One Way to Explore and Expand Your Path
We are, each of us, on a unique path.
You may follow your path from childhood and continue throughout your life, honoring your traditions.
Or, you may create your own path, making meaning out of each new step.
Wherever you are on your journey, your path is yours alone. Only you occupy your space.
One thing you can do to help yourself advance on your path is to journal. Because your path is yours alone, your journal will help you reflect on life’s meanings and what they teach you.
You can create your journal from an old tablet you found lying around on a table. Or, you can create your a journal as a work of art with drawings, photos, paintings, and a creative cover. Or, your journal can be anywhere between these two styles.
However you decide to create your journal, it can help you explore your spirituality.
Whatever you do to create your journal, it can help you explore the wonders of your life. The words of your journal will help you learn more about how you think and feel. This will help you create a deeper connection with your self and your path.
Your journal entries will help you explore your beliefs and how you feel and think about them.
The spiritual exploration offered by your journal will enhance and strengthen your path.
Thanks for reading this article.
It is not intended to change your story or offer therapy. It is written to offer a conduit to your own healing journey’s path.
Find out more about reflexology, Reiki, and healing, at www.thurmangreco.com.
If you are seeking specific information, check out older blog posts and also go to some of the YOUTUBE segments which cover wellness and healing.
A recent book features the major arcana of the Tarot. These cards explore well-known symbols and archetypes which heal, shape, and reflect our lives.
Beyond the boundaries of this book, I will explore archetypes and how they affect our spiritual growth in future blog posts..
You can order this book at thurmangreco.com or email me at thurmangreco@gmail.com.
Eight Ways to Fight the Fear
To be honest, things are becoming more and more confusing as the days go along. Every time I greet a friend or neighbor or anyone, for that matter, she talks to me as if we are all lost.
And, maybe we are.
It’s hard-to-impossible to figure out sometimes where this year is headed. Some of my friends and acquaintances are solving their dilemma by simply not reading papers or watching TV.
Others choose their channels with care, blocking out everything that seems to be problematic.
Still others are becoming information junkies, focusing their lives on a particular channel offering information they can understand and accept.
On the home front, our Woodstock community is undergoing gentrification. We’re all facing the fact that we’re living in a place far removed from the community we chose to live in when we moved here.
And, this situation comes on the heels of the stresses of Covid and everything that went with that.
Our home is hardly recognizable.
And, I haven’t even brought other news: economic, climate change, the election, our local schools – and any other thing you can imagine.
Then, there are all the economic and social changes in our country.
Sometimes, I think that each of us is on our own, private, Yellow Brick Road.
And, that leads me to the whole reason for this blog post: Fear
The Fear is palpable.
It has an odor.
I see it on the street in the way people walk and the way they talk and the way they dress.
There are some things we can do as we make our way forward into a future many of us are having trouble even imagining.
ONE. Speak Your Fear. As soon as you begin to share your fear, it begins to lose its power over you.
TWO. When fear covers you with an invisible tent, practice breathing exercises. Include meditation sessions. Find what works for you and practice it regularly. When this breathing exercise becomes a part of your life, you should be able to find calm which will send the panic running.
THREE. Exercise regularly. Regular exercise slows down the fight-or-flight reflex. The options are open here. Do what you enjoy.
FOUR. Seek out friends you can chat with who will have a calming effect on you. This step has been helpful for me. When I’m upset, I call Carey and we chat. Sometimes she calls me. Over the last few months, I’ve gathered a few friends who call me. We’re an informal support group.
angel with flowers
FIVE. Enjoy Reiki, or other bodywork modality, regularly I’m watching healing groups form in the area. People gather regularly to share and exchange their sessions. I cannot tell you how important these groups are. Peace. Calm. Lower Blood Pressure, Sleep………….
SIX. Get the what-ifs out of your life and your mind. These lists of fears can wreak havoc on your day. And, they will not save your situation. They are a waste of time which will get you nowhere. Instead, focus your energy on things you can manage.
SEVEN. Write something. This can be a memoir, a journal, a diary, a letter to the editor, a note to a friend you haven’t seen in awhile – whatever works for you. If you’ve never written anything before, now is a good time to begin. Don’t worry. Everybody has a first sentence or chapter or essay. I had one. I never wrote anything but my name before 2013. And, now I have 2 blogs and several books – one of which has been purchased by people in over three dozen countries!
When you begin to write, don’t be afraid of a blog. My first 2 blogs certainly kickstarted my career. I bought a book by Nina Amir: “How to Blog a Book”. I read this book and followed Nina Amir’s instructions.
EIGHT Stress and what-ifs are good invitations to develop our spiritual and religious lives. This is a good time to meet fear with a renewed trust in your spiritual and religious beliefs.
Sometimes reality can be downright scary. This week, meet the uncertainty and fear in your life with a renewed calm. Work your way down the list and see what item helps you the most.
And, finally, thank you for reading this blog post!
Thurman Greco.
Find out more at www.Thurmangreco.com.
You can also find out more about healing and many other things at this blog. Let’s Live is a program airing weekly in Woodstock, NY for about 20 years. Guests on the show are people who have become a part of Woodstock for a day, a week, a decade, or a lifetime.
I look forward to hearing from you about how you like the show.
Find out more about the books at www.thurmangreco.com
Thank you for forwarding this post to your friends and family and sharing it with your favorite social media network.
.
What to do When Your Life Begins to Unravel Around the Edges
What bodywork does for you when your life unravels around you:
Years ago, I took a reiki class in Reston, Virginia, in Reiki Jinkei Do, taught by Gilbert Gallego. This was at a time when I was taking Reiki classes from anyone and everyone who taught one. I learned something wonderful at each class. I remember each and every class fondly.
Giving my memory one takeaway, it is this: Bodywork in general works in our best interest, supporting health and healing on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. Reiki and Reflexology are in this mix.
I write a lot about Reflexology and Reiki because I spent the most time studying those two modalities. I teach both of them and I know the good they can do for a person.
Bodywork in general is cumulative, whatever the modality, which means that the more sessions someone has, the greater effect they will have on that body.
So far, the only modality I’ve found without contraindications is Reiki therapy. This means you can use it on anyone, anytime, anyhow, anywhere. Reiki is a soft touch on a clothed body so that it can be used in a private healing space, a bus station, airport waiting area, ICU, or accident scene.
Bodywork of all kinds have reactions. They depend on the modality, the client, the healer, and what is happening in the life of people on the day and time they receive help.
When clients receive Reflexology and/or Reiki, their reactions are different each time they receive a session. One of the reasons we don’t think about is the fact that our bodies are different each and every day.
I’m discussing this now because I’m seeing more and more people whose lives are unraveling. Stress and uncertainty over a long period of time have a way of untethering a person from those things that ground us.
There are many things you can do. The first of these is to recognize your situation for what it is.
The second is to list the things you can do. You want to know what you can choose from. The options are, possibly, many. Which ones are more realistic and which ones are less realistic?
Make your healing list. .
Be prepared to change your list several times, at least. Maybe you should be prepared to change your list more times.
What is practical?
What is affordable?
What is the option that you prefer?
Work this list through as you winnow it down to fewer and fewer options. Finally, this list will be short – possibly only 1 or 2 items.
Until you get down to the final option, there is one thing you can do now. There is one thing which will help you. It probably won’t interfere with your life.
It can change your daily life for the better.
And, what is that? BODYWORK!
There are many modalities that ground the person receiving the work. A good thing to do when the “going gets tough” is to schedule and receive regular grounding bodywork.
Your body will be grateful for the attention.
One example of this is sleep. Both Reflexology and Reiki sessions can help restore disturbed sleep patterns.
The effects of a bodywork session are often experienced immediately after a treatment. For example, a client may notice that a headache has disappeared or a frozen shoulder may has become much more mobile. Other symptoms may take three or more sessions to improve a condition or complaint.
Generally, a disorder that has been around for a long time may take a longer time to improve.
The problem with this is that we live in a society that wants instant results.
Schedule regular bodywork sessions as part of your life. These regular sessions will stimulate your body’s own healing processes over time as you have regular visits.
If you find regular sessions to be challenging, take some classes and learn to give sessions. That way, you can exchange sessions with others.
Ask a friend to join you in a learning adventure. The two of you can learn together and exchange sessions. This is self-care which is extremely important in these times.
With blogs, books, classes and sessions, I am not here to change your story. Instead, I am here to be a conduit for your own healing.
For healers everywhere, thank you for reading this blog post. Share this article with friends and relatives. Forward this post to your preferred social media network.
Check out my books on www.thurmangreco.com.
“Healer’s Handbook” is in its third edition. So far, this book has gone out to three dozen different countries. The best way to buy a book is to contact me at thurmangreco@gmail.com. The books are listed on thurmangreco.com but the website is undergoing repairs and upgrades.
“But for Gabriel” is available as both ebook and paperback at thurmangreco@gmail.com. Until the repairs are completed, email thurmangreco@gmail.com
I host “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” a program aired weekly on Woodstock, New York’s own educational TV channel 23. This show is an informative, upbeat hour with no rehearsals.
My guests are various people whose lives have brought them to Woodstock for a day, a week, an hour, a decade, or more.
Let’s Live has been running for over 15 years with an occasional intermission, now and then. You can find some programs on YOUTUBE “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”. My assistant, Renee, adds new programs weekly.
I look forward to our show each week. And, I look forward to hearing from you at thurmangreco@gmail.com or 845-399-3967.
THANKS!
Thurman Greco
3 Healing Anchors & Spiritual Weight Loss Over the Holidays
Three healing anchors and spiritual weight loss over the holidays really help the situation. Really.
Welcome to the holidays – December 2023 edition. They come around every year. Are you feeling “burned out” by all the activities, not only in your life, but in the lives of those around you?
There are things you can do – things we can all do:
We know ahead that the holidays are coming – with all their frustrations, confusions, and time crunches.
WEEKLY HEALING SESSIONS
Schedule some weekly healing sessions. If budget is a factor, learn Reiki and exchange sessions with a fellow practitioner.
I always recommend Reiki therapy and reflexology sessions but there are many different modalities to choose from. Whatever you choose – go for it.
You aren’t pampering yourself. You’ll get through the holidays much better with some healing attention to your inner self.
MORNING WAKE-UP CALL
Whatever your wake-up activities, your attitude and outlook are the determining factors. When you go to bed at night, spend a few moments reviewing things you want to do tomorrow. Plan at least one positive activity for each morning.
When you wake up the next morning, review all the positive things to do today – for yourself – for those around you. Plan your successful day when you wake up.
WHEN THINGS GET HECTIC – JUST BREATHE!
Take a deep breath. This will energize and empower you. Taking a deep breath is taking a short time out. Deep breathing means you stop, and take a deep breath inhaling from your stomach. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
When you inhale from your stomach through your nose, your lungs will fill completely with air. Hold this breath for 1 or 2 seconds and then exhale through your mouth.
Repeat.
If you are alone, go for 10 repetitions. If you are in a crowd, 1 repetition can do a lot for you.
LET IT GO
Spend a few moments each day just letting go of negativity. What is holding you back? Let it go.
When you finally learn to release all these negative and less-than-useful events, thoughts, and habits weigh us down.
One thing I love to do is “Cut the Cord”. This is not a new thing and it was not new when I learned it from Helaya Priest.
This is what Helaya Priest taught me to do:
Pay attention to the negative thoughts, events and habits and how they attach to ourselves. They attach with energetic cords. Using your hand, slice the cords one-by-one.
The cut cords can now leave you and your energetic space.
Now, visualize all those thoughts, events, and habits floating away.
This is a good exercise for anything you are releasing. You can also send blessings to go along with the things you are getting rid of.
Now, and this important, take a moment to celebrate. You are releasing much into the universe. These things can no longer drag you down. You are setting yourself free.
Enjoy the sense of lightness you experience when you release anything that holds you back.
Now, see your way ahead through the holidays.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this article. Please forward it to your favorite social media network and to your friends.
My intention is that each article you read can be a conduit for your spiritual growth and healing.
If you want more information, check out my books: www.Thurmangreco.com.
I discovered Archangel Gabriel just a few years ago, in December right before Christmas.
. My Friday show, “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”, on Woodstock’s educational TV channel 23 needed a guest.
Nobody would come on my show that week. What was I going to do? In desperation, I decided to read the age-old story of the birth of the baby Jesus.
This need for a guest on my Christmas Week show changed my life. How?
Well, for sure I had read and heard the story of the birth of the Baby Jesus throughout my life. As a “cradle Episcopalian” . It was impossible to avoid.
There’s a difference between hearing the story at a religious Christmas service and reading it for a live audience.
Many questions surfaced that evening. And, as I sought answers, I found even more questions.
Then, of course, I actually read the story in a different way because I knew I would be reading it for a live TV audience.
The annunciation came alive for me.
Archangel Gabriel walked up to Mary and changed the world. “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31).
Then, having changed the future of the world, Archangel Gabriel left her.
Many questions and answers later, the story is now an ebook. The paper version is on its way now.
This story has many characters beyond Archangel Gabriel, Mary, and Jesus. The cast includes Joseph, John the Baptist, and others.
I hope you’ve had a chance to visit this YouTube channel. “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco is a positive, entertaining series of interviews which I’ve conducted throughout the last 15 or so years. There have been a few intermissions, but not many.
My guests enjoy being on the show and many ask to return. One thing they all have in common: we’ve all met each other in Woodstock, NY.
Join us soon!
Let us know how you like the shows!
thurmangreco@gmail.com
What to do When it all Gets to be Too Much: Switch Off The Day
The times are overwhelming. It’s as if everyone is “always on”. I find that when I’m always connected, things can quit working. When I’m always connected, I find myself staring at screens, answering every door bell and phone ring.
When things quit working, one of the most effective things I do is switch everything off. This includes me. I switch off – both physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
I turn off electronic devices. The phone goes off. The computer shuts down. The TV is off. I turn off all the lights.
And, you know what? almost everything works better after I’ve unplugged it for a few minutes. And, that includes me.
And, then, I get in my most comfortable chair and give myself a Reiki therapy session.
I begin the session with the symbols and three hand positions to my head. My intention is to relax so that I won’t be so fatigued and overwhelmed.
Now…I know that switching everything off can be difficult. In some cases, it’s impossible. I also know that there comes a time when saying “no” is not selfish.
An important lesson I had to learn as an adult is that when everybody is getting oxygen masks, we sometimes each need to get our own oxygen mask first so we can make sure everyone else is being properly cared for.
So, becoming comfortable with “no” and “off” is something that I had to learn in life.
A life lesson I had to learn was that some people stress me out. Learning to recognize stressor people and situations was (is) important. Once stressors are are recognized, it is easy to avoid them.
Life is more pleasant, less complicated, and easier when stressors are recognized and minimized.
Reiki sessions help. Both Reiki and reflexology promote relaxation and a more positive outlook.
Emergency Reiki sessions are a dramatic improvement. They work even better when they are a supplement to regularly scheduled Reiki therapy sessions.
I invite you to connect with me on Facebook
If you who have friends and relatives who might enjoy this post, please share it to your favorite social media network and to your friends and relatives.
For more info, check out my books at Thurmangreco.com. every title is available in hard copy and ebook with the exception of the first edition of “But for Gabriel” This book is available as an ebook only until December.
PLEASE don’t forget to schedule regular Reiki therapy and reflexology sessions.
Please check out the YOUTUBE channel show. New episodes are released on Tuesdays. “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” is a positive, entertaining series of interviews which I’ve conducted throughout the last 15 or so years. There have been a few intermissions along the way, but not many.
My guests enjoy being on the show and many ask to return. One thing they all have in common: we’ve all met each other somehow in Woodstock, NY
Join us soon!
And, let us know how you like the shows.
Getting to the Heart of the Matter.
Seriously, are you getting enough rest? Sometimes, getting to the heart of the matter needs rest.
Frankly, I don’t know anybody who will admit to getting enough rest. Actually, that’s okay. At least, they aren’t lying.
The thing is…when we rest, we recuperate, recover, and heal. Right now, we’re coming off of a three-year stress-a-thon. For some of us, this was a nightmare that didn’t end.
A story in the local newspaper tells me that Biden is about to declare the end of the Pandemic. HURRAH! That’s wonderful. But what about the fallout?
Millions died of Covid-19.
School closings, masks, and vaccines upended and disturbed our children’s education, possibly permanently.
Careers and employment situations changed. Work will never be the same again. For some of us, employment was then, and is now, a horror and nightmare we may never recuperate from.
We watched a black man die as an officer kept a knee on his neck for nine minutes while he cried out he could not breathe.
Social isolation changed our culture, maybe long term or forever. Some of us are unable to leave their homes yet. Others of us experienced loneliness, distance, and abandonment.
For many, this pandemic brought heartbreak, pain, sorrow, and loss. Truths we held strong were changed or lost. Our emotions are raw and we need healing.
The pandemic turned our emotional world upside down and inside out.
During this time, political division drove apart families, religious communities, and committees.
School shootings and mass shootings occurred seemingly every week. They continue.
Finally, we watched tanks and planes attacking Ukraine.
Has the time come for you to rest up and recuperate after the past few years?
Are you ready? Frankly, several people I know aren’t. They are not yet prepared to leave the safe space they created during the ordeal.
Your soul will tell you whether you are ready, not ready, or whether you are somewhere else in between.
If you are not yet ready to move forward, you have received a sign that you still need to recuperate and contemplate. A message for you may be to examine your options further. Meditating on your situation a bit longer may be a good path for you right now.
Now is not a good time for you to rush to a decision.
Now is a good time to schedule some regular reflexology and Reiki sessions. When you make your appointments for these sessions, think clearly about your intentions.
You may want to select a special intention for each session. Or, you may want to set one intention for all the sessions. Either way, use these sessions as a platform to quiet your mind and give yourself permission to explore your possibilities.
Ultimately, you will explore peace and healing.
You may also want to choose a day in which you do nothing at all. Sit around. Catch up on your sleep. Drink some calming tea or water. This can be a day of spiritual convalescence.
.Do you feel that the storm is over and the air is clear for you? Do you feel your wounds are beginning to heal?
This is a good time to assess the damage and move on.
Do you feel you are not ready to move on. Was the experience too painful? Are you afraid that moving on will hurt even more?
Take some deep, cleansing breaths and send yourself love – as much love as possible.
If if seems comfortable for you, visualize yourself back in action. See your life getting busy again. You’ll know you are ready to move forward when You’re ready to get back into the world.
Thanks for reading this article. Please refer it to your preferred social media network. Share it with your friends.
You can find more information at www.thurmangreco.com and in previous articles in this blog.
Please forward this article to your favorite social media network. Share it with your friends and family.
You can find more information in previous articles in this blog.
You can also find more information on YOUTUBE at “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”. New installments are loaded every Tuesday.
Thanks again for all you are doing.
Connect with me on Facebook.
For more info, check out my books on www.thurmangreco.com
COMING SOON!
What do You Want to Manifest? Five Tips for Success
Several days ago, I researched a special gift for a colleague. What I was looking for was for the perfect gift. I considered a Snowflake. She would really enjoy a snowflake! Where was I going to find a snowflake, of all things?
I put this thought aside.
Then, guess what. Three days later, a snowflake catalogue landed in my mailbox! The perfect gift appeared on page 3. I had a choice of a charm, a pendant, an ornament, or a pin. The prices were right. Whichever one I chose, she was going to be delighted.
For me, this was not a coincidence. Spiritually, I participated in this mailbox event.
We all have these experiences. The trick is to recognize them for what they are. But, you can have these special coincidences and also have challenges with other manifestations.
There is a difference between manifesting a picture in a catalogue and manifesting a something else such as a new car, house, or a dream job.
MANIFESTING on all levels begins when you clarify what is important for you. Once you define your values and what is precious to you, manifesting what you need is going to be easier.
The bottom line: WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?
What do YOU think is important? Clearly know what is important to you – not what your mother or your friends or your boss or your social media friends think is important.
What do I want…really? What do I yearn for spiritually? Emotionally, what do I want to experience?
Dream about the world you want to create and live in. This world that you are dreaming of:
Is it responsive –
Do positive relationships matter –
How does cooperation fit into your life –
Does support reach out in vulnerable situations and places –
Is there a reverence for the sacred –
Now, envision what this world is to you. What are you going to do to create this world?
What are you passionate about?
FIRST
Define the person or persons you are concerned about. How will they fit in your manifested scenario? How do they define the situation you are focusing on?
Focus on the situation. Are you passionate about a physical space (a building perhaps) or an energetic situation (leadership or healing)?
SECOND
Know your goals. Do you need to sell your home? Do you need a better job in a new city? Do you need to retrain yourself for the future?
THIRD
What is your manifesting outcome? (A suggestion here – write this down.)
A journal is the perfect tool to bring with you on your manifestation journey. As you write in your journal daily, you have the opportunity to unlock information and secrets to help guide you to your goals. Your entries can give you information about possible challenges. You may discover concerns hiding just beneath the secret of your consciousness.
Reviewing your journal in later readings, you may find that your future is not predetermined. Over the months, what you find in your journal reveals things that can change your attitudes, behaviors, and how you respond to events.
Your future can improve your insights and options in ways that work best for you.
FOURTH.
What is your promise? (What do you have invested in your goal? What are you prepared to do to make your promise a reality? How do you visualize achieving your goals?)
FIFTH
How is your gratitude circle developing? Gratitude is more powerful than fear, worry, anger and anxiety. Gratitude is where you tap into your abundance. Developing your gratitude circle taps you into your unlimited options.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – — – – – – – – – – – – – – — – – – – – – – – – – – –
When you are in a manifesting mode, nurturing is helpful. By that, I mean nurture yourself, your goals, and your concerns.
Maybe things need a REBALANCE. When it comes to money and finances, seek fair, sensible, and practical solutions focusing on comfort and confidence while caring for others and your surroundings. You want the money you distribute to produce tangible results.
SELF-CARE is a deeply personal process you use to regain physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance. Self-care facilitates rebalance.
MEDITATIONS can help you reach your goals. Try an 8-week series of daily meditations for 10-15 minutes each. You may want to read a guided meditation daily. For years, I’ve relied on a set of three meditation books by Larry Moen. They are still available on Amazon: “Meditations for Awakening, Meditations for Transformation, Meditations for Healing”
Or you may want to create your own guided meditation.
Finally, you may prefer to focus a few minutes daily on your breath and breathing as you reach calm.
Whatever path you choose for your meditations, daily focus helps you. Don’t get bogged down with rules. Just remember: minds like to wander. It’s okay. Also, trust your inner wisdom to get you there.
Use your senses to see your dreams and goals coming to life. You’ll play a mental movie where you are the director. As you mentally enact your dreams, you will make them a reality.
Finally, TAKE ACTION. This is a weekly event where you do something each week to help you progress toward your goal.
Whenever you can, include reflexology or Reiki therapy sessions in your weekly progress. Every session helps!
Please subscribe to “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” on YOUTUBE.
This story is still a work in progress. I hope you get a chance to share it with me
someday. I plan to read it on “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” in December.
This book is now available! You can order it on www.thurmangreco.com.
Thanks for reading this article! Please forward it to your favorite friends and relatives. Share it with your preferred social media network.
Find out more at www.thurmangreco.com.
Letting Go
Recently I was standing in a grocery line, my cart piled high with much needed food. After a couple of minutes, I realized that, not only was it not moving, the line was getting longer and longer – seemingly by the second.
A couple of weeks ago, I was in a similar situation – I was stuck in traffic. It seemed I was in this situation for the duration of the afternoon.
Both cases shot my schedule. I wasn’t going to make it to my next appointment, or the one after that, on time. The most could say about these situations was that they were a crashing bore.
In the grocery line, I shifted into neutral. It was time to chill. This was a situation where I felt everything was going to go the way it was going to go – I was stuck.
This created a perfect opportunity for two things: First, it was time to ground myself and be peaceful. Second, it was time for Reiki energy to join the crowd.
Sure enough – within a moment, I felt Reiki energy energize my hands while it moved through the crowd and grounded everyone. I felt the people in the line calm themselves and take on an entirely new perspective.
When I’m in a crowd and Reiki energy join the group, I’m always grateful that I learned Reiki in such a way that it goes to work as it is needed.
Even without Reiki energy, grounding was a wonderful thing to experience in this situation.
Whenever we’re in a stuck event, the first inclination is to push. When that doesn’t work, the next step is to figure out a way to fight and struggle against the event.
A good option in this situation is to do your best to be calm. This attitude may give you an entirely new perspective.
Is this an easy thing to do? Probably not. But, when you succeed, you may feel you participated in a spiritually grounding event.
WOW!
Truthfully, it’s hard to plan for these events.
When they happen, embrace the opportunity to practice Letting Go. This short time in the grocery line or traffic jam is a good way to release and/or heal the various events and thoughts crowding your life with negativity.
See this situation as a moment for yourself. Think about how you can benefit from it.
Work on releasing any thoughts, habits, or beliefs that clutter your life. If you have doubts, think of the release is a way of loving yourself.
You may want to let go of a person or situation in your life which is uncomfortable or too negative for you. Do this with love and compassion. Ask the universe for guidance and assistance.
You may be able to move toward forgiving someone or some past event.
Because you are in a situation, you may be inspired by the spirituality and grounding of the moment to receive inspiration.
Sometimes the universe sees an opportunity which you didn’t know was there!
This may even be time for self-talk and self-acceptance.
This may even be time to commit to an action.
This may be time to participate in a Letting-Go moment where you release frustrations, mis-guided expectations, and other restrictions into the wind.
Take a moment to blow them away. As you breathe out, send them to wherever they need to go to become positive expectations, thoughts, and goals for others.
Thank you for reading this blog post. Please forward it to your preferred social media network. Share it with your friends and family.
You can connect with me on Facebook: Thurman Greco
You can also learn more by reading past blog posts. YOUTUBE has information, too.
Do you want to learn more about Reiki or Reflexology? My books and videos on YOUTUBE have more information. I also have a video about reflexology which I made with the generosity of Arlene Ferrieri and Karen White.
Reiki Healing and your Chakras
Reiki therapy is a specific healing modality used throughout the planet.
Reiki means “Universal Life Energy” and is the word used to describe this system of healing. Reiki is a light touch given to a clothed body to improve the overall wellbeing of the recipient. Using an intention, the Reiki practitioner gives healing energy to an accepting receiver.
The healing energy flows through the hands of the practitioner.
I feel that the Reiki we practice today is old. Its origins are shrouded in the mists of time.
Dr. Mikao Usui developed and used the healing modality we use today. He operated clinics in Japan in the 20th century. Dr. Usui is not only remembered because of the Reiki he developed but also because of his spiritual lifestyle.
Dr. Usui worked with others in his clinic and in his spiritual practice. Two people include Dr. Chujiro Hayashi and Hawayo Takata.
Hawayo Takata brought Reiki to the United States after World War II
It is said that Dr. Usui meditated on one of his five principles daily:
Original Reiki Precepts
Just for Today,
I will not worry
I will not be angry.
I will do my work honestly.
I will count and be grateful for all my many blessings.
I will be kind to every living creature.
When I offer a Reiki session focused on balancing the chakras of the recipient, my client is usually seated or lying face-up on a massage table or other flat surface.
I offer my client a blanket and eye pillow if it’s appropriate.
After setting the intention, I invoke the symbols: Standing at the head of my client, I draw first the ChoKuRei, then SeiHeKi, then HonShaZeShoNen. Finally, I repeat the ChoKuRei again.
I place my hands on the shoulders of my client.
So far, this part of the session should take 5-10 minutes. However, this time length can change with the practitioner. Each practitioner works in a different way so the time will not always be the same for everyone.
I then move to the side of the client and go to the first chakra.
I balance the primary chakras beginning with the root chakra. I balance each chakra by hovering my hands over each chakra about 2 to 6 inches above each chakra. I usually spend about 5 minutes on each one although these times can change depending on the client.
I am an old massage therapist and believe that touching my client will help me do my job better in many situations. As a massage therapist, I feel that I gain a better understanding of what is happening.
However, this is a personal situation and will be determined by your training, and previous experience with not only Reiki but other healing modalities.
A Reiki session works with the physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual levels of a person’s body. On a physical level, many people appreciate the warmth generated by a Reiki practitioner’s hands. On a mental level, the client is often comforted by knowing where the practitioner’s hands are at all times.
Respect your client privacy at all times. It’s important to do the right thing at that moment. Some people do not want to be touched at all, no matter what.
Always respect your client’s privacy. Chakra balancing is extremely intimate work. And, Reiki energy naturally finds its own path, going exactly where it is needed.
The first chakra to be balanced is the root chakra. When I balance this chakra, I place my hands outside the person’s hips where they meet at the base of the spine. This chakra is your client’s connection to the physical world. Trust is an important issue here.
The second, or sacral chakra is located about 1-2 inches below the navel. This chakra is the seat of creativity and inspiration.
After balancing the second chakra I move on to the third or solar-plexus chakra. This is where the upper chakras and lower chakras meet. The solar-plexus chakra is found just above your waistline, where your client feels the chakra as “butterflies”. This chakra is where your client finds her power.
Moving on from the third chakra to the fourth chakra, balance your client’s heart chakra – the center of love, healing, and compassion. Your client’s heart chakra is located in the central chest.
After balancing your client’s fourth chakra, move up to the fifth, or throat chakra. This chakra houses voice and self-expression. As expected, this chakra is located in the throat.
The fifth chakra, the third-eye chakra, is located in the forehead in the area of the eyebrows. The third-eye chakra focuses on intuition and awareness.
The next chakra, the crown chakra, is found toward the top of the head. This is where the higher self and the divine come together.
After balancing each chakra and finally coming to the crown chakra I focus for a few moments at my client’s feet. After all, I’ve come to a full circle along my client’s body. It has been a session of shifts and adjustments – many not yet known by the client. It may take several days for your client to begin to understand what is happening.
A Reiki chakra balancing session can often be repeated more than once or twice in a lifetime. Your client may want to have several weekly or monthly sessions. A few of your chakras may want to be balanced several times until they are happy in their new place.
Whatever the outcome of the chakra balancing session, a few minutes spent at your client’s feet for grounding purposes are a good idea. The options here are many. Have you taken any reflexology classes?
No?
There’s a video out there that might inspire you. You probably won’t spend more than about 5-10 minutes on your client’s feet. You are there to offer a path back to present time for your client.
The are many classes waiting for you on YOUTUBE. Some are mine and some are produced by other teachers. But, whichever one you choose, the idea is to gently finish your session.
One final suggestion: a chakra balancing Reiki session, or a regular Reiki session, are both good for the body and the soul. Every person needs some Reiki every week or so. If you feel you don’t have the budget for this, learn Reiki and partner up with another practitioner.
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If you’re looking for more, check out my books. www.thurmangreco.com.
THANKS AGAIN!
Who Shouldn’t Receive a Reflexology Session, and Why (Contraindications)
My introduction to contraindications began at my first massage therapy class at the Potomac Myotherapy Institute in Washington, D.C back in 1979.
Our first class began on an autumn evening with about 40 students. By the second class, that number had shrunk to a few over 20. Missing students were culled because of contraindications.
A contraindication list changes based on several factors:
Wellness and reflexology writers each have lists based on their experiences and training.
Healers each have a list. My experience in this field tells me that this list is highly individualized, again based on each healer’s experiences and training.
Teachers in both schools and continuing education seminars have opinions. These professionals teach from a list compiled not only by themselves but by the school owners and the states where they teach.
When I first began practicing massage, Kerrith McKechnie cautioned us to not treat cancer patients, or anyone with fever, or a rash. And the list continued beyond that.
Later, when I studied reflexology, Marge d’Urso’s list was different.
Mary Ruth VanLandingham’s Reiki therapy list had no contraindications.
Over the past three plus decades, I have a list of my own. This list has changed over time based on my experiences, and classes taken.
And, of course, this list begins with
CANCER PATIENTS
As a student at PMTI, we were cautioned against working on cancer patients at all.
Years later, I know reflexology offers much for a cancer patient: relief from pain, stress, and nausea.
When I first offered reflexology to a cancer patient, she received her reflexology sessions 48 hours after chemotherapy. The theory was that she was toxic for 48 hours after receiving her chemotherapy.
I waited the 48 hours to protect myself.
The first time I offered reflexology sessions to a cancer patient, I did it because she asked. We discussed the situation and she felt that she had no options left.
To put her situation bluntly, I was offering reflexology to a terminally ill client. She wanted the relief offered from pain, stress, and nausea.
Now, of course, fewer and fewer cancer patients receive chemotherapy.
What’s important here is the journey reflexology and other healing modalities have taken as we learned more about cancer.
Years later, at a seminar at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, I learned that reflexology, massage, and Reiki therapy are appropriate for cancer patients whenever they want to receive a session.
For me, cancer is no longer a reason to refuse a reflexology session to a client.
PREGNANT WOMEN
I do not offer reflexology sessions to pregnant women experiencing the first trimester of an unstable pregnancy.
Nothing is more wonderful than a reflexology session offered to a woman in her 7th month of pregnancy and has not seen her feet for a couple of months and still has 2 months to go.
The rule I follow: avoid offering reflexology in the first trimester and stay on the bottom of the feet when you offer sessions thereafter.
If you have any concerns, switch to Reiki therapy. Reiki therapy is wonderful for pregnant women at any stage of the pregnancy. With a regular Reiki therapy client, you can offer sessions weekly and can offer to go with your client into the labor and delivery stages of the birth process. Then, of course, you have two clients.
CLIENTS WITH INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Infectious disease sufferers should not receive reflexology for your protection. If you decide to offer a session to someone in a contagious condition, consider some options: gloves, mask, etc.
SEVERE CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
This is a good time to use your Reiki therapy skills.
GANGRENE
Gangrene occurs when a person’s cells begin to die in a particular place when there is no circulation in a certain place in the body. Gangrene is fairly rare but can be seen in cases of advanced diabetes. This situation requires a physician’s attention.
ADVANCED OSTEOPOROSIS
Persons suffering with mild osteoporosis or osteopenia benefit from reflexology sessions. Use a light touch and a short session taking care not to fracture bones.
The red flag begins to fly when a new client approaches you with advanced osteoporosis. By then, it’s too late for your services without permission from the physician.
EXTENSIVE ATHLETE’S FOOT, ETC.
Whenever there is a rash, an open sore, athlete’s foot, etc., offer hand reflexology instead of working the feet. If you are uncomfortable offering hand reflexology to a person who has a contagious or infectious condition, use gloves.
ADVANCED DIABETES
Clients with mild diabetes respond well to reflexology sessions offered to both hands and feet. Use gentle pressure when working the pancreas. Use a lighter pressure in general for diabetics because their skin may be thinner or more sensitive and bruise easily. Also, reduce sessions to 30 minutes or less for new clients.
HEAVILY MEDICATED CLIENTS
Persons taking a lot of medicine may have a buildup of toxins. Because reflexology sessions offer a natural detoxing action you need to take care not to overload the person. Offer a light thouch and shorter session.
SEVERE SWELLING
Swelling may indicate an internal injury, such as torn ligaments caused by a sprain, strain or fracture. Do not work an ankle, or foot that is swollen and painful. Once a medical professional has ruled out any underlying conditions, you can use your reflexology skills.
OPEN SORES OR CUTS
Cover blisters and cuts to keep them free from bacterial infections. Sometimes open sores may indicate an underlying, chronic condition, such as diabetes. The sores may also be related to contagious skin disorders.
BREAKS OR SPRAINS
Wait for permission from a physician. And, do not remove a cast or bandaging to offer reflexology. Work with what tissue is available to you and focus on a gentle touch and slow movements.
This may be a good option for Reiki.
FEVER
Fever is not a health issue. It is a symptom of an infection somewhere in your body.
For me, fever is one of the most important symptoms you may experience. It can indicate a heart attack, tumor, trauma, or a reaction to a vaccine.
Reflexology offers homeostasis which is important when a person has a fever. Returning your body to an ideal temperature is one of the best outcomes a person with fever.
Giving a reflexology session to a person with a fever can be a healing situation once you understand the cause.
FEAR OR ANXIETY
The final item on my list is highly personal. If I suspect a person is afraid of receiving reflexology or is experiencing anxious emotions about being on my table, I offer to cancel or postpone the session.
Sometimes, people who have never received bodywork or healing are unsure about being ready for a session. This is not the time to change someone’s mind or feelings.
They can always reschedule the session at a time when they feel calmer about their session.
Throughout the years that I’ve offered healing sessions, I’ve had only two people arrive for appointments. I knew the minute I saw them that something wasn’t “right”.
I followed my intuition and offered to cancel or reschedule the appointment. Both people were relieved to receive my offer. And I was happy I offered to cancel or reschedule. The moment the words left my mouth I knew they were the right words.
Thank you for reading this article!
None of the above contraindications occur often. But when they do happen, I like to feel I am following guidelines learned in classes throughout the years.
Please refer this post to your preferred social media network and share it with a friend.
Some information in this post was shared from “Healer’s Handbook”. More extensive information regarding contraindications may be found in prior blog posts and on presentations on YOUTUBE.
If you have any further questions or remarks, I can be reached at thurmangreco@gmail.com.
Thanks again,
Thurman
