The Autumn is fast approaching, the trees are changing colour, the garden needs attention, the birds no longer sing their chorus as mating is over, nature preparing to rest. During this period it’s time for reflection and contemplation, looking back to the problems of this surreal year and really learning from it. For me it has given my Reiki Practice even more depth and understanding, this means viewing our very vulnerable world in a different way. We are nothing in the scheme of things, little people thinking we are powerful and in control, we’re not, humans are the source of abusing this wonderful planet mainly for power and money, with no thought of the future and the repercussions of their actions.
We must all therefore, do our ‘bit’ less plastic, less pollution, less violence and above all being kind to everyone. With the ‘lockdown’ came some advantages e.g. families walking together, children running through the woods and trees, making dens, imagination in overdrive, even picking up conkers to play with (this has been banned in schools in case of injury!!) When I was a child the conker season was amazing, we would put holes in them, put string in and off we would go to war! No-one told us not to do it for fear of injury, it was wonderful. Trees were also climbed, right to the top looking out at the world without fear of falling, looking at the universe from a Birdseye perspective, free and natural, Health and Safety didn’t exist!
Our Reiki practice, whether you have taken a Reiki Course nor not, is essential for our wellbeing, to be mindful centres us and relaxes us, so we are then able to think of others with no expectations, our practice must be for everyone, only this way of thinking can bring peace, no past, no present, no future. Compassion from the depths of our being will illuminate us and the world, the great bright light of our being shinning.
The quote below says it all:
‘You can enjoy your practice, but practice just for yourself is not good enough. If you practice just for yourself, you attach to the idea of getting something from practice. Then your expectations are endless, and you will never find peace. So your practice must be for everyone; you, other people, birds, trees, and all beings. Just plunge in and take care of what you have to do right now, before you think of yourself. When you make the effort to practice for all beings, something wonderful gives forth from every pore of your body. You don’t know what it is, but it is a really great help. You can help other people in this way, and you can also help yourself. Then whatever situation you are in, you experience a feeling of being completely present, very stably and securely, and you realize that a great power is supporting your life. That is spiritual security’.
– Each Moment is the Universe
– Each Moment is the Universe
Zen and the way of being time
Dainin Katagiri
A lovely reflection on the past surreal months, Jenny.
I think it has made many of us reassess what is important in life and I for one have come to the conclusion it’s certainly not material things.
One of my best memories of summer was a picnic in the Royal Victoria Park in Bath. We had a large picnic blanket and family members ranged from tots to cool teens! We just sat there enjoying each other’s company with the children gathering conkers and climbing trees and squirrels gathering nuts around us. Besides the food, it was absolutely free and one of the best times of the summer.
You are right Jenny, autumn is bringing more the need to look back. Maybe because nature is preparing for hibernation? I don’t know. It’s time for reflection and to summarise how we’ve done during the year, our achievements. It’s funny to think like this because we, humans, don’t have seasons…but it’s filling me with joy to notice I still have seasons, I am part of the nature. We are living distressing times, it’s not first time and will not be the last, this is our do, this is what is happening when we twist the rules of our planet. All I can do is to be mindfull every time my actions can damage this planet that it’s already on its knee, to be kind and try to spread kindness around me. Reiki is a great tool for this! Reiki opens my eyes every moment of my life. And for this, I have to thank you!
It is still astonishing to me that as a species we indignantly plot against this virus that has the temerity to attack the mighty human race.
Yet here we are, a parasite, denuding a living organism of its resources and polluting the rest. The planets lungs, the rain forests and other great wooded wildernesses. The Pacific Ocean described as the planets beating heart, diseased by plastic so dense it can be mapped to the size of the state of Texas, US and be seen from space.
Whether likened to cardiac illness or
cancerous cells multiplying exponentially until the host dies the result is the same.
This is a wake up call, I’m not sufficiently informed to know if we can turn back the tide on decades of conspicuous consumption and a dozen decades of progress in the name of science and industry. I am pretty sure that whilst first world countries are encouraged to continue their gluttony for things and developing economies are eyed greedily as lucrative markets to be exploited, things will remain the same.
The hackneyed phrase “Be the change you want to see.” Is actually useful for once.
There have been positives to Lockdown, as Katie’s poem amusingly points out Jenny, I hope that continues.
I believe that the reiki community is well equipped for that;
I will not anger – at continued or altered lockdown
I will not worry – about scaremongering news, dubious statistics or loo roll availability
I will be true to my way and being – by daily practice, sharing, giving more than I take
I will be grateful – for the day to day kindnesses, the wonders of nature, the planets obvious ability to heal with no input from us other than to stop. being. us.
I will show compassion to myself and to others – by saving the planet……..one interaction at a time.
Now I ask you, would that ripple be something you could see from space?
During lockdown, as many people did, I had a chance to re-evaluate what’s important, what really matters, and that changed my outlook completely from being stressed about things to acceptance of the situation. I waited to see what would come next.
When a friend said to me ‘are you still doing that Reiki thing ‘ I had a ‘lightbulb moment’, and realised I needed to resume Reiki practice. I’m so glad I was able to come to you for Okuden Jenny, it has put me back where I need to be – to heal myself and others, and spend time being still and quiet rather than rushing around worrying and fretting…..just for today :} Hopefully now I can do some good in the world as well as lead a calmer, more connected life.