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At some point in our lives, each of us will feel an overwhelming sense of pain caused by transgression. An unfaithful spouse, a thieving sibling, an abusive parent, a severe and crippling accident. And oftentimes, we cannot express the anger, humiliation and hurt. So, we repress the severe emotions, and eventually they subside – at first to a dull ache, then diminishing to an occasional pang. Only to surge to the surface with some trigger, unleashing all the bitterness and angst that we had thought (hoped!) we had put away forever. These instances can be frequent, disrupting our lives as we constantly fight to keep the emotions sequestered within us. Or they may only happen occasionally, slipping in when we least expect it, leaving us feeling vulnerable and exposed. Either way, it’s debilitating. For a moment or for a lifetime.
Repressed emotions that cannot be released will manifest into physical symptoms. Neck and back pain, migraine headaches, and ulcers are all believed to be caused by stress. If stress can cause these types of ailments, it stands to reason that it can cause all sorts of other conditions, illnesses and afflictions. And stress is caused by repressed emotions. The practice of forgiveness can release these emotions, and begin the healing process, both emotional and physical. There are three things to know about the practice of forgiveness.
Also, the power of forgiveness helps us move into a better future. Remaining bitter, angry, disappointed, hurt or hostile will keep us in the past, remembering the scenarios in our minds, over and over. We will be distracted, and focusing our attention on the past, reliving it – both in our minds and in our lives. Forgiveness provides the path out of the past and into the future. The healing power of forgiveness begins with a willingness to let go and move on. And within that action is a great transformation. A transition from a life of sorrow to a life of peace. Love & Light to All- C
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1/24/2017 0 Comments Why Reiki?Reiki healing is quite easy to learn and easy to apply. It is a simple, natural and safe way of self-improvement and spiritual healing which can be used by everyone. It not only helps you get rid of unwanted stress, but it also gives you a way to achieve deep relaxation resulting in better sleep. It is a simple, non-intrusive healing procedure. Reiki holistic healing will provide multiple health benefits.
In Reiki, healing is accomplished at several rates. It can be utilized with or without Western allopathic techniques of healing. In this manner, the healing is going to have a fuller effect on the body. From simple wellness problems, such as headache or ulcer, to more severe issues like diabetes, reiki healing is reported to offer excellent healing benefits. Reiki healing done with the help of music is used in the treatment of conditions like stress, depression and grief. It is an amazing technique which helps get rid of any fearful or negative energy for the body. It helps you to understand the true meaning and purpose of life. 1/10/2017 0 Comments Blessings in CrisisWhen speaking with a friend recently about the birth of her first grandchild, and hearing the joy in her voice, I was reminded of a time when her life was turned upside down by breast cancer. I recall the fear and the tears that were shed during that very difficult time. But as I think back on all of the events that I have witnessed since the moment when she told me that she was ill, I can think of so many blessings that she has experienced. Forged from the crisis that is cancer priorities shifted, damaged relationships with loved ones were rebuilt, and a fresh, gentler life evolved.
A terrifying diagnosis of a life-threatening illness, or critical injury will radically change one’s life. And the treatment for an illness or injury can cause as much distress as the condition itself. The fear, pain and desperation when facing the unknown will most certainly cause a tremendous and critical change in a person’s beliefs, perceptions and actions. And for many, emerging from those changes are undeniable blessings. I have worked with clients who have taken this journey, and each one of these folks has a story to tell about a significant and positive change that developed as a direct result of the experience. One woman who had a particularly challenging relationship with her father before her diagnosis discovered a loving parent who supported her throughout the process. An attorney that kept making the promise of slowing down in the future was stopped in her tracks by a near fatal accident, and now enjoys a more peaceful life that allows her to live in the present moment. And the chronically ill father whose estranged son became his pillar during his treatment, mending several years of contention. Transformation is born of crisis. When we suffer a health catastrophe, we can expect to be frightened and angry. But along with the anguish we can also experience unexpected joy and compassion. By opening our hearts and living in the moment, we can receive the care those seeking to help are offering. We can move from a place of distress and sorrow to a place of acceptance and peace. Self-care practices such as yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, massage and energy work will help shift our attitudes from despair to gratitude. Combining holistic practices with science based medicine will treat and heal the whole body – physical, mental, and spiritual. Caring for the mental and spiritual body, as well as the physical body will ease the journey through illness or injury, and provide opportunities to discover the blessings that are created from crisis. Love & Light to All - C 12/29/2016 0 Comments Treatment vs. HealingThere is no denying the marvel of modern medicine. From the early 19th century, when Sir Humphry Davy proposed the use of nitrous oxide for surgical procedures, on to the discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, and now with the ability to do transplants of major organs including the heart, we are truly blessed with technology.
But, have you, or someone you know, ever experienced an unexplainable pain in the physical body? An unexpected back pain, a chronic ache in the knee or elbow, or perhaps severe and crippling headaches that remain undiagnosed, in spite of repeated trips to the doctor? Frequently, when a diagnosis is hard to pinpoint, medical professionals are all too quick to prescribe chemicals or suggest invasive procedures such as exploratory surgery. The conditions are being treated, but no healing is taking place. Treatment is about dealing with the symptoms, working with the physical signs of disease or dysfunction. Healing is about restoring the body to its healthy state. Treatment certainly has its place, and is critical in the case of extreme pain or injury. Treating illnesses with antibiotics has saved millions of lives, and previous life threatening conditions such as a ruptured appendix are now easily repaired with routine surgery. Unquestionably, we are incredibly fortunate to have these medical miracles. But treatment doesn’t always mean a cure. And some treatments can actually inhibit the healing process by masking the pain, while the underlying condition continues to exist. Healing addresses the whole body – mental, emotional, spiritual and physical. We know that there is a body mind connection when it comes to health. Stress can induce a multitude of painful conditions that are difficult to diagnose, and therefore treat effectively. Considering the whole body, including the emotional and mental conditions, is the only way to mend and restore the body to its healthy state. The body is a self-healing machine. Even the femur, the largest bone in the body, will be well on its way to healing within a few weeks. But when the source of the pain or discomfort cannot be found, the condition is originating in the mind in the form of repressed emotions, and manifesting in the body. There are many ways of healing emotional wounds. The most important thing is to be aware of how repressed emotions or stress can impact our physical health, and have the willingness to minister to our emotional health by using holistic practices. Meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises are excellent self-healing techniques. Energy medicine such as Reiki, Qi Gong, or Healing Touch are also fantastic ways to practice whole body health. The best way to achieve optimal health and well-being is a combination of medical science and holistic healing techniques. Visit the doctor when necessary, but make sure to attend to the whole body when deciding upon a course of action. It is critical that we begin to understand and work with the mind body connection. 12/7/2016 0 Comments Mind Body ConnectionThe mind body connection is fascinating. But it is also very simple. The mind body connection is simple because it is familiar to each one of us. When we are embarrassed, we blush. When we are frightened, our heart beats faster. When we are nervous, our stomach hurts. We have each experienced these physical reactions to these specific emotions. We also know that stress can cause many ailments including tension headaches, ulcers, or neck and shoulder pain.
Alternately, our physical bodies respond to joyful feelings. When we feel peaceful, our heart slows. The love that we feel when we gaze at our sleeping child sends a rush of energy through our body. And when we see sublime beauty, it “takes our breath away”. The mind/body connection is the link between the thoughts or feelings that we have and the physical reactions that occur because of those thoughts and feelings. We are all painfully aware of the physical reactions that sudden negative emotions can produce – immediately and absolutely. The memory of these physical reactions usually result in beliefs about ourselves and our environment that are damaging and undeserved. For example, in the sixth-grade I was bullied by a classmate. I vividly remember the feeling of panic that I experienced each morning when I entered the school yard. My stomach hurt, and sometimes my limbs felt like they had pins and needles going through them the closer I got to the school. And the memory is painful enough, even several years later, to influence how I react when I feel threatened. The same sick stomach and heavy feeling in my arms and legs. Those physical reactions are so intense and consuming for the moment, that they in turn reinforce my feelings of being powerless, small. Yikes…… The science behind these physical reactions lies in the magic of neuropeptides. Neuropeptides are chemical messengers that use the body fluids to carry information from the mind to the body, and back again. Every cell in the body holds thousands of receptor cells, and each receptor cell has a specific pattern that locks into specific neuropeptides. The neuropeptides then transmit information through the receptor cell to the cell itself, influencing the behavior of that cell. In other words, all your thoughts, feelings and beliefs get translated into chemicals that fire off throughout your body, altering the chemical composition and behavior of your cells. In our human experience, we repress painful feelings. The events that triggered the feelings are still stored in our memories, ready to charge to surface and influence our lives with unexplained and unpleasant reactions to current circumstances. However, just as there is a powerful tendency to repress emotions, there is an equally strong drive to bring them to consciousness. When these two impulses collide, they will manifest as physical symptoms of injury or illness. Because Reiki is a technique of stress reduction and deep relaxation, it works on the emotional level of healing. Healing of the mind – thoughts, feelings and beliefs – will lead to healing of the body because it promotes conditions from which the body can begin to heal itself. Love & Light to All – C The only constant is change. Our lives move from one moment to the next, constantly in flux, with no two moments exactly the same. For the most part the change is subtle, something we don’t take constant notice of. And sometimes, our lives change in an instant, both joyfully and terribly.
I always believed myself to be a person who accepts change. In fact, I was known to state that I like change, I actually welcomed change. Then one day, in one significant moment, someone asked me if I welcomed change that I didn’t initiate or want. Hmmm…Hell NO! What comes to mind is my divorce from my second husband. Although I embraced the changes brought about by my new marriage, my new home in Rochester, and my new life as the wife of a prominent community member, I was not prepared for the real changes that those new experiences generated for me. At the time I didn’t realize that change begets change. And the ultimate change I found myself embroiled in was not initiated, nor wanted. And with the daily tears, I lamented the change over and over again. A Buddhists teaching says that our lives are filled with ten thousand joys and ten thousand sorrows. To me this gives new meaning to the adage “This too, shall pass.” Yes, the sorrow will pass. But so will the joy. That is the nature of change. How do we embrace change, whether it is a change from sorrow to joy, or joy to sorrow? We can be aware of being present, in this moment. Celebrate the joy in the small things such as how the sun shines off the dew in the early morning grass, the sound of birds as they call to one another, or how icicles sparkle as they dangle from the tree boughs. These are some of the ten thousand joys we experience. And they will pass as the sun moves through the sky, the birds fly off, and the icicles melt. This is true as well for our sorrows, though oftentimes we cannot see it. And though we will let the joys move into the past with a beautiful memory, we are not so willing to let go of our sorrows. In fact, we will hang on to the bitterness and anger, and only when we are forced to let go do we finally release our clench on that which is bringing us unhappiness. Being present in difficult circumstances will allow us to lean into the hurt, the pain, and the bitterness. To feel it, and then let it go. Just as we let go the beauty of shining dew, singing birds, and sparkling ice. This too, shall pass. But it is in the living of each moment that we find the beauty of each and every passing joy and sorrow, and then we can embrace change as a part of our human experience. Love and Light, C 9/13/2016 0 Comments The 12 Laws of KarmaWe have all heard the common adages, “You reap what you sow”, “What goes around comes around”, etc. And to a certain extent Karma really is that simple. But it is not as easy as having a negative thought and then stubbing your toe. Nor are all of our experiences related to an infinite number of past lives that we are continually answering for.
Karma is really about our intentions as we move through our lives. If we are driven in our actions by greed, jealousy, anger, lust, etc., the kind of reality that we will create for ourselves will be filled with just those types of circumstances, resulting in a life of suffering and pain. However, we can make conscious choices that enable us to move through our lives with faith, in a state of gratitude and compassion, and practicing forgiveness for others and for ourselves. As Jesus the Nazarene states in Luke 6:37 “Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you…For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Of course, although we are divine souls, we are having a human experience. And as such, we are bound to be less than perfect…it’s all part of the process! Here are the twelve laws of karma. 1.The Great Law: Whatever we put into the Universe will come back to us. We create our realities with our intentions, which lead to our actions. 2.The Law of Creation: Life does not happen by itself, we need to make it happen. We each have our work to do in the world. Our first task is to create the vision for our lives and then do the tasks that align in front of us to move toward our vision. 3.The Law of Humility: One must accept something in order to change it. If we don’t like our circumstances, we have the power to change them. But we have to acknowledge that something is broken before we can fix it. 4.The Law of Growth: When we change ourselves, our lives follow suit and also change. When we change our intentions and move from a place of fear and despair to a place of gratitude and forgiveness, we will shortly see the changes manifesting in our external circumstances. 5.The Law of Responsibility: We must take responsibility for what is in our lives. Self-awareness is the first step in taking responsibility for what is. The next step is to take responsibility for changing what isn’t working. 6.The Law of Connection: The past, the present and the future are all connected. The past has moved us toward the present, which will direct us toward the future. It is the thread of life. 7.The Law of Focus: We cannot think of two different things at the same time. If we let our minds continue to think of the past – wrongs, disappointments, hurts – we cannot focus on our present. Our attention becomes our intention, so the past will continue to repeat itself. 8.The Law of Giving and Hospitality: Our behavior should be reflected in our thoughts and actions. Treat each other and ourselves with compassion and love. Don’t be afraid to give that smile, extend a helping hand, or voice words of support. It will come back to you tenfold. 9.The Law of Here and Now: One cannot be present if they are looking backward. Looking backward and dwelling on what might have been, what you could have said, what you might have done differently is a waste of time. You cannot change the past, but you can be present, right now. 10.The Law of Change: History repeats itself until we learn from it and change our path. If nothing changes, nothing changes. The same beliefs, thoughts and actions will produce the same results. 11.The Law of Patience and Reward: The most valuable rewards require persistence. Things that have the most value take time – relationships, vocations, good health. These are all things that require time and effort to nurture and maintain. One has to practice…and practice takes time. 12.The Law of Significant Inspiration: Rewards are the direct result of the energy and effort we put into something. Only by commitment and persistence do we achieve the greatest gifts – for it is in the Journey that we discover the true meaning of abundance and prosperity. Love and Light to All – C 5/7/2016 0 Comments Let's Talk About the EgoLet’s talk about the Ego. What exactly is the Ego? Traditionally the Ego is defined as the “I” of the self. The derivative of the word Ego means “I” in Latin. The word Ego was first brought to the general public by Sigmund Freud, a noted psychologist in the early 20th Century. Freud set forth the theory that the Ego is the place wherein lies the organized part of the personality structure that includes defensive, perceptual, intellectual-cognitive, and executive functions. Conscious awareness resides in the Ego, although not all of the operations of the Ego are conscious.
I would argue that Freud was onto something. When I think of the Ego in these terms I can relate to the organized part of my personality that does include perception, intellect, and defensiveness. And, if I am working with my authentic self, I also admit that there is a part of me that simply reacts on a subconscious level. I can feel something in the pit of my stomach and then BAM! I say or do something that I can’t believe that I said or did - be it right, wrong, true or false. The Ego is complex. It is the conduit from our divine self to our human self. We all are divine souls having a human experience, and as such there must be that place within each of us that the information from our human world and our divine world collide. That world is the Ego. What I am sure of is that phrases such as “egotistical” and “has a big ego” are not applicable here. What I am speaking of is our self-talk. The voices that go on in our heads that remind us every day of how small, how unimportant and insignificant we are. This is the Ego that I am speaking of. This is the Ego that needs to be silenced. This is the Ego that needs to be redirected. But the Ego, because it is of the Human self, does not want to be silenced or redirected. The Ego is one of the many severe challenges we have living this human life. But it can be tamed, to not come around to plague us each and every moment. We do have the power to access our divine self. As the Nazarene said “Satan, be gone!” I will close with a simple story from my own life. I was driving down the road one morning and I realized about 5 minutes away from my work place that I had forgotten my phone (God knows we have all been there!) and then the Ego driven self-talk started. You know, if you weren’t so hurried in the morning you would not have forgotten your phone! If you would just get up a little earlier you would not have forgotten your phone! In fact, if you just got out of bed at 5:00 instead of 5:30 you would not have forgotten your phone! If you just got up at 4:30 you might actually be the person that you should be! Yikes what a burden! If the voice in my head would have been a real person, I would have pulled over on the side of the road and kicked them out of my car!! That’s how evolved I am ( or not!) Love and Light to All of You – Cyndi 12/6/2015 0 Comments We Call Ourselves HealersI call myself a Healer. But, honestly, it never feels quite right, particularly when speaking with those outside of the holistic community. The word Healer has a certain connotation when speaking it within my tribe. We acknowledge the nuances of language and have agreed to an interpretation and understanding of the title Healer. And we honor the title, because for right now it allows us to speak and act with authority about the healing gifts that we have to share.
But we are not Healers. We are Facilitators. Those of us that practice Energy Medicine know that the ability, the gift, comes from the divine. We are merely the humble helpers of Source. We all have the natural capacity to heal ourselves and others. It is in our DNA. For 2 million years human beings have inhabited this planet Earth. Only in the past 150 years have human beings enjoyed the advanced discoveries of modern medicine. How did humankind survive before antibiotics, immunizations, hyperbolic chambers, organ transplants, and open heart surgery? The Ancients understood that the human body is made of a physical body and an energy body. The physical body and the energy body work together to create health and well-being. It is the energy body that is the first to be affected with pain or suffering, and if not addressed on an energetic level, the physical body will manifest a physical affliction that will mirror what is disturbed in the energy body. Pain and suffering moves from the emotional to the physical. We all possess the innate ability to heal ourselves because we all have access to a permeating life force that surrounds and encompasses us. The Japanese refer to this life force as Hado. Hado is the intrinsic vibrational pattern at the atomic level in all matter, the smallest unit of energy. Its basis is the energy of human consciousness. – Dr. Masaru Emoto Reiki is a Japanese technique of accessing healing power through the Hado. Reiki induces deep relaxation and stress reduction that also promotes healing. Those of us who work with Reiki energy medicine are facilitators of the Hado healing energy. We are the conduits. We practice our craft, we are practitioners of Energy Medicine. We can all access the Hado and its rich, nourishing power. We can practice Reiki, Qigong, or Pranic Healing, among many others. But we must begin by practicing on ourselves. Explore Reiki and other energy medicine modalities. Discover the power of Hado, harness that power, and step into yours. A healer in every family, and a world without pain. – Master Lin, Founder Spring Forest Qigong 10/5/2015 0 Comments Unconditional Love?A friend of mine was sharing an experience of what he felt was being touched by the Holy Spirit. As he was telling the story, tears began to seep from his eyes and roll down his cheeks. As he wiped them away, he apologized for the show of emotion but explained that each time he retells the story he is overcome by such a feeling of love that he cannot stop the flow of joy. He emphatically stated that everything is love – love for family, love for others, love for self. Wow.
This conversation got me thinking about the ideal of unconditional love. What is unconditional love? Is unconditional love even possible? As I understand it, unconditional love is a love so profound and so encompassing that no matter what happens the faith in that love can never be shaken. Is it possible to have a love that strong for another human being? Or for oneself? And what does it look like? Romantic relationships between two people are framed in conditions. Once two people start dating there will usually be a conversation about the nature of the relationship. Questions such as is this an exclusive relationship, will the relationship include physical intimacy, and how often will we see one another all have conditions attached. For example, when two people agree to date exclusively the condition is that there is no dating outside the relationship. Indeed, marriage vows specifically state the conditions under which two people agree to be married. Many parents will state unequivocally that they have unconditional love for their children, and that no matter what happens they will always be supportive. And I have also heard parents say that they would not love their children unconditionally, particularly if they are involved in a heinous crime. And although I admire and respect the Buddhist belief in Basic Goodness in each and every person, I will admit to having a hard time seeing it when I am in a state of hurt or anger because of a perceived betrayal or act of disrespect. And as far as unconditional self-love, I know that I am the hardest on myself when it comes to what I consider my failings or short-comings. And yet all of the Master Teachers – Jesus of Nazareth, the Buddha, Mahatma Ghandi, to name a few – teach the practice of unconditional love as a necessary component to self-growth and self-development that leads to a path of true enlightenment and entering a state of bliss. I, too, believe in unconditional love. But I know that I haven’t achieved the level of enlightenment where I can practice it all of the time, even for those that that I love fiercely. So I continue to try. I remind myself that each one of us, including me, is a divine soul having a human experience, and as such we are all doing the best we can, with what we have, at the moment. I communicate with my Higher Power through prayer and meditation. I take the time to notice and celebrate the small miracles that happen around me all the time – the sound of wind through the trees, the feel of sun on my face, the hum of a bee as it does its work with the flower, the view of the setting sun over the lake – these things remind me that I am part of a great big, beautiful world. And in these small miracles I see the work of the Divine, and know that it is in the intent to try to do my best that I can experience unconditional love. Sending you Love and Light, Cyndi |
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Rising Sun Reiki Studio -
Excelsior, MN 55331
612.940.5851
Excelsior, MN 55331
612.940.5851