I’ll get right to the point. There are many aspects of The Let Animals Lead® (LAL) Method of Animal Reiki, but “agency” is a key factor in this unique method. In this article, I’m going to focus on agency as it relates to the 6 Pillars.
Applying Reiki to humans has been done for over a century. With the help of her dog, Dakota, Kathleen Prasad pioneered Animal Reiki in 1998, which uses a very different approach than the way Reiki is shared with humans. In Kathleen’s own words found on her website, The Let Animals Lead Method® is “a mindful way to help animals. Animal Reiki Source is about using meditative techniques to make the world a better place for you and your animals. We teach you to create an inviting, calm space for animals that is ideal for their healing.”
The Let Animals Lead Method® of Animal Reiki is built on the foundation of 6 Pillars. In this article, I will list these pillars and show how they relate to animal agency. Kathleen explains what agency means, “With the LAL® method, we create the healing space within ourselves and all around us and the animals choose to use that healing space to help themselves find peace, calm, and whatever kind of healing they need.” So, agency is all about giving animals choice.
Pillar 1 (This method is based on traditional Reiki meditation techniques and philosophy)
LAL® focuses on meditation and our own practice, which enables us to let go and BE Reiki. When we create the space and invite the animals in, this gives them agency to make this choice. We then hold the space and allow the animal to guide the session.
Pillar 2 (Touch is only used when animals seek it out, and then only as a compassionate support)
Animals are very sensitive to energy, so touch is not needed to facilitate healing. Agency is allowing the animals to choose and initiate if, when and where they want touch.
Pillar 3 (Mental focus techniques develop an “All is Well” state of mind for the practitioner, who sees the animal’s perfection in the present moment, rather than focusing on what’s wrong)
We don’t want to bring pity or other emotions into a session, so by focusing on the animal’s bright Light rather than on their issues we are supporting them and giving them agency to shine their inner Light.
Pillar 4 (Meditation is taught as a state of mind with flexible physical forms)
Through our regular practice of meditation, we develop a compassionate way of life. This affects how we view and interrelate with other sentient beings, including the animals we share Reiki with, and any other animals we encounter, such as in nature. This allows us to give the animals agency during our interactions with them. As an example, I ask permission before I take photos of any beings in nature (animals, birds, plants, trees, insects, etc.) and then I thank them.
Pillar 5 (Animal Reiki is mindfulness meditation practiced “with” our animals rather than an energy therapy done “to” them)
To me, this Pillar most directly speaks to an animal’s agency. I equate mindfulness with presence. The best way to give animals agency is to create the Reiki space and hold the space by remaining present in each moment. This allows us to let go of expectations and the need that we have to do something, etc. By focusing on the present moment, we are letting go and giving animals agency to guide the session in the way that meets their needs.
Pillar 6 (Let Animals Lead® Method practitioners acknowledge and honor each animal as a spiritual teacher and healer in their own right. Practitioners learn to listen and become receptive to their spiritual wisdom and healing gifts)
By opening up to animals as healers and teachers, we gain the perspective that they already embody the precepts. We also realize that they can teach us and heal us on many levels with their presence.
I hope this article has made the definition of “agency” clear as it applies to the Let Animals Lead® method. If you would like further information about this method of animal Reiki, visit Animal Reiki Source and the Shelter Animal Reiki Association*.
*SARA stands for Shelter Animal Reiki Association, founded by Kathleen Prasad and Leah D’Ambrosio. “The Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA) is a worldwide grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of shelter animals and their caregivers through the Let Animals Lead® method of Animal Reiki meditation techniques.” You can find information about SARA in this website.
By SARA Teacher Deanna Iris Sava
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