Deborah Lloyd's Blog, page 3

TRUTH FOUND IN SPIRITUAL BELIEFS

As we live in a society where separation from one another exists, it seems religious and spiritual beliefs are yet another avenue for separation. Is it only an illusion that world religions are made up of beliefs, in opposition to each other? There are certain dogmas and tenets that are in opposition, the most egregious one being “my beliefs are right and yours are wrong.” It continues, “you have to have my beliefs to go to heaven and live in eternal life; otherwise, you are destined to live in damnation forever.” Is that a truth?

Since our world is becoming smaller, and connections between different nationalities and beliefs are so easy to make, change is happening. Let’s view religious beliefs from another angle. It does seem all legitimate religions and spiritual belief systems have the same foundation – we are all part of the All, the Divine Source, the God-consciousness, the Universe. The foundational Spirit is one of unconditional love for all of human-kind, as well as all other forms of life on Mother Earth and the Spirit World.

The real Truth, therefore, can be found in any cultural setting, among any peoples, and in any point in time. Wisdom exists in every legitimate spiritual belief system, even when you may not agree with all the tenets. It is truly enriching to explore other faith systems and find the commonalities – rather than the differences.

It is a gift to know people who incorporate Universal Love into their daily lives, and learn from them. With printed and social media, there are no obstacles to learning about, and connecting with, other people who are living a spiritual path different than yours. These connections help us to realize there is no reason to be skeptical, or fearful, of someone from another belief system. What can a Muslim or a Hindu teach you? How might your spiritual path be enriched by learning about Peruvian or Russian shamanism? What do Celts, Wiccans, or Pagans believe – and what do those terms really mean? What are the differences between all the Christian religions? The questions are endless, and the answers are attainable.

When you remove the extremist views, and drill down to the nuts and bolts of all religions, this is what you will find: Love and Compassion for all people. If each person truly embraced this Truth, and lived this Truth, only unity consciousness – peace – would exist. And, that is the Truth in Spirituality.

SIXTH CHAKRA – THE THIRD EYE

You do not have to identify yourself as a psychic, a medium, or an intuitive, to connect with your third eye chakra. While some people are gifted with strong natural intuitive abilities, every person has the capacity to develop this part of their being.

The third eye chakra, often called the mind’s eye, is located in the middle of the forehead, slightly above the eyebrows. The purpose of this chakra is to enable us to “see” beyond the physical functionality of our eyes. It is the seat of intuition, psychic abilities, and clairvoyance. When the energy in this chakra is fully developed, people see auras around others, spirit beings, or intuitively “know” things.

Just like all the other chakras, you can enhance the energy in the third eye chakra. Here are some tips:

Meditate, asking for Divine Spirit to assist you in developing your gift.
State affirmations frequently, such as “I am an intuitive person with a special gift to share with others,” or “I see the loving spirits around Matt.”
Place your fingers in the middle of your forehead, with the intention of sending light and love to this chakra.
Surround yourself with the indigo color – dark blue, like ink.
Spend time outdoors at night time, especially during a full moon when the dark blue of the skies emanate light.
Sit with the stones lapis lazuli or crystal quartz
Read a well-written book about developing your intuitive abilities.
Call upon Archangel Uriel, who will assist you in illuminating your mind with useful information and insights.

Some of you reading this blog may feel an urge to go deeper in this effort and attend a psychic development workshop, or develop your intuition in another direct way. Listen to your intuition – Someone, like Uriel or another loving spirit, may be giving you a message right now! It is no accident that the third eye chakra lives next door to the crown chakra – the more you connect and trust Divine Wisdom, the more your intuitive self will grow.

 

 

HOW TO SELECT A REIKI PRACTITIONER

There are many wonderful Reiki practitioners in today’s world. And, it is important that you select the right Reiki practitioner for you. As a Reiki Master, and a licensed clinical social worker for many years, I am a firm believer in finding a professional with the personality that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed, and is the right match for you. Those in the healing professions have the skills and expertise to facilitate healing – but, no one professional is the right person for every client!

To select the right practitioner, the first step is to compile a list of Reiki practitioners in your local area. You can do this by using the “word of mouth” method – ask your friends and co-workers if they know, or have heard of, an experienced Reiki practitioner. You can also search the internet, by googling Reiki with your town’s name; or use an online directory of Reiki practitioners.

You may want to consider if you want to find someone who also has expertise in another professional area, such as counseling, massage therapy, other alternative modalities, health care, etc. Or, you may want to work with someone who has developed strong intuitive abilities, which often happens with Reiki practitioners.

The second step is to develop three or four questions that reflect what is important to you. For example, you may want to work with a Reiki Master who also does Reiki trainings, just in case you decide to pursue training in the future. Or, you might want to hear how a practitioner became involved in Reiki, or how long they have practiced.

The third step is to call, or email, the Reiki practitioners on your list and ask each the same list of questions. Their answers will help you to ascertain their approach and understanding of Reiki. How quickly you hear back from someone also gives you information about their work style.

Then, reflect upon these answers and connect with your own guidance – whether that is through meditation and prayer, or simply listening to your gut. One practitioner will stand out from the rest – and this is the right Reiki practitioner – for YOU!

REIKI AND ABUNDANCE

Are Reiki and the recognition of abundance in our lives connected? If we use Reiki on a frequent basis, will our perception of the blessings in our lives expand? I believe the answer to these questions is “yes” for many Reiki users. Most people seek Reiki to help a physical problem, usually after trying several western-medicine solutions – I did that myself! But, the surprise for new users is that Reiki gives you so much more! Let’s explore this reality further.

First and foremost, as one experiences the never-ending possibilities for physical healing, one becomes aware of the unlimited possibilities for all kinds and levels of healing. As Reiki is directed by the Universal Life Force energy, healing energies will also affect the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of our lives. Because the Universe loves each of us unconditionally, the Reiki receiver feels this abundant gift of love and acceptance. There truly are no limits on this love.

This is in direct contrast to many of our cultural values. We live within the dense vibrations of consumerism, materialism and many other “ism’s.” It seems there is never enough – money, time, or material goods.  We have the impression that no matter what we do, we are not good enough – whether it is a job promotion, not being able to buy the biggest car, or taking vacations to exotic places.  We live in a world of limitations.

Reiki, on the other hand, teaches us a different lesson. We experience, firsthand, the loving connection with God’s perfect love. How wonderful there are now so many Reiki practitioners, where we can experience sessions often. Or better yet, we can become trained in Reiki ourselves, to access these energies daily.

Over time, a shift occurs, and our priorities have reversed. What used to be important in our lives moves to the background, and what seemed unimportant is now a major focus. Perhaps, an hour of meditation is more important than seeing the newest movie! This new awareness is truly a gift.

Abundance surrounds us. In our world, there are enough resources to fulfill our every need. Universal Life Force is always available and encourages us to reach complete mind/body/spirit healing.

 

FINDING LIKE-MINDED FOLKS ON THE JOURNEY!

One of the most exciting parts of being a Reiki Master, and an author, is meeting like-minded folks on the journey. When service to others becomes one’s mission in life, we seem to find each other. It is truly a wonderful blessing to meet so many special people who have come into my life. Each person has given me something new to think about, inspired me, or challenged me to take the next step.

Here is one of those amazing stories….

One day, I received an email from a local woman who offered to do a youtube video for me, at a very reasonable rate. I admit it – I knew in today’s world, a youtube explaining Reiki sessions, Reiki trainings, my book, etc., was important to have. But, that “to do” item had been placed on a backburner. Not enough time, too expensive, feeling intimidated by video production people – I had all the excuses. The name of her company intrigued me, the sample video included in her email was better – and then, when I read her mission on the website, I was blown away. This is her mission: “To create videos that inspire, empower and joyfully celebrate all that we are as unique individuals as well as remind us of our connection to Source, nature, animals, community, and the world. We are connected in more ways than we realize. Another mission is to acknowledge and honor the Radiant beings that we are, individually and collectively.”

She is the type of video producer I can relate to – our life purposes, our missions, are so alike! Soon, my first youtube was completed, with more on the way. And, I want to pay it forward, by helping her with her business too – check out authenticheartproductions.com – perhaps, your mission in life needs a video too….

And, whenever, one of these amazing connections occurs, I send gratitude to Spirit!

THE ARCHANGELS ARE WITH US!

Archangels are powerful celestial beings, the chief messengers of God to human beings. The “el” suffix of most archangels’ names literally means “in God.”

Archangels existed before humankind did. They live in both the heavenly realms and the earthly sphere and are easy for people to access. For many, it is easy to hear and feel their presence. The main purpose of archangels is to bring peace to earth, as we are reminded every Christmas season. And, peace begins within each individual person. When we live with feelings of discord and unpeacefulness, no matter what the origin, peace on earth is not possible.

Each archangel has a specialty, representing an aspect of God. Just as each chakra has its own specific energetic focus, so do the archangels. For example, Raphael literally means “healing in God.” And, Raphael is the archangel connected with the heart chakra, the energy center of unconditional love and healing.

Although archangels always have our best interests at heart, they do not impose their will upon us, even when it is for our greater good. We always need to give them permission to guide us, or protect us. There is no best way to ask for the archangels’ intervention in our lives. It can be in the form of a prayer, cry for help, wish, visualization, affirmation, or a thought.

Some people question how many archangels there are. Several references state there are seven (and the number seven shows up in many other spiritual contexts too).  In the Book of Revelations in the Bible, it states there are seven archangels. In the Book of Tobit, Raphael states he is one of seven angels. Gnostics also believed there were seven. However, it is not always the same seven angels! Doreen Virtue, the Angel Therapy author, has connected with 15 archangels in her work. She states there are actually legions of archangels.

No matter what the number, the true purpose of Archangels in our lives does not change. They are here to assist us to grow in peace and love.

 

LEARN ABOUT THE SACRAL CHAKRA

Picture these two bodies of water: the first is a freshwater, running brook. The water is cool and clean; delightful, small fish are flowing around the rocks. You can’t wait to dip your toes into it. The second body of water is a dark and murky stagnant pond. The water sits there, with dead leaves and bugs sitting on top. There is an unpleasant smell.

These two images illustrate the extreme possibilities of the second chakra, the sacral chakra. In the first image, the life energy is vibrant, flowing and pleasurable. In the second one, the energy is blocked, without any life-giving force.

The sacral chakra incorporates the flow of life. There is wisdom in movement – a time to plant, a time to harvest; a time to love, a time to be loved; a time to be born, a time to die. This chakra is about creating and merging. It is about pleasure, and nurturing relationships. It is about going with the flow, not being resistant to life.

It is no accident that water is the earth element of this chakra. Water is vital for all human, plant, and animal life. The majority of the earth’s surface is covered with water.  Likewise, the sacral chakra thrives with the nourishment of water – whether it is by drinking it, swimming in it, gazing at the rolling waves of the ocean.

The sacral chakra is where creativity begins. Artists of all genre’s, everything from painting to writing to dancing – have one common characteristic: passion. They love what they do! They feel strongly about their craft. They become lost in their endeavors for hours – and they may never see a dime for their efforts. It does not matter – the creation is what counts. That is passion.

Where else can this kind of passion be found? In love relationships, of course! The strong desire and commitment to another person is based in the sacral chakra.

Do you accept the ebb’s and flow’s in your own life? Are you positive and loving in your thoughts and attitudes towards the people you love? If the answer is no, please work with the energies of your sacral chakra.

Here are some ways to improve your sacral chakra energy:

Spend quiet time in water and let the life-sustaining energies feed your soul – a nice, hot bath, or soak in a hot tub; stream, lake or ocean water; mineral springs.
Drink the right amount of water a day (average need is 64 ounces a day, but can vary by body weight, climate, etc.)
Create anything you’d like – with full abandon and joy
Embrace your feelings – feelings are not right or wrong; they just are
Eat oranges; carrots, butternut squash and other orange vegetables
Examine your relationships – give gratitude for the great ones; revitalize the ones you can; or release the ones that need to go

Enjoy the flow!

 

DEVELOP YOUR INTUITION!

My definition of intuition is simply listening to messages that we receive. Using Reiki daily has certainly helped my intuition to grow. Frequent use of Reiki helps me to stay calm, which is an essential ingredient in listening to Spirit. When my life is too hectic and I am rushing around, thinking of a dozen things at once, it is hard to hear messages! Reiki has helped me to listen, and trust, what my thoughts, and gut, are telling me.

Let me share this true story. When I did psychotherapy work, I often used prayer, deep breathing and other calming techniques, before a session. After I learned Reiki, calming down was so much easier. Calming helped me to shed thoughts from previous sessions, or from my personal life. Often, I asked Spirit for guidance to say exactly the right things to help the client.

I had one especially difficult situation where the client (as well as me) felt stuck, and this went on for several weeks. One day, I sent a strong request to Spirit, asking for guidance. Within a few minutes of beginning the session, the client made a typical comment about her agoraphobia. An unusual thought came into my mind – my first reaction was that it seemed unrelated to what she was saying, kind of “out there,” so different from anything I usually said. Was it appropriate to say it? My next thought was – could it be guidance from Spirit? I decided to trust my intuition, said the thought, and the client looked at me quizzically. She stated, “I’ve had that thought several times this week, but how did you know?” I shared with her that I thought it truly was an inspired message, it just flew into my mind. She became excited and responded. The therapy moved forward, finally.

Reiki not only changed me as a therapist, but it changed every aspect of my life. When I face a decision, or a difficult situation, I ask for guidance – and it is always given to me. My intuition has grown, and I respond to others differently than I would have in the past. It is possible to develop intuitive abilities. Become aware of the messages – and trust them. For me, learning and using Reiki was a major step.

THE CHAKRA SYSTEM DEFINED

As this blog will be focusing on Reiki, the chakras, energy healing, and related topics, it seemed I should go back to the basics and write about the Chakra System. The first writings about chakras appear in the Vedas, the primary source of Hindu beliefs, codified around 3000 B.C. Chakras were defined as vortices of energy, where two or more channels of subtle energies meet, and rotate, looking like a wheel. The vortices can be strong and vital, or weak and slow. Chakra literally means “wheel.”

Seven main chakras were identified, along the spinal column, mirroring both physical and spiritual states. As time went on, there certainly was an emphasis on the higher chakras, due to their connections to the spiritual realms. The lower chakras were seen as earthly, too mundane, an impediment to spiritual growth.

In modern times, the understanding of the chakra system continues to be developed. Most energy healing modalities focus on the chakras, even though the modality may not be based in Hindu, or other belief systems. For example, Reiki healing is related to the chakras – even though the modality was rediscovered in Japan over 90 years ago, and there is no religious affiliation of any kind.

Energy healing modalities are based in achieving a balance of body, mind and spirit. A balanced approach to the chakra system – the entire energy system of an individual – recognizes that a blockage in one chakra can greatly affect the energy level of another. Each of the seven chakras has specific physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual functions.

As a Reiki Master and practitioner, I can attest to how important balanced energy flow is, to the health and wellbeing of an individual. When I feel a blockage in a certain area, I know the Reiki healing energy will assist in dissipating the blockage, and a better flow will occur. Or, I feel the lack of energy in one chakra area – usually, it is due to the individual expending too much energy in one area, with no replenishment. If one person in a relationship does all the giving, with no love given back, the heart chakra energy can be running on fumes!

Over the next several months, I will be writing blogs on each chakra (in no specific order). Please stay tuned to learn how to create more balance in your life!

WHY COLOR MATTERS

Colors are the energy of light. Colors vary because of wavelength and frequency levels of light. The rainbow colors have different vibratory levels. Red is the longest wavelength and has the slowest vibration – while violet has the shortest wavelength and highest vibration.

Each of the 7 major chakras has colors related to them. We’ll look at the positive aspects of each color – and what you can do to enhance them. But like everything else about energy, keep a good balance. When any of those colors are too much, too extreme, there can be negative aspects.

Color therapy is a holistic form of energy healing. It goes to the underlying causes of disease, unlike taking a symptom-relieving medication. Colors balance energy and create harmony, enhance creativity and learning, and release blocks. Colors connect to nature and rhythms of the universe.

Colors relate to our personalities and how we operate in the world. We are unconsciously attracted to, and repelled by, certain colors. Usually, people who love the red’s and orange’s are extroverted, while people who are attracted to the blue’s are introverted. Everyone has an identity color, meaning the primary color of your life. You can choose a “new” color to focus on for a short period of time – which may correspond to an area of your life that you are working to enhance. We can also form associations with colors – both positive and negative.

Some days, we go to our closet and have “nothing to wear” – the right colors, for the energies you need that day, are not represented. Following fashion trends can affect your energy! Remember a few years ago, when black was the “in” color – even though it made some people feel sad and depressed, they wore it anyway.

We should try to bring in colors that we are not necessarily attracted to – can be through items in our homes, a dash of color in a scarf, or piece of jewelry – or, get the same energies in another way. Some of the ways to bring in colors – clothing and accessories; foods we eat; colors in our workplaces and in our homes (paint, flowers, pillows, table mats); the list goes on.

We also have crystals and rocks; flowers and oil essences correlating to every color. We can visualize a color to bring that energy to us. Or, do a color meditation – choose a specific color and sit with it. You can also put your drinking water in a colored glass pitcher, or glass tumbler. Ask the water to take on the color of the holder.

The ways of bringing in color are unlimited. Nature had a perfect plan for this, but as the centuries went on, and we became more disconnected from the earth, we have to be proactive in bringing these rainbows of color into our lives every day.