I’ve recently started reading The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings again. I first read them when I was 19, and after watching the Peter Jackson film adaptations, thought it was about time I returned to the actual texts of Tolkien’s masterpieces.
There’s something powerful about returning to a story like that at different stages of your life. You don’t read it in quite the same way twice.
When I was younger, it was easy to be drawn into the adventure, the battles, the strange lands, and the great struggle between light and darkness.
Reading it again now, what stands out more is the inner journey.
The Ring isn’t just an object of power.
It’s a burden.
It exposes weakness.
It amplifies desire.
It whispers to the part of a person that wants control, safety, importance, escape, or certainty.
And in that sense, all of us carry something a bit like it. That could be a familiar fear or an old wound. It might be a need to prove ourselves or a pattern we keep repeating. Perhaps a reaction that seems to take over before we’ve had time to choose.
This is where Spiritual Intelligence becomes so important.
Spiritual Intelligence is the part of you that can pause and notice what’s really going on beneath the surface.
It helps you see the fear behind a decision, the belief behind a pattern, the wound behind a reaction, and the deeper choice that’s available when you stop living on autopilot.
Most of the time, the thing running our lives isn’t obvious.
It simply shows up in the same argument, the same avoidance, the same overthinking, the same self-doubt, or the same need to hold everything together.
The path of awareness begins when we can finally say: “Ah. This is the pattern. This is the thing I’m carrying.”
And once we can see it, we have a chance to relate to it differently.
That, for me, is one of the deeper gifts of Reiki, Buddho, mindfulness and meditation. But it’ much more importantly one of the central pillars of The Abundant Self, and over the last 2 or 3 months, those currently taking the programme are routinely uncovering deeply buried patterns that have been controlling their lives. It’s been powerful - on a Gandalf level!
All of these practices help us see clearly.
They help us notice what has been quietly shaping our choices.
They help us come back to the part of ourselves that can choose with greater wisdom, compassion and courage.
That’s also the theme of my latest article:
What Is Spiritual Intelligence? Meaning, Signs, Benefits, and How to Develop It
In it, I explore how Spiritual Intelligence helps you stop reacting blindly to life and start understanding what’s really happening beneath the surface.
You can read it here:
A simple way to begin developing Spiritual Intelligence is through regular meditation practice.
To support you with this, I’ve made the guided meditations linked with my book, Mindfulness Meditation & The Art of Reiki, available for free.
You can access them here:
You’ll also find the free unpublished Chapter 10 of the book there too, along with its bonus meditation.
These practices are designed to help you deepen your awareness, steady your mind, and bring more presence into your Reiki and meditation practice.
And if you haven’t yet read the book, you can find it here:
Upcoming classes
Here are the next opportunities to train with me:
Buddho Level 2
22nd/23rd May
Reiki Level 1
29th/30th May
Buddho Level 2
12th/13th June
You can find course details and booking information on my Courses page here:
If you’re feeling drawn to deepen your practice, one of these classes could be a powerful next step. Check out the link above or send me a message to talk about what you’re looking for.
Testimonial
“Dear Master Steve,
“Two years ago, on this day, I started my first Reiki class with you. I can’t imagine how difficult these past years would have been without having realised Reiki in my life. I am forever grateful that the universe has lead me to you, when I was in search of a good Reiki teacher. I express my deep gratitude to you for all your invaluable teachings all these years and all the unfading support that you have given me. I wouldn’t wish for any Reiki Master than you.”
A quick favour
If you’ve trained with me, received Reiki, joined a class, read one of my books, or found value in my work, I’d really appreciate a short Google review.
Your words help other people feel more confident taking their own next step.
You can leave a review here:
With warmth,
Steve
