Reiki Healing Energy

   Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on Hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

   

 The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words; REI which means "God's Light Energy" and is directly translated as God or light. It is used to describe the whole of creation – Every cell, blade of grass stone, tree, animal, human, every planet and star. It could be interpreted of “All That Is,” both in thought and form. KI which is "life force energy" or the vital energy that is used to animate and give life to all creation. KI can normally be seen with the naked eye, and appears as dancing electrons of light that move rapidly around. There is an abundance of this energy in nature, and it is most clearly visible in mountainous areas, at the ocean's edge, or in dense forests. So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

   

   A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and well being. Many have reported miraculous results.

   

   Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady. It always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

   

   Reiki is spiritual in nature but it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God or Source, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their own beliefs rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.

   

   While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures. The following are the Five Reiki Principals:

"Just for today, do not anger

Do not worry

Be filled with gratitude

Devote yourself to your work

Be kind to others."

    I was blessed to be attuned as a Reiki Practitioner in 2007. My experience with Reiki in both my personal experience and sharing it with others led me to become a Reiki Master/Teacher in September of 2009. It is a beautiful healing practice which I am now opening to ALL WOMEN. Sessions are being held at my home in Sandy.  The first session is for donation ONLY so you can experience the wonderful healing power of Reiki energy for what you can afford.  Email me at balancinghandz@gmail.com for additional information.

Reference:

Green, J. (2013). What is Reiki? In The Reiki healing bible: Transmit healing energy through your hands to achieve deep relaxation, inner peace and total well-being. New York: Chartwell Books.

My Discovery of Nutrition

     For my assignment in College Writing class this week, I need to complete a journal writing on
what I have chosen for my final essay. The topic I have chosen is Nutrition. My goal is to incorporate in this essay how I discovered the importance of proper nutrition, by what means I have and continue to incorporate in it my life and the role it has played in bringing me to where I am today.

     I feel it is important for my story to reflect back on my childhood and discuss what food was like when I was young. Growing up in the 60's – 70's, we were not taught about nutrition and I don't remember that word even being spoken. Other than “eat your carrots, it will help you see better” or “sugar will rot your teeth”, there wasn't any other mention of what a proper diet was. It was very important to eat what was placed in front of you and not to waste your food. My grandparents knew what it was like to go hungry and it was engrained in our minds how lucky we were to have food to eat. Honestly, I never felt really bad about leaving food on my plate as we had Irish Setters who were fed all of our table scraps along with their dog food. So nothing ever went to waste.

     Going to a restaurant or eating out was reserved for special occasions; such as birthdays or other celebrations. Once in awhile, we were able to get a burger and root beer from the Hires located down the street. Back then you couldn't just drive through, you had to park, order and they brought your food out on a tray. As a child is was fun for me to push the big orange button on the screen as soon as my dad was ready to order. We would then take our food to the drive-in theater across the street. Once we were there, my dad would put the seats down in the back of our old blue Ford station wagon. My sister and I would then make a bed in the back using our sleeping bags, blankets and pillows. It was a mini picnic inside the car. All while we were preparing, the smell of the burgers, fries and sauces made our mouths water and we could hardly wait for the first taste. Each bite was savored as we did not know how long it would be before we had such another decadent treat again.

     Meat and dairy were the main staple of our diet and we didn't know anything about the suffering or cruelty of animals. In fact, I didn't learn about factory farming until I was in my late twenties. My dad was an avid hunter so most of the meat we consumed was from the wild. Even though I am a vegetarian now, I still believe this was the more nutritious option. Moose burgers or chili, elk steaks, venison and even antelope were common at our house. Instead of chicken we mostly ate pheasant or some other small bird. This was never my favorite part of the meal but I ate it in small portions.

     As a teenager, I learned any creativity in the kitchen from the most popular and widely available, Betty Crocker Cookbook. White flour, white sugar, eggs and milk were almost always the main ingredients of any treat or bread. Now that I know there was never really a “Betty Crocker” our food system and diets seem so contrived and controlled. But at least we learned how to cook and had home-made meals as a family every night.

     I believe that my parents did the best they could with the knowledge they had at the time. They worked hard and never allowed us to go hungry which was the most important thing. And I am eternally grateful.

     Our food system and the way we eat has changed so much since then. In a lot of ways for the worse but some for the better. Today there is more knowledge readily available for those who want to incorporate proper nutrition in their diets. It also seems like more and more people are becoming aware of its importance. I am looking forward to sharing my journey and what I have learned with everyone.

REMEMBER... You Are What You EAT.  

Namaste,  Beci :)