Change; a Healing Process

Article by Phillip Hawkins

Change doesn’t just happen as if by magic; Change of any description be it mystical, magical or mundane is a ‘process’ and by definition a process requires a series of steps to be considered and then implemented in order to achieve a desired outcome or effect. Change is both incremental and directional taking us from where we are to where we want or need to be and this is why if we want something different we must do something different, if not we will keep repeating the same established patterns and get the same results over and over again, a process that Albert Einstein called a scientific definition of ‘insanity’. A change in axis instantly provides a change in direction, a change of mind provides us with limitless possibilities to new and different outcomes.

Surprising as it may seem change is instantaneous; it’s the procrastination driven by fear and uncertainty that eats up our time and delays any possible improvement to our physical, mental and emotional condition, and therein lies the paradox of movement that is instrumental to change; movement that must first stop before another can begin, when the debilitating thought processes that encourage procrastination stop and gives way to remedial action that is necessary to initiate the change process.

To most of us modern day health and wellbeing is by and large a matter of choice or the resulting consequences of life choices made past, present and future. The modern day horsemen of the apocalypse are no longer figures of retribution in the guise of famine and pestilence for in our wisdom with the aid of modern technology we have created a new nemesis in the form of obesity, heart disease, strokes, cancers and diabetes that manifest through our sedentary lifestyles addiction to junk food, and the causal use of alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs. Illness and disease must conform to the law of cause and effect and in many ways we are the creators of our own suffering, and in the age of the world wide web we can no longer use lack of knowledge as a excuse for our ignorance of the life threatening choices we continue to make on a daily basis.

Neither can we blame our parents or use our genetic inheritance as evidence in our defence, for in the case of ‘Mankind v Illness and Disease’ the prosecution will rightly present irrefutable scientific evidence to show that even those who may carry a defective gene do not automatically develop a specific genetic related illness or disease, and it’s now accepted beyond question that the lifestyle choices we make and the quality of life we lead has a direct effect on our DNA and the way it works. Through our thoughts and life choices made we have the capacity to turn ‘on and off’ these genetic micro switches which affect the auto immune system and immobilises genes in such a way they are no longer able to function properly. Illness and disease is triggered and becomes the effect to the cause which can in many circumstances be linked directly to the creative thought processes that defined and direct the life destroying choices we make without realising the far reaching consequences of our actions. Put simply our genetic DNA is the bodies operating system and like any operating system it’s prone to attack from ‘viruses’ that can corrupt, damage and destroy, unfortunately in this instance we are the creator and distributor of these debilitating mental and emotional viruses, and ultimately our own worst enemy.

Healing is change by another name and must follow the same process; healing requires our consent and participation, and the acceptance of personal responsibility in the process for it to be complete in both context and content, even miracles should you believe in them must conform accordingly and in doing so become a physical expression of the spiritual law of cause and effect. The healings attributed to the teacher Jesus if studied in detail, show that the healing of the physical body without also correcting the individual’s state of mind achieves nothing but a brief respite and allows the original condition to re-establish itself. A physical illness or disease can’t exist independently of us like some disconnected parasite, a physical condition is always tied into our mental and emotional state of mind, and if it’s a part of us then it’s more than just a faulty component that has to be removed or replaced. Whilst the illness or disease is not who we are, we are connected to it on more than just a physical level, either as its creator by default in the life choices we make, or the ownership of it through our attention and intention. Illness and disease are states of imbalance manifest as symptoms which act as indicators to the cause, and the course of action required to correct the imbalance and to unify the mind, body and spirit. But many would prefer to consider themselves as ‘unlucky’ rather than take responsibility for their health and wellbeing, In giving luck or fate the credit for their condition they are able to continue to live their lives as they choose free of all responsibility of the consequences of their actions.

How Reiki enters the body, its application and effect are open to debate but it’s safe to say that Reiki like change begins in the mind. There is much debate as to whether the mind and brain are separate entities or, are in reality one and the same, but what is certain is that our brain receives approximately 400 Billion pieces of information per second and uses that data to perform an incredible number of complex tasks without us ever being aware of it. It accepts and processes this mind boggling flood of information about the world around us via our various senses to maintain our internal life support systems and our health and well being, co-ordinate our physical movement so that we can safely navigate our way through life, it also enables us to think, dream, reason and experience our emotions, and in doing so create the life we choose.

Although some may call the Reiki experience miraculous Reiki myths and miracles are easier to perpetuate that to substantiate and a healthy dose common sense and grounded reality should prompt us to question why that is for Reiki can only work with what it’s given, and within the physical laws that govern our existence. We are taught that Reiki goes where it’s needed and works in a way that may or may not be what we want or expect, this is because with our limited knowledge and understanding we instinctively focus on the external effect, the pain and discomfort that grabs and sustains our attention, whilst Reiki seeks to locate and rectify the root cause no matter how deep it may be buried. Reiki looks at illness and disease and sees a breakdown in communication that reflects a life out of balance and a person at odds with their mind, body and spirit.

Healing like illness and disease begins and ends at a cellular level; this is the very fabric of our being and through our thought processes the mind has the power and the ability to imprint design, structure and texture upon that fabric, to create a three dimensional blueprint of the person we become. Change as a healing process is both incremental and directional taking us from where we are to where we want or need to be, but the first step in any process is knowledge and understanding of the process itself and how it works. The second step is the desire and determination to take responsibility for our own health and wellbeing and have the commitment and courage to seek out, discover and then implement the changes necessary to attain it, for each one of us must find our own way to enjoy the health and wellbeing that knowledge and understanding ultimately brings about.

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A Reiki practitioner since 1999, Phillip started teaching Reiki in 2000 and using those skills and abilities he has spent the majority of the last seventeen years working with a wide range of social and educational needs including Autism and ADHD. Working with addicts dependent on alcohol and drugs, people whose lives were extremely violent and abusive, and others who had to deal with severe mental health issues. This has enabled him to work extensively in the private sector, schools, colleges, education and care in the community, the prison service and psychiatric units.

In 2016, Phillip decided to semi-retire from full-time employment to concentrate on developing his career as a published author and the setting up of his Reiki personal development programme at the Chilton Community College.