LunaHolistic Podcast

Resources for Self-Kindness:The Secret Art of Happiness: Change Your Life with the Reiki Ideals by Geneva Robins - a book with a whole chapter on kindness! Kindness Meditation - a gentle meditation to expand all forms of kindness Saying No  - a blog post on how kind it is to say a beautiful NO Reiki Sessions - a big help on getting compassionate support and energy   How do you activate Self-kindness?Try Shifting your Inner Talk to NeutralIf you've been in a highly self-critical mode for a while, it can be difficult to shift immediately to kind inner talk. One method that can help is to shift to a neutral statement that you already believe.  Try something like "I am a human being." Then try "All humans are worthy of kindness." Before going to "Therefore, I am worthy of kindness because I am a human being." By shifting into a neutral statement in this way, you activate a gentle space inside that just sidesteps the fight the inner critic puts up when you first try to talk to yourself kindly. You just go around the arguments with a gentle and patient logic.  Sometimes you can flip the statements of the inner critic into their exact opposites to create a new inner dialogue. You can take "You're never good enough" and turn it into "I'm always myself, and who I am is enough." Be Physically Kind  and Nurturing to YourselfSometimes words are not enough. Tiny acts of self-care can go a long way to rebalancing your nervous system. Even something as simple as putting on a cozy sweater or adjusting your body so you're more comfortable can be a sign to your inner self that you are now living your life in a new, self-kind way. These tiny actions prove to your inner child that you will actually take care of yourself. Practicing and Skill-building for Self-kind TalkAlmost anything we do is a skill that can be practiced. Gently remind yourself that you are practicing this new skill of self-kindness. Start where you're at and be okay with your progress and slips. It is all a new space, gradually filling with grace as your skills grow. We learn how to be kind to ourselves from our family and other carers. But if they don't have those skills of emotional regulation, soothing, and reframing thoughts, then they can't teach you.  So now, as an adult, you may be learning kind self-talk skills that you wished you had learned as a child. Be gentle with your progress. It's almost like learning a new language. So be patient and keep practicing even through the mistakes and wobbly first attempts at a new way of relating to yourself. Go to People who are Professionally Kind!If you've been surrounded by unkind people and have absorbed their cruel inner talk, it is incredibly helpful to get help from professionals trained who are to hold a compassionate space for you. Therapy, Reiki, Meditation, Yoga, and other allied health practitioners have spent years and even decades practicing gentle and kind methods that can help you grow your inner kindness.  If in doubt, reach out! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever wondered how manifesting actually works? The energy of the Universe, plus your own loving heart, combine to bring you a state of connection that affects the material world. In this episode, you'll learn how to connect to the frequency of your intentions so you can manifest experiences that expand your life.   Join the Creative Manifesting Group!If you want more practice and a safe group to connect with the energy of the Universe, check out our Creative Manifesting Group on Eventbrite. We're meeting every couple of months on Zoom to hold space for what you're manifesting and connect to the frequency of the Universe that wants to help you. Geneva will guide you through a meditation practice and provide clarity and guidance on how you can better align with all the good coming in. For kind, empathic people like you, it is even more important that you receive what you need so you can get to work helping the world. Manifesting isn't selfish; it is for everyone. When your life gets better, it adds to the world and makes more space and opportunities for what is kind and meaningful. In our group, we hold space for everyone's manifestation so we can co-create a beautiful reality. We'll also hold a moment at the end to hold a vision of a kind energy for the world. How does Manifestation work?The first place to start is really about shifting your understanding of the material world itself. All of the Universe and every physical object is fundamentally made of a frequency and a thought. When you go inside an atom, if you had the ability to look, the particles that make up every physical thing are both physical and a wave of energy. It's less like looking at a little rubber ball and more like looking through a trippy lens where it could be anywhere within a cloud of possibilities. That quantum nature of reality is really hard to understand. It's sort of mind-bending when you try to study it. Even quantum physicists joke that things get weird down there. And that if you think you finally have it all figured out, you're probably wrong. One fairly consistent idea is the understanding that the foundation of all matter is more like a thought than a thing. The Universe is ConsciousnessSo everything we interact with, touch and experience is made of a field of energy.  But that energy isn't passive; it is conscious and reacting to even our simplest thoughts. It affects the outcome of physics experiments, and it is ultimately how manifestation works. You can connect to the Universal Consciousness with your own consciousness. It is a frequency of feeling and energy that is in harmony with the field of awareness that creates all matter. Simply, it is love, joy, and creative potential. When you are in alignment with that Source Energy, you only need to project an image of what you want to manifest, and it begins taking shape. How the physical world brings the experience to you is usually not like magic, where it all suddenly appears from thin air, but uses the things, people and other energies that already exist and brings them together. Stay in the FrequencyThe more you are aware of the energy or feeling of how it will feel when you have the abundance, health, or great relationship, the easier it is for the Universe to guide you. Whatever it is that you want, it has an energy to it. And when you have what you want, you'll have a very specific feeling. Usually, that feeling is one of joy, exhilaration, safety, security, expansion, love, or connection. It feels good. It turns out that the Universe also feels that way about what you want to manifest. Because the Universe is a field of awareness, whatever you experience, it also gets to experience. When you expand, it expands. The basis of the Universe is loving and creative. It wants greater harmony in the world, just like you do. When you align with the feeling frequency of your manifestation, even briefly, it sends out a ripple into the foundation of the Universe itself. The more you can stay in that frequency and make choices from that energy, the more you will change matter and the more likely it will be that what you want starts flowing to you. Reiki helps with ManifestingReiki is a spiritual technology that aligns with the frequencies of the Universe and then flows an energy to the person that is a perfect match to their intention. The beautiful thing about it is that Reiki teaches you about surrender and trust. Two key ingredients to the process of manifesting. When you are in a Reiki session, you can set an intention that is in harmony with what you want to manifest. The energy that flows in the session and out through the Universe is one of complete success and complete surrender. Sometimes it isn't easy to see our own success, so when you receive a session from someone else, they can hold space for the energy to become a stable field within you and around you. The other beautiful thing is that Reiki is the energy of Universal Love, so it won't ever manifest something that is in any way negative for you or others. It will only create soulful experiences that enhance your journey on earth. If you want a more immersive experience, try our Creative Manifesting Session for a 2.5-hour one-on-one meditation experience and Reiki session to help you fine-tune your manifesting muscles. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do you love the fall or dread it? A fan of clipboards, colour coding, and to-do lists? Or would you rather stay in the freedom of flip-flops and summertime hammocks all year round? Fall is here, bringing crisp weather and a grounding energy to our days. In this episode, Tania Brightman and Geneva Robins chat about returning to routines and the energetic shifts this season can bring to your spiritual life.   Returning to Self-care SchedulesThe change in the seasons can bring a massive shift in the energy and tempo of our lives. Sometimes this can have a rushing and unsettling quality to it as you go from the slow flow of summer to a flurry of managing new schedules and time demands. Within this shift of energy, you can also establish a steady structure that allows you to return to regular sleep and meal schedules, bringing a nourishing frequency to your days. The gift of this season, even if you're now a fan of chilly weather, is that in the change of one routine pattern to another, you get an opportunity to craft your routines to bring a different kind of balance. This is an excellent time to start a new habit or routine that helps you thrive. We're fans of meditation here, as it can totally shift your mindset in only a few minutes. But really, it can be anything that helps you feel grounded and happy. Try this Grounding Meditation to help settle your energy. Or read the book Beyond Anxiety by Martha Beck to learn tools you can put in your routine to calm the anxiousness that change can create. The Magic of Being in the InbetweenThe shift of seasons creates a magical moment where we are in between two states of living. That mid-point moment of the equinox is a time when it can be remarkably easy to manifest new experiences. Anytime we are in limbo, we are actually in a space of pure creative potential. When everything is in flux, it is all moving and free. Energy is being mobilized right now, and we can use that powerful cycle in nature to create a wave of positive change in our lives and in the world. Try the Manifesting Miracles Meditation to access the law of attraction energy that helps bring miracles into your life. Expand your Learning ModeThe fall season also brings a pull to learning. Even if it has been many years since you've been in a classroom, the benefits of lifelong learning are profound. This season is a prime time to put your thinking cap on and learn something new that excites you. Even a few hours on Wikipedia can get you started learning and finding things that might interest you. You can also learn Reiki here at LunaHolistic if you are interested in learning more about self-healing and meditation. Check out our Level I course, which helps you build a solid self-care routine. Courses start seasonally, so check out our Upcoming Courses page to see when the next one is happening.

Great Spiritual and Self-Development Authors:I'm going to start off with authors that I adore in no particular order because they're all amazing. You could easily pick one of those books, read it, and find something useful. His Holiness the Dalai Lama—I probably have the most books of his. One of my favourites is "An Open Heart." It is from a lecture he gave in New York. He can get very deep and philosophical, so if you want to dive deep into Buddhism and our connection with all things and understanding compassion, that’s where I’d go. Deepak Chopra is fantastic, with so many of his books being wonderful. Wayne Dyer as well, and Louise Hay—what can I say? We use Louise Hay's "You Can Heal Your Life" as part of our courses here at LunaHolistic. That book is probably the one I reference the most. All of her books are really great, and she has a lot to say on gratitude, which is fantastic for our mental and spiritual well-being. Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, and he has many beautifully written, amazing books on mindfulness. If you're interested in mindfulness and slowing your mind down, creating some peace and calm, no matter the circumstances, all of Thich Nhat Hanh's books are wonderful. He lived to be 95, and there are also some great resources on the Plum Village YouTube channel, as well as an app with some of his recorded lectures and meditations. Dean Radin is a science researcher who explores spirituality and consciousness, intuition, and how our human consciousness can interact with random number generators throughout the world. It's really cool from the science-meets-spirituality perspective, so if you want to dig into some fairly mind-blowing real science about how spirituality works, that is a great resource as well. Must-Read Books on Spirituality and Self-Help"Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us" written by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross.It's a really cool book about how interacting with art in any form—music, drawing, painting, sculpting, anything creative at all—can benefit us. You get the best effect by making things yourself, but you also get a huge boost to your brain in all kinds of really cool brain science ways that significantly increase your resilience and decrease your anxiety. Creativity has a big role in decreasing anxiety and increasing life satisfaction, bringing a sense of calm. It doesn’t matter if you’re good at it; that’s the beautiful thing. If we can set aside our inner critic, we can make, share, and enjoy all the benefits of being artistic. You can also just observe other people's art. For example, going to watch live music, visiting an art gallery, or connecting with other creators all provide great benefits. Even watching YouTube videos about people making things is a fantastic way to engage with creativity. If you feel like you're not an artist and you don’t want to create, you can still be a patron of the arts and receive a huge benefit to your brain. Creativity is a powerful mechanism for transforming your life, getting perspective on your feelings and expressing yourself. "Your Brain on Art" is interesting because it approaches things from a scientific perspective, explaining what's actually happening in our brains when we're engaging with art. "Life in 5 Senses" by Gretchen Rubin.In this book, the author visited an art gallery every day for a year, focusing on one of the senses each time. It’s a fascinating read about her personal journey through mindfulness and connection with art in a place she enjoys, all while being attuned to her senses. It ties in art and mindfulness, which are huge parts of spirituality. "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents" by Lindsay C. Gibson.To dig into the deeper parts of ourselves, I recommend this author and her very clear perspective on dealing with dysfunctional and emotionally immature people. This book is especially beneficial if you have narcissists in your family, but it’s relevant for any relationship dynamic. It’s aimed at children of emotionally immature parents, but anyone can gain insight from it. There’s also "Self-Care for Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents," which focuses on honouring your emotions, nurturing yourself, and living with confidence, also by Lindsay C. Gibson. These are fantastic books filled with valuable information about narcissism from various perspectives. What I appreciate about Gibson's work is its focus on emotionally immature behaviour and how to spot it, cope with it, and understand its impact on you. It’s essential for those who didn’t have parents who could teach the necessary skills for coping, regulating, and grounding. I think everybody should read those two books because it’s surprising how many emotionally immature people you might encounter, even outside your family—important insights for navigating friendships, coworkers, bosses, or neighbours whose behaviour leaves you puzzled. "The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life" by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander.Benjamin Zander, the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, has a fantastic TED Talk about classical music. He's quite a character, and this book is a really great read. It provides a way of bringing forth people's creativity. This book is about leading people so that they are in their most creative, expressive, innovative, and inventive selves. This is important if you're trying to solve big problems or figure things out in any capacity, whether in a workplace setting or even within families, as we're leaders in our families and communities. "The Gift: 14 Lessons to Save Your Life" by Dr. Edith Eger.Shifting gears to something very deep and profound, we have The Gift. Dr Eger is a psychologist, a Holocaust survivor, and well into her nineties, with a truly transformational message. If you're struggling and seeking a new perspective, this book is a brilliant guide to the power you have to transform your outlook on life. Her perspective focuses on 14 different ways of reframing experiences in a positive and nurturing manner while honouring the harms that may have happened to you. One of her profound sayings is "There's no forgiveness without rage", so you must experience, express, and allow the energy to move through without it keeping you stuck. It addresses how to move through incredibly challenging and painful experiences and connect deeply to the grace and beauty of life. This book is beautifully written, heartfelt, and one of the most inspiring reads I've ever encountered. Life changing! "Slow Productivity" by Cal NewportThese are in no particular order. "Slow Productivity" has helped me save my brain because I have so many things I want to do, and it feels like there's not enough time to do them. This is a really great book about how, by going slow, you can go faster, especially if you are doing mental work or anything creative. You actually need space and time in order to put complex ideas together in a new way. So if you're a writer or your main work is using your brain rather than using your muscles, this is a really good one. It's a very well-written, well-researched book, and it helps give you a new perspective on the best way to work. We always think that if we want to get somewhere faster, we have to push harder and go there directly. But really, if you are doing anything creative or with your brain, going slower will get you there faster. The more you try to rush something, the lower the quality will be. Go slow to go fast! "Roar Like a Goddess: Every Woman's Guide to Becoming Unapologetically Powerful, Prosperous, and Peaceful" by Archara ShunyaThis book is so inspiring, and I recommend it to many people simply because it's so beautiful. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version of this one, as you get to hear the author's voice as she tells the stories, and it's just magical.  She tells stories about different goddesses and how we can apply those energies in our lives. It is a beautiful and empowering read. So if you want to access that wisdom and power of being a woman, I think it's good for everybody, regardless of how you identify. It's just a remarkable read. "No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with Internal Family Systems" by Richard SchwartzThis book is a fantastic introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS), which is a therapy technique. Richard Schwartz is one of the primary creators of this technique. It's all about understanding that inside us are these multitudes of voices, parts of us that are all talking at once. One part of us, maybe the inner critic, is bullying the inner child, and maybe there's an inner adult or other aspects of your inner world. He treats all of these inner voices as though they are part of your internal family, and you can talk to each one of these parts and see what they need. When you do that, there's this central self—the part of you, your consciousness, that is truly you, steps forward in the middle. There are all the voices we have inside, and then there's the observer. When we pop into that observer's point of view, that's where we connect to this sort of spiritual essence of ourselves. It is a really interesting and gentle way of reframing what is happening with our inner critic. What he often says is that our inner critic is actually a childlike consciousness that is trying to protect us, to scare us away from harm and danger before we even go there. That little critic is trying to control our behaviour so that we won't get any more damage from abusive influences. If we recognize that inner critic as a child, we don't get rough with the part of us that's rough with us. We can be gentle, kind, and nurturing, then manage it with this reframe to gain a new inner awareness.  "Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter WohllebenThe Hidden Life of Trees, written by a forester and scientist, explores how trees communicate with each other and their dynamic nature. It's a very sweetly written book. If you're looking to restore and balance your nervous system, I highly recommend the audiobook version. The narrator's voice is particularly soothing. It's a really sweet way to understand how connected trees are, something we often think of as individuals. They live and communicate in these communities, and that extended community is something we’re also part of. A fantastic nervous system rebalancing read. "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants" by Robin Wall Kimmerer.It's just such a beautiful book. She is a botanist and an indigenous lady, and this book offers a really beautiful explanation of core philosophical concepts of a gift economy and how we can relate to our natural environment in a cooperative way rather than a dominator mindset. It's transformational on many levels and is a really good introduction to a whole new worldview, for shifting away from a colonial or hierarchical view, where human beings are at the top of a ladder and everything exists for our use. Instead, it emphasizes an interconnected way of being in the world, focusing on relationships and nurturing connections with the natural world and with each other. It is very beautiful, and there’s some really cool botany in there. If you're looking for some science, it's also an excellent science book. "The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself", by Michael Singer,This is one of those books that was just handed to me over and over again. It is a great read that helps you release your grip on who you truly are, letting go of your status, name, and accomplishments - who are you then?. If you take all of that away, who are you in the middle of all of that? The truth is, who you are is this conscious soul that's connected to all things. I find this book very impactful; it's very short, but very dense. It's one of those books where you read a paragraph, and then you have to sit and reflect. It's a slow read for me, even though it's a short book, but it contains beautiful concepts that can tap you into who you truly are at your core. "The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life" by Lisa MillerThis is another fascinating read. She is a brain researcher, and it's a great blend of science and spirituality. Initially, she studied people with depression and found in the data that those with any form of spiritual connection—whether religious or a connection to something greater, like nature, meditation, mindfulness, or faith—seemed to be protected from depression. This spiritual connection changes your brain, and researchers can actually see this in the brains of people who actively cultivate their spiritual connections; it lowers their instances of depression. It's so fascinating to me, given my background in science and the work I do. I’m always intrigued by the overlaps of spirituality and science.  "The Order of Time" written by Carlo RovelliIt's about quantum physics and the nature of time from a scientific perspective. Time is really weird, and it has a connection to gravity and speed. To sum up the whole book, time is truly strange. It's a short read, but very dense; you really need to think about it. However, it is exceptionally well-written. Ravelli explains many deep science concepts in a poetic way. If you appreciate audiobooks, Benedict Cumberbatch narrates the audiobook version, so you might want to check that out. The Order of Time is a great introduction to quantum physics and relates to how I believe Reiki works. Much of the way Reiki is described from a spiritual standpoint overlaps with how quantum physicists explain the nature of reality. Combining those two ideas suggests that Reiki operates as a quantum phenomenon we connect to with our consciousness. I enjoy exploring quantum physics as it offers insight into a potential understanding of the mechanics of Reiki, alongside a spiritual connection to vast energies. I’ve had many strange experiences that connect me to something greater. "Be Here Now" by Ram Dass,This book delves into the power of being present, emphasizing that the spiritual moment exists in the now. All time is essentially the present, and by allowing yourself to be completely present, you can enter a timeless spiritual space. This concept forms the core of Ram Dass’s teachings, and the book is both beautifully written and illustrated. It’s best to get a hard copy, as it has a nice, trippy quality to it, plus beautiful illustrations. "Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.A book that changed my life, I couldn't put it down when I first encountered it. I would say that was my first introduction to spirituality. This is not necessarily a spiritual book; it's about fairy tales and the Wild Woman archetype.  "Women Who Run with the Wolves" was the first book where I connected to the concept of a spiritually strong woman, connected to nature and her primal instincts as being a powerful model for how I wanted to be in the world. This book was just transformative for me. "The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr Mikao Usui" by Dr. Mikao Usui, translated by Frank Arjava Petter.Another amazing book that people ask me about when seeking recommendations for a Reiki book. I feel it's best to go to the source! It’s an excellent source for your Reiki studies. For a long time, people believed that Reiki was only passed down orally, from teacher to student. However, there actually was a handbook written by Master Usui, which has been translated from Japanese to English with illustrations. It offers a fascinating look into the origins of this amazing healing modality for anyone interested in Reiki and its history. "The Secret Art of Happiness. Change your Life with the Reiki Ideals", written by me, Geneva Robins.This book is based on the Reiki ideals, which are these five simple lessons for doing fewer things that cause you distress and more things that help bring ease. When you do those things, you invite happiness into your world. The Secret Art of Happiness is based on what I observed with my students when I was teaching Reiki. The people who got the most out of their Reiki classes were the ones who started really following the Reiki ideals. The Reiki Ideals, also known as the Reiki Principles, are: Just for today, I will let go of anger; I will let go of worry; I’ll be grateful for my many blessings; I will do my work, which is my spiritual work, honestly; and I will be kind to myself and every living thing. This book gives you a tangible guide with journaling and meditation prompts and affirmation ladders to help you shift to a new state of empowered energy. "Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose" by Martha Beck I think it is fantastic. It is such a good read if you or anyone you know suffers from anxiety, even in a little tiny way. It has really good practical tools and techniques, along with an understanding of the brain science behind it. All of that is very well written and explains exactly proven techniques to decrease your anxiety. If you can tap into your creativity and your curiosity, it basically switches you into a different mode in your brain where you are not anxious. "Whole Brain Living: Anatomy of Choice, and the 4 Characters that Drive Our Life" by Jill Bolte Taylor.Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroanatomist who had a left hemisphere stroke, hemorrhage, that took over the whole left side of her brain, basically knocking her left brain offline. She could only use her right hemisphere, and because she was a neuroanatomist, she was aware and observing what was happening in her brain. She was fascinated as her whole left side of her brain shut down and even more fascinated as she recovered from her stroke and regained that left brain, learning to let the left and right brains play together. She describes that there are four parts of our brain, and they each have a different worldview on what makes up the inside of you and your connection with all things. So that's a really good one. "Braving the Wilderness." by Brené Brown.Brene Brown, if you're not familiar, is a social worker and researcher focused on shame and vulnerability, and how vulnerability is essential to creativity and innovation, and bringing our best work into the world. What I love about "Braving the Wilderness" is that it's all about truly belonging. To truly have a sense of belonging, we have to belong to ourselves first and risk being alone in the wilderness. If we pretend to be someone we're not, we can't connect because people will connect to the mask we're wearing, not to who we truly are. So we have to brave that vulnerable space of sharing ourselves with people or being authentically curious about who we genuinely are, and share that with people who have earned the right to our story. In this book, she talks about the acronym for trust: BRAVING. It is magical. If you struggle with either over-trusting or under-trusting people, the BRAVING acronym is essentially the recipe for trust.  "Braving the Wilderness" is a fantastic read on all levels. "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise HayIt is so very good—it's very insightful about the mind-body connection and using affirmations to change your inner tape and dialogue. We use this book as a textbook in our Reiki Courses to help understand the mind-body connection. "Seth Speaks" by Jane Roberts.It's an older book where Jane Roberts channelled a being called Seth. It's just wild and trippy, delving into the nature of consciousness, who we are, and how the soul and reincarnation work. A very profound and thought-provoking read. "Nosso Lar" (which means “Our Home” in Portuguese) written by Francisco Candido XavierFrancisco Candido Xavier is a Brazilian author who channelled over 400 books, some of which are being translated into English. The "Nosso Lar" series talks about life on the other side, reincarnation, and various other concepts. I find it to be a very deep dive into what the other side is like.    What is your Favourite Spiritual Book?And there are so many more! Please drop a line; I'd love to hear how this all sits with you. If there's a book I mentioned that you absolutely love or don't, that's great. Let me know! If there are books that you think I need to read, please mention them. We may do another one of these reading list podcasts in the next little while. I'd love to hear from you!

The Universal Struggle of Self-DoubtLet’s face it: self-doubt is a stubborn companion on our journey through life. Even the most insightful individuals can find themselves caught in a web of uncertainty. It might seem surprising that those with profound intuition often question their instincts, but this is a common hurdle many face. Why does this happen? The answer is layered and complex, reflecting the unique experiences each of us carries. That nagging voice whispering, “Are you sure?” or “What if you’re wrong?” can create a maze of confusion. It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking external validation instead of anchoring back to ourselves. But don’t worry; we’re going to explore ways to strengthen that internal compass. Finding Your Center Through MeditationOne of the most effective tools I’ve discovered on this path to self-trust is meditation. Whenever I feel uncertain, I turn to meditation; it's my go-to first step. Here’s a quick exercise you can do to reclaim your center: Take a moment to pause and breathe. If you can, close your eyes and focus inward. Tune into your heart and belly and become aware of your center. Feel the grounding energy of the earth beneath you and allow it to center you. Embrace the sensation of your breath flowing in and out. Let out a sigh of relief, celebrating the simple gift of breathing. Gratitude for this moment is a beautiful starting point. When we meditate, we cultivate awareness, allowing us to observe that internal dialogue. Are you listening to the inner critic, or are you tuning into your authentic self? Embracing Your Inner SelvesUnderstanding who you are is essential to trusting yourself fully. This can be quite intricate! According to the concept of internal family systems, we embody a collection of different aspects, including the child self, the caretaker, the protector, and, yes, even the inner critic. These parts contribute to your life journey. When you ask yourself a question, consider which “self” you’re consulting. The people-pleaser in you may prioritize others’ opinions over your own needs, steering you away from trusting your true instincts. By acknowledging these various aspects, you cultivate a richer understanding of yourself and your choices. So take a moment to reflect: which part of yourself is guiding your actions today? Whose voice are you listening to? Connect to your Inner KnowingTaking a moment to become still and pause the chatter, you can often find your centre self. That wise voice is the one to listen to and trust. Your inner wisdom is not swayed by passing influences; it is attuned to the needs of your heart and soul and will always lead you in the right direction. We find that Reiki sessions can really help to connect to your inner awareness. If you need a bit of help tuning into your guidance, Reiki can often help you still your thoughts to hear your soul self. Sometimes, even a gentle question like "If my soul knew the answer, what would it say?" can unlock the brilliant knowing always within. At the end of the day, the most important voice is your own.

Energy work can help you Connect to Your PurposeReiki can help you connect to the wisdom of your soul where your purpose lives. Receiving an energy healing session like Reiki can help you get energetically clear so you can clearly hear the calling of your spirit. Reiki opens the doorways of light that lead you in the direction that is meant for you. A magical light turns on to lead you on your way. When you let go of layers in Reiki sessions to create an opening and flow for you to find your way. Be willing to follow the wisdom in your heart and stop holding yourself back from the brave thing you are meant to create. Following the energy can lead you to an array of wonderful experiences and lead you to your purpose in the most wonderful way. As soon as you are willing to live a life of greater fulfillment and service, the Universe opens up to show you the way. You may not always know how it is going to play out, but if you are willing to follow the lead of the energy, it will take you to great places and adventures.  Helpers and Healers, Start with YourselfBe your first and best client for your own products and services. All healing is self-healing. When you are doing your own self-care, you become a better healer and helper for others. The Energetic Eight Business School and Energetic Eight Coaching can help you to activate your authentic dreams and goals in a way that is supported by the energy of your purpose. It is vulnerable to do what you really want to do. As soon as you have found your purpose, the little ego can kick up a fuss to stop or block your forward progress. Keep following the light, even if it feels scary to the ego. Vulnerability is very normal when you are doing something important. But if you can move past that momentary discomfort and distraction, you actually feel best when you are following the path rather than avoiding it.  The feeling of fulfillment and deep inner peace and grounded openness only happens when you take those tiny brave steps forward. Support and cheer yourself as you take those steady steps forward, even if it is only five minutes a day – forward is forward. When you are moving forward on your soul purpose, even in a small way, the Universe opens up and brings you more opportunities, energy and ideas than you can even believe would have been possible. When you are in a small way, just letting yourself go with it, it opens up more light for everyone. We are all connected, so if you bring your ideas and creations to the world, it creates more light and inspiration for others. If in Doubt, Follow the Flow of JoyYour heart lights up when you are on your best path and that brings more light for everyone. And it could be so simple and joyful. Your purpose flows from that centre of joy. It's often what comes naturally to you and something that brings you energy. It's not all hard work, but often is the thing that makes your heart sparkle. That joyfulness is the self-sustaining energy in your purpose that keeps bringing you back again and again. When we stop resisting the pull of the soul, a huge amount of energy gets released that brings balance and peace. The energy of your purpose is inside of you; you can never get away from it.  What if you don't have any idea what your purpose is?Make a list of everything that interests you, even in a tiny way. Follow up on all bits of curiosity. Try teeny, tiny samples of experiences you are interested in, small in time and small in dollar investment. Approach this search as a giant game of warmer-colder. Try a tiny experience and then see how you feel. You have to play with the universe. The Universe will send you an energy that is expansive, fresh, forward, light, and steady. As you explore the world and what sparks curiosity within you, you start to move around and gain new insights and information.  Pay particular attention to how you feel. As you sample life, your inner being will open up and resonate when you are engaged in actions that are on the path. It might not always be linear or logical, but if you continue to make small steps forward you end up being lead on an incredible journey of inner discovery. If nothing else, you'll lead a life full of joyful moments and playful curiosity. Your bucket list will empty and refill many times over! Moving forward can scare the pants off you!Vulnerability happens when you are doing something new and important. But leaning away from that vulnerability is way worse, that feels like stagnation and getting stuck. But when you tune into the wisest part within you, it is never afraid of your purpose. It just feels like freedom when you move toward it. the more you anchor yourself in that internal wisdom, the less and less scary it all gets. Following  your path releases energy and feels nourishing and encouraging.  If it’s joyful, then it's the work. It doesn't always have to make sense.  What have you healed from? Sometimes your purpose can be found in what you have worked through. It might not always be the peak experiences, but helping others with something that you yourself have also known. You have hard-won compassion for anyone else in that spot. Things you have experienced, your struggles, and things you have overcome can be transformational moments that lead you on the path of purpose. You can use that energy and all those lessons in a way that can help others. Making money or not – your soul's purpose is eternal and valuable all on its own.  

Self-Care for the Crown ChakraThe crown chakra is located right at the top of your head and helps with connection to something greater and spirituality. Even if you don’t have a particular faith or spiritual outlook, everyone has a crown chakra and its job is to help us feel like we have a place in the universe and a connection to something more. The best self care tool for the crown chakra is meditation. Even if meditation has been a struggle for you, just take a gentle approach. Keep trying different styles of meditation until you find one that works for you. Even if your mind gets busy, you’re not doing meditation wrong, you are actually clearing out those thoughts so they’ll bother you less during the rest of the day. Begin simply with a few minutes at first – set a timer, close your eyes, and breathe slowly. You may also like the Infinite Universe Meditation or any of our other meditations on Insight Timer. Self-Care for the Third Eye ChakraThe third eye chakra is located in the centre of your head at the level of your eyebrows. It is the point where you receive and understand information about the world. The third eye chakra governs both your intellect and your intuition and helps to bring a clear balance between the two. A powerful self-care tool for the third eye chakra is journalling. Not only does journalling give you a chance to empty out your thoughts and feelings, but you can also gain a greater perspective and awareness when you write that you may not otherwise access.  Writing is a natural process of organizing your thoughts so instead of having all of that energy spinning you in circles, journalling can help you focus and get clarity even when everything else is topsy turvy. You can also powerfully access your intuition when you write simply by allowing the kindness and love of the Universe to say nice things to you. You can use your imagination to answer your questions with love and care. Even imagining that you are your own best friend and writing down the advice you would give a friend is massively helpful to gain perspective and a little bit of self-compassion and love. Try the Creative Warm-up process to get your pen flowing, meditate for 2 minutes and free write for 2 minutes and see what happens. Self-Care for the Throat ChakraThe throat chakra,  located in the centre of your throat,  is the centre for communication, speaking, and listening. When the throat chakra is well balanced you can easily express yourself and you can also listen to others with ease and grace. Good communication is mostly about being an expert in listening both to yourself and the other person. A wonderful self-care tool to heal the throat chakra is to sing or chant. Making music with your own voice, even if no one else hears it, is deeply healing. Listening to music is also a wonderful way to flow energy through this chakra, but singing and chanting are just going to turbo charge that energy. Put on your favourite tune and sing along! Playing an instrument or receiving a sound healing session can also help you clear and balance this important energy centre.  Self-Care for the Heart ChakraThe heart chakra is located in the centre of your chest and helps you feel connected, loved, and compassionate for yourself and others. When your heart chakra is well balanced you feel content and joyful and steady.  A wonderful self-care tool for the heart chakra is mindful breathing. Because the physical heart and the lungs are linked together, when you slow down your breathing rate, your heart rate also drops. Mindful breathing helps your heart rest and also reach a coherent energy field that is healing all on its own. Focus your attention on a part of your body that is feeling tension, like your jaw or your neck and then slowly breathe in and out to the count of seven. You may also want to try the Mindful Meditation for Pain Relief or the Heart Meditation to help the energy flow through and heal the heart while you practice mindful breathing. Self-Care for the Solar Plexus ChakraThe solar plexus chakra is located in your upper belly and is the centre for confidence, boundaries, and energy. When the solar plexus chakra is well balanced, you feel happy and energized, ready for anything. A key self-care tool for the solar plexus chakra is to protect your energy reserves. Notice what tasks give you energy and which ones drain your energy. The skill is to tune into your energy levels before you say yes or no to anything.  This is always an important skill but becomes absolutely crucial when you are dealing with a lot of upheaval or working through big changes or healing something massive in your body, mind, or emotions. In order for you to do your big work, you need energy. Your energy is a precious thing as are you, and it needs your protection and wisdom. Only you can know if something is in alignment for you or not. There is no other person who can know this better than you, everyone else is just guessing.  Saying no can be daunting, especially if it is a new skill for you or you are in the habit of putting everyone else first and not even considering your own energy levels. But that is all okay, this is a self care skill that you have to practice to be good at it.  Just begin gently and start by simply noticing what kinds of things lift you and which deplete you. Over time you can rebalance your energy by choosing to add one small thing that recharges you and leaving out one small thing that drains you. Even a tiny change can shift everything and give you your energy back. Try the Activating Divine Will Meditation to give you a bit of a boost before you say your kind “no”. Self-Care for the Sacral ChakraThe sacral chakra is located in your lower belly and is the centre for abundance, sexuality, and creativity. When the sacral chakra is well balanced you feel a natural joy and vitality, there is a zest for life and a zip in your step. Things sparkle when the sacral chakra is full of energy. Spending time on creative projects is a very nurturing way to care for your sacral chakra. Especially if you approach your creative and crafty time with the attitude of play and participation that happens in kindergarten. You get a sticker just for showing up! Let yourself dabble in anything that captures your interest with no expectations of results. Making anything with your hands will put you in your spatial awareness and activates your right brain. The right brain helps you also access your connection with the vastness of the universe and is the part that can see things from a gentler view.  Simply by spending a few moments making art you can calm your mind and understand things differently. Plus, it’s fun! Self-Care for the Root ChakraThe root chakra is located at the base of your spine and its energy extends down your legs to help you feel rooted and stable. When your root chakra is well balanced you feel steady and safe. This is the chakra that is most often affected by big changes in our routine and in the world. It’s our foundation so when big world events unsettle you, spending time on the root chakra can help you find your path through all the uncertainty.  The key self-care tool for the root chakra is grounding. Connecting to the earth, either by visualization or spending time outdoors is very healing to every part of your energy and root chakra. The best is to simply spend time in nature, look out a window, and watch nature moving. Observing the wind moving, animals and birds, looking at all the plant life, creates a peacefulness all on its own. Nature is the best healer. Grounding meditations are also helpful to consciously connect to the energy in the earth and feel the resonance of your nature with Mother Nature. You can practice grounding wherever you happen to be, it is literally a thought away. Try the Grounding Meditation or the Tree Meditation to help connect to the earth. Self-Care for the AuraLast but not least is the aura, the electromagnetic field surrounding your body. The aura is especially important for highly sensitive people and empaths, as it is your literal force field helping you to filter out everyone else’s energy. When your aura is bright and strong you feel a perfect balance of cozy safety and spacious expansion. Our favourite way of balancing the aura is Reiki. You can try the Self Healing Meditation to practice on your own or the Aura Flame Meditation to clear out old energies and boost up the power of your aura.  A Reiki session will help you stay in your bubble and get a great energetic reset especially if you have been going through a lot lately. Learning Reiki is also a phenomenal way to learn how to take care of your energetic boundaries so you can stay in the light and shine

In this podcast episode, Geneva Robins and Angela Hoogeveen chat about how sensitive people can be affected by world events and protect their energy without shutting down or becoming overwhelmed. Learn some handy tools to stay centred and strong even when the world is changing. Be Gentle with YourselfThere is a lot of turmoil in the world right now; sometimes, we can forget just how Sensitive we actually are. Often, sensitive people can pick up on the energy in the room if even one person is off. Now imagine the collective impact of 8 billion people reacting to something they read on the news. That collective ripple of energy can be extremely loud for sensitive folks, like a jackhammer outside your window all day and all night. But, because that energy is invisible to most people and it looks like everyone else is just carrying on with their day, we can forget that the energy levels are high and noisy. Sometimes, we even think the discomfort we feel is Only because we are " too Sensitive." The truth is that once you notice the energy level in the collective, and trust us, it is very high and loud right now, then you can begin to be gentle with your reactions and protect your amazing superpower of empathy. Think of Superman being able to hear Lois Lane cry out for help.  You are able to hear the whole world cry out. If this were a movie, Superman would be incapacitated, but you are far stronger, you can walk around and work and have conversations with others and help. But before you start helping, you need to first protect your energy. This podcast episode will help you do just that! Book a SessionNeed more help clearing out the noise?  Book a Reiki or wellness session with us.

Reiki is a transformational energy healing practice that has profoundly changed our lives. In this episode, Angela Hoogeveen and Geneva Robins share their experiences with learning Reiki and how it has helped them in their lives in large and small ways. Protect Your Energy With ReikiBoth Angela and Geneva are strong empaths and spent their early lives bombarded with energy. Being too sensitive was a common theme, but Reiki provided a way to stay sensitive and in tune and provided a powerful tool to protect and clear their energy. Staying grounded and clear is a key practice that is taught in Reiki Level I and is a very safe method to help sensitive souls survive an energetically noisy world.  How is Reiki Life-Changing?Reiki sessions can powerfully clear stuck and stagnant energy, helping you feel peaceful and clear in only a few minutes. Learning Reiki is a game-changer for sensitive empaths because you always have that connection to that strong, protective frequency of Universal Life Force energy. Even a few short minutes of self-healing can completely shift your energy state, bringing well-being on many levels. Start With a Reiki Session or Self-Healing MeditationThe best place to start if you feel you’re an empath or highly sensitive person is to try a Reiki session for yourself. Experience is the best teacher! You will quickly know if Reiki works for you in a session or two. (We have great package rates if you are trying it for the first time!) If you’d rather dip your toe in first, then try one of these self-healing meditations: Self-Healing Meditation Myofascial Healing Meditation Kindness and Courage Self-Healing Meditation In a self-healing meditation, you get guided along to clear your energy, ground, balance your chakras, and put a strong protection energy in your aura. In only a few minutes, you can improve your energetic state and feel peaceful and radiant. Learn Reiki for Total Life TransformationLearning Reiki puts the energy literally at your fingertips. You begin a process of self-healing and inner discovery in Level I, a great primer on your meditation and self-healing practice.  Level II helps you anchor the energy even further and teaches you key skills in assisting others with Reiki sessions as well as boosting up your own self-care practice. Level II helps you learn to shield your energy with the Reiki symbols, some very powerful tools to have even for your own self-care, even if you don’t plan on doing Reiki on anyone else. Level III is the advanced Reiki training level, and it helps you learn to assist others with powerful sessions to clear energetic blocks. You learn to manifest with Reiki and bring a Divine unconditional love into your heart. Master Level training helps you create a lifelong learning mentality to your Reiki practice. You develop skills to assist others with transformative healing attunements and also learn how to pass Reiki symbols to others if you choose to go on to teach Reiki. Many people who take our Reiki courses, even all the way to Master Level, do so for their own spiritual expansion and growth. Each level has profound and deep lesions that can enrich your experience and create a pathway for deep connection to your spiritual well-being. Check out our course pages for more information or our upcoming courses schedule to find out when the next one is offered. We start courses seasonally and you can attend either in person at our Calgary location or virtually over Zoom, or a hybrid of both if you happen to be travelling or need to stay home from time to time. Check out our Testimonials page and Google reviews to see what other people are saying about how Reiki has changed their lives. Do you have a story to share about how Reiki changed your life?We’d love to hear about your journey with Reiki and how it has helped you. Please share in the comments section or go to lunaholistic.com/podcast or go to our SpeakPipe page to share your story or comment with us! Book a Session

Learn why you are actually superhuman if you are an empath! In this podcast episode, Geneva Robins and Angela Hoogeveen discuss their healing journeys as strong empaths and how they have learned to clear, protect, and ground their energy. You can keep all your gifts sharp and stay sensitive without being bombarded, we'll show you how!   What is an empath?Empaths have a highly developed intuition and are attuned to the energies and emotions of others. Empaths can feel what the other person is feeling and take on or absorb those emotions themselves. An empath is like a sponge when it comes to other people's emotions. Not understanding you're an Empath can cause great distressBefore Angela knew she was an empath, she felt that being highly sensitive was a detriment. She was told she was too sensitive and to toughen up. It took many years for Geneva to understand that she was an empath. Her nervous system was constantly bombarded, and she wasn’t able to discern what she was feeling and what she was taking on from others. How to Energetically Protect YourselfAll of us - especially empaths - benefit from protecting our aura. Try doing the meditation below anytime you leave the house. You may also need to do it at other times. Angela feels she specifically needs to do it whenever she’s in an airport or on a plane. Geneva adds that if you know you’re going into an energy-dense situation, protecting your aura and putting yourself into an energetic bubble is imperative. Only put a bubble around yourself. Never try this technique on other people. Unless you are a trained reiki practitioner and are doing a reiki session on someone, it is best to keep your energy hands to yourself and even then, only with clear permission from the person. Being in a bubble of light helps you to feel more anchored in that strong frequency. Energy Clearing Meditation for EmpathsJump to 4:48 in the podcast for a meditation practice to clear your energy and protect your sensitivity. We are not just physical bodies, but energy bodies. We have an energy field all around us - an aura. This meditation will help you centre your body and help you to connect to Mother Earth. It is important to connect to the present rather than being in the past or future. It will direct you to flow light and energy down through your body and chakras. Imagine a beautiful light surrounding your body. Allow any energy that doesn’t belong to you to melt away. Envision a violet light, the highest frequency, all around you. The importance of putting yourself in an energetic bubbleGeneva likens an empath not being in a bubble of light to being in a rainstorm without rain gear. If you have proper rain gear, it acts like a membrane between you and the world. It doesn’t stop the rain, but it allows you to manage it. When you are in a clear energy field, you have access to your own power and light. It is much easier to allow others to be themselves, and you can be respectful of their energy, too. You can be in more situations more fully without feeling energetically bombarded. Can an Empath Protect and Clear their Own Energy?Yes! Absolutely, you can. With a bit of practice, you can learn meditative and reframing tools to help you stay in your strong light and energy.  Learning Reiki is a wonderful way for empaths to stay in a clear bubble, but there are many other tools too. Geneva and Angela discuss how an empath can protect, clear and ground their own energy. And if things ever get really intense, receiving a Reiki session can help hit the reset button and is a key tool in having someone facilitate what you may not clear yourself. Is Being an Empath a Curse or a Superpower?What the world needs is more people to feel compassion and empathy. The ability to understand what others are going through. The world doesn’t need people to ‘toughen up’. The antidote to being sensitive is not to become tougher or insensitive. It is to teach other people to see the world in a different way, to see the world with eyes of compassion; to put ourselves in other people's shoes; to relate to what other people experience on a feeling level. It can feel counterintuitive to embrace being an empath, as it has the potential to cause emotional pain. But once an empath learns to ground, protect and clear their energy, being an empath can definitely feel like a superpower! Being an Empath is a Gift!Geneva reveals that, as an empath, once she learned Reiki, she was finally able to feel joy, connection and peace. Angela agrees that Reiki has helped her understand that being an empath is a beautiful thing and something to embrace rather than to push down, push away or to toughen up from. Honour your sensitivity and recover your power! Book a Session

What is a Soul Career?A soul career is one where you put your time and energy into bringing products and services to the world that not only light up your soul but also bring positive change in people's lives. Your work is aligned with your values and supports you on every level, spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially. Often, a soul career is illuminating and helps other people shine too. There's a great feeling of service and giving back that lights you up each and every day. Where do you start?If a soul career is so wonderful, why is it so hard to get there? You know, I think about this a lot. Much of my work in Reiki is about helping people move through where and why they get stuck and doing the energetic and emotional work of getting everything flowing. Most of the time, we get stuck because of fears, vulnerabilities, and limiting beliefs. The work we do in Energetic Eight Business Coaching helps you clear any of this friction slowing you down. Of course, there can be all kinds of physical world obstacles to living your dreams, too. But what I have found is that persistence, creativity, and learning to ask for help can clear or manage many of these issues. We are always working within limitations; the challenge is to see these limitations as creative challenges that will ultimately make the work better. Using the Energetic Eight to Build your Soul CareerIn Energetic Eight Coaching and the upcoming Energetic Eight Business School online course, you build your soul career using the blueprint of the chakras and the aura. The Energetic Eight is a process where you see what you are making as a being in its own right. Your work has an energy and intelligence, as well as the aura and chakras. You spend time focusing on the needs of your work in each of these eight major areas so that the work can thrive, and so can you!

Shrinking Back to Try to Stay SafeThere's so much happening in the world, and sometimes it can make you feel small. It is normal to respond by trying to hide your light as a way to stay safe. Sometimes, it feels like the brighter we shine, the worse the criticism can be. So, we learn to live dimmed down as a way to protect ourselves.  For a while, dimming your light may have kept you safe - especially as a child. But sometimes, even when you get to a safe space, the habit of dimming down is still active. The only issue is that now it is keeping you stuck and depriving the world of your creations and ideas. That pattern may even be ancestral, not something you directly experienced; instead, it was a pattern handed down through the generations. Again, honour those wise and strong people you descended from, and practice being your unique and radiant self now that you are in a safer space. Sometimes, we dim down to remain connected to others, choosing not to reach beyond what others might be capable of. But there are costs to living dialled down. There's a cost to living with less of your vital life force energy. It takes enormous effort and energy to not be yourself. And when you are not claiming your full space, the whole world has a little bit less light. Why Shining Your Light is ImportantWhen one person shines their light fully, it creates a space for everyone else to shine. It is time to bring forward your brilliance and light into the world. If you are able to shine with everything you are, you can easily bring your ideas forward. You make what you are supposed to make and share what you are supposed to share. If you can create something that can influence even one other person in a positive way, then it is worth the small risk of being criticized by people who are cranky anyway. When you are living in that fully illuminated space, the negative doesn't stick to you. Instead, you can examine negativity with good humour and compassion. It doesn't wound you or stop you. You can notice it all with curiosity and then keep flowing forward with joyful creativity. It might seem small, but it creates a ripple of change and kindness forward in ways you may not ever fully see. Every time you share your light, there is more for everyone. Solutions for Shiny, Brillant People Like YouGrounding Meditations. When you ground, you feel safe and rooted. That alone can give you an immediate boost of confidence. Connecting to Earth energy is nurturing and supportive and can help you feel connected to something patient and ancient. Try this Grounding Meditation to help you feel anchored and ready to expand. Clear your Aura. If that energetic space around you is clear, you have a buffer between you and others. It creates a live and let live space. Then, you are less affected by other people's energy and opinions. You shine! You can balance and clear your aura with a few simple visualizations. Reiki can help you stay grounded and clear. Get support from others who support your Rise. We all need that support, and that can create a safe space to begin sharing your work and ideas with others. Spend more time with kind people who are cheering you on. Receiving a Reiki session is a nurturing way to make space for your light. Learning Reiki puts the skills in your hands to clear and balance your energy, bringing confidence and joy. Shift into a Power Pose. When you are holding yourself in a small position, you have less space for your breath and energy to move. Sometimes, creating more space in the body can flip the experience in your mind. Hold yourself in a position of confidence. Stand and sit in a position of dignity and strength: head up, shoulders back, brave heart forward. Sometimes, shifting your posture can shift your energy instantly. Reframing thoughts. Affirmations and shifting your inner dialogue are crucial to shining your light. Sometimes, simply affirming that you are safe and confident can create more space for you to be fully yourself. Challenging negative beliefs is also useful in flipping the internal narrative to one of peace, support, and expansion. A great resource for this is Byron Katie's The Work. Meditations to Help You Shine- Aura Flame Meditation - Illumination Meditation - Shine your Light Meditation - Activating Divine Will Meditation - Lightworker Activation Meditation - Self Healing Meditation

Welcome to Lunar Harmony!Lunar Harmony is all about connecting with the moon's cycles to boost your personal and spiritual growth. Tuning into these cycles can help you feel more in touch with yourself and the universe around you. A fun way to start this journey is through a guided grounding exercise, where you can channel the Earth's and the moon's energies, helping you find balance and harmony in your life. Discovering Lunar CyclesDid you know that the moon’s cycles can have a significant impact on our emotions and behaviours? Many people, especially sensitive people, can feel these shifts quite deeply. By understanding these cycles, you can gain valuable insight into your own experiences and the energy fluctuations that happen with each lunar phase. Chakras meet the Moon CalendarA fantastic way to keep track of the moon’s influence is by adjusting your self-care for the chakra energies on each lunar day. The colourful LunaHolistic Moon Calendar uses the chakra system to enhance your self-care routines. This creative approach not only makes it easy to understand the lunar phases but also encourages you to tune into your own energy, helping you feel more balanced and centered. Lunar Phases and How They Affect YouLet’s break down the lunar phases! Each phase holds its own significance: the new moon is a wonderful time to set fresh intentions, while the full moon invites reflection and completion. Don’t forget the waning phase, which is perfect for practicing generosity and giving. By embracing these phases, you can harness their energies and align your actions with the natural rhythms around you. Your spiritual connection is enhanced by flowing with the lunar energy. Introducing the Lunar Harmony PlannerSay hello to the Lunar Harmony Planner! This handy tool helps you weave lunar energies into your everyday life. With daily lunar harmony invitations, this planner guides you on how to align your activities with the moon’s energies, helping you feel more purposeful and intentional in everything you do. You can balance your self-care with the needs of your busy schedule and feel supported as you flow through each lunar month. Reconnecting with Nature and the MoonIn our busy urban lives, it’s so important to take a moment to reconnect with nature. This connection not only boosts your well-being but also deepens your understanding of how the moon impacts our lives, especially through meditation practices. The experiences you gain from this reconnection highlight how all beings are interconnected and how essential nature is to our lives. When you take a moment to tune into the energy of the moon, you connect to something much larger and more magical than you can imagine. This ancient cycle helps to feel connected to something lasting when everything else is changing.

In this episode, we answer a listener's question, "How can I avoid merging with my mother?" Paula's mother had experienced an unjust situation, and Paula felt angry and protective on her mom's behalf. Listen in on the self-care and reframing tips Reiki Master Geneva Robins had for this situation. Recognize it comes from a Good place  -  You Care!If you see yourself in Paula's shoes and feel upset or angry about injustice in the world, know that feeling has a very positive core. You care! What an amazing place the world would be if everyone cared as much as you! Sometimes, simply noticing that the energy underneath the strong feeling of distress and anger is actually coming from a place of deep love can help reframe things. As soon as you notice what the core is, you can shift into that loving space. Create a gentle space to acknowledge your feelingsThe next step is to give yourself a space, a moment where you can step away from the situation. To temporarily pause the thinking that is creating the flood of emotion in your body and just give yourself a space to rest, ground, and come back to yourself. This can be very difficult to do when you're in a heightened state, but it is essential if you want to be of maximum service to the one you love. To do this, it's useful to pay attention to the physical sensations in the body. Gently notice areas of tension, of different temperatures, noticing if there are any muscles that are clenched, if your breathing is tight and not flowing.  And then just gently working to create space around all the sensations and gently creating room with your breath and awareness into the simple sensations of distress and anger within the body. It's a heightened form of mindfulness. Even a few minutes of paying attention to your inner physiological state will begin to bring in a sense of calm.  You might like the Releasing Anger Meditation as a tool to begin anchoring yourself back in the present moment.  Come back to yourself and the present - Grounding and your AuraAnother powerful tool is grounding, which connects to the energy within the Earth and allows that nurturing energy to bring a sense of peace into your body. Try the Grounding Meditation to activate that wise Earth Energy. Noticing the energy around your body and bringing a bit of space between you and the situation is also deeply healing. Each person has their own energy bubble, the aura, and when the aura is strong, you feel clear and are better able to discern what is your feeling and what another person’s feeling. The aura is so important if you are an empath or a highly sensitive person! It helps you avoid merging with another person's energy so you can be in a good place to help them. The good news is just imagining a calming and comforting energy in the aura will help you. When you are back in your bubble, it is much easier to hold space for your loved one or the difficult situation you are facing. It is the best place for you to see their strength and cheer on their empowerment. If this is difficult for you, you can also try a Reiki session. Reiki is a gentle way of grounding and reconnecting to the flow of energy, harmonizing you with a state of peace and calm so that you can get clarity on the situation. Try the Self-Healing Meditation to see how even 5 minutes can help. The Reiki Ideals can help you get perspectiveAnger is a normal emotion when a boundary is crossed, and you or your loved one is threatened. It’s a survival emotion that helps us escape danger. The problem is when anger gets stuck and becomes chronic, it just ends up burning us up. In Reiki, we practice the Reiki ideals, which are five principles for leading a happy life. The Reiki ideals are: just for today, I will let go of anger, I will let go of worry, I will be grateful for my many blessings, I will do my spiritual work honestly, and I'll be kind to myself and others. When you're facing a big issue, it can be very helpful to come back to each of the Reiki ideals and allow their wisdom to guide you to a more restful frame of mind. When you're able to come back to that space of clarity, it's much easier to see what your best action will be.  When we're in the grips of anger, it is very difficult to know what the best action is because we become erratic and explosive. We still need to feel and acknowledge that anger, but we need to put it to work for us in a way that will be constructive and productive to our ultimate goals.  This can be difficult when it involves somebody we care about because we have anger but also vulnerability and maybe worry. When you work through the Reiki ideals step by step, all the way to kindness, you end up getting clarity and peace along the way. So that when you take action, which anger requires, you are taking the best action possible that will help the situation and bring harmony to yourself and others.  You can learn more about the Reiki ideals in Geneva's book The Secret Art of Happiness: How to Change Your Life with the Reiki Ideals.  How does this sit with you?If you found the tips in this episode helpful and resonated with Paula's experience, we encourage you to leave a comment on the blog sharing your thoughts and insights. Do you find your energy merging with other people? What has helped you get clear? Send us your own questions or topics you'd like us to address in a future episode. Leave us a quick voice memo on our SpeakPipe page. Your input and questions are valuable, and we look forward to continuing this conversation with you in our upcoming episodes.  

Reiki for Kids' Spiritual Well-BeingReiki helps kids in the same way it helps adults; they get a chance to ground their energy, feel calmer, and have good energetic boundaries. We offer Reiki sessions for kids, babies, and teens at LunaHolistic. Create a profile for your child on our booking page and then you can book them in for a session. You can stay in the room with them as they receive their session or wait in our reception area with a warm cup of tea. We let the child decide what makes them feel most comfortable. Grounding Technique for ChildrenListen to the end of the episode for an active meditation technique you can do with your kids: the Rainbow Tree meditation. It helps to settle sensitive children and is wonderful right before bedtime or after school. You guide them to balance their chakras, ground, and fill their aura with light. You stand up and together pretend you are trees! Then, you fill each chakra with a specific colour of light and imagine a bubble of white light surrounding the body. This practice is wonderful self-care for kids, as it helps them move and settle their energy and promotes a sense of safety. It helps children to connect with the earth and feel more centred. The Rainbow Tree meditation can help reduce nightmares and provide a sense of calm and grounding. Use it in the morning to help manage anxiety and set a positive tone for the day. Reiki Experiences and Parenting Self-LoveReiki helps kids to feel calm, connected, and emotionally regulated. And it's also great for parents too! Reiki can be a valuable resource for parents to better support their children and manage their own emotions. Getting your own Reiki session as a parent can help you feel centred even on the busiest day, and your kids definitely will like that! Reiki Courses and Spiritually Sensitive ChildrenLearning Reiki is also a great skill for a parent to have, not only for your own wellness but to model the self-care you want your kids to do. Children don't do what you say; they do what you do. So, if you have a self-care and meditation practice, they will be more likely to develop one as well. While we don't yet have courses for children, teens 16 years old and up are welcome in our Reiki courses with parental approval. Stay tuned! Many parents in our courses mention how much their kids love getting Reiki from them. In the second level of Reiki, we teach you to do sessions for others. Practicing Reiki on your kids is a wonderful way of providing care, comfort, and support. Book a Reiki Session

Whether you are creating a piece of writing, art, or a business, moving from the first idea to the finished product is very similar. Getting a creative work started is often more about getting past the nerves of stepping into the unknown. It is all about staying with the idea and just beginning to sketch it out.  In the middle of a creative work is where things can get stuck for many people. You start with great gusto and then hit a snag, or a delay, or life turns you around. Doubts can creep in and you question if it is really worth it. That is when it is best to get grounded and go back to the energy that started it all. Set aside your fears of what might happen or how people will receive the work and simply take small, little steps. Even just five minutes at a time is enough to get things moving again. Even just sitting with the work and being with it without trying to DO anything is enough. It starts tapping you back into the creative flow, and that energy can carry you through or around all obstacles. Resources to boost your Creative Flow:“The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life” by Allison Fallon “The Artist's Way” by Julia Cameron “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards Bluebird Creative with Geneva Robins - A Substack channel full of creative warm-ups and online retreats to boost your creative flow. Creative Idea Planner - You can get early access to this planner in the online course - Energetic Eight Business School. It will help get you clear on which idea to start and why. People have used this planner to help them decide if they want to start a business, adopt a dog, or go back to university. Book a SessionYou can get one-on-one help to move through any creative blocks or obstacles. A Reiki session can help connect you to Source and the energy of inspiration. An Energetic Eight Coaching session can help you plan out your baby steps to align with your big vision.

What to do when you feel the Universe is Picking on YouThe first step is to get yourself into a state of calm, or at least calmer! If you're really agitated, then the reframing and introspective techniques are difficult to access. The tide of emotions is just too strong, and the next bit will just frustrate you rather than free you, which is the whole idea of this process, anyway. It is okay to feel all of the feelings when things are not going your way. Instead of pushing those feelings down or feeding them with ruminating thoughts, try to focus on the physical sensations in the body. Notice where you feel tight or clenched and let it all go with big sighs of relief. Stay present and notice your breath and energy without trying to change it at first. Just make room for all the feelings to have space and receive comfort. It will be difficult to look at any deeper patterns in this situation until you are calm and grounded. So take a moment to simply feel everything without judgment. Just make space for it all to be. Making space for your FeelingsWhen the energy is high in a situation, usually more thinking won't calm you down. Instead of thinking your way through it, try feeling it all instead. Our minds create thoughts that either feed the anger or try to suppress it. But if you direct your focus on the feeling sensations in the body, it creates space and awareness of where your energy is at. Get yourself to a safe space. Sit down if you can and turn anything off that creates a distraction or disruption. Screens off. Music off. Phone off. Unplug from the external and give yourself a calm, quiet space. Spend a few minutes just noticing the energy in the body. Are some places hot? cold? buzzing? smooth? What is the quality or texture of the sensations? Are you holding your breath? Clenching your jaw? Notice where in the body each thought is living. How is your body holding this experience? At first, don't try to shift or change anything you are feeling. Just make a safe space for each sensation and practice turning your focus towards the body and away from the thoughts or situation at hand. Everything you feel is okay. There are no judgements or labels at this step. Just space, and awareness, and breath. You might like the Releasing Anger Meditation to help you through the strong energy and make space for your feelings. Or the video "How do you release anger from your energy?" can help walk you through this process. Shifting your Energy through GroundingNow, move into grounding. We've got a Grounding Meditation that can help you connect to the Earth. But mainly, you can go for a walk outside or connect to the present moment by allowing your energy to balance with the flow of energy from the Earth. Just take a few settling breaths and let your energy flow down your body and through your feet. It is happening FOR you, not TO you. How to See the Bigger Picture.Ask yourself, "What is the hidden gift here?"; "What if the outer world pattern is mirrored by the inner world pattern?" This is what I do when I see an outer world pattern, and I suspect that the Universe may be picking on me. You can take it or leave it. It's just something to ponder. I always think that if I see something happening on repeat outside of me, then I will look to see if that pattern is mine. Is that happening within me? Or is there some way that I am also doing that behaviour? For example, if I'm frustrated because someone isn't getting back to me, I'll look to see if I need to return someone else's message. Am I not getting back to someone? Then, I leave the initial situation alone and just go do my work. I'll contact the people I need to contact, and I'll correct my own behaviour rather than try to get someone else to change (since that is impossible). I look for the pattern in other areas, too. Is there somewhere else in my life that the same thing is happening, and I'm not seeing it? Maybe it's part of a larger pattern. Maybe it goes way back to childhood and isn't really about the present situation at all. If that is the case, I'll do some Reiki on my inner child and take care of myself with gentleness. It is impossible for the Universe to pick on you.Even though it might feel like you're being thwarted, the Universe is actually full of love and supports you through all kinds of situations. If you've been redirected by the Universe, look for the magic it is pushing you towards. The hidden benefit of the feeling that the Universe is picking on you is that it immediately takes you out of autopilot so you can look deeper into your patterns and your life. When you look deeper into the patterns, it gives you an opportunity to see where you can focus your healing efforts. Then you start shifting your energy and that is when the magic starts happening. Any change to your inner pattern will have a ripple effect through the quantum nature of the Universe. If you change, the pattern has to shift. This helps you take back the power where you can. You always have control over your thoughts, feelings, and actions. This helps you let go of control over everything else. Using the Reiki Ideals to shift your point of attractionI also go to the Reiki ideals like a baby blanket. I grab onto them and let them comfort me. I use them to give me space to acknowledge how I'm feeling, where I might feel stuck or scared and then start bringing in a new energy. The five Reiki Ideals are: let go of anger; let go of worry; be grateful; do your spiritual work; and be kind. When you put them all together, they are The Secret Art of Happiness. In particular, when I get stuck, this is how I work through the Reiki Ideals when I feel like I'm blocked or stuck in quantum weirdness. I let go of anger and frustration (easier when I see that I also sometimes behave that way or that there is something important to learn). I let go of worry (that this will always keep happening or because it is because of me for some reason. It's not.) I become grateful (maybe this is actually a positive thing, and it is helping me in some way that I can't see yet) I do my work ( I meditate and do Reiki and focus on what I want, my intention. I remember that I am a powerful manifestor and I can change my vibration in an instant) I lean into kindness ( I am gentle with myself about the whole situation. I see myself in the other, and I'm kind to them. They are doing their best, and it's okay that it isn't what I'd prefer. If I need to speak up I will, but with a calm and clear energy.) I look for the positives because the negatives dig me in and make the pattern worse. I clear the energy and do an energetic reset. Then, after I've done all that, that's when I see if I need to make any changes. If I leap to making changes before I do the inner work, I'm just too reactive, and it doesn't work out well. But if I do Reiki, meditate, ask my Divine Team about it, and do a check of the Reiki ideals, then I'm clear. I make more grounded changes when I'm grounded. Be kind to the part of yourself that is reacting to the situation. Everything you feel is okay. Try a few moments of listing out what you're grateful for that you are maybe taking for granted, like clean water to drink and fresh air to breathe. It's tiny but creates big shifts. Even grumpy gratitude is still gratitude, and it has the power to change everything. Gratitude puts you in the energy of creativity and problem-solving. Then, the way forward often opens up. Want more help? We've got you. Book a Reiki Session

Take care of your energy First so you can take care of othersAre you in high demand? Chances are that you have many people who rely on you on a daily basis. You might be the glue holding it all together. This is why it is so very important to tend to your own energy, because what happens to those you are caring for if something happens to you? Yikes! Often, highly sensitive and empathic people get drawn into roles where they are helping others, in the family or workplace or both. This is not a bad thing, not at all. Being in a place of your best service to the world usually brings a high degree of peace to helpers and healers. But even though you love helping, it can drain your energy if you're not careful or if the demands increase suddenly, like during a water main break or family crisis. We have several tools that can help if this sounds like you! Good Boundaries are your Love ContainerThe first place to start is quite practical, but maybe the hardest, healthy boundaries! How do you keep your energy in? Boundaries baby! Boundaries are simply saying no to things that are a 'no' to you and yes to things that are a 'yes.' Just this one move can return a lot of joy and peace. Even if it is hard to say no, it is necessary to reserve your energy for where it is needed most. Often, it's more of a case of saying 'not right now' and prioritizing requests. This is actually the most kind and loving thing you can do because if many people are depending on you, you need to keep a focus on the greater vision. You have to take steps to conserve your energy and have moments of true rest and recharge if you are to remain in your best service. Great resources for boundaries: Trilotherapy - a series of guided workshops to balance the mind and the emotions with your true self, your centre. The Art of Extreme Self Care by Cheryl Richardson - a fantastic book filled with examples of how to say a kind 'no'.   Meditation is the Foundation of Your EnergyWe cannot recommend meditation enough. This is a primary tool to reset your mind, heart, and energy. It's a way to clear out the energy of the day so you can recharge. Meditation forms the core of our practice and it can be a huge help even if you feel like your mind will not stop its chatter. Try a guided meditation as a starting point. Do not worry if you're thinking a lot in the meditation at first; that is normal; minds like to think. Just stay still, close your eyes for a few minutes, and relax all the muscles you can. Put on the guided meditation and just let yourself float on the words. Every time you meditate, you are dropping out of the fight-flight-freeze zone and back into the rest and digest part of your nervous system. So you can't do it wrong! Just allow each experience to be unique and approach your whole practice with gentle curiosity. Great resources for meditation: Lightworker Activation Meditation - This one is like a pressure wash for your energy! You'll feel clear and relaxed afterwards. Self-Healing Meditation - This is a short guided self-healing practice. Even if you don't know Reiki, it will bring balance and calm to your nervous system and clear your aura. Aura Flame Meditation - This one is like a gentle yet powerful cleansing of any energy that might be stuck to you. You'll feel at peace and empowered after just 30 minutes. Grounding Meditation - Let everything get settled and connect to the earth in this grounding meditation. Bedtime Meditation - If you have trouble winding down at night, the Bedtime Meditation will help you settle into a state of rest. Clear your Aura to Take Care of Your EnergyProbably our favourite way to keep our energy clear is Reiki! But even if you don't know Reiki, you are able to bring energy and light around you just by thinking about it. As soon as you shift your focus to the energy around your body being bright, strong, and clear, so it is! Of course, taking a Level I Reiki course is highly recommended if you are on the front lines in your work or family life, but until then, you can spend a few minutes each morning simply visualizing an orb of beautiful clear light around you. On the outer edge of this bubble, visualize or intend a violet boundary around your personal space. Try it for a week and see how it goes! Your aura is an important part of your energy anatomy! It is the field of energy that surrounds and protects you. When your aura is strong, you are able to stay steady and clear even if everyone else is in a high state of distress and chaos. Your aura prevents you from being bombarded by other people's energy and is so important for highly sensitive empaths. Your aura is your energy container! Great Resources for your Aura: How do you Clear your Aura? - In this post, you'll learn a few key tools and visualizations to help you take care of your energy. Healing your Energy Field to Protect your Sensitivity - Learn a simple visualization tool to instantly clear and heal your aura.  Podcast 02 – Staying emotionally centred as an empath and highly sensitive person - More tools for empaths and sensitives!     Book a Session

Meet Your Team - Connect to Your GuidesIn the Meet Your Team Session, you will receive help connecting with your Spirit guides, ascended masters, and angels. We help you relax into a soul-level meeting place in a deep meditation that will allow you to create a strong connection with your spiritual team.  This connection goes with you! Many people report feeling strongly connected to their guidance and following the session. You get profound insights in this session, and you can ask your team any question you like to get their direct insights. You can also find out what spiritual beings are working with you to help you on your path. We do the whole session within a Reiki setting so that Pure Source Energy keeps the connection in the highest vibration. Only the best and brightest may enter and share in these sessions.  Your practitioner will guide you through a brief Reiki session before the meditation journey, aiding you in achieving a meditative state. As you are prompted by your practitioner, you will share your answers to the questions out loud. Feel free to bring a list of questions or discussion topics, and we will consult your spiritual team about each one. Even people who find it difficult to meditate have been able to make solid connections with their Spirit guides and Divine Team. The results have been amazing, and people leave feeling solace and support from the interactions. Meet Your Loved One - Love is the BridgeThe Meet Your Loved One Session is a beautiful journey to connect with someone who has passed away. Our loved ones survive death, and their consciousness continues, held in the Universal Energy of Source.  In the session, you and your practitioner will chat for a bit about who you wish to meet. If the grief is strong, we can do a bit of Reiki beforehand. The gentle energy of Reiki can help create a bridge of love so you can connect to your loved one and chat with them. The peace and comfort of these sessions are profound.  You get an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from your loved one. You reach a new understanding of their lives and an expanded awareness of the true peace and love they are living in every day, no matter the circumstances of their life or death. That clarity helps you feel more connected to the great love you share. This connection often soothes some of the grief that is felt when someone special dies.  You also get clarity on the preciousness of life and insight into what really matters as you continue your journey on Earth. The Meet Your Loved One session is close to the heart and helps you make a lasting connection to your loved one. Creative Manifesting  - Align with SourceCreative Manifesting sessions are a wonderful way to explore what you want to manifest in the world. We connect to Source energy with Reiki, which helps you manifest your dreams faster and with greater ease. You can also gain clarity and wisdom about the Divine implications of your manifestations.  How does your desire align with the desire of Source? When you are in harmony with what Source wants for all of us, the manifestations occur with ease. Reiki powerfully harmonizes you with the Law of Attraction, and when you are in alignment, everything begins to flow to you.  In the session, you gain clarity about what may be blocking your goals and desires from coming to you. You get a powerful focus around the energy of your intention, which helps you fine-tune your creative manifesting. When you are clear, you charge your idea with sustained energy to manifest with ease.  You can also preview much of your manifested plan to see if any changes are needed for your vision. Co-created dreams manifest faster. Understanding the positive ripple effect of you getting what you want is liberating and joyful.  When your work, goal, or dream helps everyone, it manifests faster than you can believe. Your wish is the answer to someone else's prayers, creating a powerful flow of energy that aligns everything with ease.  Pattern Healing - Rewrite the AutopilotThe Pattern Healing session helps you clear numbing or avoiding patterns that are blocking you from positive habits like exercise, good nutrition, meditation, or other self-care you wish to be part of your daily routine. When you identify these old patterns, you can release them through the powerful combo of Reiki and a custom-guided meditation. You clear the old pattern through by simply replacing it with the energy of the new pattern or habit. This is done on an energetic level, bringing amazing results to your life. Often, we get stuck simply because the old habit is on autopilot. Old patterns simply repeat, especially when you're tired or stressed. The autopilot kicks in, and you're in the old pattern without even realizing it.  The Pattern Healing session helps you to integrate that new energy into your subconscious mind so the autopilot will lead you towards a healthy and joyful pattern instead of the old ways. You get to remap your life and align with the positive new space you want to be in all the time. Reiki Brings Transformation on All LevelsReiki provides a powerful and energizing space for healing, connection, and growth. A single Reiki session can activate, clear, and harmonize you with your team, loved ones, dreams, and healthy habits.  Each Special Session gives you a totally custom and interactive meditative journey and a sustaining boost from Reiki so that the effects and connections continue long after the session. You can enhance your gifts and talents on the spiritual level and also activate practical changes in your day-to-day life. Each session brings peace and joy into every part of your life.  Book a Session

How does Reiki help with Grief? In this podcast episode, Rita Reddy and Geneva Robins share their heartfelt experiences with grief and how Reiki helps grief to ease. Learn how Reiki can fit into your self-care plan while coping with loss. Reiki is very gentle and helps to provide a caring and nurturing space for all kinds of strong emotions, including grief. As part of an overall care plan for grief, Reiki works very well when combined with therapy, family and friend support, and other forms of wellness like exercise and meditation. When the emotions are very strong, as they are in the acute stages of grief, it can be very difficult to access the healing benefits of meditation. Reiki can help calm the mind and provide that centring focus when the tide of feeling is strong. You and your practitioner set an intention at the beginning of your Reiki session, and this is the energy that is held for you. In the session, your practitioner holds that focus on your intention and helps hold space for balancing and harmonizing with this energy.  Sometimes, you might have a powerful emotional release. It is not uncommon for people to cry during their sessions, especially when they are processing grief. You might find that you feel a lot during the session, but you leave feeling slightly better than before. A powerful clearing and processing can occur in Reiki sessions, helping move stuck emotional energy and bringing a greater feeling of groundedness and peace. Of course, if the grief is very strong or is accompanied by trauma or PTSD symptoms, we highly recommend therapy as a primary tool for your well-being during your grieving process. Some Resources for Grief:We have many tools we’re fond of in addition to Reiki. Here are a few mentioned in this episode: The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale EMDR therapy and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) The Big Snit – National Film Board of Canada Grounding Meditation Bedtime Meditation Infinite Universe Meditation The Hidden Beauty of GriefLove is the emotion under grief. When we lose someone dear to us, the pain is enormous beyond words. This strong feeling is often a direct match to how much we love them. The love we feel for the people who have passed emerges more and more as we slowly heal from the anguish of their passing. This keenly-felt emotion wakes us up to the fragile beauty of life and how nothing is guaranteed. The vulnerable uncertainty of life is highlighted when we lose someone close and makes us ponder the deeper meaning and purpose of our own lives. This energy can help give us more motivation to be present and attentive to those who survive with us. We can notice the beautiful subtlety of each sunrise with a renewed sense of awe and wonder as we watch the peach hues soften into warm oranges and vermillion-tinged clouds spread across an indigo sky. We notice the delightful sweet chirps of birds on still morning air and savour the first sips of coffee as the light of dawn stretches across the heavens. We are alive. On a personal note:I don’t think I really noticed so much beauty in the daily and ordinary as I did after losing people I love dearly. All of a sudden, I started paying attention to the life I was living and lost my fears and petty grievances. In exchange, I took hold of the life I had and loved every part of it to the fullest I could muster. This embracing of life following loss radically transformed my career path, leaving behind my science job for a career in Reiki. I put full effort into LunaHolistic and created the Reiki courses.  And, most importantly, I started paying attention during every moment with my loved ones. I put down distractions to be with them and make memories together. I’m not 100 percent mindful; I’m still human. But it was a powerful shift in my relationships and my ability to be present with others rather than avoiding or numbing out during interactions. I wouldn’t choose grief, not at all, but it did give me some powerful lessons about the value and preciousness of life and how sacred each moment can be.  Death is part of life. One is always connected to the other. So, too, is grief; it’s part of life and part of loving and being loved. When the pain of grief is processed, all that remains is love.