Category: CATstuff

Animal Reiki: It’s not what you think

by On the River, posted in CATstuff, the other side

FB-animal-reiki-LST

Do you love animals? Are you interested in holistic modalities? Have you ever tried meditation? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you are a perfect candidate for learning animal Reiki.

What? Animal Reiki is not for you, you say? Well, hear me out for a few seconds. Having spent so many years in this field, I’ve encountered every reason or excuse you can think of. But I’m here to let you know it’s worth another few moments of consideration because—and I truly believe this—animal Reiki might not actually be what you think it is.

So without further ado, here are three likely reasons why you haven’t tried animal Reiki—and why I think you should:

Reason #1: “It’s too woo-woo.” If you think being in a positive and balanced state of mind is woo-woo, if you think kindness and compassion are woo-woo, if you think meditation is woo-woo, then yes, it’s woo-woo! But if you want to learn how meditation can bring your mind and heart back to balance so you can be more kind and compassionate with yourself and your animals, then Reiki is for you.

Reason #2: “I tried it once before, and my animal didn’t like it.” Let me guess, did you “do” Reiki “to” your animal? Animals appreciate humans who see Reiki as a shared partnership—a way of being together. Animals understand the healing power of open-hearted presence much more than we do, so let your animals take the lead and watch their enthusiasm for Reiki blossom!

Reason #3: “I don’t have the talent for it.” Reiki uncovers our inner heart and essence, so whatever talent you have, Reiki will help you get back in touch. The true magic of Reiki doesn’t come from something outside of us; the real magic is about remembering our own inner bright light that is always perfect, even when we are facing difficulty. True and lasting healing can be found through a mind and heart resting in compassion in this present moment. Remember: This is about our intention and practice, not about talent.

So there you have it: Anyone can learn the wonderful practice of animal Reiki. If you’re just getting started, head over to my website for some additional info.

What were (or are) your reasons for not trying animal Reiki? And if you eventually ended up trying it, was it how you thought it would be?

Thanks to LST

 

Cat Waits At Bus Stop, Rides the Bus Routinely

by On the River, posted in CATstuff

Sent as e-mail

Editor’s note: This post is a Care2 favorite. It was originally posted on January 5, 2012. Enjoy!

A 15-year-old ginger cat, Artful Dodger, is more than living up to his name. Last month’s Telegraph reports that Dodger has been taking rides on the bus, after boarding at a bus stop near his home. Sometimes he sits on passengers’ laps; he also likes to sit on seats that have been recently vacated, apparently for their warmth.

Dodger’s owner, Fee Jeanes, says that he initially started to frequent the bus stop as people gave him scraps food. But then the bus itself became the attraction; like greenhouses, they are sunny and warm, says Jeanes in the Telegraph. Dodger has gone on ten mile round-trips. Jeanes says that her daughter’s friends had indeed seem him on the bus that far away:

“I couldn’t believe it and panicked. I got into my car to go off and look for him and then at that moment the bus pulled up near our house and low and behold he got off.

“He had fallen asleep on board and nobody knew about it. When the driver realised he knew who Dodger was and where he lived and kept him on board.

“That afternoon I saw Dodger climb on board another bus and I rushed to tell the driver.

“I was shocked when she told me Dodger was always on there…”

The bus company, First, spoke in welcoming tones about Dodger riding the bus and have only asked the drivers not to feed him, out of concern that Dodger might prefer the bus over home for food and shelter. A company spokesman did say that “in principle we do not have a problem with it being around the bus station,” even adding that

“Given this cat is elderly we suspect it would be eligible for free travel, perhaps a bus puss, if such a thing existed.”

Dodger seems to have made himself quite a fixture on the bus, sometimes even waiting in the middle of the road for the bus to stop.

Pity that more people (at least here in the US) don’t see the benefits of public transportation as much as the Artful Dodger does.

Thanks to PC