The Reiki Cafe 

Hello Friends,

After trying without much success to help depression with Reiki, I kind of gave up on the idea of using energy. However, I just recently discovered that the rudimentary exercises in Qi Gong I learned actually do give a temporary relief from depression. I'm wondering what long term practise of Qi Gong would do for depression. Just sharing....

Rock On!
Roxy

Whatver method you use I'd say the issue is in letting go. As you know Reiki assists us in the processes. But the work is ours to do. A great many things that make me mad (you know how irritable and ranty i can get on certain subjects) really comes from the fact that I am not being accepting of people and situations.

Hi honey,

If it is working in the short term no reason to think it wouldn't continue to work and even if it eventually failed to help, it worked for as long as it did. :-)

hugs

Walk in beauty,
Rebecca

Otoharo!

I like your style, Diosa.

finality

Ms. Roxanne,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- I suspect that should you pursue the Qi Qong for a more extended period of time your observations of how it helps might be of value to others hereabouts

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Dear Firekeeper,

Yes, I intend to do that. I'm wondering if mood disorders have more of an energy basis than biochemical. For instance, in a lot of depressions, the cause is lack of serotonin. What stimulates serotonin? Sunlight, which, of course, is electromagnetic energy. I've also read that in mania, kundalini is raised. I already kind of knew that with my experience both of kundalini and being bipolar. Is it a symptom or a cause?

Rock On!
Roxy

Ms. Roxanne,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- the mechanisms of serotonin are, of course, somewhat more complex than sunlight

- I might offer that the movement involved in qi qong or tai chi might be factors since it is long known that regular physical activity, even as simple as walking, can help alleviate depression

- and, an unexpected rise of kundalini, though much rarer than many might wish to believe, may stimulate other emotions or mental states besides "mania"

- humans are very prone to interpret their experiences in terms of the labels they apply to themselves and also that others have applied to them

- thus, we are often simply interprettng and responding within the same little box - putting ourselves outside our little boxes might offer some rather startling observations

>:-}}

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Hi,

I was having problem with depression myself. and found out that living near radio station effect me. i don't know if your problem are area related but our environment does have effect to some degree. I'm currently learning chiqung as well and it does help. and off course when some of the important things sorted out then depression will be lifted as well. :)

wisdom be with you

liam

Otoharo!

Roxy, I do not know why it has taken me so long recalling this item. The last time I had depression, it was a part of the kind of flu going around the hospital where I worked. I recalled that Francisco told us that walking, using those long muscles counteracted depression. So I walked from one room into another all day long in my apartement and no depression came! Even though I had the same flu that every one else was having with depression.

finality

Hmmm. since depression comes to all of us differently, there would be different solutions as well. but i agree that it is more energy related than anything else.

in a nutshell: in the process of life we take in energy and expend it. sometimes it can be through food, water, sunlight, etc. the trick is to expend the energy correctly (correct is also a subjective thing). i have heard that depression can sink in when we don't expend the energy at all (i.e. energy buildup).

In eastern culture, work is worship. Always engage yourself.

Dear Roxyart,

I would urge you to continue with your Qi Gong exercises and if possible, take up T'ai Chi as well.

I can speak from personal experience that they will both help you to withdraw from depression, on both physical and mental planes.

You must, however, find a good teacher, as it is important that the postures are practiced correctly and you must also discipline yourself to regular practice, at the very least on a daily basis.

Good luck and best wishes

Whether you practice daily or not, some is better than none.

Moving is better than not moving.

Blessings,
Aronaya

Hi Roxy! Did you mean that you tried self-treatment for your depression? Or trade or share with others? Self-treatment can do wonders, but I find myself running into my own limits and then receiving Reiki from others is wonderful.

Depression has been a lifelong companion for me as well. Qiqong I learned of before Reiki; a Chinese doctor started me on the path, first with exercises to help me quit smoking. I like to say that each new Qiqong movement I learn adds a year to my life. And that's without a regular teacher or disciplined daily practice.

It's a marvelous complement to Reiki, movement to balance with stillness. And very accessible to someone with chronic depression, I know the thought of dedicated daily aerobic workouts just creates way too much stress and imbalance for me. Gently does it, just moving the body the way it likes to move, a simple and effective method.

10 minutes in the morning makes the whole difference for me in my day. If I don't do at least 10 minutes, I feel like I'm dragging a weight around the rest of the day.

Just keep playing with it and see what you discover.

Blessings,
Aronaya

Hi, Roxy,
I practice two forms of Chi Gong, and it seems to me that it works differently than Reiki, although they work well together. I prefer the active forms over the sitting forms.....I have seen how as my body moves, old stuff moves out with the physical movement. As I commented to a friend who took some of the classes with me, "the body does not lie." I have found that if I am really disciplined and regular with my Chi gong practice, my Reiki flows more easily and I am much more cheerful and energetic. I tend to get depressed if I stop practicing. Although, sad to say, I was taught that Chi Gong should not be practiced by those with bipolar type depression. Darn. So many people with that issue.
Peace,
Feathr

as for doing qi gong, or other exercises to alleviate depression, I find that the key to these exercises is no mind. At the moment I'm learning an instrument, while playing all other considerations go out the window, and I exclulsivly concentrate on the music. After an hour and half practice, I find that feelings of well being envelop me, because I find that I've accomplished something. Maybe I need more practice, God knows!
The same goes for any type of exercise.
Doing reiki, is non-action through in-action, but just letting the energy flow. This is good.
Now it stands to reason that any action of a positive nature coupled with positive energy flow such as reiki doubles the effect of good will and feeling.
So if I 'do' reiki when practising my instrument, It should be theraputic, hmm, something to ponder. same goes for practising qi gong, or alternative.
Thanks guys.

Interesting what you say about playing an instrument, jaguar. I find that drumming has the same effect - it takes me completely out of myself & almost into trance, and I feel wonderful & exhilarated afterwards. There is nothing like drumming in a group to feel the connectedness of everything, & it's certainly a way to expend excess stagnant energy. Recommended for depressed states! :-)

L&L

thais,
Interesting what you said about drumming, since I mentioned on the board ages ago, that I'm learning the bodhran, which is Irish version of a drum.
Since I was playing with a group(taking lessons) what you said about going into a near trance, was nearly for the same for me. I stopped practicing for a while after the lessons dried up, but recently started again, I even went to a learners trad group and strained my arm!
I got this book by michael drake, on drumming, journeying and healing, which I've yet to read and practice on.
I just thought it amazing and way too cool. It feels like we're on the same wavelength.
It just seemed very concidental.