A prism is a clear glass or plastic block with flat, angled sides. When white light shines through it, the prism bends the light and splits it into a rainbow of colors. This happens because different colors travel at different speeds and bend by different amounts.
This is how life feels in its unfolding right now….
On August 12, 2026, a powerful Total Solar Eclipse in Leo served as the central astrological event, initiating a transformative eclipse corridor. This major celestial shift triggers profound personal adjustments, structural changes, and fated new beginnings. August 12 is a significant anniversary event in my life. On August 12, 1962, I was a passenger in the vehicle with my dad when a car missed a stop sign and stopped in the middle of a through street where we were traveling over 50 miles per hour. Our car hit hers broadside. I had what I have come to call a near-death experience. For sure, it was an out-of-body experience.
While a specific event is over in an instant, just as different colors travel at different speeds and bend by different amounts creating a prism when white light shines through a clear glass or plastic block with flat, angled sides, events have lasting effects. Thus, 64 years later, I am still integrating the facets that impact has on what I experience as facts. I often do a lot of air-braking when a passenger in a car, and I may never fully recognize how that event has shaped my world view.
Recently, I was saddened to read a Facebook post by a person who had just days before excitedly reached out to me about reopening her Reiki practice. Her post was an apology asking for understanding,”I am truly sorry but after talking to loved ones who know me as a child of God, I will not be following through the Reiki sessions.”
Reading this did inspire some sharing when I was guest pastor serving a small, remnant congregation at St. John UCC in New Buffalo. “If a person who believes in the Tooth Fairy and prays to the Tooth Fairy, does a healing session asking the Tooth Fairy to heal another person, and that person has a healing, do any of you believe the Tooth Fairy did the healing?” I asked. I was greeted with blank stares and negative head-shakes. I am hard pressed to think I could find anyone who would actually think the Tooth Fairy did the healing.
Something is real. But what is perceived as real is what is believed to be real. And there can be a huge gap between.
Over a series of Sunday’s we have been exploring the way perceptions and beliefs shape our experience. If I see a stick but I believe I am seeing a snake, my body will react exactly as it would if it was an actual snake.
It is easy to understand how things like social media and AI generates beliefs by intentionally manipulating perception. It is not quite as easy to understand how being human does the same thing.
There was a time in human evolution that the world was seen and believed to be flat. You have to wonder how many other antiquated beliefs you or I are being driven by.
Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials website has an article “What Is Reiki? And Does It Actually Work?” by Melissa Evans Persensky:
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“There are only so many things you can study in randomized, controlled studies in order to understand the totality of what is likely to happen,” Dr. Saper explains. “I think it’s critical that we as healthcare professionals listen to our patients and validate their experiences, even if their experiences may run counter to one’s own experience and training.”
In other words, science may not prove that Reiki harnesses a universal life force energy. We may not have statistical proof that Reiki will improve your chronic pain, reduce your anxiety or help you get the sleep you need. But if you try it and you feel better, sleep better and live a better life … that’s still worth paying attention to. Regardless of what science says (or doesn’t say).
While Stacey was here visiting, she went to church with us. The theme was Doubting Thomas and we explored the difference in meeting doubt by leaning into curiosity or by leaning into skepticism. The scripture was based on Jesus saying, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” ~ John 20:29
As we were navigating the territory of our differing beliefs, I said I was not trying to change another’s beliefs. I did confess to be encouraging all humans to notice even closely-held beliefs might be distorted. Healing does happen, but not likely by the tooth fairy….
