Mindfulness, Reiki and Belize

IMG_2092 Reiki has been instrumental in my life in cultivating a Mindful practice and way of living.  While reclining on a lounge chair under a palapas type covering for shade, I was enjoying reading on Amberge Caye in Belize.  I felt the gentle breeze on my skin, the vacation type paperback in my hands and the peacefulness and sense of pleasure in my heart.  I suddenly looked up and not only saw the beautiful clouds over the sea interspaced by the blue sky piercing in between the cotton white shapes, but I noticed how the beautiful lighting of the sun was exquisitely reflecting down into the water.  Excitedly I moved to the shoreline to take some photos; they were magnificent even on my I-phone.  Seeing a local worker cleaning the leaves, I mentioned to him about the beauty that I felt privileged to see and record.  He stopped, looked at me and said:  I don’t usually see those things.  It made my heart dance that with Mindfulness I had not missed what for others had become routine.

Some days later in another part of Belize near San Ignacio I went zip lining.  Truthfully I had been fearful of doing this activity and sent Reiki to the goal of having a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience.  Once I was there, I brought Mindfulness to how the equipment felt, the lushness of the environment, the platforms we stood on, and the movements of the guide ahead of me.  With this type of focus, the activity was filled with joy, pleasure in the movements, sights and sounds.  My primary sound was of ‘hooting’ in the exuberance of it all!100_5377

Iguanas, Reiki and Belize

 

Iguana at San Ignacio Resort Hotel

Iguana at San Ignacio Resort Hote

I recently returned home from a wonderful visit to Belize; this was my first time visiting the country that delights visitors with coral reefs, snorkeling (or scuba diving), leisure walks on the beach on some of the precious islands or zip lining, tubing in Mayan caves and visits to Mayan ruins that leave one in a state of awe and deep respect for the builders and architects from the past.

On a bus from Belize City to San Ignacio we were fortunate to meet with American students from Alabama who encouraged us to see the Green Iguana Conservation Project.  We took a cab to the San Ignacio Resort, ate a lovely lunch on the patio and then met up with the next hour tour to meet the Iguanas, learn their role in safe guarding the environment and why conservation was so important, and then had the opportunity to hold them.  Actually the iguanas whom live in the conservatory for 4 years before being released into a less restricted environment, initiate contact and jump/climb on your head, arms, chest and back.  Often more than one compete for temporary habitat on you and even enjoy massage behind their ears.  As a RMT who loves to explore Reiki on many types of animals, I delighted in giving Reiki to some very willing and appreciative iguanas. For further information, www.sanignaciobelize.com/belize-iguana-tourIMG_2109