In an engaging interview with MysticMag, Brigid Burke delves into the evolution of her practice from Liminal Reiki to Transition Life Coaching, shedding light on the profound understanding of life’s transitional phases.
Initially centered on Reiki, which emphasizes the harmonization of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves, Burke recognized the need for a term that more accurately encompassed her broad range of support services. This realization led to the adoption of Transition Life Coaching, a name that more clearly articulates her commitment to assisting individuals through the transformative thresholds of life.
This thoughtful rebranding highlights the importance of the ‘liminal’—the spaces between the known and the unknown—and combines a variety of techniques to help clients navigate these significant transitions with insight and resilience, as shared in her conversation with MysticMag.
What inspired the shift from Liminal Reiki to Transition Life Coaching, and how do the two approaches complement each other?
“The term ‘liminal’ is central to my work, as it perfectly encapsulates the concept of being in a state of transition. Derived from the Latin word ‘limen,’ meaning ‘threshold,’ it speaks to those moments when we are navigating the passage from an old way of being to a new one. This ‘liminal’ phase is characterized by the completion of the past and the yet-to-be-discovered future. In my practice, ‘Reiki,’ which translates to ‘universal energy,’ is an energetic technique that aims to bring balance to our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves. Essentially, my work was focused on assisting individuals at this crossroads—helping them to rebalance their lives amidst significant change.
However, I realized that the term ‘liminal,’ is often encountered in anthropology, and the specific reference to ‘Reiki’ might lead to misunderstandings. The concept of ‘liminality’ might not be widely recognized outside academic circles, and mentioning ‘Reiki’ could give the impression that my practice was exclusively centered around Reiki, which was not the case. This confusion was pointed out by a friend, who suggested that what I truly provided was ‘transition life coaching.’ This new designation more accurately describes my services, which encompass Reiki but also extend beyond it. Hence, I adopted the name ‘Transition Life Coaching’ to more clearly communicate the breadth of support I offer to those navigating life’s transitions.”
How does your Life Path Assessment uniquely combine Astrology, Tarot, Human Design, and the Enneagram to guide clients?
The Life Path Assessment I offer serves as a crucial initial step to understanding a client’s historical and current context. It uniquely blends Western and Eastern astrology, offering diverse insights into an individual’s life circumstances. In Western astrology, I examine the birth chart, focusing on houses that indicate family dynamics, career paths, and life transitions, as well as the North and South Nodes for life direction, and planets like Saturn and Chiron to identify personal challenges and wounds.
Eastern astrology complements this with additional layers such as the Dasha system, which reveals the planetary periods an individual is experiencing, and the D9 or ‘spouse chart’ that provides insights into the latter half of a person’s life.
Human Design offers a deeper understanding of a person’s energy type, highlighting their multitasking abilities, need for rest, strengths in collaboration and creativity, and potential vulnerabilities.
Tarot readings, including a horoscope spread for current challenges, a ‘path of balance’ spread to evaluate the harmony between intuition, emotions, and rational thought, and a ‘Zen Tarot’ reading focusing on emotional and psychological states, further enrich the assessment.
The Enneagram provides insights into how clients interact with their environment, and their coping strategies, and is particularly useful for career and relationship guidance. This is typically facilitated through a questionnaire.
All these elements come together in a comprehensive final report, which takes several hours to compile. The process concludes with distance Reiki to identify and clear energetic blockages, enhancing the path forward.
This multifaceted approach not only offers a robust foundation for individuals in transition but also prompts deep reflection on life’s influences and personal responses. The assessment generally spans one to two sessions, allowing clients to process the information and decide on their next steps.
In what ways do you help clients embrace self-acceptance and navigate life transitions more effectively?
I begin by encouraging clients to watch a video by Zen philosopher Alan Watts titled ‘Why the Urge to Improve Yourself.’ Watts discusses our perpetual dissatisfaction and the relentless pursuit of improvement, highlighting the importance of self-acceptance. This sets the stage for our work together, emphasizing the need to embrace ourselves as we are rather than constantly striving to compete or be ‘the best’ at something.
In our sessions, we delve into three main areas:
- Identity Narratives: We examine the stories clients tell about themselves, their worldview, and their relationships with others. The goal is to uncover the origins of these narratives and assess their relevance to the person’s current and evolving self.
- Intuition and Senses: I guide clients in honing their intuition and trusting senses beyond sight, akin to how deep-sea fish navigate dark waters without light. This metaphor illustrates the challenge of navigating life transitions when the path forward isn’t clearly visible.
- Perspective Shifts: We explore the potential of reinterpreting failures, mistakes, and negative influences as opportunities for growth and new experiences, much like how fertilizer, despite its unpleasantness, nourishes growth.
Throughout this process, dream analysis often serves as a valuable tool, providing deep insights into the subconscious mind. By addressing these areas, I help clients foster self-acceptance and navigate life’s transitions more effectively.
Can you share how Tarot readings can offer clarity and insight during significant life changes?
Many perceive Tarot as a means to foresee the future, yet its true value lies in its ability to mirror our current state. Our lives are often led on autopilot, with our awareness confined to conscious thoughts and immediate surroundings, leaving a vast expanse of our unconscious and the collective consciousness unexplored. This realm, unlike our rational mind, communicates through symbols, sounds, and sometimes poetic imagery.
The Tarot deck, with its rich tapestry of symbols, mirrors life’s journey and the psychological challenges we encounter. The 22 Major Arcana cards symbolize significant life changes and encounters with forces greater than ourselves. In contrast, the 56 Minor Arcana cards reflect our personal experiences and reactions to these transitions.
During a reading, by energetically connecting with a client, the Tarot reveals the client’s current path, highlighting potential obstacles and necessary decisions for progression. It serves as a guide, advising when to take action, when to remain patient, and how to navigate the journey ahead.
How does Reiki Therapy contribute to balancing both body and mind in your practice?
Reiki, originating from Japan, is an energy-balancing practice that harmonizes the flow of ‘Ki’ or ‘Chi’ within the body, guided by the chakra system. At the onset of a Reiki session, whether conducted in-person or remotely via video call, I tune into the energy flow to discern areas of intensity or significant energy absorption. During remote sessions, I often perceive colors associated with various chakras, indicating the areas requiring the most attention.
Additionally, I sometimes receive intuitive messages that may shed light on the client’s underlying issues. These insights, coupled with the client’s post-session feedback, inform my subsequent guidance and recommendations. Clients frequently report experiencing heightened clarity, relaxation, and a sense of grounding after a session. Many also notice alleviation in physical discomforts, facilitating a more balanced and stress-free perspective on their circumstances.
What are the core principles behind your coaching philosophy, especially regarding self-improvement and recognizing one’s inherent gifts?
My coaching philosophy is deeply influenced by my academic background in the psychology of religion, with a particular focus on the concepts of the underworld and life after death. These studies highlight how our fear of the unknown, represented by our unconscious depths, prevents us from uncovering the valuable insights hidden within. This realm, akin to the domain of our ancestors, is integral to both life and death, emphasizing the inextricable link between the two.
My approach can be described as embracing the ‘dark work’ rather than solely focusing on ‘light work.’ This isn’t about delving into anything malevolent, but rather exploring the unseen, the hidden aspects of our psyche. Acknowledging and integrating our shadow side is essential for achieving wholeness.
The resistance to change we often encounter is typically rooted in unconscious habit patterns, attitudes, and behaviors. Addressing these underlying factors, despite the discomfort it may bring, is crucial for adapting to change and navigating crises effectively.
Ultimately, my goal is to guide clients toward embracing uncertainty, fostering a deeper trust in life’s process, and leading a fulfilling life aligned with their unique purpose and values, even amidst the inevitable shifts and changes life presents.
Find out more at: www.liminalreiki.com
