The Reiki Room

07/22/2017

Body Language

by Madisyn Taylor

Tuning in to the language of our bodies can be very enlightening and increases our intuition.
So much can be revealed to us when we listen to the language of our bodies. Our bodies are always speaking, sending us messages through the way we move, the sensations that arise from within, and the gestures and expressions that we make when we are communicating with others. Tuning in to the language of our bodies can be very enlightening, especially as most communication is believed to take place nonverbally. It is also believed that the body never lies, and that if we want to know the truth about ourselves and others, then we should listen to what our bodies have to say. Anyone who has ever flirted with someone they are attracted to has probably, at one point in time or another, brushed their hands through their hair or found themselves leaning forward to get closer to that person. Someone feeling defensive will tend to cross their arms over their chest, while a person who wants to withhold something may look away when speaking.

If you want to know how you truly feel about a person or a situation, then it is a good idea to tune in to what you are feeling inside. Excitement, nervousness, anxiety, and fear are just some of the messages that your body wants you to hear. Your body can also be a very reliable compass. Anyone who has ever been somewhere they don't want to be has probably experienced their bodies trying to move them away from that particular circumstance. And while it can be very easy to talk ourselves into and out of choices we may make with our minds, it isn't so easy to change the truth of our hearts that reside within our bodies.

To begin tuning in to this subtle form of communication, start taking the time to notice what your body is telling you. Greet each feeling or sensation as a message carrying wisdom from your body. Tune in to what your body is telling you about the situations and people you encounter and listen to what others are communicating to you through their bodies. We already are subconsciously receptive to the language of our bodies, but when we choose to consciously pay attention, we hear and understand so much more about ourselves and the people around us.

07/17/2017

07/16/2017

REIKI AS COMPLIMENTARY THERAPY FOR CANCER PATIENTS

The cover of the Fall 2012 issue of Caring 4 Cancer magazine, which is distributed at some cancer centers, reads "Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Popular Remedies That May Help." While the article itself does not specifically mention Reiki, it gives cancer patients other options of which they might not otherwise be aware and acknowledges that it does not cause any harm in conjunction with their more "conventional" chemotherapy treatments. However, there is information out there on Reiki, and it is being used on cancer patients.

For those who are not aware, Reiki is an alternative healing modality that can have many positive benefits for both the giver and receiver. Specifically in chemotherapy patients, it might reduce nausea, promote relaxation, reduce pain, reduce stress, and help them to sleep. Admittedly, having someone next to them who is caring and listening to their concerns is also an added benefit, especially when that person is not part of the traditional medical establishment. Many patients who have never heard of or tried Reiki before are willing to give it a try. A diagnosis of cancer can lead to a willingness to try anything that may prove beneficial.

Reiki has become an accepted part of the Integrative Therapy programs at some 75 hospitals to date. Most of the hospitals provide Reiki as a volunteer service, but a few do pay Reiki practitioners, usually on a per diem basis. In other words, the medical establishment is acknowledging that Reiki works but does not want to have to pay practitioners to provide full-time services.

There are some peer-reviewed studies that have been completed over the past few years, but more rigorous studies will be required to prove anything to the scientific establishment. Still, for those who personally know the benefits of Reiki, these studies give hope that it may one day become a recognized, standard treatment in the same way that chemotherapy or radiation is today. While these studies were small, Reiki shows some promise in helping patients who experience peripheral neuropathy and in reducing fatigue that occurs as a side effect of chemotherapy.

Full disclosure: Caryn Connolly is a Usui and Karuna Reikic Master who volunteers at Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton, providing Reiki to patients as they receive chemotherapy.

07/16/2017

Ocean Meditation

by Madisyn Taylor

There is much we can learn from the ocean as we have a similar inner landscape within us as well.
Like us, the sea is ever-changing. And, like us, the earth's vast oceans appear at a distance to be stable and homogenous. But beneath the mask of solidity that both we and the sea wear, there lies unpredictability, sensitivity, and power. There is much we can learn from the ocean, representative as it is of our inner landscapes. The rough sounds of the sea's waves are spiritually soothing, and its salt can purify our physical selves. Yet not everyone has the luxury of living by the shore or even visiting the coastlines where water and land meet. The ocean, however, exists in our conscious minds, put there by images we have seen and descriptions we have read. Wherever we are, we can access that mental image and use it as the starting point from which we can help to heal our emotions by meditating on the sea.

To begin, gather together any ocean artifacts you may have on hand. Seashells, a vial of sand, beach glass, stones rubbed smooth by the pounding surf, or a recording of ocean sounds can help you slip more deeply into this meditation, but they are not necessary. Sit quietly and visualize the ocean in your mind's eye. Allow all of your senses to participate in your mental journey. Feel the tiny grains of sand beneath your feet and the cool spray of mist; hear the sea's rhythmic roar as the waves meet the beach and retreat; smell the tang of salt in the air. Watch the sun's rays play over the ocean's surface, creating shifting spots of teal, cerulean, cobalt, and green. Don't be surprised if you see dolphins or whales frolicking in the waves--they are there to assist you. Spend a few minutes drinking in the ocean's beauty and appreciating its vast splendor.

Once you are fully engaged with the setting before you, visualize yourself sitting on the beach, facing the ocean, and watching the waves advance and retreat. As each new wave of seawater approaches, imagine it carrying healing energy toward you. The magnificent ocean in your thoughts is sending you light and love while the sun supports your healing efforts and Mother Earth grounds you in the moment so healing can occur. When you feel you are finished, grant the ocean your earnest gratitude for the aid it has given you. Thank the sun, the sand, and any other elements of your visualization that offered you guidance. Perform this meditation daily or monthly in order to rid yourself of negativity and reestablish emotional equilibrium. Just as the ocean's tides sweep the shores free of detritus, restoring balance, so can the waves in our mind's eye cleanse our souls of what no longer serves us.

07/15/2017

Reiki and Chronic Pain: Can Reiki Help Heal the Chronic Pain Epidemic?

Reiki and the Chronic Pain Epidemic

Chronic pain affects more than 100 million Americans, according to a report released by the Institute of Medicine. Another 10 million people suffer from pain on a near-daily basis in Britain, according to The British Pain Society. Those numbers are just for two countries. Imagine what the worldwide numbers are. There is no doubt, then, that chronic pain is a global epidemic that affects millions of lives.

Chronic Pain: Definition and Costs

Defined as pain that lasts longer than three to six months, chronic pain has become one of the most common reasons for seeking medical attention. In the same report, the Institute of Medicine found that, as of February 2014, chronic pain cost the healthcare system an estimated $635 billion each year. Most people who suffer from chronic pain are prescribed pain medications. Increasingly, however, alternative solutions like Reiki have also proven helpful. There is still a lot of confusion and lack of education regarding chronic pain, so understanding it is the first step in deciding on choosing the best treatment.

Pain Relief with Reiki

Pain Relief with Reiki
Understanding Chronic Pain and its Effects on the Body

Some individuals think of chronic pain as acute pain that does not subside. This definition, however, does not quite capture its wide range of manifestations. Chronic pain is a blanket term, but not everyone who suffers from it will have comparable symptoms. According to WebMD, chronic pain may be mild or excruciating. It can also occur continuously or sporadically. While the pain may merely inconvenience some people, others may be completely incapacitated by the pain.

Chronic pain is often described as “burning,” “shooting,” “electrical,” or “aching,” and it can be accompanied by stiffness, soreness, tightness, and discomfort. Over time, it can lead to fatigue, moodiness, or sleeplessness. The source of a sufferer’s chronic pain can be difficult to pinpoint, since a variety of diseases may contribute. It may linger from an old injury, accompany the natural aging process, or even come from poor posture.

But chronic pain can do much more than just interfere with normal, day-to-day life. Researchers at Northwestern University found that it can shrink the brain by 11%, effectively speeding up the brain’s aging process by 10 or 20 years. The effects of chronic pain can also create a vicious cycle. With time, the affected nerves become more sensitive, to the point where even the touch of a feather can be painful.
Pain Medications Are Only Part of the Solution

For many sufferers of chronic pain, medications can help the pain. For other patients, pain medications may not be the best alternative. For example, for many patients, painkillers may interfere with other medications. Despite their proven results, pain medications should not be the only solution considered when attempting to assuage chronic pain. Medication is only one of several alternatives to treating chronic pain.

Pain Relief Alternatives

Moving around more is the last thing that many chronic pain sufferers would think to do. Despite sounding counter-intuitive, consistent exercise is one of the most effective ways to prevent chronic pain, regardless of age. A Norwegian study from 2011 looked at 46,533 adults and found that the incidence of chronic pain among young and middle-aged individuals who exercised was 10-12% lower. Exercisers who were 65 years of age or older showed even better results.

The Chinese method of acupuncture may also help. A study from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute in New York, as well as other studies from 2009 and 2010, found that real acupuncture is more effective at relieving pain than no acupuncture or “sham” acupuncture. This finding seems to rule out the placebo effect that many cite when discussing acupuncture. Some researchers think acupuncture provides relief by reorganizing nerve pathways and releasing adenosine, which is one of the body’s natural painkillers.

Reiki and Chronic Pain… Could it Help?

In addition to other natural, non-invasive therapies, Reiki is becoming an increasingly popular option. Since Reiki is being offered in more private practices, hospices, and hospitals, more patients can benefit from the treatment than ever before.

According to AltMD, beyond signaling a physical problem, chronic pain can also stem from psychological and emotional disturbances. Reiki can resolve them by allowing healing energy to flow freely. The result is reduced pain and tension, as well as feelings of relaxation and rejuvenation. Unlike most other treatments, Reiki is a multi-purposed method that can heal both physical and emotional ailments. Through Reiki, some patients suffering from pain due to cancer, injury, or psychological or emotional distress have found relief where other methods were not successful.

Growing Evidence in Reiki Research

Some small studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of Reiki. They suggest that patients may use Reiki to find relief from not only the physical aspects of chronic pain, but also the anxiety that often comes with it. According to an article from the University of Minnesota, several studies found that Reiki treatments seem to relax patients, reduce fatigue and depression, and strengthen a person’s overall sense of wellbeing.

According to an article by Anthony Schifano on the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association’s website, Reiki sessions have brought relief and helped individuals feel more balanced. He writes that patients who received Reiki treatment experienced “total relaxation, less tense muscles, and improvement in their range of motion.” One patient who suffered with fibromyalgia pain for years was able to stop taking pain-relieving medications after starting regular Reiki treatments.
Increasing Awareness in the Medical Community

Medical practitioners and patients, as well as researchers, are becoming more aware of the real and lasting proven effects of Reiki when it comes to treating chronic pain. Reiki succeeds because it works on a deeper level, influencing the flow of healing energy that promotes a sense of balance and leads to pain relief in patients suffering from chronic pain from a variety of conditions. Ongoing research and testimonials from patients have shown that an integrative, individualized approach works best. Chronic pain and its accompanying treatments are still being researched; Reiki is crucial for this research. When discussing chronic pain, combining medication with exercise, acupuncture, and Reiki may potentially bring about the highest level of pain relief.

07/14/2017

Questioning Everything

by Madisyn Taylor

Being open-minded means that we are willing to question everything, including those things we take for granted.
A lot of people feel threatened if they feel they are being asked to question their cherished beliefs or their perception of reality. Yet questioning is what keeps our minds supple and strong. Simply settling on one way of seeing things and refusing to be open to other possibilities makes the mind rigid and generally creates a restrictive and uncomfortable atmosphere. We all know someone who refuses to budge on one or more issues, and we may have our own sacred cows that could use a little prodding. Being open-minded means that we are willing to question everything, including those things we take for granted.

A willingness to question everything, even things we are sure we are right about, can shake us out of complacency and reinvigorate our minds, opening us up to understanding people and perspectives that were alien to us before. This alone is good reason to remain inquisitive, no matter how much experience we have or how old we get. In the Zen tradition, this willingness to question is known as beginner's mind, and it has a way of generating possibilities we couldn't have seen from the point of view of knowing something with certainty. The willingness to question everything doesn't necessarily mean we don't believe in anything at all, and it doesn't mean we have to question every single thing in the world every minute of the day. It just means that we are humble enough to acknowledge how little we actually know about the mysterious universe we call home.

Nearly every revolutionary change in the history of human progress came about because someone questioned some time-honored belief or tradition and in doing so revealed a new truth, a new way of doing things, or a new standard for ethical and moral behavior. Just so, a commitment to staying open and inquisitive in our own individual lives can lead us to new personal revolutions and truths, truths that we will hopefully, for the sake of our growth, remain open to questioning.

07/14/2017

Blaming Others

by Madisyn Taylor

We cannot insist that someone else take responsibility for their actions; only they can make that choice when they are ready.
As we begin to truly understand that the world outside of us is a reflection of the world inside of us, we may feel confused about who is to blame for the problems in our lives. If we had a difficult childhood, we may wonder how we can take responsibility for that, and in our current relationships, the same question arises. We all know that blaming others is the opposite of taking responsibility, but we may not understand how to take responsibility for things that we don't truly feel responsible for. We may blame our parents for our low self-esteem, and we may blame our current partner for exacerbating it with their unconscious behavior. Objectively, this seems to make sense. After all, it is not our fault if our parents were irresponsible or unkind, and we are not to blame for our partner's bad behavior.

Perhaps the problem lies with the activity of blaming. Whether we blame others or blame ourselves, there is something aggressive and unkind about it. It sets up a situation in which it becomes difficult to move forward under the burdensome feelings of shame and guilt that arise. It also puts the resolution of our pain in the hands of someone other than us. Ultimately, we cannot insist that someone else take responsibility for their actions; only they can make that choice when they are ready. In the meantime, if we want to move forward with our lives instead of waiting around for something that may or may not happen, we begin to see the wisdom of taking the situation into our own hands.

We do this by forgiving our parents, even if they have not asked for our forgiveness, so that we can be free. We end the abusive relationship with our partner, who may never admit to any wrongdoing, because we are willing to take responsibility for how we are treated. In short, we love ourselves as we want to be loved and create the life we know we deserve. We leave the resolution of the wrongs committed against us in the hands of the universe, releasing ourselves to live a life free of blame.

07/12/2017

Reconnecting with Friends

by Madisyn Taylor

When fate brings old friends back into our lives, there is always a reason.
Every person that passes through our lives makes a contribution to our life stories. There are those who play large roles and make deep impressions, but sometimes a brief special appearance before life takes them in another direction creates a meaningful connection. It is a rare gift when they suddenly reappear in our lives after a long absence.

Though the world may seem full of more people than we could ever know, we are often drawn to people with similar energy, which brings us together time and time again. On first meeting, the characters in our life stories may seem familiar. We may know each other from past lives or perhaps we merely recognize the energy of a kindred spirit. But when fate brings old friends back into our lives, there is always a reason. They may act as messengers, reminding us of a part of ourselves we have forgotten to nurture. They might appear to give us a chance to react in a new way to an old situation. They may even bring up unresolved issues so that we may complete them, giving us the chance to move forward on our life path. Whether old friends, previous romances, or once and future partners, their reappearance is more than mere chance. They may never know what they bring into our lives, but the renewed contact is a gift.

If this hasn't happened to you, maybe you are meant to initiate contact by seeking out old friends. If old friends come to mind or into your dreams, use their appearance as an excuse to get in touch. If an old song or movie reminds you of them, reach out to share the gift of renewed contact. Wherever you fall in the circle of connection and reconnection, be sure to look beyond the surprise of the moment to enjoy the deeper gift that this revelation brings.

07/11/2017

Serving Your Community

by Madisyn Taylor

Being of service to our community is part of being a good citizen of the planet earth.
To live harmoniously, we need to be supportive and helpful to all people, creatures, and plant life that share this earth with us. While "being of service" is part of being a good citizen of the world, it also feels good to help others. When we do something for others in service, without the expectation of anything in return, we are turning our actions into offerings.

There are many ways to be of service to our community. There are the obvious and much needed volunteer opportunities, such as serving Thanksgiving dinner at a shelter, mentoring our youth, or cleaning up a beach. Then, there is the kind of service that we may not even think of as being acts of service. Learning a new language (perhaps sign language) so that you can talk to more people is a way to reach out to others. Inviting someone who isn't motivated enough to exercise on their own to join you on your daily walk is a way to give of yourself. Sharing flowers or vegetables from your garden, organizing a poetry reading, offering to babysit for a busy parent, or donating pet food to an animal shelter all are simple ways to offer your services to your community.

There are many ways that you can serve the world. Imagine the impact we would have on the environment if we picked up one piece of trash off the street everyday and chose not to drive our car once a week. Even gardening tactics such as throwing wildflower seeds onto a vacant lot can brighten the lives of others – including the lives of birds and insects. Everyday, you can do something to make this world a better place. During meditation, ask for guidance on what you can do to be of service. This can be a wonderful way to start your day. Smiling at a stranger who looks down in the dumps or teaching your neighborhood kids how to whistle will impact someone's day or even their life. Giving of yourself is the best gift that you can give.