Elaine Grundy: looking for Urban Enlightenment

Swiss Cancer League and Reiki

I have had several experiences of Reiki helping people with Cancer in a very significant way, I write about it more with my dear friend Celia.  However, its great to know mainstream Associations are also beginning to see Reiki's benefits.   In a brochure from the Cancer League about the most common methods of complementary medicine is written:

Core Ideas:
“Reiki” means universal life force. People can absorb this energy and, through laying on of hands, pass it on to others. This means that Reiki belongs to the class of spiritual healing methods. An illness in the physical body manifests first as disturbances in the energy body. Such blockages handicap to a greater or lesser extent the universal life force. Through Reiki, such blockages can be affected and the energy can be made to flow again.

Methodology: Reiki is given by placing hands on the body. During a treatment, various energy centres (chakras) and flows (meridians) are balanced. The client lies first on their back, and then on their stomach. Such a treatment lasts an hour. There is also a short treatment of a quarter of an hour, during which the client sits. Lastly, Reiki can be learnt for daily self-treatments and for use in the circle of friends and family. Reiki can be used on the physical level (reduction of the symptoms of illnesses, especially pains) as well as spiritual levels (internal harmony, accompanying the dying). Reiki can also be used as a complement for cancer patients. Experience shows that Reiki is especially useful in the reduction of pain. In addition, a causal treatment can be considered, with the intention of removing the energy blockage that could lead to a reduction of the tumour. Reiki can and does not wish to replace standard medicine as a method of healing cancer.

Risks: At the beginning of the treatment, an increase of the symptoms of the illness may occur, for instance pain, similar to the effects of homeopathy. After one to two weeks these increases disappear.

Schweizerische Krebslige, Effingerstrasse 40, 3001 Bern
Tel.: 031-389 91 00
Fax.: 031 389 91 60
e-mail: info@swisscancer.ch

Thank you Stephen Oliver for the translation.

Thriving in Motherhood Coaching course

  Today the typical new mother is a working woman, she values her independence and freedom, she is probably older, wiser, more self-confident and self-supporting than her mother was when she was starting a family.  Her family support network is not necessarily in the same town, let alone the same country.

To be suddenly thrown into the role of devoted mother, dutiful partner, efficient homemaker, and gourmet cook is a total transition for most modern women, and one most of us are completely unprepared for.
 

If you have also transitioned from professional working woman to ‘stay at home mom’, the transition is even harder as you are probably dealing with other changes such as status, worsened financial situation, boredom and lack of control.

This course is designed to help mothers going through this huge transition.  Its objective is to help you keep sight of yourself, your dreams, and your happiness. 

Read more...!

What is Coaching and is it for me?

Coaching Creates lasting change. A Coach helps you to focus on what you want in life, helps you to plan, and finally put into action events that will get you there. A Coach provides the sounding board, the support, and the extra motivation to keep you on track. Most importantly, a Coach is always on your side.Changes usually fail because we lack persistence; it’s too easy to fall back on old habits and the way we’ve always done things. For change to last, you need to break the old habit and replace it with a new and healthier one. A Coach provides the encouragement you need to keep persisting.

When we change, all those around us have to change too - and this can be hard for others to support. When we are trying to break out of old molds, sometimes those we love most try to hold us back - not because they don’t love us, but because most people fear change. A coach is an objective yet supportive partner in your efforts to change, especially when you need to create a supportive environment beyond your friends and family.

WHO CAN A COACH HELP?

Anyone who is willing to apply themselves, and wanting to grow. My most successful clients are willing to be 100% honest about themselves, and willing to dig deep. They are usually very courageous, and take action.

Coaching only works when you are motivated to try new ways of thinking, and are open to feeling ‘uncomfortable’ as new habits are formed. People who respond best to coaching are self-aware, enjoy personal growth, and willing to be honest with themselves.

WHY COACHING WORKS

It’s a Partnership not a Crutch!
A coach supports you, yet is independent. The relationship is equal, and respectful. Its not counseling or psychotherapy, the focus is always on what you want to achieve

There are Frequent Meetings and Structure.
Goals and direction are set and weekly reviews are made. It is very motivating, and amazing progress is made! Having accountability means that new habits are much easier to form and keep.

Focus is Holistic.
The aim is to strengthen all areas of your life and not just focus on the issue at hand. Life is much easier, and clearer, when in balance.

Better Goals are Set.
You set the goals you truly want, and are ready for. Higher goals are set because of the support and affirmation you get from the coach.

The work is Deep and Meaningful.
A coach helps you get to the source of what’s happening, instead of working on the surface symptoms. Coaches help you uncover the true issues at work.

You take Effective Action.
The focus is on awareness and action to create the life you want more quickly vs. being ‘busy’. Actions are chosen because they will have a profound impact on your goals, not just to have a hefty ‘to do’ list.

The Law of Attraction is Applied.
When you feel good about yourself, you begin to attract good things into your life, as opposed to chasing it or trying hard to get it. This is when you are in the ‘flow’.

HOW DOES A COACHING SESSION WORK?

A typical coaching session takes place face to face, or via telephone. Sessions are usually 45min to an hour. Conversations might centre around; What’s working and what’s not. Things you are currently stretching for and issues you would like to resolve. Any actions you are currently taking and actions you feel inspired to take in the future. Any barriers you feel resistance to and ways to overcome them.

Every session is focused on finding ways forward, not looking backwards.

Most Coaches offer free introductory sessions so that both Coach and “Coachee” can see if there is a good fit. When you talk to a Coach, have some goals prepared and see what sort of questions the Coach asks you, and whether you have a good ‘gut feel’ about how the session went. Its good to shop around and talk to several Coaches…I always do!

Urban Enlightenment, staying calm in REAL life

Yesterday whilst the kids were at school I fit in a Hatha Yoga hour, and Prana Meditation hour and a one hour ‘Yum’ Tibetan massage…should I have been totally zenned out and calm when I picked up the kids?  Oh yeh baby!  And should I have managed to drive the 30 minutes home without loosing it and shouting at them?  Um, yes?

Oh no!  It took approximately 10 minutes for my darling children to undo three hours of ‘zenness’ with their squabbling, fighting, screaming and whining (granted this is 5 minutes longer than it normally takes me to unravel, but even so, a pretty poor ratio of ‘zen’ to ‘stress’).  I wondered what it takes to lead a calm and zen life in the REAL world of screaming children, uptight bosses and looming deadlines.

So here’s my theory on Urban Enlightenment and flowing through real world situations!  Firstly, it’s not about the amount of yoga, meditation, spiritual practice you do – if anything this lulls you into a false sense of ‘zenness’!  I was feeling all self-righteous and floaty when my children burst my bubble with even greater ferocity than usual because it is accompanied by the ‘oh my god, I can’t believe they ruined my perfect state!’  But let’s face it, if your children/ boss/ partner can unravel you that fast, you ain’t in Zen honey!  So by definition, you need to be able to maintain that sense of ease and flow no matter the circumstances, that can be practiced whilst sitting in Lotus – but can only be realised sitting in front of said screaming children/boss/partner.  That’s why they call it spiritual practice!  The Art of reaching calm meditation, the Art of lowering your blood pressure simply through breathing, or the Art of detaching yourself from the present chaos – these are all things you can practice in yoga, meditation, Reiki and other forms of spiritual practice.  However, the application is the vital step, this is where you put practice to action, in a real life environment.  When chaos reigns and you can maintain your ‘zenness’ – that’s living!

So how to achieve this?  Well, I think it comes down to making the practice a habit.  If I continue to do yoga, reiki, breathing, meditation and it becomes a daily routine then over time this spills over into my daily life.  I have noticed that as I do more ‘practise’ I get better at actually bringing up the feeling of calm whenever I need it.  In other words I am beginning to apply how I feel after Yoga or Reiki to everyday situations.  I think this is an important goal.  Often we think ‘ah, I’ve done my yoga so now I don’t have to think about how I act for the rest of my day – I’ve done my ‘zen’ quota for the day!’  NO!  The whole point of doing the yoga, the meditation, the Reiki is so that you can pull it over to the rest of your day, so every moment becomes a Zen moment and the quality of your life shoots through the roof!

Wow, imagine the kind of person you would be if you felt as good as you do after your practice ALL THE TIME!  Bring it on!  So lets try it…next time you feel your blood starting to boil, do some deep breathing, go back in your mind and remember how you feel when you are calm and relaxed and say to yourself “this too will pass”. J

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese energy modality and means ‘Universal Life Force’ – REI and ‘Physical energy field’ – KI (as in the Chinese ‘Chi’).  In essence Reiki is the bridge between the physical energy in our body and the etheric energy surrounding us in the air. 

Reiki energy works on the energy blueprint of an organism, meaning the DNA memory and ‘design’ of an organism.  When a new life is formed, all cells in the new embryo contain ALL the information as to how the organism is to develop – whether a cell later develops into a liver cell, an eye cell, a muscle is already designed and forethought – the map is already contained in every cell and the general height, length, dimensions as well as structure is already predetermined right from the beginning. There have been several books written about etheric energy, the most comprehensive I know is Richard Gerber's “Vibrational Medicine for the 20^th Century” where several experiments are outlined and the layers of energy are explained in much more depth.  But suffice to say, in the beginning we have a map of essentially ‘who we are’, and after that it is our choice what to add in terms of beliefs, traits, experiences (and aches and pains!).

As we develop as humans we frequently think that ‘other’ additions are part of ‘us’.  For example we may develop a fear of flying and say ‘well, that’s just ME’, or you may blow your top easily and be negative or pessimistic and think ‘well I’m just a melancholy personality’.  Science and psychology seems to agree up to a point, that people are born with certain character traits and also certain personality profiles – but we also tend to take the limitations too far.  For many of us, the migraine, painful neck, depression, or suppressed anger is NOT ‘us’ but simply baggage and leftovers of past experiences we have yet to let go.

So what does this have to do with Reiki?  In my experience, Reiki works at the etheric or blueprint level of healing.  The energy when it enters the body will harmonize areas of stress, tension, baggage left over from the past and not part of the original DNA Map.  This helps to explain why Reiki can be so quick and effective in some illnesses, and rather slow or even ineffectual on others.  Some of us are, unfortunately, born with DNA Maps containing genetic weaknesses and illnesses – and in general Reiki may not be so effective in these cases.  However, in cases where the illness has been developed over time, Reiki can have a major impact on healing.

Concurrently, Reiki is also a very powerful healing for any kind of emotional ‘baggage’ whether it be grief, anger, sadness, or fear by providing a gentle release of such emotions, normally without major crisis or healing curves.  Reiki works by releasing trapped emotions in a very gentle way simply by harmonizing the negative impact and allowing the energy to be either released or reused by the body.  In this way, many people report feeling more peaceful, less stressed, and more content after a Reiki session or weekend workshop.  Reiki is a universal energy and as such is open to all – no matter the age, belief system, religious philosophy or background.  Reiki can be given to children, animals, plants and often with very dramatic results.  Reiki has been documented to treat a wide variety of different ailments from pain management, depression, broken bones, arthritis, cancer, and of course general wellbeing and improvement of the immune system. 

To get Reiki for yourself you need to be ‘attuned’ by a Reiki Master.  This means you cannot learn Reiki out of a book or by listening to an audio or downloading information from the internet.  The reason being is that the Reiki flow is not something learnt but is something ‘activated’.  If you imagine you are a Radio and you are currently playing at a certain frequency – perhaps you are tuned in to a pop station (hopefully you are not in-between stations listening to static!). A Reiki Master has been taught a method of ‘tuning’ that allows her to activate a new frequency in you, which effectively turns your Radio dial onto a new station so now instead of playing pop, you are playing Reiki classical.  This is not something you can do for yourself.  However, once you have been ‘activated’ or attuned the Reiki starts to flow automatically through your hands and you can use this flow to heal both yourself and others.  Again if I use an analogy, I would liken your hands to a 24/7 pump of energy that is available to you at any time for healing, relaxation, and stress relief.  Pretty cool right!

About Elaine’s teaching:

Reiki 1 is the foundation course for activating the Reiki flow in your hands.  This course is ideal for anyone wanting to increase their vitality and energy and reduce stress.  Reiki is so easy to use that it is ideal for lay people who are not familiar with natural health and methods of healing as it provides an excellent foundation for exploring other types of modalities.  The weekend is very experiential with exercises, practice and sharing of techniques and ideas.  Elaine teaches the traditional Usui method which requires no belief, religious bias or spiritual background.  Her approach is grounded and thorough and there is plenty of time to ask questions and explore Reiki for yourself.  Anyone can activate Reiki in their hands and after the course your Reiki is accessible to you for life.  This is a very interactive and relaxing course.  The weekend itself is a great healing experience and a wonderful way to take your health to the next level!