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A Trauma Survivors Election Day Experience 2016 And How To Move Forward

WOW what a ride this week has been and since the election emotions have been quite high.  I have my own feelings that have come to light this week and I will share them with you shortly. This is a very sensitive subject matter especially for trauma survivors, and my only request is that you read this with an open heart and without judgement.

I am also an empath, so I feel intensely the energies around me and of those people around me whether person to person or virtually. As I write this, I am choosing to honor my own feelings and I am choosing to honor yours as well. 

Before I continue on my experiences after the election, let me share with you my experiences and thoughts on the day of the election and why I felt so paralyzed to vote.   One of my trauma coping mechanisms is journaling.  Here is what I wrote on the day of the election, November 8, 2016, and when I decided to publish it, I chose to keep it as is so you may experience my full experience.

Graphic by Laura Joseph, Healing With Spirit

“I never realized how triggering and paralyzing today’s election was until today when it was time to cast a vote. The governmental abuse, disregard and metaphorical rape of women and children, the narcissistic sociopathic behaviors of our two primary candidates, the disregard for life not to mention threats and intimidation brings back flash backs of the horrors I endured attempting to leave and to protect my children from abuse only to have them legally trafficked by way of family court, and the more I fought trying to grasp at any straw to save them and myself, the more I was threatened and retaliated against and even went to jail.

There is no worse feeling in the world than drowning in a sea of trauma, abuse, lies, and deceit begging for someone to reach out to pull me and my children out only to be met with the mighty oar pushing you back under hoping you just die.

Today’s election and everything it stands for and against, has paralyzed my ability to vote bridging past abuse with political rhetoric that merged as if it became one reality especially when the deepest darkest shadows of America is cracked wide open.

Some of you may say, get over it and move on.

After all, it’s been almost 11 yrs since you left your abuser. My head and mind already know that. However, It’s my physical body trapped in fight or flight in its attempt to shield me and protect me from further trauma and abuse screaming inside begging when will it end. When will peace reign on earth, and I no longer have to maintain a fight or flight state which has severely taxed my adrenal glands?

It is extremely difficult to engage in exercising my right to vote especially when reports of bullying, insults, and intimidation are becoming the norm. This weekend I realized I still do “avoidance” tactics which is part of trauma response. Today, I realized how bad I still do it. 

The redtail hawk Laura saw on November 8, 2016

As I left my house this morning tearing myself apart for not practicing what I preached paralyzed in fear a redtail hawk swooped out of nowhere flying alongside my truck on Rockland Street until I hit the breaks and he flew to the top of the tree. i pulled over, exercised gratitude, and had a mini animal totem pow wow.The message I received was to take the pressure off myself and to focus on the long term picture not on the short term and to stop being so hard on myself. The hawk is showing me to trust and take flight. I may feel unsupported in the human realm, but to know I am supported in the divine realm.
I guess in one aspect the avoidance has allowed me to heal and move forward, but in another aspect when confronted, it is paralyzing. God help America.”

Photo & Quote by Laura Joseph
Healing With Spirit. All Rights Reserved

I had so much anxiety on the day of the election, it was overwhelming. I felt alone, as the trigger spiraled.  I pulled every tool I knew to cope including meditation, reiki, journaling, crystal, vibrational healing via tibetan medicine singing bowls, walks and communing in nature, and  non attachment. 

When I saw the redtail hawk, I knew it was a sign. Signs from above have been very prominent for me in my healing journey since I had lost faith and trust in humanity. Connecting  with the divine was my lifeline.

Redtail hawks have been a great message bearer for me over the years. They adapt to life well even amongst the human race and are a great service to humanity. The human race has drifted so far away from source, we miss the magic they offer. I was grateful for my divine team and angels for this message.

As I maintained a ping pong match of emotions that day, I decided to go for a walk and was greeted with three crows with a mourning dove perched just above. I smiled and moved forward, and my anxiety began to wane, but not enough to head to the polls and vote. You see for me it was not the idea of voting that was the trigger for me. It was the idea of dealing with something with what I perceived as a corrupt, abusive government and even though in my head, I knew not to fear, my body kept tying to trick me otherwise.

From a spiritual sense, crow is another very powerful message bearer, keeper of the universal sacred laws, and represent magic. They are the harbinger of change in all areas of life; physical, spiritual, mental and emotional. They can aid us in moving between realms of the spirit world and physical life. Crow was a wonderful reminder to create and manifest what I seek. The fact there were three, reminds me how divinely support I am and focuses my attention to my ability to communicate more effectively. Crow announces a newness on the horizon. Are you aware of the nuances in life? Are you listening to signs around you? Crow can give strength and show you how to maneuver in intuitions and insights.

When I saw the mourning dove above the crows, I smiled as it was the solidifier for me in the message. Traditionally, doves are a messenger of peace, love, joy and gentleness, prophecy of good things, maternity instincts, as well as an awakening to promise of future with clarity. In this case, dove was helping me understand my emotions better, and letting me know that hope and peace will come. 

When I woke up on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, I was and was not shocked at the results. I was not shocked, because, I had predicted early spring of Hillary Clinton’s downfall. I however, was fearful of a Trump Presidency and was hoping for a different, maybe more Utopian result. 

I have over come so much in my life. I have chosen to do my best to never judge those who voted a certain way because it is a constitutional right. I choose to not let those choices break up my “tribe”.  

Although, I thought I was much further along in my healing, I am taking a pause. I am holding space and trying to not feed the fear. Instead, I am choosing to allow to feel these emotions. I am allowing to feel the fear. I am talking to the inner child within, who clearly is still wounded, and asking her what will it take to feel safe again so the fear can be released for good this time.

I am BEing mindful how I unleash my emotions on my friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, etc. We all have a choice. If we want change, we must go within first. 

In the end we are all one. Fear begets more fear. Hate begets more hate. Only love can conquer hate and fear. Only love can create peace.
The veil is thin right now. Many truths are being revealed. Our own shadows are surfacing. We’ve been feeling it rise like a cauldron of a volcano for quite a while.

All the answers we seek lie within. So please let’s pause and be mindful of our thoughts, words, posts, actions.

Here’s a quote I love that resonates, and I changed it to create action: “I surrender to what is. I let go of what was and I have faith in what will be.”

Today, I choose to step into the light and BE the beacon.

It’s time we get centered. Breathe … Bring back our power … breathe … feel compassion … breathe …
And breath in Love … breathe … and breathe out fear.

Together let’s radiate love and let it transmute any misqualified energies.

Together, we not only help ourselves, but our brothers and sisters, our fellow struggling American, the rest of the world, Mother Earth etc.

I honor and appreciate each of you.

Let’s create the greatest most contagious virus of Love. Change begins with us. That change is internal.

Here are a few related links for more information

I am here to help.

With Love and appreciation,
Laura  

Spiritual Medium, Public Speaker, and Teacher
Usui Reiki Master Teacher
Jikiden Reiki Shihan

To schedule a private reading, to book a private party, or speaking engagement,  please visit www.laurahealingwithspirit.com
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(c) 2016 All rights reserved. Laura Healing With Spirit. May not be copied or reproduced without expressed written consent

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Honoring The Sacredness of Water and Why the Events At Standing Rock Matter For the Evolution of Humanity and Our Souls

October 13, 2016

BY; Laura Joseph, Healing With Spirit, Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Healer, Author

Excerpts from Lecture Sunday, October, 16, 2016 at The First Spiritualist Church of RI

What a ride this year has given us especially on the emotional plane. Many of us have been experiencing sudden bursts of unexplainable anxiety and may feel quite ungrounded. Maybe the seeds we planted have not sprouted as we’d like or maybe they are smothered by worry and fear or maybe you are not able to see what is growing. How many of you have been worrying whether or not you are good enough or lovable enough or deserving enough?

Please know we are in the journey together and you are not alone. I chose the topic of water and spirituality for many reasons. We are all undergoing a great change including Mother Earth as we shift from the third dimension to the fourth and fifth dimension. The veil of illusion is lifting. These changes are happening at such and incredible rate causing physical changes to happen with the body itself.

Our planet is transmutating and so are we …. Our bodies, our souls, our cells. The coding that was imprinted in our DNA structures is currently being activated. This is your blueprint back to the ancients.

Many religions and spiritual practices include water in their ceremonial and ritualistic practices and we are going to talk about this topic in light of what is currently happening in this material world and how it affects us spiritually.

Why this topic? There are many reasons, but here are four:

  1. In light of recent historic events occurring at Standing Rock with the largest gathering of “water protectors” 
  2. This weekend’s full moon is currently in Aries and how it affects us now 
  3. Ending of cycles and beginning a new – This year being a 9 year in numerology and what this means for our soul growth.
  4. Water as being sacred.

There is so much going on right now and we can choose to either get sucked into the chaos or rise above it. How many of you are appalled at the state of what is happening in this country and around the world most notably pronounced is the US Presidential election?

How are you doing emotionally? Regardless of the current political environment.

Have any lessons risen up for you this year but especially over the last month or so?

Right now we have an opportunity. However, we need to shift our perspective in order to shift our results. This is like fine tuning a musical instrument or making carburetor adjustments to your vehicle.

We can choose to focus on the doom and gloom out of fear or we can choose to create change through the frequency and vibration of love.

Hate? Worry? Intolerance? Depression? Those are all fear based. Joy? Happiness? Authentic truth? Compassion? Consciousness? Those are all love based. If you have ever read or studied “Abraham” Hicks and Eckhart Tolle, both have been great spiritual teachers on the mastery of vibrational alignment. Which vibration are you currently vibrating in? Which vibration do you choose to be in?

Why is water so important? Why is honoring our water needed and important to our human self as well as our spiritual self? What can water teach us to help us evolve spiritually?

Before I address the importance, we must first take inventory and take personal responsibility for where are currently at in our lives. I know this is not an easy task for many as we must face head on our shadow self and all the junk attached. In some cases, this can be triggering for those traumatized as a result of situations such as war, violence, or domestic abuse. As a survivor of abuse with a history of PTSD, I sympathize.

However, this is the time to step up and take action. The Universe has been giving us signs and has been supporting all of us who have been called to light the way for others to find their way home and help save our wounded Mother. Water is key. So hang on for the divine reinforcements and help. It is a matter of trust, surrender and belief.

Water has many spiritual meanings and implications, but most importantly water reflects its sacredness. It represents the “circulation of life”. Water is to our Mother Earth just as the blood that flows through our veins is to our physical bodies. Water is the very life force for which gives birth to life. No wonder NASA and other organizations are searching for signs of life through water on other planets.

Our bodies are made up of mostly water making water vital for human survival. “According to Dr. Jeffrey Utz, Neuroscience, pediatrics, Allegheny University, different people have different percentages of their bodies made up of water. Babies have the most, being born at about 78%. By one year of age, that amount drops to about 65%. In adult men, about 60% of their bodies are water.”[1]

Water also has some symbolic significance relating to purity and fertility as the source of life as seen in many creation myths.

In Taoist tradition, water is viewed as an aspect of wisdom. Here, the concept is the philosophy that water takes the path of least resistance. The path of least resistance is part of nature. We see this with rivers which flows around rocks and mountains while slowing shaping the landscape. Hence, the element of patience to create change.

Coy Right 2014-2016 Healing With Spirit

“Water is one of the five elements, and can manifest as yin or yang: flowing water, ice, or steam. It flows and finds its way into all places. This is seen in the Dao de Ching, which says the highest good  is like water. The best of man is like water, giving life to all things, it flows in places that men reject. So, it is like the dao. All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are, humility gives it power. Think about that.”[2]

The Greeks also understood the transitions of water manifesting as liquid, solid, or vapor. It is the epitomal symbol for metamorphosis and philosophical recycling.

Native Americans considered water a valuable commodity especially in the plain states. They revered water as the symbol of life.

We have been experiencing and baring witness to a great transition and/or transformation that we have not seen in hundreds of years. Right now our wounds fresh or old have been resurfacing this year. This may be the most difficult task you are to experience on this earth. However, the life you seek is not found by avoiding the past or avoiding the hurts and pains associated with it. Healing comes from letting the pains of the past go knowing this is right for your path.

Remember, it is only through resistance do we grow and truly move forward. When we avoid issues, the Universe keeps sending them back for review. This is not to punish you. Please do not misunderstand.

Right now we have the current full moon in the fiery sign of Aries. Now I am far from being called an astrology expert, and consider myself quite weak in the astrology realms. However, I do understand cosmic cycles and energy shifts and I feel, witness and understand patterns. Today’s energies are a reflective of a great time to exert a little more faith and courage. The divine within is with you.

We are currently being showered with divine healing love which if you have not noticed is greatly needed at this time. It is all about how we choose to focus. We CAN choose to be receptive to this divine healing bringing us closer towards greater harmony or we can choose to stay in the shadows of fear and doubt.

In India, today’s full moon is associated with the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi. What a great opportunity we have here to allow Lakshmi’s divine feminine infuse the healing energies of the full moon to detoxify and create a flow of abundance. If you have been feeling unsure, now is the prime opportunity to bathe in the moon. Stop trying to control the outcomes and expectations and just receive. You just might find you will get what you are seeking without all the resistance and stress.

In tarot, water is symbolized in the suit of cups. The suit of cups is symbolic of emotion, intuition, and interconnected flow of energy between all things alive.

Water is essential to our very existence. It is no wonder the symbolism is far reaching and profoundly deep. The wisdom of water is infinite and significant to our current times.

Water and spirituality as you can see go hand and hand. Many religions and spiritually based practices include water in many ceremonies, prayers, meditative practices, and rituals.

Water is a very powerful element with the potential to heal or destroy on many levels. Water is very amiable. When stressed simply wash your hands of negativity. Now increase the temperature and make it hot. This adds the fire element. Let the fire and water help you release all those is no longer of service for your highest and best. Once released, cool the water back down for a more regenerative vibrations.

Things you can do NOW … today

  1. Shift perspective. – Inside environment. Healing is internal not external
  2. Rain – when it comes, instead of creating the vibration of oh my word, it is raining now my plans are ruined etc. Bless the rain for it brings life.
  3. Do you own internal work – Change begins with us by the frequency and vibration we put out. That is the true virus. Is your vibration of fear or love?
  4. Self care, self care, self care – self compassion, and soul-fillment
  5. Personal responsibility
  6. Be like water

The power of the sacred waters runs within each of us.
Among all the chaos, we see the greatest opportunity for unity and soul growth.

Source: The Root.com

This is a historic moment backed by prophecies with the unity of hundreds of tribes from US, Canada, Central America, Hawaii, South America all in the Dakotas in Standing Rock BE-ing the water protectors. This is the largest gathering of its kind in more than a century.

There’s a large camp growing with focus on prayer and creating solutions including people pulling money out of the big banks that are supporting the pipeline. We have a chance here. This is a historic event, and Mother Earth is making it known.

Mother Earth is alive and breathing whether or not you choose to believe that or not. We need to listen to her as she does communicate with us. The current transmutation process we are all experiencing will help strengthen the ties. We need to see and listen and respect the land and water as sacred.

I believe the current recent events and especially Standing Rock is our chance. Don’t focus on the hurricane we are in, but the rainbow and sun that follows.

Image result for standing rock nodapl
Source:  Youtube

What we all have been experiencing this year is due to the increased energies vibrating at a higher frequency. Our physical bodies are trying to catch up speeding up our molecular structure. Some may be experiencing a spiritual flu so to speak wishing when it will end. Our bodies are learning to evolve and adapt to the new frequencies creating in some cases energy overloads as the physical body attempts to maintain it’s natural state of homeostasis or in simple terms, balance.

So be gentle with yourself as you go through these changes. Focus on healing the emotional and mental bodies which is again symbolic with the element of water. BE like water. Create the vibrational alignment between your heart, mind, and spirit. Step into your role as co-creator within the Universal Laws. Create the frequency and vibration of love, and let it begin to vibrate out to the external world and the rest of the cosmos. This will help us uncover our true passions that lead to the evolution and growth of our souls.

Faith is so important here. I know we have all been tested. I believe the reason many people never see the Universe working in their lives is because they gave up too soon. They did not hang in there long enough for the Universe to manifest.

Quitting is not an option. If we choose to quit on the Universe, then we inherently believe it’s all up to us alone and we will be like the hamster on the wheel never getting off. We are never alone. As a testament to many great spiritualist mediums who prove every day the continuity of life and the divine presence of Angels, guides, and Ascended Masters.

Remember, this is a 9 year in numerology. We are at the home stretch of completing this cycle. Clear, purge, ground, balance, and align yourself with your higher self so the year 2017 creates a strong foundation for the next 10 years of the life you wish to create.

I will end with this quote from Bruce Lee: “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend.”

With Love and appreciation,
Laura  Healing With Spirit, 

Spiritual Medium, Public Speaker, and Teacher
Usui Reiki Master Teacher
Shihankaku in Jikiden Reiki


To schedule a private reading, to book a private party, or speaking engagement,  please visit www.laurahealingwithspirit.com 


SERVICES: Holistic Healing, Jikiden Reiki, Spiritual Medium Readings, Medical Intuitive Readings, Oracle, Angel and Tarot Card Readings, Energy Assessments and Healings, Yuen Energetics, Spiritual Guidance, Soul Mentoring

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(c) 2016 All rights reserved. Laura Healing With Spirit. May not be copied or reproduced without expressed written consent


[1] The Water In You; The US Department of the Interior; Updated May 2016; http://water.usgs.gov/edu/propertyyou.html
[2] Be Like Water; by Toni Josephson; Tan Dao for evolving martial arts; http://www.tandao.com/2009/05/02/be-like-water/
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Healing Trauma By Stepping Into Your Power Through The Universal Energies of Change And Forgiveness

What I will be writing about, I am unsure if this is directed to my personal path and journey or if you will find that it will resonate with you.  I would love to hear from you and your feedback as it helps me help you.  I would appreciate that deeply.

So, when you think these spiritual storms we have been riding over the past few months and years have slowed down and we can breathe, we are faced with more storms as we continue to upgrade and change in order to be more in vibrational alignment with source energy and our soul purpose.

Just as you think you can catch your breath, we begin September with more changes ahead with the start of the eclipse season and our third mercury retrograde this year.  

As I am writing this, I am wondering how many of us have surrendered to the Universal energies, let go of the past … karmic in past lives, hurts in this life, and generational karma. We are healing it all if we learn to step aside and allow our soul to guide us and light the way.

This journey has not been easy especially those also healing some form of trauma. With all that I do and practice, I can attest to this struggle as our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies let go and realign.  No one ever said healing was ever easy, but it is worth it. I began to write about my journey healing trauma associated with abuse. One thing I have learned with trauma and PTSD, it loves to reign you in and prevent the healing to commence and will attempt to trick your brain into old outdated patterns or more of the very same you are trying to leave behind you. These patterns of constant fight or flight are there for our safety and protection, but when in overload, it is like keeping your finger in an electrical socket and you can not see, feel, hear, anything else around you never mind inside the self.

Laura administering self healing in
a meditative state in nature in Maine

One of the things I have had to address and face is healing karmic cords with my abuser in this life and in previous lives. This is NOT easy by any stretch. However, each day I am stronger, and remind myself that I AM … FREE … from those karmic bonds that tied me for 20+ years of my life in this life as well as in previous lives. The trauma and PTSD side would like to keep replaying the same story thinking it is protecting me not recognizing my finger has already been removed from that electrical socket.  It takes faith in the unknown and higher power and courage to remove your finger and begin healing.

So for many, the Universe and our souls pushed our buttons hard this year to get us out of our comfort zones, challenged relationships, and forced us to face the things needing change so we may continue to evolve from the caterpillar to the emerging butterfly. For those who have experienced PTSD or some form of trauma, these have been magnified. My question for you to ask yourself is:  “Were you open to change or resistant?” 

When we can have the courage of trying to not control every aspect in our life and face our shadow self, we become awakened.  We begin to embrace and nurture the inner child within allowing us to surrender the ego and the control that the trauma has in our life. 

Laura administering Reiki to a silver
back gorilla at the San Diego Zoo 2016

In order to get there, we must look at the two greatest emotions that drive us.  The themes of love and fear continue to the surface for review. I know for me this was a big one, because, my abuser kept me captive paralyzed in fear and stripping me my sense of self and gaslighted me to believe I was better off dead.

So relearning to trust in myself and know that I was worthy of love took many years of healing and lots of work. Slowly I regained my sense of self through self love and self compassion. What helped me initiate the process was my Spiritualist faith, reiki, and meditation practice.

If we are in a state of fear, how can we love? AND vice versa, if we are in a state of love, how can we fear? Learning the art of detachment from people, places, things and especially outcomes have also surfaced to allow for more soul growth. Whenever I see myself reliving fear or something I thought I healed or resolved or let go of from my past, I do the following:

  1. I acknowledge its presence
  2. I thank the Universe for bringing it to my attention so I may learn how to release this
  3. I create intentions and call upon my spiritual team to assist me. Depending on the issue, this may be my ascended reiki masters to Archangel Michael to Saint Germaine. You can create your team to assist you and call upon them. They will not intervene unless you ask for their assistance.
  4. I allow myself to receive love from the divine presence.
  5. I practice one or a combination of the modalities I have been studying over the years. This may be a violent flame meditation, to tibetan singing bowls, to reiki, to a meditative walk in nature or the like.
  6. I practice self love, self worth, self compassion, and self forgiveness.
  7. I adopt the pace of nature understanding that my healing happens not when I try to control its outcome, but when I have done the work and my frequency and vibration are in alignment with my intentions.
  8. Because of the trauma I endured, I did not trust people, organizations, or those in power who were supposed to uphold the law and protect me from abuse. So I built a relationship with the divine and nature. For those who follow me on Instagram or Facebook, see my posts of all the divine messages and confirmations from nature I receive almost daily and sometimes numerous times a day. It always brings a smile on my face.
  9. When appropriate, I seek help from other holistic practitioners.

 

As transition, I have been hearing messages addressing the theme of “forgiveness” as additional themes over the past week or so. So along with fear and love, forgiveness also seems to be playing a role especially for those trying to reclaim their power.

Last week, I posted a general message card to my Instagram and Facebook page where I talked about forgiveness. I saw this message as confirmation to what I am writing about here and I smiled. When I pulled the card, my shoulders suddenly relaxed, and I felt a huge a sigh.

Forgiveness is significant. All the work we have done so far is to prepare us for the hardest task … forgiveness.

If you are holding onto the pain or trauma or hurt someone may have caused you, the misconception is that forgiveness lets that person off the hook while you suffer. It does not. What happened to you is now in the past. What we do to ourselves as a result of trauma, is we keep the traumatic event or series of traumatic events alive and well in the present … the now. I have been trying to understand why we do this to ourselves and why do we imprison ourselves with very few answers. I believe a shift in perception allows us to see that when all we are doing is creating a pattern of self-destruction and self-imprisonment, then we can then implement change.

What forgiveness does is free ourselves from the chains that bind us. This in turn allows our hearts to receive self-love. We can not truly love another until we have fully learned this. I see this to be so true more than ever before now.

I am envisioning many of you who have experienced what many would call such egregious atrocious and unforgivable acts saying things like, “Why on earth would I forgive?”. We must let go of the need to control and need to be right and stay in the familiar. Being right usually does not change the outcome except create a prison stealing our lives. All this does is tie us to the story of the past, poisoning our present, and stealing our future.

Learning to forgive frees us. Wow, right now as I re-read that statement, I am envisioning the mighty power of hawk with a strap to it’s talon caught up in a tree stealing its flight, it’s ability to thrive and survive and ability to soar to great heights.  Then, finally the hawk is snapping the strap breaking free from the tangled mess in the tree and lifting it up letting go of those burdens where it can now soar the skies once again and not only survive, but thrive.

Learning to forgive is one of our greatest spiritual lessons to truly understand. We have had lots of lessons, and transformations this year. The hardest person to forgive, but the most important is “self”. The Universe is calling on us once again. We have been given signs whether you are attuned and seeing them or not is irrelevant. There are those who have been called to help those who can not see.

It’s time to forgive and write a new chapter.

Free yourself from the past, past hurts, past mistakes, past traumas or the like.

So for the coming month, the eclipse season and mercury retrograde will be what we choose to perceive it to be. This is a very transformative time, and we can use these energies to help us in our path if we learn to work with them versus fight them. For once, try to master riding these waves of change and see the world from a whole new perspective. We can not control the size, shape, and velocity of the waves that come ashore. So why do we try to control the waves of life? It is time we learned to ride the waves and have fun learning to surf. Wow, I what a shift right there. Wouldn’t you agree? Did you feel that?  I wrote about this last month in my post “Understanding the Cosmic Shifts”.

And since I have been writing about trauma, this is a grand time, to let the Universe help you right here, right now, in removing any and all obstacles from our mind and body so we may live a healthier and happier life. By the way, health is another theme arising too. So take time to listen to what the body tells you as it speaks to you 24/7. It is up to us whether or not we are listening.

The future is a blank slate. This is an opportunity to truly break free from those chains that bind you.
Are you willing? Are you ready?

The future is yours.

Please check out my January post 6 Tips Towards Soul-Fillment in 2016 and my April post on What You Need To Know About The Current Energies and Tips To Guide You to help guide you in your path.

In the meantime, have a beautiful day. I am here to help you in your journey. Enjoy.

 

With light, love, and appreciation,

Laura
Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Healer

To schedule a private session, to book a corporate wellness event, or speaking engagement, please private message me

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 © 2015-2018 Laura Joseph. All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. This article does not share the opinions of Healing With Spirit or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.
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URGENT APPEAL Regarding the State of Reiki in Massachusetts

☆☆ Urgent Appeal ☆☆

Thank you to the work by those from the Celebration of Reiki Conference on researching this

Massachusetts Senate Bill S2461, which is moving quickly through the Massachuetts legislature. Legislators are very concerned about human trafficking and do not want to appear in any way “soft” on it. The Bill has been through two votes in the Senate without a single “No vote” and is moving to the House for consideration in Committees there before a floor vote.

If this Bill passes, Reiki practitioners will not be able to practice Reiki in Massachusetts without first having a license from the state.

The following modalities are affected by Bill S2461:
  • Feldenkrais method; reflexology; Trager Approach; AyurvedicTherapies; Rolf Structural Integration, Polarity Therapy; Asian bodywork therapy; acupressure; Jin Shin Do; Qi Gong; Tui Na; Shiatsu; body-mind centering and Reiki.  These modalities are being placed in the category of “Bodywork”.

The Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing will be taking testimony via email from interested parties; the committee has only until August 27th to move this through- there is a very good chance that they will not take the full time to review this bill.

That is why we are calling for a Call To Action TODAY.
First, some more background on Bill S2461:
  • All practitioners listed above will need a license from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in order to practice.
  • This Bill classifies Reiki as a “bodywork therapy.”  This bill is based on a misunderstanding of Reiki and a misunderstanding of “Bodywork”.  There is no such profession as “bodywork” or “bodywork therapy”.  Further, many Reiki practitioners define Reiki as a mind-body-spirit healing practice and not “bodywork” at all.  “Bodywork” is just a catch-all term for a broad field containing many disciplines, some of which are full professions that already have their own bodies of knowledge, educational programs, codes of ethics, standards of practice, etc. as well as professional organizations to administer these.
  • According to the Bill, all practitioners, including Reiki practitioners, must pass “a course of study consisting of at least 500 classroom hours or an equivalent number of credit hours of supervised instruction in a nationally accredited bodywork therapy program”.  As you know this is not applicable to Reiki practitioners, as we do not have a “nationally accredited program”, nor does Reiki training require “at least 500 classroom hours.”

This bill would harm our practitioners and the citizens of Massachusetts who benefit from their services.

Citizens of Massachusetts receiving services from these practitioners would no longer be able to continue receiving the benefits these modalities have to offer.
You can make a difference by using your voice to educate lawmakers on the consequences of their actions.
PERSONAL NOTE:
Something for reiki practitioners to consider, and hope I voice this correctly and clearly.
However, speaking as someone who has worked with survivors of abuse, as a reiki professional, speaker, advocate, and reiki teacher, this bill will also prevent victims of sex trafficking from gaining access to qualified reiki professionals to help them with long term healing without draining taxpayer funded economic resources or dept of public health resources or health insurance costs.
 The start up Massachusetts Survivors Outreach that I helped launch for survivors of abuse in Massachusetts will fail before off the ground as direct result of this bill. So this could also potentially negatively affect organizations providing care to abuse victims. Something I’ve been outspoken about as benefits of reiki on a much under served community.
The idea that it’s used in hospitals etc … may or may not be seen as relevant to this bill since it’s about two things we are discussing
1. Sex trafficking
2. Reiki.

Food for thought
HOW YOU CAN HELP STOP THIS BILL
Become informed and read the Bill itself.

Please send an email ASAP to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Michael.Cannella@masenate.gov and include the following:

1. Salutation: Dear Representative So and So

2. Subject: Opposition to S24613. Your name and address
4. State that you are a Reiki (and/or other) Practitioner
5. Say you oppose the passing of S2461
6. State the reasons why you oppose S2461. This is an impact statement of how this Bill would adversely affect you and your business personally. Be sure to personalize your letter:

  • If you are a Reiki practitioner, state the negative consequences the bill would have on your practice, e.g., the bill would put you out of business, create unnecessary expenses, the bill does not understand what Reiki is and does not understand what bodywork is. 
  • If you are a Reiki recipient, please state the negative impact the bill would have on you and your loved ones, e.g. you would no longer be able to receive the services/benefits of (include the name of the modality). 
  • Please do not wait to send this. The email does not have to be long or complicated. Take a few minutes and send it out today. Everything depends on everyone taking action now.
  • It is very important to follow up your email with a phone call and be sure to ask them to officially log your call in opposition to the bill.
  • Reach out to your loyal clients for them to write an impact statement to send to the committee, as well. 
  • Please volunteer, even if you do not reside in Massachusetts. We need help getting the word out. If you can spare time to make phone calls, send emails, etc.

For more information, please visit the Celebration of Reiki Conference Email.

There are additional ways to help–writing to house and senate members of the Healthcare Finance Committee and volunteering to help us get the word out.

I am grateful!
Laura

 

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 © 2015-2018 Laura Joseph. All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. This article does not share the opinions of Healing With Spirit or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.
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Understanding the Current Cosmic Shifts

I am wondering how many of you are glad to see July go. What a month we had. The Universe and our souls pushed our buttons to get us out of our comfort zones, challenged relationships, and forced us to face the things needing change so we may continue to evolve from the caterpillar to the emerging butterfly. Were you open to change or resistant?

The themes of love and fear have come to the surface for review. If we have been heeding the messages all year, we will recognize that July was very much about change. Please check out my January post 6 Tips Towards Soul-Fillment in 2016 and my April post on What You Need To Know About The Current Energies and Tips To Guide You.

If we are in a state of fear, how can we love? AND vice versa, if we are in a state of love, how can we fear? Learning the art of detachment from people, places, and things have also surfaced to allow for more soul growth.

We can not control the size, shape, and velocity of the waves that come ashore. So why do we try to control the waves of life? It is time we learned to ride the waves and have fun learning to surf. Wow, I what a shift right there.  Wouldn’t you agree?

This is the lesson we are all faced with right now. Master riding the waves of change and you will see the world from a whole new perspective.  Then watch everything else around you change like magic. Try it. What do you have to lose? What do you have to gain?

Just some food for thought ….

With light, love, and appreciation,

Laura
Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Healer

To schedule a private session, to book a corporate wellness event, or speaking engagement, please private message me

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 © 2016-2018 Laura Joseph. All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. This article does not share the opinions of Healing With Spirit or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.
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Learning Jikiden Reiki in a Western Reiki World

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a simple form of energy healing from Japan known as “Shinshin Kaizen Usui Reiki Ryoho”, which translates as “Usui treatment fo the improvement of body and mind”.

Some of you reading this may have had the opportunity to experience the wonderful benefits of traditional non-westernized Japanese reiki with Jikiden Reiki.
Jikiden Reiki® personally changed my life more than any other modality including my dedication to my more western Reiki for 10yrs.  Nothing I have ever seen where I bared witness to such amazing healing results from non healing wounds last over 3mo suddenly closed in hours to incurable cancer not being found on scans to long term severe eczema suddenly gone to ptsd finally in the past to traumas no long reoccurring to increasing the quality of life in end of life issues etc etc.
I wish I had the words to describe what I’ve seen happen where traditional medicine failed except to call them miracles in a westerners eye.
For a long time, I have a passion of healing traumas associated with abuse … domestic abuse, child abuse, and sex abuse. For the first time, I truly feel we can end abuse through healing one frequency and vibration at a time using this form of healing.

Beginning this month, I am honored to take my Jikiden training to a whole new level. I am now authorized to begin offering Jikiden Reiki Training in the Massachusetts area.

I recently returned from San Diego from my 10 day intensive training with Arjava Petter!!!! I am now officially certified as a Shihan kaku in Jikiden Reiki and accredited by the Jikiden Reiki® Kenkyukai (Institute) in Kyoto, Japan.

What an amazing journey this has been so far. I met a lot of great new friends. I had an incredible class, and got to have a little adventure to boot. What else can one ask for?

There are sooooooo many people to thank who helped make this dream a reality … who supported me and my desire to help others in their healing process especially those struggling to heal from trauma associated with abuse.
You all know who you are. My heart is filled with so much gratitude.

 

Laura and Frank “Arjava” Petter
2016 Jikiden Reiki Shihan Kaku Training

SO WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU?

I am already a reiki master teacher in the Western version of Usui Reiki, but felt a calling to Jikiden Reiki a couple years ago and I am honored to have been studying with such authentic teachers who are also some of the world’s leading reiki historians.

The lessons I am learning is molding my teaching style to be more authentic and my own personal healing more profound.

Since I personally switched from practicing Westernized Reiki to Japanese Reiki, I have seen a huge difference and shift in my personal practice, spiritual growth, mediumship, and results my clients are experiencing. It’s like a coming home. So much is NOT taught and learned with western reiki and I am excited to bring back to Massachusetts the original/direct teachings.

Westernized Reiki training is not standardized. It varies widely from teacher to teacher. Most Reiki teachers receive their entire training in just one weekend. Many start teaching Reiki classes immediately without the benefit of experience. This often leads to the passing of misinformation to students. Unfortunately, many students who take classes from these types of teachers leave unsure and confused. They feel something was missing from their training.
Laura administering Reiki to a silver
back gorilla.

One of the benefits I cherish with Jikiden Reiki is the thoroughness in training and qualifications of it’s teachers to be authentic as Chiyoko Sensei and Dr. Hayashi Sensei taught. I look forward to now being authorized to begin teaching Jikiden Reiki. The term “Jikiden” means direct teaching in Japanese, so it is free from Western influence.

Jikiden Reiki® classes are presented with credibility and clarity from authentic Japanese lineage. This lineage goes from Dr. Hayashi to Mrs. Chiyoko Yamaguchi, Tadao’s (current President of Jikiden Reiki Kenkyukai) mother, who learned Reiki in 1938. Because this lineage has not gone through Mrs. Takata, it lacks the Westernization of Reiki.
It is entirely free of Western influence. Its roots go back almost to the discovery of Reiki itself. It differs from “Western” style of Reiki in approach, attitude, and ideas.
This is what I’ve been practicing in my office for over a year now with incredible results after practicing western reiki for over 10yrs in its original beauty and simplicity.
What I have learned over the past year?

Well because Jikiden Reiki is non-westernized, there have been numerous personal developments I have experienced on top of what I have witnessed with others.

Here is what I noticed in myself:

  • I have had a long battle with sugar my whole life and trying to reduce it or eliminate it has been difficult. What I have noticed without conscious effort, is that I no longer crave sugar. I have unconsciously eliminated 95% of sugar from my diet.
  • I crave healthier foods. Ironically, I have been craving things like spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, flax seed, cucumber, etc salad. I say ironic, because eating more vegetables have been difficult for me as well my whole life.
  • I have had a reduction of systemic bouts of yeast.
  • Enhancement of my mediumship connections to those on the higher side of life with less “preparation work”.
  • A near elimination of all spiritual based practices on cord cutting, clearing spiritual or energetic attachments
  • A significant reduction of the need of spiritual based protections such as using or wearing protective stones, rituals, prayers, etc.
  • A significant reduction in psychic attacks
  • Elinination of taking on “other’s” stuff energetically.
  • Improved sleep
  • Improved ability to handle my own personal elimination of toxic releases stemming from old traumas associated with abuse.
  • Improved relationships.
Bottom line, every area of my life has significantly improved without much conscious effort.

 

Who is Jikiden Reiki For?
Jikiden Reiki® is for anyone interested in learning Reiki and for current practitioners who wish to deepen their practice & understanding.
Currently, I use reiki in a medical setting as a viable treatment option for issues such as anxiety, post traumatic stress, spinal stenosis, cancer, eczema, dementia, depression, arthritis, inflammation, wound healing, kidney stones, breaking bad habits and much more by removing accumulated toxins from the body.
If you are interested in scheduling a private session or attending a Jikiden Reiki Training Seminar, please email me or visit my website.
With love and appreciation,
Laura  Joseph
Usui Reiki Master Teacher, Shihan Kaku Jikiden Reiki® Practitioner and Teacher,  Public Speaker, and Teacher

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All content and photographs are copyright protected. ©2016 Laura Joseph of Healing With Spirit. All Rights Reserved. All content and photographs or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of the author.

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Please subscribe to our channel and scroll for complete playlists on spiritual vlogs, spirit messages, energy updates, nature meditations, mindfulness in nature, reiki and more.

Click here to view my channel and to subscribe.

To schedule a private session, to book a corporate wellness event, or speaking engagement, please private message me

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 © 2015-2018 Laura Joseph. All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. This article does not share the opinions of Healing With Spirit or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

 

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What You Need To Know About The Current Energies and Tips To Guide You

There is lots happening. Can you feel all the shifting energies? Over the last 30 days we have seen lots of prodding, shifting, and adjusting.

How’s your energy lately?  If you’ve been feeling exhausted or having trouble sleeping, then you may be feeling the shift.

 It’s amazing to me that no matter who I talk to about this topic, I am always reminded that these shifts can be a challenge no matter where you are at in your spiritual journey. After all we are all spiritual beings having a human experience, right?

So how is what we are feeling and experiencing being driven by the cosmos?

Well the planets were very active in all this shifting we are experiencing with 5 planets that are in retrograde in April. Now, I am no astrology expert, and I would say that I am far from that and rely on my astrology friends to help explain certain aspects. I am an energy healer and lightworker. Therefore, I can sense and feel subtle energy.  What I do understand is energy and how it makes me feel and what common threads I see playing out around me and my environment. I have learned to understand over the years how planetary shifts also affect us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

So here are the five planets that are in retrograde in April 2016. On January 7th, Jupiter was the first planet to turn retrograde. This was followed by the planet Saturn on March 25th, Mars on April 17th, Pluto on April 18th, and finally Mercury goes retrograde on April 28th. WOW!

Here is a great explanation about retrogrades on findyourfate.com.  “Astrologically, Retrogrades happen when planets, and the energy they represent, are too far out and need to come back in line with the Earth. This is when you need to slow down.”

From what I have witnessed over the past year and most importantly in recent months, our energy cores have been pushed to extremes, prodded, and forced to examine our inner selves and workings while questioning our own versions of realities.  Most of the re-calibrating and shifting was bringing up lots of old karmic, childhood, traumas, etc that were kept deep in our base of our energy cores to be released as they no longer serve our highest good. Many of those I work with or have spoken to on this topic have experienced this, but  thought they addressed these issues and ignored the need for release. This is not the time to ignore, but a time to kick these toxic energies out of our core.

We thought the year 2014 was a grand year for purging and letting go for what no longer serves us, but 2015 was sure a doozy and some may have called 2015 a sh*tstorm of a year. However, there were many lessons in 2015 that helped prepare us for the grand year of transformation in 2016 towards soul-fillment.

 

What I have felt since Mars and Pluto went retrograde is a shift of the clearing of our energy cores to the higher realms especially targeting the areas of the pineal gland which is a small pea-sized endocrine gland located near the center of the brain behind the cerebellum.

Physiologically speaking, the pineal gland is responsible for producing the hormone melatonin aka your biological on/off light switch for sleep functioning as well as regulating the body’s natural bio-rythems.

Spiritually speaking, the pineal gland is linked to the third eye and considered the most powerful area for ethereal energy.

Symptoms of an “awakening” of the pineal gland include:

  1. pressure at the base of the brain
  2. headaches
  3. fatigue
  4. sleep disturbances

However, as some are already feeling the affects of  the planet mercury going retrograde, we must also consider all elements of communication too starting to affect us.

At the end of it all, this is all about personal growth. It is all how we choose to perceive the world around us. Some react to these retrogrades in a negative fashion, but there are positive aspects to them too. Again, it is all how we choose to view these experiences which are designed to help us evolve.  This is a wonderful time period to go inward and do some introspection work. This will allow us to connect with the divine within and shine our light so we may follow.

The themes currently playing out that you need to be extra mindful and pay extra attention to include:

  1. personal growth/expansion (Jupiter)
  2. communication (Mercury)
  3. love and relationships (Pluto)
  4. emotions, but especially in areas of anger (Mars)
  5. karma (Saturn)
  6. slow down
  7. the need for more self care

So, going into May, this is a GREAT time for many things such as:

  1. SLOW DOWN
  2. connecting with soul aka your inner child and building a partnership
  3. a time for slowing down and contemplation
  4. an opportunity to readjust, redo, reevaluate or fine tune things
  5. to develop a love affair with self – not ego self, but the authentic true self
  6. to relax and go with the ebbs and flows of the Universe
  7. more self-care, self-compassion and nurturing
  8. practice daily mindfulness via quantum breathing, meditation, reiki, yoga
  9. handwritten journaling
May will be a month to slow down the pace. Do not force things. Go with the flow. This month and this year will serve as a great teacher for us all on how to truly embody patience and self-compassion while we continue on the path of self discovery and our authentic truth.
So for today, I choose not only to enjoy the ride, but the embrace everything my soul is guiding me towards. How about you?

With light, love, and appreciation,

Laura
Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Healer

To schedule a private session, to book a corporate wellness event, or speaking engagement, please private message me

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 © 2016-2018 Laura Joseph. All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. This article does not share the opinions of Healing With Spirit or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.
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My Story of Embodying Reiki to Heal Trauma Associated With Abuse

The Back Story

Yesterday I had a pretty deep conversation with a good friend of mine regarding the struggles to survive fleeing an abusive relationship where I lost my sense of self for over 20yrs. This in depth conversation brought to the surface certain pains and traumas from the abuses the victim part of myself would assume to forget.

However, in reflecting about this conversation and previous ones, it got me thinking about my path on where I was, where I am, and where I am going.  I look back now through a different lens amazed how far I have come since I made that crucial decision to leave an abusive partner who displayed narcissist sociopathic tendencies that nearly killed me more than once.  I am happy to say, his wish was not granted, and not literally buried six feet under.

The Healing Journey

I am still here to not only talk about it, but to share bits and pieces of my healing path to reclaiming my power back in hopes to inspire others on their healing journey.

Probably one of the decisions I made early on was to never doubt my gut or intuition again as it tried to warn me of the dangers that lay ahead at that time.  One of the things that saved my life was my connection to spirit followed by the healing path.

I first had to learn how to trust again and have faith in the unknown which is not simple feat when dealing with the after effects of abuse especially “gaslighting”. I had been beaten down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. So how do I learn to trust again so I can heal?

How Reiki Helped Me

By embracing Reiki in its full embodiment not only helped me regain sense of self, but my sense of purpose. It helped me to heal the past while staying present, and not let my triggers of the past cause worry or fear of the unknown. It was not easy and I still feel I am a work in progress learning, healing, and growing every day.

This process didn’t happen over night, but over the course of 11 years. I had to learn to surrender to the Universe, which is probably the most difficult task in the entire process. The mind/ego wants to shield and protect you from any repeats of what had happened to you in your past. It is like an loop constantly repeating itself that has to be broken in order to heal and move forward in your life.

I knew I could not trust the system, domestic abuse groups, family, community, and the like as the mighty power of a skillful abuser can sway anyone in their favor creating an avalanche of being re-victimized. So if I could not trust people, who could I trust? Well it was spirit after all that tried to save me from this fate and I ignored the signs.  So I went back to my faith knowing I could trust Spirit. That started the surrendering process leading into my healing.

I started with meditation and started going to church again rediscovering myself in the process. The more I learned to trust in the divine, the more healing took place in my life, which led me down the reiki path. Receiving reiki and learning reiki was the single most best decision I made for myself as it not only changed my life, it saved my life.

However, what I have learned over the years in studying the various different forms of Reiki, is it is not learned in one day as some may believe. I have been learning Reiki now for 11 years and I practice Reiki daily embodying all that Reiki has to offer.

You can not learn that after one class and receive your certificate.  You must master Reiki completely and incorporate it into your life so you can BE REIKI. This process takes years of discipline to develop.

What I wrote in the picture are truly five things you can start to do today that over time will change your life. They stem from the teachings I learned in reiki so I know this to be true. I personally say these in Japanese as a mantra every morning when I wake and every evening when I prepare for sleep. By chanting these precepts, you begin to change the way you see yourself and the world around you.

Moving Forward

This year is the grand year of transformation, a nine year in numerology. It is the year of completion, and I personally look forward to fully and unequivocally shining in my own light at full strength once again. I wrote about the importance of this year in 6 Tips To Guide You Towards Soul-fillment in 2016 if you wish to read more on that topic.

Reiki is more than taking a one day class, receiving a certificate, and laying hands on someone.  I think this is the greatest travesty of misconception of what our Western society believes is important. Reiki is so much more. It is a way of being and a way to self discovery back to soul. Our bodies are designed to heal themselves, so all we have to do is tap into that source energy. Reiki helps facilitate that.  I have been practicing Reiki over a decade now, and even after all this time, I feel like I have so much to still discover about the magic Reiki offers all of us inside and out.

Healing trauma is not easy, but I am so grateful for the system of Reiki and all the teachers I have had along the way to guide me in my spiritual path to healing and self discovery.

For those who are struggling now or feel like you can’t see above water, please keep the faith. I remember days, where I felt like it was the end, and I am not only here, but I am beginning to thrive. You can too.  I am here to help you best I can and so are so many other wonderful reiki healers.

 Tips on Finding a Qualified Practitioner

If you struggle with healing from trauma associated with abuse, here are some tips in choosing a reiki practitioner.
  1. Make sure you find a qualified practitioner who has trauma informed care as part of their training.
  2. Make sure you find a practitioner who has been practicing Reiki for a long time as trauma has its own intricate needs.
  3. Ask questions about the Reiki practitioner’s training and belief system
  4. What system of reiki did they study?
  5. What was included in their studies?
  6. What level of Reiki have they completed?
  7. How long have they been practicing Reiki?
  8. Do they practice reiki every day? (My apologies as many reiki practitioners may disagree,  I feel THIS is the most important question). If they are not practicing reiki every day, how can they possibly understand how to help you? This goes beyond just reiki, but understanding trauma and all its intricate components.
  9. What is their level of experience and training in working with people with trauma?
  10. How many clients have they used Reiki for healing trauma?
  11. Ask how they use Reiki in healing trauma.
This is just a simple guide, but you can also check out the article I wrote on Reiki Can Do No Harm or Can It? for more tips and guidance.

I hope what I wrote helps someone out there in need who needs something to help them survive in order to thrive. Please share the love and compassion.

With love and light,

Laura  Joseph

Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Healer

To schedule a private session, to book a corporate wellness event, or speaking engagement, please private message me

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 © 2016-2018 Laura Joseph. All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. This article does not share the opinions of Healing With Spirit or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.
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Learning the Art of Non Attachment

Since 2016 began, we have been pushed to extremes, prodded, and forced to examine our inner selves and workings. What I see is that we’re being forced to address the idea of attachments and the art of learning to detach. We build attachments as human beings to people, places, and things.

Our human ego builds emotional attachments and feeds on them. The big struggle I am seeing with many of us right now as we adjust to all the downloads and cosmic upgrades, is learning to let go of those attachments and trust in the process. This doesn’t mean that you stop caring or stop doing certain things. It simply means removing the emotional attachments.

Detachment vs Non Attachment

There is a difference between detachment and non attachment. In this context of this post,  according to Miriam Webster Dictionary, detachment is 1. the action or process of detaching : SEPARATION

2. indifference to worldly concerns : ALOOFNESS

3. freedom from bias or prejudice

In the same context, Mirriam Webster Dictionary defines non attachment as lack of attachment (as to worldly concerns).

Early in healing path, I felt what I was writing here was about “detachment”, but the deeper my healing and growth got, the more I realized it is NOT about detachment, but NON attachment. 

I began to see how detachment can lead to “disconnection”. That is NOT what we are striving for as that can be unhealthy.

According to Science Daily, it has 2 meanings.

  • “In the first meaning, it refers to an inability to connect with others on an emotional level, as well as a means of coping with anxiety by avoiding certain situations that trigger it; it is often described as “emotional numbing” or dissociation.
  • In the second sense, it is a type of mental assertiveness that allows people to maintain their boundaries and psychic integrity when faced with the emotional demands of another person or group of persons.”

In Psychology Today, Nonattachment was defined as “what occurs when we can let go of the need to be in dogged control of what is occurring and can reduce our demands on the present moment to be any way in particular.”  It is much different than “detachment”.

This is where I feel I must say how much language matters. I am still working on THIS concept and understanding how it impacts us and can define us. But, a topic on languaging is for another day. Let’s continue on.

The Art of Learning Non Attachment

pixel2013 / Pixabay

In Buddhism, the concept of attachments is simple. We create attachments in our attempt to control our life and experiences based on certain belief systems we have learned along the way.

“Non attachment is aligned with psychological maturity and insight into the ever-changing nature of experience and the futility of trying to control it. Non attachment is not a passive or apathetic quality, it does not require the renunciation of life or moving to a cave in the Himalayas.  Rather, non attachment involves doing whatever would normally drive you, just without fixation and the accompanied rumination and worry about getting everything right, or adhering to the societal- or self-imposed expectations about what your life should be like.” (Psychology Today)

The art of learning to healthily detach oneself from people, places, and things, has proven to be a undaunting task for sure as we begin to question everything and everyone in our lives. We even begin to question our very existence and path. Are you experiencing this yourself?  I’d like know, and I’m sure others would too. Please share your experience in the comments below.

We have been shown how strong the will of ego can play on our mind, body, and spirit and wreak havoc in the process hindering progress of our soul growth.  But really,  is it hindering the process or is all of this part of the evolution of our soul?

Once the illusions are peeled away, our truth is revealed.  How scary it is when driving blind in the darkness,  but how liberating it can be when you can see the light again from a different view?

Just like we wake up every morning, we brush our teeth everyday. We eat everyday to fuel our body, mind and spirit. Our body eliminates waste every day removing toxins that no longer serve us. We must also exercise the art of letting go and non attaching from those situations, people, places, and things that are holding us back from our spiritual path and soul growth. This is where learning to master presence matters.

We are a part of a larger consciousness.  As a society, many feel we can control anything and everything.  However,  in reality that is ego creating a false sense of reality.  When we choose to decide to let go of control,  partner with source energy, you just might find everything else in your life improves … home life, relationships,  work, etc.

Why do we expend so much energy into holding onto attachments that no longer serve are highest self? It is a question I have been asking myself repeatedly over the last month.

Is it because we know we have a lot of toxic waste to dump, and just like Mother Earth using floods, hurricanes, and other storms to clean house, sometimes it gets a little too mucky and dirty for us face? This is despite the fact, we know at the end of every storm, you reach the pristine soil ripe for planting those seeds you wish to flourish. You cannot plant heirloom flowers in toxic soil. We must clean it up and start amending it to get what we do want.

As a result,  many of us are experiencing huge purges especially of old emotional traumas and pain. If you are part of society resisting this, I pray for you.  You are the group experiencing the most pain right now. Law of attraction teaches us that resistance is futile and as above, so below.

I know I personally have had my symptoms heighten or worsen include:

  • sleep disturbances,
  • PTSD triggers,
  • heightened anxiety,
  • voice issues,
  • ringing in the ear,
  • lung and breathing issues,
  • vocal cord issues,
  • fatigue,
  • lack of appetite,
  • and increased thirst. 

So you see you are not alone. We are all one. We are each other’s brothers and sisters.

This Mornings Meditative Walk Experience

As I was doing my meditative walk this morning thinking about this topic of detachment and my journey this year so far. I stumbled upon first a cardinal feather followed by a turkey feather.

Turkey feather found by Laura

If I look at the coincidences of time which today’s date February 5, 2016 at approximately 9am, I can study the numerological message of “Stay balanced and positive. That cycle you wish to change will be ending shortly”

Both feathers are also signs from my spirit team, angels, and source energy aka soul that we are on the right track. Again, another confirmation.  It’s a message to help us stay focused on the path that we are trying to create and have faith that all good things are coming to us.

What do I do to stay on the path without losing my mind? 

Laura meditating on a beach in Maine, USA

Remember, when we can let go of toxic attachments in our life, our life changes.

I practice the art of appreciation, gratitude, and forgiveness every day. I meditate and practice Reiki every day. I have a set of affirmations posted on sticky notes on my bathroom mirror that I cite every day. I have healthy relationships with my core friends who support me and are there for me without criticism or judgments.  Many of us have toxic family members and friends.  How is that working out for you? I do my best to avoid processed and non GMO foods. I get into nature and ground.

Remember, it’s always darkest before dawn. Bad times never last. So focus on memories of previous good times you have had to help you through the bad times.

And as a constant message from my spirit team, angels and soul have been delivering to me consistently for weeks now, “trust that you’re so has your back. Let your soul light the way, and you just follow.”

With light, love, and appreciation,

Laura
Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Healer

To schedule a private session, to book a corporate wellness event, or speaking engagement, please private message me

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© 2015-2018 Laura Joseph. All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. This article does not share the opinions of Healing With Spirit or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

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Balancing Your Beliefs: TV Interview With Laura from Healing With Spirit

Here is the interview with Larry Quemere and Laura from Healing With Spirit on the topic of being a Spiritual Medium and the human bioenergy field which aired in December 2015.

For more information on Healing With Spirit, please visit Laura’s website

With Love,
Laura  Healing With Spirit, 

Healing With Spirit 
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Healer

To schedule a private session, to book a corporate wellness event, or speaking engagement, please private message me

SIGN UP FOR MONTHLY E-NEWS

 Follow me on Facebook
 © 2016-2018 Laura Joseph. All Rights Reserved. This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns. This article does not share the opinions of Healing With Spirit or its affiliates.  Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.