If I had a pound for every time I have heard the words; “Oh, I’m not creative” come from the mouths of my clients, I’d be a very rich person. In honesty, that was always my response when asked if I could draw, paint, write, sing. My instant response, in fact belief, was that this is something only ‘creative’ people do, and that I was not one of those people. However, I have come to realise and accept over my many years of working with Reiki that not only am I an artist and a creative soul, so are you. We all are, and creativity comes in many forms.
As a child I was told that I was ‘no good’ at art and ‘should give up dancing’, as it was far more important to achieve a ‘proper’ academic education and not focus on anything creative if I were to get a proper job. Sound familiar? That projection became an ingrained belief that I held onto for many years. Ultimately, this became a block in my energy system that would therefore determine that choices were made from my head, consequently overriding the wisdom of my heart and any sense of guided and trusted intuition. This is what I see and hold for so many of my clients; a misplaced belief that they are not creative, and more regularly – and absolutely linked – a disconnection from a knowing of who they are on a deeper level. Identifying only with accumulated labels of identity, rather than being able to access their true expression and creative flow in life.
We all have creativity within us. It is perhaps a question of how we define creativity and whether we allow ourselves to break free of projected judgement and critique and realise the incredibly liberating element of life that is being in creative flow.
I have been fortunate to have worked with some innately talented and creative individuals over the years in my time in the music industry (having been Tour Manager for Bat for Lashes and working with bands such as Radiohead and Coldplay). Obvious brilliant creative souls. Yet it was when I was working with the smaller ‘unknown/unsigned/unassumed’ bands, artists, writers, actors, and equally my students and clients of various backgrounds, cultures and ages, that I really begun to appreciate that the same amount of creative energy is present in all of us. It is a matter of belief, channelling, intuition, trust, courage, and connection. These are the exact aspects of self that I feel we cultivate when working with Reiki, so in fact they are two sides of the same coin.
I feel that Reiki can be such an effective way of revealing and releasing beliefs which do not serve us and reclaiming our truths; most importantly about ourselves. It can help us to reconnect with the creative soul and often trapped energy that is within and desperate to be explored, and in some cases, set free. When I teach Reiki, I share with my students that Reiki is a pathway of self-mastery, leading us to a greater space of authenticity within our lives. The closer to our authentic self we allow ourselves to become, the more able we are to trust our inner wisdom.
Our sacral energy (the second chakra located just below the belly button) is an area that is energetically connected and associated with our creativity and flow. Yet interestingly, also relates to and holds our deep traumas, pleasures, sexual and sensual energy, all of which I believe are directly linked to the flow, or more often block, of creative channelling. Therefore, when we bring focus, intention, exploration and importantly open ourselves to healing in this area (and in general), we give permission to reconnect with a deeper sense of self and wisdom that can be expressed when in alignment with our true feelings.
In addition, cleansing our energy is an essential tool within the process of creativity to ensure our energy channels are free from lower vibrational energy that we may have accumulated or absorbed from others. I therefore practice Kenyoku, a traditional Reiki tool of ‘dry bathing’ to assist me in being empowered to constantly release any energy that is not serving me. This simple technique is one I teach at Reiki I to ensure that students adopt the positive practice of energetic cleansing as a foundation of their practice. Of course, there are many ways in which we can cleanse our energy and I would encourage anyone who is looking to increase their creativity to explore what best works for them.
In my experience, any aspect of life can indeed have an element of creative magic to it, even walking to the bus! The art of being mindful and present within any given moment enables us to disengage from ‘autopilot’ and begin to become aware of what is available to us constantly. Reiki teaches and guides us to continually cultivate greater present moment awareness and connection not only to Source but also to self. Again, two sides of the same coin.
In summary, when I have ever witnessed anyone in their true creative flow (including myself), there is always the sense and feeling that they are channelling energy from a higher source. Ki. Whether this be a chef creating extraordinary dishes, a sportsperson at the height of their game, a teacher delivering a class to a captivated group of children, a mother nurturing their child… we can witness the extraordinary in any given moment, we just need to notice and remember – not only in others, but also in ourselves. Reiki is, and always will be, my support system to do just that.
Article by Samantha Goddard
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Samantha Goddard
Sam is an Usui/Holy Fire III Reiki Master Teacher, Holy Fire Karuna Reiki® Master, Reiki Drum Master, Life Journey Guide and Author of ‘Finding Ray’s Key’. Based in the UK, Sam runs both the Devon School of Wellbeing and the Devon School of Reiki which offer clinics, training, retreats and workshops for adults and children, bringing Reiki, energy awareness and mindfulness to people of all ages. Inspired by the pregnancy and birth of her son, Sam also set up ‘Reiki Rascals’ to empower families and individuals through pregnancy, birth and beyond and to share the magic of Reiki with children. She is a passionate advocate of sharing Reiki and mindfulness as helpful holistic tools for modern life. “Finding Ray’s Key” was published in 2018 and is a beautifully illustrated children’s book based on Reiki and mindfulness principles. It is a rhyming story for children (and adults), about a boy called Ray who goes on a journey to find ‘the key to being happy’…and is surprised to find that it is ‘within him and all around.’
You can contact Sam through her website www.devonschoolofreiki.co.uk. She also can be followed on Facebook, Instagram, and Twiter.
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