Tag: reiki

Wellness vs Illness, Haripriya Suraj, When Spirit Meets Science
energy medicine, modern medicine, reiki, science, when spirit meets science

Wellness vs Illness

Haripriya Suraj

Being a wellness practitioner, I am often asked by clients and also by family and friends to cure their physical ailments through Reiki. They hope beyond hope that I can do something to bring their thyroid levels back to normal, to help blood sugar stabilise or even to make cancer dissolve.

When I tell them I can teach them about wellness or support them through Reiki sessions, but not perform medical miracles, some of them look at me like something is wrong with me. I can almost read their mind saying – “What kind of a Reiki practitioner are you if you cannot do any of this?”

I may be a Reiki practitioner but Reiki is not some form of magic! It is not a quick fix for illness or for any problem. And it is certainly not something I can do to make a problem vanish from another person’s life. We are each responsible for our own lives.

Reiki is a way of life that empowers people to create physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Reiki takes work. Being well in body, mind and spirit may play a role in helping to prevent certain illnesses and also to cope well if at all illness strikes. But if an illness has already set in, wellness therapy like Reiki alone cannot manage it.

For a long time, I had a hard time telling people that there is a difference between wellness and illness. I often felt judged for recommending that someone must seek medical assistance for illness.

While there are plenty of anecdotal accounts of miraculous medical healings and they are certainly inspiring, they are not the same as ‘evidence.’ Evidence is when a particular therapy is proven to have a specific effect on a specific condition, and is accepted as a fact worldwide.

Being married to a cancer surgeon and co-authoring the book ‘When Spirit Meets Science’ with him has helped me clearly understand the difference between anecdote and evidence. This work has helped me appreciate the amount of effort that goes into conventional medical research before treatments are certified and offered to the world. As explained in the book, the principles of evidence based medicine can be easily applied to ‘alternative’ therapies too. Therefore, until we have a more solid scientific backing, I prefer to call wellness therapies complementary or supportive treatment.

Over the years, I have learned to drop the fear of judgment and to not hesitate to tell someone that they need medical evaluation. They are welcome to ask for Reiki but they must also take medical support if required.

Finally, I believe wellness therapies like Reiki offer enough value in themselves and don’t need a medical tag to certify their worth ( unless someone wants to test its efficacy in treating physical illnesses).

A Reiki session can help to relax the body, still the mind and calm the emotions. It can also help one experience the richness of their inner spiritual world. I believe these aspects are also essential components of any healing process. Reiki is always open to anyone who is interested in adopting a holistic approach to healing.

This image depicts the sacral chakra in an article on wellness by Haripriya Suraj
energy medicine, reiki, when spirit meets science

Sacral Chakra Wisdom

Haripriya Suraj

The sacral chakra is an energy centre corresponding to the pelvic region of the physical body.

The health of this chakra is associated primarily with the following-

Emotions

Giving ourselves the permission to feel the wide spectrum of human emotions is vital to living a balanced life. The moment we label an emotion as ‘ unacceptable’ or ‘bad,’ we create a block within our energy system. This holds true for women as well as men. Men are often not given as much liberty as women to feel or reveal their emotional side. In the new paradigm, it is perfectly permissible and normal for men to feel and honour varied emotions and to allow themselves to feel vulnerable.

Sexuality

Sexual energy is a gift of the Universe. It is the force behind creation itself. However, sexuality is often associated with shame and disruption. It is also often a misused resource, as in cases of sexual abuse and assault. Not feeling safe or comfortable about one’s sexuality is a sign of imbalance in the sacral chakra. Feeling a healthy connection to one’s sexuality while respecting and honouring the sexuality and sexual boundaries of others is an indication of a healthy sacral chakra. As wounds related to sexuality are carried by many in the world, this is one chakra that needs significant attention.

Creative potential

The sacral chakra is the ‘womb’ of the energy system. It is associated with creative potential of all kinds, including the potential within the female womb where new life takes form. It is important to know that creation is not restricted to giving birth alone. Any kind of creation is an outcome of creative potential at work.

Place your palm on your sacral chakra and connect to your creative side. How does it feel? Are you utilising your complete potential? What is longing to be birthed through you? Can you channel more of your energy to birth creations unique to you? Each of us is born with unique talents. We can give ourselves the permission to recognise them and share them with the world.

Ability to flow with life

Flowing with life means letting go of the need to control every aspect of life. Is it truly possible to be in control always? Excessive control can begin to feel constricting. Letting go of control doesn’t mean no action must be taken. Action in the right direction must be taken when called for. Letting go means not being too fixated on outcomes. It is the art of taking action and then allowing life to unfold in its own glory.

Blessings!

Related Posts

Root Chakra Wisdom

This is an image showing healing in a post by Haripriya Suraj in the blog 'When Spirit Meets Science.'
energy medicine, personal, reiki

The Healing Energy Of Young Children

Haripriya Suraj

My little toddler is a bundle of energy and knows how to keep everyone on their toes! Her activity is not just restricted to the day but spills over to the nights too.

She often wakes up around 3 a.m. and stays up and about till the break of dawn. This is the time when my energy is lowest and I can barely open my eyes, forget the possibility of playing with an energetic one-year-old!

My husband, being a surgeon, is more accustomed to erratic sleeping hours and most often steps in to do the night shifts with the little one. However, if he has surgery scheduled for early the next morning, I take over so he can get some quality sleep.

Recently, on one such night, my toddler was cranky when she woke up. She did not want to play but wanted to be held instead. I had barely had two hours of sleep and I spent the rest of the night holding her. This went on until 5:30 a.m. By this time, my eyes were heavy and I realised I couldn’t keep them open any longer. I put her back in her crib assuming she would be ready to go back to sleep too. However, she stood up and began sobbing. My heart melted, for it was apparent she was in some sort of distress. I lifted her out of the crib and put her beside me on my bed.

It was 6 a.m. already and I knew I just had some time left for a snooze. I was certain I would wake up feeling cranky and a bad day would follow.

As I drifted into slumber, I could feel my little angel’s warmth enveloping me. I am not sure how exactly to describe the experience but it almost felt like a Reiki session in progress. I felt a soft sweet energy flowing from her to me. The negative loop in my head soon stopped playing. And I fell into deep slumber.

I woke up 45 minutes later and saw my little daughter fast asleep beside me.

I knew something had shifted within me from having her beside me. I woke up feeling as recharged as I would be after my six hours of sleep. My worries about having a bad day had transformed into positive anticipation and I looked forward to the goodness the day could bring. And yes, I did have a great day!

I have no idea what the logic to this experience could be. But I personally feel some magic unfolded in those minutes. I was holding her for several hours prior and do so every single day, but those few minutes stood out in some way.

Young children are pure souls. Their energy is light and uncontaminated. I feel some of her purity rubbed off on me and healed my grumpiness.

I am grateful for the sweet energy young children bring into this world. I believe they are the closest representation of divine love and purity.

this is an image of root chakra in the article on Root Chakra by Haripriya Suraj on When Spirit Meets Science
energy medicine, reiki, when spirit meets science

Root Chakra Wisdom

Haripriya Suraj

In energy healing circles, the root chakra is one of the seven primary chakras (energy centres) we work with.

The root chakra is seen as an energy centre located at the base of the spine. This is not a physical structure in the body but a representation of the energy body at the ‘base of spine’ level.

At the moment, there is no way we can scientifically prove the existence of chakras. However, the objective here is not to generate proof. It is to understand and apply the invaluable wisdom presented by the theory of ‘Chakras.’

Root Chakra Wisdom

As the name suggests, the root chakra is to humans what roots are to plants.

Roots help plants and trees stay grounded to the Earth and serve as a medium for them to receive nourishment.

In the case of humans, the root chakra primarily represents –

  1. Ability to stay grounded in day-to-day reality on Planet Earth.
  2. Feelings of safety, security and support
  3. Matters of survival on the planet

If someone is preoccupied by fantasy and is disconnected from the reality of everyday life, we say they are ungrounded and have an imbalanced root chakra.

Same goes for people who are very fearful and anxious and experience the world as a dangerous place with many threats to their survival.

The root chakra is like the foundation of existence.

One can manage life with a wobbly foundation. But building a strong one can bring in more ease to life.

Contemplate the health of your own root chakra.

Do you feel safe, stable and grounded?

Do you sense any blocks in your root chakra? Are you aware of an incident from your past that is the likely cause of these blocks? If yes, how can you work on them?

Knowing you feel blocked in specific areas is a huge achievement in itself. Awareness of self is the first and most important step of the healing process.

Stay grounded! Stay happy!

This is an image of Yin Yang in an article on Divine Feminine & Divine Masculine based on the book 'When Spirit Meetes Science'
when spirit meets science

The Dance Of The Divine Feminine & Divine Masculine

Haripriya Suraj

The Divine Feminine refers to the Feminine Energetic Component of creation, while the Divine Masculine refers to the Masculine Energetic Component.

It does not matter if one is born a woman or man, for these terms do not represent the gender of an individual. They represent the essence of the Feminine and Masculine energies. However, if you are a woman, you may find it easier to tune in to the Divine Feminine, and if you are a man, you may connect more to the Divine Masculine.

To bring in greater balance, it is possible and also necessary to tune in to the opposite energy from time to time.

Going with the flow of life, taking things slow, being soft and gentle, operating from your intuition, expressing your creative potential, and nurturing yourself or others are examples of the Divine Feminine at work.

Planning & strategizing, taking efficient and swift action, being tough, harnessing the power of your logical mind and providing for yourself or others are examples of the Divine Masculine at work.

Don’t we all do some or all of the above at different times?

Strong rational Masculine

And soft intuitive Feminine,

When thee merge in time divine,

Earth and Sky awaken and shine

This little poem is taken from the book ‘When Spirit Meets Science.’

Enjoy discovering and connecting to your Divine Feminine & Divine Masculine!

This is an image in the article on inner child wounds , self love and self esteem in the blog when spirit meets science by Haripriya Suraj
inner child, reiki, self love, Spirit

Self Esteem & Self Love : Two Keys To Unlock Magic

Haripriya Suraj

As I sat down to pen this post, my head hurt and my heart felt heavy.

As children, many of us sought the attention and approval of people in authority, teachers and parents being primary. I found myself in a similar situation recently; like a little school girl not feeling good enough, because an authority figure refused to give me the validation I was unconsciously seeking!

How we viewed ourselves as children depended largely on how our elders viewed us. We felt good when they showed us their love and gave us their approval. We felt miserable when they withdrew their love and approval on account of something we did or didn’t do. If we had siblings, we may also have experienced bouts of jealousy when our sibling seemed to receive more attention or praise than us.

All of this is understandable because children are largely dependent on adults to meet their needs.

However, if we experience such emotions even as adults, they are like ‘wounds’ and need to be healed.

Such wounds can be healed completely or at least managed well when they show up. We do have the power to help ourselves.

Taking my own example, thanks to the intense inner work I have done and to my spiritual practices, I am able to manage my childhood wounds when they show up unexpectedly. I am aware enough to know when I am being sucked into a negative spiral. After some time spent moping, I make it a point to pull myself out of it with the support of tools such as Reiki, Meditation and Emotional Freedom Technique ( a healing modality that involves tapping on different points and areas of the body while making specific statements).

Self-esteem and self-love are two common areas that need attention in many of us.

While self-esteem points at how good we feel about ourselves, self-love is about our ability to love ourselves, exactly as we are – good and bad, amazing and flawed…

The easiest way to feel good about yourself is to go back in time and connect with the infant or young child you once were. You were born a blank slate. Your mind was empty and your heart pure. You were perfectly comfortable being who you were.

However, if you were repeatedly told you were a ‘bad boy’ or ‘bad girl’ or ‘hopeless kid,’ there is a possibility you may have internalised those labels. As an adult, you may not feel good about yourself unless certain people tell you how wonderful you are.

It is important to catch yourself when you find yourself seeking excessive approval or validation from others. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that external validation is not a measure of your worth. You are worthy simply by virtue of being a human being. Your talents and achievements build up your personality. They add value to your life and to the lives of others. But they are in no way a measure of your innate worth.

Bring your attention to your positive attributes. Think of at least three strengths you possess simply because of who you are. Give yourself the validation you seek. This will shift the energy and help you feel good about yourself instantaneously.

Learning to love yourself is another important milestone. The easiest way to love yourself is to accept that you are human, which means, you have feelings and emotions, good moods and bad, good days and bad. No one on this planet is perfect and neither are you. This does not mean you must make excuses when you err or make the same mistakes over and over again. It simply means you love yourself through all your ups and downs, highs and lows, good and bad times, empowered and weak moments.

I have personally found Emotional Freedom Technique to be very helpful when you need to address and release intense emotions and love yourself through it all. Explore this if you feel called to.

The reins to self-esteem and self-love must only be in your hands. Never hand them over to others.

Love can be shared more generously with others when you love yourself first.

You can help others feel good about themselves when you first feel good about yourself.

Loving yourself unlocks the magic of life!

It elevates your vibration and makes you a magnet to draw more goodness into your life.

Vibe high!

energy medicine, reiki, Spirit, Uncategorized

Energy Body : Meaning & Significance

Haripriya Suraj

Working with the ‘Energy Body’ is an integral aspect of wellness therapies like Reiki.

The Energy Body also goes by other names such as aura and energy field.

The Energy Body is typically depicted as an invisible field of energy around the physical body. It is not static. Instead, it is seen as a fluid and dynamic field that intermingles with the physical body.

From a practical standpoint, the Energy Body represents the sum total of an individual’s quality of life. This includes –

  1. Physical Health & Wellness – How healthy an individual is and how good they feel in their body.
  2. Mental Makeup – What kind of thoughts pre-occupy an individual’s mind, how they harness the power of their mind , does their mind mostly work for or against them.
  3. Emotional Wellbeing – How an individual feels and processes their positive as well as negative emotions.
  4. Social Support & Connection – How connected one feels to family, friends and to the world at large, what is the quality of these connections.
  5. Spiritual Strength – How much one is able to tap in to their source of inner strength, what is their level of connection to the Universe (or a higher non-physical power) and their ability to feel supported by the same.

The Energy Body is divided into sub-systems called ‘Chakras’ or ‘Energy Centres.’ Each of the Chakras represents a certain aspect of human life.

Since the Energy Body and its Chakras cannot be seen or measured in a concrete manner, their existence may be labeled a ‘hypothesis,’ when viewed through a scientific lens. Such concepts may also seem illusory to many.

However, before dismissing the hypothesis, it may help to reflect on the inherent wisdom it contains and the potential it holds to help people create well-being in their lives (the significance of each Chakra shall be discussed in detail in future posts).

When we work on a specific chakra, we work on a certain aspect of life and strive to bring it into balance and harmony. In other words, we work on becoming better.

When we work consciously on each of the chakras, we address almost all aspects of human existence and move towards creating a well-grounded and well-rounded life.

This is one of the primary goals of energy based wellness therapies.

Uncategorized

Your Body Is More Than A Machine

Haripriya Suraj

The human body is one of the greatest marvels of creation.

It is so close to us that we often take its magic for granted!

Spend some time contemplating the groundbreaking work your body accomplishes every moment and you may just find a renewed sense of appreciation for it.

Your body is bubbling with intelligent life!

You are able to experience this beautiful creation, thanks to your body.

Are you able to see the vivid colours around you?

Say thanks to your eyes.

Are you able to smell the fresh rain-kissed mud?

Say thanks to your nose.

Are you able to eat and drink?

Say thanks to your digestive system.

Do you walk, run or dance?

Express gratitude to your legs.

Are you able to understand and process the information you are reading here?

Express gratitude to your brain.

The list can go on and on….

Every part, organ and system in your body works tirelessly to keep you alive and well.

It is hard to even comprehend how the body manages to accomplishes such a feat!

The body is not just a mechanical system. We may be so used to its presence that we begin to view and treat it like a machine. In truth, the body is a brilliant work of science and art and it deserves love and care from the one inhabiting it.

Take a minute each day to express your appreciation for your body.

Send love to your body.

Do whatever it takes to support your body. No excuses!

Eating a wholesome diet, exercising, taking time to rest well – all of these are common sense but can feel like a big deal to achieve in today’s fast-paced world.

Who wants to spend time connecting to the body when there are more important things to do?

But remember you are able to do the more ‘important’ things only because your body is supporting you.

All it takes is a twisted ankle or swollen eye to appreciate the remarkable gift of good health the body strives to maintain in each moment.

When you begin to recognise the invaluable contribution made by your body, you develop a love and reverence for it. Neglecting or abusing it in any way becomes impossible. Wellness practices like Reiki and meditation can also help you connect with your body.

The body is a gift of the Universe to you.

Honour it. Bless it. Love it!

Uncategorized

Healing The Clash Between Energy Medicine & Modern Medicine?

Haripriya Suraj

As a Reiki healer, my work involves applying principles of energy healing to create wellness for myself and also to help others who are seeking the same.

So why am I choosing to write about modern medicine?

Over the years, I have witnessed an unhealthy clash develop between the worlds of energy and modern medicine. I feel this clash is uncalled for and arises from misconceptions that have formed around modern medicine.

In the year 2007, Reiki synchronistically opened doors for me to view and understand the system of modern medicine and to appreciate the possibilities for healing it brings to this world.

Taking a peek into the world of modern medicine and liking what I saw was not easy. It meant having to periodically clash with the viewpoints of my dear friends in the energy healing community. This was not fun at all, for my energy healer friends are my kind of people, my tribe! They are beautiful souls I can be myself with. I can show my flawed human self to them without fear of judgment and they can do the same with me. We share a bond cemented by unconditional love. Therefore, clashing over a topic like medicine felt rather painful.

Having understood the principles of medical science thoroughly, I could no more find a valid enough reason to be critical of it or to compare it with energy healing. This isn’t to imply that medicine is always practised perfectly. It just means I developed a sense of appreciation for the foundation on which modern medicine is based. As in every other profession, it requires a competent and compassionate healthcare professional to execute it well.

Being an energy healer, it is hard for me to make statements like-

“Modern Medicine treats only the manifestation of the illness and not the root cause.”

“Pharmaceuticals must be avoided because they have side effects.”

Medicine may treat only the manifestation of illness but that doesn’t make it any less significant. Very often, the manifestation of an illness has to be addressed on priority. Modern Medicine is life-giving and life-saving. And this isn’t only in the case of emergencies like heart attacks or accidents. If we look closely into our own households, we can see that it spans way beyond that. Almost all of us know someone who is alive or healthy today only because modern medicine helped them manage a ‘non-emergency’ health condition effectively.

Pharmaceuticals have side effects. But do they deliver the results they are expected to? Almost always!

The side effects of every pharma drug are rigorously documented. There is no sugar coating or guessing game. Besides, these drugs are meant to be prescribed only when their benefits are much greater than their risks. They aren’t meant to be consumed for pleasure, like chocolate! They must be taken when required and this is not something to be ashamed of or looked down upon. Several energy healers feel they are letting their body down if they so much as pop one pill. I personally feel it isn’t necessary to punish ourselves with these beliefs.

Comparing the two streams of healing is similar to comparing a tiger with a cow! It doesn’t make sense to say a tiger is bad and a cow is good or vice versa. It also isn’t fair to compare these creatures without understanding the larger purpose each of them serves in the ecosystem.

The strength and alertness of the tiger are as appreciable as the gentleness and calm of the cow!

So why compare and clash?

It is possible to drop all judgment and be empty.

Let us honour each path for exactly what it offers!

Uncategorized

Reiki – A Doorway to Spirit

Haripriya Suraj

Reiki is a form of energy healing that aids relaxation and well-being.

However, it is also so much more than that.

If one goes deep into Reiki practice, it can also act as a portal that offers a glimpse into the world of Spirit.

As palms lay gently on or over the body, they warm up. This gentle warmth permeates the body and feels like a blanket of comfort.

The breath becomes deep and calm. The body becomes still.

The mind soon follows suit. Thoughts begin to recede into the background and a sweet silence takes over.

In this meditative silence, one is completely in tune with oneself. This state of being opens the doorway to go within and connect with the subtle world of Spirit.

It is hard to describe in words what connecting with Spirit means. It is best experienced rather than explained theoretically. Besides, there are innumerable ways to experience Spirit and it simply cannot all be put into one box.

Reiki practice helps one to connect with Spirit in a calm, loving and expansive energetic space.