Growing connection

Connection is what the body does when the cells share their resources, and when the lungs feed the heart with oxygen. Our tissues and organ systems are endowed with absolute generosity towards the good of the whole.
Yet, as personalities, we build up a sense of separation which reconditions how the body works. Reiki is a practice to overcome harmful separations. It offers instead the essence of what it is to give, receive and share. Through it, the body and mind relearn the truth of our inherent generosity.

Separation
Since conception, our energy is conditioned to flow well in some ways and not others. The flow lessens because we do not wish to feel something or accept something; perhaps something has been poorly modelled for us, so we don't practice it. At times we are ashamed in some way, and shut down part of ourselves – perhaps suppressing our vital energy as we demand that we be something other than what we feel. We all have known times when we have not been appreciated, and in response we often choose to dislike ourselves, or to protect ourselves in some other way. Through such responses, the heart becomes estranged. It's ability to discern, inspire and lead is undermined. We become less conscious of ourselves and of our birthright to love and be loved.

In other words, we create a separation in order to avoid pain, and in doing so, disinherit ourselves from life's greatest gift. A certain quality of protectiveness and stinginess characterises our experience of life.

But an important aspect of separation is this: despite its powerful consequences, it's not ultimately true. The same applies to our lack of awareness. Ultimately, the awareness is there, available and complete. It's a matter of developing the motivation to invite it out.

Words catalyse healing
How do we invite our awareness forth? In a Reiki session, the practitioner works with the recipient to develop their trust in inhabiting their whole self, feeling their whole self. Reiki is primarily a hands-on therapy, but practitioners may also use speech to open clients’ awareness. In my experience, words that come from a place of authenticity and conviction have an incredible power. That power includes a flow of energy in the physical body.

"You have a good heart"
Among everything that my school teachers said to me over the years, I have returned again and again to the words of my Form Two teacher.
"Geoff, your honesty is admirable, and in time will win you many good friends."
This was a message I received on an assignment called "Me, Myself and I", written when I was 12 years old. I have carried those words since then, because they were such food for my soul.
As a young adult, another teacher told me this: "You have a good heart." What an audacious statement to make within the context of our education system. I could scarcely acknowledge her words at the time, but over the years I kept returning to them, and being challenged to live a life that accorded with that truth.

Aren't we all inspired to hear that we have a good heart – even if we may also notice a knee-jerk reaction of skepticism, embarrassment or “yes, but…”? I believe that our whole body earnestly wants such truths to be brought forth.

When we hear true words, a seed within our consciousness is watered and given light. The body and mind then begin working, connecting, finding ways to bring that truth into resonance with the whole. In a Reiki session, such authentic speech arises naturally.

Having received such words, whoever we are, we can remind ourselves of their truth, and we can practice the qualities which bring that truth into relationship with the entirety of our life. Those around us will reflect back to us what we express, and so our connection with our "good heart" deepens. We're learning to trust the experience of love.

Hands-on healing
In the same way that words can give life and energy to parts of us that need it, the Reiki practitioner shares his or her awareness to connect with the body in those parts where the sense of separation is greatest. Touch awareness is very effective for developing the flow of energy. The parts of us that have been impaired are led to find their receptiveness, their voice, their belonging, and their rightful role. In time, they too learn to trust the experience of love.

Seeing more
For the one receiving a treatment, waking up to the flow of energy opens us to more clarity about the work that remains to be done. We see more of the potential for further connection, with ourselves and with everything.

What an inspiring process this is – both to appreciate the beauty of our life, and to deeply yearn to share that with the world.

This complete sharing is the most natural way of being, and is itself joy, love, surrender and healing.