Reiki and Unconditional Love

February 1, 2016 by Yvonne

Reiki Deepens Unconditional Love

February valentines are already here to help us celebrate love! Although there are many different kinds of love, unconditional love is a selfless kind of love. Reiki helps to deepen unconditional love for self and for others.

Unconditional Love and Giving Reiki to Others

Why do we need to practice unconditional love for each other? It’s a healthy and non- ego-based way of seeing ourselves and others. It allows us to see, with fresh eyes, the essence or the bigger truth of us.

In the past, sometimes I’ve gotten frustrated with someone and I’ve reacted with tears. Now, I can remind myself to take a step back and try to see the essence of that person. I allow my ego to step aside for a moment in order to be able to see a bigger picture. I remind myself that the other person is coming from a situation that I may not yet fully understand. I remind myself that she, like myself, is a divine soul made of Universal, loving energy. This allows me to shed my ego-based, emotional reactions long enough to begin to build a healthy bridge to that person and start to work out our differences together. Then we both can come to a clearer understanding of our viewpoints.

Reiki has helped me so much with this concept of stepping aside and seeing others through the eyes of unconditional love. As part of preparing myself to give a Reiki treatment session to someone, I set my intention to let my ego step aside, so that I can be a pure vessel for Higher Power or Universal energy to flow through me for the greatest good of the recipient. I ask for the very best and highest for that recipient, knowing it all comes from a Source of unconditional love. This is a love without conditions or terms being placed upon it. If the very essence of us is unconditional love, then I’m just asking to be in alignment with the basic essence of who I am. It is from this aligned place that I am able to help someone with Reiki.

Reiki and Unconditional Love for Self

If I want to see others through eyes of unconditional love, I know I first have to start with myself. The concept of giving to ourselves and loving ourselves first, before being able to give and love another has been written about widely. I believe it to be true. So, I practice unconditional love for who I am every time I give myself Reiki. With self-Reiki, I honor “the fundamental me”—a soul made of unconditional love.

Here is an exercise that has helped others get in touch with feeling more unconditional love for themselves:

Self-Reiki and the Mirror Exercise

Look into the reflection of your eyes in the mirror.
Place your hands over your heart chakra and give yourself Reiki.
Allow yourself to feel as much love for yourself as you comfortably can.
Say your name out loud to your reflection, followed by: “I love you and I appreciate you unconditionally”.

Although this might feel uncomfortable at first, many have grown spiritually by practicing this exercise regularly. When we come from a place of validation and self-worth, we can reach out to others much more easily, with uplifting and respectful energy. There is a subtle domino effect that occurs, as respectful unconditional love extends from one person to another. It creates well-being and positive attitudes all the way around.

I still do the Mirror exercise when I know I need it. Practicing self-Reiki and unconditional love for myself is like an act of kindness from myself to myself. Or a special kind of energy-valentine.

Receiving Reiki and Unconditional Love

Another way I receive unconditional love is to receive regular Reiki treatment sessions from a Reiki Master. That way, I just receive unconditional love from Higher Power, for as long as the session lasts. It’s restorative and energizing and very calming. Afterwards, I feel connected to the essence of who I am.

For many people, it’s easier to love our pets unconditionally than to love ourselves unconditionally. For those who didn’t grow up learning to comfortably hold themselves within a heart-space, Reiki treatment sessions allow for that kind of quiet time, and during that time, healing and spiritual growth can occur.

When I feel unconditional love for myself, that’s when the smaller unimportant things fall away such as negative self-talk, self-doubts, etc. That’s my ego bringing up those things. With the unconditional love I feel with Reiki, the doubts and negative thoughts disappear and are replaced with confidence and joy, and a better ability to move forward in my daily life.

Part of unconditional love is to not take myself so seriously all the time. Laughter and joy are a part of the unconditional love I feel with Reiki. When things don’t turn out as planned, the love is still there, and I can laugh and say, “Oh well, let’s try again.” Or I can say, “O.K., if not this, then something better will come along.” So it’s a healthier, more balanced place to be—and it’s Reiki that has helped me to deepen that place of balance and connection.

So, you might be wondering: Even with all of my practice with self-Reiki and unconditional love, are there times when I still get frustrated with others or even with myself? Yes, sometimes I do. Then I catch myself and I remember to take a step back and begin to set my ego-based emotions aside for a moment or two, so that I am able to work things out with a situation or with others.

It’s a process and a journey of spiritual growth; and Reiki is helping me along the way. Thanks to Reiki, I’m better able to see the truth of myself and others with more unconditional love. And that helps to make every day Valentine’s Day!

Many Reiki blessings on your journey,
Yvonne P. Gleason
Reiki Sanctuary of Northern Virginia

Reiki: Being versus Doing

July 30, 2015 by Yvonne

Balancing with Reiki Northern Virginia Photo — Reiki: A Balance of Being and Doing

Allowing the Flow in Reiki

Sometimes it’s challenging to just “be”, when we’ve been taught to “do” for much of our lives. That’s one of the reasons why I love Reiki. It involves the state of being rather than always focusing on doing. Reiki is a respite for me, whether I’m giving or receiving it, because I’m in a state of allowing and being.

Reiki: A Balance of Being and Doing

As with all things, balance is key. It is the same with giving Reiki. It’s a subtle blend of being and doing. The emphasis is on being while in an allowing state of awareness.

For lots of years, so much of my own life was spent with the “doing-ness” of setting goals and making them happen, going to school, working on projects, getting the next best job. And all of it I did at a pace that resembled a runner on a racetrack. I was all go-go-go! But where was I going? And why did I have to get there so fast? Many of us were taught that we need to compete with others as if we are all in a race to get to some predetermined finish line. However, Reiki has taught me that slowing down and going within is the “there” I had been trying to get to in my earlier years. From that place within, in that state of being, springs forth the ideas and the action steps to lead me forward into the physical day-to-day world. And none of it has to be done in a hurry.

In my Reiki classes, many times students ask, “When I’m giving Reiki, what should I be thinking?” I tell them, “Nothing. Just be and allow.” Giving Reiki is a lot like meditating on behalf of your Reiki recipient. If giving self-Reiki, then it’s a lot like meditating for your own healing.

Before we give Reiki, we set our intention for the very highest and best for the Reiki recipient, and we call upon Higher Power to help. Then while giving the Reiki, it’s all about being the vessel for the Reiki to pass through us: from Source, through us, to the recipient. We never take on the recipient’s energy and we don’t give away our own personal energy.

While we are being the vessel, our minds may wander and then it’s a good idea to bring our focus back to being in a non-thinking state. Sometimes to help bring our attention back, we can silently say something like “love and light, love and light, love and light”. This is just one example of a re-focusing technique that allows us to once again be the neutral vessel for the energy to flow through as we give the Reiki.

We may move our hands above the body in prescribed positions, yet even as we’re doing this, we’re really still in a state of “allowing”. So, it’s a gentle balance of being and doing. Being in a state of allowing instead of controlling the session is more like meditation than feeling like we have to “do” something. It really is more of being the Reiki. A gentle embodying of the Reiki.

Holding the Space with Reiki

Giving Reiki is a lot like holding the space for the energy to work for the highest good of the recipient.

In our daily lives many of us hold the space for others. We may listen patiently to an upset friend tell her or his story. Sometimes just listening in silent support is most appreciated by a friend. We can be there without judgement and without even “fixing” the problem.

When we give Reiki, we hold the space without interfering, and then we allow the Reiki to flow through us. In Reiki, it’s the practitioner’s job to just be the vessel for the energy to flow to the recipient. It isn’t our place to “fix” anything or to diagnose. We simply honor where they are and let the healing energy flow, trusting that re-balancing will take place as it’s needed for the recipient. The universal energy always goes to where the recipient needs it.

Many of my Reiki students have found that the more they practice self-Reiki, the easier it becomes to hold the space and be the vessel for the energy while giving Reiki to others. This also helps them to be more centered and have inner peace on a daily basis.

Benefits of Reiki

Feeling centered
Making daily decisions easily
Remaining calm in stressful situations
Having a sense of well-being
Thinking more positive thoughts which lead to positive actions in daily life

Making Time for Practicing Reiki

Reiki and Quiet Time Reiki Northern VA — Self-Reiki and Quiet Time

It can be a challenge in today’s world to make time regularly to practice self-Reiki or to have some quiet time. Like everything we want to do, if we really want it, we can usually create some time for it. Many people enjoy self-Reiki before they go to sleep. They find it relaxes them and helps their dreams to be uplifting. They also feel more refreshed in the morning. It’s a good time to come into balance with a little more “being” in a mindful way.

So if the laundry has to get done, or that report for your manager is due, try to find a little regular quiet time for yourself too. It will help you to be fully present for yourself and in turn, fully present for all of your Reiki recipients, your loved ones and all those you interact with in your daily life.

Sometimes I get caught up in the fast pace of life and the doing. Then I remind myself to stop and breathe. I make room for balance in my schedule and continue the self-Reiki sessions. It took me a while to realize there is no race, except for the one I was making up in my own head, and that we’re all in this together, to share life joyfully with one another. Gratefully, Reiki continues to teach me about the beneficial balance of being and doing.

Many blessings,
Yvonne P. Gleason
Reiki Sanctuary of Northern Virginia

Celebrating Spring at Reiki Sanctuary of Northern Virginia

March 19, 2015 by Yvonne

Reiki for Spiritual Growth and Renewal

Just as the sunlight allows new flowers to come to the surface, Reiki coaxes growth for mind, body, and soul. Reiki can renew the mind and help us to grow the seeds for new ideas. Reiki also can prepare our way for self-discovery.

Reiki Clears the Way for New Experiences

Before we plant flowers, we need to clear away the old dried leaves from last autumn and the brown straggly weeds that we may not have pulled last summer. This creates an inviting open space to plant all that we want.

Sometimes we may embark on a new project only to have it thwarted by old, limiting beliefs or old memories about ourselves or our capabilities. During a Reiki session, these beliefs or memories might rise to the surface so that we can become aware of them. Then we can work with them in our own way if desired, and then let them go. This allows for a nurturing space where we can move forward in our new projects or goals. If we’re feeling a lack of energy or we think something is holding us back from progressing to where we want to go, then Reiki can help us to see that obstacle. Obstacles are like precious stones because they allow us to learn about ourselves.

After a Reiki session, a client might say something like: “During the session, I had a memory of my birthday party when I was ten and my best friend couldn’t be there.” Or a client might say, “I suddenly remembered my former boyfriend from years ago.” Memories and feelings may rise to the surface from our subconscious so that we can consciously become aware of them. Then we can see if they relate in any way to what is happening in our current life situations. Becoming aware is a good idea since we can then move forward more easily without being burdened with feelings from the past.

Reiki Nurtures the Soul to Help with Spiritual Growth

Reiki is a great nurturer for all aspects of us: mind, body, and soul. Sometimes we don’t take the time to nurture ourselves enough. Sometimes we might do for others so much that it’s hard to move forward with our own dreams. We need to nurture the seeds of our dreams. Finding the time seems to be a challenge for many.

Sometimes our lives are full and yet finding one or two things in our calendar to re-arrange or even let go of, can make a great space for us to nurture our dreams. We can create the space to focus on what we really want in the here-and-now. Even if we just start out by finding a space in our calendar to schedule a Reiki session, the Reiki treatment session becomes a very special event because we know that specific time is just for us.

Helping Dreams Blossom at Reiki Sanctuary of Northern Virginia

We may already know what flowers we want to plant, and an uncluttered space will give them room to grow. Once the space is cleared, we can then set our intention for our dreams to be manifested.

Reiki also can help us to find that next step. For instance, during a Reiki session, we might receive:

an idea for a new job,
a hint about a new lifestyle,
or clarity about a long-standing situation.

When this happens, we’re on the path to new spiritual growth.

Reiki is energy from Source, flowing in for our greater good and in this “sunlight” we can grow our dreams, intentions, and the self-confidence to move forward into a life we want to co-create.