Have you ever thought about how your Animal Reiki practice can better the world around you?
“Bless the world with your mind, heal the world with your heart, lift the world with your soul; elevate the world with your life.”― Matshona Dhliwayo
This quote by Canadian-based philosopher Matshona Dhiwayo sums up beautifully the many layers of healing that our Animal Reiki practice cultivates within our lives. In this blog, I want to explore the ways that Animal Reiki can transform our world in positive ways for animals. We can do this through our practice as individuals and even more powerfully, as a community!
How Animal Reiki Transforms the World Through Our Individual Animal Reiki Practice
It is our passion to help and support animals, other people, nature and the world that is the driving force behind our ability to create positive change for the animals! As Let Animals Lead® Animal Reiki Practitioners, we follow 3 basic foundational teachings: The Reiki Precepts, the 6 Pillars and the Code of Ethics. All three of these teachings emphasize the transformative power of compassion.
There are several ways that our Animal Reiki meditation practice is strengthening compassion individually through our commitment to daily meditation practice.
Enhancing empathy. Our Animal Reiki meditation creates a deepening of feelings of connection and understanding for animals, and this naturally leads us to create acts of kindness.
Reducing stress and stabilizing our emotions. Our Animal Reiki meditation helps us develop an inner stability that allows us to hold a space of calm and comfort even in a chaotic or stressful situation.
Increases our self-awareness through mindfulness. Our Animal Reiki meditation helps us to recognize our own biases, expectations, and judgements so that we can view situations with a more open-minded perspective. This benefits the animals as much as it benefits us!
Awakening us to our interconnectedness. When we realize how connected we are through our Animal Reiki meditation, and that we all share this beautiful world and have a special part to play on this planet, we feel more compassion for other humans, other beings, and parts of nature. The strong flow of compassionate energy within our being creates a natural impulse to bring kindness into the world through our actions!
How Animal Reiki Transforms the World Through Community and Strength in Numbers
When we’re on a mission to improve the lives of animals, we can always find strength in numbers. Below are seven ways that connecting with our Animal Reiki community can enhance our ability to make a real difference in our world.
Support. Turning to our Animal Reiki community provides emotional, social, and practical assistance. In addition, our community is able to offer spiritual support through shared meditation and healing intention.
Connection. Connection to our Animal Reiki community fosters a sense of belonging and reduces feelings of isolation. We may be the only person in our local area who practices Animal Reiki, however we are part of a tight-knit community of hundreds of animal advocates!
Resources. Our Animal Reiki community is made up of many animal lovers in various professions and with many skills. We can help one another by sharing valuable information, services, and opportunities.
Collaboration. Reaching out to our Animal Reiki community creates opportunities for teamwork, skill-sharing, and collective problem-solving.
Awareness and Education. Our large community can help amplify the LAL message, educating more people about Animal Reiki, the importance of agency for animals and more.
Networking. Connections within the community can lead to partnerships with local businesses, other advocacy groups, and media outlets, enhancing Animal Reiki’s reach and impact.
Empowerment. Being a part of the group enhances confidence and advocacy through shared goals and mutual encouragement. In addition, the healing power of group meditation is an amazing benefit of our work!
Because Animal Reiki is based in meditation, a big part of our process is intention, vision and diligence.
The Power of Envisioning a Better Future for Animals
There are organizations and communities making a significant impact in the world of animal welfare, showing us that it is possible to forge a new path forward for positivity and change for animals—even if it’s not well-known, popular or mainstream.
Each of these powerful organizations started with one person, (or a small group of people, as in the case of Best Friends’ origin story) with an idea, a vision, a strong belief that change is possible.
These organizations are literally changing the future for animals in many powerful ways. There are many ways to help change the world, and the people working tirelessly in these different nonprofits are going against the grain and seeing possibilities for a new future for animals and our planet:
In science: Beagle Freedom Project, Cruelty Free International, and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Transforming our farming system: Transfarmation
Compassionate Conservation: Rewilding
Empowering kids to end factory farming: New Roots Institute
Saving our oceans: 10 Amazing Organizations Fighting to Save Our Oceans
Changing laws for animals: Animal Legal Defense Fund
The largest sanctuary in the US and center of the no-kill movement: Best Friends
The Healing Power of Group Meditation
Did you know there is scientific evidence that group meditation can reduce terrorism and war?
This approach to our meditation practice is called “Subtle Activism.” According to David Nichol, the author of Subtle Activism: The Inner Dimension of Social and Planetary Transformation:
“Subtle activism is the use of spiritual or consciousness based practices for collective transformation; which distinguishes it from the usual focus of using spiritual practice for personal development.
We’re not looking at this as a substitute for external action or the practical action that of course needs to happen in the world, but exploring nonetheless that this approach could form a crucial piece, a foundational piece in the shift that we need to make on the planet.”
I challenge each of you, as powerful meditators, to use your Animal Reiki gifts of visualization to promote change and a better way forward for animals.
Studies on meditation and conflict resolution.
Research has suggested that group meditation can have beneficial effects on conflict resolution and peace-building efforts. For example, a study in the Journal of Peace Research indicated that group meditation sessions were associated with reductions in violent incidents in conflict zones.
Group meditation has been linked to improvements in mental health and well-being. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that participants in group meditation programs reported reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as increased feelings of happiness and well-being. There are many benefits to sharing meditation in groups.
How to Start Using Your Animal Reiki Practice for the Greater Good of Animals
Not sure where to start making your mark in the world of animals? There is no wrong way to go about it, but here’s a little guidance to get you started.
On your own: Choose one of the animal issues and organizations I’ve shared above – or another issue that touches your heart. Educate yourself about the work being done to solve these issues in positive ways for animals. Brainstorm ways you can support this movement through action.
In addition, make time each day through your Animal Reiki practice to hold a meditative space of love and light for healing of this situation or issue. Visualize the transformation as if it exists. Allows yourself to imagine what the world looks like for animals when this situation and issue is completely healed and solved. Focus on peaceful resolution, positivity, compassion, and affirming: All is Well.
In our LAL Community: Invite other members in your Animal Reiki community (either in SARA or in our LAL online community) to join you on certain days and times with a specific positive visualization for transformation. What is the animal issue you are focusing on? Share a bit about it with your community.
Now visualize the transformation. What does it look like for animals in the world when this issue is solved? Share this vision and an affirmation with your group and invite everyone to meditate on this together.
Be a Catalyst for Positive Change
Your Animal Reiki practice has the power to create profound benefits for individuals, animals, and the world. By fostering deep connections and compassion towards animals, Animal Reiki practitioners not only enhance the well-being of their animal companions but also experience personal growth and inner peace.
Group meditation amplifies these effects, promoting collective healing, harmony and peaceful solutions to difficult problems. As we extend our compassion through Animal Reiki, we cultivate a more empathetic and interconnected world, highlighting the remarkable impact of mindful practices on our shared environment and all its inhabitants. Together, through Animal Reiki, we can transform our world through a ripple effect of positivity and compassion.
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