Grandmother
Spider

Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Reiki and Pregnancy

By: Beth Simmons Stapor

Just a short while ago I had a client ask me if I knew of any instances where Reiki had helped infertility. I answered as a matter of fact I do know of one case. I had a student in my class last March who had undergone treatment for infertility taking medications without positive results. She had pretty much given up on the idea of having a child. During her Reiki I and II weekend she remarked to the other’s in the class that she had felt something "pop" in her lower abdomen. Approximately 6 weeks after the class I received an email from her that she had become pregnant after she returned from her Reiki Training weekend. She delivered a healthy baby last November.

In another situation I had a client who was four months pregnant when she decided to take a Reiki I workshop. During her attunement, Tonya experienced the baby responding to the energy flow. As her pregnancy progressed she gave "Noah" reiki treatments. After his birth he was nicknamed the "Reiki Baby", as he was so relaxed and contented. Tonya says that on many occasions it appears that Noah reaches out to exchange Reiki energy with her and others. She has also used Reiki to help him through teething, childhood falls, and illnesses.

Another Reiki client of mine heard about the positive benefits of having a "Reiki Baby" and decided to take a Reiki I and II workshop after she found out she was pregnant. The week of the class, Victoria was told that she was carrying twins. After becoming a Reiki Practitioner, Victoria gave her "boys" a Reiki treatment every day. She was able to carry the twins almost to full term and reports that they are easy to care for, whenever they are fussy she gives them Reiki and they calm down.

I had a student this past summer question me about a statement she had read in a book on Reiki which said that Reiki should never be given to a women late in her pregnancy. She asked for my reaction to the statement. I told her I expected it came from the thought that the Reiki energy might cause labor to prematurely start. I did not believe that to be true because I knew from my private practice and from my students that Reiki had only benefited them during their pregnancy. I also believe very strongly that "Reiki can never cause harm" and is appropriate for all situations, therefore can be used at any point in the pregnancy for the highest good.

There is a differing opinion among Reiki Masters regarding the unborn baby receiving an attunement to the Reiki energy. Some feel that as the mother is being attuned the baby is also being attuned to Reiki. Others disagree, saying that the baby is in no way part of the attunement process. I personally feel that since the baby is part of the mothers energy system during the attunement process he/she receives the benefit of the attunement. There is a connection or bond between the baby and Reiki. Does this mean that the baby is a Reiki Practitioner, only spirit knows the answer to that question? I do know that "Reiki Babies" seem to respond to the world around them differently than other babies.

I realize that there is no controlled scientific study in these cases, however there is certainly evidence that the use of Reiki before, during, and after pregnancy has positive results both for the mother and baby. My daughter, Wayles (who is a Reiki Master), and I have talked about her future pregnancies. There is no question, she will be receiving a Reiki attunement during her pregnancy and will use the Reiki daily during pregnancy for the health and contentment of her baby and herself.

Beth Simmons Stapor, Ph.D. is a Center Licensed Reiki Master Teacher, and makes her home in Cookeville, Tennessee. For classes taught by Beth, see the class schedule.

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Distant Healing,  as a Part of Your Reiki Practice

By: Beth Simmons Stapor

Last fall I received a phone call from Cheryl who lives Kentucky (I live in Tennessee). She was looking for someone trained in Karuna® Reiki to go to for treatments. I referred her to several of the International Center trained teachers in the Kentucky area. Due to varying circumstances none of the local Karuna® Practitioners were available. A few weeks later Cheryl phoned again and asked if I would consider sending her Karuna® Reiki. At that time I had quite a lot of experience in sending Distance Reiki, but had never done it as a part of my Reiki practice i.e. never having received payment for sending a Distant Reiki Treatment.

At first I was hesitant. However, after hearing of the many health concerns that Cheryl was dealing with I fell back on my personal philosophy that she would have not been sent to me by the universe unless I was supposed to work with her. So, we began weekly sessions. The general outline of our sessions is for Cheryl to phone me at the appointed time of the session. We spend some time discussing how she is doing along with an overview of what areas she would like to have worked on for that session. Then we hang up. I take the phone off the hook so I will not be disturbed, I turn on some music, light candles and begin the process of sending her Distant Karuna® Reiki. I spend a minimum of 30 minutes sending her Reiki. After I am finished, I write down notes about what I found and the areas I worked on and then call Cheryl and give her feedback on the session. Cheryl regularly receives Reiki from a local practitioner and her brother who is a Reiki Master. She finds that the Karuna® Reiki affects her in a much different way being gentler and more focused on the issues that she needs released.

As time went on and I received positive affirmations from Cheryl as to the help that she was receiving from the Distant Karuna® Reiki, I began to offer it to other people who live out of town. I have now four clients in my practice that live in other states that regularly contact me to send them Distant Reiki. Some of my clients charge their sessions on a credit card, others send me a prepayment for several sessions.

This has been a growth process for me. When someone comes into my office and I spend an hour with them doing "hands on" Reiki I could see the exchange of energy between us. The thought of being "paid" for a session that I do in the comfort of my "Lazy Boy" meditation chair was a jump I had to make in my mind. The results have only been positive for both my clients and myself.

Beth Simmons Stapor, Ph.D. is a Center Licensed Reiki Master Teacher, and makes her home in Cookeville, Tennessee. For classes taught by Beth, see the class schedule.

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HEALING THE EARTH:  WALKING THE LABYRINTH WITH REIKI 

 This July I celebrated my 50^th year of life. What a glorious celebration it was. It was the perfect weekend. It began with two very dear friends taking me to a wonderful lunch, which not only included great food, but also real heart connections. The warm feelings from lunch led into an evening of sharing with friends at a surprise party given for me by two of my best friends here in Cookeville. The next morning two friends and I left for the ‘mountain’ or University of the South at Sewanee, TN to attend a Labyrinth Workshop. Labyrinths have fascinated me since I first visited Chartres Cathedral in France where one of the few remaining original classical eleven circuit labyrinths is laid out in stone on the main floor. A labyrinth is not a maze. There are no tricks or challenges to the walk, you simply enter and exit at the same spot. After you enter, you walk the circles which meander throughout the whole circle going through 34 turns, getting close to the center, and then going to the outer edge only to wind your way back to the center again. In the center is a rosette with 6 petals symbolizing mineral, vegetable, and animal, human, angelic and the unknown. The walk into the labyrinth is known as purgation, where you ‘purge’, release, empty and quiet your mind, body, soul and spirit. It is there that we let go of things that block communication with our Spirit source and let go of control. The second stage is in the center and is called illumination. The illogical winding path that takes us there culminates in us realizing we are there, fully present in the moment. It is a time of prayer and meditation and clarity of life and our problems. Union is the stage where we leave the center following the same path out feeling grounded, empowered and integrating the information we have learned to help us on our journey of life. During the entire walk we spend time with Spirit in silence, listening for answers to the questions we brought into the labyrinth.

                The labyrinth is located under trees with the paths outlined with bricks. I would like to share with you some of what I wrote down after my two experiences in the labyrinth. The first time was during the afternoon, Here is my experience: entering the unknown, what does the labyrinth hold for me? I begin feeling the wind, the earth under my bare feet. I find that I can get so close to the center, only not to be there. There is a message in this for my life. Then I hear “blessed are you” you are on the right pathway. Peace that passes all understanding – all things in their own time. Learn to let go of that you cannot control. Be aware when your ego is driving you; move out of a place of ego. Don’t do things for man reasons; do them for Spirit reasons. I pass through the light and shadow’s of the afternoon reflecting onto the path. Am I in Spirit’s light or in the shadows? It is my personal choice. The path also mirrors the light and shadow self. I need to examine my shadow self and let it go. When I enter the center I feel angels surrounding me. I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. I exit the center feeling air under my feet.  My steps are light and easy, then deliberate steps, slowly taking the walk out, contemplative, I am enhanced by the energy of the path I have walked. I am aware that I have been connecting with Reiki energy with each step I have taken as I walked barefooted along the path.

My second time through the labyrinth was at twilight. There were torches of fire surrounding the circle. I was at peace. I entered the circle very reverent, hands in prayer position, again deliberate slow steps. I notice as I walk the circles that my hands begin to feel very warm, I realize that Reiki is flowing throughout my entire being. It was very sacred, spiritual, an awareness of peoples long ago walking the circles in light and dark times. There is an interesting visual of movement in the dark of people walking, turning, stopping, praying, and thinking. As I get to the center I immediately fall to my knees and offer myself to Spirit . I felt as if I received Spirit’s blessing for the healer I have been, the healer I am, and the healer I am to become. I felt like a humble servant, I give thanks. I begin my walk out feeling like a child, full of wonder, awe, I begin to look upward to the skies, I see fireflies, one zooms by my nose, and I giggle. There are night sounds now. The path darkens such that I have to feel my way out. As I leave I am elated, feeling that I have experienced a deep spiritual ceremony.

         Our workshop presenter told us that every time that someone walks the labyrinth, the earth receives a healing. We know that Reiki works to heal Mother Earth, adding Reiki to a labyrinth walk is a powerful way to send healing and peace to all peoples on the planet..

         I hope that each one of you has the opportunity to experience the wonderful healing experience of a labyrinth. What a gift, healing of yourself and healing for our Earth.       

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Why is an Attunement to Reiki Energy Necessary?

          Over the years I have been a Reiki teacher, I have often been asked the question: “Why do I need an attunement to healing energy?”, or “If this is universal life energy that is available to all, why do I need to come to a Reiki class and receive a special attunement?”  I look at the process of receiving an attunement to be initiated into Reiki energy. I would like to discuss the process of receiving an initiation. 

I have looked up the term “initiation” in the “Oxford English Dictionary”. Initiation is described as “the action of beginning, entering upon, or starting something.” It is also defined as “formal introduction by preliminary instruction or initial ceremony into some position, office, or society, or knowledge of or participation in some principles or observances – hence – admission to the knowledge of instruction in the elements of any subject or practice.”

Amazing how accurately this definition describes my perception. I am sure that there are those who have worked with energy work much longer than I had when they took their first Reiki class. They may question why it is necessary to initiate into something that they knew by faith already existed within them. I would have two responses to them. Would the neophyte believe in this natural gift from Spirit of healing self and others without the ritual? Secondly, as the “Oxford Dictionary” indicates, initiation is also “admission to the knowledge or instruction in the elements of any subject or practice.” Is this not the process that Dr. Usui went through when he received the Reiki keys to healing from Spirit?

As a teacher I have seen many reactions of my students to the process of receiving an initiation. In varying degrees each student has been touched in some special way by Spirit.  Initiations are a part of the process of reconnection to Spirit and a beginning of a new or renewed walk down the path of life. Many doors are opened in this sacred ritual.

If you have received an initiation to Reiki, remember back to the feelings you had during your special ceremony and connection to Reiki. If you are thinking about taking a Reiki class, then know that the healing energies that you were born with will only expand as Reiki begins to flow through your body, soul, and spirit.  Blessings on your journey.

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Stress and Disease

 By: Beth Simmons Stapor 

As a Psychologist, I am required to attend Continuing Education Seminars to retain my license as a counselor. Recently I attended a seminar on Stress and Disease presented by Dr. Nicholas Hall. What Dr. Hall had to say really impacted me and I wanted to share some of what I learned with the readers of Reiki News.  

We are composed of integrated body systems all working together for wellness. Stress is a stimulus for growth emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. We need recovery time from stress. If we have equal parts of each, stress and recovery time, we will be fine. Studies show that behavioral techniques are effective in relieving stress. The more we choose stress reducers the healthier we will be. Deep breathing, massage, touch, a spiritual connection, mindful meditation, reaching a deep state of relaxation, prayer, and exercise are a few of the stress reducers we can choose from. Exercise helps through the release of endorphins, which react in the body as morphine to combat stress. 

A stress recovery protocol also includes surrounding ourselves with friends, having long term stable relationships and a large network of friends. Even animals and plants help. Modifying your outlook to want what you need rather than needing what you want. 

So, how does this relate to Reiki?  What impacted me as I listened to Dr. Hall were the similarities of a Reiki treatment to the stress reducers he was listing. A Reiki treatment is a means of touch through which deep mindful meditation and a deep state of relaxation is reached. During a Reiki treatment a spiritual connection is made with universal healing energy. Reiki also provides the potential of a long-term stable relationship between the practitioner and client and definitely give social support for the client. 

Reiki is a wonderful way to combine many of the researched stress reducers into one treatment modality. We might even say: “ A Reiki Treatment a Day Keeps the Stress Away”  

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