Seeing with the Heart: The Art of Wholeness in Animal Reiki

In the Let Animals Lead® method of Animal Reiki, we learn that true healing is not about fixing what is broken—it’s about seeing with the heart—and acknowledging a wholeness that has always been there. 

When we shift our perception to recognize the innate light within each animal, we create a sanctuary of love, trust, and peace. This month, we explore how to cultivate an “All is Well” state of mind, freeing ourselves from worry, judgment, and the need to control outcomes. Through mindfulness, meditation, and the wisdom of Reiki, we can expand our awareness, deepen our presence, and embrace healing in its most profound form. 

Healing with compassion requires a shift in perspective from judgment to understanding and from separation to connection. – Dr. Sharon Salzberg 

I love this quote by Dr. Sharon Salzberg because it describes the essence of how to see with our heart when we share Animal Reiki. The 3rd Pillar of the Let Animals Lead® method of Animal Reiki teaches us that our mental focus matters when we are with animals. 

In order to create the ideal conditions for animals to feel safe and trusting to connect with us, we need to develop what I call an “All is Well” state of mind. What this means is that we are looking deeper than what is “wrong” or ailments/problems with the animal and instead seeing the perfection or “wholeness” of their inner light and essence. Another way of describing this way of thinking is “seeing with our Reiki eyes,” or “seeing with the heart.”  

How We Practice Seeing With The Heart

In order to shift our perception into this way of seeing wholeness, we also have to focus on the present moment, letting go of sad stories of the past and worries about the future. The Let Animals Lead® method teaches many ways to expand our mind and shift our view as we work with animals who may be facing difficulty or uncertainty. 

In doing so, we must let go of anger, worry, fear, expectations, pity, negativity and more. These things are obstacles to our ability to facilitate a space for deep healing and transformation for the animals we want to help. 

In this blog, I’m going to share many tips for shifting our perception into wholeness so that we can be a sanctuary of loving-kindness and positive, healing energy for animals when they are in need. On our journey to seeing with new eyes, it’s all about being present in this moment.  

Obstacles to Being Present: Reflecting on the Reiki Precepts 

The Reiki Precepts, foundational teachings in the Let Animals Lead® method, point us towards some of the biggest obstacles we can face when wanting to be present in the moment. 

“Just for today,” is a reminder that all we have is now. Sometimes we rush through our day with so many distractions and multitasking, that our day is lost in the shuffle. This precept reminds us to slow down and realize that today is happening, and in reality this moment is all we have.  

“Do not be angry,” reminds us to be honest and notice when we feel that troublesome emotion. Anger is natural, however the way we usually deal with it is to obsess over anger and carry it with us for hours, days, weeks, months, years or even a lifetime. 

Anger, when we bear it over time, becomes a heavy weight that pulls us out of the present moment and into the past where we might ruminate over what happened again and again, increasing and deepening the initial emotion. This can be harmful to us physically, emotionally and spiritually over time. In addition, animals feel very uneasy when they sense angry energy from humans, and may leave the space or refuse to connect with us.  

“Do not worry,” is a reminder that fear brings us out of the present and into the future. When we worry, we are usually thinking about what “might” or “could” happen, and this prevents us from noticing what our animals need or are asking from us in this moment. In addition, our own worries can mirror or enhance the fear or anxiety that animals may be feeling, creating a snowball effect of increasing anxiety where the situation is made worse.  

“Be grateful,” reminds us of one of the biggest symptoms of not being present: forgetfulness. When are aren’t present, we forget all of the blessings we have in our lives. Taking time to count your blessings is such a helpful exercise in coming back to this present moment.  

“Work diligently,” is a reminder that the art of mindful presence is not a “one and done” endeavor. It requires constant attention and effort, however the payoff is huge. Not only will we find great self-healing in the power of presence, but we’ll be able to support the animals we care about too! 

And finally, “be kind to others,” is a reminder that mindfulness and compassion are intertwined. The more judgmental we are of ourselves, the harder it is to notice and be present with difficult emotions we may be feeling. 

On a wider scale, this kind of judgment can make it difficult for us to see things from the animal’s point of view. If we can’t be sensitive to their way and being in this moment, it’s difficult to let them lead sessions with agency and independence, which is essential when connecting with compassion. 

Deepening our Understanding of Wholeness Through Meditations that Develop Presence in the Moment 

Here are some simple techniques we can use to bring our focus here and now to this moment. First, we can take a moment to do a check in with the body and emotions. 

Body Illumination Meditation. 

Find a comfortable position to sit or stand with your animals present and close your eyes (if possible.). Imagine there is a beautiful light illuminating your heart center. This light is warm and calming. 

Notice any sensations you feel in your heart center –physically or emotionally. Now expand this light to your entire chest and abdomen, from the shoulders to the pelvis. As you expand this light, bring your awareness to physical and emotional sensations in these parts of your body. Don't judge, just be an observer. 

And finally, expand this warm, calming light to illuminate your head, arms and legs. Quietly observe any physical sensations or emotions you are feeling in any of these areas. Remember to be curious and patient with what you observe and let go of any judgments you have about these feelings. If your mind wanders, gently bring yourself back to the light and your focus. 

As you finish, take a nice deep breath and come back and open your eyes. Notice any shifts you feel in your energy and how your animal is responding to you.  

Settling Into the Senses Meditation. 

I love to do this practice when I’m with my animals or in nature. To begin with, find a comfortable position to sit or stand with your eyes closed. Start with what you hear: Notice how the more you tune into these sounds, the easier it is to notice the quieter and more subtle sounds. 

Next, take a nice deep breath and tune into what you smell. Are these smells strong or subtle? Next notice any taste you may have in your mouth. Next, tune into what you feel: the ground beneath you, the temperature around you, the clothes brushing your skin and so on. 

And finally, open your eyes and notice what you see around you. Tune into the things you may have noticed with your other senses and take time to see your animals with fresh eyes.  Before you finish this practice, take a moment to tune into your emotions. Notice if they have shifted since beginning this practice. Tuning into the five senses has a wonderful way of grounding and calming us! Notice too, if your animals seem to mirror your state.  

Radiant Heart Expansion Meditation 

Now let’s try an exercise to expand our awareness beyond our physical and emotional being. This is a wonderful practice to bring our awareness to our spiritual presence in this moment, and I love to do this with animals being present with me.  

Take a moment to find a comfortable place to sit or stand with your eyes closed. Place your hands over your heart. 

Visualize your heart as an organ, beating and working well to give you life in each moment. Take a moment to feel gratitude for your heart and all it does for you. Now expand your awareness and imagine your heart as an emotional energy, a sphere of light in the center of your chest. It’s filled with love and compassion and is the place where you feel most connected to others. 

Sit with this feeling of connection for a moment.  

Now imagine this light of your heart is also a spiritual energy and can expand into every cell of your being. You can feel love and compassion infusing into every part of you. You don’t just “feel” love and compassion with your emotions, there is a higher purpose here. 

You ARE love. You ARE compassion. Sit in this space of light for a moment.  Now imagine this light radiates out into your aura. Imagine that everywhere you go, others can sense the energy of love and compassion you bring. Your presence makes a difference in difficult situations. Love is the most powerful energy in the universe, and wherever you go, this love shines from you. Sit in this expanded space of love for a moment. 

Now imagine this light expands out your aura and into the universe, infinitely. Imagine you can share the light of compassion and love with everyone in the world, all you need to do is tune into this infinite light of your heart, and shine.  

Remember that our heart gives us physical life, illuminates our emotions, but also tells us that all beings are connected to one another and we are One, so when we raise our vibration to be love and compassion, we make a difference in the world for everyone. Relax into this space of spiritual expansion - of One Love - for a moment. 

When you are ready, set your intention to finish and take a nice deep breath and open your eyes. Notice how your animals are responding to your presence in this moment.  

Dealing with a Distracted Mind When We Meditate 

Have you heard of a cloudy goodbye? No matter what meditation practice we may be focusing on, it’s common to find our thoughts wandering or becoming a distraction. When this happens, allow yourself to simply notice the negative thought. When we become  observers, we are already distancing ourselves from feeling like we “are” that negative thought, or from being reactive.

Once you notice the distracted thought, imagine you can put it gently into a cloud that floats away. It’s a way to say, “I see you and goodbye,” with love.  

Finding Wholeness by Practicing Acceptance  

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. – Lao Tzu 

Acceptance of a difficult health situation or diagnosis our animal may be facing, can be so difficult! I love the above quote by Lao Tzu because I believe that our love for our animals gives us the courage to find acceptance and walk that journey with our animals, whatever it looks like.  

Practicing acceptance starts with being compassionate to yourself. If we take time to be kind to ourselves, to rest and to prioritize our own physical and emotional well-being, then we’ll have the strength to be truly present for our animals when they need us.  

To take the next step in acceptance, choose to focus on your blessings and things to be grateful for, even in this difficult situation. Through this practice we will have more clarity and discernment around places where we have control the places where we can make changes. Through practicing gratitude, we can slowly find peace in the places we can’t change. Acceptance allows us to let go of the struggle so we can use our energy in more positive ways.  

“It’s only a thought and a thought can be changed.”  -Louise Hay 

I find positive affirmations to be very helpful in creating an energy of acceptance with a difficult situation. When we affirm positive thoughts for ourselves and the situation we are in, our brains begin to establish new neural pathways that make it easier to access those thoughts in the future. Here are some affirmations for acceptance around difficulty: 

“I am strong and resilient.”  

“I choose to be optimistic.”  

“I know that everything happens for a reason.”   

“It’s okay to ask for help.”  

“I trust my intuition, and I am making good decisions.”  

“I am grateful I am here with you today and have the chance to make a difference.”  

“We are surrounded by peace.”  

“I am committed to finding the positive in this situation.”  

“I step away and recharge when I need to.”  

“I am the light, and will walk this path with you, side by side.”  

The next step beyond acceptance of ourselves and the situation we have with our animals, is to create an energy of "seeing with our heart” the bigger situations on the planet that challenge animals. I find journaling and community support to be very important when moving into a larger view of presence, acceptance and ultimately positive and hope, so read on for more tips on expanding! 

Finding Wholeness and Healing Through Journaling  

“By choosing your thoughts, and by selecting which emotional currents you will release and which you will reinforce, you determine the quality of your Light. You determine the effects that you will have upon others and the nature of the experiences of your life.” — Gary Zukav 

I love to write! (You may have noticed this if you are a regular follower of my blog over the years, LOL). I encourage my students to reflect through writing on their Animal Reiki practice in the workbooks I have created for my certification classes, and also the monthly Reflections Journals I create for my online community. 

When we are serious about a spiritual practice such as the Let Animals Lead® method, journaling provides a way to explore our feelings and bring to light any possible self-limiting beliefs that may be holding us back. Reflecting on the power of our practice can inspire us to keep working hard to stay present with positivity. Writing also helps us reconnect with our powerful inner spirit so that we can remember our wholeness more easily. 

Harness the Power of Presence and Wholeness Through Positive Community Support

“The moment you change your perception is the moment you rewrite the chemistry of your body.” – Dr. Bruce Lipton 

A few years ago, I recognized the need for a safe, supportive online space for animal-loving Reiki practitioners and teachers. So, I created the Let Animals Lead® Online Community and it has been one of the best ideas I've ever had in my 25+ year career as an Animal Reiki Teacher. When we connect with people who are positive, supportive, understanding and compassionate, it becomes easier to stay present in our lives. Our LAL® community is a safe space for us to express emotions, successes and challenges as we grow together in our spiritual practice.  

Do you struggle with some aspect of your Animal Reiki practice or when facing difficult health situations? Chances are, others in our community have faced something similar, and sharing knowledge and resources can be very empowering. Our LAL® community is there for you with love and light when you face stress and uncertainty with your animal friends, so you know you aren’t alone. 

When we can explore and grow together in Animal Reiki, we stay motivated in our daily practice so that we can live and be Reiki in all that we do. An intention I share in my Sun and Moon meditation is, “May all the steps I take in this life, all the work that I do, and the way that I see the world, be guided by wisdom and compassion.” Our LAL® Community helps us stay positive so we can flourish as the best versions of ourselves, for the benefit of the animals we love!  

A Special Animal Reiki Practice to Find Wholeness in This Moment 

Hara means “belly” and traditionally in Japanese spiritual teachings, such as Reiki, it is our physical and emotional center of balance and grounding. Used in martial arts to strengthen physical power, it is also used in Reiki to deepen our spiritual power. 

Connecting with the hara helps us connect with our inner essence, or soul power, and maintain peace and calm even in challenging situations. This is an incredibly powerful energy to be able to share with our animals when they aren’t feeling well. We can become a mountain of strength in a difficult moment. Or is your animal feeling stress or anxiety? Hara breathing can support them in significantly reducing these feelings by activating the parasympathetic response. By inviting our animals into this deep state of relaxation, we can share the space of positivity and healing.  

The hara is also our spiritual foundation, so as we build our hara, it’s like we are growing roots of a tree so that we can grow tall and strong, withstanding the winds of challenge in our lives.  

Want to learn more? Watch this 24-minute guided meditation centered on hara breathing. This practice combines breathwork with positive visualizations.  

Conscious breathing through this practice serves as a bridge between the mind and the hara. As we breathe, our breath also moves through the heart, our center of compassion. 

So, in essence, this simple practice links all three energy centers that we strengthen through Reiki practice: the hara (grounding, earth energy; the heart (compassionate connections, loving-kindness,  equanimity and Oneness); and the mind (positive thinking, expanded perception and seeing that we are part of something greater than ourselves.) I hope you enjoy this meditation! 

This blog has mostly focused on shifting our perceptions, and it might be counterintuitive to think that focusing on the belly will help improve the mind.  However traditionally, our wisdom and intuition were thought to be centered in the lower belly. We can see this in the familiar saying, “I knew it in my gut.” By developing our hara, we are actually making it easier to shift our perspective into wholeness so that we can see with the heart, even in difficult situations! 

Remember Our Wholeness

Seeing with the heart reveals our whole truth. As we walk this path of heart-centered connection, we come to realize that wholeness is not something we create—it is something we remember. By practicing presence, mindfulness, and compassion, we transform not just our relationships with animals, but also with ourselves and the world around us. 

Whether through meditation, gratitude, or the support of a like-minded community, we can continue to grow in our ability to see with the heart, to hold space for healing, and to radiate love in all that we do.