Meredith Kendall's Blog, page 86
October 11, 2012
the healing circle
Dr E and I went to the healing circle at Paula's clinic.
It was a family services clinic in Albuquerque. The director showed us around. He told us the history and described the business model.
There are no appointments, it's like urgent care. People drop in and pay $40 to be seen.
Dr E and I participated in a healing circle for substance abusers. It was the best part of my trip to Albuquerque. There was acupuncture, Reiki, and curandissimo at the healing circle.
The clients were six males, ranging in age from perhaps 16 to 60, three healers, and three visitors. The three healers were Paula, another Reiki practitioner (E), and a nurse practitioner, L. First L explained the process: four healing circles and Suboxone therapy. She invited questions and discussion.
Next L distributed cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol and instructed us to clean our ears. I swabbed the opening to my ear canal, not properly comprehending the instruction. L tossed a package of needles to each client, then went around and inserted six needles into each pinna. That's the big grooved part of your ear. I didn't get the needles because I was going to share Reiki.
Each client reclined in a comfy lawn chair, white washcloth over eyes, calves elevated on pillows. I started to hear snores as soon as the needles went in. L went to the altar and began to pray. The altar was about waist high: adorned with candles, crystals, herbs, and figurines. There was a glass bowl of water with a stone in the bottom. The candles were in tall glass cylinders, painted with images of the Mother Mary. There was an amethyst crystal and other semi-precious stones, bundles of lavender and sage, and clay religious figures.
As L prayed; E, Paola, and I started to share Reiki. E wore skinny jeans, an argyle vest, and a crocheted beret. Her dark curls cascaded down; her glasses reflected the candlelight. Paola gleamed- in her lime top, peppery dreads, and malachite bracelet.
I centered myself; called on my guides and angels because I really wanted them to share the experience with me; called Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, and Hawayo Takata; and began. My client was snoring; I prefer them awake so they can participate in the experience, oh well, go with the flow; I started at his head. My hands felt warm, but they didn't throb and pulse with the energy as they usually do. Twenty minutes later I finished and started on the next client. When I finished there was one client left. Paola and E joined me to work on the other visitor, a local mental health counselor.
Everyone got Reiki. Then L came in and did limpias. Limpia is curandissimo. It seemed to be a clearing, prayer, emotional release, and blessing. She did each client, and me too. I cried the whole time she did me. She told me to take care of myself. She swiped us down with sprigs of rosemary. She told us to bury the rosemary. I said, "I will take the rosemary back to Maine and bury it there."
She thought for a moment and said, "No. The rosemary has your spirit in it, and all the things you don't need. You have to bury it here."
So when we left, I buried it in some soft desert sand outside the clinic.
Then Dr E and I went across the street for lunch. The waitress spoke Spanish, but no English. I ordered tacos, "no carne."
"No carne?" she repeated, staring.
I could see she understood my words, but not the concept. I ordered cheese enchiladas instead and they were good.
It was a family services clinic in Albuquerque. The director showed us around. He told us the history and described the business model.
There are no appointments, it's like urgent care. People drop in and pay $40 to be seen.
Dr E and I participated in a healing circle for substance abusers. It was the best part of my trip to Albuquerque. There was acupuncture, Reiki, and curandissimo at the healing circle.
The clients were six males, ranging in age from perhaps 16 to 60, three healers, and three visitors. The three healers were Paula, another Reiki practitioner (E), and a nurse practitioner, L. First L explained the process: four healing circles and Suboxone therapy. She invited questions and discussion.
Next L distributed cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol and instructed us to clean our ears. I swabbed the opening to my ear canal, not properly comprehending the instruction. L tossed a package of needles to each client, then went around and inserted six needles into each pinna. That's the big grooved part of your ear. I didn't get the needles because I was going to share Reiki.
Each client reclined in a comfy lawn chair, white washcloth over eyes, calves elevated on pillows. I started to hear snores as soon as the needles went in. L went to the altar and began to pray. The altar was about waist high: adorned with candles, crystals, herbs, and figurines. There was a glass bowl of water with a stone in the bottom. The candles were in tall glass cylinders, painted with images of the Mother Mary. There was an amethyst crystal and other semi-precious stones, bundles of lavender and sage, and clay religious figures.
As L prayed; E, Paola, and I started to share Reiki. E wore skinny jeans, an argyle vest, and a crocheted beret. Her dark curls cascaded down; her glasses reflected the candlelight. Paola gleamed- in her lime top, peppery dreads, and malachite bracelet.
I centered myself; called on my guides and angels because I really wanted them to share the experience with me; called Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, and Hawayo Takata; and began. My client was snoring; I prefer them awake so they can participate in the experience, oh well, go with the flow; I started at his head. My hands felt warm, but they didn't throb and pulse with the energy as they usually do. Twenty minutes later I finished and started on the next client. When I finished there was one client left. Paola and E joined me to work on the other visitor, a local mental health counselor.
Everyone got Reiki. Then L came in and did limpias. Limpia is curandissimo. It seemed to be a clearing, prayer, emotional release, and blessing. She did each client, and me too. I cried the whole time she did me. She told me to take care of myself. She swiped us down with sprigs of rosemary. She told us to bury the rosemary. I said, "I will take the rosemary back to Maine and bury it there."
She thought for a moment and said, "No. The rosemary has your spirit in it, and all the things you don't need. You have to bury it here."
So when we left, I buried it in some soft desert sand outside the clinic.
Then Dr E and I went across the street for lunch. The waitress spoke Spanish, but no English. I ordered tacos, "no carne."
"No carne?" she repeated, staring.
I could see she understood my words, but not the concept. I ordered cheese enchiladas instead and they were good.
Paula
Tonita found me at a workshop the next day and whispered, "You're the Reiki person, right? Meet me outside in 15 minutes. Paula is coming."
I went outside in 10.
Paula (Paola) greeted me with a hug. She had black and grey dreads nearly to her waist, smooth brown skin, and a wide smile. We sat beside the pool and talked about Reiki and Suboxone.
As soon as she mentioned Suboxone I texted my co-presenter. I knew Dr E would be interested, as she manages a Suboxone clinic.
Paula invited us to her clinic, to a healing circle for substance abusers. The three of us made plans.
I went outside in 10.
Paula (Paola) greeted me with a hug. She had black and grey dreads nearly to her waist, smooth brown skin, and a wide smile. We sat beside the pool and talked about Reiki and Suboxone.
As soon as she mentioned Suboxone I texted my co-presenter. I knew Dr E would be interested, as she manages a Suboxone clinic.
Paula invited us to her clinic, to a healing circle for substance abusers. The three of us made plans.
the conference
I went to Albuquerque to present my Reiki research to a gathering of integrative oncologists.
That part was great. I talked to lots of people who at least assumed an interest. There was the friendly Chinese doc from Dana-Farber, the federal regulator, the handsome Czech doc from Indianapolis, and lots of others. I could talk about Reiki and my Reiki research for hours.
I went to workshops too. I went to all that I could manage. Sometimes my brain was too full and I had to take a break beside the pool. Breathe some fresh air.
There were lots of oral presentations of research, many involving slides of dissected mice. One presenter urged us to sing, "You Are My Sunshine." Several bravely attempted to address us in English; I applauded their pluck.
The best speech was the mushroom guy, Paul Stamets. The best panel presentation was the one by the host, UNM. University of New Mexico. They talked about their multicultural classes. The panel was really good, interesting. They called on a colleague to say more. She spoke to me. I felt compelled to find and speak with her.
I encountered Tonita in the vendor hall and stumblingly praised her speech and described my work. She said I should talk with her colleague, Paula, pronounced, "Paola," or "Pa ooou la."
That part was great. I talked to lots of people who at least assumed an interest. There was the friendly Chinese doc from Dana-Farber, the federal regulator, the handsome Czech doc from Indianapolis, and lots of others. I could talk about Reiki and my Reiki research for hours.
I went to workshops too. I went to all that I could manage. Sometimes my brain was too full and I had to take a break beside the pool. Breathe some fresh air.
There were lots of oral presentations of research, many involving slides of dissected mice. One presenter urged us to sing, "You Are My Sunshine." Several bravely attempted to address us in English; I applauded their pluck.
The best speech was the mushroom guy, Paul Stamets. The best panel presentation was the one by the host, UNM. University of New Mexico. They talked about their multicultural classes. The panel was really good, interesting. They called on a colleague to say more. She spoke to me. I felt compelled to find and speak with her.
I encountered Tonita in the vendor hall and stumblingly praised her speech and described my work. She said I should talk with her colleague, Paula, pronounced, "Paola," or "Pa ooou la."
time, distance, space
Thinking about my trip.
I went outside to sit on the deck, to look at the stars and contemplate journeys. It was cold, dark, and overcast. No stars. I yearned for Fluff and the garden. Fluff is at her doggy spa and my garden is hidden in darkness.
I woke up in Albuquerque today at 4:55 am, showered and appeared in the hotel lobby at 5:30. Got home at 8 pm. There's a complicated time difference. Wait, not that complicated: two hours. So I traveled for 12.5 hours. Car, two planes, bus, and car. Home.
Arrived home and it was 40 F outside, 58 F inside. I turned on the heat and hot water, looked at the mail, unpacked. Kept looking for Fluffy, oh yeah. Yesterday I sat beside the pool, and would have gone in if I'd had the time. The conference.
I went outside to sit on the deck, to look at the stars and contemplate journeys. It was cold, dark, and overcast. No stars. I yearned for Fluff and the garden. Fluff is at her doggy spa and my garden is hidden in darkness.
I woke up in Albuquerque today at 4:55 am, showered and appeared in the hotel lobby at 5:30. Got home at 8 pm. There's a complicated time difference. Wait, not that complicated: two hours. So I traveled for 12.5 hours. Car, two planes, bus, and car. Home.
Arrived home and it was 40 F outside, 58 F inside. I turned on the heat and hot water, looked at the mail, unpacked. Kept looking for Fluffy, oh yeah. Yesterday I sat beside the pool, and would have gone in if I'd had the time. The conference.
October 9, 2012
hearts wide open
What does that mean? My waiter yesterday told me, "You're going to love Albuquerque. Everyone here goes around with hearts wide open." Then he showed me about 20 pics of Albuquerque sunsets on his phone. He was a sweet young California surfer type. How nice.
He's right. Everyone I've met here has been so kind and generous. Starting with my cousins, who picked me up at the airport, took me into their homes, took me to their favorite restaurants, the Balloon Fiesta, and the Broadway production of The Lion King.
Since then I've been at a big downtown hotel, attending a conference. Integrative oncologists.... lots of talk about mushrooms, Chinese herbs, and research. I've learned so much about research. Yoga and meditation in the morning, fruit snacks, sunny lunches.
And everyone's hearts are wide open.
He's right. Everyone I've met here has been so kind and generous. Starting with my cousins, who picked me up at the airport, took me into their homes, took me to their favorite restaurants, the Balloon Fiesta, and the Broadway production of The Lion King.
Since then I've been at a big downtown hotel, attending a conference. Integrative oncologists.... lots of talk about mushrooms, Chinese herbs, and research. I've learned so much about research. Yoga and meditation in the morning, fruit snacks, sunny lunches.
And everyone's hearts are wide open.
October 6, 2012
fog gone
Woke up before 5, turned off water heater and dehumidifier, turned on light in kitchen. Hit the road.
It was dark, half moon and stars still out. I stopped for coffee. The sky lightened and I saw clumps of gray fog hanging between stands of brilliant orange maples and dark green pines. Fog over the bogs and streams.
Now it's sunny. The maples are red, orange, and green. The pines are rusty with needles about to fall. It's fall.
It was dark, half moon and stars still out. I stopped for coffee. The sky lightened and I saw clumps of gray fog hanging between stands of brilliant orange maples and dark green pines. Fog over the bogs and streams.
Now it's sunny. The maples are red, orange, and green. The pines are rusty with needles about to fall. It's fall.
October 4, 2012
yoga...
... can't seem to make it and miss it so much.
I get up around 6 and stop for coffee around 7; I exchange several non-work-related words with cool people at the local coffee shop. There is always great music; there are pretty pastries and colorful vegies.
At work I sip that coffee and read the news. I'm on the clock at 8. I teach every day all day. Home at 5 I bond with Fluffy, wash dishes & laundry, wander the garden & backyard, and check my emails. By then it's dark. Is there any way I can get myself to a yoga class at this point? It's bedtime. I grab a book and celebrate the end of the day.
No yoga classes on the weekend, when I could go. I miss yoga.
I get up around 6 and stop for coffee around 7; I exchange several non-work-related words with cool people at the local coffee shop. There is always great music; there are pretty pastries and colorful vegies.
At work I sip that coffee and read the news. I'm on the clock at 8. I teach every day all day. Home at 5 I bond with Fluffy, wash dishes & laundry, wander the garden & backyard, and check my emails. By then it's dark. Is there any way I can get myself to a yoga class at this point? It's bedtime. I grab a book and celebrate the end of the day.
No yoga classes on the weekend, when I could go. I miss yoga.
leaves
Just drove 2 hours in the rain. The leaves were beautiful, orange maples against the pines. Then it got dark. 
October 2, 2012
guffaws
Reading Deborah Harkness' A Discovery of Witches and the sequel: can't seem to retain the name... something about night. Anyhow. They are rich and deep. Read them through at speed of light was so engrossed and so anxious about the plot. Immediately began to reread and am enjoying now on another level: relaxed, admiring the language and history. It's funny now. I guffaw. Heartily recommend. 
September 29, 2012
Bean stew
Soak local kidney beans in fresh spring water. Go to bed.
Good morning! Bring the beans to a boil, then turn off. Leave pot of beans on the stove.
Do errands. Fetch more fresh spring water. Go to the Farmer's Market for tomatoes, garlic, leeks, and beets. Have brunch with a friend. Catch up, laugh, cry a little. Order truffle scrambled eggs and rye toast, because it sounds so good. Take that first bite and remember that you don't like the taste of truffle. Chocolate ones, well yeah. But truffle salt, truffle oil, hmmm, don't care for it.
Talk and laugh with friend. A bus drops off about a hundred leaf peepers and they want your table. Wander around downtown, admire the Mt St Helens emerald obsidianite: a sparkly green synthetic glass stone.
Go home and stir the beans. Turn on the heat and simmer for an hour. Go out back to the garden and pick a bunch of kale. Plant some garlic. Back inside, add fresh tomatoes, the ones that have to be eaten right away. Add two cloves of minced garlic, a handful of chopped kale, dried hot pepper, and two pinches of dried herbs. Turn off the heat and let sit another hour. There's supper, and some lunches for the week.
Good morning! Bring the beans to a boil, then turn off. Leave pot of beans on the stove.
Do errands. Fetch more fresh spring water. Go to the Farmer's Market for tomatoes, garlic, leeks, and beets. Have brunch with a friend. Catch up, laugh, cry a little. Order truffle scrambled eggs and rye toast, because it sounds so good. Take that first bite and remember that you don't like the taste of truffle. Chocolate ones, well yeah. But truffle salt, truffle oil, hmmm, don't care for it.
Talk and laugh with friend. A bus drops off about a hundred leaf peepers and they want your table. Wander around downtown, admire the Mt St Helens emerald obsidianite: a sparkly green synthetic glass stone.
Go home and stir the beans. Turn on the heat and simmer for an hour. Go out back to the garden and pick a bunch of kale. Plant some garlic. Back inside, add fresh tomatoes, the ones that have to be eaten right away. Add two cloves of minced garlic, a handful of chopped kale, dried hot pepper, and two pinches of dried herbs. Turn off the heat and let sit another hour. There's supper, and some lunches for the week.
