Whole Living Today

Through the years, Christmas has grown into more of a sad time; disappointed at the materialism, the pressures, the general depression in people, the loss of hope.
I wasn’t brought up religious. It hasn’t been until the last couple years that religion has been slowly intertwining itself into my spirituality, a gossamer thread. Although Reiki is not a religion, it is very spiritual. I’m not going to explain Reiki in this post but just want to mention an aspect of it. There are many terms that can be used for the energy that is channeled during a Reiki session; chi, prana, Divine Love, God, Spirit, God Consciousness, etc. Starting out as a Reiki practitioner, I preferred to use the term chi, seemed more acceptable to others as well as myself. I’ve had some very enlightening experiences with Reiki, sometimes the love that I feel is overwhelming enough to bring tears of intense joy. I work with guides during a Reiki session. During one of my Reiki meditations, a new guide came to work with and through me, Jesus. This was not something I asked for and definately didn’t expect, remember, I wasn’t brought up with religion. My Reiki sessions have changed as he works with me. I now refer to the Reiki energy as Divine Love, seems more appropriate to me now.

Here’s a piece of an email a friend sent to me this morning:

“I hope you have a Blessed day.
We must always remember the reason we celebrate Christmas.”

That statement went right to my heart. I did feel Blessed. And I truly felt the spirit of Christmas.

 And because synchronicities are reminders, this song played shortly after on the radio, with a totally different meaning for me.

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there’s no one above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that’s what you do

Oh the morning sun in all its glory
Greets the day with hope and comfort too
And you fill my life with laughter
You can make it better
Ease my troubles that’s what you do

There’s a love that’s divine
And its yours and its mine
Like the sun at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray to the one

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there’s no one above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that’s what you do

There’s a love that’s divine
And its yours and its mine
And it shines like the sun
At the end of the day we will give thanks
And pray to the one

Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there’s no one above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that’s what you do

Take away my sadness
Fill my life with gladness
Ease my troubles that’s what you do
Fill my life with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles that’s what you do. ~Van Morrison

Blessings to All,
~Tania

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear…”

I tend to look at life a little bit differently than the “norm.” I like it that way. I love who I’ve become. I’m a Reiki Master. I’ve always rebeled against the term “Master.” I’ve know for a very long time that I was a healer (physically or someone that was just a good listener). Never connected with Reiki; there are Masters & symbols… it has to passed on to the student… blah, blah. Sounds a little cult-ish or religious… Circumstances do happen and I became a Level II Reiki Practitioner. Hmm…  Then I read (sorry can’t find the reference) but… a Reiki Master is a person who has made the conscious decision to master their own life. How, cool! I went on to gain my mastership… I was ready. I went for Master. My students have been my greatest teachers…

 I teach by sharing. Listening to my students, sharing my experiences. Letting them voice their intentions to spirit. It’s a beautiful experience. I’m a catalyst tp my students to become empowered, just by listening. Compassion. Listening. Sharing. Understanding.

I’ve thought, ”Is it my ego that makes me feel this way?” I ‘know’ that it’s not supposed to be. And I know that I can honestly say, “NO”. It feels too right. I’m just a catalyst, facilitator. My students have gone on to be so much… I’m so proud of who they’ve become. They have more clients than I do, they’re working healing animals… am I jeolous? No way… I’ve learned so much from my students. And the students keep coming. So, I’m on my path… the flow keeps flowing. I’ve never experienced such connectedness and love.

Blessings to all the catalysts
~Tania

“Solitude is such a potential thing. We hear voices in solitude, we never hear in the hurry and turmoil of life; we receive counsels and comforts, we get under no other condition . . .” ~Amelia Barr

So many people can’t be alone, to just be with the solitude. They need to constantly be with another or, some delude themselves by constantly keeping themselves busy, coping. Afraid of the inner voice? Solitude is a time of personal reflection, a key component for personal and spiritual growth. How can we know who we are if we can’t sit with ourself in silence?

“When we cannot bear to be alone, it means we do not properly value the only companion we will have from birth to death - ourselves.” ~Eda LeShan

By solitude, I do not necessarily mean silent contemplation or meditation, but being comfortable to be by yourself, away from outside influences. Comfortable enough to relax and enjoy Self. Value the time alone to explore true feelings, who you are and who you are becoming, your strengths and weaknesses. Learn to love yourself.

Journaling is a good activity for times of solitude. It doesn’t need to be anything formal, just write. Write whatever comes to mind. Let the thoughts flow. Record your dreams. Listen to your inner voice, it will provide guidance that no one else can, it knows you. It is YOU.

Make your own decisions, live your life. Become true to your Self. Enjoy the time, take care of yourself. Cook nice meals, tend the garden, take a walk, read, nap, lounge in the bath, or even create a blog. Find your passion. Create. Explore your possibilities.

“I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind” ~Albert Einstein

Choose to enjoy the glory of being alone… 

Language… has created the word “loneliness” to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word “solitude” to express the glory of being alone. ~Paul Johannes Tillich, ‘The Eternal Now’

Building a solid foundation is important to the integrity of the whole. Foundations are vital for many things in life; houses, health, businesses, personal growth, and relationships. Just as a builder knows you can’t erect walls without having a foundation in place, or a business owner knows that you can’t go out and purchase equipment without a business plan written up; relationships can’t be developed without a solid, carefully built foundation.

A solid relationship cannot be built without each individual having built their own solid foundation, comfortable with who they are. Depending upon someone else for happiness doesn’t work. Relationships need to be built brick by brick and the more secure we are as individuals, the easier it is to build a foundation together. Fears, insecurities and pain from the past can cause an unstable base upon which to form a relationship.

Solidly built stone foundations “stand the test of time”, we can see them everywhere, the structures may be gone; neglected, abandonded, or burned, yet the foundation still stands.

“It is as if a raindrop fell from heaven into a stream or fountain and became one with the water in it so that never again can the raindrop be separated from the water of the stream; or as if a little brook ran into the sea and there was thenceforward no means of distinguishing its water from the ocean; or as if a brilliant light came into a room through two windows and though it comes in divided between them, it forms a single light inside.”

~St. Teresa of Avila
Quoted in The Virago Book of Spirituality, Edited by Sarah Anderson