Hi all,

Happy Equinox/Fall/Spring (depending on where you are in the world!) This week I have 2 new articles, the first a review of Jack Kornfield's latest book, and the second an addition to the Buddhist History section of the site - an overview of the Buddhist Roots of Reiki. I also would like to tell you about a personal project of mine that some of you may be interested in.

A Lamp in the Darkness - Book/CD by Jack Kornfield
A Lamp in the Darkness: Illuminating the Path Through Difficult Times, by celebrated American Buddhist author and teacher Jack Kornfield is a beautiful and warm book/CD combo offering meditations for moving through the most difficult phases of our lives, including illness, loss, betrayal and more.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art173156.asp

The Buddhist Roots of Reiki
Reiki is an increasingly popular form of energy healing in the West, and although not formally a Buddhist practice, it does have strong Buddhist roots through it's founder, Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui. Learn more about its history in this article.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art173380.asp

In addition to these, I have just posted a free new E-book on my blog, entitled Women's Energetics: Healing the Subtle Body Wounds of Sexual Trauma:

http://mommymystic.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/womens-energetics-e-book-healing-the-subtle-body-wounds-of-sexual-trauma/

This is a 10-Day Chakra-Based Self-Healing Program, that includes guided meditations and energy work (most of which are also available for free as mp3 files.) I think many women can benefit from these practices to heal and strengthen their energy bodies, particularly the lower chakras. Please consider trying this program yourself (regardless of whether you consider yourself a victim of sexual trauma) and help get it to other women that might benefit.

As always, you can email me or interact in the forum at:

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=351

In closing, here is an excerpt from the Jack Kornfield book mentioned above:

"Grief and loss and suffering, even depression and spiritual crises - the dark nights of the soul - only worsen when we try to ignore or deny or avoid them. The healing journey begins when we face them and learn how to work with them. When we stop fighting against our difficulties and find the strength to meet our demons and difficulties head on, we often find that we emerge stronger and more humble and grounded than we were before we experienced them. To survive our difficulties is to become initiated into the fraternity of wisdom."

In Peace,
Lisa Erickson, Buddhism Editor
http://buddhism.bellaonline.com

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