Lessons from Lucy

Meet Lucy


Lucy is a great teacher of mine as well as many others. She lives with her wonderful family in El Salvador. Lucy has been teaching me for quite a while now and she has given me permission to share some of her teachings with you. 


Here is today's lesson from Lucy:


Be perfectly present

This morning as I was having a mini conversation with Lucy and getting ready to offer some healing energy when she stopped me in my tracks. She said to me that we humans need to be perfectly present when we are with another human or an animal. Lucy says it is very important to practice this every day. If we we do this we will get better and then it will become part of who we are. We will become good listeners.

What does Lucy mean when she says being perfectly present?

Lucy went on to say, when we humans are with another human we need to make direct eye contact. Don't be looking around at other things. Be right there in the moment with the other person. She says it is as if what they are saying is the most important and special thing that you have ever heard. She says, when we make eye contact it helps us to totally focus and really listen to what the other person is saying. Everyone, including animals, loves to have someone really care about what they have to say. We feel good. We feel like we matter. It is a very special gift to be totally present with another being as if the two of you are the only ones in the whole world. 

Lucy reminded me that when a human is listening to an animal it might not be comfortable for them if you make direct eye contact. Some species take direct eye contact as a threat. In a case like that it would be better for you to look away, but you can still be totally present with that animal and listen. 

Lucy says, "It is important to be totally there for and with the animal and "listen". 

Just be. 

Don't force anything. 

Be open. 

No judgements. 

Just listen and BE and allow the experience to flow...flow in the moment."

Lucy continues, talking about a better way to work with animals...."Once one is in the place of listening and being, it is time to move forward with a communication session or healing session. The experience will be totally different than if one was to just say "hello" to the animals and then begin the conversation and/or session."

Lucy reminds us to practice this everyday. Look into the person or animal's eyes. Listen to what they are saying. Notice when you are distracted and bring yourself back. Notice the difference in the quality of your relationships as you begin to make "being perfectly present" a part of who you are. 

Thank you Lucy.

Next time, Lucy will share with you some meditations that are wonderful to do with your animal friends.

Happy Mother's Day Katy

Sixteen years ago Katy was a very young mommy. This is Katy now, approaching 17. We don't know her exact age.

Bill and I met her in April of 1994 via HART (Homeless Animal Rescue Team). We were looking for two kittens at that time. We were led to Quantico, VA where the most wonderful and generous couple shared their home with lots of dogs, cats and bunnies. All fosters, waiting for their forever home.

We were taken down to the basement of the home where there were cages and cages of kitties and bunnies. It was too much to take in. I instantly fell in love with a 2-4 week old long haired kitten that turned out to be my Sam. At first we didn't notice Katy in a cage below Sam, his mom and sisters but there she was.

At that time she had 3 or 4 kittens. They were about 6 weeks old. We were told that one or two didn't make it. Clara, the woman that took care of all of the animals told us how wonderful Katy was and eventually Bill picked her up and held her in his arms.

It was love at first sight for both of them. Katy let out the biggest purr and meow. Boy did she hook us. We went home and told each other that if she called us that week she would be ours. Well we could not get her out of our head because she was already in our hearts!

It was decided that Katy and Sam (at that time Samantha) were to be ours as soon as Katy weaned her kittens and Sam was weaned from his beautiful mother, Ashley. 

We visited every weekend, making the trip down I-95. When we arrived the second week for our visit we discovered that Katy had a couple of more kittens!

Katy's kittens were much larger (see photo above and on the right) than the new arrivals. Evidently these were orphaned and Katy took them right in and made them hers. The following week we arrived for our visit and again another very tiny kitten was in with Katy. She never turned anyone away. Each week the same thing....yet another baby in with the ultimate little and young mother, Katy. 

Finally the time arrived for Sammy and Katy to come home with us. The photo above is at the rescue and was their very first face to face meeting.

The photo above are Katy's kittens that she gave birth to. They were now ready to find their forever home.

Katy loved being a mother at the time, but when she came home with us she was pretty much done with that, but in her essence and deep in our soul she is the ultimate mother.

We are blessed to share our home with her as she is aging gracefully. Life is good.

Happy Mother's Day Katy and all the other animal mommies out there. I celebrate you and the miracle of mother nature.

The Reiki Digest: A teacher and her legacy

It is with a saddened heart that I share the news that Margaret Anne Case passed away last Thursday. Pleases read the following link that is a tribute to her and her work. She was an amazing Reiki teacher and practitioner. I had the honor to meet her and become friends with her when we were both students in Frans Stiene's Shinpiden training in April 2007. She will be deeply missed by many.
God Seed my friend.......

The Reiki Digest: A teacher and her legacy

TREES/SARA Jan. 2010 group meeting

Saturday, January 23rd was the first TREES/SARA group meeting of 2010.  I could not wait to get there. It had been such a long time and I really missed the horses and Chris.

The sun was rising as I began my journey. It was a beautiful day. The day before and day after it rained but that day was beautiful.

Arriving at TREES, I found the usual greeters. They were having breakfast and relaxing. I had to pause and take it all in.

Miss Mona was getting a sun tan as Fitz and Jubal seemed content to be near the shelter.

Our group first met inside as we welcomed a new member, Jill to the TREES/SARA group. Jill has been coming to TREES every month to offer her many talented services including animal massage and other energy work. We began our group Reiki sessions with Sherman seen in the photo above with Chris Smith. This was Sherman's 3rd Reiki session since his arrival at TREES. At first he seemed unsure what we were all doing just standing in a semicircle in his 'yard'. We told him that we were there to offer him healing if he would like some but that he did not have to take it if he didn't choose to but we would just be there for him.

He began to relax almost right away and took in the healing energy fairly fast.

After a short while Sherman went to take a long drink of water. This is always a good thing for anyone to do that is receiving any kind of energy work as toxins can be released and water helps flush the toxins out. Sherman then walked into his "house" and thought about everything. He then peeked his head out and looked as everyone saying, "They are still there. They really meant what they said!" He walked out and got closer to everyone.

He began to take more healing energy and relaxed again, licking and chewing.

We thanked him as we needed to go. I think that he wanted us to stay with him longer as he tried to follow us out of his enclosure when we left. Thank you Sherman.

After a short break we began to work with Nathan. He is the white horse at the center of the above photo. Nathan has come a long way since he first arrived at TREES in June but he still has physical issues. He needed us to keep our distance as there have been too many humans poking and prodding him in the last few months. He needs his space right now.

Lori, Carol and I began to gently offer him energy. He has issues with his right front foot. Notice how he is standing in the first photo of him. He eventually turned and slowly relaxed and got into a very unusual pose. (photo above) He totally relaxed.

We stayed with him for a good amount of time. It is always magical at TREES. A bird flew through our circle almost touching Carol and me. We all stood very still in the quite, expanding our energy and offering it to Nathan and anyone else that might want it.

Nathan has become one of my greatest teachers. I am always honored to be in his presence. We thanked Nathan and Reiki and then tried to quietly walk through the thick mud and up to the house. Thank you Nathan.

We gathered back in the house to get warm and to share our experiences and observations with each other. Of course if it is Reiki, Hanna will be there teaching. Above she is laying down on the Reiki level two symbols. She is an amazing teacher and healer. We had a very special afternoon with Hannah, Traveller, Ruby and a new kitty.

We said goodbye to all of the residents at TREES and headed back to northern Virginia. What a special day. I look forward to my next visit.

For more information about Traveller's Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary (TREES) please visit www.equineelders.org and subscribe to their amazing blog at: http://www.equineelders.blogspot.com/
There is always wonderful information and photos at both locations.

For information about Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA) please visit: www.shelteranimalreikiassociation.org

If you are interested in working with Reiki and animals the below book is a must, The Animal Reiki Handbook.

Happy New Year

As 2009 draws to an end we reflect and remember all of the good times and the challenges and then get ready for a brand new year filled with hopes and dreams and wonderful possibilities.

Tonight we celebrate and sing our songs. Here is a song from Katy. She dances with her boa and sings a song. Not bad for 16!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Happy New Year and all the best to you and your animal friends.

- Janet & Katy

Animal Reiki I - Bunny Lu

Oh boy!!! This morning I got to go back to Bunny Lu in Haymarket, VA to teach the 2nd day of the Reiki One training. Day two we get to work with the animals. I had been looking forward to this since last Sunday when we did the first day of training there.

I parked my car behind the Bunny Lu car. Can you imagine being in traffic behind this car? It is too cute.

This is Penelope. She was very interested in my camera and had lots to say about everything.

The first part of the class was spent doing Reiki meditations and learning the differences between Reiki with humans and Reiki with animals. Some schools will tell you that there is no difference but there must be if you are going to work with the animals in an ethical way.

Mr. Flopsy returned for class again. He is an elder. I was so happy to have him sit next to me during the whole class again. I have never seen anyone enjoy his greens as much as he does.

After lunch we did a group Reiki session with two bunnies. This couple is what is called a matched or bonded pair. They were so sweet. The female is black. Her name is Sweetpea. She came to us and checked things out but had to get back to her sweetheart.

They both took what they wanted or needed. A Reiki session is totally different when you allow the animal to control the session and not the other way around.

Congratulations to the first Reiki I class of Bunny Lu and new Reiki I practitioners. Bunny Lu is a new member of SARA (Shelter Animal Reiki Association). For more information about Bunny Lu visit: www.bunnylu.org

Bunny Lu - Reiki I

Yesterday we had our first snow of the season. Leaving the house early this morning was cold but beautiful.

The drive to Bunny Lu, bunny rescue in Haymarket, VA., was at times a challenge with the lower temps and ice in spots. This is Rt 50 going west away from Washington, DC. The mountains were so beautiful with the snow.

Almost to Bunny Lu and very close to the mountains the snow continued to take my breath away. What a wonderful way to start the day.

I entered the largest bunny room as breakfast was being served. I was in bunny heaven. This pair was really enjoying their fresh greens.

The bunnies were all lined up waiting for breakfast. Hurry up!

Bunny Lu is one of the most recent rescue members of SARA (Shelter Animal Reiki Association). The group today for the Reiki I class, was made up of Bunny Lu staff and volunteers. They are such a great group, each devoted to the bunnies and their plight. Bringing Reiki into this rescue will make such a difference. Bunnies and Rabbits are very sensitive to many things, especially energy as well as our emotions. For the volunteers and staff to be able to get into that place of quiet and healing will make a huge difference in not only the day to day lives of the residents but for the staff as well.

There were two resident kitties who helped me with the Reiki initiations or attunements. I am always grateful for the kitties when they help me. It always makes for a much better experience for the human students.

Rusti & Flopsy

One of the volunteers brought two of her bunnies, Rusti and Flopsy, to the class. They are dear friends. The brown bunny, Flopsy, on the right is 10 years old. It was such an honor to be around him again. I love the elders. Both bunnies seemed to soak up the healing energy.

Kirstie & Grommet

Because of the snow storm we were not able to complete the workshop this weekend. Next Sunday we will return to Bunny Lu to work with the animals and then we will have new Reiki level one practitioners. This group is very enthusiastic, dedicated and in love with bunnies. Thank you all.