If you’ve been to a farm recently chances are you have encountered a fly. In my work with Joy, a young Morgan horse, I certainly did! I observed Joy in the pasture swishing her tail and stomping her hooves to shake them off. I saw myself: impatient with the fly, irritated by the never ending buzz in my ear, swatting at it, just trying to get a little peace. I could insert many different words for “fly”, of course.
Actually, I began thinking about the fly factor one day while sitting outside with Abe, a little terrier, new to Rutland County Humane Society. As I was holding the Reiki space for Abe I was being dive bombed by a fly. Abe didn’t seem to notice, but I was getting more and more irritated as the fly buzzed around my head. I found it difficult to concentrate and to refrain from swatting at the intruder.
Something I stress when teaching a class is the importance of focus. When we are focused, the energy flows freely and we are completely present for our client, be it person or animal. We become the energy and move with it. Irritation and constant movement (i.e. swatting) disturbs the session and creates a less than ideal situation. We are not honoring the animal when we are distracted.
When I was with Abe I began using the precepts to bring myself back into the space…
Do not anger-the fly is simply being a fly.
Do not worry-the fly won’t hurt you.
Be humble-honoring all creatures includes the fly.
Be compassionate to yourself and others-use this opportunity to deepen your focus, include the fly in the session and remember: the fly is just being a fly.
Approaching the situation with the precepts freed me to allow the fly into the space. Following that with Joshin Kokyu Ho breathing calmed me and removed my irritation. Abe was provided with a much better treatment.
Coming next: At One With The Mosquito.
Just kidding. That’s impossible.
If you’d like to hear Kelly explain about what Reiki is and how it works on animals and humans (yes, we’re animals too) then make sure you watch her videos below.
Kelly’s website is Heart Song Reiki
Comments 4
Kelly, you totally ROCKED in your interview! I am going to share this with my shelter. Thank you 🙂
Thanks Joyce! And thanks Frans and Bronwen for posting. I truly appreciate it _/\_
I like this Fly Factor practice! A lot of times I am my own fly (thoughts buzzing). Or even worse, my own mosquito. 🙂 Lovely humor in your article, Kelly, really bringing it home with ease. Thank you so much.
Hi Kelly,
A delightful article and interview. I loved the way adding the precepts changed everything. So simple and easy to use.
May your day be filled with curiosity and wonder.
Cecelia