Showing posts with label reiki. Show all posts

The Healing Power of Reiki - A Review

Today I'm reviewing The Healing Power of Reiki - How the Restorative Power of Reiki Can Help You Live a Balanced Life provided by Adams Media.

Photo Credit  - Renee Olson
Photo Source - Book




Author Links - Link
Amazon Book Link
Amazon Author Link
Good Reads Book Link
Good Reads Author Link
My Good Reads Profile
My Facebook Page
Release Date - August 6

Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an contemporary witch.  I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I receive no compensation for these reviews and all my links are standard Amazon links and not affiliate links. I am a practicing photo reader and have spent the last 16 years honing my craft.  I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts over 412,000 views.


As with my other reviews, I'll start with a review of the physical book.  The cover of the book is pale and smooth to the touch. I would suspect this will come with a dust jacket when ready for sale. There is a four page index in the back, with terms such as body, chi and immune system as well as a glossary of terms. This book is resource heavy and even includes an FAQ and a list of books for further research on the subject.


This book is broken down into sections similar to other works from Adams Media. the first part gives us an overview of Reiki and the energy associated. I enjoyed the part that explained that Reiki is essentially a manifestation of love.  It is a way of clearing away toxic and stagnant energies as well as promoting balance in all aspects of life. It goes on to say that practitioners will begin to experience a build of energy in their bodies and provides suggestions for a healthy release of that energy.

Photo Credit  - Renee Olson
Photo Source - Book

Section two describes the attunement process, which can often be quite expensive. First and foremost, find a reliable teacher/master to provide your training. The book provides a list of questions for the teacher as well as yourself to get the most from your Reiki training.  It covers how to prepare your body for sessions as well as getting your space ready to become a healing space.  It gives details on the types of equipment you may need as well as rituals that can be used to prepare for presentment.

The fundamentals section (Section three) includes hand placement guides in both the traditional and non-traditional options.  It offers self treatment, treatment on others and absentia treatments and explains the concept of Reiki Shares. Also known as a Reiki circle or exchange, the book explains that this is an occasion that allows Reiki practitioners to gather together to socialize and participate in group healing treatments.

Photo Credit  - Renee Olson
Photo Source - Book


Section four brings the entire book together and provides insight on things like Reiki and Intuition, connecting with spirit guides, working with the past, present and future as well as creating a Reiki have in your home.  I found the section on giving a Reiki Body Massage especially helpful.  The oil recommendations are spot on and enjoyed the way it indicates that this would be a intimate massage vs. a massage that you would have with a client.

Photo Credit  - Renee Olson
Photo Source - Book


The final section looks at the five Reiki symbols, and includes descriptions of different types of therapy. The book lists many variations which I believe many practitioners would appreciate. This section includes a chapter called What Reiki is not. To me this is a wonderful addition. So many think that this is a religion, or that Reiki is a cure.  It isn't either. Reiki is a way of life and it isn't a substitute for medical care. 

Overall I believe this is a great introduction to intermediate book on Reiki.  Can you be attuned with this book? No. But I think it is a great way to learn more about Reiki to see if you really want to find a master and begin the process of not only healing yourself, but healing the world around you.






In Focus - Reiki - Your Personal Guide - A Review

Today I'm reviewing  In Focus - Reiki - Your Personal Guide by Des Hynes.


Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson



Author Links - Link
Amazon Book Link
Good Reads Book Link
Good Reads Author Link
My Good Reads Profile
My Facebook Page


Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an contemporary witch.  I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I receive no compensation for these reviews and all my links are standard Amazon links and not affiliate links. I am a practicing photo reader and have spent the last 16 years honing my craft.  I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts nearly 400,000 views.

I'll being with a review of the physical book.  Overall a good sized book to toss in a bag or backpack for reading on the go.  The cover is vibrant and colorful.  The book includes a set of oversize cards in an envelope in the back cover that review the principals of Reiki.  Over the years my work with Reiki, I have always kept a copy of the principals near where I can see them each day.  Even if you do not work with Reiki, I find these to be a way to lift the spirit and help you manage a stressful day.



This book is dedicated to healing and after the brief introduction at the beginning the author delves directly into getting the reader up to speed on its fundamental use for this practice.  Each chapter address specific areas of focus such as Common Causes of Illness as the very first chapter and then broadens into understand self healing from the physical to the spiritual realm.

Chapter four takes us directly into self healing. I mean we can't love anyone else if we can't love ourselves, right?



While providing the steps for us to work to find the KI within ourselves this book offers meditations, mantras as well as tips and tricks to keep us on track in our Reiki practice.  The author even provides personal stories called out to help us understand the process and fully come into our own as Reiki practitioners.



The chapter on healing others includes detailed illustrations to show exactly where each position would be and how we should be providing the connection to our clients be they adult, children or our furry friends.  The principals of Reiki are amazing to me.  I love the fact that we only deal in the here and the now.  Just for today, I will let go of anger.  We're not worried about the past, the past is gone. We're not worried about the future, it isn't here yet.  Just for right now, right now I will let go of worry.  We can bring these principals into all aspects of our lives as we even address doing our work honestly, just for today.   While all are important the fifth, resonates with me on a personal level.  Today I will be kind to every living creature.  To me this speaks directly to not only the pets I have in my home but to what food I eat or what car I drive.  I am vegan so I do my best not to harm any living creatures to the best of my ability.  After all, how can you have a calm, centered life, if you are feeding on the suffering of others.  No matter how big or small those others might be.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson


The author continues with sections dedicated to the chakras and auras leading directly into angles and guides. While maybe not the go to for everyone, I found these sections to be highly enlightening and worth the time to read, even if you do not agree with specific language of the text.  For example, some may not wish to work with angels due to their Christian influence however, I do not believe that it is necessary to always associate angels with a specific religion or deity.

Photo Credit  - Renee Sosanna Olson


This book is filled with grids, inspirational quotes and antidotes as well as direct process for cleansing auras.  Overall this is a great book for the beginner and offers some new ways of looking at Reiki for the seasoned pro. The addition of the cards in the back are a great way to focus on specific principals at a glance and still benefit from the authors experience with the subject.


Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson



L is for Laughter



This week for the Pagan Blog Project 2012 our letter is L.  I thought long and hard about what I wanted to write about.  Lapis Lazuli came to mind.   After all it is treasured to Hecate.  I thought about Witch’s Ladder, Lancaster Witches, Marie Laveau and even the Law of Three.

None of these really spoke to the mood I’m in today.  This week I had a very very tough week.  The remaining sister I grew up with showed a side that I hadn’t thought was there.  I mean knew she was pretty much self-centered and uncaring.  I knew that she had tons of unresolved issues from our upbringing that haunted her.  Unlike me, she has not addressed those issues and attended the massive amount of counseling sessions that I have attended.  Perhaps it is as she says, she doesn’t need them, but that is not my perception.

In any event, the knock down drag out occurred and over the last 24 hours I’ve been left feeling hollow and empty.  I felt a tremendous sense of loss.  It was almost as though I found out a friend had passed away.  My husband looked at me and told me I had a sadness on my face and in my eyes he had never seen before. I've seen this look before in my eyes....





I believe the laughter had gone from my eyes.  I am a very happy go lucky person.  I care for others around me no matter who they are.  I do not wish for anyone to hurt ever.  I’m against capital punishment and against corporal punishment.

I believe that to really live, you must laugh.  You must have a happiness that makes you wake each day and drives you to keep up the fight.  For a moment, that laughter was extinguished from my eyes.  I felt completely and totally distraught.  The sadness ran from my consciousness to ever single molecule of my being.  It was indeed dire.
One of the most amazing things about being a bipolar person is that, while I’m in it, the depression is paralyzing, I can’t move, I can’t breathe.  However, I rapid cycle, so it passes.  And passed it has!

Today the laughter is back in my eyes.  I have decided that I do not need to have drama and tragedy in my life.  I can and will take every day as a new happy glorious day.  I will not be put down, cursed at, and bullied into doing things that I do not wish to do. 
One of the most amazing things I’ve ever read is the five principles of Reiki.
Just for today, I will not be angry
Just for today, I will not worry
Just for today, I will be grateful
Just for today, I will do my work honestly
Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing


I would only add, Just for today, I will laugh.


Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(


Ritutal vs. Belief

In order to get more money in my life, I take a green candle and cleans it by the light of the full moon. I carve my desire to have more money on the candle and after calling the Guardians I light my candle and meditate on what I want to happen. Each time I see the candle burning it reminds me that I need to focus on work/task/chores that bring this "magic" to fruition.



So, let's say I change the candle color and I complete all the exact same steps. Will my "magic" fail to work? How about if I fail to cleanse my candle in the light of the full moon? How about if I forget to write "money" on the candle? How much can I leave out before my "magic" fails?

There's only one thing that you can leave out of this magical spell that will change the outcome of the spell. That is you. You are the power behind the spell. You are the magic. The other items are tools that remind you. Tools that focus you. Tools that lead you to the end result. The candle cannot produce this magic alone. There will only be silence if you are not there to address the energies of time and space to pull your magic out. You are the power.


Finding your magic is like connecting to a great pool of energy outside the conscious realm. You can go back and access this energy pool and pull it into your life at any time. You are the one with the power. Using your mind you can center yourself and send out this power to others around you.

Sit back, close your eyes and think about your body. Focus on the chakra points in your body, see them swirling around and feel them being energized from that great pool of energy. Feel it moving across your body and accept that you have the power to allow that energy to flow through your body and mind and cleanse it of items that would block its ability to flow easily.

This is the choice. Belief or Ritual. You can believe you have the power to do this,or you can follow the ritual, keep lighting that green candle in hopes that money will arrive. You can visulize the completed "spell" or you can dwell on the journey to find the correct herb. You can enjoy the benefit of having this centered energy, this completed magical source of power that comes from within or you can sit and wonder if this candle is ever going to work.

I for one, plan to reach for the prior.


Just for today, I will not be worry
Just for today, I will not be angry
Just for today, I will work honestly
Just for today, I will be thankful for my blessings
Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.


Namaste
&
Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(