a lesson I’ve decided to take on as my own. In this, the last moments of 2011, how can I heed my body’s wisdom despite the mind’s rational ‘what ifs’ and ‘but you must’ chatter. If we can all stop to truly heed what it is our body is calling, perhaps we could stop crying out to a seemingly unresponsive universe to realise the universe speaks the loudest through our own, internal, self. By Kate Powe.

Awareness Institute headquartered in Sydney, Australia is an organic community of professionally trained facilitators, clinicians & healers committed to inspiring an evolutionary shift in human consciousness. We value community, personal empowerment, integrity, self-responsibility and seek to provide the highest quality training for personal and global evolution through courses in Energetic Healing, Psychic Development, Shamanic Practices, Contemporary Astrology, Transformative Meditation, Reiki & Living Your Soul/Life Purpose.

To Know more: http://awarenessinstitute.com.au/

I often think those of us committed to a spiritual path are masters at our own spin. We talk of the evolution of consciousness and the 2012 energy like some great God will descend from the heavens and ‘do’ something to humanity to make the ‘good’ ones more enlightened and the ‘bad’ ones .. I’m not even sure, disappear? And in this emerging time of unity and oneness, how are we still so deeply attached to this idea of duality? To the idea that we, the awakened ones, shall be rewarded for being “good”? (maybe my inner Santa is being triggered!)

Ok, so my point is perhaps there is more we need to be doing to create this shift in consciousness ourselves. This marked period in history for which we’ve all been waiting in anticipation to see what those Mayan’s were really getting at is less likely to be a passive event for humanity, and more an awareness that our awakening depends on us. We are integral to the very spark of creative consciousness and that flicker of evolutionary impulse that we’re all so desperately waiting for. We’re it. And in this knowledge that this spark of consciousness is not ‘out there’ but within each and every one of us, what are we going to do to ensure it catches alight? Shall we continue to talk of airy spiritual ideals and shifts of unseen energy or shall we step firmly on the planet and test our human metal? Shall we act in our own personal ways by standing up and facing our deepest fears and vulnerabilities in the face of rejection? Shall we show up for those we love (and more importantly, those we don’t) by being open, honest about how we feel? Shall we take a deep breath and communicate from our heart when we want to retract and close down in the presence of pain and fear?

This shift in human consciousness is up to us, in a very real and pragmatic way. We hold the key to the evolution of humanity, not some mythic wave of magic; us. But it takes courage to push the boundaries of what we understand humanity to be. It takes a hyper-vigilant consciousness of each and every action in which we engage. It takes a new way of being in this world to allow the potential of our race to reach its highest aspiration, and it takes a very personal recognition that each of us are imperative in the manifestation of this, our next phase of human consciousness.

Wishing everyone a beautiful break/holiday/christmas/anti-sun-summer …

Kate x

As I arrived at this beautiful, eucalypt laden bushland venue and headed into the registration room where a crowd were already mingling, I noticed my first little fear arise. I realised these people all knew each other. And I knew no one. It hadn’t occurred to me that I would be the only ‘newbie’ in a loving, but daunting, sea of broad smiles, hugs and established bonds. “What the hell am I doing here? Can I run??” were my first thoughts as I walked out of registration on the long path to my shared lodgings.

But as I continued to my room, comfort and relief descended as I remembered our commitment to silence. The knowledge of no-one being able to speak allayed my fears, my vulnerability, that I wouldn’t fit in with this group. We were all on an even playing field. No talking. No niches developing. Just ourselves in a sea of other introspective souls. I felt safe.

Patting myself on the back for (what I thought was) managing this hurdle of fear (it was really just a lucky stroke of avoidance!), I had no idea I was to face in the coming days and if I had, I would most probably have heeded my first thoughts and run Because what I was to face hour after hour, day after day, were my vulnerabilities. And to be blunt, no matter how much past ‘work’ any of us have done, digging around your deepest recesses with a bunch of strangers and no escape is no feel-good, blissed-out experience! Well, not initially. But in the most loving and supportive of ways, each new process brought to the surface a continuous opening in the face of long-held fears of disconnection, suppression and of being seen.

To be truly seen, with all of our flaws and fears, is one of our greatest purposes in life. As Brene Brown puts it, letting go of who we think we should be for who we really are is essential for connection, and now is that time we are all called to unite as one body on this planet, in all our diversity.

I’m struck by the concept of fully embracing vulnerability, and I mean its application in every single area of our lives. In those times when it may mean the loss of friendship, or job; the fear of having our heart broken or simply looking foolish; when it may mean being judged or ridiculed. For it is in fully embracing vulnerability that we become like the awakened Pinocchio; from wooden and mask-like, we become, real, alive, joyful, and the full manifestation of our potential. We become our truth. It is only in this state of embraced vulnerability and allowing ourselves to be seen that we can truly experience what our souls yearn for at our deepest level; the recreation of our origins of unity.

I encourage you to watch the video link below entitled ‘the power of vulnerability’ for a beautifully clever and funny perspective on this topic by research professor in vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame, Brene Brown. Please feel free to add your thoughts and comments x

the power of vulnerability

Kate

Over the past few months, the concepts of stripping back the superfluous, simplifying and pulling apart the true meaning of integrity have been strong personal themes. For many people, there’s a drive to again inspect old patterns that continue to run happily in the background despite years of self-examination. Perhaps under the direction of a new global energy, there’s a sense of being able to lovingly let go of those things that have served us all well on one level, yet have offered excuses to stay small on another.

I came across Don Miguel Ruiz’ “The Four Agreements” the other day and it strongly resonated with this desire to pare back; to simplify; to become more real as a participant in this world and begin operating in a more authentic way.

With these 4 simple tenets, we could literally change the way we as humans operate in this world. How do they resonate with you? Please feel free to share your thoughts, we’d love to hear from you.

1. Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions: Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best: Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret. ~ Don Miguel Ruiz

Kate