The Pagan Heart
|
August-September 2005 Issue
|
Working with Energy: How to Become a Healer Without Harming Yourself III
By Catherine M.
The previous articles in this section have shown how to raise and control energy. There were exercises to help develop control, strength, and finesse. There was information about where the energy comes from and how to keep it healthy and balanced. This lesson is about how to use that energy to help heal yourself. Sit in lotus (or however you are most comfortable). If you think you might need a visual focus during the meditation, light a white candle and place this in front of you. Start with the Dancing Fingers Mudra as described in the February issue of Tools of the Trade. Take your time doing this as without balance and control, you will achieve nothing. When you feel energized, balanced, and in harmony with the Divine begin. Feel the energy as it flows into your body from the universe. Sense it passing through you and flowing back out again. Allow/encourage it to flow up your torso down your arms and out through your palms. As they begin to heat, bring your hands together as if you were holding a ball (about 2x the size of a baseball, maybe slightly larger). You will probably notice that the space between your hands warms up - this is the result of your own energy as it leaves your body through your minor palm Chakras. Concentrate on the flow of energy as it leaves your hands - there is an equivalent amount entering your body and you can focus upon this too if you like. Although it is coming in through every pore, your Major Chakras and the soles of your feet are the obvious ones. You may find either one to be easier to concentrate on. As you breathe in feel the energy rushing into you like a wave washing over the beach. As you breathe out feel it coursing through your hands and into the image. The energy flows at all times, but it's easier to visualise it on an ebb and flow pattern at first. Now that you conscious control over the energy flow, start to speak to yourself (either mentally or out loud). Ask what it is you need healed. The answers that come to you may be expected (a headache you've been battling all day) or out of the blue (a long-forgotten childhood heartache). Pay attention as this is your mind and body telling you were your have injuries, illnesses, and unresolved issues. All have a need for healing. However, today you need to work on a physical issue, so pick the one that needs the most. If none come to mind, work on general health and well-being. To start Reiki, place your hands over the body area needing healing and just let the energy continue flowing as you focus upon the issue you wish to heal. Most practitioners leave a slight space between hands and body, but it is a personal preference. If you cannot reach the area easily (ie middle of shoulderblades) reach it through the body from the other side (place you hands over your breast bone and let the energy pass through to reach the back). You may find an impulse to move your hands as you work, shifting from one space to another - do so. Just remember to keep your hands over each area for a short period of time before shifting. Darting about like a dragonfly serves little purpose. Pins and needles, electric shocks, strong heat, and other odd sensations are common experiences when doing Reiki. They are indicators of it working, although you don't need to have them to be doing healing. If it gets too intense, move your hands away a little, increasing the distance between body and palms. In later issues we'll discuss using crystals to increase or decrease the effects of Reiki treatments. For now, distance is a useful tool. Keep going as long as you feel you need to. There isn't a set time, it's based upon instinct. When you are finished visualise the energy flowing from your hands trailing off and instead looping back into the opposing palm. This is important as it returns you to a normal state of energy drawing from the universe. Once the connection is broken, shake out your hands, "flicking" away any residual heat from the work. After Reiki it is a good idea to have a large glass of room temperature water. Each person reacts differently - some are energised, others feel relaxed and sleepy. Listen to your body.
|
Secondary article for August-September - Finding a Guide
Secondary article for August-September - Tools in Pagan Ritual: Vessels - not just for large bodies of water!
Secondary article for August-September - Empty Handed
Return to the Index of articles for Tools of the Trade
