Many of us are interested in clearing our spaces and making them our own. Generally, when thinking about cleansing with smoke, we tend to immediately jump to white sage. But did you know there are many other herbs and materials you can use to cleanse? In this short, informative video, our intrepid sales associate Julia will show you all the different choices you have for cleansing and even why you might want to choose one over the other.
Healing
Reiki Healing for Animals
The healing art of Reiki is an Eastern spiritual practice of healing through the hands, channeling the energy and life force that is present everywhere in our universe. (See What is Reiki? by Chuck Boe) Although Reiki is often practiced with the intention of restoring balance to the bodies, minds and spirits of humanity, we can also share this gift with the plant and animal kingdoms. Reiki for animals, in particular, is becoming a growing practice for animal-loving practitioners. We teach Reiki here at the Eye a couple of times a year. Reiki I – Become a Practitioner and Reiki II – Distance Healing
Reiki sessions have great benefits to our animal friends—be they cat, horse, dog, rabbit, parrot, or any of our many cousins. Animal Reiki can be used for relieving stress, anxiety and behavioral issues through relaxation, or as an added compassionate treatment for physical ailments such as arthritis or kidney stones. You will likely also experience a closer relationship with the animal you are working with, too!
During a session with your animal, it is also beneficial to welcome in the spiritual presence of animal totems, guides and/or familiars to assist you in your healing work. I often invite in Bast (Bastet), the Egyptian cat goddess, when working with my feline friends.
Reiki is both a hands-on treatment and form of distant healing, so if the animal you are working with isn’t physically present, Reiki energy can still be successfully used. This option would be especially helpful in working with animals who may be injured, very ill, or have been abused. A practitioner is also able to ‘beam’ Reiki in a circumstance where the animal is close by, but prefers not to be touched.
The following site provides additional information on specific hand positions in treating particular animals: http://reiki.topcities.com/animals.html)
A Community of Animal Healers
Reiki practitioners worldwide have organized to advocate the use of Reiki for supporting animal health. The Animal Reiki Alliance currently offers a directory of practitioners and tools for starting an Animal Reiki business, along with newsletters and workshops. For more information, check out their website (http://www.animalreikialliance.com/)
SARA, the Shelter Animal Reiki Association, is a nonprofit organization providing Reiki to animals in rescues and shelters. The organizers of SARA are in the process of finalizing educational programs and materials for prospective Reiki practitioners wanting to learn Reiki for animals and how to become involved on a local level. Learn more on their website: http://shelteranimalreikiassociation.org/
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a system of natural energy healing. The word is Japanese for Universal Life Force Energy. A Reiki practitioner acts as a conduit for the life force energy and directs it into the body of the person receiving a treatment. The practitioner does not use their own energy to do Reiki healing work. Reiki is used to promote healing on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives. The person receiving a treatment will feel a sense of warmth, relaxation and a balancing of their energy and chakras. Historical Reiki originated in the time of the Buddha. The Buddha did healings throughout his life and ministry much the same as the healing stories of Jesus. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of modern Reiki, based this healing system on Sanskrit literature written by the disciples of Buddha instructing them on how to heal others and themselves. There were three great Reiki Masters in the development of this system of natural healing.
Meet the Three Great Reiki Masters
Dr. Mikao Usui (1860?-1930) founded the modern Reiki system of natural healing. A professor of theology, he studied the traditions of Buddha’s healing and developed them into the Usui System of Natural Healing (Reiki). It is thought that he taught over 2,000 students to use Reiki. Sixteen of his students continued their training to reach the Reiki Master (Shinpiden) level, one of whom was Dr. Chujiro Hayashi.
Dr. Chujiro Hayashi (1879-1941) was a student of Dr. Usui’s. He took over the leadership of Reiki after the death of Dr. Usui. He developed uniform procedures for teaching Reiki and doing healings.
Hawayo Takata (1900-1980) was a Japanese-American woman who studied Reiki under Dr. Hayashi. She brought the Reiki healing method to her native Hawaii and taught throughout the United States.
In addition to developing the Reiki healing system, Dr. Usui wrote five principles that should be followed by all Reiki practitioners.
The Five Reiki Principles
- Just for today, I will let go of anger.
- Just for today, I will let go of worry.
- Today, I will count my many blessings
- Today, I will do my work honestly.
- Today, I will be kind to every living creature.
If a person desires to become a Reiki practitioner, they must study with a Reiki Master. There are three degrees in the Usui System of Natural Healing. The first degree practitioner is able to do hands on healing on themselves and others. The second degree practitioner is able to send healing energy to people anywhere in the world. The Reiki Master (third degree) is able to teach Reiki and attune people to the Universal Life Force energy.
© 2011, Chuck Kausalik-Boe, M. A., Reiki Master since 1997 Click Here Schedule a Reiki Session in our Minneapolis Location