How Reiki helped Amigo during his last moments.
It was about two weeks ago, on a Saturday, when I visited little Amigo, one of the three marmoset monkeys who arrived at Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary in 2003 from a zoo in BC. Amigo was about 16 or 18 years old. The purpose of my visit was to offer Reiki to Amigo. He was having difficulties moving, was not really interested in food (including crickets, one of his favorites), and had stopped grooming himself.
While I spent time in Amigo’s cage, I clearly felt that he was quietly going through the process of dying; and so my intention when I offered Reiki to Amigo was to ease his transition, so he would not experience pain, fear and suffering. Primates, like humans, are affectionate beings. Like us, they communicate with each other verbally and physically to express emotions and caring.
Within the first few minutes of the Reiki session, Amigo slowly moved towards me and offered me his head and neck. I felt the urge to touch him and to scratch his little bony back. I reached out to him and energetically transferred the feeling of being touched, so he would experience the “physical touch” I felt he needed.
After a few quiet minutes, Amigo turned around and lay down to rest. As I ended the session, I whispered into his ear, “All is fine, Amigo. It is okay to let go of this life. It will be easy. You will be okay.” Then I slowly moved away from Amigo. He slowly turned around; his big eyes looked at me intently, and then he went back to his resting position, with his head curled under his arms.
I knew as I walked out of his living space, that this was the last time I would see Amigo. I knew that it would take only a couple of days for him to let go so he could peacefully transition.
I thought about him often that weekend. On Tuesday morning I received the message I was waiting for; Amigo had passed away quietly in his sleep on Tuesday night. He was without pain.
The Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, located in Sunderland, Ontario, gave Amigo the dignity and space he needed, where he could be who he was. Although he had lost his two marmosetfriends over the past five years, he had become part of the family of resident primates who had been rescued from various unkind situations.
I thank the Sanctuary for allowing me to meet Amigo and his fellow residents, to connect deeply with this little creature that I had known for just a short time.
I invite you to support the great work of a small team of dedicated volunteers and the lives of the resident primates at the Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary
