The holidays are coming.  Many of us are empaths can find this season very overwhelming.  If you are clairsentient (knowing by feeling) you may sense what others are feeling (stress, anxiety, sadness) so a room full of people can be a lot to process and be around. So the loudness in the room can occur on many levels, when you receive information in various ways. No need to isolate and stress and hide out by yourself on the sofa.

When you have expanded senses or gifts, however you wish to refer to them, it doesn’t mean you have to hide from the world.  You may have found it difficult to be highly sensitive as a child and that has continued in your adult life. However, now that you are an adult you can take responsibility for how you encounter the world.  Spiritual practices like Reiki can be used to clear your space and your energy and to calm and soothe you.   Shielding, which I wrote about in this post https://justbreathereiki.com/2014/09/16/the-importance-of-shielding/  is the tool you use to buffer yourself from the outer world.  If you have studied Reiki, you can sign the Reiki symbol for protection over your heart before you leave your car or walk into the room at your event (and repeat as needed when you feel an energy boundary being pushed).  So you clean and shield yourself before you go to an event.

If you are hosting the event you have the added luxury of taking additional steps to keep your space full of lovely energy.  You can place a bowl of water with some sea salt in your space to absorb some of that energy (and discard it after the event).   You can light some candles and set the intention that they burn away any tension or negativity and infuse the room with love and peace and calm. You can open a window in the room you are entertaining in and ask the earth to restore and replenish the energy in the room as needed.

The other thing you can do for self-care is to turn off your inner voice and ego and turn up your self-awareness and be fully present. When we get together with family and friends our wounded version of our self can pop up. Our ego can try to protect us from future hurts by reminding us of the hurts of the past, so our defensive shields can come up and our ego can interpret what we are hearing and seeing around us.  A look or a comment can turn into an inner dialogue where we think someone is judging us again (based on something that happened or was said in the past).  We might be comparing ourselves to others either thinking we are superior or inferior (another thing our ego likes to do to separate us from others).  If you can let go of these little interpretive dialogues and be present you might find you see something in the person you think you know so well as you are talking to them (hmm… maybe they are just looking for acceptance too). Maybe the one who brags so much is really insecure amongst your group and you may sense their nervousness.  Maybe a person has changed and you can witness that and see you actually have more in common than you did or can connect with them in a way you never have before.  Just be open to listening and observing and letting go of the stories of the past.  One message my guides stress is that is so, so, so important to be ourselves, to be authentic. So try doing that and not worrying about what others think. Share something personal about yourself (maybe a woo-woo workshop you attended) instead of shutting down and being defensive. It can be liberating to be you and to find the acceptance inside of you that comes with that.

If you need to refresh or regroup or hit the reset button, you can go for a little walk outside and ask the earth to take some of the energy building away from you (visualizing it moving down your feet).  If you have studied Reiki you can do a quick mini session in the bathroom just holding your hands on your heart and asking to be replenished and restored.  Sit for a minute and look around the room and find something to appreciate about each and every person in the room.  That will instantly shift your mood and energy. Remember all everyone wants is love and acceptance so try to be the source of that for yourself and if you can, offer that to others (even if it’s for a minute).

Take these steps so you can shine your inner light this holiday!!!

The Canadian Reiki Association (CRA) is holding its 21st Annual General Meeting in North Vancouver this year.  If you have studied Reiki with me, you will be familiar with the CRA from your Reiki course(s).  If you are a student of mine and are thinking of getting certified as a practitioner it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the CRA and see the board in action and get a feeling for the membership base.  I have to say I was very impressed when I attended the AGM back in 2011 and that was when I signed up as a student member.  Coming from a scientific background I wasn’t sure what to expect from a meeting of Reiki members (this world was all pretty new to me as I had just finished my Level 2).  I was impressed by how the organization was run, had a great time meeting other attendees and was excited to have the experience of seeing auras of people when they were speaking.  There was a presentation on some MS-related research that was being conducted in conjunction with the association.  I saw a great talk on affirmations and went home with a door prize and was very glad I attended.  There is a mini-market as well.

This year’s entertainment is a performance by Matthew Kocel.  He is a local talent who is a throat singer and spiritual musician.  Here is a video of him performing:

Here are details if you are interested in attending:

Date: Saturday, May 26th, 2018

Location: Lonsdale Quay Hotel, 123 Carrie Cates Crt., North Vancouver, BC

Agenda: Upon arrival, there will be a meet and greet over a continental breakfast from 8:30 to 10 am. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with your board members and other Reiki Practitioners to further build a sense of community and within the CRA. After our meeting, we will have a lovely buffet luncheon followed by a private performance from Matthew Kocel, a throat singer, sound healer, multi-instrumentalist and musical visionary, Matthew Kocel is a man on a mission to inspire unity through the universal language of music and sound. ”

Please use this link and register. https://reiki.ca/membership/annual-general-meeting/event-calendar/#id=108&cid=1269&wid=2701

Currently it’s $40 to become a student member.

If you’re one of my clients or students, you’ve probably picked a card from one of Kyle’s oracle card decks when you were on your way out (for some extra guidance).  His cards are incredibly accurate for guidance and contain uplifting and unique messages.

Kyle, who is one of Hay House’s top angel experts is posting a daily video on his YouTube Channel in a 111-day challenge to Raise your Vibration.

Kyle Gray

He is based out of Glasgow and is a 28-year old author and yogi who experienced connections to divine beings from a young age.  He has the loveliest, happiest, sunniest, purest energy and a wonderful outlook on life and how to connect with spirit.  His spirit reminds me of a young curious child.

Last year I completed his Hay House Connect with Your Angels course (https://www.hayhouse.com/connect-with-your-angels-hhu) when Hay House had a special on and really enjoyed it.  Kyle is an amazing storyteller and I think my favorite part of the course are the stories he shares.  He also includes a bonus yoga workout.

As soon as I found out about this challenge, I was committed to giving it a try. If you’re looking to make some changes in your life, and 2018 does feel like a year of deep inner change, why not start out your day with an inspiring and uplifting video with Kyle.  You could listen to this before you get out of bed or even do this while you’re making your breakfast, commuting to work, or getting ready.  The challenge started in the beginning of January and if you sign up for Kyle’s YouTube channel you’ll get daily updates.

Here is Video #1 to get you started:

I encourage my clients and students to develop their own daily spiritual practice so they can work on healing themselves and connecting with Spirit each and every day.

What is a daily spiritual practice and why is it important?

A daily spiritual practice is a number of activities you incorporate into your daily routine that helps you feel connected, supported, and  helps you to have perspective on life’s ups and downs.  It is something very personal. It should resonate and work with you. What works for another won’t necessarily be what works for or fits you.

Ideally these activities are spread out throughout your day – say one in the morning, one at lunch, and one right before you go to bed, so you are reminded you are connected, grounded, and supported  throughout the day. I also note that I use the term spiritual in a loose way. In that something that is a special spiritual experience for you might just be an ordinary task in another’s day.

Here are some examples of activities you can include in your daily routine that allow you to connect:

• spending time in nature in a very present way. Walking meditation is a lovely way to learn to do this

• treating a bath or shower as a sacred experience where you tune your senses into what you are experiencing and quiet your inner chatter
• meditating
• doing a Reiki self-treatment
• doing yoga
• any daily self-care ritual that is done with love
• praying
• chanting
• listening to music that inspires you (this doesn’t mean that has to be spiritual music – lyrics can be meaningful and move you regardless of the genre)
• journaling
• gratitude practice (giving thanks for 10 things/people/moments in your day that vary in importance)
• cleansing yourself and your space
• shielding yourself and your space
• reading a book, poetry, or articles that inspire you

• looking at images, something or someone that inspire you
• having a sacred beverage (e.g., tea) in absolute presence
• taking some calming full belly breaths
• doing inspiring visualizations (e.g., seeing your body filled with loving light)
• practicing forgiving on a daily basis (what do I need to be forgiven for today and what can I forgive another for today)
• letting go of fault-finding (criticizing and judging ourselves or others)
• connecting with and being kind to other people and animals
• any acts of service done with love and compassion

I think two key elements of any daily spiritual practice should include cleansing yourself and your space as well as shielding. Preferably this is done before getting out of bed in the morning and before falling asleep at night. The cleansing helps remove any negative residues or energy and the shielding helps keep your positive energy intact.  Smudging is a great way to cleanse yourself and your space.  It can be done with a tiny stick of lightly scented incense and even unlit incense or sage (just by intention). You can also cleanse with a visual exercise even from your bed. Picture your outer four walls being cleansed and covered with divine indigo or white light, then the floor and spaces below, the ceiling and spaces above, and then all of the spaces between the four outer walls and floor and ceiling being filled and purified by this light. Then you can do the same for your aura, picturing this light filling you and cocooning you. For shielding, which follows cleansing, you can do a simple visualization of seeing yourself surrounded by white light that deflects any negative energy and keeps your energy intact. You can read more on shielding on my post: https://justbreathereiki.com/2014/09/16/the-importance-of-shielding/ 

Try to include 3 to 4 activities including the cleansing and shielding.  So a routine could include going for a walk at lunch and then making a 10-item gratitude list in your head before bed.  This daily practice practice helps remind us that we’re safe and okay, that there is peace in the present moment, and we are in control of our thoughts and how we see the world.

Tailor your daily practice to suit your loves and what inspires you. What makes you feel bliss? What makes you feel connected to this world we live in and the other people and creatures that we share this space with (realizing oneness isn’t abstract)? Play around with adding different activities until you find the right mix. Then stick to it for a month and see how you feel.  Check in with yourself and see do I have a more balanced perspective when I experience a surprise or down turn in my life? Am I more grateful for all that I have and experience in my life? Do I feel more love for myself? Do I feel more love and compassion and less judgement for others? These practices help you feel connected to Spirit, the Universe, God, whatever terminology you prefer and bring you calm and peace and love.

Do share if you have anything you use in your daily spiritual routine that inspires and heals you.

Many blessings