Dec 17th Bloggers Unite in Acts of Kindness

Last month I wrote about my intention to participate in BlogCatalog's challenge for bloggers to commit an act of kindness, then post about it on December 17. The goal of this effort, dubbed Bloggers Unite in Acts of Kindness, "is to expose their kindness and generosity as well as serve as an example to non-bloggers that volunteering for a charity, donating to a cause, or simply doing something kind for another person has a ripple effect around the world." A few people have expressed the opinion that kindness should be practiced every day, and I wholeheartedly agree. But I also feel that it doesn't hurt to remind ourselves about the power of simple acts of kindness.

So, I decided that I wanted to write about my experience volunteering at a local hospital that offers Reiki to people with cancer, as well as their spouses and caregivers. I am one of almost 40 Reiki practitioners who have signed up as volunteers for a wonderful program that offers a variety of educational and support services, including holistic programs such as meditation and yoga classes, as well as massage and Reiki.

Last week, I gave Reiki to four people -- two people with cancer, one spouse and a caregiver. I find it very satisfying to work with people with cancer, as they find the Reiki sessions very helpful in helping them relax, and it often helps to reduce any pain or discomfort they may be feeling. And the two people I worked with reported feeling much better as a result of the session.

Interestingly, I found that the spouse and caregiver had the "heaviest energy". For those of you who are not energy workers, I'm not sure how to describe it other than to say that I felt something like mild electrical energy flowing through me very strongly and rapidly out through my hands for the entire time I was touching them. I feel this to some extent with everyone, but in their cases, it was much stronger than usual. Both of them fell asleep during their sessions, and woke up with beautifully peaceful smiles on their faces. When I asked how they were feeling, they both said that they felt "wonderful." And I felt that they looked wonderful, too. In receiving this healing touch, the stress and tension on their faces melted away, revealing their true, beautiful, luminous selves.

I felt great satisfaction from the "thank you"s and appreciative smiles, and in return I thanked them for coming in for the program. As with any other act of giving, when one gives Reiki, one also receives it. And as I left the hospital to drive home, I felt light -- in body, mind and spirit.

Resources:
Reiki In Hospitals
Network For Good
Volunteer Match
Goldberg, Carey “For good health, it is better to give, science suggests.” Boston Globe, (November 28, 2003)

Comments

[mary k]

Thanks so much for your kind words, Malc. Glad you found your way here!

[Malc]

Hi A cool site and I must say I have enjoyed reading your content with interest, I am really happy I found this resource Malc

[John "Law of Attraction" Derrick]

I have been holding a local law of attraction workgroup for about a year now and one of my students is a Reiki practitioner.

I finally experienced it first hand and I was amazed at how much energy I could feel. Very tangible.

Anyway, that is what lead me to your site and I am inspired to consciously perform acts of kindness by your post.

Thanks for sharing with the world.

[Jacqueline Stone]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience. I am a Reiki Master and have also worked with cancer patients in hospitals. They are so open to receiving any kind of support that they make progress quickly. I have seen tumors completely disappear after a few months of regular treatments.
There was a girl I worked on who's entire glandular system had shut down. The doctors called her parents and told them she would probably be dead by morning. My Reiki Master, me, and several practitioners did Reiki for her that night. In the morning she woke from a coma and spoke for the first time in weeks. The death sores that had been on her body the day before were gone.
We worked with her for two more months, afterwhich she was released from the hospital in perfect health. She didn't even have any scarring left on her liver or other organs. She made it home a week before Christmas. She was 24.
I never saw her again after that so I don't know if she stayed healthy. It was a tremendous honor for me to be a witness to her healing and a privilege to actually participate in it with her.
I love hearing about others having profound experiences with Reiki. It really is a beautiful thing. :)
Jacqueline

[mary k]

Thank you for your comment, Rebecca. That's wonderful that you have started to develop your healing skills in a new way. I think we all are capable of providing healing touch, and it can become much stronger and effective through training. Happy Holidays!

[Rebecca White]

What a great feeling! I just started learning about Reiki after years of not realizing I had a special gift. I have done "hands on healing" for family members and love the feeling when what I do helps them.

What a great thing you do by volunteering at a local hospital. Thank you for sharing your post.

[mary k]

Thanks for stopping by, Seeker. Glad you enjoyed the post and my blog. A great resource for learning about the basics of Reiki is the "Everything Reiki Book" by Phylameana lila Désy.

[Seeker]

This is so fascinating. I did not know much about Reiki but I will catch up on my reading about it after reading your blog.

Great Blog btw :-)