Author: Lauri Ann Lumby

In Defense of Reiki

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I am honored to have been at the forefront of the conflict between the Catholic Church and Reiki – a conflict that (at least officially) continues. To my knowledge, the Catholic Church HAS NOT rescinded it’s prohibition against Reiki.

Oshkosh WI 2/9/11: Photo by Jeannette Merten.

I first heard my calling to practice Reiki in the late 80’s and it wasn’t until 1999 that I found the path that resonated with me. My path of Reiki training was facilitated by CATHOLIC NUNS! I have always seen Reiki as part of my ministry of service to the world and as a natural response to Jesus’ call that we continue the healing work he did in the world. Jesus laid hands on people for the purpose of healing. Why wouldn’t we do the same?

Below are the opportunities I was given to respond to this conflict. I continue to stand in support of Reiki and the calling thousands have been given to be a source of healing in the world through hands-on-healing.

Reiki allows me to continue the healing ministry of Jesus.
Reiki and the Catholic Church
Obedience to God or Man?

You may also find support through my book, Christouch – a Christ-Centered Approach to Energy Medicine through Hands-on-Healing.

Lauri Ann Lumby is a trained Reiki Master Practitioner who completed her training under the guidance of Maureen Conroy, RSM and Donna Koch, SFHC. You can reach Lauri at lauri@lauriannlumby.com or by calling (920) 230-1313. Lauri lives in Oshkosh, WI and provides local as well as remote Reiki services.

Wise Woman in the Wild

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Embracing a once-valued archetype

Wise Woman: one who sees beyond the illusion. One who has embraced her gifts and suffered for the sake of her Soul’s calling.  One who has been tried and tested and who has conquered her demons and embraces her shadow. 

In the Wild: One who trusts her own inner authority and supports others in doing the same.  One who lives her own sovereignty and therefore cannot be contained by the status-quo. One who has broken free from the fear, power, oppression, and control of the prevailing system.  One who is authentically free.

Before patriarchy wrested power from the masses, wise women were held in high esteem.  These were the women of the community/tribe/clan who were healers and midwives.  They comforted the dying and journeyed with the grieving.  These were the women who were the seers, oracles, prophets, counselors, and guides.  They were the secret-keepers, knowledge holders and record-keepers, protectors of the clan’s history and their stories. Finally, they were the “pray-ers”- engaging with the powers of Great Spirit to ensure the clan was in harmony with the Wisdom of the Universe and Her cycles.

These were the women whose services were so critical to the survival of the community that their needs were provided for by the clan so that the women might focus solely on their good work.  My Irish ancestors gave these women the names of:

Seabhean – the woman who walks between the worlds

or

Bean Feasa – the woman who sees

We live in a world where the Wise Woman are no longer honored.  Instead, for centuries we have been ridiculed, condemned, even murdered because of the gifts we display, and more specifically, because we have risen above the fear that keeps the patriarchy in its power. Women who have claimed their own inner authority and who use it freely are a threat to the patriarchal system. It is for this reason that for centuries, our ancestors have hidden or denied their gifts and suffered – not only the imprisonment of patriarchy, but also the emotional/physical/mental/psychological/spiritual consequences of putting a lid on the Spirit of Love that seeks to be known in the world through us.

Isn’t it time we set that Spirit free?

How are you called to embrace the archetype of the Wise Woman in the Wild?  What steps are you currently taking to live your truth?  What are the systems of control that you have escaped?  What is still holding you back from living your sovereignty?

Welcome to My Third Life!

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Welcome to My Third Life

There is no more appropriate way to usher in the next stage of my life than to realign, re-vision and redefine the work I do in the world.  My work has always been about service – service to others and in service to the betterment of the world.  Today, to make our work noticeable and accessible to others, the first step is always to BUILD A BETTER WEBSITE.  If you are reading this post, you have arrived at my new virtual world.  As many will attest, my old world had become cluttered, much too heavy, and difficult to navigate.  I hope this new site more closely reflects the simplicity and ease of movement I have chosen for what I am now calling “my third life.”

My first life was easy.  Growing up. Attending school. Going to college.  Getting a grown up job. Finding my vocation. Getting married and having kids.

My second life began in 2000 when the universe pulled the rug out from under me and catapulted me into 21 years of DEEP/INTENSIVE Soul work which forced me to choose between my Soul and what had become familiar in my life – namely my Church and my marriage.  Choosing my Soul was the most difficult thing I have ever done and while excruciatingly painful in many ways, it paved the way to true inner freedom, contentment, and joy.

The most joyful and honorific part of my second life was in raising my children.  Everything I have done was for their sake, including the choice of my Soul.  Being of integrity around my own journey has given my children a model of living by integrity themselves – which they have done soooooo well.  I could not be more proud of my (now adult) children.  They are my heart and my joy. 

My third life began two weeks ago when my last birdie flew the nest. I’m still finding my ground outside of the routine informed by her presence.  This transition accompanies several others – moving out of my downtown office and into my home, making some timely decisions about my (now old) website, rearranging and simplifying my living space, redefining relationships, realigning my offerings to the world.  So much is currently up for grabs, but there is one thing I know for certain – I’m keeping things simple.  (a nod to my dad, Don Lumby and his number one rule of project management:  “Keep it simple stupid!”).

Simplicity. Balance. Attention to what I love.

Continuing my service to the world.

Stay tuned for what it yet to come.  I’m pretty sure it has something to do with building new worlds – for myself, for others, and for the world at large.