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Writer's pictureKathleen Prasad

Lessons from the Heart, Hara, and Mind: How Animals Teach Us the Art of Healing Through Animal Reiki

In the quiet communion of energy between us and our animal companions, animals teach us so much—and their profound wisdom is revealed. Through the lens of Animal Reiki, animals guide us into deeper realms of life, healing, and self-discovery. 


By focusing on our three key energy centers—the hara, heart, and mind—we begin to unlock the secrets of animals’ intuitive understanding of balance, presence, and unconditional love. Let’s explore how animals illuminate our path to healing by showing us the true essence of energy in its purest form.


golden retriever shows how animals teach us sometimes by taking a mindful moment outside on a yoga mat

Paving the Way for Animals to Teach Us: Lessons from the Hara

“Rest and be thankful.” ― William Wordsworth

The hara is an important concept in Japanese Reiki, but also can be found in traditional Japanese practices, particularly in martial arts, meditation, and holistic healing. It is located approximately two to three finger-widths below the navel, in the lower abdomen and is considered the center of balance, gravity, connection to earth energy, inner balance and stability. In Japanese traditions, a well-developed hara is associated with vitality, inner strength, centeredness, and harmony.


Lesson 1: Calm Energy is Contagious

The shelter dog paced and panted, highly stressed in the kennel environment. His history card showed that he had come from an abusive situation, and staff noticed he was fearful of interacting with humans. The Animal Reiki practitioner sat on the floor outside the kennel and began a meditation focusing on the hara. 


Over several minutes, as the practitioner's energy harmonized and grounded, the dog slowed his pacing, finally lying down. Eventually his breathing slowed, and with a large sigh he stopped his panting and laid his head on the ground and went into a deep sleep.  


After just one Animal Reiki session, staff noticed an improvement in the dog’s trust with them when they entered his kennel. Healing had begun!


Several Animal Reiki meditations, such as the Hatsurei Ho with Animals, require the practitioner to focus on their hara to help cultivate a deep sense of grounding, inner stillness and mindfulness. By developing our hara, practitioners are able to create an energetic space that animals are attracted to because they sense it as calm and safe.


a woman paddleboards at sunrise with her dog balancing behind her on the water

Lesson 2: Remember to Be Present in This Moment

Have you ever noticed how when you are with animals, it’s easy to be present in the moment? For example, how many times has your cat walked across your keyboard and invited you to take a break from work, relax and enjoy the moment with them? 

When you do return to work, don’t you feel refreshed?


Have you noticed that when you spend time grooming your horse, that you forget all your troubles and become completely immersed in your connection with them? And as you leave the barn, don’t you notice that you feel relaxed and renewed? 


Does walking your dog help you let go of worries and face the rest of your day with a rejuvenated spirit?


Animals teach us about the energy of the hara because they encourage us to be grounded and slow down, which centers our emotional energy. Animals remind us that it’s important that we just show up for them, without being distracted by other concerns or responsibilities. And when we do, we can experience a great sense of healing! In addition, animals like horses and dogs encourage us to be physically active, which enhances energy flow and helps us improve our physical vitality.


Lesson 3: It’s OK to Rest

We’re so busy as humans, it’s hard for us to slow down, even when we don’t feel well!


A few months ago my dog went through a difficult digestive illness which lasted for some time. During this time he took a lot of time to rest and conserve his energy, allowing his body to heal naturally and completely. It reminded me that sometimes the best way to heal is trusting in the body’s innate healing wisdom and taking time for self-care. 


Recently I had a migraine and, remembering my dog’s example, instead of pushing through it, I took some time to rest in stillness, placing my hands over my hara and focusing on a calm peaceful energy. I quickly felt so much better!


a horse with blonde hair relaxes in the sun during an animal reiki session

Opening to the Wisdom of Animals: Lessons from the Mind

“Mindfulness isn’t difficult, we just need to remember to do it.” – Sharon Salzberg

The mind is an important center of energy in our Animal Reiki practice. Because animals are so sensitive to our thoughts, focusing on the hardship of an animal’s past, or worries or fears about their present conditions or future situations can create obstacles to connecting with our animals. Negative thoughts bring our energy down to a stressed vibration that can cause concern for animals. 


In addition, if I want to help my animals, a worried or angry mind cannot see clearly or make good judgments in figuring out the best ways to help them. By calming our minds in meditation, we can create a positive vibration that animals are attracted to. At the same time, we’ll be more able to deepen our intuitive knowing and clarity about how we can take positive action to assist in difficult situations our animals may face. Developing our mind center also helps us develop self-awareness so that we can catch ourselves when our thoughts move into a negative space. 


One of the central pillars of our Let Animals Lead practice is “See the perfection in our animals”, which is all about seeing with our “Reiki eyes,” beyond what is wrong and into the spiritual essence of the animal. Each animal’s spirit, and indeed even our own, is always perfect and bright, no matter what struggles we may face!


Lesson 1: I am more than my physical or emotional condition.

When I was 41, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Immediately, the way people looked at me changed. All they could see was my diagnosis, and the looks of pain, fear, sadness and fear were very painful for me to bear. Their negative thoughts really pulled me down. I felt as if I had lost myself: where was I? People only saw me as cancer. 


At the same time, when I went home, my dog and horse still saw me as their beloved mama. They were so happy to see me and be with me, even after my surgery when I was laid up for a while. Their positive energy lifted me up! They were so patient and gentle as I recovered. 


Through it all, they continued to see ME for ME. I realized I had judged animals in the past for their diagnosis, past trauma, or sad “story.” I vowed that I would never do that again, and always remember to see the essence of each animal as perfect and bright, just as my animals remembered to see me through my illness!


It’s amazing the way animals naturally adapt to the cycles of life, whether through the passing of the seasons, changes in their environment, or even losses. They remind us to flow with life’s changes without clinging to material things or rigid outcomes of situations. It’s not easy, but if we can be mindful of this, we can practice “going with the flow” as much as possible!


Lesson 2: Be Here Now

Have you ever noticed how calm you feel when you rub your dog’s belly or pet your cat? Scientific studies have shown that spending time with your animals decreases our feelings of stress so that we can more fully relax and enjoy our lives!


Animals help us to be in the present moment, and they increase our mindfulness. This also increases our ability to let go of our troubling thoughts about the past or future. When we are here NOW, we can realize and observe ourselves in this moment with a more conscious awareness. This creates a more centered emotional energy and state of mind. The more we can release our stress, the easier our body, mind and spirit can heal naturally.


Animals live simply, without the complexity of our human desires and attachments. They can find contentment in their basic needs being met, and in this way, they show us the healing power of simplicity. Animals remind us to focus on what truly matters.


a black and white cat relaxes in the grass with its chicken friends

Lesson 3: When The Going Gets Tough, Keep Going

Tuxedo, as we later named him, arrived on our front porch one day, and had been through so much: abandonment, living on the streets and abuse from kids who were tormenting him with rocks. But he jumped into my lap and curled up there purring, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. 


He was a bit skinny and beat up looking, but his heart was big and bright and ready to love! I sat on the porch cuddling him as a kid, and waiting for my dad to get home. I just knew Tux was going to stay with us. Sure enough, when my dad got home and saw me cuddling with this little street cat, he couldn’t say no when I said, “Dad, PLEASE can we keep him???” 


Tux ended up becoming a “mostly” house cat, adopting my youngest sister as his special person, and living a long happy life with us as his new family. He loved all people, our dog and our other two cats too! He was always of good cheer.


Not only my experience of Tuxedo from my childhood, but also in my work over the years with shelter animals, it always amazes me how animals are so resilient and adaptable. They find ways to be able to start again after past trauma, or to recover from an amputation, or the loss of their sight or hearing. And you know what? This inspires me that maybe it’s possible too, for us humans to access our own inner strength and keep persevering, even through the most difficult times. 


Healing often requires accepting our circumstances, letting go of control, and trusting the process.


Lessons from the Heart

“If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment.” - Carlos Santana

The Heart is the energy center in the middle of our chest, and is the center of our love, compassion and connection to others. Our heart is the place where we find it in ourselves to forgive, to find acceptance, to balance and integrate our emotions such as joy, sadness and grief.


Our heart helps us to build harmonious connections with one another and remember that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. Our heart is also the center of kindness, spiritual growth and transformation! As such, our heart is also at the center of our Animal Reiki practice. 


Many of us, as Animal Reiki practitioners, can say, “I am inspired to do this work because of my love for animals.” Our heart gives us the courage, strength and inspiration to help animals with our Animal Reiki practice. Many of our Animal Reiki meditations center on strengthening  compassion and nurturing our heart energy.


Lesson 1: Have Fun!

My dog Vinnie loves to be silly! I know this because he gets more excited the more he makes me laugh! Some of his favorite antics are shredding seaweed on the beach and flinging it everywhere and all over me, picking up a branch on the trail that is WAY too big for him to carry and shaking it all around crazily, and digging a hole right where I’m standing so that I have to jump back. 


All of these things make me giggle and the louder I laugh, the more effort he puts into his silliness. Come to think of it, I sure do laugh a lot because of Vinnie!


Animals remind us to be joyful, play and have fun. They are so curious, funny and in tune with our mood, and they appreciate our reaction when they make us laugh. These qualities open our hearts and help us feel happy, full of love and grateful for each moment. Can’t you feel your heart opening up and expanding when your animal makes you smile?


a young woman sits cross-legged on a yoga mat and smiles after practicing animal reiki with her orange cat

Lesson 2: Love Unconditionally

Do you ever call in the energy of Spirit Animals? I think it’s a wonderful way to deepen our meditations! To deepen your connection to your heart’s purpose, try inviting in dolphin energy next time you meditate. Dolphin energy helps us create harmony in the world around us. Dolphin helps us always communicate from the heart, which can help us harness the power of strong relationships and community. 


When we always connect heart to heart, it becomes much easier to reach out to others with love and care. In this way, dolphins open the door to our inner happiness and help us to shine this light for others, spreading harmony wherever we go. 


Use this affirmation to connect with dolphin energy and love: “I live in harmony with my heart’s true purpose.” 


The above quote is from my book, The 21-Day Animal Reiki Meditation Challenge


Love, compassion, and kindness are essential components of healing, both for ourselves and for others. I’ve written in the past about how we can let animals lead us back to love. Our animals model unconditional love, loyalty and companionship. This in turn opens our hearts and strengthens our ability to love others and accept the love that they give us. 


As TV Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick says, “Animals uncork an ability within us to be ourselves and an ability to look beyond the facade that we put up for society every single day. They allow us to be ourselves and therefore, to be the best we can be.”  


Lesson 3: We Are Part of a Greater Whole

Sometimes when I’m meditating with a dog in a shelter, I have the surreal feeling that I’m not just sitting with that one dog, but with every dog in the shelter. Indeed, often the entire kennel falls silent during Reiki sessions. And even beyond that: Somehow I realize the energy is holding the space of love and light with every shelter dog everywhere! This is the expansive nature of Animal Reiki. 


When I was going through my radiation treatments for cancer, I found my meditation practice to be so healing and helpful. Funnily enough, I felt great comfort from the fish in the aquarium at the cancer center, who swam close to me when I would be meditating, waiting for my appointment. 


And it was during this time that I began to feel a healing, peaceful connection, not only for my own cancer experience, but also with others in the clinic. Even beyond that, I slowly found my purpose in holding space for all animals and people getting their treatments for cancer, wherever they were. 


My meditations gave me purpose and a deeper understanding of Oneness in this most difficult time of life.


Animals are more spiritually connected than we are. We can see this in wild animals, who have a role and purpose within the ecosystem, fulfilling their place in the natural world with purpose and presence. When we spend time with animals, they bring us closer to nature too, and help us remember our ancient wisdom that we, also, are part of the interconnected web that makes up all life on this planet. 


They help awaken our inner wisdom and sense of belonging in an often-disconnected world. Perhaps if we can recognize our own interconnected purpose in life the way animals do, and live it with true presence, we can walk the path of healing and happiness each and every day!


an orange cat relaxes with an animal reiki practitioner during their session

We Journey Through Life, Learning from Our Animals

Animals teach us lessons both big and small. As we tune into the wisdom of animals through the practice of Animal Reiki, we are reminded that life’s most profound lessons often come in the simplest forms. 


From the hara, animals teach us the power of calm, the importance of presence, and the beauty of rest. 


From the mind, animals remind us that we are more than any label or diagnosis, that the present moment holds everything we need, and that resilience is key.


And from the heart, animals show us how to live joyfully, love without limits, and embrace our connection to the greater whole. 


Animals, in their quiet, unwavering way, are the greatest healers and teachers, inviting us to walk a path of compassion, awareness, and deep inner peace.


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