Having normal life disrupted by illness is something I
have experienced before: when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This diagnosis put limitations on my life
that I recognised were necessary if I was going to be well. I needed to change my diet, take more
exercise and manage my stress levels better.
This experience has been useful during the Covid-19 outbreak.
My life, and that of everyone around me, has been
disrupted by this coronavirus. I too have experienced
trauma, stress and grieving from this situation. Fortunately,
thus far neither I nor any of my family have caught it, for which I am very grateful. Life is comfortable when it proceeds with an
expected routine. When this routine is
disrupted, for whatever reason, there can be a feeling of loss of control, which
for most humans is uncomfortable, frightening and painful.
Although for 5 years I have managed my diabetes successfully,
this has been by controlling what I eat, exercising and managing stress, which
has not been easy to maintain during this time.
For a few weeks my sugar balance was challenged: a normal response to
stress is wanting to eat more sweet things and the pandemic has certainly
caused a rise in stress! Fortunately, being aware of this, I was able to make
certain choices that soon returned my blood sugar to normal levels.
One thing I can remain in control of is my Reiki practice,
which has helped me to maintain my equilibrium and equanimity. My daily self-treatment offers a time of tranquillity,
stillness, calm and rest which helps my body and mind to relax, lowering the stress
hormone levels, making it easier to sleep and heal.
Painful emotions that are natural when grieving. A common response is to try to suppress them,
but this can lead to imbalance. I find
that Reiki helps to find a healthy balance with these emotions. So sometimes I do cry or shout, a necessary
release that helps me to re-gain my equilibrium. With Reiki it feels safe to feel my feelings
and, from past experience of similar releases, I know I won’t get lost in the
emotion, it will simply pass like a storm of rain.
My Reiki practice also includes a life philosophy that I
have found helpful. The Reiki principles
bring me back to the present moment, enable me to acknowledge the emotions and
thoughts that threaten my equanimity and remind me to give my attention to
things around me that will lift my spirits and comfort my soul: family,
community and nature.
Enshrined in Reiki practice are two qualities named by the
Japanese as ‘shoganai’ and ‘shibu’.
Shogania means accept what can’t be changed, it can’t be helped. By bringing me into the present, Reiki helps this
process of acceptance, releasing me from the anxiety and sense of loss that is
caused by wondering what will happen next, when ‘normal’ life might resume and how
I might survive financially. I simply accept
that this is how it is and know that I am safe.
I count my blessings as Takata suggested and take things a day at a
time.
This enables ‘shibu’: the enjoyment of simple things in
life. Reiki practice is essentially simple,
helping me to learn and practice shibu, so that as I take my daily walk during
lockdown, I notice and appreciate the wonders of Spring: bluebells, buzzing
bees, bright green leaves and soaring swallows.
These things lift my spirits and ease my stress, restoring my
equilibrium and equanimity.
There are always times when life doesn’t go as we hope or
expect, so I am finding in the current situation a wonderful opportunity to
develop my ability to maintain equilibrium and equanimity, and thereby my health
and vitality, in the face of any challenging time, with gratitude for my Reiki
practice.
