The Magic of Life’s Imperfections

I recently recalled a story my parents loved to talk about when I was growing up. As with many small children, I had a best friend I carried with me everywhere and loved so much that by the time I was four years old, her insides were coming out. In this case, my best friend was Raggedy Ann, and her condition was such that I’m sure she would have been considered a choking hazard by today’s parenting standards. My parents knew they needed to do something about the situation, but the big challenge was how they were going to pry her from my clutches while avoiding the hysterical tears. It was just before the holidays and my mother, who was working as a nurse at the time, managed to convince me to let Raggedy Ann go to the hospital so the doctors could “perform surgery,” promising to have her home by Christmas. My poor father, who was put in charge of bringing the completely healed Raggedy Ann home on Christmas Eve, ended up buying a doll that was three times the size of the original. At that point it was too late, and all my parents could do was brace themselves for the response they’d witness the next morning. Fortunately for them, when I woke to discover a doll that was closer to my own size, I jumped up and down with delight and exclaimed “She grew!” They had momentarily forgotten that this little girl of theirs was still seeing life through the lens of the magical child . . .

As I smiled while telling this story and thinking about the joy it gave my parents so many years ago, I realized this child was now speaking directly to me. It was as if the memory of this event had surfaced in order to remind me that the magical lens is still there to be used anytime I wish. Because children tend to not judge their circumstances the way adults do, there is a beautiful wisdom expressed in the way they respond to life. They are able, through their imagination, to still see that magnificent, creative force that’s always present in our lives, if we’re just willing to remain open to it. It shows us how to let go of the visions of what the perfect life should look like and see the joy and magic that’s already there in front of us. In one of my favorite films, Life is Beautiful, Roberto Benigni presents this concept in a profound way by using the magical child as a resource for helping his son survive the horrors of the holocaust.

So much of our modern culture focuses on the illusions of what the perfect life should look like that time and energy is wasted judging and scrutinizing ourselves and others. This in turn can inhibit the flow of creative thinking and leave parts of the spirit which want to be expressed through the life we’ve been given lost in the shadows. When we take moments to look at life from the viewpoint of the magical child, this limited thinking begins to dissolve and we start to experience some of the best surprises in life which can actually come from the imperfections and unplanned twists and turns.

Summer is considered the season that celebrates the magic of nature and the inner child, basking in these long sunny days. By taking moments to enjoy the beauty that’s already in our lives, we can catch glimpses of that ever-present child in all of us, waiting to reveal the true magic of what life is all about.

Seeing Through the Eyes of Eagle

Have you ever seen a bird, such as an eagle or hawk, circle the sky, and experienced a feeling of freedom in just watching them gracefully spread their wings, soaring so smoothly above the earth? This summer I was at a gathering in Central Park , when the famous Pale Male and Lola flew overhead at dusk, taking everyone’s breath away. The vision of their dark outlines, dancing against the sky’s remaining amber glow, was a beautiful surprise ending to a pleasant evening with friends.

In many shamanic traditions, birds such as the eagle and the hawk hold special meaning, offering a wisdom and grace that assists one in traveling deeply within to discover his or her higher truth, and to ultimately experience a liberation from suffering. With the ability to see the smallest prey from a mile away, while remaining aware of the atmosphere both above and below, eagle’s energy medicine in particular teaches us to stay focused in the present while keeping our peripheral vision open to the greater picture. Eagle shows us that true freedom is found in blurring the lines we think define our world, and instead seeing how everything is interconnected. By shifting our vision to that of eagle’s, we release ourselves of the attachments that create human suffering. We become more able to transcend life’s challenges and discover the freedom necessary to connect with our divine source, allowing our life’s purpose to unfold.

In his book, The Four Insights, author Alberto Villoldo discusses four levels of perception based on the shamanic tradition of the Laika. Each level has an animal associated with it. At the level of serpent, the physical world and basic needs for survival are addressed. At the level of jaguar, the mind and the emotional body are engaged in seeing beyond necessity and making choices. At the level of hummingbird, a connection to soul is made, and an awareness of the sacred in all of life inspires creativity, innovation and great discovery. Finally, at the level of eagle, a profound sense of oneness with spirit occurs.

During the times we allow the wings of eagle to carry us, moments of expansiveness and bliss, described in many spiritual traditions as enlightenment, can be experienced. It is a state of being in which we remain fluid in the current of life no matter the situation, and gratitude for all that is infuses the mind, body, heart and soul. All four levels of awareness are needed to navigate the human journey, and certain circumstances require the use of one level over the others. However, it is when we see through the eyes of eagle that we can step out of limited thinking and masterfully transform any situation. With the perception of eagle, peace can be created in the most hostile of environments; love can be deeply felt with or without a partner; bittersweet joy can accompany the grief of losing a loved one; and trust in the abundance of the universe can prevail during the loss of a home, business or job. The possibilities are limitless when we choose to soar with eagle.

As the early part of fall is upon us, some of the most beautiful days of the year are ahead with sunny skies and comfortable temperatures. Why not take a moment and imagine soaring alongside eagle in a clear blue sky, enjoying the view from above. You never know where it might take you.

Letting Go and Letting Flow

Earlier this year, right at the end of winter when everything was still bare but rumblings of the oncoming spring were felt, I was visiting a friend and her newborn baby. As we caught up on what was happening in each other’s lives, the conversation began to focus on how the more we step out of the way and simply witness life’s events as they unfold, the more deeply we can enjoy the things that bring us pleasure and the less difficult the challenges seem to be. The conversation went on for a while as we shared in this concept of our “job” being to allow life to happen through us without attaching ourselves to any of it.

This idea has come to mind over and over again these past few months as I’ve watched nature blossom into spring and now prepare for summer. In New York City, spring this year was exceptional. We actually had an extended period of mild temperatures and the flowers seemed to bloom with more steadiness and intense color. It was the kind of spring I was accustomed to while growing up in New England. Something that struck me as I watched nature do her thing this year was that while I judged it as extra beautiful, nature probably wasn’t phased by any of it. Whether or not her flowers were extra pretty or her birds’ nests extra full, nature was just doing her thing and the end result was not the reason for any of it.

When I did my spring cleaning, I decided to take the water fountain in the living room apart and wash it. I thought about how my primary job, just like Mother Nature’s, is to clear the path for life to breathe and flow through me. Everything else is secondary. I took my time as I rinsed out all the parts of the fountain, feeling blessed for all that has happened thus far and receptive to whatever may happen to flow through my life in the future, all the while being at peace just for today.

This is not to say we should just stand by and do nothing about our lives or just let life happen to us. This kind of acceptance is about letting go of the swirling thoughts in our heads that the ego creates. These are all the “should be’s”, “should do’s” and “should have been’s” we carry around like a heavy backpack on our shoulders. In letting go of these thoughts we allow room for the true intention of our soul’s purpose to reveal itself. In his book, Courageous Dreaming, Alberto Villoldo writes:

“Will is the mechanism through which we try to force the world to conform to the way we think things should be, while intent is the mechanism by which we dream creatively and courageously. And while will corrects and fixes things after they’ve manifested, intent shapes things before they’re even born. Both are important, but dreaming can only happen through intent.”

When nature springs forth every year, she shows no resistance. The world goes from cold, gray and bare to warm, colorful and fragrant with such ease it can’t help but seem magical and that is what we as humans can experience in our own lives the more we let go and let flow. That’s when life takes on a renewed sense of joy, light and inspiration.

Have a beautiful summer everyone!

Peace and Light,
Jean

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Jean Bromage, Reiki Master
Dancing Light Candles
www.dancinglightcandles.net
646-522-6100

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LATEST AT DANCING LIGHT CANDLES

Chakra Candles at the Open Center

I am thrilled to announce that Dancing Light’s Chakra candles are selling like crazy at the New York Open Center’s Bookstore. http://www.opencenter.org. Stop by if you’re in the neighborhood and check them out.

These candles are great for yogis, energy healers, masseuses and anyone who is looking to connect with their energy body through the Chakra centers.

Some of the blends have been tweaked recently. Here is a brief overview of the seven Chakras and the blends I’m using for them.

Root - Red – Patchouli, Peru Balsam & Vetiver –Element of Earth
Sacral - Orange – Geranium, Sweet Orange & Cardamom – Element of Water
Solar Plexus - Yellow – Coriander, Bergamot & Lime – Element of Fire
Heart - Green - Ylang Ylang, Palmarosa & Tangerine – Element of Air
Throat - Blue – Eucalyptus, Basil & Cypress – Element of Ether
Third Eye - Indigo - Juniper Berry, Rosemary & Lemon
Crown - Purple - Frankincense & Lavender

You can read more about these candles on the aromatherapy page at http://www.dancinglightcandles.net/aromatherapy.html

Dancing Light Candles will be at the Sunday Green Flea Market on Columbus Avenue and 77th Street on June 8th and 15th. For more information on Green Flea go to www.greenfleamarkets.com

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LATEST REIKI NEWS

Summer Offer for First Time Clients
For first time clients, I am offering 3 one hour Reiki healing sessions for $225. Anyone interested in this offer will need to schedule their 2nd and 3rd sessions within 4 months after their first session. This offer does not apply to RAC students who are looking to fulfill a requirement for their Reiki studies.

Give the Gift of Healing
Looking for a gift for someone special? Why not introduce them to Reiki if they’ve never tried it? Gift certificates and session cards are available either alone or along with a candle gift set.

For more information call Jean at 212-496-5287, email reiki_essence@yahoo.com or go to www.dancinglightcandles.net/reiki

Breaking the Resolution Habit

A couple of years ago when people asked me what my New Year’s resolution was, I said it was to drink more water. Usually by New Year’s I am tired from the end-of-the-year hustle and bustle and the idea of making any big changes in my daily routine felt a bit overwhelming. As this New Year arrived, I decided that I can’t really make drinking more water a resolution again because that mission has been well accomplished. So I asked myself if I were to make a resolution this year, what would it be and could it be something bigger? I considered how this experience of making a small modification in my everyday life taught me that changing a habit can be a much more fluid (no pun intended) and effortless experience by simply shifting the consciousness around it. Sometimes when the focus is put on the smaller aspects of change, more and even bigger transformations will follow with ease. For example, in drinking more water, I found myself consuming less sugary beverages and this happened without giving it much thought or effort.

Often times when people make New Year’s resolutions the focus becomes so concentrated on the outward goals and accomplishing them with immediate results that the purpose of these resolutions get lost. Resolutions often times conjure up images of working out at the gym even if we hate it, eating foods we don’t like and giving up foods we do like in order to lose weight or toughing out the cravings when the nicotine or caffeine fits take over. The resolution process seems to entail nothing but hard work and sacrifice when usually the purpose of a resolution is to have a greater sense of wellbeing in our lives. One aspect of leading a healthy, well balanced life is to experience joy and pleasure, so why do we make the changes that are suppose to be good for us such a chore?

In Reiki, we have a protocol that offers healing for the release of an unhealthy behavior or habit as well as a protocol for sending support to personal goals. In working with clients, I’ve found for some people the results manifest immediately and for others it is a more gradual process. Either way, Reiki offers an opportunity for the client to release the emotional and energetic charges that no longer serve their needs and desires and creates a space for them to plant the seeds of change. Often times in a session we will also work with an affirmation that helps to reinforce the positive aspects of releasing a habit or reaching a goal. This enables the client to experience the higher vibrations of self love, nurturing and joy which in turn transforms the lower vibrations that initially encouraged the unhealthy habit or discouraged the manifestation of a goal.

Change can also mean letting go of something old in order to make room for that something new. When we let go of a long established habit, it can feel like there is a void or space left in the energetic and emotional layers of the body and that can be a challenge for many people. So as a one lets go, it can often times be helpful to explore how one feels about this emptiness. Is it okay to just be with this newly emptied space for a while? Is there something specific that one desires to bring into that space? When I want a shift to happen in my life, I often times manifest this emptying process on the physical plane by clearing out my living space of any unnecessary clutter. It is my way of synchronizing with the universe and giving it a cue that I’m ready - bring it on!

This year however, I think my resolution is to break the old resolution habits by letting go of my inner judge and my inner task master that set me up for failure. They are the voices that tell me I have to work hard for this or else it has no value. Instead, I am setting the intention to simply allow the changes I want in life to unfold effortlessly, to allow what I need to come to me instead of seeking it out.

Everyone has a unique relationship to change and whether or not the outer results happen immediately are, in the end, beside the point. It is more important to experience joy in the now and then weave into everyday life the changes, big or small, that seem most possible at the time.

Have a blessed and joyous 2008!

Peace and Light,
Jean

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Jean Bromage, Reiki Master
Dancing Light Candles
www.dancinglightcandles.net
646-522-6100

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LATEST REIKI NEWS

2ND ANNUAL REIKI SYMPOSIUM
Reiki and Your Creative Spirit
February 18, 2008 - 9:30 am to 8:30 pm
at The Open Center – 83 Spring Street, New York, NY
Note: There will be a Reiki Healing Circle open to the general public from 7 to 8:30 pm
For more information go to:
http://www.reikisymposium.com/
http://www.opencenter.org/

I will be leading a presentation entitled Dancing with the Chakras at this year’s Reiki Symposium. In this workshop, we will explore how dance and movement can be a healing and invigorating way to experience and transform the vibrations in our energy field. We will begin the workshop by calling in the Reiki as a group and experiencing its energetic flow together while using guided imagery to take us through the seven chakras and the different energetic qualities each one offers. From there we will explore how the qualities of each chakra can be expressed in our bodies through dance and creative movement. For each chakra, we will have a chance to move together as a group and then to improvise as individuals allowing us to experience the Reiki energy and chakra vibrations in different ways. As we dance our way through each of the seven chakras, music that resonates with the vibration of each energy center will be played for inspiration as we find our creative voice through movement. No previous dance experience will be necessary. Just come with the desire to dance and experience the joy of movement.

The Reiki Symposium will also be featuring the following workshops:

Reiki and Puppetry: Divine Connection Between Healing Art Forms with Yvette Edery, M.A., Reiki Master, founding Director of ArtistrYE Productions

Mandala: Drawing Out Your Creative Spirit with Natasha Shapiro, LCAT, ATR-BC, Advanced Reiki Practitioner, visual artist

Write from the Heart: Developing Your Writing Skills with Reiki with Bronwen Stiene, Reiki practitioner, teacher, internationally acclaimed author

Reiki, Sacred Imagery and Your Creative Life with Faith Linda Weissman, astrologer, storyteller, Reiki practitioner

The Reiki Symposium is open to Reiki students and practitioners of all levels. The Reiki Healing Circle at 7 pm that evening is open to the general public and is a great way to be introduced to Reiki if you have never experienced it.

For more information, go to the following websites:

http://www.reikisymposium.com/
http://www.opencenter.org/

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Change in Cancellation Policy for Healing Sessions
Please note that my cancellation policy has changed. Any cancellations made 36 Hours or less before a scheduled session will incur a $25 cancellation fee. Any cancellations made 24 Hours or less before a scheduled session will require payment for the session in full.

Offer for First Time Clients
For first time clients, I am offering 3 one hour Reiki healing sessions for $210. Anyone interested in this offer will need to schedule their 2nd and 3rd sessions within 4 months after their first session. This offer does not apply to RAC students who are looking to fulfill a requirement for their Reiki studies.

For more information call Jean at 212-496-5287, email reiki_essence@yahoo.com or go to www.dancinglightcandles.net/reiki

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LATEST AT DANCING LIGHT CANDLES

Chakra Candle Set is Finally Here!!!!!

These candles are great for anyone who is looking to connect with their energy body through the Chakra centers. They are also great for yogis, energy healers and masseuses because they are easy to transport and have a lid to cover the candle when the session is over. As one breathes in the natural aromas of each of these candles, it is helpful to relax and take note of what areas of the body respond. Do you feel calmer or more stimulated? Are you made aware of any tension in your body that begins to release? Does a certain memory or emotion come to you?

Here is a brief overview of the seven Chakras and the blends I’ve used for them.
Root - Red - Peru Balsam Oil & Patchouli –Element of Earth
Sacral - Orange - Geranium & Cardamom – Element of Water
Solar Plexus - Yellow - Coriander & Bergamot – Element of Fire
Heart - Green - Ylang Ylang & Tangerine – Element of Air
Throat - Blue - Eucalyptus & Hyssop – Element of Ether
Third Eye - Indigo - Juniper Berry & Lemon
Crown - Purple - Frankincense & Lavender

Dancing Light’s Chakra candles can be purchased individually or in a boxed gift set. You can read more about these candles on the aromatherapy page at http://www.dancinglightcandles.net/aromatherapy.html

We’re taking a break from the flea market for the winter but will announce spring dates in the next couple of months.

Healing Aromas of the Holidays

One of my favorite elements of the holiday season is the assortment of aromatic experiences I can have in a day. Whether it’s walking down the street and smelling the Christmas trees and rosemary plants, past a bakery and smelling the warming spices that go into the pies, or through the farmer’s market and smelling the fresh fruits of the season, this time of year is when the aromas that create warm fuzzy feelings come out and, for many, evoke happy memories.

While this is a time in which we look forward to celebrating the end-of-the-year festivities with our loved ones, it is also a time that can be filled with pressure and stress as we rush to meet the demands of work and school while simultaneously preparing for these gatherings. By providing us with the aromas of the season, Mother Nature offers an instant boost during this busy time of year. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in “doing” life that we forget to stop and smell the metaphoric roses, which really doesn’t require much effort, just being present for a moment or two. Remembering to breathe in the beautiful scents around me over the course of a day can often times leave my body relaxed and smiling and my consciousness a little more deeply connected with the spiritual aspect of everyday life.

In her book, Aromatherapy for the Soul, Valerie Ann Worwood writes:

"With an etheric quality, essential oils activate the receptors of love, compassion, and empathy. They are an informational network, carrying messages and crossing boundaries, operating on many different levels. Through them, we can contact the wisdom of nature, the power of light, the energy of the universe, and the love in our hearts."

As we kick off the holiday season this week, I’d like to share with you some of the healing qualities of the traditional holiday aromas:

Cinnamon: Warm, spicy and sweet, cinnamon offers emotional encouragement and strength as well as a sense of benevolence and generosity. In Aromatherapy for the Soul, Worwood writes: “Love, in all its many guises, speaks through cinnamon, to touch those hidden areas of the self that we have denied love access to.”

Clove: Stimulating and warm, clove inspires action while offering a sense of trust. In some healing traditions, clove is believed to dispel the negative energy that triggers disease.

Eucalyptus: The combination of camphor, wood and peppermint in the eucalyptus plant help us breathe more deeply and feel more centered and balanced. Great to have if you get that pesky cold that’s going around.

Fir/Pine: These aromas create a sense of grounding, mental clarity, endurance and overall harmony. Pine is an ancient tree that teaches us the wisdom of our earth’s heritage. It is an important element in the Reiki tradition as it is said that Dr. Usui was surrounded by the scent of a Japanese pine called Hinoki when he became enlightened on top of Mt. Kurama near Kyoto.

Frankincense: As one of the gifts given to baby Jesus by the Three Kings, frankincense offers us a sense of strength, courage and protection. Used in many religious ceremonies as well as meditation practices, frankincense helps us to connect with our higher self.

Myrrh: Another of the gifts given to the baby Jesus, myrrh encourages the ability to let go of our grief, find forgiveness and heal our emotional wounds. What an appropriate a gift for the Three Kings to give the child that would eventually offer the world unconditional healing and forgiveness.

Nutmeg: Light, fresh and spicy, nutmeg provides a sense of peace, calm and comfort. It is a tonic that helps us relax and reconnect with our hopes and dreams.

Orange: The scent of orange is better than any happy pill one can take. It warms the heart and opens us up to the joy and energy of the sun.

Peppermint: Energizing and calming at the same time, peppermint creates the ultimate balance of feeling refreshed but not overly stimulated.

Should you experience any or all of these aromas over the next few weeks, it is my wish that the nurturing qualities that the universe is expressing through these herbs and plants touch your heart and bring a bit more joy and light into your life.

Have a beautiful holiday season.

With Love, Peace and Light,
Jean

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Jean Bromage, Reiki Master
Dancing Light Candles
www.dancinglightcandles.net
646-522-6100

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LATEST AT DANCING LIGHT CANDLES

Chakra Candle Set is Finally Here!!!!!

I have finally launched the Chakra Candle Set. This is a series of seven 5 oz. jar candles, each with an essential oil blend that connects vibrationally with its corresponding Chakra.

These candles are great for anyone who is looking to connect with their energy body through the Chakra centers. These candles are also great for yogis, energy healers and masseuses because they are easy to transport and have a lid to cover the candle when the session is over. As one breathes in the natural aromas of each of these candles, it is helpful to relax and take note of how the area of the body associated with that particular Chakra reacts. Do you feel calmer or more stimulated? Are you made aware of any tension in your body that begins to release? Does a certain memory or emotion come to you?

Here is a brief overview of the seven Chakras, the blends I’ve used for them and how they relate to the physical and emotional bodies.

Root - Red - Peru Balsam Oil & Patchouli –Element of Earth
The Root Chakra relates to the skeleton as well as blood, the tailbone and the feet. Feelings of security in all aspects of life are related to this Chakra.

Sacral - Orange - Geranium & Cardamom – Element of Water
The Sacral Chakra relates to the navel and reproductive organs as well as lower intestines, kidneys and bladder. It is the center through which we find our creative energy and experience pleasure in life. It is also the center through which the energy of money is negotiated and where we experience the ebb and flow of our emotions.

Solar Plexus - Yellow - Coriander & Bergamot – Element of Fire
The Solar Plexus Chakra relates to the stomach, spleen, pancreas and liver. It is the center through which we process our life’s circumstances. It is also the center through which we find our self-empowerment and personal boundaries as well as our connection to the people and world around us.

Heart - Green - Ylang Ylang & Tangerine – Element of Air
The Heart Chakra relates to the heart, lungs, circulatory system and skin. It is the center through which we experience the unconditional love of the universe as well as romantic love. It is the middle Chakra which connects the three lower, earth Chakras to the three higher, spiritual Chakras.

Throat - Blue - Eucalyptus & Hyssop – Element of Ether
The Throat Chakra relates to the throat, neck, thyroid and mouth. It is the center through which we find our self expression and is also the bridge between our heart and mind.

Third Eye - Indigo - Juniper Berry & Lemon
The Third Eye Chakra relates to the eyes, ears, nose, face and brain. It is the center through which we find our intuition and inner wisdom.

Crown - Purple - Frankincense & Lavender
The Crown Chakra is the center through which we find our connection to the spiritual energy of the universe or, for those with a religious practice, connection to God. The color purple has the highest frequency on the spectrum of visible light and is often times worn by religious figures as they perform ceremonies that deepen our connection to God and spirit.

Dancing Light’s Chakra candles can be purchased individually or in a boxed gift set. You can read more about these candles on the aromatherapy page at http://www.dancinglightcandles.net/aromatherapy.html

Check out the Latest Dancing Light Holiday Candles!

Here is a list of Dancing Light’s newest Holiday scents:

Bayberry
Red Currant
Holly & Ivy
Sugar Plum

All of these and more can be found at www.DancingLightCandles.net.

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LATEST REIKI NEWS

Gift Certificates Available
Looking for the perfect gift for someone who already has it all? Get a Gift Certificate for a Reiki Session. For more information, contact Jean at 212-496-5287.

Change in Cancellation Policy
Please note that my cancellation policy has changed. Any cancellations made 36 Hours or less before a scheduled session will incur a $25 cancellation fee. Any cancellations made 24 Hours or less before a scheduled session will require payment for the session in full.

Offer for First Time Clients
For first time clients, I am offering 3 one hour Reiki healing sessions for $200. Anyone interested in this offer will need to schedule their 2nd and 3rd sessions within 4 months after their first session. This offer does not apply to RAC students who are looking to fulfill a requirement for their Reiki studies.

For more information call Jean at 212-496-5287, email reiki_essence@yahoo.com or go to www.dancinglightcandles.net/reiki

LITTLE ACORNS

Welcome to Dancing Light News. This month’s issue is about how the simple beauties we find in our day to day routine are resources for healing and transforming life’s challenges. As we head into the peak of the fall season, there is much beauty found in the colors of nature. October begins a period of receiving the fruits of our labor and expressing gratitude for what we have. It is in shifting our focus onto the blessings of life that we also experience the joy and pleasure that create a healthy vibration in our whole being.
I wish you all a fall season filled with the colorful joys and simple pleasures of Mother Nature.

In Peace and Light,

Jean
Jean Bromage, Reiki Master
Dancing Light Candles
www.dancinglightcandles.net
646-522-6100

LITTLE ACORNS

A couple of years ago, right around this time when the sun starts fading earlier in the day, I was at the laundry mat when a small but quite beautiful gift was given to me. Having just added my clothes to the washer, I watched the machine fill with soapy water and turn with increasing speed as my mind simultaneously filled with the waters of disappointment over something that had happened earlier in the week. I decided to step outside and let the cool autumn air clear my head before I started drowning in these discontented thoughts.

Just as I turned to leave, there were three young children who had managed to create a blockade of carts along the aisle leading to the door so no one could pass. I could see that annoyed look on the faces of the nearby adults. It’s that look of disapproval so tightly contained that it seeps out the sides, spilling out everywhere. No one was saying anything and yet it was obvious people wanted their parents to come over and tell them to settle down. As I walked toward the chaos, I initially imagined I would find a way to politely tip toe around everything by squeezing past the carts. However, just as I arrived at the cluster of children and carts, the girl was standing there staring at me. Suddenly my inner child popped out instead and made a funny face at her. I heard myself asking, “Can I squeeeeeeeeeeeze past you?” She replied with a look of sheer delight that an adult was actually communicating with her on her level. She giggled and said that before I could pass, she wanted to paint my fingernails. She pulled out the tiniest bottle of nail polish I’d ever seen and proceeded to paint my pinky. It took four dips into the bottle before the one nail was completely painted.

Her little brother and cousin came over to see what we were doing. One of them pulled a handful of acorns out of his pocket and all three children began telling me about their day in the park. They were so enchanted by these little acorns they’d found on the ground that you would have thought they had traveled through some magical forest in a fairy tail instead of Central Park. They told me all about the castle they had seen, the squirrels that were running around and the rocks they had climbed which to them seemed like mountains. As I listened and smiled, I noticed the blockade of carts had disappeared and no one seemed terribly annoyed with the children anymore. After about 20 minutes had passed, the girl looked at me and exclaimed, “You don’t have any acorns!” And with that, she pulled out as many acorns as her little hand could hold and gave them to me. As I held the acorns, a gentle blanket of warmth wrapped around me and my whole being felt a joy and oneness with the world. I thanked her for the present and promised I would keep the acorns in a special place.

As I went home that day with my bag of clean laundry and pocketful of magical acorns, I realized the disappointment I experienced earlier that week had been replaced with a great sense of gratitude for the simple joys and beauty in life.

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LATEST REIKI NEWS

New Rate
My rate as of September 1st is $90 per hour session. 5 and 10 session cards are still available at a discount.

Offer for New Clients
For first time clients, I am offering 3 one hour Reiki healing sessions for the price of 2. Anyone interested in this offer will need to schedule their 2nd and 3rd sessions within 4 months after their first session. The first 2 sessions will need to be paid in full before the free 3rd session can be scheduled. This offer does not apply to RAC students who are looking to fulfill a requirement for their Reiki studies.

For more information feel free to call Jean at 212-496-5287, email reiki_essence@yahoo.com or go to www.dancinglightcandles.net/reiki.html.

Magnified Healing Workshop, October 12 and
The Crystal Intensive Working the Magic through Crystals, October 13 & 14
Led by MIKA
All Classes at
Nurture's Path Healing Arts
1133 Broadway, Second Fl, Conference Rm "B"
New York, NY
Registration: Contact MIKA at 954-309-0193 or 501-620-4419 or wne1313@aol.com
For more information go to www.AcademyForHealingArts.com

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LATEST NEWS AT DANCING LIGHT CANDLES

Fall is the kick off for candle season as the days grow cooler and shorter. Check out this year’s harvest and Halloween Candles. Dancing Light Candles will be at the Green Flea Market at W77th and Columbus every Sunday until Christmas. For more information, go to www.dancinglightcandles.net.

Wherever Two or More Gather

Welcome to the September issue of Dancing Light News. This month’s theme is about the power of people coming together. As we are returning from summer vacations and getting back into the groove of work and school, this is a great time to reconnect with our friends and local communities. It is through coming together and sharing with each other that we can find a wonderful source of inspiration and support needed to transform our lives and the world around us.

I hope you all enjoyed a beautiful end to the summer.

In Peace and Light,
Jean

Jean Bromage, Reiki Master
Dancing Light Candles
www.dancinglightcandles.net
646-522-6100

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WHEREVER TWO OR MORE GATHER

As I attended church every Sunday while growing up, one of the stories that stood out in my mind was when Jesus tells his followers that they don’t need a physical church in order to properly gather in his name, for wherever two or more gather, his loving presence will be with them in their prayers and rituals. This teaching came to mind once again for me when I attended the Conference on Bio-Energetic Wellness at the United Nations last month. Over 200 holistic healers attended this panel discussion in which seven presenters shared personal stories as well as information about their different fields of energy work. Almost every presenter began their talk by asking the group to join in a short breathing exercise which in turn raised the energetic vibration of the entire room. By the time 2-½ hours had passed, I felt a buzz from all the energy that had filled the room and thought how great an opportunity we’d been given to bring our healing light and presence to a place where world leaders gather.

As each panelist shared their professional and personal life experiences with us, the running theme I found throughout the conference was the importance of forming as clear an intention as possible when we use these different modalities of energy work. Whether it was a talk about feng shui, astrology, crystals or modern scientific technology, each presenter on some level emphasized the importance of clear intention in order for the healing and transformation process to fully manifest in any given situation.

One presenter, David Demaray of Biogenesis, told a beautiful personal story of his family’s spiritual journey and how it led to his sister becoming a powerful channel of healing for the earth and humans in general. It is through sharing stories such as David’s that people become inspired and in turn find more clarity with their intentions for themselves, their community and the world.

Susana Bastarica, President of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council – Society for Enlightenment and Transformation (U.N.S.R.C. – S.E.A.T.) was part of the panel discussion. She ended the conference by telling her story of a friend who had passed and how they had kept talking about getting together for tea and never did. As a result, she has made the point of regularly seeing friends over tea, allowing herself time to connect with the people in her life who inspire her. She emphasized the importance of everyone making the point of doing this in their life. Whether it’s tea with one friend or ten friends, or 200 healers coming together to share in their common interest, the important thing is to find time to share with each other a bit about ourselves and find inspiration in each other’s life experiences.

Vigil for International Peace

On Saturday, September 22, 2007, there will be an all day Vigil for International Peace in Central Park starting at 9 am at the Band Shell. More information can be found at http://www.vigil4internationalpeace.org/. If you have been meaning to get together with friends for a while and live the NYC area, this is a great opportunity to spend a beautiful fall day in the park and share in different cultural and spiritual activities. Whether you can make it for an hour or all day, be sure to stop by and check it out if you can.

New Moon with a Solar Eclipse

Mother Nature offers us many extraordinary tools for healing and transforming our lives, and tomorrow night she gives us the opportunity to plant the seeds of peace as there is a new moon charged by a solar eclipse. Tomorrow also happens to be the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. This makes for a powerful time in which we can gather in unity on the mental plane and send out our intentions of peace, harmony, love and nurturing for each other and the earth. Whether or not we are able to gather with a community in prayer or meditation this week, taking a moment at some point tomorrow to breathe and send out an intention for peace is an important and powerful tool we all have that can and will make a difference.

Latest Reiki News

New Move
I am pleased to announce that I moved my Reiki practice over to Nurture's Path this summer. Nurture's Path is a beautiful and intimate space, with a clear and peaceful energy. It is located on Broadway between 25th and 26th Streets. Go to www.nurturespath.com for more information.

New Rate
My rate as of September 1st is $90 per hour session. 5 and 10 session cards are still available at a discount.

Offer for New Clients
For first time clients, I am offering 3 one hour Reiki healing sessions for the price of 2. Anyone interested in this offer will need to schedule their 2nd and 3rd sessions within 4 months after their first session. The first 2 sessions will need to be paid in full before the free 3rd session can be scheduled. This offer does not apply to RAC students who are looking to fulfill a requirement for their Reiki studies.

For more information feel free to call Jean at 212-496-5287, email reiki_essence@yahoo.com or go to www.dancinglightcandles.net/reiki.html.

Latest at Dancing Light Candles

Starting September 30th, Dancing Light Candles will be at the Green Flea Market at W77th and Columbus Avenue every Sunday. For more information, go to www.dancinglightcandles.net.