EFT, Reiki and All Kinds of Everything

Can't Eastern and Western medicine just get along?

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:32:00 +0000

Hi Everybody,

Oftentimes, when it comes to health and healing, people are in two camps.

They either believe in Western Medicine…

Or they believe in Alternative (sometimes called Eastern) Medicine…

It seems like an ongoing struggle, about whether to take drugs or herbs, surgery or meditation.

Each "side" can often be dogmatically attached to their opinions, without opening doors to a wider approach or to other alternatives.

I personally prefer an approach that takes the best of both worlds for the benefit of the individual. I needed the help from the A & E department of our local hospital recently when I fractured my wrist. A family member needed mega-strong antibiotics to help her get over a nasty kidney infection over Christmas.

I also used EFT Tapping, and Reiki self-healing to speed up the healing process, and as my physiotherapist says I'm "ahead of the game" so soon after having the cast removed, this combined approach seems to be working.

Fortunately, some leaders in the field are also taking a different approach and asking themselves, "Why does it have to be one or the other? Can't we bring the best of both worlds together?"

That's exactly what Dr. Mark Hyman is doing in his personal practice, his bestselling books, and his speaking around the world.

Watch this video

If you want to learn about how you can overcome illness, create long-term lasting health, or just get over regular stress and feel better, then I highly recommend you watch this video:

In this interview, Dr. Hyman shares some pretty amazing information... things that you won't want to miss, such as...

- The monkey study that revealed the importance of one particular thing that many take for granted.

- One of the leading causes of chronic illness that people don't know about, and that goes all the way back to childhood.

- Why many of the patients who come to him are in fact doctors who are looking for solutions that work

- And much more...

Please do watch this video. It could provide a radical shift in your understanding of how to create real long-term health.

Enjoy.

Bright Blessings,

Please Note: Anything on the EFT side of this blog is provided as a public courtesy to help expand the use of EFT in the world. Any EFT content of this blog represents the unique ideas and usage of EFT by me, as its author. The information in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for appropriate, qualified medical care from doctors or other health-care providers. It is here to offer information on other complementary options to help you in your quest for optimum health, which you may wish to discuss with your healthcare providers before implementing. You, the reader, must be prepared to take full responsibility for your own health and I cannot be held responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of the techniques underlined here, either on you or others... more

Can you forgive yourself? Louise Hay and Meridian Tapping

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:43:00 +0000

Hi Everybody,

Exciting news from the Tapping Solution people as they gear up to the forthcoming 5th Annual Tapping World Summit - a rare interview with Louise Hay, leading metaphysical author of "You Can Heal Your Life" and the founder of "the" publishing house in the self-help world, Hay House Publishing.

"Forgiveness wipes the slate clean, so that other things can come in."

That's a quote of Louise from this transforming video that I think you should find very interesting:

video link

Love, forgiveness and self-acceptance are the most powerful gifts anybody can give themselves.

But getting to a point where you can turn off the background negativity isn't always easy...

You know what I mean, the "I'm not smart enough", "Who do I think you am?", "I'm not lovable", "I can't be successful" type of comments.

These types of comments severely limit our ability to fully express who we are and live the life we want.

In this video Louise shares with you her personal struggle with growing up feeling that she wasn't good enough.

She opens up about how she struggled emotionally, and shares a particularly traumatic incident from when she was 5 years old, when her stepfather was holding her head under water, and how it was affecting her 81 years later.

In this rare video interview, Louise Hay sits down with Nick Ortner, producer of the upcoming 5th Annual Tapping World Summit, and shares why she believes Tapping is such an important self-care technique and why you should use it.

You can watch this video, and tap along with Louise, sharing in her on-camera Tapping experience and have your own as you tap along with her. The wonders of Borrowing Benefits.

The last 10 minutes are especially powerful as Louise herself takes you through an extremely meditative Tapping process that brings her to tears of happiness, and just may do the same for you.

See the video here

Watching this video you'll also learn Louise's secrets for using Tapping to allow forgiveness, love and self-acceptance into your life, so that you too can be free of the things from your past that are holding you back.

If you want to create the life of your dreams, I believe this video to be an important step in that process.

At about the 3 minute mark Louise talks about why somebody should look at the truth of what's going on in their life. Housework - it gets everywhere.

What she says is one of the most profound and eye-opening explanations I've ever heard on this topic of positive focus vs. negative focus when Tapping. I'm sure you are going to love what she has to say, and if you are anything like me, you will get it right away.

I really enjoyed watching this video and once again it reinforces the fact that there is so much you can do to help yourself; that EFT Tapping can empower and enable you. I personally use it so often and find it really helps me out big-time.

Tapping has certainly helped me out with my recent fractured wrist, and I'm sure it is one of the reasons the physiotherapist tells me I'm ahead of the game with mobility in the aftermath of the cast removal.

Dr. Wayne Dyer recently said about Tapping: "Put away your skepticism, this really works…I've had great results with tapping in my own life."

Jack Canfield calls it "..the most powerful new transformational technology to come along in years…"

Lissa Rankin M.D. says, "For those seeking a prescription for eliminating limiting, self-sabotaging beliefs that lead to fear, anxiety, and chronic illness, look no further than The Tapping Solution."

See the video here

To allowing self-acceptance. Why not give it a go - you have nothing to lose.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

To start learning about EFT you can download my "Balance Your Life With EFT" free manual or go to my Self Help Page. Although you can no longer obtain Gary Craig's comprehensive training DVD sets to buy, you can rent them from here.

Happy New Year for 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 17:04:00 +0000

Hi Everbody,

2012 is in its last few hours. Looking back, it's not been one of my better years, especially the last few weeks, I have to say, but there is still lots to be thankful for, and appreciative of.

I'm setting the intent that 2013 is a much better, far more positive year, and whenever necessary, I'll be tapping on any negative and limiting beliefs that pop up to try and trip me over (hopefully not physically - one fall is enought to last me for a number of years :-) )

I hope that 2013 is a year of Peace, Love and Light for you all, and would like to take the opportunity to wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

To start learning about EFT you can download my "Balance Your Life With EFT" free manual or go to my Self Help Page. Although you can no longer obtain Gary Craig's comprehensive training DVD sets to buy, you can rent them from here.

Depressed and Stressed out by eBay UK - EFT to the Rescue!

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:30:00 +0000

Hi Everybody.

Have I needed to do loads of EFT Tapping this week!

In my last blog post here, I mentioned trying to make a little extra income with my crafting. Well, I gave it a go, hoping to sell some of my festive essential oil blends and hand-decorated candles online, and it has led to the week from Hell, all courtesy of eBay UK.

If you want the full story I've written about it on my crafting blog. I'm not repeating it here - I've had enough of their negative influence.

I would like to thank Claire Hayes for our tapping session the other night. Worked on from the procrastination; actually found a little fun - the light at the end of the tunnel, I think, but now have some other negative emotions to play with. But we'll soon knock those on the head. :-)

I've finally got the stage where I can just let things take their course and I'm feeling much better, but still need to work on anger and frustration.

It has been a good reminder that although crappy things happen, and rather than just letting go and flow, which, with hindsight, I realise I should have done and then just spent this last week resting up, healing and enjoying myself, we do have a very efficient tool to work with on all the beating self up, and stresses and strains.

Even with a purple cast on my wrist, I can still do my EFT tapping. And it's always better to do it NOW, rather than later.

Best of all - it works!

I hope you have a happy, fun-filled week before you. We just now have to get in the festive spirit - not helped by hubby's back going out. I do wish he'd try EFT, but you know how it goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

Right, from tomorrow it's the Christmas cards and little hand-crafted gifts I'd hoped to have made already this week. That is going to be so much fun!

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Procrastination - is it blocking your success?

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 23:31:00 +0000

Hi Everybody,

Procrastination - the putting off or delaying or defering an action to a later time ...

Procrastination has been a rather large problem with me these last few months. I keep putting things off, somehow hoping that every thing will magically fall into place. Strangely enough, it hasn't so far .....

In fact, at the moment I'm going nowhere very fast, having badly sprained my right ankle, and cracking the radius bone in my left wrist after a fall two weeks ago.

This means I need to come up with ways to supplement my income, as being self-employed, no work means no pay. With a cast on my wrist until at least the 21st December I can neither drive, nor do any aromatherapy sessions even if I could get myself to work. It may well be the middle to end of January before I can be fit to work again. (Although I'm using plenty of both EFT and Reiki in daily self-healing sessions.)

I'm now actively looking around for feasible alternatives, perhaps involving the crafting that I love to do. Physical hand-crafted products may be a little tricky right now, but I can still work digitally, albeit slowly.

So it's time to pull my finger out, and put procrastination behind me.

It is, therefore, very timely that Carol Look, an acclaimed EFT Master and a leader in the field of energy psychology, has a FREE online 60 minute tapping training session in the pipeline.

I like Carol's work and will be sitting in on this, having already signed up for my spot.

So what's it all about?

"Is procrastination making you unhappy?

Special Invite: Online tapping training with Carol Look

Clear your procrastination blocks.

Do you have that nagging feel that you really need to get something done? (Umm, yes.)

Maybe you're in a dead end job and you want to start your own business. Or maybe it's pursuing a new hobby. Or maybe it's just getting through that long list of to-dos so you can spend more quality time with your loved ones... (diversifying my business, combining my hobby with a different additional income stream.)

Whatever it is, you keep procrastinating from doing something... And you know that the more you delay, the more stressed and unhappy you feel. (Umm, yes.)

So what's stopping you from getting things done? (Where do I start....?)

Carol Look has identified the energy blocks that cause your procrastination.

Now, this is pretty exciting stuff coming from Carol.

Carol Look is the EFT master well known for bringing unprecedented innovations to the application of tapping techniques, and publishing her work for the benefit of others.

Once again, Carol leads the tapping field by exploring a topic rarely covered from an energy psychology perspective, and that is how procrastination limits your abundance.

Carol invites you to understand this important topic in depth by joining her for a FREE, 60-minute online tapping training where you'll:

* Learn the real costs of procrastination to your abundance, happiness, and health

* Identify your procrastination type (you might be even more than 1 type)

* Experience a hands-on training of the 4-step clearing process that removes the blocks that drive your procrastination type

After all, it's not every day that an EFT master of Carol's merit gives a FREE tapping training to clear the blocks that drive procrastination, so you really don't want to miss out on such a transformative opportunity that opens up your life to allow abundance to flow in!

Well then, what are you waiting for?

Click to RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW and eliminate the habit of procrastination that is holding you back from having the abundance, freedom and happiness you deserve."

Please note that some links on this blog, such as this one, are affiliate links, which means that I receive a commission if you choose to purchase the product at that link. I am very careful about what I recommend. All products or services are ones I, or people I trust, have tried and highly recommend.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Mental Health Awareness Week and EFT

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:46:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

This week in the UK it is Mental Health Awareness Week (21st to 27th May). For further information and help you might like to visit the Mental Health Foundation.

On my crafting blog I posted a page I made for the "Heads Up" Daisytrail Challenge, run to help highlight the issues of mental health problems.

The way the world is today it can be very easy to be constantly stressed and anxious; about your job and the impact of the economy upon it; family relationships which nowadays can seem to be far more complicated than they were in the past; health issues; and I am sure you can come up with many more that affect you.

There are many ways that you can find help, but sometimes you might not want to come out and admit that you have problems.

Created in Craft Artist. Images from Flickr CCby 2.0

Sunrise - Elvert Barnes; Yellow Water Lily- A writer afoot

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or Meridian Tapping as it is sometimes called, can be an extremely helpful tool in enabling you to take back some, if not all, of the control that you may feel that you have lost upon the way.

It may seem unbelievable that such a simple and easy-to-apply technique can have any effect at all. This tapping on the acupuncture end-points - it all seems just a little too weird, perhaps.

Yet EFT is now being used to help war veterans overcome their PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and although not yet accepted as an evidence-based modality, it is well on the way with recent research showing the benefits of this approach.

If people as badly traumatised as war veterans are able to find peace through the use of EFT then a lot of the more simple issues that can affect us should also respond well.

The "Research" section on the EFT Universe site contains studies that you might like to read, done on anxiety, depression, phobias and PTSD.

You can use EFT on yourself, although if there are any deep issues and problems that are contributing to the way you feel, then it is advisable to work with a practitioner who can support and guide you through the process. A list of EFT practitioners can be found on the AAMET (Association for the Advancement of Energy Meridian Therapies) website.

For day-to-day general issues that might cause you worry or concern, then a little self-help EFT can prove very beneficial. There is a Self-Help page on my website that you might like to use as a starting point, and you also have the option of downloading my free eBook, Balance the Stress and Anxiety In Your Life With EFT.

This is a self-help guide which considers the conventional causes of stress and anxiety and details the physiological, psychological and behavioural symptoms most commonly associated with these conditions It contains numerous suggested Setup Phrases that can be used as a starting point to set you on your way.

It also includes some common-sense day-to-day approaches that you can incorporate into your life, along with some Setup Phrases that may help you overcome any resistance to making these changes.

It is certainly something worth trying. Obviously it could be said I am biased, but I find regular use of EFT helps to keep me calm and grounded, and far less prone to worry and stress than I was before I learned about it. I am able to knock most stressful situations on the head as soon as I notice them emerging - it feels very empowering to be able to do this, and not be a prisoner of your fears and anxieties.

Give it a go, and I'd love to hear any of your stories, should you wish to share, either in the comments, or privately through email.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

To start learning about EFT you can download my "Balance Your Life With EFT" free manual or go to my Self Help Page. Although you can no longer obtain Gary Craig's comprehensive training DVD sets to buy, you can rent them from here.

Please Note: Anything on the EFT side of this blog is provided as a public courtesy to help expand the use of EFT in the world. Any EFT content of this blog represents the unique ideas and usage of EFT by me, as its author. The information in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for appropriate, qualified medical care from doctors or other health-care providers. It is here to offer information on other complementary options to help you in your quest for optimum health, which you may wish to discuss with your healthcare providers before implementing. You, the reader, must be prepared to take full responsibility for your own health and I cannot be held responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of the techniques underlined here, either on you or others... more

Menopausal Hot Flushes - a curse, or could they be a blessing at times?

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:02:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Is it me or is it hot in here? Flames [[[Matias]]] Flickr

For a number of years now it has been apparent that I am on the menopausal journey that all women must make as they get older, the alternative not really being all that acceptable.

As Susun Weed says in her book New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way, you know you have started going through menopause when you start asking yourself if things that are happening to you are the first signs.

For me, that started about the time I reached 40, just over 10 years ago. I mentioned a little about this in my post HRT Doubles Heart Risk in Two Years" - Is There a Safer Alternative Way to Deal with Menopause?

More recently, my hopes have been raised that I am almost there when my usually regular monthly cycle began to become far from regular about 2 years or so ago.

A few months ago I went 92 days before a menstrual bleed; as soon as I thought about it though, bleeding began and I was back to waiting for the 12 months menstruation-free (menopause literally being the very last period you have) to know that I was past the finishing line.

I have now clocked up over 100 days since the last bleed. This time I have cause to think that all will go better this time.

Since about 2007 I have had the occasional hot flush (hot flash), or perhaps it's generally truer to say a "warm flush", and apart from one episode, it hasn't been any big deal.

The one real hot flush was on the way home from Scotland, and I have written about how I used EFT tapping to knock it on the head, and incidentally received insight into what probably triggered it, in the PDF version of the presentation that I gave at the EFT Northern Gathering in January 2011.

During the last couple of weeks I have found myself having quite a number of hot flushes; sometimes triggered after having a hot drink, but equally appearing out of the blue and making me feel very warm indeed.

I remember reading somewhere that flushes can become more apparent the nearer you get to actual menopause.

If you read the presentation pdf you will see that one of the things that I talk about with menopause is a woman's beliefs and attitudes in relation to the way she feels about this time of life.

For many, these over-riding surges of heat are considered a nuisance or worse. Yet there are women who choose to see things in a more positive light and refer to these episodes as "Power Surges", a term I personally quite like.

For me, I actually found these hot states to be extremely welcome. We've had a spell of very cold weather over the last week or so, and the surges of heat were most appreciated, spreading through me like a shower of much-needed warmth.

In fact, my only regret was that they didn't extend down below the waist. I'd have loved it if they could have reached my toes!

Of course, as the weather warms, if these flushes persist, then it might not be quite so comfortable. But then, I know that if they do start being a problem, or an issue for me, then all I have to do is start tapping on the EFT points. From experience for myself, and as feedback from others, I know that works effectively nearly all of the time.

If you want to try tapping on hot flushes yourself, you can find tapping scripts freely available on my website. One of them is the tap-along script for the Tapping Insiders Club interview I did with Jessica Ortner.

If you then want to learn more about how you can use EFT tapping to help balance the underlying emotional aspects that might underlie the menopausal symptoms you might like to look into my eBook, Menopause - Hormonal Balance with EFT.

It would be interesting to know how other women view this time of life - perhaps you might like to let me know in the comments.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Bringing a smile to the face...

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:40:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

It's a cold day today, with the first real snow we have had in this part of the UK this winter. Thankfully, it's nowhere near as cold as it is in parts of Europe, and forecast to be milder for the next day or two at least. So that means, so far, so good.

As I was going through my Google Reader page I looked at one of my favourite "feel-good" sites and came across this enchanting piece of footage.

I don't know about you but it brought the biggest smile to my face, and the warmest feeling to my heart. Just the thing for a day like this, and to offset all the doom, gloom and despondency that seems to be so around at the moment.

This Mama otter is so endearing as she entrusts her baby to the veterinarians as they give the little one its first once-over.

I hope it brings as much joy into your day as it did mine.

We need rays of sunshine and warmth in our lives; at the right time of year they can be the real thing, but in these colder, darker days something like this can serve almost as well.

Perhaps you might like to leave a comment to say what brings a smile to your face to lighten your day?

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Chinese New Year of the Dragon

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:26:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Karen's Crafting Nook

Today marks the start of the Chinese Year of the Black Water Dragon. The Dragon year appears to be a very auspicious year, and one of my favourite EFTers, Brad Yates has a very nice tapping video to help put us in a positive and receptive mood.

So if you have 5 minutes or so to spare, why not tap along to "Awaken the Dragon Within".

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:29:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

A quick post to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year in 2012.

http://karenscraftingnook.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-new-year.html

Times might still seem a bit tough, but I prefer to follow the principles of the Law of Attraction - what you focus upon is what you get more of. I've always been a cup half full type of person so I like to focus on all the nice things that could be in store, and on the whole, that approach seems to serve me well.

It certainly does no harm to have positive expectations for the year ahead. Worrying about things that may, or may not happen (!) does have negative physiological effects upon the body, and you can deal with any fears, doubts or worries about what the future holds by tapping on them with EFT.

Keeping in mind the Reiki Principles can also be useful.

“The secret of inviting happiness through many blessings.

The spiritual medicine for all illness.

For today only:

Do not anger,

Do not worry,

Be humble,

Be honest in your work,

Be compassionate to yourself and others.

Do gassho every morning and evening,

Keep in your mind and recite.”

The Usui Reiki method to change your mind and body for the better

The founder, Usui Mikao

To borrow a word often used by one of my favourite EFT people, Brad Yates, I am holding the expectation that 2012 is going to be a MAGNIFICENT year, and I hope it turns out to be so for you as well!

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Solstice Blessings... and a Meditation

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:46:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

The year is almost finished; wherever did it go? At 05.30 GMT on Thursday 22nd December the astronomical event that is the Winter Solstice occurs, when we have the shortest day and the longest night, here in the Northern hemisphere.

Winter Solstice

Prior to the Catholic Church, more than 300 years after the occasion, choosing the 25th December to celebrate the birth of the Christ-child, people celebrated at this darkest time of year as the Sun prepared to strengthen and lengthen the days, bringing life-giving light, warmth and growth.

In our 24/7 western-style culture we no longer follow the natural rhythms of the seasons; we are no longer captive to the limitations that they can impose upon us. We have light and warmth now at the flick of a switch; food is freely available and abundant.

However, perhaps we have lost something in the process, especially at this time of mad hustle and bustle, of stress and frantic scurrying about.

Perhaps we should consider it a good thing to consider that there is a time and a place for everything; that as Nature lies dormant all around us we should consider slowing our own pace, allowing a more natural flow in our lives, if only for a little while.

For me, this is a time of year to go within, spend time in quiet meditation, giving thanks for what the year has brought me, both good and bad, as all provide valuable lessons when looked back upon.

A favourite meditation that you might like to try yourself is to sit quietly and let yourself relax. I like to do this by candle-light as it is so much more gentle. Frankincense is a nice addition, seasonally festive, and also a great enabler of the meditative state.

Once relaxed, let yourself sink deep into a darkness, the darkness that a tiny seed would know as it lies dormant in the soil.

Imagine youself as this tiny seed, deep in the cold and the dark, and then feel the subtle changes taking place as the sun's light begins to wax, the cold earth slowly, slowly beginning to warm.

Feel the tiny roots begin to push out deep, and the tiny shoot start reaching up, drawn by the light as it strengthens.

Continue to grow until eventually the little shoot pops out above the surface into the welcoming light - the Wheel of the Year is turning from cold dormant Solstice to life-giving warming Spring.

You can stop the meditation there, coming slowly back into the here-and-now, refreshed and ready for the festive celebrations. Or you can continue to visualize that little shoot growing, more strongly now, becoming a lovely plant, which may hold symbolism for you.

You can consider that little shoot as your potential for the coming year - something you want to nurture and care for, protect and allow to flourish.

If the stresses that many feel at this time of year come to bear, then remember that you can use EFT tapping to remedy the situation. Just a few minutes out, giving yourself some of that nurture and care.

I've been needing to do that the last few days as a problem developed in my right eye. Flashes of light and black streaks, blurriness of vision; more than just eye-strain from spending too much time on the PC! Worrying too, because a friend with similar symptoms needed an operation on a detached retina. Hypochondria sets in.

So I started with the tapping; on general fears for my sight; on worries that it might be something serious; I'm on my own because my OH is away for two nights....

The anxiety subsided and the decision made to visit the optician ASAP for a check. He couldn't reassure me totally as he couldn't check my eyes thoroughly as I was driving, so he could not dilate my pupils with drops.

Two days later the flashing was much reduced, albeit still present, but the blurriness worse. As recommended I paid a vist to A&E; was assessed and given an appointment on Sunday morning for the Eye Clinic. More tapping overnight for residual fears and being open to the possibility that all was well and nothing to fear, whatever the outcome.

The next day a thorough examination revealed that I had a PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment). Although this sounds rather serious and even yucky, it is in fact extremely benign, albeit a nuisance until my eye settles again, which might be in a few days, or might be longer. Time will tell.

Due to the rather large floater currently swimming around in the vision of my right eye I find it uncomforatble to spend more than a little time at the computer.

I seriously consider the likelihood that this is my body's way of telling me I am spending far too much time on the PC and that I should consider throttling back, balancing the time spent on it and giving my precious little peepers a rest.

And of course, I shall be doing lots of tapping to aid the process - should be an interesting little personal challenge to see how quickly I can get my eye back to a semblance of normality.

Which in a way brings me back to what I was saying at the start of this post; that we should make a point of taking adequate down-time from our daily activities.

Now at least I am happily, and unconcernedly "looking" forward to the seasonal festivities, especially after my meditation this evening.

I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy, Joyful and Loving festive season, in which ever way you celebrate it.

Brightest of Solstice Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Elderberry Tincture - keeping the coughs, colds and 'flu at bay?

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 22:48:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

We are coming into the time of year when coughs, colds and the 'flu are likely to rear their horrid little heads, and make our heads feel horrid in the process.

Many people who prefer more natural remedies might be familiar with Sambucol, a proprietary product that contains elderberry extract. The problem with that for us is that it contains glucose syrup, which doesn't help the blood glucose levels of my diabetic husband.

However, elderberry may actually help with blood glucose control when uncontaminated with sugar.

Although no longer in practice, I am qualified as a medical herbalist and at this time of year one of the things we do to boost our protection against the sniffles is to take elderberry tincture (Sambucus nigra) as a prophylactic.

A tincture is literally just elderberries that have sat in alcohol for a given period of time, then the menstruum, or liquor, strained and bottled. No added extras - the alcohol allows it to keep for some considerable time, especialy if stored in a cool, dry place.

In the past, I have bought my tincture in from a herbal supplier, but this year the berries ripened at a time when I could easily collect and process them. It is so much nicer when you can make your own.

In the past, if I had been making tinctures for use in my practice, I would have followed a set recipe to allow the correct proportion of berries to alcohol, so the strength of the finished tincture could be estimated. As this is purely for our own personal use I just worked on the basis of covering the berries with the vodka.

The finished result, after sitting in the cupboard marinating away for six weeks or more, is very pleasant to take in some water - tastes rather like unsweetened Ribena. We take a tablespoon a day, and if it feels like a cold is threatening the dose will be upped to three or four times a day. If anything does get by, it is usually quite short-lived.

Obviously it is too late now to make your own but elderberry extract or tincture is readily available from health food stores. Perhaps next year, though, you might want to consider bottling some for yourself.

More information on elderberry can be found here.

One of the other things we do to help ourselves against the winter lurgies is to ensure that our vitamin D status is optimal. Previous posts (here, here and here) have explained a little why this can be so helpful and our most recent test results still put us within the optimal category. My result came in at 69 ng/mL, and I'm quite happy with that. So I'll keep up with the 50,000 IU Vitamin D3 once a week throughout the winter, and all being well, come out the other side without having had too much trouble with the bugs.

So these are things that you might like to consider adding to your own anti-colds and 'flu arsenal, although if you do become seriously unwell, you should always get yourself checked out by your doctor.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Gill Edwards - Thank You for Your Legacy

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:42:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

It was with sadness that I learned today that Gill Edwards, one of my favourite inspirational authors, died at 2.20am the morning of Saturday November 19th 2011.

My condolances and sympathy to Gill's family and all who personally knew and loved her.

It was through reading Gill's books that I come to where I am now, and got me involved with EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques).

I had owned her first book, "Living Magically" for a little while before I was finally able to get into it. I can remember quite vividly reading it on a bus journey into Birmingham so we are probably talking about it being the early 1990s, and obviously the time had come for it to make sense to me.

And make sense it did; that ultimately we are all responsible for ourselves and that we can create our lives the way we want it to be, if we are only aware of this fact, and if we know how to go about it. Throughout her books, Gill always advocates growth through joy, not struggle. And that sounds a much better way to live our lives to me.

The Law of Attraction teachings have become more prominent nowadays; that what we focus our attention on, we get more of. Gill's books were already pointing the route for us to take, should we care to do so.

In the summer of 2006 I read "Wild Love" and this introduced me to energy psychology / energy medicine techniques, and EFT. Reading Gill's words I realised that I had Donna Eden's "Energy Medicine" on my bookshelves; another book that I had tried several times to get into without much success. Now I went back to it, and worked my way through it from a totally different viewpoint, and once again, it all now made sense.

From there I went on to utilise Mr Google and came across the huge EFT site that Gary Craig had set up for Emotional Freedom Techniques. (You can still access most of the hundreds of articles that were originally housed there at www.eftuniverse.com.)

I contacted my EFT Mentor through Gary's site and have now completed all 3 AAMET levels of EFT with her, and continue to receive my mentoring through Martine.

Using EFT along with Reiki on pretty much a daily basis has aided me enormously, and I hope has also helped me to enable and empower those who come to me as clients and those friends with whom I share the information.

It is correct for me to say that much of this is down to reading Gill's books. I am still on my journey, and there are still rocky places to navigate, but reading, and re-reading Gill's works brings me a renewal of inspiration and often new paths to follow as my life changes.

Gill has finished her journey and you only have to go to the Living Magically Facebook page and the tribute page here with a final message from Gill to see just how many people's lives she has touched and enriched. A wonderful teacher whose words and work will live on.

On the Facebook page there is a beautifully uplifting video based on Gill's book "Life is a Gift", which reminds us of the beautiful affirmations that Gill shared with us in her books.

To a very great soul who now dances with the butterflies...

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

11/11/11/11/11 Meditations

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:42:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

A second post within 24 hours - on a bit of a roll....

This morning at 11 o'clock, along with so many others, I spent time in silent contemplation for those who lost their lives in conflicts over the last century or so.

However, for a number of people, today is also considered a special day for the whole world at an energetic level, especially at the time of 11 minutes and 11 seconds past the hour of 11 o'clock.

11/11/11/11/11.

So at this time I turned my thoughts into a more meditative state to contribute my positive energies to those of others throughout the world, meditating upon a more peaceful and more loving future for us and this planet of ours - Mother Earth.

There has been a lot of talk of 2012 being a time of great conflict, and I know of at least one person who appears to be convinced that next December will really see the end of the world.

I am open-minded about all this, and my personal view is that it may indeed be the end of the world as we know it, but not physically. I tend to be swayed towards the ranks of those who believe that great changes are already taking place, and that these will culminate in a new way of living on this planet.

Many will scoff, I know, at talk of higher dimensions and energies coming into being. Yet a lot of my work is based on the use of some form of energy, in the Reiki that I carry out, and the EFT tapping techniques that I use. And people get results.

These techniques tune into our bodies energetic systems, which the Chinese and Japanese cultures have known about for millennia, in their use of acupuncture and acupressure to access and modify the body's meridian or energy system.

In any case, it seems that no harm can be done if we were all to try and raise our vibratory levels to a more positive, loving state; to treat each other with love, care, consideration and respect.

There is a huge amount going on in our world today, including both natural and man-made events,which can produce states of fear and anxiety in us; a feeling of loss of control, and other negative thoughts and feelings.

One way you can look at it is to consider that the world is undergoing birth pangs from old out-moded, out-dated and redundant ways of thinking and being into something new, and different. Will it be better? Only time will tell.

One of the messages coming out repeatedly in many of the newsletters I receive is that we should seek to ground ourselves and to find ways to go with the flow, and to deal with any fear and worry that comes up to the surface.

In recent months, I can trace a mirroring of these world events in a much smaller way in my own world and life, and I am sure many others will be able to say the same thing.

I personally use regular Reiki self-healing meditations and Hatsurei-ho to keep myself grounded and balanced, and of course EFT works marvellously well on any negative thoughts and emotions that come out to play.

A big change is that things that at the start of the year would have made me feel very lost and out of control no longer have any influence upon me.

It does feel as if big changes are afoot. It's akin to the feeling some people get as a thunderstorm builds. For some this is a time of fear and anxiety; for others, myself included, it can feel quite exhilarating, especially when the storm finally arrives!

Perhaps I am deluding myself, but it helps me to carry on in this world, functioning to the best of my ability rather than being paralyzed by fear. So for me, that is a positive.

As I said on my crafting blog, "spending some time in meditative reflection on the hope that Universal Love, Light and Peace may be really becoming a world reality isn't a bad thing to be doing, or a waste of my time.

I do believe that what we send out into the world returns to us, magnified over, and I'd much rather be getting positive things back, rather than dwelling in a state of fear on all the negatives."

It could be a way for you to consider, spending a little time each day in as peaceful and quiet as meditation as you can; even just a very few minutes builds up over time.

Yesterday I received the newsletter from Sheryl Pedersen's Spirit Speaks blog and listened to the 11-11 Angelic Higher Self Activation meditation she posted. As I listened images came to mind and this resulted in a page I produced.

11/11/11 Meditation

I enjoyed both the meditation and the time spent afterwards, especially browsing through the www.hubble.org. site for suitable background images.

Looking at those beautiful images of space and the galaxies, planets and stars surrounding us, it makes me feel very humble and puts things into a proper perspective.

So it will be interesting to see what the following days, weeks and months bring.

Try to go with the flow and enjoy the experience. Perhaps you'll let me know how you get on.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Time to Remember.... and 11/11 PTSD and Trauma Awareness Day

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:39:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I'd hope to post sooner than this but the PC has been acting up and needed resuscitation at least twice now. Hopefully it is now mended....

Tomorrow is the 11th day of the 11th month and this year in the year 2011. 11/11/11.

Remembrance Day is that time of year when we take a few minutes to think about those who have lost their lives, paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may have the freedom we have today.

Lives lost not only in two World Wars, but in many conflicts since, and for our lads, they are still putting their lives on the line out there in Afghanistan.

But lives are not only lost to death. Many still live who bear the scars and trauma of warfare they have been involved in, from World War II right up to this very day.

I touched upon this in a previous blog post in 2009 - First UK Armed Forces Day - the mental battle and again in 2010 with another post - "OPERATION: Emotional Freedom - The Answer" ... a new EFT DVD.

In January, at the EFT Gathering, I had the opportunity to see this documentary by Eric Huurre, and found it deeply moving, and thought-provoking.

Now it is being made available for a once-only purchase as an online version with unlimited access to replay the film indefinitely.

This is to bring about more opportunities for the interested public and health care providers and officials to see and appreciate what is possible through EFT and energy psychology interventions, acording to Eric Huurre, in a recent newsletter.

Normally this is $9.95 but at the moment, to highlight the 11/11 PTSD and Trauma Awareness Day it is $4.95. For us Brits, that is just over £3.00 at the sale price, and only just over £6.00 at the usual price. It might well be the best thing you ever spent a few pounds/dollars on.

I have just been and bought my copy and will be watching it again when I have a spare moment - well, 78 minutes.

As stated on the website where you can access the film:

What has transpired over the last 30 months working on this film were trips across America – Alaska to Albuquerque, New York City to North Carolina. For over a year after the initial sessions I brought cameras and sometimes small film crews with me to witness what, if any, changes and challenges were occurring in the individuals and their families I visited over the subsequent months. In every situation, what I found was even more healing, more recovery than I’d seen back in San Francisco and far more than I’d expected – lives changed back to hope, promise and calm. And it wasn’t just wishful thinking on my part or overstatements from the veterans.

Without question every partner, parent, child or friend of our subjects was amazed and overjoyed to see the changes first brought home and then refined and kept alive as months went by. This was not a one minute wonder, nor a parlor trick. The changes were real and lasting. The benefits were profound. Sleep returned, reliance on medications changed drastically. Relationships improved and partners and family members were given the chance to reunite with the people they’d known prior to their military exposure. Most encouraging were how children reconnected with parents and vice versa where formerly little or no compassion, understanding or forgiveness was possible.

Beyond the individuals shown in the documentary tens of thousands have been similarly treated. The results are published in peer review journals and are a part of a larger effort to introduce energy psychology into the formal medical/military system for supporting combat veterans. Those findings will speak louder than the film in many circles.

In addition to the documentary are several non profit efforts to reach out to any the 23 million veterans seeking help with the symptoms of PTSD. It is hoped that this record of what is possible will stand as a marker for anyone interested in bringing freedom - emotional freedom to the people who’ve served others.

As one of the comments states: “I am a Vietnam veteran and have seen "The Answer" video and cannot say enough about how good it is. We are using tapping in a vet group I am currently in. Thank you.” C.A., Vietnam combat veteran, Maine

If you, or friends, or family are affected by any issues as a result of military service, this may very well provide an answer, helping you to find a way back to normality.

It is certainly worth approaching, with an open mind. You have very little to lose, and perhaps a huge amount to gain.

Kits used Digicats and Dogs "Tempus Fugit"; Cindee's Designs "Steampunked"; Lori Davidsons "Poet's Keepsakes"; Efiesblogspot "Steampunk". The poppy wreath I made last year from a poppy off the 'net. The background images come from various sites - ww1battlefields.co.uk; oshsch.com; jaunted.com; stcuthbertscolinton.org.uk.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Reiki Attunements v. Empowerments

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:59:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

An interesting post has appeared today on Taggart King's Reiki Evolution blog about Reiki attunements and empowerments.

Taggart is my Reiki Master in the Japanese tradition. I originally trained in Reiki in the western tradition with Reiki Master Barry Mapp, and was taught the use of attunements. Barry favoured the more simple version, and I found it worked perfectly well for my students and me in the years between 2001 and 2006.

In 2006, when I re-did my Reiki Masters in the Japanese tradition, I learned about the Reiju empowerments. I now use Reiju empowerments in all my Reiki workshops, although I do also teach the western tradition attunements at Master Level, as an integration between the Japanese and western traditions.

The empowerments feel so much more natural to me; they have a flow to them that is lacking in the more mechanical (not to say complicated) application of the western attunements, and are certainly a lot easier to carry out.

I personally am more aware of the flow of energy through me as I carry out the empowerments, possibly because I am not trying to remember what comes next.

I have also noticed, as Taggart says in his post, they seem to more strongly enhance the recipient's intuition and sensitivity to the Reiki energy.

After their workshops, my students are able to tap into distant Reiju empowerments that I send out each Friday, should they wish to do so. I certainly encourage them to do this because for me, and I hope for them, Reiki is a way of life, rather than something I just do.

Setting aside a little time each week to receive the empowerment, plus spending time on self healing and daily Reiki practices (Hatsurei ho) is a wonderful way to look after yourself in this oh so busy age.

Taggart's post goes on to comment a little on some of the Reiki nonsense that crops up now and then - the "claptrap" as he calls it. I personally tend to use the term "spherical objects".

One of the ones I have come across is that you should never give Reiki to someone on a couch with metal legs - it must be wood; otherwise the energy runs to earth!

Have you come across any interesting supposed "no-nos"? Drop us a line in the comment box if you have any to share.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Fear of Motorway Driving - a Practical Application of EFT

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:42:00 +0000

Hi everyone,

Image - www.freefoto.com

Once again it has been rather a long time since the last post. We were away on holiday in Scotland for a couple of weeks at the beginning of September, but now I finally seem to have settled back down into the old routine.

There has been one change though. I used to visit some aromatherapy clients in their home this side of Stafford, but just before we went away on holiday they moved to new accommodation the other side of Stafford.

This means that instead of the familiar journey I have made since the end of 2001, a fairly quick hop up the A449, I now have little option other then to use the M6 motorway, although there is a choice between getting on it for just one junction, or getting on and staying on for 3 junctions.

So what? The problem is that I don't like motorway driving, especially when we are talking about the M6, which around this neck of the woods is probably the busiest stretch of motorway in the country.

I passed my driving test back in 1984. Despite the fact that the motorway runs literally just a few minutes away from where we live, I have only driven on it myself a total of 3 times in all the years I've been driving.

Two of those journeys I was totally petrified; all the more reason for avoiding the motorway like the plague. The third time was very much better as I was now using EFT. You can find an article about this, EFT for Motorway Driving Anxiety on my website.

That was back in 2009 and now I have to use the motorway unless I want to take a really circuitous and time-consuming route to avoid it - hardly practical.

Last week was my first visit to the new place. My husband had kindly taken me on a dummy run the night before so I could check timings and also know exactly where I was going.

About an hour before I was due to set off on the Wednesday I checked in with myself and found an anxiety level of about 7/10 and started tapping.

Tapping phrases included worry and anxiety about going on the motorway, getting lost despite the dummy run the night before (I am terrible at navigation; if I was a homing pigeon, I'd never make it home!), a concern for the new setup and routine. A couple of rounds saw the SUDS zeroed.

I had no anxiety once I got in the car, although I did choose to ease my way in by taking the usual route and just hopping on the motorway for one junction. I got on quite easily and stress-free and made it to my clients well on time. A success!

Going home I decided to stay on the motorway all the way back. It was slightly hairy getting on again as there is a much shorter slip road on at Junction 14, but the driver behind kindly flashed me on. It didn't help that I had brilliant sunshine right in my face as I turned to see how things were just prior to getting on, partially blinding me. But I just tapped a few times with my left hand on the Collar Bone point and felt fine almost immediately.

I was very pleased when I got back home and still felt quite relaxed.

Today was the second jaunt. I decided to go the same way, mostly because there are roadworks on the other route I could take and came off after one junction on the way home as well to check timings.

This time, however, I didn't feel the need to do any tapping at all. What's more, I even managed to overtake a much slower driver. Not much of a thing for seasoned motorway drivers, but a big thing for me, changing lanes.

Next week, road works permitting, I'll try motorway all the way both ways and see how that goes. I doubt I'll ever really enjoy driving on the motorways, and suspect I'll only change lanes if stuck behind a real slow coach, but that is only a belief I hold at the moment, and that too can be changed with EFT.

It is one of the great things about EFT - it is such a practical tool, and can be applied in so many different circumstances.

You might like to try it out on a similar issue you have. If you do, perhaps you would like to get in touch to share the results.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

EFT Tapping on Computer Frustration

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:04:00 +0000

Hi Everybody,

I've been away awhile as I transferred my computer systems over. I didn't realise how long it would take to transfer over my OS from Win XP to Win 7.

It has taken me five days to move things over, and I'm pretty sure there are still some items of one sort or another that haven't made it over.

However, the most important programmes and files are now available again to me, and seem to be working OK.

I've not only changed my OS, but also moved from Microsoft Office 2003 to Office 2007, so that means my word documents and other things now look less familiar, and things that I could do without thinking about sometimes now have me scratching my head, and getting a little frustrated that something that usually takes a few minutes or so, now takes that much longer as I learn to navigate around new, unfamiliar set-ups.

And talking of set-ups, I decided it would be a good idea to do some EFT tapping on the situation. The sense of frustration was about 8/10 as I started.

Even though I've transferred over to these new systems, and it takes so much longer to do things, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.

Even though I get very frustrated that it takes me so long to do things that should just take a few moments, I deeply and completely love, accept and forgive myself.

Even though I just want to get on with things in the old way and it niggles that I have to stop and look up how to do the simplest of things, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.

EB: Everything takes so long
SE: Makes me so frustrated
UE: Feel so impatient
UN: Feel so stupid
CH: I just want to get things done
CB: I don't want all this faff
UA: Wish I could have kept my old OS
TH: So frustrating!

EB: It makes me feel irritated
SE: It makes me feel so impatient
UE: This feeling of frustration
UN: I like to get things done
CH: Not faff around figuring out what to do
CB: All this computer frustration!
UA: Takes up so much time
TH: This computer frustration and hassle!

EB: What if I choose to see this as an interesting challenge?
SE: I can schedule a little extra time while I learn my way around.
UE: I know I'm not stupid; lazy perhaps yes, but not stupid.
UN: There look to be some interesting new things to explore.
CH: It doesn't generally take long for me to pick things up.
CB: I can choose to be less impatient.
UA: I can choose to let this frustration go.
TH: I allow myself to actually enjoy this new set-up.

Checking out my sense of frustration had zeroed.

I found it interesting that feeling stupid came up, followed by the insight that it was more likely I was feeling lazy, rather than stupid.

Since tapping on this little problem of frustration I have found that I am indeed enjoying exploring the new Win 7 system I'm now using. It is certainly much faster than my old system, and I am gradually becoming familiar with the changes.

The OH is also considering the switch to Win 7. It could be an interesting turn-around if I am able to show him the ropes, as he is usually my Tech Support.

So you see that you can indeed use EFT tapping on all kinds of things. Have you been in a similar situation? Why not give it a try? And if you do, or have already done something like this, why not pop a note into the comments section and share your experiences.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

The Ring Finger - To Tap, or Not to Tap?

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 17:21:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

How time rushes on - I know I am not the only one finding that to be the case this year. What's more, even the younger people I know are saying the same thing, so it's not merely that old chestnut that the older you get the faster time flies.....

I've been spending some time in the garden, getting in touch with Mother Nature again, as things have grown wildly and rompingly away, and also indulging in some play time with my crafting blog. Looking up, I suddenly realised I needed a new blog entry here as well so off we go.

A few days ago I received a question in my email.

Q) Is it possible to tell me why, whilst tapping, you don't use your ring finger?

My answer:

If the full Basic Recipe using EFT is carried out, which includes tapping on the Gamut Point, (the little hollow on the top of the hand, between the knuckles of the ring and little finger) then effectively you are working on the same meridian that you would if you were to tap on the ring finger.

The Gamut Point is the Triple Warmer 3 acupoint, whereas the ring finger point (incidentally on the opposite side of the finger nail to the other finger points, therefore just a little awkward to tap in the same way) is Triple Wamer 1.

Personally, I don’t always use the whole Basic Recipe for myself, or with clients after initially showing them how to do it, as the short-cut and / or freestyle format often works just as well or even better during a session.

However, there is no reason at all, if you are not including the Gamut in your tapping, that you can’t tap on the ring finger just the same as any of the others.

For example, there are times when I will carry out finger tapping when I prefer to be more discreet about the fact that I am tapping and I will tap with my thumb on each finger in turn for however long it feels necessary.

As is often the case, the best thing to do is to give it a go and see how you get on.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Combining Work and Play - A "Healing the Heart" Page.

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:01:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

It's been a very busy time these last few days and weeks, and time has positively flown by.

One of the projects that I decided to take on came around as a result of one of my leisure activities. I love to craft and more recently have turned my hand to digital crafting. A friend on a scrapbook site I am a member of has been taken ill with heart problems.

I decided it would be interesting to make a different kind of Get Well Soon card / page. Although I haven't really had the opportunity yet to look to deeply into it, I am aware that some people use Art as a healing device.

In some cases, the individual creates their own art work based on how they feel and think at a time. Self Help Healing Arts.com gives some background on this.

In other cases people create pieces of art for other people to contemplate and let the healing energy flow through them. You might like to have a look at How Art Heals to get an idea of how the mind - body link may help this to work.

I have an interest in the ideas behind the relatively new science of Psychoneuroimmunolgy (PNI), which suggests mechanisms for the mind-body connection.

In my EFT Manual, Balance Your Life with EFT, there is a section which contains the following:

"EFT also works extremely effectively on a multitude of physical problems as well. This may seem odd but the growing science of psychoneuroimmunolgy (PNI) is proving that many physical ailments are associated with the state of the emotions. PNI is the study of the interaction among emotions/psyche, the brain and the neurological systems, and the hugely complex immune system, some of the body's most complex systems.

PNI springs from healing traditions that are both ancient and modem, Eastern and Western. According to the Association for the Advancement of Applied Psychoneuroimmunology (AAAPNI), ‘A wide variety of practices including acupuncture, tai chi, meditation, relaxation techniques, yoga, nutritional modification and body work, have been identified by PNI research as having value in the promotion of wellness and the management of chronic illness. These practices derive from the world’s spiritual, healing and martial arts traditions."

Perhaps we can add the creative arts to this list of practices that can promote well-being?

In any case, as a Reiki Master/Teacher and Pactitioner I know that healing at an energetic level can take place as a result of Intention and Focus, and that it can occur at a distance. By working on a page having set the intention that it was to be a healing page, this seems to be a variation on this theme.

So the page I came up with concentrated on the Heart Chakra associations - the colours pink and green, in the form of a rose, itself associated with the heart and love, and the crystals, watermelon tourmaline and a selenite heart-shaped crystal in my collection.

My intention was set that this was to be a calm and meditative page. It was to be something to contemplate to help bring about a balance of heart energy, in addition to all the other, more conventional things being done to help.

As I say in the post on Karen's Crafting Nook, even if it doesn't after all possess any inherent healing energy, at least it is a different way to come up with a page design.

However, as I was working upon it, I could feel energy flowing and moving, especially in my Third Eye area, which is where I am usually aware of energy flow when I am working with Reiki.

Perhaps you might like to spend some time gazing gently at this page, letting peace and calm wash over you and see if it brings a little more peace and harmony into your life ....

If you do and feel it does have a certain energy to it, I'd love to hear your feedback.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Listen to the Reiki Precepts Pronounced the Japanese Way.

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Fri, 27 May 2011 13:37:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I have posted before about the Usui Reiki Precepts or Reiki Principles (Just for Today, Do Not Anger and Just for Today, Do Not Worry).

Have you ever wondered what they sound like in Japanese?

Now you can listen to Reiki Master Teacher Kay Gillard recite the Reiki Precepts in Japanese in this blog posting, Reiki Precepts in Japanese on my Reiki Master Taggart King's recently started Reiki Evolution blog.

The other postings are interesting to read, as well. So please go, and pay a visit.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

EFT and Reiki for the Loss of a Beloved Pet

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Thu, 19 May 2011 22:22:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Well, it has been a week and a half now since we came home with Selene after making that so difficult decision that it was time to let her go. She lies buried in the garden, although I am having a bit of a battle to keep the catnip plant I put to mark the spot from being dug up by the local moggies, despite enclosing it within an upturned hanging basket. I really should have known better. It's always so popular.

Thankfully, her daughter Hecate, does not seem to be pining very much. She has her usual good appetite, and no competition now, although Pyewacket has taken to checking if she has left any food. She does sometimes look a little lost, and as if she is waiting for Selene to appear, but I'm not sure if that isn't just me projecting my own thoughts and feelings upon her. She is certainly less exuberant than usual.

Throughout the months of Selene's illness, since that diagnosis back in September 2009, I have frequently used both EFT and Reiki to help both Selene and me, as my previous posts detail. She has been on the Reiki-Evolution Distant Healing Group List all that time, and I am sure that all the positive energies flooding her way did much to enable her to do as well as she did.

When I knew that last weekend that the end-time was approaching I updated the Healing Group, and asked for Reiki to be sent at the time of the appointment. Did it contribute to the fact that on the whole the entire visit was actually quite peaceful and ultimately gentle? I like to think so as Selene seemed so calm about it all, quiet and relaxed even in the cat carrier on the way there. Certainly not her usual behaviour.

When we knew we were going, finally, to be making that last appointment with the vet, I had felt quite overwhelmed with emotion, easily a 10/10 on the SUDS rating. I was familiar with that feeling; it was the same as it was when we had had to have Tigger put to sleep, back in 2004, after being diagnosed with a cancer of the kidney at age 15. That had all happened quite quickly, within the space of a week or so, and didn't happen quite so peacefully.

Three years prior to that, Tigger's sister Tasha, had to be put to sleep after suffering an aortic thrombo-embolism. That was extremely quick and sudden! She went off her hind legs, obviously in great distress at 4.15 pm one Sunday afternoon. By 5.00 pm we were at the vets and he told us the only real option was to put her to sleep; by 6.00 pm she was buried in the garden.

So there were these memories feeding in all that past negative emotion. Plus the very thought of having to bring things to such a final conclusion..... Had we left it too long......? Perhaps she might bounce back again......? Just looking at her lying there, looking so tired, the spark gone out, as Craig put it; all this tugged at the heart strings. It is such a huge decision; were we doing the right thing? (Remember this was before Selene's Rainbow). And of course, already grieving the loss of a bright little soul, anticipating the absence.

Anyone who has lost a beloved pet knows what goes through the mind and heart at these times. Exactly the same emotions as those we have when a beloved family member or friend has died. Emotions such as grief, sometimes guilt, and even anger, at ourselves and the lost one. And tears flowing, so many tears....

So over the weekend of 7th and 8th May I did a lot of EFT tapping. Sometimes I articulated what I felt, and where I felt it; at others I just tapped away as I let it all flow out of me. I especially wanted to be able to hold it together so that Selene didn't have to pick up on feelings of raw grief as we travelled to the vets. Animals, like young children, are so sensitive to atmosphere and emotions.

As my husband carried the cat carrier into the consulting room, I was tapping on the Karate Chop point to try and help balance myself. Now this didn't stop me crying as we let her out on to the table; it didn't clear the choking in my throat as we said we knew it was now time, but that was all right. That was appropriate, and fitting.

As Craig gave her the injection I held my hands gently around Selene's head, letting Reiki flow to her that one last time. As I said previously, it was all very quick, and very gentle.

When I came out with her and got into the car, while I was waiting for my husband to settle up, I shed many tears, but as I did, I tapped away on the usual shortcut points. I didn't bother with any setup phrases, or even much about wording. I was in the depth of the emotion, letting it flow, and just tapped and tapped. At times like this, that is all you need to do.

Within a very few minutes the tears stopped, and I too felt a sense of peace and calm.

Once we had buried Selene I did a little more tapping to mop up any remaining distress. Come bedtime, unlike the 3 previous times (we had another cat, Solstice, who died during a stay in the cattery when we were on holiday - that was certainly a shock to come home to!) I found I just could not get emotionally upset.

I could think of the day's events calmly, and feel only a sense of relief that Selene would no longer suffer from the frequent liquid visits to the litter tray which must have been so enervating - after all, imagine how you feel yourself when suffering with diarrhoea! And think what it must be like for it to happen regularly.

I had to go into work the afternoon before the appointment. I was able to keep my composure and thus not upset any of my clients. The next day one of my colleagues, one who not long ago lost her own little cat, asked me about Selene and I managed to talk to her with only a few tears and choked up feelings.

It actually felt very strange not to come down to a pong in the morning. I never thought I would ever miss the smell of cat poo! Association I suppose; the absence of whiff meant an absence of cat. It also felt very odd not to have a little body on the table behind me in the kitchen as I got food ready. When I cleared away Selene's food and water bowl, I felt emotion rise up - more tapping knocked it out. Whenever a memory arose that made me choked, or tears to well up, I tapped on it.

Memories do ambush you, often just as you feel you have a sense of equilibrium. In the middle of last week, Hecate came in and indicated she wanted some food. I decided I'd give her some treats instead but as I reached for the pot on the shelf, I suddenly burst into a flood of tears.

One small regret I do have, and that is I never thought to tape one of Selene's little mannerisms. When she fancied a treat, she would sit on the kitchen table and look fixedly at you. Once she knew she had your attention she would look, very deliberately at her treat pot on the shelf, and then look back at you. Occasionally she would even thow in a look at her food bowl. We would say "What is it then?" and she would repeat t process. We could do this a few times and you could see her thought processes - "Blimey, how much clearer can I make myself? Feed me my treats!!!!!".

It only took a moment of tapping on the Collar Bone point, and I was smiling at the memory rather than bawling my eyes out.

I know that EFT is an excellent tool in this sort of situation, but I have never had the opportunity to personally experience it at this level. Obviously, I would much rather not have had to, but that's the way of it. I have used EFT previously on memories of Tigger, Tasha and Solstice when those memories have made me upset (and of course EFT can be applied for human bereavement too - I've worked very successfully on a lot on issues around my father's last illness and death - I just wish I'd known about EFT back in 2003!)

Because I know how powerful EFT is, it does not really surprise me that it has helped so much in allowing me to come to terms with what has happened and move forward so easily, and swiftly. When working with a client, we always try to test our results. One way of doing this is to "Tell the Story" and see if you are affected as much as you were before you started the tapping. On Monday, almost a week to the time Selene died, I had to tell my mother, as she had been away the last few days. There was some chokiness, but I could talk about it without too much trouble.

Today, I had to tell another person that Selene was no longer with us. I could feel a slight emotion rising, a tightness in the back of the throat, but manageable. I found I was picking up more on her distress as she remembered a cat of her own which she had had to have put to sleep.

I can leave it at this low level, probably about 1/10 on the SUDS rating, or if I want to, I could do a little more tapping to get it totally zeroed. Perhaps it sounds a bit odd, but I am happy to leave this little residue to dissolve of its own accord.

EFT - Emotional Freedom Techniques - the name says it all. The use of EFT tapping does not change what happened, but it does remove the negative emotions that surround what happened, allowing you the good and happy memories, uncontaminated by the bad. It is the negative emotional charge that wears you down, and causes problems.

The previous pet bereavements have taken me a few months to get over them, but this time, although I know that I am still going to be ambushed at times by quirky little memories of Selene, instead of bringing about further sorrow and grief, my hope is that I shall be able to smile at them, and allow them to bring joy instead. I think that would be a worthy legacy from Selene.

Should you ever be in a similar situation, or still mourn the death of a beloved animal companion, do give EFT a try. It can do no harm, and I suspect you will be pleasantly surprised how much relief it can bring.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Farewell, little Selene, as you travel your very own personal Rainbow Bridge.

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:06:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Three weeks ago I wrote that our little cat Selene seemed chipper and who knows how things would go. If you are new to this blog you may not know the story behind this but you can catch up on it here, here, here, here, and here. On Monday evening we had to make that final visit.

She took a dip on Friday, but this time did not bounce back. She had become subdued, wasn't eating much, and on Sunday she was no longer able to jump up onto the chairs and table. She didn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort, but just seemed very tired. We knew the time had come to let her go.

We know it was the right time. Usually she would be fairly vocal in the cat carrier on the way to and from the vets. On this final journey she was quiet, and even lay with her head settled on its side against her paw. I wouldn't be surprised if she knew she was about to be set free.

I was in tears and tapping away and my husband got a bit emotional when we got to the vets. Fortunately we were only waiting a couple of minutes before it was time to go through. Craig was very good - we all agreed it was indeed time, she was tired and the spark had gone.

He gave us a moment or two to give her a final hug and kiss, and it was done in literally less than a minute. It was so very gentle and I held her head in my hands letting Reiki flow as she went. I had also requested Distant Reiki from the Reiki group to help us all through this time.

She had done well to last so long, and he put it into perspective for us. 18 months of her life is the equivalent of 14 years of ours. So she had done very well indeed to have managed so long with the bowel wall lymphoma. In fact she was pretty much OK right up until last Thursday/Friday, apart from the occasional downers from which she bounced back like a feline rubber ball.

We brought her home and wrapped her in an old towel before placing her to rest in a favourite spot in the garden. I have planted some catnip for her there. She always loved catnip.

I am sure that she sent us a sign that all is well. In a previous post I mentioned the Rainbow Bridge. It became very showery during the afternoon; just the kind of weather to produce rainbows. I was hoping to see one as we journeyed there or back. No such luck.

However, within just a few minutes of arriving home I looked out of the front window. There was a beautiful double rainbow. And it appearing when it did meant that I was able to take photos, so I don't merely have the memory but a physical sign of Selene's own personal Rainbow Bridge, as you can see from the accompanying image. It gave me a huge sense of comfort and peace when I saw it.

We also had a thunderstorm that night, and it feels to me that it helped to clear the tumultuous emotions of the past few days. I have been doing a huge amount of EFT Tapping as well, and it has really helped.

Our next door neighbour had appeared on the morning with a request, and she asked about Selene as she hadn't seen her recently. That set me off blubbing as I said she wouldn't be seeing her at all after that evening. She gave me a hug and then asked if it would be possible for her young daughter to come around and say goodbye as she was very fond of Selene.

Apparently when out in the garden, if Selene was about she would make a fuss of her, and feed her titbits, and was even able to pick her up and cuddle her (more than she'd generally let us do ).

So just before we left for the vets they popped around and I have a nice photo of Selene sitting on their laps, being fussed one last time.

A little while after we got back they briefly popped around again and the daughter gave us a card she had made herself "For Selene, the best cat in the world" and a little fir tree in memory of her. So very sweet.

So I'm now trying to settle down into a slightly different routine, and it feels so odd to see just the litter tray, and no paper down, or extra tray in the downstairs loo. And so odd not to have a little figure sitting on the kitchen table behind me as I prepare food, waiting to snatch your fingers off. She did enjoy a slice of turkey breast roll her last morning, about the only thing she seemed keen on, and I still had to check my fingertips, so she had some enjoyable moments during her final day.

So now she rests in the garden, along with our three other cats who have gone on to the Rainbow Bridge. The death and loss of an animal companion never gets easier, which in a way is a good thing. They bring so much love and joy - a little hurt and pain is a small price to pay. And we have all the memories.

Rest well, little darling. And we still have the legacy of your daughter, Hecate.

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

Reiki Sponge Cat?

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 23:13:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

What a change there has been in the weather the last few days. This time last week it was as if summer had come early, let alone spring. Now it is cooler and greyer, but the taste of what is hopefully to come was more than welcome.

I was able to get out into the garden, not only to do a little more tidying up but to actually just sit out, enjoying the feel of the sun on my skin.

I decided it was time to start the outdoor Reiki meditations again, now there are times when I can sit out without getting goosebumps.

It was good to sit there, feeling the energy of the sun as well as the Reiki energy flowing. I got in two sessions, and during the second session I had a strange little incident occur.

Not long after I had started Hatsurei ho, I became aware of an intensely cold patch on the outer aspect of the shin on my left leg. It felt as if it would be about the size of my hand if I were to place it over the area. I kept my eyes closed as I didn't want to disrupt the flow, but took a moment or two to try and figure out what might be causing it.

The sun was shining out of a cloudless sky as far as I was aware; no shadows should have been falling on me, and besides, everywhere else was toasting gently in the sunshine, other than this bitterly cold patch. Odd, but I just accepted it.

I carried on with the meditation, which took about 20 minutes in total. After a while I became aware that my husband had come into the garden, although he kept as quiet as he could. Our senior cat, Pyewacket, was less inhibited, meowing in greeting.

When I finished and opened my eyes I saw that Selene, our poorly cat, was sat nearby, and Pye was fussing up the OH. He told me that when he came through the arch and saw me sitting there, he wished he had had the camera as Selene was sat directly in front of me, looking up at me with intense concentration. She then moved over to my left side to sit there.

I couldn't help wondering if this was the cause of the extreme cold that I had felt. It seems to me quite possible that Selene was soaking up Reiki from me.

When channelling Reiki for clients I often become aware of feelings of intense heat, or cold, in certain areas, and consider that an indication that these areas are in need of balancing the energy flowing, or not, through them.

Judging by the feel of the cold, if it was Selene sucking up Reiki, she must have taken in a good dose! In the last few weeks there have been a number of times when we have thought the end was nigh, but she must be well over the nine lives mark now!

Certainly she has eaten well and looked very chipper the last few days, so who knows?

Bright Blessings,

Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

EFT Tapping for Stuck in a Rut.

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Lewis) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:23:00 +0000

Hi Everyone.

Do you ever go through times when you seem to be getting nowhere fast?

When you just can't seem to move things along?

Does it leave you feeling frustrated and wishing you could just snap your fingers and everything would be chugging along again?

Unfortunately that is certainly the way I have been feeling recently, in many areas of life.

I have managed to get a couple of jobs done - finally tidied my craft room, which hadn't been touched since before Christmas, and made some progress in tidying the garden.

But there are work projects I could do with getting stuck into, and it would be nice if I could feel motivated enough to not only get them tucked under the belt, but also feel inclined to spend my leisure time more productively as well.

Snapping the fingers doesn't actually seem to work for me, although who knows, it might for you. . So it seems a good idea to start tapping on this, especially as it seems to be becoming a set pattern.

Tapping on the KC (Karate Chop Point):

Even though I am getting nowhere fast at the moment, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.

Even though I just can't seem to move things along, my get-up-and-go seems to have got up and gone without me, I deeply and completely love and accept myself anyway.

Even though this making me feel frustrated, and even a little angry at myself for being so idle, I deeply and completely love, honour and accept myself, and all my feelings too.

Tapping around the various points:

EB:   getting nowhere fast
SE:   just not moving along
UE:   stuck in this rut
UN:   stuck in this deep, deep rut
CH:   my get-up-and-go has got up and left me
CB:   feel so frustrated
UA:   actually feel a little angry too
TH:   I'm being so idle

EB:   just can't seem to get motivated
SE:   just treading water
UE:   stuck in this rut
UN:   I should be getting stuff done
CH:   I want to get projects completed
CB:   but just can't get motivated
UA:   and pull myself out of this rut
TH:   so frustrating

EB:   perhaps I needed this rest to refresh me
SE:   perhaps I can choose to take things a bit at a time
UE:   I don't have to do everything all at once
UN:   I cleaned my craft room at the weekend; that is a start!
CH:   I can choose to make time for my projects
CB:   a little bit here, and a little bit there
UA:   once I get started I know it's plain sailing, usually
TH:   so I choose to be kind to myself and just get back into the flow

The fact that I am getting around to this post is a positive result; and I have plans for later this evening once dinner is out of the way. There may still be a little work to do with the tapping if I run out of steam, but it shows that a little pro-active tapping can indeed move things along, unblocking the path to getting things done.

If you ever find yourself in a similar situation you should give it a try - it takes just minutes.

If there are any situations where you feel a quick little tapping script might help, please do get in touch and let me know. I may be able to come up with something to help.

Bright Blessings,
Karen

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries or requests.

To start learning about EFT you can download my "Balance Your Life With EFT" free manual or go to my Self Help Page. Although you can no longer obtain Gary Craig's comprehensive training DVD sets to buy, you can rent them from here.

Please Note: Anything on the EFT side of this blog is provided as a public courtesy to help expand the use of EFT in the world. Any EFT content of this blog represents the unique ideas and usage of EFT by me, as its author. The information in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for appropriate, qualified medical care from doctors or other health-care providers. It is here to offer information on other complementary options to help you in your quest for optimum health, which you may wish to discuss with your healthcare providers before implementing. You, the reader, must be prepared to take full responsibility for your own health and I cannot be held responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of the techniques underlined here, either on you or others... more