Rose Cottage

 A key practice in Reiki is to recite the Go-kai - the precepts , daily. The 4th precept is Kansha shite - be thankful/ grateful - for our life, energy,  our companions, and this amazing universe.  Daily Circle ᏔᎵ (Ta-li - two) If we wish to have a more harmonious world, and to foster a healthy environment, teachers from many paths invite us to set our intention for this, and engage with gratuitude.  Express gratitude daily: get up and give thanks to the elements: earth, air, fire and water.  A Hindu practice: touch the floor with your hand, greeting the earth before stepping out of bed.  Give thanks for food and drink Appreciate little moments of beauty and joy. Shine your light - as we see ourselves as radiant beings, we become them! Do your personal practices, and release the outcome - Tai chi, yoga, meditation, Reiki, kindness... Pay-it forward. When someone offers help, or does something kind, follow suit when you notice an opportunity.  Connect w...

 It's a wrap! We had a lovely time in our Reiki 1 class this weekend, with my granddaughter Emily and her mom joining the other students yesterday. (Emily is a college student, and they could only stay half the day.  We three will get together later, to complete the teachings) Robin, Seana and Nadya after Reiki class The class was so sweet, and the Time Angels assisted us each day! The space was great for our class, with a cozy seating area for talking story, hot tea, a session room that's perfect for practicing the treatments, and we created the cards in the conference room! Making small cards or prayer flags for inspiration, affirmation, setting intention is one of my favorite quick projects, and is a perfect way to connect with the Reiki Precepts or Principles!  Collage card on brown paper In many traditions, flags of paper or cloth are hung to send prayers, praise and blessings on the wind. Cards can be placed on a shelf, or tucked into a journal pocket. (A pretty en...

 Yesterday I crotched a little Nebaaru-kun amigurumi ❤  Nebaaru-kun and Raku vase  I've been reading 'Cultured, how ancient foods can feed our microbiome,' by Katherine Harmon Courage. Her chapter on bean ferments, including Natto, (popular in Japan) had this sweet bit: 'In Japan, charming characters pop up almost everywhere - on mobile phones, on bags, practically out of the ether. There are countless cute animals, but there is also a cranky egg and a depressed burned roll. 'And the character de résistance: Nebaru-kun, or Little Sticky Boy. ... He is the natto character, meant to represent the dynamic nature of natto!' I found this amigurumi cupcake pattern , which even included a cherry on top, that I adapted for the topknot! In Japan, human in Nebaaru-kun costumes can stretch up/ spring tall, to mimic the sticky natto threads. Nebaaru-kun In process Fermented foods are eaten in cultures around the world, and are often included daily by folks who live lon...

 The Reiki precepts begin  kyo dake wa , just for today ... When we have Reiki, we can invite the energy to flow into our activities and interactions throughout the day.  When Hawayo   Takata , who brought Reiki to the West, awaited surgery in Dr Maeda's hospital in Tokyo, each of the meals prepared by the doctor's dietician sister was  blessed with Reiki : green tea, Rice, beans, steamed vegetables, seaweed.  As she learned Reiki herself, Mrs Takata blessed her own food and drink, and later recommended her students do the same. Spiritual leaders and teachers from most traditions suggest blessing whatever we ingest. Say a little prayer before a meal, imagine rainbows in your water - if we do this daily, it soon becomes second nature. We can also use blessings and Reiki around the home: set up an altar (appropriate to your traditions and beliefs) Keep a gratitude journal - begin and/ or end your day with gratitude hold seeds, flowers or herbs a minute before...