Contracting and Meditation

Our lifestyles today are increasingly busy and we are always available and contactable, the invention of the mobile phone and social media has had many great positives, enabling us to make good use of our time, but equally many negatives, we are constantly available and bombarded with information 24/7. All of this takes its toll on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. It increases our stress levels and decreases our enjoyment of life and makes us less productive. One of the many effective ways to de-stress and relax is to Meditate. 

I started contracting in 2010, with that I spend a lot of time away from home, travelling to various client sites. It can get pretty boring in a hotel when you travel alone on a regular basis, the novelty of travelling soon wears thin and stress levels begin to rise when you’re faced with flight delays, train cancellations, long queues on the motorway. As work gets more stressful and project deadlines loom, I look to find ways relax and combat hotel boredom. I initially studied to enhance my CV, but that didn’t provide the time to rest, unwind and de-stress, so I looked back to my interests for inspiration. I decided to learn something completely different to my career and I was led toward complimentary therapies, which are effective for a number of things, including stress and relaxation. I’d like to share with you one of the tools I’ve learnt on my journey, one which you can learn too, doesn’t need any fancy equipment and you can practice anywhere. I learnt to Meditate and enjoyed the process so much I wanted to be able to share it with others, so I’ve since obtained a diploma as a Meditation Instructor.

Meditation isn’t about sitting for hours cross-legged, in silence, not thinking, looking at the backs of your eyelids and not noticing the world around you. This is a misconception and when I first started looking to learn Meditation I thought that this was the definition and I struggled. I nearly gave up but I’m so glad I persevered.

Meditation is about developing: deep concentration and awareness of an individual: self, idea, object, word or phrase. Meditations can take a variety of forms including sitting/laying down, walking, drinking tea, listening to the birds, watching leaves in autumn, the list goes on.

Mindfulness is one form of Meditation, focusing awareness on the present moment, calmly acknowledging and accepting feelings, thoughts and body sensations. Take drinking that morning tea/coffee for example, through mindfulness you start; noticing how it smells, how it looks, how it feels as it warms your hands through the cup, how it feels when you take that sip and swallow, how it tastes, even noticing any emotions and memories that it invokes. Slowing it down, to notice and see the world in detail and in a new way, instead of glugging the drink while checking emails on autopilot, can be very rewarding.

Meditation and Mindfulness have many benefits including; reducing stress and anxiety, focusing the mind, promoting restful sleep, enhancing creativity, increasing concentration, rejuvenating and a whole lot more.

You don’t need to Meditate for hours on end; I meditate each morning sat on the train on my way to the office which is about 20 minutes. It has taken time to be able to do this and initially its best to pick somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed and start with a few minutes and work up to 10 or 20mins, it doesn’t have to be long, taking just a few moments to unplug and switch off from the world will be beneficial.

Each day sit quietly for a little while and take a few deep breaths through the nose, hold for 1 or 2 seconds and breathe out through the mouth. Feel the air as you inhale, notice how your body changes, feel the tension as you hold that breath and feel the release as you exhale. It may feel forced and not smooth at first but as you practice your breathing will get into a rhythm and flow gently and quietly. To begin really is that simple. You can then move on to other techniques and increase the length of time to what suits you. Maybe you can’t do this for too long so break it down into smaller sessions that are manageable and fit around your schedule. Two 10 minute sessions or four 5 minute sessions will still be beneficial.

Developing the ability to Meditate and be Mindful has certainly helped my work. I am less stressed, more energised, and happier and it has a positive effect on those around me too.

There are a growing number of Meditation Instructors out there if you would like to try Meditation but feel you need some support to get started. Alternatively you could search on YouTube, podcasts or mobile phone apps and try other different Meditation types as there are so many options to choose from. These are equally useful to those who meditate already and would allow you to explore the different Meditation forms, including breathing techniques, progressive/muscle relaxation, guided visualisations, repetitive movement (e.g walking) Zen (Intensive meditation), and Transcendental (mantra meditation). Look out for Meditation groups and Buddhist centres running sessions in your area.

Why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose and a lot you could gain. 

Meditations

A little experiment with using iMovie to develop and share the meditations I've been writing, here is the first. Now that I know this works and isn't too onerous I will be able to start recording the ones I've written recently.

Reiki after Dr Usui

Dr Mikao Usui did not believe that one person should have claim to the Reiki method of healing and so he attuned and taught anyone who was interested. He envisioned the Reiki method of healing being shared globally, however he didn't bargain on the Japanese mind-set that Japanese things were solely for the Japanese people. Following Dr Usui's death in 1926, this mind-set caused divide between those who were "traditionally minded" and those with a more liberal attitude.

Dr Usui's tombstone states that he founded the Reiki Society, the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and acted as its first president, however this is unlikely. It is more likely that the society was founded after his death by Juzaburo Ushida (1865-1935), who had named Dr Usui as the first President out of respect for the Founder. The Gakkai was open to people who had studied Usui's Reiki and this Society still exists today. Ushida was the author of the Usui memorial.

There have been six Gakkai Presidents and these are:
Juzaburo Ushida (1865 - 1935)
Kanichi taketomi (1878 -1960)
Yoshiharu Watanabe (unknown - 1960)
Hoichi Wanami (1883 - 1975)
Kimiko Koyama (1906 - 1998)
Masayoshi Kondo

Dr Hayashi and Mrs Takata introduced Reiki to the West in the 1930's, causing further divisions between the Eastern and Western Schools. Dr Hayashi and Mrs Takata have no links to the presidency of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and Mrs Takata created her own organisation "The Reiki Alliance".

Dr Hayashi was one of Dr Usui's disciples and so was attuned by Dr Usui himself, Mrs Takata visited one of Dr Usui's clinics for treatment and was later attuned to Reiki by Dr Hayashi.

It is thought that Mrs Takata often told her students that she was the only living Reiki Master and that all of the others had died during the War. Until the 1970's Mrs Takata only attuned people to the Second degree, when she began attuning people to Third degree or Reiki Master she set the high price of $10,000. She gave her students sparse information about the system, which has resulted in a near mythical history about the Founder Dr Usui's background.

Reiki is a power method of healing which works anywhere in the world. Although the Japanese Reiki and Western Reiki are now two very separate entities they originate from the one Founder Dr Usui, and both are equally valid and work to bring universal love and compassion to any situation, to heal, strengthen and empower any individual. Western Reiki has been de-spiritualised and merged with other often conflicting philosophies, while original Reiki has roots in Eastern Mysticism, Estoteric Buddhism and Folk Shinto.

While Reiki was never intended to become a religion it can be a spiritual journey. It honours the life force in all things and is rooted in quasi-religious techniques such as; meditation, secret symbols and initiation rituals.

Dr Mikao Usui - Founder of Reiki

There are several versions of how Dr Mikao Usui came to rediscover Reiki. I say rediscover as the symbols used within Reiki can be found within the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism, Dr Mikao Usui spent time reading the texts and then he experienced something quite special whilst meditating on Mount Kurama. I would like to detail the history as it has been given to me. 

Mikao Usui was born in Yago in the Yamagata district of Gifu prefecture on the 15th August 1864. He attended the Tendai Buddhist school, where he was a diligent student. He had a number of business during his life however in his later years he returned to his spiritual interests and studied various faiths and spiritual methods. He had practiced a Japanese form of Qigong called Ki ko from an early age and his healing ideas were based on Daoist principles and Zen philosophy. 

He researched many Esoteric Buddhist texts for a healing method. During this research he spent 21 days on Mount Kurama meditating upon teachings within the texts and on the 21st day he saw a light in the distance coming toward him, once it touched the crown of his head the Reiki symbols were shown to him in this light and at this point he was attuned to Reiki energy.

Upon receiving the Reiki attunement he first used the energy to heal himself and then practiced on his family and friends. He later went on to run seminars and give lectures on this healing system. In 1921 he established clinics where high profile people from all over came to receive Reiki. In 1923 the Kanto earthquake occurred in Tokyo and devastated the city. Dr. Usui went out into the streets helping the sick and injured and for this he was honoured by the Emperor Meiji. He toured many places across Japan where it is thought that he taught more than two thousand people, and it was during one of these tours that on 9th March 1926 in Fukuyama, Dr Mikao Usui died following a stroke at the age of 62 years old. 

"An Introduction to meditation" class set up.

I've recently expanded my list of services to include Meditation instructor. I am setting up an introduction to meditation group to meet monthly until the end of this year at  least to allow people to explore different meditation methods to find one that suits them. I thought I'd share the details here. If you are interested in this class or having 1 to 1 or small group tuition please contact me for details.

Reiki Doll

A Reiki Doll is another tool that can be used for Distance Treatments, when sending Reiki to a particular person. This type of Distance healing is also known as Correspondence Distance Treatment. Correspondence Distance treatment uses a photo or object in place of the client. Where a Reiki Doll is used, you would perform the treatment sequence on the Doll whilst visualising the recipient. The treatment time can be reduced however there is a greater level of concentration required so a quiet space should be found where you won't be disturbed for 20 minutes or so, Reiki/Soothing music can be played if that is preferred to silence.

It is important to ensure that you have received informed consent to send Reiki to a recipient before sending the Reiki energy. Informed consent is required from an adult or parent/guardian if sending a Distance treatment is being sent to a child or vulnerable adult. Reiki is a complimentary therapy which can safely be used in conjunction with conventional medical care and alternative therapies, however should not be used in place of conventional medicine.

As you would a hands-on treatment arrange a time with the recipient where they can sit quietly or lie down for approximately 45 minutes where they won't be disturbed, so that they may concentrate on receiving the treatment and receiving the full benefit.

The same after care is required where the recipient should be advised to drink more water, eat regular light meals and that they may expect some reactions resulting from toxins being removed from the body. These are nothing to worry about however it is important that you are available to the recipient should they have any concerns or questions.

Reiki and Animals

Animals react positively to Reiki energy and while Reiki treatment should never be given in place of veterinary treatment it can work alongside very well indeed.



One of my own dogs, Molly was adopted from a rescue centre after spending some time as a stray. She suffers from separation anxiety and is quite the worrier which shows as a sensitive tummy. We've found that when she seems a little overwhelmed, me sitting for 30minutes with her channelling Reiki into her doggy chakras really does soothe her. She is an absolute fan of Reiki and has been known to stand and lean against me when I'm channelling Reiki either whilst treating my husband or sending distance healing.



All animals have chakras just like we humans do. Their chakras don't exactly correlate to the human chakras in positions, you can find images examples on the internet using sites such as Pinterest.
http://www.pinterest.com/edelphyra/chakras/



To channel Reiki for an animal is maybe more simple than for a human because you let the animal guide where they want you to place your hands. Ask your guides to come and assist you, draw Reiki into yourself and then channel it through your hands into your animal recipient. If they don't wish to receive reiki they will get up and leave. If it isn't possible or appropriate to be hands on with the animal recipient you can channel Reiki in the same way either sitting in the vicinity of the animal or through distance healing.   Don't be offended if an animal rejects your offer of Reiki, one of my cats turned down a reiki treatment but only the first time, I guess he found the experience initially unusual and he's not one for change, so I amended my way of channelling the Reiki energy to him until he felt more comfortable having my hands placed on him while giving him a treatment.



I hope you have found my blog interesting and I'd love your experience of hands on healing whether it be Reiki or another healing modality.



With Reiki Blessings

Rachel