Despite the fact that he passed away 6 years ago, in the minds of many, Pope John Paul II still remains the face of the Catholic faith. Many people I know here in Italy are still particularly close to him; Even those who do not frequent the church every Sunday.

A Spiritual Leader

It was his personal qualities that made him a spiritual guide for 1.1 billion Catholics in the world, and perhaps for non-Catholics also. This pope’s popularity has been based on his particular loving nature and the fact that he offered people hope and a connection to God. Many people consider their lives being changed by Pope John Paul II:

• was a charismatic leader who confronted communism;
• pointed towards basic moral values;
• emphasized the universal call to holiness;
• was a loving role model who forgave his would-be assassin;  
• was a strong & faithful soul who perseveres through Parkinson’s disease;
• has performed at least two known miracles since his death.

As part of his calling, he canonized a great number of people, again, many more than his predecessors.  Recognizing saints is a moral direction that shows people that virtues will indeed be recognized, sooner or later.

John Paul II was one of the most international world leaders, and I believe that his international openness significantly contributed to his overall popularity.  He was the only Polish pope, and the first non-Italian since the Dutch pope, Adrian VI, in the 1520s. During his reign, John Paul II  traveled extensively and visiting over 100 countries. This is more than any of his predecessors.   He also strengthened the  Catholic faith in the Third World. His ability with languages was amazing, and beyond his native Polish language, he was fluent in Italian, French, German, English, Spanish, Croatian, Portuguese, Russian and Latin.

John Paul II reigned as the 264th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church for nearly 27 years later.  His  pontificate was the 2nd longest, after the 32-year reign of Pius IX.   

The Process of Becoming a Saint

The process of becoming recognized as a saint is a lengthy one, albeit that in recent times, it has shortened from taking centuries to just a few years.  It was in fact John Paul II himself who shortened that process, so that now a mere 6 years after his death, he is already beatified.

The act of beatification is the one but final step in the process of becoming recognized as a saint.   The beatification ceremony tomorrow will be a Mass and day-long prayers beside John Paul’s coffin in Rome.

More Reading:

Learn how to bring Saints into your daily life

There are many saints to work with.  Actually, the tally of just how many saints there are, varies.

The book by Rev. Butler called ‘Lives of the Saints’ counts over 2500 saints, however, the exact number of saints in unknown, and must far exceed this. This is, as the Catholic Church once explained, because the church doesn’t make anyone a saint, but rather recognizes a saint. And so it is in other religions as well. There must be many more saints than we know of. 

What Makes a Saint a Saint

In many religions, Saints are considered a step closer to the Divine Power than we are. Religions being man-made organizations rather than Divine-made organizations, the details of what it means to be a Saint varies from one to the other as well.

The Process of Recognition of a Saint

For example, the Catholic path to sainthood is as follows: 

In the Catholic church, canonization follows beatification. Canonization is a formal many-year process of investigation whether an individual is a saint. The first step is an in-depth investigation of the virtues displayed during the person’s life by the local bishop.  When sufficient information is gathered, the saint-candidate becomes titled a  "Servant of God". 

Upon further investigation and approval, the person’s then elevated to  ‘Venerable or Heroic in Virtue’.   At this stage, believers are encouraged to ask for miracles by the saint-candidate.  A minimum of two important post-humus miracles are needed for the saint-candidate to receives the title ‘Blessed’.  This step is called  ‘beatification’.  

The final step is the recognition as ‘Saint’ by the pope himself.  Once a person has been declared a saint by the Catholic Church, his/her soul is believed to be surely in Heaven while the body & personal belongings of the saint have become holy relics.

Some of the saints have one or more symbols that represent their life.   For example, Saint Teresa of Avila if often shown with a white dove flying towards her and a notebook and feather pen in hand.   She’s been an avid journal, book and letter writer on theology in daily practice. (Her most famous books: ‘The Interior Castle‘, The Way of Perfection and The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila.) 

Saints are meant to be honored & respected.  One can pray to saints to ask for help, just as one can ask another person to pray for them.

However, the power of saints is granted by God. Therefore,  worship however, should be reserved for the pure Divine, or God.

In some ways, the question still remains:

What Makes a Saint a Saint?

"A saint is .. someone through whom

we catch a glimpse of what God is like"

~ Kenneth Woodward,

"Making Saints:
How The Catholic Church
Determines Who Becomes A Saint,
Who Doesn’t, And Why"

 

Perfect quote on sainthood.

The Universal Saint

Embracing all kinds of religions and paths of spirituality (beyond the Catholic church), the attributes of what they consider a Saint seem to always:

1. Be an exemplary model

2. Be an extra-ordinary teacher

3. Be a source of benevolent power, or perform miracles

4. Be selfless, ascetic in our behavior

5. Have an especially close relationship with the Divine Power.

How Can We Work with Saints?

In several ways:

• 1. We can pray to them and ask for a miracle or otherwise support.  When we pray to saints, we can not help but be inspired by them also….. Which brings me to the second and third ways:
• 2. We can choose them as our role models: the typical characteristics of saints  offer lofty guiding principles to support our every day action.  
• 3. We can choose them as our teachers. Beyond these general characteristics, every saint has his/her own personality and character traits, which may inspire awe.

I think that over time as we work with a saint on our spiritual path, we gradually move from 1. ‘a source of support’ to 2. ‘an inspiration’ to 3. ‘teacher.

Which Saint Inspires You?

For me, there are several who really inspire me, each in their own way.  For example,  the words of St. Teresa of Avila seem to so befit the ‘We Are One World Healing’ initiative, and that’s why they are posted here.   Mother Teresa symbolizes compassion in action to me, and that’s why I wrote about her here.  Other sources of inspiration have been Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi. Mother Mary to me is one to turn to for family/mother-kind of affairs. I have been in several holy places dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, and found his energy touchable there.  And my journey goes on.

I think it does not really matter who you choose as your friend, role model & teacher in heaven.  The point is that you do work with saints. 

May you find solace in 
their encounter with you.

* Footnote 1

‘Oh When the Saints Go Marching In’ is a spiritual expression, an American Gospel hymn, and a slow funeral song sourced from New Orleans.  The traditional verses of the song are apocalyptic, with imagery from the Book of Revelations, e.g. solar and lunar eclipses; and the trumpet of Archangel Gabriel, announcing the Last Judgment.  The hymn expresses the wish to go to Heaven, which is appropriate for funerals. …. I thought to remind you of this, just before altered jazz versions of this song pop into your head.

* * * * * * * * * *

Footnote 2

Why I write about Saints on a blog about Reiki?  Most importantly, the ultimately Reiki goal is for us all to develop enlightenment, to become more Divine, to live in and give in unconditional love.  Reiki heals at four levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  The last one is at least as important as the first one.

Why not instead talk about Reiki hand positions or the Reiki clients I had yesterday directly? Because there is a time and place for everything, and I find that the spiritual aspects on many Reiki blogs is not that strongly represented.  It is also the most difficult.

Basic public information about Reiki is already written about on this healing blog and on my own (distance) Reiki website.   Reiki 1 or 2 training materials are provided in my Reiki manual.  You are welcome to obtain a copy of it for your personal practical Reiki training.

Yesterday’s BBC News is making my day:

The sweet-voiced woman managed to convince a man attempting an armed robbery in Florida to walk away, by being full of compassion, offering assistance & reminding him to go back to church & Jesus.

The desperate man said he needed money to pay his rent but the Christian shop manager convinced him that he should choose another path. She offered to help him find another job and look for another way to solve his problems.

He apologized and left.

Sunday I went to see a major monument dedicated to Archangel Michael in Rome and I want to share this experience with you, as it was special. 

The monument is the ‘Castel Sant’Angelo’. It is a huge 5 story, sacred geometrical building in the center of Rome. It’s origins are regal, while it’s current dedication is divine.

In 590, the pope of that time led a major procession, prayed to the Virgin Mary to please end the plague that had been destroying Rome at that time.  Then a huge angel appeared over this particular building in the sky. It was Archangel Michael. holding his sword in a symbolic position indicating that  the prayer was heard and the plague ended.

Mother Mary is sometimes called the queen of all angels, and Archangel Michael is the chief in command over all archangels and other angels.

Subsequent to the apparition,  in the area of what is currently the Vatican city where the Pope resides, there were 7 churches dedicated to Archangel Michael.  Also, this particular building now call ‘Castel Sant’Angelo’ was transformed and became dedicated to Archangel Michael. 

First, a beautiful chapel was built inside the building. Then, it’s prior warrior statue on top was replaced with an enormous statue of Archangel  Michael. As well, many of the frescos in the building celebrate Archangel Michael. An inner courtyard also features a statue of the Michael.

Yes, some remnants of the prior royal mausoleum still remain.  As its subsequently built warrior walls still remain. And the walkway towards the Vatican, which was built to protect the pope when he had control over the building, is still there. However, today, the single honor of this gigantic building goes to Archangel Michael.

However, when  I was on top of the building, on the foot of the angel, the Beatles song, ‘Let it Be’, popped in my mind.

The song happens to be stored in our cell phone, and so, when I replayed it, I felt like, for the first time, I REALLY heard it, and was reminded, that while there was no monumental sculpture celebrating her here, Mother Mary was omnipresent and I was reminded that SHE had been the one who had sent Archangel Michael down to conquer the plague.

I was so moved by the song, and no doubt Mary’s presents and message to me and now also to you, that it moved me to tears. I felt as if all my personal challenges were eased and my mind put to rest. 

So, like it did to me yesterday, may this song brings solace to your day, calmness in your heart, and trust in your mind.

Mother Mary

‘Let it be’ by the Beatles – Original Lyrics

 

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.

 

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

Wanna hear Paul McCarthy sing his famous song? Here it is: 

Have a blessed day, and know that you too can ask the Virgin Mary and Archangel Michael for help to heal your world. Mother Mary ‘helps all mothers and children in particular. Her presence is of the warm loving mother who also prods you to do what’s good for you. Archangel Michael helps with fear, offering courage, and with finding and following your direction in life. He is a great way-finder and a great help on your way.

Archangels

Archangel Azrael
Archangel Jeremiel

While the stereotypical family is the sweet family in the country home, I am aware that for many of us, our family members are a test. A test to see whether the changes we have made in ourselves are really real. When you recognize that they are just a test, it becomes simpler: just affirm who you truly are on the inside, and act and talk with love, affirmative, without spite.

As indeed, may you have a lovely time with your family. Fight less, as it all does not really matter.

But what does matter, is that we strive to go beyond our difference of opinions, and world views. So, kiss more, as that does matter. And if all fails, give lots of hugs and change the topic whenever a ‘low energy’ vibration discussion emerges.

Fights come from fear, and that’s only ego. But in the eyes of God, we are all ONE, and all his children.

You are not the opinion of your brother. You are not what your sister or parent perceives you to be. You are who you are, and all you have to do, is BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE.

Let your light shine this Christmas!

Astrid Lee

(I guess it was so delightful because I did a double session of 2 hrs, outside in the sun, linking to all in our group, with/without daylight savings, totally spontaneously. )

The article offers a nice explanation on why our distant healing sessions work. It is also a response to my poll results from the home page. While it is not specifically about Reiki, it embraces Reiki and is interesting to Reiki students.

Wellness Buy From Art.com

Here is the article “The Science Behind Healing Intention”

“Have you ever been to a health care practitioner you were really comfortable with? Perhaps you experienced faster healing by working with this person. Or maybe your church congregation prayed for you and you found yourself recovering from an illness faster than usual. Maybe you helped another person heal by your positive attitude or consciousness. If you experienced any of the above situations you have first hand experience with a mysterious phenomenon known as healing intention.

Just what is healing intention?

Intention can be thought of as having and acting with a purpose. In the case of healing, it is having the purpose to heal. The purpose to heal can be directed at one’s self or to another as in a practitioner-patient relationship. Healing intention also works over great distances.

Early research on healing intention was done with simple living systems such as plants. In one early study conducted by Bernard Grad (1) two different kinds of saline solutions were given to plants. One sample consisted of normal unaffected water while the other consisted of water exposed to healing intentions given by a healer. The plants given the healing water showed more sprouting were taller than those given the untreated water.

Healing & Science

Another series of studies by Grad showed that skin wounds in mice healed faster in mice treated by healers who simply laid their hands on them. (2) This effect of faster wound healing by the laying on of hands has also been found in human subjects.(3) More recently a study conducted by Randolph C. Byrd, a cardiologist at San Francisco General Hospital showed that healing prayer affected the recovery of cardiac surgery patients. (4) The prayed for patients experienced less complications and less morbidity than those who were not prayed for.

A clue as to how healing intention works may be found in the way intention affects machines. A number of experiments have been done with machines that generate a string of random numbers. These machines called random event generators or REGs spew out millions of random numbers that should all statistically cancel out. Experiments show that these numbers deviate from randomness with human intention. Human subjects can actually influence the machine’s output by just thinking about it. The effect is small but statistically sound. This effect also occurs over great distances.

Intention Reduces Randomness

The important point is that somehow intention decreases randomness in the universe. There is some kind of mysterious link between someone’s intentions and physical reality. At present we know this connection exists but we don’t know exactly what it is or how it works.

Disease can be thought of as the body moving toward a state of greater randomness. Think of an infection or something more serious like cancer. The body’s cells become more disorganized, more random with disease. It may be that intention works by decreasing the randomness produced by the disease.

Distant Healing

Intention is also a non-local phenomenon. A non-local phenomenon does not happen according to the laws of physics. In other words it does not obey the laws of space and time. For example, if you drop a ball you can measure a number of properties related to the event of dropping the ball. You can measure the speed of the ball, the acceleration and so on. In non-local events you cannot measure these properties because they appear to transcend physical attributes such as mass, speed and acceleration. Non-local events are instantaneous and can extend to any distance in space. If intention is non-local then it elicits its effects instantaneously and over any distance.

Intention can be used by anyone to heal or to help others to heal. We have seen that prayer is a form of intention but there are also other ways to use intention. First of all you must make a decision deep inside you to heal or to help someone else heal. Then you must hold the intention for a period of time. That means that you can concentrate on healing or just know in a deep way that you are healing. If you are using intention to help others you should focus on their health and well-being.

Some techniques go as far as having a group of people such as family members use guided imagery to help a loved one through surgery. Instead of nervously waiting in the visitor’s lounge the family members work together by performing an imagery exercise. The exercise begins by imagining the patient entering the operating room and then continues by forming an image of a successful operation and recovery. In my opinion this is time well spent and gives family members a sense of control over the procedure.

Conclusion

Intention is a great addition to any healing program and should be considered by anyone wishing to heal or in helping others to heal. It is simple to do, works over any distance and is supported by a number of studies. Although the actual mechanism is not known it may work by somehow reducing the disorganization caused by disease.

References

1. Grad, B. Some biological effects of the “laying on of hands”: A review of experiments with animals and plants. JAM Soc Psychical Res 1965;59:95-127.
2. Grad, B. Cadoret, R. J., Paul, G. I. The influence of unorthodox method of treatment on wound healing in mice. Int J Parapsy 1961; 3:5-24.
3. Wirth, D. Unorthodox healing: The effect of noncontact therapeutic touch on the healing rate of full thickness dermal wounds. Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Parapsych Assoc Convention, San Diego, 1989.
4. Byrd, R. Positive therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer in a coronary care unit population. Southern Med J 1988; 81:826-29.

By: Bruce Forciea

Dr. Bruce Forciea is an author, educator and chiropractor. His new book “Unlocking the Healing Code” presents a new paradigm for healing. His site contains more information, free newsletter, free guided imagery download and New Age music downloads.

Second. repeat.

Third. For those of you who are not that familiar with Reiki healing: it comes with a set of fundamental principles which to live by. One of these Reiki principles is the deceptively simple creed: ‘Just for today, … do not worry’. By taking the stress, worry, and anxiety off our own shoulders for a whole day, we are free to… ENJOY the day!!! At the end of the day, we realize, we didn’t miss anything. Instead, we gained a whole, pleasurable day of your life. At times, part or all of the problem we could have been worried about has resolved all by itself by day’s end.

Fourth. Complementing this Reiki principle, is one of my own personal sayings and belief: ‘The world is a perfect place’. To me, this means that while sometimes things are not exactly to our liking in the short term, in the long run they are for our highest good.

Trusting and affirming that the world is a perfect place helps us to be firmly in this world. Also, when we mediate, go to a place of oneness, and embrace all of life in its totality, we may be able to acknowledge and understand that a re-balancing, a shift, can only bring us closer to enlightenment.

Being in a state of ‘need’ can help us create a stronger sense of community… It takes us out of our comfort zone and can help us to take a step out into the unknown that is a completely new and wonderful world for us. I reminiscent of last year’s long power outage causing entire streets to have outdoor group BBQs in the freezing cold but in warm spirits…. They may have never met their neighbors before.

Fifth. If all this wasn’t enough for you to put your worries to one side for a day or more, economic downturn tends to make us more spiritual. This makes us aware: … We are not alone in this world! There are archangels, angels, and highly evolved spirit guides who are waiting in the sidelines to help us find and further ourselves on our path of most light. All we have to do is ask or pray for their help.

Saintly Help

Here are some specific saints to pray to when you’re stressed & worried:

a. The Asian Goddess of Mercy, Quan Yin
Helps lost travelers, comforts sufferers, listens to prayers of the stressed.

b. Saint Jude
He is the Patron Saint of lost causes & desperate cases.
A specific prayer to him:
“Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered thy beloved Master into the hands of His enemies hath caused thee to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes thee universally as the patron of hopeless cases, of things despaired of. Pray for me, who am so miserable. Make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded to thee, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly — (Mention your request) and that I may praise God with thee and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise, O blessed Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor thee as my special and powerful patron, and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to thee. Amen.

c. The Italian priest & Saint Padre Pio
His advice was: “Pray, hope and don’t worry. The Spirit of God is a spirit of peace.” He had a sense of humor and was extremely popular as a confessor. When people would leave things out, he’d tell them what they’d left out. As well, he could read their hearts, and was capable of prophecies. In 1947, he heard the confession of Karol Wojtyla who was then a young priest. Padre Pio told him he was going to be pope. And indeed, he became Pope John Paul II.

Padre Pio held masses in which miracles occurred. He had many supernatural gifts (bi-location, mystical conversations with Mother Mary and Jesus and others). He bore the wounds of Christ (stigmata) for fifty years.

d. The Italian Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint of nature/animal-related worries.

Learn More About Saints

To learn more about how to relate to them, see this article on saints.

Saintly References
Quan Yin
St. Jude
Padre Pio
St Francis of Assisi

Last. In my recent Roman travels, I came across the saying ‘action is the antidote to depression’. Don’t get worried. Don’t get depressed. Do something constructive.

When I contact angels, archangels and/or my spirit guide, I receive help often in the form of great ideas. I am convinced that even if you’ve never once prayed before: when you become open to receiving answers to your prayer, you too will receive ‘divine inspirations’ to take certain actions, to make certain calls, to take certain turns.

So, Act with faith and love.

Copyright 2008 Astrid Lee, Reiki Master Teacher.

Learn how Reiki heals & book your own Reiki session at www.TherapeuticReiki.com

Reiki, spiritual healing, alternative therapy, healing energy, distant Reiki

To some people in the world, today is a special day…

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. From one perspective, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of man. However, the focus is on it being a Day of Judgement ~ being judged by God for the coming year. In essence, it places God on the throne.

Three books of account are opened on Rosh Hashanah, wherein the fate of the ‘wicked’, the ‘righteous’, and those of an ‘intermediate class’ are recorded. The names of the righteous are immediately inscribed in the book of life, and they are sealed ‘to live’. The middle class are allowed a respite of ten days, until Yom Kippur (another core Jewish holiday), to repent and become righteous; the wicked are ‘blotted out of the book of the living’.

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown. While some Jewish communities observe only the first day, others observe two days worth of prayer and celebration.

In the afternoon of the first day, the practice of tashlikh is observed. This includes the reciting of prayers near natural flowing water, and symbolically casting one’s sins into the water. Many also have the custom to throw bread or pebbles into the water, to symbolize the “casting off” of sins.

Rosh Hashanah in the beginning of a ten-day period of looking back and evaluating your thoughts, words and deeds of the previous year, and of resolving to improve them in the coming year. This is a time of prayer, for God’s forgiveness and mercy.

No Jewish holiday exists without an abundance of prayer, rituals, symbolism, and of course, delicious food! Round bread symbolizes the cycle of time. Apples with honey honor the sweetness that is hoped for in the new year.

What I like about learning about other cultures and faiths is receiving new opportunities for creating fresh starts and for creating depth and meaning into one’s life. Anyone can use today as a time to take stock of one’s own ‘sins’ of the past (year), and to start afresh with realizing your dreams and insights of who you truly are meant to be in the new year, with all your goodness and talents.

I wish you all “shana tova umetukah” (“may you be written and sealed for a good year”). After throwing your pebbles into the river, feast on some apples with honey! Give yourself a long week of reflection to realign.

May you use this day and this period, to realize your life mission of being loving kindness itself.

Throughout the mass, I felt there were many angels present. I know I was purified during the mass, and so were many others. The result: a feeling of inner strength and peacefulness.

There was a very good feeling of ‘oneness’ amongst the community throughout the ceremony. 250,000 people, all eager to see the pope. Yet, they were friendly, patient and polite, letting others go ahead first instead of pushing their way in. It was kind of amazing. Beyond this, the event was extremely well-organized with many volunteers which brought a sense of safety and care despite the large numbers present.

The German-born pope held the entire mass, including his address, in French. In the sermon, he set out that the passion for possessions, power and money diverts man from his true end, from the joy of living eternally with God. The pope aimed to help the French Catholics find their way back to the church and spirituality. French Catholics show one of the highest rates of non-attendance in Europe: 79% of French citizens no longer attend Sunday Mass.

Personally, I have to agree that the habit of ‘buying things’ can be a strong one. Now detoxifying from this life-long habit, I find new time, interest and emotional energy freeing up for other matters.

Being responsible with personal power and money is a good thing. Many people are working on this. However, intense hunger for power and money can be a cover-up for fear. Fear of not being provided for. But we do not need this fear. Anyone who has hit ‘rock bottom’ once, knows that we are provided for, at all times.

It always works. A fellow human, who understand oneness on some level, helps you out in times of crisis.

And likewise, it is through your heart and hands that the Divine Essence manifests.

“The power of love is stronger than the evil which threatens us.”
~ Pope Benedict XVI