It’s really coming from a place of privilege and honor that I’m a part of the SARA organization. I remember back in 2013 when I became a SARA teacher after going to many retreats, meeting Kathleen in 2009, and then Leah. We as SARA practitioners and members and teachers are shining stars of love and compassion, courage and boldness. It is our privilege to be able to do what we do in our communities; to serve, do good, to be examples, and to have the amazing resources, high ethics and professionalism that can demonstrate to others the value of our organization.
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Karren O'Sullivan
Ready, Set, GLOW – Preparing for our Reiki Share with Glow Work
I pondered. What type of “homework” can I give my new Level I Animal Reiki students to keep them keeping on? You know what I mean. We’ve all been there. Take an invigorating class with a group of people all fired up to practice your newly learned skills…then poof!
You go home, practice for a few days and sometimes the excitement fades. Something else in life can distract you… a shiny new carrot is dangled in front of your eyes!
As a SARA teacher, I too am challenged with my own meditation practice. No, it is not always easy. Yet, I have come to learn over and over again, how important meditating with animals has clearly enhanced my own well-being and the well-being of others.
Clarity came to me one morning after meditating. Ta Da! “Glow Work” was born (instead of that sometimes dreaded word “homework”) 🙂
For a couple of weeks before our Reiki Share, I emailed my students with a daily dose of “Glow Work”. I had also taught these students from “The 5 Powerful Meditations to Help Heal Your Animals” class. Therefore, Kathleen Prasad’s gem of a book, inspired many of the assignments I gave them too. In addition, I directed them to their Animal Reiki Source Manual for specific exercises to practice. To spice things up, I gave them a variety of fun, innovative things to do and some freedom to pick their own glow work.
I found that my own creativity as a teacher was fed by me pulling from all the resources, teachings and experiences I had encountered over the years, with offering Reiki to so many animals and their people in shelters and homes. How grateful I am to educate others about the integrative practice of Reiki and continue waving the SARA flag high!
Ultimately, my students and I stayed connected as we practiced the “Glow Work” together and our Reiki Share was much more meaningful as a result. Oklahoma SARA Team here we come…this is our goal, one glow step at a time!
Karren O’Sullivan
SARA Teacher
Reiki Beyond the Chain Link
8 years have passed since I rescued my beloved dog, named Deeds, from the Tulsa Animal Shelter. Inspired by him, and the benefits of offering Reiki to shelter animals, this time I returned to teach my very first SARA Level I Reiki & Animal Reiki class.
It was the end of the second day of our class. Here I stood outside with my 7 students circled around me. This group of open and compassionate people included the Shelter Director, Veterinarian, a Vet Tech, the Adoption Coordinator, a Shelter Volunteer and 2 of my dear friends who have supported through my own Reiki journey.
The sun was setting; my student’s eyes were closed in meditation, as I was performing my 4th initiation with them. One by one, I peered into their faces. Something had changed, shifted. There was a visible peace and calm about them, about me, in the midst of the sounds of barking dogs playing outside beyond the chain link. Along with the muffled sounds of dogs barking in the shelter building, I was reminded of where I was and of so many homeless animals in need. I depended on all the Reiki breathing techniques, symbols and mantras I had learned and practiced to keep me focused and grounded. Calm and balanced, we all had created a space to allow healing to occur in this moment and we were holding it for one another. I experienced a beautiful connection with my students, despite the distractions.
Our faithful class dog, named Nolan, was resting on his bed in the center of the circle. A recent pit bull stray, brought in with a broken leg, his ribs were visible and his face was scratched. Yet, in this Reiki healing circle, I only felt his balanced state of being as he rested there among us. His blue cast was decorated by a green heart, which had lovingly been taped on by the staff. His grateful presence and loving spirit humbled me. He had soaked up all the Reiki love and healing created by our group during both days of our class. In return he was opening up our hearts for healing and supporting me as a “newbie” teacher!
Nolan was truly my co-teacher this weekend, showing the students on day 1 the peaceful effects that Reiki had on him. He took in Reiki like a sponge and showed them what a “Reiki nap” truly looks like. My teacher, Kathleen Prasad has continued to tell me, “ The animals will come to you, Karren. “ Nolan was another validation for this truth…
Now that the Reiki seeds of hope have been planted, I trust that these seeds will bloom and grow in me, the staff, volunteers at the Tulsa Animal Shelter and people of our community. As one of my students wrote to me after our class, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going!” Reiki to the Rescue!
Karren O’Sullivan
Shelter Animal Reiki Association Teacher