Open the door to a mindful way of living
How is Reiki practice like a snow globe, a palm tree, and an anchor? As we navigate life's unpredictable squalls and waves of adversity, we aspire to settle like the snow in a snow globe, feel rooted like the base of a palm tree in a storm, and be anchored like a steady ship.
The purpose of our new book, Reiki: A Self Practice to Live in Peace with Self and Others, is to provide readers with self-Reiki how-tos for putting these metaphors into action to build an inner mind-body unshakable foundation, and to relieve the suffering of others. Our book opens a door to a mindful way of living with ease rather than struggle.
Whether it is fear of coronavirus, receiving texts in ALL CAPS, a frightening diagnosis, or worry over a child, the self-Reiki practices we introduce alleviate pain and overwhelm, ushering in mindfulness, resilience, and recovery capacity.
The purpose of our new book, Reiki: A Self Practice to Live in Peace with Self and Others, is to provide readers with self-Reiki how-tos for putting these metaphors into action to build an inner mind-body unshakable foundation, and to relieve the suffering of others. Our book opens a door to a mindful way of living with ease rather than struggle.
Whether it is fear of coronavirus, receiving texts in ALL CAPS, a frightening diagnosis, or worry over a child, the self-Reiki practices we introduce alleviate pain and overwhelm, ushering in mindfulness, resilience, and recovery capacity.
A supportive guide for your self-Reiki practice
We bring Reiki, a Japanese mind-body-spirit healing and meditation practice, directly to the reader by teaching meditations such as Joshin Kokyu-ho and contemplation of the Reiki Precepts; exercises for self-regulation such as the Pause and hara breathing; and hands-on healing, accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Our book delivers a fresh, user-friendly guide for a supportive self-Reiki practice to be done individually or with others. We offer compelling anecdotes, engaging teachings, and just the right balance of emerging science and pragmatic how-tos.
Our book delivers a fresh, user-friendly guide for a supportive self-Reiki practice to be done individually or with others. We offer compelling anecdotes, engaging teachings, and just the right balance of emerging science and pragmatic how-tos.
About the authors
Each of us carries distinctive backgrounds, histories, experiences, knowledge, and skills. We bring together psychiatry, child development, anthropology, public health, and life experiences which enrich our capacity to co-author a unique book that de-mystifies and democratizes self-Reiki practice for anyone wishing to embrace a sustainable mind-body healing and meditation practice for themselves.
Author bios
Elise Brenner, PhD, Reiki Master, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health & Sociology at Simmons University in Boston, provides Reiki training, presentations, and mind-body skills workshops to health care professionals and to the public.
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Nancy Spatz, MD, Reiki Master, is co-founder of Inspire Power Advocacy in Motion, a unique program blending breathwork, meditation, Reiki practice, and martial arts. Dr. Spatz offers Reiki mind-body skills workshops at women's wellness centers and hospitals.
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Excerpts from the book
Create space to cultivate new growthYou will know your self-Reiki practice is indeed watering the seeds of healing when you tame the weeds of frantic overwhelm, and put the brakes on the runaway train of your mind. When we untangle the weeds, we create space to cultivate new growth, new possibilities, new spiritual connection, and even dimensions of ourselves that were hidden in the thicket so that we can live intentionally on purpose and with purpose. |
Addressing worry afflictionOur self-practice develops awareness that, although we cannot control external conditions, we can influence our inner state. Ruminating on our worries just brings suffering. This is when we need to practice a deliberate mindful pause to soften the worry that afflicts us. We discover that we do not have to live in worry, or fuel the worry that arises. We develop an inner trust in ourselves to address the moments of worry. |
On Reiki and social justiceWith participation consciousness, or heart consciousness, we extend our awareness beyond the confines of the self in compassionate interconnection with all beings. This propels us to take action to overcome social suffering...As we cultivate our own state of wellbeing, we find ways to relieve the suffering of others, creating a peaceful space for all of us to experience. |
Learn about Hara breathing practice
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Learn Hara Breathing practice as introduced in the book.
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The practice of hara breathing can anchor usWhen we practice hara breathing, we pause and connect to our inner stillness. Hara breathing does not mean we push away troubling thoughts and feelings. Rather, when we practice hara breathing, we discover we can create an inner space to sit with uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, and be less gripped by them as they arise. Our society promotes busy-ness and running for the next big thing. This makes it easy to fall into the trap of avoiding or burying any unpleasant thoughts and feelings. As we develop our hara breathing practice we are able to tend to our uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, instead of running away from them, which ultimately weakens our reserves. Consider a palm tree in a storm. We can be the base of the palm tree, even in the midst of life’s storms. No matter what stormy uncertainties our lives may bring at any given point, the practice of hara breathing can anchor us. (Chapter 3) |
What others are saying about the book
Medical professionals"Brenner and Spatz write eloquently about the path to spiritual well-being made possible by self-Reiki practice. This beautiful strategy is a key tool in our medical shed to help patients—and for that matter, all of us—negotiate the inevitable, lumps, bumps, and mountain that happen during life. I find it so inspiring that out of tribulation can come beauty, that a better path can be found even in darkness, and that peace can be found even in the worst of times. There is a clear physiological basis to Reiki, which I as a scientist certainly appreciate." Richard M. Stone, MD, Director, Adult Acute Leukemia Program at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Board member of the Medical Oncology Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine
"From the opening paragraph’s clear and concise description of Reiki, to the detailed and carefully researched evidence behind the mechanisms of this gentle healing practice, readers will be able to easily understand and embrace the traditional Japanese Reiki methods of cultivating inner peace and self-compassion. Every question you have ever had about Reiki as a self-care practice is answered in this gem of a book, including population-specific challenges and how deepening our own practice can help ease social suffering. This book is life-changing. It will definitely be on my required reading list for all of my students." - Helene Williams, BSN, RN, Reiki in Health Care Consultant
"This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to learn about Reiki. Mind-body practice has so much to offer us, especially during difficult times." - Valerie Leiter, PhD; Professor of Public Health & Sociology and Chair, Department of Public Health, Simmons University; author, Their Time Has Come: Youth with Disabilities on the Cusp of Adulthood; editor of The Sociology of Health & Illness: Critical Perspectives.
Mental health professionals"Scholarly, thought-provoking, and filled with clinical acumen, Brenner and Spatz have composed a comprehensive guide to the nature and practice of Reiki at a time when it is most welcome in our world as we live through current turbulence, including the pandemic of 2019-2020. This lively and lovely text offers children, adolescents and adults alike readily accessible practices to steady the mind and restore well-being. Brenner and Spatz are grounded in an understanding of child, adolescent, and adult development and they have modified Reiki practice to meet the needs of individuals of all ages. Parents will find it heartwarming to practice Reiki with their children and share with them the calming space where more authentic relationships can blossom. A gem and a welcomed resource for clinicians and the persons in their care!" - Rosemarie E. Camoscio, M.D. Child, Adolescent, Adult Psychiatrist
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Reiki and wellness professionals"Reiki: A Self Practice to Live in Peace with Self and Others, written by Elise Brenner and Nancy Spatz, is a wonderful book about the essence of the system of Reiki practice. Without practice we will not get far within the system of Reiki and that is just what this book is all about, engaging you to practice. The central focus on the hara makes this book an important tool for the general public, as well as Reiki practitioners or teachers of any lineage. I highly recommend this book to all who would like to experience Reiki self-practices for themselves and build their own personal practice within the system of Reiki." - Frans Stiene, Internationally-acclaimed Reiki teacher and author of The Japanese Art of Reiki, The Inner Heart of Reiki, and Reiki Insights
"Birthed during a challenging time of pandemic and uncertainty, these teachings on mind-body-spirit healing and meditation equip the reader with specific tools designed to find calm and peace in the maelstrom. Thus armed, the practitioner is better able to repair the world, heal relationships, and raise the next generation." - Sharon Dickinson, MDiv, Coordinator of Reiki, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
"Elise Brenner is a Reiki Master who truly walks her talk. This book encapsulates her wisdom and compassion using practical, accessible language. Of all the Reiki healers out there, I would entrust Elise and this book with anyone. This is my new go-to book on Reiki." - Sean Fargo, Founder of MindfulnessExercises.com
"The ultimate guide to self-healing the soul, interpersonal relations, and the world, Reiki: A Self-Practice to Live in Peace with Self and Others provides the reader a captivating and practical guide for developing a strong self-Reiki practice. This book could not be more timely in light of current affairs as our nation reels from a pandemic and highly escalated racial tensions." - Maisie Raftery, Publisher, Natural Awakenings Magazine Boston
"They had me hooked with the title alone! Reiki: A Self-Practice To Live in Peace with Self and Others. A brilliant definition of the practice and offering of Reiki that so many struggle to understand, describe and validate. Elise Brenner and Nancy Spatz have written a book that flows, comforts, and guides with the ease of Reiki itself. It is clearly written from direct experience. The intentional choices in language as an act of compassion to reach and welcome all people is clearly felt and appreciated. This book is a timely and needed addition to the libraries of Reiki texts. It will be a valuable resource for teachers, practitioners, and students, as well as anyone with curiosity, facing challenges with life, or simply seeking peace." - Lonnie Poland, Physical Therapist, Reiki & Yoga practitioner/teacher, President Vermont Reiki Association
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Stay in touch. Contact usLooking for mind-body practice workshops for your organization, workplace, group? Looking to learn more about Reiki self-practice? Have questions for the authors? Email Elise Brenner and Nancy Spatz by clicking their names below.
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