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True Love Lessons

True Love Lessons: by Teresa Blackburn

Let me begin this with a Grey’s Anatomy quote: “When there is something you really want, fight for it, don’t ever give up no matter how hopeless it seems.  And when you’ve lost hope, ask yourself if in ten years from now, you’re gonna wish you gave it just one more shot.  Because the best things in life, they don’t come free.”

So many people have an unrealistic idea of love.  People expect to find the perfect one and that they will be in this little bubble and they will agree on everything and share thoughts and feelings and things will be fairytale perfect.  Sometimes the beginning of a relationship can look like this.  But then you begin to see the foundation of each individual.  Buttons get pressed, triggers pulled, and needs that are conflicting arise.  Then you say, “oh no, this isn’t the one and I need to end this.” Then you move on to another person.. but the same thing happens over and over.  It’s always easy in the beginning, then the lack of real true love shows itself.  People have relationships for many reasons: for fun, romantic love; to settle with someone because it’s easier than feeling something deep to avoid pain and suffering.  People freak out when there are too many issues that crop up that reflect issues within themselves that they have been stuffing or avoiding.  Oh no! I don’t want to have to deal with that it’s too scary or painful.  Fear continues to hold them back from making that deep connection.

But .. at the basis.. the root.. the ground level of all of this… you will feel the love of your soul.  The soul, knowing and recognizing true, unconditional love.  And that, my friends, would be the “one.”  That love that you can’t bury, shake off, ignore, deny, push away, or get rid of no matter what.  But you say, screw this! It’s too much, it’s too hard, it’s too much work, it’s too vulnerable, too scary.

So you will go settle on a new person or trying something else.. and you start fresh and new with a stranger and it’s all easy again.  Of course until you realize there is a lack of a deep connection, or maybe you become bored and things are stagnant.  It is good that you don’t argue at all right? It’s good that there is not real passion right? Intensity? No real fire is burning here.

God is constantly trying to get us to face our own shit that we need to work on to evolve our souls and to grow and expand.  When we face this and do the work, we get closer to our true selves.  When we can say, “hey look I know you and you know me, we have been through all of this, we have worked on ourselves and improved and realized and hurt and suffered! All our shit has been exposed! We know each other well… I still love you and you love me… there are no more cover ups, stuffing, avoiding, or secrets.”  When you can say this.. well you got it!!  Now work together on a mission to improve the lives of others.  It’s no longer about “I” “me” “I need” etc.. Live your lives side by side, keeping the ME and the YOU without the fears, the worries and the needs.. but still in this beautiful relationship where there is an US.  Value what you do for others and help to improve the collective!  What can you give together since all that work is now done.  Now you can just BE together.  Just love. True unconditional love.  Deep soul level love.  Love that rattles you to your core and shakes up all your shit!!  When all that dust settles that got stirred up, your eyes will connect, your souls will recognize..clearly.. It’s always been you.

 

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Three Ways to Relieve Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety DisorderIf you have Anxiety Disorder, when you’re feeling fear and anxiety, the sympathetic nervous system gets activated. This causes symptoms like racing heart, sweating, feeling jittery, muscle tension, and sometimes even upset stomach or diarrhea.

It’s just like take a large dose of epinephrine, which is also known as adrenaline.  Your body goes into fight or flight mode naturally in the presence of danger; preparing itself for battle or to run away from the predator!

This is your body’s natural response, but sometimes your subconscious mind falls into a bad habit of bringing up fear in situations that are not truly threatening.  The situation may have been scary at one time, for example, you may have been in a car accident and the danger was very real.

But after the accident, each you get in the car you feel panicked all over again and may fear that another accident will occur.

Anxiety Disorder-The Subconscious Mind

Your subconscious mind does not rationalize out that there is no real imminent danger, but your conscious mind attempts to logically see that the situation is not threatening.  Once a thought, belief, or emotion is adopted by your subconscious, it becomes like data in a computer program and just runs automatically when switched on leading to what is commonly called anxiety disorder.

Here are Three Ways to Relieve Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

1. Calm the body:  Take deep breaths slowly and deeply instead of short and shallow.  Breathe in for the count of 5 and breathe out for the count of 5.  Then, with the palm of your hand, brush down your arm from shoulder to wrist about 10-30 times intending that you are releasing any cause for fear and anxiety.  Finally, massage underneath your collar bones on each side of your body at the same time, continuing to breathe slowly.

2. Changing thoughts and beliefs:  Any fearful or scary thoughts that come up, find the opposite of those thoughts and begin repeating them to yourself, or out loud if possible.  For example: Fearful thought-“oh no, I’m never going to get out of this traffic, I am stuck.”  Positive opposite thought- “I am safe and comfortable in my vehicle, and I am moving forward with ease; I am calm and relaxed.”

3. Practicing new thoughts; creating a new habit:  Repeating positive thoughts and communicating those new ways of thinking to your subconscious mind will create different results.  Give your subconscious permission to release and let go of old ways of thinking and adopt new beliefs.  Will this work even if I don’t believe it? Yes, if you stick with it and give your mind some time to adjust change will occur.

When you first learned how to ride a bicycle it was hard and you had to consciously remember all the steps to perform to ride the bicycle, until eventually it felt natural and you did not have to think about it at all.  The subconscious part of your brain now drives that bicycle.  With a little patience, you will be cruising along in no time and will have relief from anxiety disorder.

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Chakra Healing-Heart Chakra

heart chakra image

The Heart Chakra is the 4th of the seven chakras, and it is represented by the color green.  It involves the circulatory system, diaphragm, heart, lungs, arms, shoulders, ribs, breasts and thymus gland.

The heart chakra can be affected by situations that have emotionally stressful aspects, or as some say, “matters of the heart.”  Some examples are divorce, or separation of intimate relationships, loss of loved ones to death, or a betrayal of trust by another person.

The heart chakra is meant to give and receive love, but when it is out of balance, it cannot do its job effectively. One reason for being out of balance is trapped emotions.  When feelings get hurt over and over, or many losses occur, a person can build up a protective wall.  It is no longer desirable to open up to love for fear of betrayal, loss, grief, heartache, or loneliness.  A person can become defensive, and then the heart can be protected by a wall of energetic material along with trapped emotions in the energy field.

In the Emotion Code, Dr. Nelson calls this the heartwall.  Thankfully, the heartwall can be removed by Emotion Code therapy and Reiki.

The Heart Chakra-Effects

A person can actually feel emotional hurts in a physical way in the chest area.  The chest may feel heavy, tightness or pressure.  Many anxieties and fears are felt in the heart chakra area, even if they originate from another chakra. If the heart chakra is too open, a person could be ruled by their emotions.  There are many people out there who give way too much and receive very little.  They never take any love for themselves, or give themselves any self-love.  The opposite end of the spectrum is a closed heart chakra.  The hear is in total protective, defensive mode and will not give or receive love.  It is now just like a castle with a very large moat around it with no bridge or any access to enter it.  Creating a balance in the heart chakra is ideal! The key to balancing the heart chakra is first giving self-love. Without loving yourself first, giving and receiving any other love is hard to achieve.

Heart Chakra Healing

Here are some ways to balance and heal the heart chakra: There are many techniques that I enjoy utilizing to balance the heart chakra.  Contacting me for an Emotion code or a Reiki session for heart chakra healing would be very effective.  Here are some things to do in the meantime on your own:  Mirror work by Louise Hay.   Louise tells us to talk to ourselves in the mirror daily and tell yourself “I love you” and other positive things like “you are magnificent.”  Even if it feels strange at first, just give it some time.  Also Chakra toning is an effective way to help heal the heart chakra.  Allowing your voice to make the AH sound for as long as your breath allows, then repeating it a few times until the heart chakra area feels lighter and more clear.  Also, asking angels for help is really useful!  Archangel Raphael is always there to assist in healing the heart if you call upon him.

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Chakra Healing-Solar Plexus Chakra

solar-plexus-chakra

The third chakra is the solar plexus chakra, which is located from the naval up through the stomach area.  The color that represents this chakra is yellow.  When this chakra is in balance, self-esteem will be present along with confidence and self-worth.T

Also, there will be a respect for others, joyfulness, emotional fulfillment, and a feeling of warmth and comfort.  A person with a balanced third chakra will be socially adept and be able to take healthy risks and try new things.  This person would also be a leader, energetic, and intune with their intuition.

Solar Plexus Chakra-Effects

When this chakra is overactive a person can be judgmental, critical, and easily find fault in others.  He/she can also be demanding and have an extreme range of emotions that are not very stable.    An overactive solar plexus chakra can result in perfectionism and being very rigid or stubborn; not wanting to see things any other way.  The over active third chakra can be a strain on interpersonal relationships.  When someone is critical and unable to compromise it is hard to maintain healthy friendships or intimate relationships which require agreement, and allowing others to enter into your personal space.

When this chakra is underactive, one may become very worried about what other people think, and feel out of control of life.  This may also bring up feelings of fear and depression that could impact a person’s daily life.  He/she may have trouble getting things done, and be uncomfortable with change and new things.  He/she may also doubt and mistrust those around them.  A person with an underactive solar plexus chakra seems to go on auto pilot and avoid feelings and challenges.  He/she is afraid to move forward and just use avoidance to keep things the same way all the time.

Solar Plexus Chakra-Healing

A chakra healing can be very easily done.  Some basic ways to heal solar plexus chakra imbalances:  Positive affirmations could be used daily, for example, “I am totally comfortable expressing my feelings to others and I actively listen to them in return.”  Or, “I am letting go of judgment and choose to allow myself to see all sides to things.”  Some other ways to heal this chakra: getting a hobby, doing something creative to express yourself, lifting weights, being in the sunlight, wearing yellow objects or clothing and making choices from a place of love instead of fear.  Also, Reiki can help raise vibrations and usher negative energies out of the chakra.

To contact me for a Reiki session for chakra healing in person, or at a distance, click here.

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Chakra Healing – Sacral

chakra healingThe second chakra is called the Sacral Chakra, and is located in the lower abdomen below the naval.  It has also been referred to as the womb chakra.  The sacral chakra is the center for creativity and sexuality, and is associated with the color orange.  This chakra affects the reproductive organs, intestines, lower vertebrae, pelvis, hips, and bladder.

Sacral chakra-Effects

Symptoms of weakness or lack of balance in this chakra: unresponsive emotionally, longer periods of grief, wallowing in misery and being ruled by emotions in general.  Inability to create or manifest what you desire in life, not creativity in the sense of art and music, but just creating what you want for this life: A good career, money, a healthy relationship, or a family. Inability to have fun or find things pleasurable is also typical of a weak sacral chakra.

Over activity in this chakra could include: selfishness, arrogance, overwhelm and a sense of being overburdened.   All of the above could be affected by issues with the sacral chakra.  Also some physical issue could occur: lower back pain, reproductive organ issues, or bladder problems.

In doing psychotherapy along with Reiki, I have noticed correlations with sacral chakra and behaviors and interpersonal problems: intimate relationships can often appear to be enmeshed and dependent; or the opposite often happens and one might be distant, cold and unable to connect to others.

This is usually in connection with how someone was raised. For example a person may come from a big, ethnic family where everyone was very close and had little boundaries.  When that person tries to have a relationship and family of his/her own, they may run into issues with healthy boundaries and dependency. The opposite also applies for parents that were cold and standoffish.  That makes it hard for someone to connect emotionally to have a successful intimate relationship.

In one of my sessions, I was performing Reiki on a woman and noticed that I focused much of the time on her sacral chakra.  I suggested some post-session healing for her sacral chakra and explained what that chakra entails.  We figured out that this woman had been hiding her true self and desire by denying her sexual orientation.  When issues like this come up during a Reiki session, I am then able to utilize psychotherapeutic techniques that assist in processing the new ideas or realizations that have surfaced.

Sacral chakra Healing

When the sacral chakra is balanced, one will experience healthy boundaries in relationships, will be in touch with true emotions, and will manifest desires and achieve goals.

Ways to balance the sacral chakra include yoga, eating healthy fruits and vegetables, exercise, and repeating affirmations.  Also, visualization of the chakra spinning clockwise and writing/journaling about emotions will be therapeutic to the sacral chakra.  Contact me for chakra healing sessions!

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Chakra Healing – The Root Chakra

chakra healingWhat is a chakra? Well, the word itself means disk, or wheel and has a Sanskrit origin.  There are seven main chakras in the human body.  They begin at the base of the spine, and continue to the top of the head or crown.  Each major chakra is a center of spinning energy which may be spinning in different directions.

Each chakra is named after the area of the body that it covers: the root chakra, the sacral chakra, the solar plexus chakra, the heart chakra, the throat chakra, the third eye chakra, and the crown chakra.

Each chakra can influence the organs of the body that are close in proximity, but also can influence the muscles, ligaments, and all other body parts within its energy field.  Chakras may also affect your psychological and spiritual health.  There are also colors associated with the chakras.  Light and color move through them and may change colors while spinning, but there are colors that typically correspond with each chakra.

In this blog post, I will be focusing on the first chakra, the root chakra.

The Root Chakra- Effects

It is said that red is the color of the root chakra, and it is located at the base of the spine.  The root chakra influences the hips, spine, legs, bones, adrenals, and could affect the kidneys and intestines as well.   This is the chakra that connects us to the Earth and its energies.  Early experiences in life are imprinted on this root chakra as well as past life memories.  If a person’s root chakra is closed, or under -active, he or she may not feel grounded or safe and may experience fearfulness, lack of confidence, issues with anxieties and phobias, or feel disconnected.  They may have a poor immune system, irritable bowel syndrome, or feel generally  sluggish. They may also have trouble with finances.

When the root chakra is overactive, a person could experience feelings of anger, aggression, or frustration.  They may depend on security from others, and may not deal well with change. They may have unhealthy habits, be very controlling, greedy, or even have an overactive sex drive.

Root Chakra Healing

Balancing the chakra is the goal!  When the root chakra is balanced, one will experience stability, security, healthy boundaries and confidence.  How do you heal the root chakra?

You can begin with walking around on the Earth, stomping on the ground, or even dancing to generate a connection to the Earth energy.  Kundalini Yoga is also a popular way to bring balance to the root chakra.  Also, some oils are used in connection with healing the root chakra: sandalwood, cedar, clove, and ginger Both ways are equally as powerful and effective.

Reiki has been known to bring balance to and promote chakra healing with comfort and ease.  Reiki removes negative energies from the root chakra that prevent it from being in total balance.   To take your root chakra healing to a deeper level  you could schedule a Reiki healing session with me in person , or at a distance.  Click here to schedule a chakra healing today!

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The Benefits of Using Reiki in Conjunction with Psychotherapy

reiki pittsburghReiki is a subtle stress reducing and relaxation technique that can help people who are participating in psychotherapy.  During psychotherapy session, there is much dialogue and communication between the therapist and the client.  It involves much conscious thought and verbal depiction of the symptoms that the client is experiencing.

Reiki can help the client become more in touch with the physical body and how the emotions relate to the physical symptoms.  Bringing awareness to the connection of the mind and body and how one affects the other is a very important part of the healing process.

How Reiki Helps Destress

Reiki can assist in bringing up the symptoms that a client has been experiencing so that they may work on them in a calm, relaxed atmosphere. Reiki creates a peaceful space where a client will feel more comfortable talking about and dealing with traumas, or other uncomfortable experiences that have brought them to seek help in moving forward.

Reiki naturally puts a client in a state of mindfulness where it is easier to observe and assess thoughts.  In this state, a person can detach from thoughts and realize that they are not their thoughts.  The thoughts are a result of a conditioned way of thinking due to past events.

Reiki may help the person realize that current circumstances are different and that those thoughts are rooted in the past.  Reiki helps to put the body in a relaxed state, therefore when painful memories are recalled and emotions are brought to the surface, the client can more easily and effectively process through those emotions and release the energy surrounding those memories.

Reiki Assisting with Psychotherapy

Reiki is not a substitute for psychotherapy but it absolutely helps move the therapeutic process along more quickly and comfortably.  There are always emotion and physical sensations running through the body every minute of the day, and even during sleep.  Some people feel the need to detach or run away from these sensations due to feelings of shame, embarrassment, or fear.

Some people are experiencing anger, depression, or anxiety due to chronic physical pain, therefore they attempt to detach from the body as if it were an enemy.  Turning away from these symptoms only intensifies them.  Reiki helps people to be present in the body and go with the symptoms from a loving, compassionate, kind, and peaceful way. Contact me today for a session!