By Robin Littlefeather on May 3, 2009
It's been quite a crazy time we live in. First there has been economic upheaval, and now we have a new viral strain floating around. It seems as if everywhere we look there is fear, and fear mongering. The hysteria about all the things happening right now seems contagious. In Egypt they are slaughtering pigs although there is not one shred of evidence that pigs are infectious in any way. In the USA entire schools are closing for weeks. We just had one close where I live because one child "might" have this flu.
In this time of fear and panic I choose to refuse to fear. Yes I will take ordinary precautions such as hand washing, common sense when there is something going around, but I absolutely will not fear.
Fear is simply negative faith. What we believe and how we choose to react to things has an impact on our reality and what is manifested. Constant fear produces adrenaline which is a strain on adrenal glands. It also inhibits immune response and strains the entire body. Once our bodies are thrown off kilter we then become sitting targets for illness. The more we fear the more likely it is we will get ill. The more stress, the more our body shuts itself down, and the sicker we become.
During my day I will take the time to stop whatever it is I am doing and simply breathe. I am not talking about shallow chest breathing, but a technique that actually improves over all health, and destresses body and mind. I breathe in to my diaphram and imagine that Spirit's light is going all the way down to about an inch or two below my belly button. This point is called the Tantien. I imagine the light swirling around in that point and through my body and then breathe out any tension, negativity, or anything else that might harm me. I imagine my body becoming calmer, looser, freer. I find where in my body I am holding tension and let it go by breathing out. This takes fifteen minutes and can easily be done first thing in the morning, at lunch time, and again in the evening.
Along with the physical breathing I find positive statements, ideas or things to replace fearful or negative thoughts. If one is concerned about the flu a positive statement might be, "I am well and whole and continue to remain so. I place my faith in Creator and know that I am safe in the midst of this concern." What we say with our mouths literally does get into our Spirits. It may seem kind of silly even feel false at first, but the more we say things to ourselves, the more real it becomes. If we must say anything, why not invest in positive and healthful statements instead of negative ones? What do we really have to loose with this?
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
New Year
Well friends this has been quite a year. The winds of change and the time of reaping and sowing certainly seems to have been the theme for 2008.
Some are saying that perhaps 2009 will be a respite and a small window of rest from the tumult of 2008. I truly hope that this coming year is a respite. We definitely are being purged as it were in the fire. Everything that is dross is being burned away. We are stepping through a threshold, and we are being asked to ponder who we are without our possessions, without our wealth, and without our security. All that has defined America as a nation and people has been put to the fire. We have become fat, lazy, indulgent and greedy. Our greed has lead to a crisis that has not been seen since the time of the great depression. We are on the verge of a new birth and a new order. In this process a spirit of fear and dread has swept over many. For others, it has been an attack waged on spirit and body unlike anything previously seen. More now than ever we must ground ourselves in the middle of this storm. We must put on our armor of faith and hope to survive, and be willing to let go of every pre conceived notion in order to move forward. If indeed we are due for a respite, this is also a time to remember it is simply that, a small window to gird up our loins and gather our strength. We are no longer allowed the luxury to go around fat and belching with our spiritual tummies hanging over our belts. The call is loud and clear to wake up from our slumbers. Now more than ever we must stand in the gap as the world spins out its current course.
Some are saying that perhaps 2009 will be a respite and a small window of rest from the tumult of 2008. I truly hope that this coming year is a respite. We definitely are being purged as it were in the fire. Everything that is dross is being burned away. We are stepping through a threshold, and we are being asked to ponder who we are without our possessions, without our wealth, and without our security. All that has defined America as a nation and people has been put to the fire. We have become fat, lazy, indulgent and greedy. Our greed has lead to a crisis that has not been seen since the time of the great depression. We are on the verge of a new birth and a new order. In this process a spirit of fear and dread has swept over many. For others, it has been an attack waged on spirit and body unlike anything previously seen. More now than ever we must ground ourselves in the middle of this storm. We must put on our armor of faith and hope to survive, and be willing to let go of every pre conceived notion in order to move forward. If indeed we are due for a respite, this is also a time to remember it is simply that, a small window to gird up our loins and gather our strength. We are no longer allowed the luxury to go around fat and belching with our spiritual tummies hanging over our belts. The call is loud and clear to wake up from our slumbers. Now more than ever we must stand in the gap as the world spins out its current course.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Celebrating Rosh Hashana by Dr. Harold Bob
This week Rosh Hashana was celebrated - (understanding that in the Bible prior to Abraham a "year" is not exactly a "year" as we know it) - roughly speaking for Jewish people this was the 5769 th birthday of the world. Every year for me this is a time of reflection, on many subjects.
Many of our dilemmas are fundamentally based on linguistic dualities. Right and wrong, good and evil, dark and light - we make much of this, and - more importantly - we use many of these dualities to teach and to learn. So - the fact that Newtonian physics has been shown to "not work" is a sub atomic world (we need "Quantum mechanics") - does not invalidate Newtonian physic for day to day things.
Likewise, the points here - are at special times - and - those wisdoms that are important for day to day life still are important. Birth and death though are, from an energy perspective - special times.
We focus a lot on morality, integrity and rules - if only we get the rule right we are "good," but - at times - the rules cease to matter. When a child is born - the circumstances surrounding the conception of the child no longer matter - it is correct to view each child that is born as a soul sent into the world by God, and, each child should be viewed for their positive energy and potential. Likewise, as a person approaches death, the "sins" of their life become meaningless.
This sounds stunning from the perspective of traditional religion - but - from a Reiki perspective - it is important and quite "normal." As energy of the soul or consciousness transitions from the body to merge with the Spiritual source, we need to assist as we can, but largely - get out of the way and not foment attachments that hold the spirit to the material world.
Their is actually, a lot of support for this concept - within traditional religion. A central prayer of Jewish faith quotes from Isaiah, the Angels or Seraphim singing back and forth in Heaven, "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts. The whole Earth is filled with his Glory." From the Hebrew here, Glory can truly be understood as the "substance" of God - matter and energy and soul (or consciousness) - those qualities that make up the universe and the people in it - are all part of the substance of God.
In a major Rosh Hashana prayer, we recite a list of our sins, and pray for forgiveness. From a Jewish perspective, this prayer is part of the heart of our faith, and no doubt, from a Christian perspective, one can only imagine Jesus of Nazareth reciting this prayer - but - on reciting all the sins (to such a point that we realize that all human beings are sinners - and - we are taught - in Heaven one sin does not have higher standing than another, thus, all mortal beings are sinners) Avinu Malkeinu - or "our father our King" ends "our Father our King, act for your sake if not for our sake. Act for your sake and save us. Act for the sake of Your abundant compassion. Act for the sake of your great, mighty, and awesome Name that is proclaimed upon us. Be gracious with us and answer us, though we, have no worthy deeds; treat us with charity and kindness and save us."
There is a Talmud story of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, who is rumored to be the most sinful man who ever lived. He turned the whole Jewish people to Idolatry. This action was felt worse than his murder of the prophet Isaiah, or his forbidden sexual acts done in the Holy of Holies. When he died, he repented, but the angels closed the gates of heaven to him. God, acted, and opened a new Gate to Heaven - Why? It was to teach the Angels a) not to judge - only God retains the right ot Judge for God contains Mercy that exceeds his attribute of Justice and that b) God forgives all who repent regardless the Sin.
Now there - stunningly - are countless Bible stories oft ignored by religious teachers - on this exact topic - and, for day to day life, it is understandable that we teach the lessons of Justice, Integrity and right behavior. However, as a human being approaches death, all these factors become meaningless - no one really "deserves" to suffer, and, God's intent is for human being to improve and evolve their Spirit or Consciousness -
And so for the Health Care worker, and especially for the Reiki practitioner, the time near "Transition" or death, is one that requires special training and skill, since, we need especially to be well grounded, check our own egos at the door, assist the soul in transition - and understand that it is not about "us" or about "judgement" (which belongs only to God), but about like birth, a natural phenomenon that we cannot fully understand, that we can only assist, and for which we can ask no thanks.
When we cannot "Cure" we can - at the least use Reiki to assist as the Spiritual Energy of a person returns to its source. Spiritual Energy permeates the Earth, "the whole Earth is full of its Glory"
Many of our dilemmas are fundamentally based on linguistic dualities. Right and wrong, good and evil, dark and light - we make much of this, and - more importantly - we use many of these dualities to teach and to learn. So - the fact that Newtonian physics has been shown to "not work" is a sub atomic world (we need "Quantum mechanics") - does not invalidate Newtonian physic for day to day things.
Likewise, the points here - are at special times - and - those wisdoms that are important for day to day life still are important. Birth and death though are, from an energy perspective - special times.
We focus a lot on morality, integrity and rules - if only we get the rule right we are "good," but - at times - the rules cease to matter. When a child is born - the circumstances surrounding the conception of the child no longer matter - it is correct to view each child that is born as a soul sent into the world by God, and, each child should be viewed for their positive energy and potential. Likewise, as a person approaches death, the "sins" of their life become meaningless.
This sounds stunning from the perspective of traditional religion - but - from a Reiki perspective - it is important and quite "normal." As energy of the soul or consciousness transitions from the body to merge with the Spiritual source, we need to assist as we can, but largely - get out of the way and not foment attachments that hold the spirit to the material world.
Their is actually, a lot of support for this concept - within traditional religion. A central prayer of Jewish faith quotes from Isaiah, the Angels or Seraphim singing back and forth in Heaven, "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts. The whole Earth is filled with his Glory." From the Hebrew here, Glory can truly be understood as the "substance" of God - matter and energy and soul (or consciousness) - those qualities that make up the universe and the people in it - are all part of the substance of God.
In a major Rosh Hashana prayer, we recite a list of our sins, and pray for forgiveness. From a Jewish perspective, this prayer is part of the heart of our faith, and no doubt, from a Christian perspective, one can only imagine Jesus of Nazareth reciting this prayer - but - on reciting all the sins (to such a point that we realize that all human beings are sinners - and - we are taught - in Heaven one sin does not have higher standing than another, thus, all mortal beings are sinners) Avinu Malkeinu - or "our father our King" ends "our Father our King, act for your sake if not for our sake. Act for your sake and save us. Act for the sake of Your abundant compassion. Act for the sake of your great, mighty, and awesome Name that is proclaimed upon us. Be gracious with us and answer us, though we, have no worthy deeds; treat us with charity and kindness and save us."
There is a Talmud story of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, who is rumored to be the most sinful man who ever lived. He turned the whole Jewish people to Idolatry. This action was felt worse than his murder of the prophet Isaiah, or his forbidden sexual acts done in the Holy of Holies. When he died, he repented, but the angels closed the gates of heaven to him. God, acted, and opened a new Gate to Heaven - Why? It was to teach the Angels a) not to judge - only God retains the right ot Judge for God contains Mercy that exceeds his attribute of Justice and that b) God forgives all who repent regardless the Sin.
Now there - stunningly - are countless Bible stories oft ignored by religious teachers - on this exact topic - and, for day to day life, it is understandable that we teach the lessons of Justice, Integrity and right behavior. However, as a human being approaches death, all these factors become meaningless - no one really "deserves" to suffer, and, God's intent is for human being to improve and evolve their Spirit or Consciousness -
And so for the Health Care worker, and especially for the Reiki practitioner, the time near "Transition" or death, is one that requires special training and skill, since, we need especially to be well grounded, check our own egos at the door, assist the soul in transition - and understand that it is not about "us" or about "judgement" (which belongs only to God), but about like birth, a natural phenomenon that we cannot fully understand, that we can only assist, and for which we can ask no thanks.
When we cannot "Cure" we can - at the least use Reiki to assist as the Spiritual Energy of a person returns to its source. Spiritual Energy permeates the Earth, "the whole Earth is full of its Glory"
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The difference between Faith healing and Reiki healing
What is the difference between Reiki and the faith healing as in the laying on of hands? As well who or what are you calling on when you are facilitating Reiki?
Thomas Payne
Frederick, Maryland 21703
When one is attempting faith healing it's usually done with specific prayers in the name of God. For example in the fundamentalist Christian movement, one would lay one's hands on someone and pray in the name of Jesus, often quoting scriptures and or in some way activating faith in God. Depending on the faith involved there are often route prayers, and sometimes anointing a person with oil along with the faith of the person praying that facilitates the healing.
With Reiki you are not praying any specific prayers, nor are you calling to any specific God. In this sense Reiki is non religious. On the other hand Reiki is very spiritual in that you are not just dealing with the body of a person, but their mind, and their spirit. In Reiki we are calling on the same force that has created our physical universe and holds it together. This force does not have a gender, nor does it have any specific way to approach it. It is the creative force of life itself. While it is a spiritual concept this is not necessarily a religious concept or a dogmatic one.
In faith healing there are no symbols one must concentrate on. There are no specific hand positions. One simply has faith, and it is this faith that is supposed to move mountains. Faith then in this case is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. It is calling on the promises of healing in whatever faith or religion one aspires to, and believing sight unseen that the things that have been prayed for are being manifested into reality through faith.
In Reiki healing we use symbols as a catalyst for the Universal Life force to channel through us and help the patient heal themselves. As one progresses in Reiki, often symbols become unnecessary because each symbol has a specific "feel" or energetic signature which can be then called on or channeled. There are specific hand positions in Reiki. These hand positions are aligned with something called an energetic chakra system. Chakras are points along the spine where the human energy has created little whirlpools of energy. When we place our hands along these areas, the idea is to align the energetic system which helps to facilitate wellness and healing.
As to what we call on, we call on the Universal force of life itself, or what is known as the force of Creation. Again there is no particular Deity involved, and no set rules of how to approach such a Deity.
Thomas Payne
Frederick, Maryland 21703
When one is attempting faith healing it's usually done with specific prayers in the name of God. For example in the fundamentalist Christian movement, one would lay one's hands on someone and pray in the name of Jesus, often quoting scriptures and or in some way activating faith in God. Depending on the faith involved there are often route prayers, and sometimes anointing a person with oil along with the faith of the person praying that facilitates the healing.
With Reiki you are not praying any specific prayers, nor are you calling to any specific God. In this sense Reiki is non religious. On the other hand Reiki is very spiritual in that you are not just dealing with the body of a person, but their mind, and their spirit. In Reiki we are calling on the same force that has created our physical universe and holds it together. This force does not have a gender, nor does it have any specific way to approach it. It is the creative force of life itself. While it is a spiritual concept this is not necessarily a religious concept or a dogmatic one.
In faith healing there are no symbols one must concentrate on. There are no specific hand positions. One simply has faith, and it is this faith that is supposed to move mountains. Faith then in this case is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. It is calling on the promises of healing in whatever faith or religion one aspires to, and believing sight unseen that the things that have been prayed for are being manifested into reality through faith.
In Reiki healing we use symbols as a catalyst for the Universal Life force to channel through us and help the patient heal themselves. As one progresses in Reiki, often symbols become unnecessary because each symbol has a specific "feel" or energetic signature which can be then called on or channeled. There are specific hand positions in Reiki. These hand positions are aligned with something called an energetic chakra system. Chakras are points along the spine where the human energy has created little whirlpools of energy. When we place our hands along these areas, the idea is to align the energetic system which helps to facilitate wellness and healing.
As to what we call on, we call on the Universal force of life itself, or what is known as the force of Creation. Again there is no particular Deity involved, and no set rules of how to approach such a Deity.
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