“If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.” ~Chinese Proverb
One of the central teachings in the Let Animals Lead® method is the power of light to heal. In this blog, I’d like to share just three of the practices that reflect this teaching:
1) Beginning with the Word Reiki
As we begin our learning in Level 1 of this method, we begin with the meaning of the word Reiki, which means spiritual energy, source energy, or the energy of the universe. We could also see this as the light of the universe. You are Reiki, your dog is Reiki, all things are Reiki. You are the light, your dog is the light, everything is light. All our differences dissolve when we see more deeply into this essence. All of the meditation practices we learn in the Let Animals Lead® method remind us that we are this light, and that we are not separate from the universe, but all One. We can begin to heal the harmful divisions humans have created from other species as we awaken to this deeper state of connectedness.
2) Practicing Hatsurei Ho
In Hatsurei Ho, one of the central practices we learn in Level 2 certification, we visualize the breath as light, coming in as we inhale and flowing out as we exhale. In practicing this breath of light, we ground ourselves at our center as we inhale and we expand ourselves beyond our physical being in the exhale. With each breath we remind ourselves that we truly are the light, This practice cultivates mindfulness, which is the essence of healing ourselves and our relationships with others.
The more we can remember the light within ourselves, the easier it is to see in others. Another component of the Let Animals Lead® method is to see the perfect light that is the animal’s essence, rather than focusing on their diagnosis, or what is “wrong.” All discomfort and suffering can dissolve into this essence of light. In the light we remember that at the soul level, “All is well,” and we can be like a mirror and reflect certainty and peace which surpasses any outward circumstance back to the animal we are with.
3) Learning Dai Komyo
In Level 3 practice, one of the main teachings we learn is the concept of Dai Komyo, the “Great Bright Light.” If we look closely at this Japanese kanji, we can even see the sun and the moon, two beautiful symbols of light in nature. The sun and the moon also symbolize wisdom and compassion in Japanese spiritual teachings. At this level of practice, we strive to embody the light in all that we do, not just in formal meditation sessions. What it means to truly “be the light,” would be a life striving to bring more compassion and wisdom to all that we do.
The more we meditate on these practices, the deeper we can go into the spiritual truth of how light heals. We begin within ourselves, and slowly expand our compassion wider and wider into the world around us. As Animal Reiki practitioners, it is wonderful to think of how our community can, both individually and together, make a huge difference for animals and people, nature, relationships and more!
I’d love to hear how the concept of light strengthens your meditation practice, your connections with animals, and your own self-healing journey.
Want to learn more? For a guided meditation to help you visualize the light, CLICK HERE for the Hara and Precepts meditation.
Stay safe, be well and may the animals light your way,
