Becoming the artist of your own life.

A word with Lisa Rae Muir
Artist, Shamanic Practitioner, Reiki Master, Life Coach

Lisa Rae Muir is a facilitator of change.  An artist and energy healer, she skillfully combines different methods to help herself and her clients realize happier and more peaceful lives.

I was fortunate enough to have recently crossed paths with Lisa Rae at a shamanism workshop in Sarasota, Florida.  By means of a few fated events, we ended up connecting afterwards and I am proud today to call her a friend.

Lisa Rae was gracious enough to accept my request of interviewing her.  I hope you will enjoy this insight into a diverse and gifted healer, Lisa Rae Muir.

**A word of thanks**
Lisa's willingness to answer these questions has given me an opportunity for which I will always be grateful.  I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to her. 

I was intrigued by the diversity of her work from the get-go, but Lisa has willingly shared layers of herself that have taught me some valuable lessons.  In a dynamic that continues to unfold in the most interesting of ways, my interactions with this beautiful soul continue to make me smile, while reminding me to really enjoy life.

Now, to the actual interview...

As a life coach, energy worker, intuitive and shamanic practitioner, how do the  methods you practice compare and which are your favorites?
Lisa Rae Muir
Lisa:  They are similar to one another in that intuition plays a significant role in getting to the heart of how to help a client in transition.  I say 'in transition" because I feel that whatever brings a client to me, it is usually a strong indication that a change of some sort, on some level, to one degree or another is necessary. How I blend the methods really depends on the client's comfort level, needs and goals. It is important for me to gain trust in order to get the best result.

Each method has it's own unique qualities, but my favorite way to work is with the freedom to create a course of action that allows for integration of any or all of these methods.

Can you describe your art and what mediums you prefer?
Lisa:  I work in a variety of styles, mostly botanical, collage and what I call metaphorical portraits. The last of these oftentimes is a combination of the first and second in order to create a piece of work that is both visually and intellectually interesting. While I loved working with oils, my health demanded I find a more suitable medium. Soft pastels give me the flexibility and degree of comfort I require. Applying pastels to sandpapers or velour give me the color saturation and vibrancy I am known for.

Where do you find inspiration for your artwork?
Lisa:  By looking outside at nature and inside with meditation, there is plenty of inspiration. I am blessed to live in an environment where there is color year-round, and I have the opportunities to travel to other places. My photographs offer great referrals and memories from which to draw (no pun intended). I love vibrant color and fluid movement.

Where can someone buy your pieces and do you offer commissioned work?
Lisa:  My work can be viewed at LisaMuirOriginals.com. If there is interest in purchasing a piece, there is a contact page, and I show my email address on the home page. I do offer commissioned work based on a variety of criteria such as size and subject matter.
"Applying pastels to sandpapers or velour give me
the color saturation and vibrancy I am known for." - Lisa Rae Muir

Tell me about your meditation workshops.
Lisa:  My meditation workshops or classes are more than guided meditations. While all levels of experience are welcome, most of the students are beginners. With that in mind, I like to give background information about meditation, such as the why, what is it, and how. I stress the importance of grounding and starting out slowly so as not to have anyone become discouraged if they find sitting in a quiet place for long periods of time difficult.

Can you give me an example from your own life when meditation has been important?
Lisa:  Meditation is what brought me where I am today. It is how I discovered my purpose as a teacher and a healer. It also created inspiration for a body of art work. Meditation has become tightly woven to the fabric of my daily life.

What are some of the pitfalls that one needs to be aware of when practicing meditation?
Lisa:  The biggest pitfall is setting oneself up for discouragement at the get-go by getting hung up on non-existent “rules.” Of course there are guidelines, but I encourage my students to allow their practice to evolve into a sacred activity that is their very own. After all, it's called a “practice” for a reason. In other words, there is no goal of perfection one must reach before feeling as though it is being done correctly. The most important goal is to make the effort and set aside the time to do it and stick with it without expectations or judgments.

What are the most common questions your clients have for you?
Lisa:  The number one question is, “How do I turn my brain off?” The answer is, “You can't.” Meditation is about slowing down the constant racing thoughts and focusing inward. I call it dropping from the mind and into the heart. When they ask how long it will take to stop the interrupting wayward thoughts, I tell them to not worry about those thoughts and come back to the focus with their breath. It's simply a change in where the attention is placed.
The second question or misconception is that meditation is a religion. It is not, and so it does not conflict with any organized religion or spiritual practice I am aware of. In fact, it can enhance and deepen a belief system. There is no dogma or chain of command one has to understand and adhere to. Meditation is a very personal practice that is solely between the practitioner and his or her conception of a higher power, angels, nature spirits, the elements, the authentic self, etc.

How do you usually connect with your clients?
Lisa:  My clients and students usually find me through word of mouth or an announcement from the facility holding the classes. I also have a website that will come up if someone is searching for the types of services and classes I offer, along with a schedule of events. The link to my website is: LisaRaePracticalWisdom.com.

How would you say your clients would normally describe their lives before and after their sessions with you?
Lisa:  First-time meditation students are usually worried they cannot sit and be still for any length of time, and they laugh when I tell them not to get too comfortable because they might fall asleep. It's pretty amazing to see who ends up doing just that! They are relaxed and always tell me how well the rest of their day and sleep time went. Those who come on a regular basis talk about how meditation has changed their lives for the better. They are more relaxed and less prone to reacting to triggers that once upon a time caused anger and anxiety. They get along better with their partners and co-workers and have a general sense of peace.


A Lisa Rae Muir Original
In the case of coaching, there is also a gradual shift that occurs to change the client's life for the better. Do you know why? Because they have been empowered by actively participating. They understand that there are so many more possibilities than they could have ever imagined. They learn to give themselves permission to do what it takes to change their reality. The most motivated clients do the work and commit themselves to following through. This in turn leads to their goals being reached, and they have a new sense of self-respect and integrity. My hope is to teach them self-reliance and the fact that no one knows them better than they know themselves. They learn to get from where they are to where they want to be. This requires a shift in thinking and behavior.
Frequently, there is a need for healing in order to facilitate that shift. Energy work helps address old wounds and habits (known and unknown), which prevent the client from moving forward. Channeling Reiki promotes relaxation in order to facilitate stress-relief, balance, and the clearing of blocks. The shamanic journey is also a way to retrieve the client's power and receive guidance from compassionate spirit helpers.

Do you ever find a healing for yourself in client sessions?
Lisa:  I always experience a healing for myself. The work I do is so rewarding because of the balance of give and take that's inherent in everything I do.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to create positive change in their life?
Lisa:  Give yourself the gift of taking yourself from the bottom of your list of priorities. How can you effectively take care of others and perform your best at your career and day-to-day living when you are not taking care of yourself? For a lot of people, that is a new concept because we have been taught by society that taking care of ourselves is selfish. It is not. That single decision is the first step towards creating positive and lasting change. A big part of that decision may be to find a professional you can trust that can give you the support you need in a non-judgmental atmosphere. How do you find that professional? We live in an age of easily-accessible information. That being said, there is sometimes so much information, we become overwhelmed. We were all born with an intuitive gift that is there whenever we ask for it. Ask for help in whatever way connects you to your inner wisdom, whether it be prayer, meditation, taking a walk in nature, etc. I personally use all these methods, and sometimes I just say out loud, “Please, please show me the way. Guide me to the person who can help me with (then be specific about what I'm looking for).” The help always turns up in one way or another. Having faith and a sincere, clear desire go a long way toward finding what you need. From there, anything and everything is possible!

What resources (blogs, websites, organizations, coaches, books, etc) would you recommend for someone wanting to learn more about spiritual healing and meditation? 
Lisa:  The book I recommend to those wishing to begin a meditation practice is Meditation and Relaxation in Plain English by Bob Sharples. Guided meditations and relaxing music can be found at Amazon.com, YouTube and iTunes. For intuition development and spiritual healing, my mentor, Sonia Choquette, has several amazing books, on-line and in-person workshops. Visit her site at soniachoquette.net. My personal favorites are Trust Your Vibes and Ask Your Guides. To learn more about Reiki, I like Reiki for Life by Penelope Quest. Awakening to the Spirit World by Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wesselman goes beyond introduction to Shamanism in an easy-to-understand writing style. There is also a drumming CD for journeying included with the book. All of the above-mentioned books may be found at Amazon.com.

What makes anything possible for you?
Lisa:  Truly believing and having faith in reaching positive goals and realizing the results of affirmations make anything possible.  The power of positive thinking is not merely a cliche.  It works.

How do you stay grounded?
Lisa:  Meditation and living in the present helps me stay grounded. If I'm feeling out of focus and meditation is not an option, I close my eyes (assuming I'm not driving), take a few deep cleansing breaths and reconnect to my True Self. Humming, singing and dancing are also fabulous, fun ways to ground and activate energy centers.

We recently attended the same shamanism workshop.  Can you tell me what you took from that experience?
Lisa:  The Foundation for Shamanic Studies teachers, Dana and Shana Robinson, put together a weekend full of information and chances to experience basic core shamanism, didn't they? The more I study shamanism, the more I see the amazing ways Spirit communicates with us in a way we each understand and gives us the ability to facilitate healing ourselves and others. It's very personal, and yet I found a sense of community and support between the participants. Forming new relationships, such as with you, Katy, was a bonus gift.

What are your greatest joys in life?
Lisa:  My greatest joys are spending time with my family and friends, being in nature, the many forms of artistic expression, travel and more. I really enjoy life!  Believe it or not, I love to experience the diversity of our beautiful country by riding my motorcycle across the scenic back roads and by-ways with my husband leading the way. I truly feel a loving oneness to the Great Spirit and Creator that lives in my heart. That's joy!



Connect with Lisa:

More Resources:
The Foundation for Shamanic Studies Workshop Page
Penelope Quest's Website - Author of "Reiki for Life" and more
Sonia Choquette's Website - Author and Spiritual Teacher
Sandra Ingerman's Website - Author of Awakening to the Spirit World
Order one of Sandra's amazing books or CDs by CLICKING HERE


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