So Long A-Z challenge....

It's May.  

The April A-Z blogging challenge is over.  And what a month it was!  

Thanks to all my new followers.  Even though I will be reverting back to my pre-challenge blogging habits of 3 or 4 posts per month, I hope you keep the comments coming - it's always great to hear from you.

Congratulations to all of you for the hard work and great posts!

I'll be keeping in touch.

Final A-Z Challenge post

"Z" is for Zenith - the culminating point.

I've done it!  I've reached the zenith of the A-Z blogging challenge.  The last letter, the final post.

I started blogging as a way to focus my thoughts on the things I choose to think about, as opposed to what I get paid to think about.  (I envy anyone for who these are the same!)  Participating in the A-Z challenge not only ramped up my focus, it quadrupled my writing output and hooked me up with more than 1000 great bloggers.  I did my best, but haven't "met" everyone yet.  I hope the linky list continues to remain active so I can keep hitting the "surprise me" button.

Thanks to my co-challengers I've been inspired, learned some stuff, laughed a lot, and even done some cyber traveling.  All in all, it's been jolly good time.

While some folks are gearing up for their next challenge, I'm reverting back to my more relaxed blogging schedule of 3 or 4 posts per month.   The challenge is over, but the fun continues......

Yangin' around

"Y" is for Yin-Yang 
 

The yin-yang symbol represents the ancient Chinese Taoist idea that there are two energies - the yin energy and the yang energy - that created the universe, and oppose each other to keep the universe in balance.  If you go too far along one, it becomes the other.  A great example of this is temperature.  If you put your hand in a bucket of ice water at first it feels really cold.  But if you leave it in there longer, you will feel a burning sensation - just like heat. 

Yin-yang is the unifying principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine (including proper diet and exercise).

You can find a very interesting pictorial explanation of how this symbol was developed here.

And here's what wikipedia has to say on the subject.
  
There's much symbolism within the symbol itself, and there's a myriad of interpretations. Here's a few of the ones I like:

Here in Xanadu....

"X" is for Xanadu

Xanadu is the fictional place in Samuel T. Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan, the name of which has become synonymous with idyllic beauty.   While beauty can be seen anywhere we allow ourselves to see it, it's just more obvious is some places

than in others

But if you look with your heart, you'll find beauty here

 here

and even here

When you see with your heart, Xanadu is everywhere.

Water energy

"W" is for Waterfalls

Went for a walk yesterday, by the waterfalls.

Mount Albian Falls, Hamilton Ontario

The ground was wet after the morning rain and I picked my route carefully, trying not to slip in the mud, trying to keep my running shoes relatively dry.  Kids and dogs caked in brown splashed past me.  I left the main trail and headed up the sharp hill, making my way around the rim of the falls, until I was directly opposite the rushing water.  I stood quietly, letting the sound of the water fill my ears.  Gradually I became aware of the energy of the water, the powerful surge as it hit rock, the reverberating splash into white.  The energy embraced me, pulling me forward.  I felt dizzy and held on to a small tree, afraid I would fall into the gorge below.  It was scary, yet exhilarating, and I stood mesmerized until footsteps in the gravel behind me broke the spell.  I tried to refocus on the energy, but the moment was gone, everyday reality flooded back in.   I was disappointed, but smiled at the couple as they took my place at the edge.  As I walked back to my car I wondered if they were feeling the pull of the water.... the energy of nature.

Vacuuming up

"V" is for Vacuum

 Has your belief system sucked the air out of your ideas balloon?

Without careful attention, belief systems can become rigid structures, a dogmatic vacuum all thoughts and ideas are filtered through.  A rigid belief system always results in the same thing - a closed mind.  Getting your ideas balloon to expand involves being open to different ideas, especially those that run counter to your own.

It's at this intersection of belief and assumption where new ideas can take shape.  It's a tough corner to hang out on, but it's worth the blood, sweat and tears to have new ideas rise, inflate and float to the surface where they can be used to write a better book, be a better parent or run a better country.

The Uncomfortable Monarch

"U" is for Unknown

The unknown is a very unacceptable place to be these days.  Science is uncomfortable with the unknown, and at this point in human history science is King.  And what happens to the guy who makes the King uncomfortable?

"Off with his head"!

From my practice in the complementary healing arts of Reiki and Sound therapy I have come to realize that people are more than a collection of organs, bones and muscles wrapped around a personality.  But what exactly is that "more" made of?  We don't know....yet.

There was a time in the not-so-distant past when doctors scorned the idea that invisible germs were responsible for hospital infections.  In fact, this idea was so widely ridiculed that doctors would wipe their scalpel on their shoe prior to surgery just to prove how wrong it was.  Well, we all know how that story turned out, and how silly those doctors ended up looking.  

But what about the part of our story that's yet to be written?  The part when future historians say "There was a time when the idea of (INSERT CURRENT UNKNOWN QUALITY HERE) was widely scorned until (INSERT NAME OF RIDICULED SCIENTIST HERE) proved that ........"

Until that time comes and that part of our story is filled in, we in the complementary healing arts are just going to keep right on working with the unknown. 

May the King show a little mercy in the meantime.

Transition Tango

"T" is for Transition

Transition can be a rough ride.  When we change the way we interact with the world we meet resistance.  From others.  From ourselves.  This resistance can easily knock us back into our former behavioural thoughts and patterns.  For me, the transition from a brain-based life to a more heart-based life has taken 8 years..... and counting.  What do I mean "brain" or "heart"-based?  A brain based life is run by our logical, rational, ego-centric brain.  The universe is a place to be understood and controlled using tools like science and mathematics.  Heart-based is a sensory approach where we accept paradoxes, express our creativity through the arts or caring, and view individuals as unique expressions of one universal energy.

Imagine a vertical line.

On the left side is Brain.  |  On the right side is Heart.

Over the last 8 years I've been dancing a little hop-scotch-like jig back and forth across this line.  It's been dizzying, and at times even a little crazy, but all in all it's been a dance worth doing.

What about you?  Are you doing the Transition Tango?  What's on either side of your line?  Share if you dare.....crazy loves company!

The Sounds of Healing

"S" is for Sound Healing

"The use of sound as a healing tool dates back thousands of years. Now, the field of sound healing is gaining considerable attention, as sound pioneers promote the healing benefits of music, tones and instruments.  Modern science is now in agreement with what the ancient mystics have told us—that everything is in a state of vibration, from the electrons moving around the nucleus of an atom, to planets and distant galaxies moving around stars. As they’re creating movement, they are creating vibration, and this vibration can be perceived of as sound. So everything is creating a sound. Every organ, every bone, every tissue, every system of the body is creating a sound. When we are in a state of health, we’re like an extraordinary orchestra that’s playing a wonderful symphony of the self. But what happens if the second violin player loses her sheet music? She begins to play out of tune, and pretty soon the entire string section sounds bad. Pretty soon, in fact, the entire orchestra is off. This is a metaphor for disease."  Quoted from Jonathon Goldman, Director of Sound Healers Association.

 Are you looking for an easy way to relax and rejuvenate?   Then you're looking for sound therapy! 

 What is sound therapy? 
  It is the therapeutic use of sound and music to promote healing. 

What benefits can you expect?

    * Better sleep
    * Reduced stress and its related disorders 
    * Improved mental concentration and creativity

How does it work?
By encouraging your body to resonate at a cellular level, and at a specific frequency, for each gland, organ, system and subtle body.  This helps your body to relax and balance itself, returning to a state of homeostasis and more optimal functioning.    

Why does this happen?
There is an incredible amount of circumstantial and anecdotal evidence supporting the benefits of sound therapy.   Researchers are working to bring this evidence to bear the weight of standard scientific scrutiny.  Below is a sampling of the many areas being investigated:

1.  Our whole universe, including our bodies, is made up a extremely tiny vibrating strings.  This idea is known as string theory and describes our universe as being composed of vibrating filaments (strings) and membranes (branes) of energy.  They vibrate and twist into different shapes, connect together and break apart.   This theory has important implications in modern energy healing arts and its concepts are similar to many ancient healing traditions.    Patricia R. Spadaro has more on the science of energy here:  The Science of Energy

2.  Our cells vary in size, and are giant compared to those theoretical strings.   The Centre for Neuroacoustic Research has studied direct stimulation of living cellular tissue with sound frequency vibration.   Since the human body is over 70% water, and since sound travels 5 times more efficiently through water than through air, sound frequency stimulation directly into the body is a highly efficient means for total body stimulation, especially at a cellular level.   They have also found that sound frequency pulse waves played directly into the body has a profound effect on the nervous system.   Far-reaching possibilities are inherent in using this type of vibrational technology in the areas of massage, energy work, physical healing, emotional release work, hypnosis, stress reduction, relaxation and meditation.

3.  Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto has studied the effects of sound by photographing water crystals.   He plays different kinds of music next to the water samples, then freezes the samples resulting in crystals.  These crystalline structures are remarkably different, depending of the type of music they were exposed to.   To see some of his many beautiful photos click here.

Get rid of that achy with Reiki

"R" is for Reiki

Reiki is a holistic healing method using natural energy forces to create balance, vitality and wellness at the physical, emotional and spiritual level.  Reiki works by placing the hands over the major glands of the endocrine system - called chakras - which governs hormone production.  This system controls metabolism, growth, aging, resistance to stress and the body's ability to heal itself.  Reiki helps the body balance the system resulting in deep relaxation which also enhances the body's ability to heal itself.   From "Practical Reiki" Mari Hall, Director, International Association of Reiki

Before you're ready to pick up the phone and schedule your first appointment, you probably have some questions you'd like answered.  Here are there top 5 questions my Reiki clients ask me, along with my answers:

Q. What exactly do you do?

A. I smooth your energy field.  Each body has a bio-field, or aura, which is affected by physical and emotional states of being.  It is this smoothing that results in deep relaxation, increased energy, feelings of well being, and reduced stress which all enhance your body's ability to heal itself.

Q.  How do you feel my energy field? 

A.  Once prepared for a treatment, my hands are highly sensitized and tingle as I put them into your bio-field.   Some areas feel smoother than others.  The smooth areas feel tingly, while the rough areas send little jolts of energy through my fingers.  It feels like little bolts of lightening or electrical shocks.  I can also experience heat (in my hands only or in my whole body), coolness in my hands, or even a "spacey" feeling in my head.   I focus on the rough areas, working on them until they feel smooth.  Once the whole bio-field feels smooth, your treatment is complete.

Q.  How does the healing happen?

A.  No one knows for sure.  What I can tell you is that intention is the most important thing.  My intention is to be an energy conduit, to provide you with whatever you need for your  "highest and best".  This means I don't try to direct the energy in any way.  Nor do I take credit for the healing that takes place.  I am only a conduit for the universal energy - it and your body do the rest.

Q.  Why was your treatment different from my last Reiki treatment?

A.  Each Reiki student is taught the history of Reiki, shown the proper hand positions, receives an attunement, practices under the watchful eye of their master, then offers Reiki to others.   Because intuition varies from one Reiki practitioner to the next, and because intuition is a large part of Reiki, each practitioner slowly develops her/his own style.  

Q.  Can I learn Reiki? 

A.  YES!  Everyone can learn to give Reiki.  I believe it is something each and every human being can learn because energy is the nature of our existence. 

Want to learn to feel energy?  Try the simple practice exercises found here and you will be feeling your own energy in no time!

Notable Quotes

"Q" is for Quotes

 

Practice not Perfect

"P" is for Practice

Practice is a word I'm going to use more often.  I like it's flavour.  To me it's a friendlier word than "doing".  When you say you're "doing" something, there's an expectation of mastery or accomplishment.  There's less pressure if you say your practicing something.  Practicing implies there's room for improvement, that you're a work in progress.  It allows for encouragement from others, and helps to connect you with other "practicers".  When someone asks you what you're doing, tell them your practicing... your writing...your cooking....your parenting....whatever it is.  They'll understand that practicing means you're not perfect.

OM is where the heart is

"O" is for OM

OM is one of the most basic sounds we can make.  It's been described in Buddhist scriptures as the most powerful of all sounds.  Cymatics, the study of how sound affects matter, uses sand, iron filings and even mercury to produce pictures of the human voice.  Using cymatics, the chanting of "OM" produces interlayered concentric diamonds and triangles set within a perfect circle as pictured here:

OM is often used as a mantra during meditation to keep the monkey mind focused.  It can also be used in toning.

What is toning?

It's the use of sound to allow the natural flow of energy in the body.  This energy flow resolves tension, releases emotion and supports the body's natural healing process.  Toning is easy, and it doesn't require any special equipment or singing ability. 

How do you tone?

Find a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed.

Sit comfortably, with your spine straight and your diaphragm/abdomen unobstructed - no tight waistbands or belts.  If you can't sit comfortably cross-legged on the floor, or on the front edge of a wooden chair, then stand with your feet shoulder width apart.

Inhale through your nose, release the breath through the mouth while making one long sustained sound "OOOOOOMMMMMMM".

Repeat this several times.  Be sure your jaw is relaxed and your mouth is hanging open when you make the "OOOOO" part of the sound.

Play with it!  Tone using different pitches, or while tapping your spoon against your coffee cup.  Even more fun is to tone while playing a Tibetan singing bowl

 

or crystal bowl

While the bowls add another dimension to the sound, you don't need them.  Your voice is all you really need to reap the benefits of toning.  If you're up for something new and different, give it a try.  Even just 5 minutes is long enough to feel the soothing effects.

New Eyes

"N" is for New

The word "New" has several definitions, including:

• being other than the former or old
• made or become fresh
• has not been known before or not experienced before

Perhaps Marcel Proust had all of these in mind when he said "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes."

Below is a list of books that have moved my heart, challenged my brain, changed my perspective or made me question my assumptions - all prerequisites to seeing things through new eyes.

Molecules of Emotion by Candace Pert
Dark Nights of the Soul by Thomas Moore
Sounds of Healing by Mitchell Gaynor
The Heart's Code by Paul Pearsall
The Way of Qigong by Ken Cohen
Discover your Psychic Type by Sherrie Dillard
Travels in a Stone Canoe by Harvey Arden & Steve Wall
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Trust Your Vibes by Sonia Choquette

Check one or two of them out.  Let me know if you find them as eye-opening as I did!

Motorcycle Mama

"M" is for Motorcycle

I know motorcycles have very little to do with the theme of my blog.  There is a connection however, between the Tai Chi principle of pushing from the feet and riding a motorcycle.  Click here to read my previous post on this subject.  However, today I chose motorcycle as my "M" word because I'm getting a new motorcycle this year.  After a 20 year hiatus from riding (too busy raising kids and working full time) I got back in the saddle a couple of years ago.  Since then I've been riding my hubby's hand-me-down 1985 Honda Interceptor, which he's owned since new.  It's been a great bike and we're sorry to see it go, but it's just not worth the investment to keep it running any longer.

Here's a picture of the bike I'll be buying - a 2011 Honda 250 CBR.  Not sure what colour mine will be - whatever colour the local Honda dealership gets will be just fine. 

Here's a fun ride down memory lane with the Hondels.  Enjoy!

Layers of learning

"L" is for Layers

Learning Tai Chi is like building a gourmet chocolate layer cake - those tall creations we see in bakery store windows.  You know the ones, where every layer is similar in flavour, yet different enough in taste and texture to add a subtle complexity to the final product.  The bottom layer is a thick chocolate cake base - dense and sturdy to support the upper layers.  The next layer might be pudding-like, lighter than the cake below, but heavier than the ganache layer above.  The layers get lighter as you move up the cake, until the whole thing is topped off with a luscious whipped cream icing.  Yup, learning Tai Chi is just like that.  You start with the base, learning where to put your hands and feet for each move.  Then you learn the sequence of moves, memorizing them as a complete set.  Next you work on your timing, figuring out how to get the push from your feet to move your hands.  Onto this, you layer your new awareness of your own particular brand of body tension, and your strategies to relax this tension while performing the set.  This is the layer where Tai Chi becomes moving meditation.  This is the layer where emotions will release and bubble to the surface.  This is where you really need to keep things light.  Getting bogged down in emotion gets heavy, putting too much weight on the supporting layers.  So you allow those bubbles to keep rising right up into the air, taking the emotions with them.

Cake legs.
Ganache heart.
Whipped-cream head.

Yup - Tai Chi is just like a chocolate layer cake.

Call it kooky

  "K" is for Kook: one whose ideas or actions are eccentric, fantastic or insane



I don't want to be thought of as kooky.  I've worked hard to be a respectable parent, neighbour and employee.  But, like anyone who admits to walking an alternate path, I get my share of condescending comments and looks of derision.  I must admit, when I first started learning about ancient wisdom systems I was a big skeptic (check out "D" is for Doubt) but the more I learned about energy and healing the more sense it made.  Then I started to practice energy healing and saw first hand the amazing results.  As I continue to learn, practice and join the larger energy community I realize what we're doing is remembering ancient human truth.  The truth that we can tap into the universal consciousness and use that energy to help and heal.

Most people turn their backs on this glorious opportunity.....I think maybe that's a bit kooky.

Journey together

"J" is for Journey

We're all on a journey, and as Maya Angelou wrote, I "Wouldn't take nothing for my journey now."

In her great inspirational way, Maya tells us about Annie who "looked up the road I was going and back the way I come, and since I wasn't satisfied I decided to step off the road and cut me a new path".  Annie made a conscious decision to abruptly change her life.  This change was forced on her by circumstance, and she boldly moved forward on her own.  But not every new path starts with a sharp left turn.  Sometimes small decisions pile up one atop the other and, like waves lapping at the side of a boat, nudge us in a certain direction.  Or we may not make conscious decisions at all (which in itself is a decision-making style),  and just go with the flow.  Each path is as unique as the traveler.  But what is common to all is the opportunity to do what Annie did - stop, take stock, and strike out in a new direction.  The resulting changes can be subtle or significant - it's up to you.

Intentional Healing

"I" is for

I have it on very good authority (the authority of a very good healer that is), that each and every one of us has the potential to become a healer.  No special training, secret passwords or crystal balls required.  All we need is to feel genuine compassion for the person needing healing, and then focus that compassion with an intent to heal.  

The old saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" leads us to believe that to "intend to do something" is to never actually get around to doing that something.  Not so!  The good Messrs. Merriam and Webster tell us that to intend is to "direct the mind on, or to have in mind as a purpose or goal".

We can all feel compassion, it's part of the human condition.  And we can all hold an idea in our head - it's just the way our brains work.  So then we can all heal.  Go ahead and give it a try.  "WAIT" you say.  Wait for what?  You don't know what you're doing?  Of course you don't.  Do it anyway.  Believe in yourself - you'll be amazed at the results.  I have it on very good authority.

Give 'em Heal

"H" is for Healing

The complementary energy arts of Reiki, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Sound Therapy and Shamballa are all healing systems.   But what is "healing"?  How is it different from being "cured"?


"Healing refers to a revitalizing and regenerative process that can occur on emotional, spiritual, or physical levels - and sometimes on all three levels in concert, while curing means the biological resolution of a diseased state."  (M.Lerner Ph.D.)  If you think about this you realize you can be healed without a cure.  And you can also be cured but not healed.


The really great thing about the complementary healing systems is that you can use them any time.  You don't have to be in need of a cure to benefit from healing.  Do you know anyone who wouldn't want to be more relaxed, have increased energy and feelings of well being, or have less aches and pains?  Neither do I!