Humble Phoenix - Reiki and Meditation, Ascot Vale (2025)

17/04/2024

"Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures” – John F Kennedy

There's something I love about this quote (not just because I've always been inexplicably drawn to JFK).

We as a world, a community, are going through a period of enormous change and growth; with all the pain and uncertainty that comes with it. Our structures, opinions and beliefs are literally being rewired in real time.

When we look back in 20 years or more I'm sure it will seem like it all happened very quickly - but here in the midst of transformation it can feel glacially slow and frustrating and confusing.

But true change IS slow. It IS day by day. Whether that's improving your health, learning something new or changing society. It's making the choice to get up and try every day, to unlearn and relearn, to grow.

Give yourself time and space. Find the way into your own heart. Ask for help. Allow yourself to heal.

29/09/2023

What is meditation? It isn’t trying to stop your thoughts. It is learning the art of beginning again.

Step 1. focus on the breath (or chosen object)
Step 2. notice when you become distracted
Step 3. gently let go of the distraction
Step 4. begin again

15/09/2023

Look what I'm up to tonight! If you're Reiki-curious, grab your beverage of choice and join me and some other Reiki Masters as we share some stories :D

No need to register – here’s the Zoom Link to join, starting at 7pm AEST... https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86189459518

13/08/2023

“Compassion is an action word with no boundaries.” – Prince

Reiki Precepts 6/6 - "Be compassionate to yourself and others"

How do you feel when you think about self-love, self-care, self-compassion?

How do you share love, care and compassion with others?

Without judgement consider … is one easier for you than the other?

What about people you don’t know, disagree with or don’t connect with? Compassion literally means embracing the suffering of others – can you let go of ego and embrace their perspective or suffering as much as your own?

Making compassion for yourself and others a habit, part of your DNA, is a little bit magical. I believe we were born to live like that – we just have to remember how.

So here are some ideas for bringing compassion into your every day:

❤ Look at yourself in the mirror and say ‘I love you’ every day (as awkward as that might feel)
❤ Say ‘NO’ and rest whenever and as much as you need to – fill your own cup, put on your own oxygen mask
❤ Forgive yourself if there are things undone on your to do list
❤ Do small acts of kindness for others or offer to help someone before they ask
❤ Practice Loving Kindness meditation - you can find a simple script online or guided versions on Insight Timer
❤ Read, watch and listen to things that help you understand the perspective and experiences of others

I also wonder…
What judgements are you carrying that are unhelpful, and can you release them?
What forgiveness is it time to offer to yourself or others?
What do you notice if you watch your inner dialogue (aka self-talk) for a day or two?

Or pick one or two of the ideas in this post (and the previous ones) that you feel drawn to; try it out for a week and see what happens!

Small, daily rituals and practices can add up to significant shifts over time. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that working with the Precepts can change your life!

26/07/2023

I'm putting the finishing touches on my newsletter today. It's about something I think about a lot ...

And inspired by this, from someone I find intriguing ...

"It’s never too late to become who you want to be. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over again.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald

I feel like I've started again so often - whether through big changes that took my life in a new direction or little choices that shifted my mindset.

Each seven-year cycle has had a clear trajectory to it. They each taught me something, helped me grow, pushed and challenged me.

But it’s only in hindsight that I can see it.

So if you're in the midst of change, confusion, transition, a slump, stuckness ... please know that you're not alone. If you're rewiring your body, mind and life ... please know that within you is everything you need to do that.

Time will continue to march forward. But when you look back, can you appreciate how far you've come? Can you see the ups, downs, themes, evolutions you've been through? And can you bring that knowing into now and enjoy today, live a life you're proud of and start over when you need to?

💡 Sign up to the newsletter for more on this, and other fortnightly musings - follow the link in the comments!

Photo by Social History Archive on Unsplash

14/07/2023

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” – Brené Brown (you know I had to get a Brené quote in this series at some point!)

Reiki Precepts 5/6 – “Be true to your way”

There are various translations from the original Japanese of this precept – including “Be honest in your work” and “Be honest and truthful”. This is my personal preference.

This precept is asking us to be dedicated to our spiritual growth and be honest with ourselves; to follow our passions; to live our purpose, especially our callings to be of service.

Your inner compass is the most valuable asset you have as you travel through your life and try to do all these things so you can live in alignment with your true self. This is the ultimate aim of Reiki. It will strip away the layers of paint so you can find the beautiful wallpaper beneath.

Life has a way of conspiring to push you in the right direction - but it’s up to each of us to pay attention to the hints and messages from the universe and from within you, then to take action to strip back those layers of paint to reveal the true you.

Have you had an experience of being truly honest with yourself? What happened when you surrendered to that truth?

Here are some other ideas for being ‘true to your way’:

💛 Give yourself an afternoon to explore yourself – your values, strengths, preferences and gifts (and their shadow sides!) - find the unique blueprint of YOU

💛 Plot or paint your life timeline – highs, lows, progression, losses – and notice any themes

💛 Pick up a long-lost interest again – perhaps an old hobby or interesting topic to read about.

💛 Pull at the thread of something that's caught your attention recently - where could it lead?

💛 Journal: When do I feel most myself? When do I feel most unaligned with myself? Where have I seen my values and strengths come to the fore lately?

10/07/2023

“True humility is contentment” — Henri Frederic Amiel

Reiki Precepts 4/6 - "Be humble and grateful"

This is kind of a ‘two for one’ precept. The ideas of humility and gratitude are connected, but different. Maybe you resonate with one, maybe the other. Maybe it changes day to day, and that’s OK.

Humility is the embodiment of Reiki and is an important element of my Reiki lineage. We are all works in progress, on a journey into ourselves and through this life we’re creating together. As a healer, it helps me hold space for you and reminds me to get out of the way so your innate healing ability can shine.

In our capitalist and success-driven culture, sitting with and cultivating the energy of gratitude and humility reminds us of the abundance we already have, and helps us enjoy it rather than always expecting more.

An attitude of gratitude and humility supports you to maintain strong integrity within yourself and with the flow of life. It helps you let go of your ego and connect with something greater than yourself, however you understand that (God/dess, the Universe, the Divine, spirit, love, Reiki or anything else).

Here are just a few ideas for how you can integrate this powerful precept into your day:
⭐️ Write your gratitude list each night before bed – just three things you’re grateful for, no matter how small or obvious they may seem
⭐️ Look back at your Facebook memories each day, recognise how far you’ve come, and what you’ve learned, achieved and experienced over the years - then bring it back to living fully now
⭐️ Write thank you letters to people who’ve been important in your life; and if you can, visit them and read the letter to them
⭐️ Acknowledge what you did do today and forgive yourself for anything un-done (either it will still be there tomorrow or it didn’t matter anyway!)
⭐️ Ask for help, seek feedback, be open to learning

What other suggestions do you have?

06/07/2023

“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” – Swedish Proverb

Reiki Precepts 3/6 - "Do not worry"

Ooof, this is the one for me. Of all the precepts, it’s the one I have to remind myself of time and time again. I am a habitual worrier, even though I know and can feel its effect on my body – my skin, digestion, sleep, immune system - I'm human, with a ready ability to move into 'fight or flight'.

We often worry when we are not fully in the present or are living with fear. We are thinking about what’s happened in the past (and can’t change) or what might happen in the future (and might not); we focus on what’s wrong rather than what’s right.

Whatever is driving it for you, worry is wasted energy. I don't know about you, but rumination about the past and rehearsals for the future can really make my brain hurt, make my stomach churn and keep me awake at night! Not fun.

Luckily there are things you can do about worry, and it starts with noticing it. Then we can make better choices about how we manage it. Here are just a few ideas –

🌈 Turn off the news! Check in with it if you need to once or twice a day, but notice when it changes from being interesting and helpful, to stressful and unhelpful

🌈 Find ways to get into your body (and out of your head) - gentle movement, vigorous exercise, breathwork, body brushing or tapping, take a bath or go swimming, feel the sun on your skin. There are SO many options, so find what works for you!

🌈 Put on some upbeat music you can sing and dance to - this can really lift your spirits!

🌈 Focus on gratitude and counting your blessings or what is going well

🌈 Seek help, talk to someone - get your worries out of your head, get some perspective on them, get some advice.

I’d love to hear what helps you! 🌈 ❤

18/06/2023

Reiki Precepts 2/6 - DO NOT ANGER

“You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger” - Buddha

Anger is probably one of the most mismanaged and suppressed emotions in the human experience. Yet it is part of the full spectrum of emotions, all of which offer gifts (as well as challenges). Consciously and mindfully working with our emotions - including anger - can empower us, spark change and help us live an inspired life.

In her book 'Atlas of the Heart', Brene Brown calls anger a "full-contact emotion ... because it activates our nervous system and can hijack our thoughts and behaviors." Finding ways to move through and process anger may be difficult, but it is critical for our mental and physical health and is at the heart of being human.

Here are just some suggestions for how you might do that... I'd love to hear yours too!

💛 Switch off social media, podcasts or TV that don’t make you feel good (including the news!); or turn the anger into action - write letters, peacefully protest, be a leader in your own life and community around issues that matter to you

💛 Scream into a pillow or move your body to release the emotion

💛 Check in with yourself if you have extreme reactions like anger – where is it coming from? What is it telling you? Perhaps your boundaries are being challenged, your safety feels threatened? Perhaps its other emotions like fear, shame, grief or stress. Also, pay attention to the early warning sights like frustration or irritation.

💛 If there are specific people or situations that create anger for you, try working through it by journaling about it each day – your journal is a safe space, so don’t be afraid to explore and be honest with yourself. And seeking help from a trained therapist can be a supportive way to sort through your thoughts, experiences and feelings.

What is your relationship with anger? Where might you be able to soften just a little? How can you process, move through or let go of anger?

15/03/2023

🍁🍂🌰 The Autumn Equinox marks a time of balance and transition. It's one of my favourite phases of year, a perfect time to reflect on the cycle coming to an end, and to be grateful for the gifts that summer brought into our lives.

It always seems to me that there's a really potent energy around the Autumn Equinox. We can surrender what we don't need to carry into the next cycle and recommit to what it means to be the best version of ourselves.

What are you surrendering this Autumn?
What is this new cycle going to bring for you?

I have something to share that might help ... I'll be offering a distant Reiki healing for everyone on my email list this coming Sunday, to honour the Autumn Equinox. If you want to get involved, sign up through the link in the comments! Plus, you'll receive my guide to a short self-healing practice that I've found so helpful for dealing with stress, anxiety and, well, life!

🌰🍂🍁

Humble Phoenix - Reiki and Meditation

17/04/2024

29/09/2023

15/09/2023

13/08/2023

26/07/2023

14/07/2023

10/07/2023

06/07/2023

18/06/2023

15/03/2023

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