Hi there Animal Lovers,
I just returned from an epic pilgrimage.
USA, New York, in fact.
Not somewhere I had ever wanted to go to. Or had on the bucket list.
I'm more of an intrepid adventures kinda gal. I do like to visit big cities for the energy and culture..
Even though I feel more at home in the Bush or Ocean surrounded by animals. I do have an innate gypsy spirit, that loves a good adventure and travel. Especially meeting new people and animals…
I had some wonderful Animal Ambassadors showing up .& guiding me along the way.
So why the journey??
I went to a Power of Reiki Conference at The Omega Centre.. Which had presenters from across America covering multiple topics.. Reiki and scientific research, different modalities, Shamanism, Crystals and of course the clincher for me was Kathleen Prasad presenting on Animal Reiki.
I have read her books, completed her online courses and followed her social media for many years, and have witnessed the evolution of her practice.
Omega Institute was amazing, I was there for three days. The place itself s energising, food is fresh and organic.. I was greeted by squirrels, dragonflies and a turtle. I got to see groundhogs and chipmunks…
I was very excited to hear Kathleen speak in person, both at Omega, then, the next part of my adventure was to Achieve my Reiki Masters in Animal Reiki, with Kathleen. This was hosted at an Animal Sanctuary in Catskills ( upstate New York, in the mountains)
Two nights before I arrived I had a vision of a sweet face, it was Christopher the Sheep welcoming me..
On the morning of Day one of the course, I was visited by a baby rabbit outside my glass hotel door ( In the middle of a city)
By the time I got to the Animal sanctuary, the first creature who greeted me, was gorgeous Christopher, in the flesh… Bless him
Then over the next three days there were, cats, pigs. Sheep, goats, cows, chickens, turkeys, a lap duck raised in a New York apartment, and some amazing horses, two of which, were Apoloson, with their eyes removed. They were well adjusted and happy. So in tune, they would walk over to us to receive Reiki.
What did I learn??
I've been practicing Reiki for twenty years. On Animals humans and anything else that gave me permission.
Being attuned to Reiki gives you the ability to practice on all living things.(& on occasion,cars,situations and electrical equipment, actually the applications are endless, I love to hear of new inventive ways to apply Reiki to our everyday lives)
Kathleen brought it back to basics, it was really pure energy, wonderful to see the animals soaking it up, as we all went about our daily practices.
All of the staff remarked at how peaceful the animals were.. And how we are the biggest and least invasive group that had ever visited the Sanctuary.
I saw the power of chanting the precepts, in Japanese and English.
How animals respond when we give each other treatments.
Simplicity is key, you don't have to touch an Animal to be giving Reiki. In fact it is way more effective when you just Be Reiki.. And most importantly let the Animals lead. It's empowering for them and respectful too.
One of the biggest take home lessons for me is to remind the animals of their beautiful inner light.. Mirror it back to them. Especially when they are transitioning.
Too often we get caught up in the moment, feeling pity, and fear for the animal.
Or if they are a rescue animal , we let their back story define who they are in this moment, That is not fair for them, and doesn't help them reach their fullest potential. They need us to be strong, compassionate and shower them in unconditional love.
They live in the moment, and we owe it to them. To honour the Now. Whatever that may be.
Then I was in New York City for the next three days.. I got to stay with Tommy( Jack Russell) and his guardian in upper Manhattan.. It was great to chill with him before I hit the subway & big smoke.
There was one particular night I was sitting in Times Square surrounded by thousands of people, eating dinner when this gorgeous big dog bounded up to me full of hugs and licks..
That was my favourite
moment of New York City.
Just goes to show where my heart is.
Don't get me wrong, the museums, plays, live comedy and Central Park all had its charms too.
Til next time.
Much Aroha Donna Xx
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