Reiki meditation

One of the most important things on the breast cancer path is to stay grounded. This means we can cope with daily life, good or bad news, and do what is needed in a healthy, balanced state of mind.

The Japanese system of Reiki brings a wealth of meditation techniques that help with achieving this. One of these meditations has been enormously helpful to me: to process the breast cancer diagnosis, to prepare for or go through procedures, to recover after surgery. It is called Joshin Kokyo Ho and is practiced as follows.

Bring your awareness to the point below your navel (called the hara). Set your intent that you want to heal yourself and that you receive whatever you need. Breathe comfortably in and out through your nose.

1. Place the palms of your hands together to centre the mind and set the intent. Close your eyes.
2. Place your hands in your lap, palms facing upwards.
3. With each in breath feel the energy coming in through the nose, moving down to the hara and filling the body with energy.
4. On the out breath, expand the energy out of the body, through your skin, and continue to expand the energy out into your surroundings.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until finished (5-30 minutes, whatever works for you). 
6. Place the palms of your hands together to give thanks.

The description is for sitting to help focus (steps 1 and 2), but lying down works, too! You may fall asleep then.  J

My teacher, Frans Stiene, shares his wealth of knowledge of this system, e.g. grounding