Morning Sun Reiki Blog

Finding Meditative Space on Busy Days

8/24/2011 10:03:00 PM

I often hear, even from myself lately, "I don't have time to meditate." Meditation is sometimes thought of as a task that requires a great deal of time where you are doing "nothing" (of course we know that meditation is certainly NOT nothing, but when we're short on time, it seems to enter the category of non-essential functions), must be completely still and silent and have zero interruptions. Obviously, that is the ideal practice of meditation and should be done as much as you can. However, a busy day doesn't have to mean you don't access meditative space. Here are some things I've implemented in the past when I was running my business, working another job full time, working on my Masters Degree full time and, oh, by the way, trying to raise children and be some sort of partner to my husband. Interestingly, though my outside life has calmed considerably, my inner self feels just as busy and discombobulated as I felt then (the Universe isn't giving me a pass on dealing with things I was cued into then. . .not shocking really, but it makes me feel a little like a child who was caught stuffing the mess under the bed instead of really cleaning her room. :)) Anyway, so I have to implement some of these practices now as well, in order to add as much meditative space to my day as possible as I work through this block.

1) Meditate in the shower. Imagine that the water is beautiful, loving light (Reiki if you'd like) flowing down on you. As thoughts come in, let them wash down the drain. Tune into the white noise of the water. As you wash, do so mindfully. When you turn off the water, stand for a moment and take some deep, cleansing breaths. Hold the intention of keeping this warm, peaceful feeling with you throughout the day.

2) Drive in the moment. Of course, meditating while driving is not advised! However, you can find calm, meditative space while in the car. It's a great time to do so, actually. The first thing is to turn off the radio and if at all possible, turn off the Blu-Tooth, the GPS and/or whatever device you use. Then, don't think about where you're coming from or your destination (i.e. don't be fretting about what you'll say when you get to your destination, etc. In fact, you'll probably be better off by clearing your mind for the drive than working yourself up over whatever awaits you). Notice your surroundings in a positive way. Try to notice things you haven't before, even if it's just really feeling how the road feels under you as you drive or the particular sounds of your car. And if someone cuts you off, just let them be. There's nothing you can do about it once it's done, so why get all worked up?

3) Go to the bathroom. It's not ideal, but if you are so busy that you don't think you can take a few moments to de-stress and find calm, head to the head. Everyone has to go at some point in the day, so while you're there, you may as well make the most of it. Like the drive, just be in the moment on the way there (if possible, but definitely on the way back when you are not rushed). Imagine that with every step you are filled with beautiful, loving, peaceful energy which will assist you in your busy day. Gather this light as you walk. If there are any amenities in the bathroom such as a comfy chair or a mint, take advantage of it for a minute. Run your wrists under cool water to refresh. Leave anything that's happening at your desk or wherever you came from. It's certainly going to be there when you return, which will be in moments, so no need to be stressing in the bathroom.

4) Drink. Water, that is. If you have Reiki, charge your water bottle. If you don't, simply imagine that the water is full of peaceful, loving energy and as you take a sip, this energy enters you and flows throughout you. Feel the water enter your mouth and go down to your belly. Know that you are helping your body heal with every sip. Lift the bottle slowly and take a deep breath as you do. Enter a calm, peaceful moment.

5) Finally, infuse each task with meditative energy. If you have to walk to the copier, use the walk to enter a peaceful state. Take the moments between when you dial a phone number and when the person picks up to take a breath and enter that calm space. Make it a little game with yourself to make as many tasks in your day as meditative as possible.

Have fun and let me know what YOU do to hold peace throughout your busy days!!

With Love and Light,

Lauren

Holding Light When Times are Tough

8/21/2011 12:25:00 AM

This morning during my shower thinking time, I was tossing about the following conundrum: "I feel called to be a leader of some sort in the healing community but I feel completely inadequate to the task, especially at this time, when I'm having one of the most confusing, baffling, tiring, exhausting, fatiguing :), messed-up, frustrating, transitional years of my life."

Usually, this type of conundrum in my life would be answered by saying to myself "Get your sh*t together. Take some time away to pull it together and then re-emerge ready to take on the world!" And then I would do that. Many times I've felt down and out, only to retreat and be able to present myself back to the world as a new and improved version.

Only that's not working anymore (clearly). I find that the resources I normally have (time, money, energy, etc.) are on the low side from all this cr*p I've been going through - er, I mean, this "time of transition". And it's really challenging to keep spirit, mind and body intact right now. I know I'm not the only one going through this; I'm not the only one who wants to share light but is encountering blocks or barriers.

So, here I am, proposing that instead of retreating this time, I'm going to do the work right out in public. (Groan. . .remind me to have a strong talk with my Higher Self about this Grand Plan. . .what was I thinking?! :)) As healers or light-workers, we cannot retreat now. We have to keep going - keep holding light, even when it seems impossible.

How can we replenish our resources so we can better help others? How can we work through difficult times while still doing our work authentically? I know all of the "right" answers (everything from gratitude to vision boards to praying and yoga, meditation, drumming, chanting, letting-not-getting, Reiki of course, etc. etc. etc.). I also know that it's all easier said than done, especially when, for example, you're a working mother who's trying to put food on the table, figure out the kids' schedules, keep up with friendships, and maybe get a few hours of sleep.

We can all move forward from where we are, spiritually, physically and mentally/emotionally. However, it's rarely as easy as some of the self-help books would have us believe. I'm thinking that maybe if I am open during the process this time instead of only writing a book when I'm feeling great later, that it might help. Maybe someone won't give up. Maybe someone will be inspired. Maybe it will just be me, blogging by myself (at least I'll have some material for the book I write later when I'm feeling better :)).

Next time I'll let you know what's been going on with me and some of the strategies I've been employing to stay remotely sane.

With Love and Gratitude,

Boundaries 101 - July 5, 2011

7/5/2011 6:28:00 PM

When it comes to boundaries, I have a bit of a dual personality. I understand boundaries very well and abide by them in my personal and professional life. I have a decent ability to read people and understand how things ought to proceed in terms of appropriateness and boundaries. What I didn't fully understand until recently, however, was that though I am careful about respecting others' boundaries, I had never really set my own. Sometimes I would come across someone who would challenge my boundaries, but for the most part, I have been around people who have the same understanding and respect for them as I do, so I've skirted by without having to deal with the uncomfortable business of letting someone know that they are crossing the line.

For the past several years, I've had someone in my life who has frequently acted with complete disregard for boundaries. I had convinced myself that if I just remained patient and kind and 'open', that this person would come to know me and respect me, therefor then understand how much I value my privacy and family time. HA! Trying to put the responsibility for my boundaries on another was NOT a good plan. :) Not that I knew I was doing it. I was "preserving harmony", "not stirring the pot/rocking the boat/tipping the canoe/whatever", "taking the high road" (I wasn't. The high road is well paved and marked - I was taking the side short-cut. . .and boy did I get lost!). After a while I started to feel almost assaulted by this person's energy during and after each encounter. Even constant Reiki wasn't doing the trick (well, as you may know, it was doing just what it was supposed to be doing, which was getting me to this point. . .and I can't imagine how I would have felt without it!:)).

Thanks to some amazing friends and colleagues who have caused me to see the situation from many perspectives, I've come to realize that setting boundaries doesn't mean I have to love less or that I'm less kind. I have learned to "release with love." I have love in my heart for this person (though to be honest, it's sometimes a struggle to avoid being angry. I try to direct any anger toward the actions, not the person, then move on to better thoughts! :)). But I have made the choice not to allow the actions to continue to effect me, by releasing that person from my life, at least for the time being.

I thought passive kindness was the best way. However, we exist in a world with many people and passive didn't do the job against aggressive. (Anyone who's known me for any length of time might get a laugh thinking of me as being passive, as I was known for my aggressive nature while playing sports.:)) Assertive is the new word of the day around here!

Anyway, may you be blessed many times over with the confidence to set boundaries and the inner peace and strength to do so with love. If you have that ability already, may you be blessed with continuing wisdom. :)

Love,

Morning Sun Reiki Blog June 22, 2011

6/22/2011 8:15:00 PM

Recently, I held a small workshop at Spirit Matters called Jump Start Your Journey. It's a nice workshop to do, as we chat a bit, set goals based on each chakra, then balance and attune energy towards manifesting of the goals. I always say, however, that as much as the workshop can certainly be a Jump Start, it's up to each person to step on the gas and put in the work!

When we attend a class or workshop, we often leave with a great, relaxed but rejuvenated energy. . .we feel positive about our ability to manifest our goals. However, we also often make a couple of key mistakes:

1) We think that we've been handed a magic solution and wait for the result. That's kind of like going to the grocery store and buying wonderful fruits and veggies, feeling pumped that we're going to eat better and get healthy, but when we get home, we don't do anything with them .. . we let them rot, then wonder why we don't feel any better! You've got to MAKE something from what you've been given at the class or workshop. Just like putting the healthy food into your system before it goes bad will up your energy and help you stay motivated, taking advantage of a boost of positive energy will help you stay on the path to health and wholeness!

2) We become easily frustrated when we hit blocks. In the past, I have had times when I've come back from a great day or a nice workshop, yoga class, hike, whatever, and if things got difficult for me within the week or so, I'd feel like "Well, that didn't work. I guess I'll have to try something else and wait to heal until the next class/modality/etc." (I know, negative, right? :) But I think a lot of us do that subconsciously. . .come on, think about it.) The correct thinking about that situation might go more like this: "Gee, this is difficult. Good thing I have the experience and support of this recent reflective time/class/whatever to help me through. In fact, maybe the great energy I experienced has brought this issue to the forefront for healing! I'll get through this with peace and be close to wholeness because of it."

3) We think wholeness is something to attain, rather than allow. We are whole, beautiful beings and that state of peace is within us. The answers are within us and the workshop or class you take is simply to help you open yourself to your own healing. When we chase healing, we have a sort of manic energy around it. That's the energy that will remain with you no matter what class you take, and until you are ready to release that 'chase' energy and switch to the 'allow' energy, classes will continue to be only so helpful. Yes, you still have to do the work. I think of a sculptor who says that the beautiful masterpiece was already within the stone, and he just allowed it to emerge. Was the process still difficult at times? Of course. Was it also sometimes filled with joy, inspiration and peace? Yes. Did the sculptor work hard? Absolutely. But what comes from this process that can be at once both grand and tedious, both uplifting and heartbreaking, is something so amazing to gaze upon.

So, on that note, it's time for me to allow peace in my home by getting the kids off to bed!

Much love to you all!! (And a Happy Birthday to my BFF Sheryl!!!)

Mindful Decision Making

6/12/2011 10:04:00 PM

To blog, or not to blog; I thought that was the question at hand a couple of weeks ago as I contemplated adding a blog to my website. What will I say? Will I be able to say it without sounding self centered or preachy? Will it be just another thing to add to my hectic week? What this? Why that? How? When? OMG, as they say. Suddenly, in a moment of clarity, I realized that I was seriously over thinking the blog. It's a blog. I'll try it. If it works, great! If not, on to other things. Of course I will give it my best, hope it's fun and that people read it (and maybe even be able to relate or pick up a tip now and then).
But I was reminded once again that mindfulness is not to be confused with over thinking. When we create drama or stress around every decision, we actually set up that energy to carry over into whichever decision ends up being made. Mindful contemplation holds a peaceful energy. That doesn't mean that what you are contemplating is any less important than if you were to have that high-energy stress about it. In the past, people have asked me, "How can you be so calm?" when making a seemingly difficult decision. Sometimes it sounded like an accusation rather than a question, as if by being calm I must not care about the decision at hand. (I actually recently did that very thing to my husband! So, it's a work in progress. :)). However, when we are calm and coming from a place of peace, our mind can work with our heart, body and soul to reach the best solution. Then, regardless of how it appears to work out, we know 1) that we made the decision from a place of peace and strength rather than heightened emotion and fear and 2) the calm energy we had when we made our decision will follow us and guide us into the next phase of action.

Love,

Lauren

New Website Feature: I'm Blogging!

6/10/2011 1:08:00 PM

Hello! I'm so excited to roll out my new blog! I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I hope we can learn together, figure some things out (as much as anything can be figured out!), reflect, laugh, and just be in a space that's loving and positive. We'll talk about Reiki, healing topics, things that spark thought or reflection, tips to help us on our path to happiness, etc. I'm hoping to address these topics in a really positive and often lighthearted way. I take healing seriously, but I don't really take myself that seriously! :) For example, a recent client and I had a great laugh when, as I went to sit on my stool at the beginning of her session, I just fell right off the back of it (I'm 5'9" so falling isn't a graceful thing for me)! I learned the following: 1) Sit first, then start. i.e. Be grounded. 2) I need to laugh more and 3) Sometimes in life, you just fall off your stool. It's OK.

With Many Blessings,

Lauren