I recevied this letter from a dear friend and Reiki Master friend of mine janeAnne Narrin. Many of you will remember that we worked together in the Usui 21 day virtual retreat for many years. She has given her permission to share it with you.
Hello Dearhearts,
I have been asked to write to my students and friends during these difficult days where equilibrium is being challenged....and when change with compassion is so needed....and when we can feel powerless.
During these times, there is MUCH we can do to alleviate suffering...if only from a distance. Those who wrote asked about the effectiveness of your distant healing practice ..One group of practitioners wrote...."How well are we doing at opening a space for healing for those who are in pain in so many places around the world?"...
I know that "effectiveness" is not a problem with REIKI(energy)....especially if you are distancing REIKI without ego...
I remember reading this...."...[There is] a profoundly different reality from that which we encounter in our everyday western world. To enter into this domain is to question what we mean by space and time, by the distinctions between living and the non living, by the individual and society, by dreams
and visions, by perception and reality, by causality and synchronicity, by time and eternity"
~F. David Peat
What F. David Peat writes resonates with me...especially in terms of Reiki (practice) ...and even more so in terms of distant healing within the advanced practice. But distancing REIKI (energy ) asks you first to deepen your personal awareness of and connection with the "space" where both the flowers of happiness and the thorns of suffering fall.
To accelerate awareness, the advanced practitioner has to make a commitment ...
dedicate herself or himself to daily Self-Reiki Practice....
In that very Self-Reiki practice, that practitioner might... in particular ...ask and intend
to enjoy a heightened sense of AWARENESS OF EQUILIBRIUM.
so....
EXAMPLE:
Possibly choose to begin your Self-Reiki practice with a few deep breaths—(in breath, through nose--out breath, through mouth)—Count to 10 while inhaling and exhaling— Place your hands, left hand on your heart, right hand atop it, thumbs alongside fingers—then simply BE here ....for at least 10 minutes. ...practice ....no expectations...only observing and without judgment...
Begin Self-Reiki....SET INTENTION: Possibly choose to feel your own vulnerability and release the resulting negative emotions before they harden into pain....and then set the intention to come into balance...equanimity....
Specifically, you might ask and intend to hold a place for balance while (simultaneously) letting go of what leads to suffering...and also release attachment to any particular outcome.
REQUEST: As you go deeper into your Self-Reiki practice, possibly ask to find joy in balanced energy....
example...
Pretend you are a child on a teeter-totter--...
Remember the EXACT feeling of the point at which you came to balance (This IS a state of awareness or consciousness..it also is a feeling!)
Find that multidimensional space...and that feeling...
Connect with that awareness and the feeling. ...
Request that this amazing, attractive energy you are feeling be drawn as needed for the highest good of all concerned...(general) ...
If your request is more specific ...you need to go into the special process of visualization using the specific anchor points you learned...(do you remember how lovely that process is ?)..
You can bring yourself to equilibrium on all levels--
by celebrating the mystery of renewal
through the discipline of daily Self-Reiki practice. . .
I just got a note last night saying,...."How come we have to practice so much? "
Well!....practicing getting to equanimity lets you better put yourself in someone else’s experience of the world without either harsh judgment or attachment to the outcome ...(that is if or if not what You hope happens does or doesn't happen....an internal landscape where your ego is not in the way.)
I told that person that if he were concerned that his practice for sharing REIKI (energy) across space and time was effective....simply DO NOT WORRY....(You know who advised that! :-)). It IS effective. REIKI (energy) is perfect. ..your Reiki (practice) may not be perfect, but REIKI (energy) IS...Ask only that REIKI healing energy arrive when it is needed, and that it be for the highest good of all concerned, and then find the gift of equanimity that comes to YOU in that request that expects no-thing... when you are seizing the moment, cultivating it, and letting the fresh breeze inherent in That Moment grow, and radiate out like the cooling evening mists over the mountains, to be drawn by all living creatures in need...
This happens naturally through your own Self-Reiki Practice ...as REIKI (energy) works to alleviate suffering and bring happiness.
Just the BEing present in your Reiki practice brings you to a sense of balance even when you confront conflicting and tumultuous emotions.... when you feel aversion or any of the "negative" emotions that can come up – because REIKI (energy) helps you to be mindful of the flowing nature of reality as you STAY WITH the process.. .working to alleviate what is toxic or harmful....
When I am in my daily Reiki practice many times negative thoughts and emotions come up. That’s when I like to think of the small lake across the street from my house in Michigan. By December, it was safe for all the kids in the neighborhood to skate on —by February, we thought it might NEVER thaw, then one warm, May day ....always as if by magic ....there the lake would be...liquid and twinkling in the afternoon sun.
When patterns of negativity show up in my daily Self-Reiki practice, I immediately go to the lake metaphor... remind myself of the real quality of BEing—the flowing lake quality—and how even when I find myself hardening into icy judgment, (even wondering if my practice is of value to myself or anyone who may be suffering) Ican melt that hardness instantly with REIKI (energy) as the catalyst. And you know...as Takata said...“With REIKI, there is always hope”! (I'm smiling)
Our nature does not change. . .(frozen lake, melted lake—same water, right?)
So if we are like the lake (and we are) our “water spirit” is still there even when we are feeling negative emotions..Our wellness/goodness/ is inherent in WHO WE ARE.. .
and in understanding this,
we possess the secret
to simultaneously HOLDING A SPACE WHILE LETTING GO...
which is the essence of the distant healing practice .... ...... ......~
Te task at Hand: Simply to dissolve the ice (which can arrive when we divide by conceptualizing) that keeps us frozen...in order to flow like the summer lake ..... so just remember to be BOTH firm, and to melt . . .(I’m smiling).... Inner wisdom and inner strength arise from knowing and trusting in your True Nature ...from which all healing arrives.
Many Blessings During Difficult Times,
janeAnne, Reiki Master, the Usui System of Natural Healing..
in Practice for Terra
http://webpages.charter.net/jtnarrin/
Reiki,One Energy Therapy and personal messages from Reiki Master and Author, Mari Hall
8.31.2005
Greetings from Sedona
Greetings from Sedona…
How blessed I am to have the unique opportunity to stay with a lovely Reiki family here in Sedona. I met Cindy Terrell in New York a few years ago. She is from Oklahoma but has followed her heart and moved to Sedona, She asked me to come stay with she and her family and the bonus has been that I am also spending time with an extended Reiki community. We are truly people from all walks of life, different personalities, jobs, and dreams and yet the common element is Reiki. The love is incredible. I have had time to be sourced by Sedona and the people here and am pleased to let you know I have started working on a mentoring program for all levels of Reiki people… I will tell you more about it later however it will include meditation CDs, online support and more, so stay tuned.
I have also been making beautiful prayer beads. I am using them as a meditation tool, each bead is charged with the energy of Reiki and ONE. I pray into the beads as I make them. I will be offering them for sale later. Sedona has been very good for me.
Last Sunday we went to see the Grand Canyon after stopping to see the sacred White Buffalo in route. Cindy is a wealth of knowledge and is pure 100% fun. The Canyon is breath taking in its beauty. She leads meditation groups there and I can see why. To have the time to sit and be still in a space such as that is awe inspiring and humbling just the same. And I have seen so many wonderful creatures. A Hummingbird is bound and determined that I see him everyday. He stops right in front of my eyes daily and often brings another hummingbird with him. Praying Mantas, quail, hawk and eagle all are near me…they are all Creators messengers. Whew I am being asked to be still and see Creator in all things, and there is many!
I will be in Australia In September and early October teaching several classes and then on to Asheville North Carolina in late October for a ONE class. Asheville is known as the Eastern Sedona. It is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and beautiful. You might consider making a trip for the class and to check Asheville out. Please contact Martin Doyle at phone 828 253 1113 or on revmartindoyle@aol.com
The Texas Reiki Retreat at Canyon of the Eagles Lodge in November is filling up fast. If you are interested please contact Annamarie at avireiki@yahoo.com to register. The Retreat is on Veterans Day Weekend November 11, 12, and 13 at Canyon of the Eagles up in Burnet, Texas overlooking beautiful Lake Buchanan. You need to register as soon as possible. They are accepting payments made through pay pal. You will still need to contact Annamarie and get a registration form. We will be taking a trip by boat to see the eagles nesting. I will be teaching a ONE class on the Sunday. You can register for the ONE class by following this link: http://www.wisechoices.com/paypal.asp. The Retreat and One course are not limited to Reiki people from Texas…we are a welcoming bunch so you all come, you hear!
Here are some articles I think you will enjoy. You are most welcome to send in articles you have written to me that I may use sometime.
I will write again next month from “Down Under”
Love and Blessings,
Mari
Putting Yourself First
Meeting Your Own Needs
In life, we are encouraged to think of others first. It is seen as a virtue to selflessly address the needs of parents, children, friends, and loved ones, before or sometimes at the cost of our own needs. But this virtue, like any, is best and most meaningful in moderation. Overly caring for others can easily be an unconscious cry for love or a crutch. Devoting all of your time to others can stand in the way of you caring for yourself. Taking care of yourself can feel selfish while taking care of others can seem easier than dealing with your own issues. But addressing your own needs first in some cases is beneficial and vital not only to your own health and well-being, but to your ability to care for others when needed.
We often find ourselves faced with too many responsibilities and those most readily given up are often those most important to us. Ask yourself why. Do you feel the need to prove yourself by being selfless or hope your sacrifice will be acknowledged? Do you feel selfish for wanting things for yourself? Or is it simply more stressful to contemplate your own needs, because they are the ones requiring the most personal effort on your part? Selfless dedication can be frustrating when we don't find the appreciation or love we desire, which ironically leads to putting more effort into others. But when you care for yourself, you affirm your own worth and boundaries. Don't be afraid to put yourself first now and then. Listen to your inner voice and be fair to yourself as well as to others. Have the courage to face your needs and issues head on without putting them off by helping someone else with theirs.
Avoiding caring for oneself is often indicative of great internal struggle. It can be helpful to recognize that you are as deserving of care as any other human and that you, too, function best when your needs are met. Try, when possible, to do something special, take a break, ask for help, and to give your own needs the attention they deserve.
Reprinted from OM with permission
Reservoir Of Strength
The Third Chakra
When individuals experience difficult times, they often find that they possess a previously undiscovered reservoir of strength. In ancient Vedic texts, the third, or Manipura chakra (when healthy) is the seat of that strength, bolstering courage and determination in times of stress and uncertainty. This chakra radiates from the base of the sternum, governing our emotions, will, and ego. When balanced, it blesses one with a profound drive to succeed, authority, integrity, and self-respect. It is active, rather than passive, and helps in the achievement of tasks both great and small. The Manipura chakra may be visualized as a bright, cheerful yellow and is associated with the sunflower and amber.
Because of its connection to the ego, when the third chakra is in a depleted state, it is common to experience feelings of inadequacy, doubt, and rejection; depression and lethargy; and intense worry. Too much energy focused in the area leads to the desire to exert inappropriate control over one's environment. A well-developed Manipura chakra empowers you to grow in positive ways and inspires you to act on your desires. It is possible to exert a balancing influence over the chakra by bringing fire into your life in the form of candles or hearth fires, wearing yellow clothing, and doing exercises that strengthen the muscles of the abdomen and teach you to breath deeply using the diaphragm. You can stimulate an under-active third chakra by burning cinnamon or carnation incense, using peppermint or lemon essential oils and Ginkgo biloba or milk thistle, and exposing the chakra to tiger-eye. The simplest and most potent method of opening and energizing the chakra is relaxing your emotional center. Laugh and cry more often, let yourself be more sensitive, and embrace your raw emotions.
Living with a repressed Manipura chakra is like existing automatically, without vitality. Its qualities can be the cause of overwork and excessive perfectionism, but this chakra is more often the seat of free will, goals, personal power, and decisiveness. When nurtured, it can lead you to new heights of spirituality and balance in all aspects of your life.
Trying to Control the Soul
We often think we can control love. And then we catch ourselves asking the completely useless question: "is it really worth it?"
Love does not bother itself with that question. Love refuses to be priced like some piece of merchandise. One of the characters in Bertold Brecht’s play "The Good Person of Szechuan" tells us about true love:
"I want to be next to the one I love.
I don’t care what this will cost me.
I don’t care whether this will do my life good or bad.
I don’t care whether this person loves me or not.
All I want, all I need is to be close to the one I love."
Copyright @ 2005 by Paulo Coelho
How blessed I am to have the unique opportunity to stay with a lovely Reiki family here in Sedona. I met Cindy Terrell in New York a few years ago. She is from Oklahoma but has followed her heart and moved to Sedona, She asked me to come stay with she and her family and the bonus has been that I am also spending time with an extended Reiki community. We are truly people from all walks of life, different personalities, jobs, and dreams and yet the common element is Reiki. The love is incredible. I have had time to be sourced by Sedona and the people here and am pleased to let you know I have started working on a mentoring program for all levels of Reiki people… I will tell you more about it later however it will include meditation CDs, online support and more, so stay tuned.
I have also been making beautiful prayer beads. I am using them as a meditation tool, each bead is charged with the energy of Reiki and ONE. I pray into the beads as I make them. I will be offering them for sale later. Sedona has been very good for me.
Last Sunday we went to see the Grand Canyon after stopping to see the sacred White Buffalo in route. Cindy is a wealth of knowledge and is pure 100% fun. The Canyon is breath taking in its beauty. She leads meditation groups there and I can see why. To have the time to sit and be still in a space such as that is awe inspiring and humbling just the same. And I have seen so many wonderful creatures. A Hummingbird is bound and determined that I see him everyday. He stops right in front of my eyes daily and often brings another hummingbird with him. Praying Mantas, quail, hawk and eagle all are near me…they are all Creators messengers. Whew I am being asked to be still and see Creator in all things, and there is many!
I will be in Australia In September and early October teaching several classes and then on to Asheville North Carolina in late October for a ONE class. Asheville is known as the Eastern Sedona. It is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and beautiful. You might consider making a trip for the class and to check Asheville out. Please contact Martin Doyle at phone 828 253 1113 or on revmartindoyle@aol.com
The Texas Reiki Retreat at Canyon of the Eagles Lodge in November is filling up fast. If you are interested please contact Annamarie at avireiki@yahoo.com to register. The Retreat is on Veterans Day Weekend November 11, 12, and 13 at Canyon of the Eagles up in Burnet, Texas overlooking beautiful Lake Buchanan. You need to register as soon as possible. They are accepting payments made through pay pal. You will still need to contact Annamarie and get a registration form. We will be taking a trip by boat to see the eagles nesting. I will be teaching a ONE class on the Sunday. You can register for the ONE class by following this link: http://www.wisechoices.com/paypal.asp. The Retreat and One course are not limited to Reiki people from Texas…we are a welcoming bunch so you all come, you hear!
Here are some articles I think you will enjoy. You are most welcome to send in articles you have written to me that I may use sometime.
I will write again next month from “Down Under”
Love and Blessings,
Mari
Putting Yourself First
Meeting Your Own Needs
In life, we are encouraged to think of others first. It is seen as a virtue to selflessly address the needs of parents, children, friends, and loved ones, before or sometimes at the cost of our own needs. But this virtue, like any, is best and most meaningful in moderation. Overly caring for others can easily be an unconscious cry for love or a crutch. Devoting all of your time to others can stand in the way of you caring for yourself. Taking care of yourself can feel selfish while taking care of others can seem easier than dealing with your own issues. But addressing your own needs first in some cases is beneficial and vital not only to your own health and well-being, but to your ability to care for others when needed.
We often find ourselves faced with too many responsibilities and those most readily given up are often those most important to us. Ask yourself why. Do you feel the need to prove yourself by being selfless or hope your sacrifice will be acknowledged? Do you feel selfish for wanting things for yourself? Or is it simply more stressful to contemplate your own needs, because they are the ones requiring the most personal effort on your part? Selfless dedication can be frustrating when we don't find the appreciation or love we desire, which ironically leads to putting more effort into others. But when you care for yourself, you affirm your own worth and boundaries. Don't be afraid to put yourself first now and then. Listen to your inner voice and be fair to yourself as well as to others. Have the courage to face your needs and issues head on without putting them off by helping someone else with theirs.
Avoiding caring for oneself is often indicative of great internal struggle. It can be helpful to recognize that you are as deserving of care as any other human and that you, too, function best when your needs are met. Try, when possible, to do something special, take a break, ask for help, and to give your own needs the attention they deserve.
Reprinted from OM with permission
Reservoir Of Strength
The Third Chakra
When individuals experience difficult times, they often find that they possess a previously undiscovered reservoir of strength. In ancient Vedic texts, the third, or Manipura chakra (when healthy) is the seat of that strength, bolstering courage and determination in times of stress and uncertainty. This chakra radiates from the base of the sternum, governing our emotions, will, and ego. When balanced, it blesses one with a profound drive to succeed, authority, integrity, and self-respect. It is active, rather than passive, and helps in the achievement of tasks both great and small. The Manipura chakra may be visualized as a bright, cheerful yellow and is associated with the sunflower and amber.
Because of its connection to the ego, when the third chakra is in a depleted state, it is common to experience feelings of inadequacy, doubt, and rejection; depression and lethargy; and intense worry. Too much energy focused in the area leads to the desire to exert inappropriate control over one's environment. A well-developed Manipura chakra empowers you to grow in positive ways and inspires you to act on your desires. It is possible to exert a balancing influence over the chakra by bringing fire into your life in the form of candles or hearth fires, wearing yellow clothing, and doing exercises that strengthen the muscles of the abdomen and teach you to breath deeply using the diaphragm. You can stimulate an under-active third chakra by burning cinnamon or carnation incense, using peppermint or lemon essential oils and Ginkgo biloba or milk thistle, and exposing the chakra to tiger-eye. The simplest and most potent method of opening and energizing the chakra is relaxing your emotional center. Laugh and cry more often, let yourself be more sensitive, and embrace your raw emotions.
Living with a repressed Manipura chakra is like existing automatically, without vitality. Its qualities can be the cause of overwork and excessive perfectionism, but this chakra is more often the seat of free will, goals, personal power, and decisiveness. When nurtured, it can lead you to new heights of spirituality and balance in all aspects of your life.
Trying to Control the Soul
We often think we can control love. And then we catch ourselves asking the completely useless question: "is it really worth it?"
Love does not bother itself with that question. Love refuses to be priced like some piece of merchandise. One of the characters in Bertold Brecht’s play "The Good Person of Szechuan" tells us about true love:
"I want to be next to the one I love.
I don’t care what this will cost me.
I don’t care whether this will do my life good or bad.
I don’t care whether this person loves me or not.
All I want, all I need is to be close to the one I love."
Copyright @ 2005 by Paulo Coelho
8.10.2005
Foundations and the journey
Catching up…
I enjoyed my time at the Greater Washington Area Reiki conference and the ONE class I taught at the end of July. It was a homecoming of sorts. I graduated from Wheaton High School in 1962 and left the Washington DC area in early 1965. This was my first time back to Maryland. I had wonderful the opportunity to see the house I last lived in with my parents and brother. It is still there, smaller than I had remembered, the trees we planted are all great big and the neighbors that I grew up with are no longer living there…we have all moved on. While we can go back and take a look and reminisce, times have brought change and the visit became the way I could honor all the steps I have made in my journey since then and acknowledge that part of my past as the foundation I built my life on.
This summer has been a time of reconnection. I have been visiting old and dear friends that I have not seen in sometimes 25-40 years. I even managed to visit an old boy friend from 32 years ago. It was fun catching up, sharing pictures of the grandchildren, remembering times we had spent together and plans for the future. I was surprised that so many were eager for stories of my experiences in Czech. I have been asked to write them down…We laughed so much over some of the stories that tears streamed down our faces. I have decided to do that as a way to honor more of the steps in my journey.
I feel that my time I have been in Cypress, Texas with my daughter and her family has been a time of reconnection, coming full circle; a time to honor, laugh and yes even cry. Most of all it has been a time of forgiveness and reconnection to an inner part of my being I had lost touch with. I call her the foundation builder. It is she who weaves the foundation carefully out of past experience knowing when to lift and remove pieces of the foundation that are no longer needed and what to put in their place that are more substantial for future support. She is magical and fun. It is she who told me when I was in Buffalo, New York to tie myself to the happy times and not to focus on the sadness. By working with these happy layers I will move in to gladness. I have been doing some processing with this lately and I must say…She is right! And the foundation is changing.
Starting this Sunday I am taking a break in Sedona Arizona for a few weeks, connecting again and hopefully making new friends. I will be working on a new course when am there.
What is ahead? I will be in Australia from the 10th of September to the 5th of October teaching several courses. On October 22-23 I will be in Asheville, NC to teach ONE. In November the Texas Reiki Retreat and ONE class is scheduled for the 12-14th. For more information and to register follow this link:
http://www.wisechoices.com/paypal.asp
I am pleased this month to share with you several articles and a link to an excellent article that was in the Washington Post about using Reiki in the operating room.
Light Touch in the Operating Room
What Is Reiki, an Alternative Energy Therapy, Doing in a Mainstream Medical Institution? That's Just What Researchers Hope to Learn
By Matt McMillen
For the article follow this link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/25/AR2005072501224.html
Have a magical fall.
Love and Blessings,
Mari
Reiki… what is it?
By Adonea
I'd like to talk a little about Reiki... the word, the kanji and what it is said to be.
In the system of Reiki which most of us have studied we were taught in First degree that the word Reiki meant Universal Life Energy or Universal Life Force Energy or spiritually guided life force energy. In my first degree training it was said that Rei: is Japanese for universal or spiritual consciousness wisdom (God consciousness) or a higher dimension of light and the soul; knows the cause of all problems and what to do to heal them. Ki: is Japanese for vital life force energy, which animates everything; also called Prana, Mana, Holy Ghost, Chi, etc..
Based on the definition Universal Life Force Energy... do you really truly know what it is you are accessing when you do Reiki? Have you ever wondered about it? I certainly have many times. And it always seemed to be something, which was way out there... Universal... WOW! What is Universal??? All the energies in the Universes??? I did know that Ki/Chi/Qi, Prana, etc. is also energy which animates all living things... but even this concept didn't bring me the 'ah ha' (understanding) that I wanted.
So I taught what I learned and took for granted that it simply 'WAS' and most importantly it worked... and that was what truly mattered... right?
Often the newer form of the kanji Rei and Ki are utilized by most Reiki Teachers. This is changing though and when Mrs. Takata drew the Kanji for Barbara Ray she used the old form when she talked about Reiki to her. So Barbara Ray used the old form Kanji on her Reiki materials. Now why would this have any bearing on anything... everyone knows what Reiki is right? Maybe not everyone!
Well as I mentioned before I kept digging and searching because it felt like bits or understandings were missing somehow. Even in the simple description of the word Reiki. So....
I looked up the word 'reiki' in the Japanese to English Dictionary online. There are 6 possible definitions and 6 different Kanji/Kana combinations. The dictionary describes the 'new' Kanji combination Reiki used by the Alliance and many independent Reiki teachers as: 'aura'. The old kanji combination taught by Mrs. Takata is described as: 'Reiki (healing method)' and the Kana/Katakana version which TJR was using... is normally used for brand names. The other 3 mean: established rule; cold, chill, cold weather; and excitation. Hum... isn't this interesting... no where does it say anything about Universal Life Force Energy. Boy now I'm really confused.
Then, I believe it was back in 1998, a member of the Gakkai contacted me and 2 other Reiki Teachers, calling us the triad. He said that the old more beautiful form of the kanji of Reiki more fully described the Reiki system (see illustration left of old kanji penned by Adonea). This was the definition he gave us: "On the earth stands a shaman with his arms raised against the sky. From the heaven the rain comes down with lifesaving energy consisting of 3 parts, Light, Love and Power. The shaman acts as a channel (channeling this energy down to all the people of the Earth). The Reiki teacher is the channel when s/he initiates students and the practitioner is the shaman, when s/he channels this spiritual energy to the people treated." I love this... it is beautiful... but where did it come from I wondered?
If one looks to the genealogy of the Kanji 'Rei Ki' from the Chinese 'Ling Qi'... you can see the concepts the Sensei spoke of. How fascinating this was to me!!! It got me digging even deeper... I think Usui Sensei was prodding me along.
I looked up each of the old style kanji for Rei and Ki in the Japanese dictionary then to get a more spiritual concept of the words I looked in the Buddhist Japanese to English dictionary. This is what I found:
Rei – Strokes, 24. Consists of 3 parts. Top is rain, middle is things and bottom is Shaman. Rei means "spirit or spiritual”. The Japanese dictionary defines Rei as: (1) Spirit; the spiritual aspect of the human being as contrasted to the physical. (2) Divine, numinous, charismatic, supernatural, mysterious. (3) The luminosity of the spirit; the luminosity of a God or Sage. (4) Inconceivable spiritual ability; charismatic power; charisma; wonderful; a wonder. (5) A rainmaker, a diviner; a person or being with spiritual or supernatural powers. (6) A shaman. (7) Goodness; good, excellent, efficacious. (8) Clever, nimble, sharp. (9) Life. (10) A living being; a human being. (11) A supernatural (mythical) beast or being; a fairy, an elf. (12) Pure, undefined, unpolluted. (13) Bright, clear.
Ki – Strokes, 10. Consists of Breath with rice (Rice in Japan is sometimes used as a synonym for people). Ki means “energy". The Japanese dictionary defines Ki as: (1)Vital energy connected with the breath. Invisible life-force, somewhat equivalent to the Indian prana. (2) In the view of Zhuxi and other Neo-Confucians, the material force of the Universe. The generative forces of heaven and earth, by means of which all things are constantly reproduced. (3) Air. (4) Breath, steam.
Ok so here is something closer to Universal Life Force Energy... but it seemed clearer to me... 'Spiritual Energy'.
Mr. Doi told us that Usui Sensei said, "Reiho is a spiritual healing technique and an energy healing technique". In the Usui Reiki Hikkei, in the questions and answers section Usui Sensei's answers a question: A ....For achieving my teachings training and improving physically and spiritually and walking in a right path as a human being, first we have to heal our spirit. Secondly we have to keep our body healthy. If our spirit is healthy and conformed to the truth, body will get healthy naturally.... So here Reiki is described as 'Spiritual Energy' or a system that first heals the spirit then the body. Ok this is great... more food for thought.
But if one looks even deeper... to all the words contained in the definitions of Rei Ki above one can come up the following possible definition (which really resonates with me): "Inconceivable spiritual ability utilizing the generative forces of heaven and earth."
So lets define each of these words and break it down to see what we come up with...
Inconceivable in the dictionary means 'unable to be imagined or impossible to believe'. To me in this context, inconceivable means something that is just beyond the tangible physical world... or metaphysical (beyond the physical)... something which seems just outside of reach... but is not.
Spiritual in the dictionary is described as: 'of the human spirit or soul, not physical or worldly'.
Ability is described as: 'the quality that makes an action or process possible; the capacity or power to do something'.
Utilizing is described as: 'finding a use for'.
Generative is described as: generate is 'to bring into existence or to produce'. Generative is an adjective which describes the quality of bringing into existence.
Forces is described as: 'strength, power or effectiveness'. Seem to fit the best in this description. Forces are the energies of... or power behind if you will.
Heaven is described as: 'the state of the soul's union with God or a state of supreme bliss, something delightful'. Or Divine Consciousness
Earth is described as: 'the world on which we live'. I see this as all things of a material nature... all things physical or the Divine Material.
So Reiki could be described as:
Humanity using the energy of heaven and earth to bring our soul/spirit/mind/body back to the knowledge of its’ oneness with God.
Or perhaps:
It's unimaginable (to our human mind) that the human spirit/soul can create ways to use the power and effectiveness of the union of itself with God in the physical world.
Or maybe:
The ability of the human spirit to produce and use the power of its’ oneness with God on Earth.
Yeah those are what I've been searching for. All these hidden jewels contained within the simple word Reiki...
So we've looked at a slightly different perspective on the meaning of Reiki and what it actually does.
Thank you Usui Sensei for your guidance and direction.
Making History Every DayYour Personal Legacy
When we focus on people who make a huge historical impact-presidents, visionary artists, great spiritual leaders-we sometimes forget that we, too, are making history and influencing the future with the way we live our lives. This is obvious if we just look at our own parents and how the way they lived affected us. In the best case, we received lessons from them or other mentors that have empowered us. On the other hand, we may have decided to depart dramatically from the way they conducted their lives. If so, then their mistakes and shortcomings were catalysts for us to change old familial patterns. Either way, their way of being determined the course of our future. By the same token, our actions determine the course of the future for others, and those who follow us will remember us as part of their history. In light of this, it is good to ask ourselves what our legacy will be. We have all heard stories about family members we may or may not have known; sometimes it is their humor that shines through in others' memories, or their contagious positive energy, or their skill in managing the family assets. People outside our immediate family may have changed the course of our lives as well-a teacher who encouraged and inspired us; a neighbor who helped us in a time of need; or even a stranger who came to our aid in a difficult situation. When we remember these people, we realize that however small our daily lives seem, they are actually very important. How we treat people in each moment, with each interaction, can have a major impact. It helps to begin our days with an acknowledgement of this fact, taking a moment to consider how we want to be in the world and how powerful we really are. We must remember that our lives are not meaningless--quite the opposite. Every day we have an opportunity to "make history" and influence the future for the better.
The Daily OM
And finally from Paulo Coelho
The Caliph and his wife
The Arab Caliph sent for his secretary: “Lock up my wife in the tower while I’m away,” he ordered. “But she loves Your Majesty!” “And I love her,” answered the Caliph. “But I respect an old traditional proverb of ours that says "keep your dog thin and he will follow you; make him fat and he will bite you." The Caliph went off to war and returned six months later. On arriving, he called for his secretary and asked to see his wife. “She has abandoned you,” was the secretary’s answer. “Your Majesty quoted a beautiful proverb before leaving but forgot another Arab saying that goes: "If your dog is tied up it will follow anybody that opens its cage".
I enjoyed my time at the Greater Washington Area Reiki conference and the ONE class I taught at the end of July. It was a homecoming of sorts. I graduated from Wheaton High School in 1962 and left the Washington DC area in early 1965. This was my first time back to Maryland. I had wonderful the opportunity to see the house I last lived in with my parents and brother. It is still there, smaller than I had remembered, the trees we planted are all great big and the neighbors that I grew up with are no longer living there…we have all moved on. While we can go back and take a look and reminisce, times have brought change and the visit became the way I could honor all the steps I have made in my journey since then and acknowledge that part of my past as the foundation I built my life on.
This summer has been a time of reconnection. I have been visiting old and dear friends that I have not seen in sometimes 25-40 years. I even managed to visit an old boy friend from 32 years ago. It was fun catching up, sharing pictures of the grandchildren, remembering times we had spent together and plans for the future. I was surprised that so many were eager for stories of my experiences in Czech. I have been asked to write them down…We laughed so much over some of the stories that tears streamed down our faces. I have decided to do that as a way to honor more of the steps in my journey.
I feel that my time I have been in Cypress, Texas with my daughter and her family has been a time of reconnection, coming full circle; a time to honor, laugh and yes even cry. Most of all it has been a time of forgiveness and reconnection to an inner part of my being I had lost touch with. I call her the foundation builder. It is she who weaves the foundation carefully out of past experience knowing when to lift and remove pieces of the foundation that are no longer needed and what to put in their place that are more substantial for future support. She is magical and fun. It is she who told me when I was in Buffalo, New York to tie myself to the happy times and not to focus on the sadness. By working with these happy layers I will move in to gladness. I have been doing some processing with this lately and I must say…She is right! And the foundation is changing.
Starting this Sunday I am taking a break in Sedona Arizona for a few weeks, connecting again and hopefully making new friends. I will be working on a new course when am there.
What is ahead? I will be in Australia from the 10th of September to the 5th of October teaching several courses. On October 22-23 I will be in Asheville, NC to teach ONE. In November the Texas Reiki Retreat and ONE class is scheduled for the 12-14th. For more information and to register follow this link:
http://www.wisechoices.com/paypal.asp
I am pleased this month to share with you several articles and a link to an excellent article that was in the Washington Post about using Reiki in the operating room.
Light Touch in the Operating Room
What Is Reiki, an Alternative Energy Therapy, Doing in a Mainstream Medical Institution? That's Just What Researchers Hope to Learn
By Matt McMillen
For the article follow this link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/25/AR2005072501224.html
Have a magical fall.
Love and Blessings,
Mari
Reiki… what is it?
By Adonea
I'd like to talk a little about Reiki... the word, the kanji and what it is said to be.
In the system of Reiki which most of us have studied we were taught in First degree that the word Reiki meant Universal Life Energy or Universal Life Force Energy or spiritually guided life force energy. In my first degree training it was said that Rei: is Japanese for universal or spiritual consciousness wisdom (God consciousness) or a higher dimension of light and the soul; knows the cause of all problems and what to do to heal them. Ki: is Japanese for vital life force energy, which animates everything; also called Prana, Mana, Holy Ghost, Chi, etc..
Based on the definition Universal Life Force Energy... do you really truly know what it is you are accessing when you do Reiki? Have you ever wondered about it? I certainly have many times. And it always seemed to be something, which was way out there... Universal... WOW! What is Universal??? All the energies in the Universes??? I did know that Ki/Chi/Qi, Prana, etc. is also energy which animates all living things... but even this concept didn't bring me the 'ah ha' (understanding) that I wanted.
So I taught what I learned and took for granted that it simply 'WAS' and most importantly it worked... and that was what truly mattered... right?
Often the newer form of the kanji Rei and Ki are utilized by most Reiki Teachers. This is changing though and when Mrs. Takata drew the Kanji for Barbara Ray she used the old form when she talked about Reiki to her. So Barbara Ray used the old form Kanji on her Reiki materials. Now why would this have any bearing on anything... everyone knows what Reiki is right? Maybe not everyone!
Well as I mentioned before I kept digging and searching because it felt like bits or understandings were missing somehow. Even in the simple description of the word Reiki. So....
I looked up the word 'reiki' in the Japanese to English Dictionary online. There are 6 possible definitions and 6 different Kanji/Kana combinations. The dictionary describes the 'new' Kanji combination Reiki used by the Alliance and many independent Reiki teachers as: 'aura'. The old kanji combination taught by Mrs. Takata is described as: 'Reiki (healing method)' and the Kana/Katakana version which TJR was using... is normally used for brand names. The other 3 mean: established rule; cold, chill, cold weather; and excitation. Hum... isn't this interesting... no where does it say anything about Universal Life Force Energy. Boy now I'm really confused.
Then, I believe it was back in 1998, a member of the Gakkai contacted me and 2 other Reiki Teachers, calling us the triad. He said that the old more beautiful form of the kanji of Reiki more fully described the Reiki system (see illustration left of old kanji penned by Adonea). This was the definition he gave us: "On the earth stands a shaman with his arms raised against the sky. From the heaven the rain comes down with lifesaving energy consisting of 3 parts, Light, Love and Power. The shaman acts as a channel (channeling this energy down to all the people of the Earth). The Reiki teacher is the channel when s/he initiates students and the practitioner is the shaman, when s/he channels this spiritual energy to the people treated." I love this... it is beautiful... but where did it come from I wondered?
If one looks to the genealogy of the Kanji 'Rei Ki' from the Chinese 'Ling Qi'... you can see the concepts the Sensei spoke of. How fascinating this was to me!!! It got me digging even deeper... I think Usui Sensei was prodding me along.
I looked up each of the old style kanji for Rei and Ki in the Japanese dictionary then to get a more spiritual concept of the words I looked in the Buddhist Japanese to English dictionary. This is what I found:
Rei – Strokes, 24. Consists of 3 parts. Top is rain, middle is things and bottom is Shaman. Rei means "spirit or spiritual”. The Japanese dictionary defines Rei as: (1) Spirit; the spiritual aspect of the human being as contrasted to the physical. (2) Divine, numinous, charismatic, supernatural, mysterious. (3) The luminosity of the spirit; the luminosity of a God or Sage. (4) Inconceivable spiritual ability; charismatic power; charisma; wonderful; a wonder. (5) A rainmaker, a diviner; a person or being with spiritual or supernatural powers. (6) A shaman. (7) Goodness; good, excellent, efficacious. (8) Clever, nimble, sharp. (9) Life. (10) A living being; a human being. (11) A supernatural (mythical) beast or being; a fairy, an elf. (12) Pure, undefined, unpolluted. (13) Bright, clear.
Ki – Strokes, 10. Consists of Breath with rice (Rice in Japan is sometimes used as a synonym for people). Ki means “energy". The Japanese dictionary defines Ki as: (1)Vital energy connected with the breath. Invisible life-force, somewhat equivalent to the Indian prana. (2) In the view of Zhuxi and other Neo-Confucians, the material force of the Universe. The generative forces of heaven and earth, by means of which all things are constantly reproduced. (3) Air. (4) Breath, steam.
Ok so here is something closer to Universal Life Force Energy... but it seemed clearer to me... 'Spiritual Energy'.
Mr. Doi told us that Usui Sensei said, "Reiho is a spiritual healing technique and an energy healing technique". In the Usui Reiki Hikkei, in the questions and answers section Usui Sensei's answers a question: A ....For achieving my teachings training and improving physically and spiritually and walking in a right path as a human being, first we have to heal our spirit. Secondly we have to keep our body healthy. If our spirit is healthy and conformed to the truth, body will get healthy naturally.... So here Reiki is described as 'Spiritual Energy' or a system that first heals the spirit then the body. Ok this is great... more food for thought.
But if one looks even deeper... to all the words contained in the definitions of Rei Ki above one can come up the following possible definition (which really resonates with me): "Inconceivable spiritual ability utilizing the generative forces of heaven and earth."
So lets define each of these words and break it down to see what we come up with...
Inconceivable in the dictionary means 'unable to be imagined or impossible to believe'. To me in this context, inconceivable means something that is just beyond the tangible physical world... or metaphysical (beyond the physical)... something which seems just outside of reach... but is not.
Spiritual in the dictionary is described as: 'of the human spirit or soul, not physical or worldly'.
Ability is described as: 'the quality that makes an action or process possible; the capacity or power to do something'.
Utilizing is described as: 'finding a use for'.
Generative is described as: generate is 'to bring into existence or to produce'. Generative is an adjective which describes the quality of bringing into existence.
Forces is described as: 'strength, power or effectiveness'. Seem to fit the best in this description. Forces are the energies of... or power behind if you will.
Heaven is described as: 'the state of the soul's union with God or a state of supreme bliss, something delightful'. Or Divine Consciousness
Earth is described as: 'the world on which we live'. I see this as all things of a material nature... all things physical or the Divine Material.
So Reiki could be described as:
Humanity using the energy of heaven and earth to bring our soul/spirit/mind/body back to the knowledge of its’ oneness with God.
Or perhaps:
It's unimaginable (to our human mind) that the human spirit/soul can create ways to use the power and effectiveness of the union of itself with God in the physical world.
Or maybe:
The ability of the human spirit to produce and use the power of its’ oneness with God on Earth.
Yeah those are what I've been searching for. All these hidden jewels contained within the simple word Reiki...
So we've looked at a slightly different perspective on the meaning of Reiki and what it actually does.
Thank you Usui Sensei for your guidance and direction.
Making History Every DayYour Personal Legacy
When we focus on people who make a huge historical impact-presidents, visionary artists, great spiritual leaders-we sometimes forget that we, too, are making history and influencing the future with the way we live our lives. This is obvious if we just look at our own parents and how the way they lived affected us. In the best case, we received lessons from them or other mentors that have empowered us. On the other hand, we may have decided to depart dramatically from the way they conducted their lives. If so, then their mistakes and shortcomings were catalysts for us to change old familial patterns. Either way, their way of being determined the course of our future. By the same token, our actions determine the course of the future for others, and those who follow us will remember us as part of their history. In light of this, it is good to ask ourselves what our legacy will be. We have all heard stories about family members we may or may not have known; sometimes it is their humor that shines through in others' memories, or their contagious positive energy, or their skill in managing the family assets. People outside our immediate family may have changed the course of our lives as well-a teacher who encouraged and inspired us; a neighbor who helped us in a time of need; or even a stranger who came to our aid in a difficult situation. When we remember these people, we realize that however small our daily lives seem, they are actually very important. How we treat people in each moment, with each interaction, can have a major impact. It helps to begin our days with an acknowledgement of this fact, taking a moment to consider how we want to be in the world and how powerful we really are. We must remember that our lives are not meaningless--quite the opposite. Every day we have an opportunity to "make history" and influence the future for the better.
The Daily OM
And finally from Paulo Coelho
The Caliph and his wife
The Arab Caliph sent for his secretary: “Lock up my wife in the tower while I’m away,” he ordered. “But she loves Your Majesty!” “And I love her,” answered the Caliph. “But I respect an old traditional proverb of ours that says "keep your dog thin and he will follow you; make him fat and he will bite you." The Caliph went off to war and returned six months later. On arriving, he called for his secretary and asked to see his wife. “She has abandoned you,” was the secretary’s answer. “Your Majesty quoted a beautiful proverb before leaving but forgot another Arab saying that goes: "If your dog is tied up it will follow anybody that opens its cage".
7.21.2005
The Newsletter from Wisechoices
Dear Friends and Family of Mari Hall and Wisechoices,
Thanks to all who participated in the last Usui Retreat. The next one will start on the 21st of December. The guest Reiki writer is to be announced.
Thirty-Nine years ago today I gave birth to my daughter Stacey. It has given me time to reflect on the events of her birth and life. It is awe inspiring when I look back and she how she has grown up and taken her place as an adult and a mother. This morning we sang Happy Birthday to her while she was still in bed. Her children all around her filled with joy and love. Instead of the customary spanking of 39 light touches with one to grow on…we decided to kiss her 39 times. She squealed with delight.
I have enclosed three articles or short stories for your reading pleasure, I hope you enjoy them.
I wish you days of happiness and fond memories are we head into August.
Love and Blessings,
Mari
There is Something New at Wisechoices!
Now registering and paying for your upcoming event with Mari Hall is much easier. You can simply choose the date of interest, click on the 'Pay' buttons, and use your Credit or Check Card to complete the transaction and ensure your place in the next event with Mari Hall. You DO NOT need a Paypal account to complete a transaction.
All the classes are listed yet but we are working on it. There will also be links directly to the organizer of each course or event
http://www.wisechoices.com/paypal.asp
There is still a chance to attend the "Healing Ourselves, Healing the World," Greater Washington Reiki Conference Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, 2005. Mari is one of the guest speakers and will be teaching a ONE class on Sunday. Just follow this link for more information and to register.
http://www.reikicenter.info/pages/907070/index.htm
Giving the Freedom to Live Accepting the Journeys of Others
Each of us, in life, walks on the special path that the soul is destined to undertake. Our journeys are very different and we progress at different rates. The pitfalls and blessings we encounter are unique, yet we are all learning and no one form of knowledge is more important than any other. Even so, when we observe others, it can be easy to pass judgment on their decisions and to assume their actions will correspond with what we feel is right. But for every problem, there are a multitude of solutions. Everyone makes mistakes and, while watching others do so can be frustrating, it is important that you accept each person's unique way of doing things. Giving others the freedom to act in the way they feel are best without the fear of harsh judgments honors the capacity for growth that all people possess. It is helpful to practice accepting others as they are. Never judge the decisions of others based on the path you would have taken because every person lives by different values and experiences. Challenge is a universal concept, but we all deal with difficulties in our own way. Give others the space to fail, but don't harden your heart against their experience. It isn't wise to try and fix people or control situations. You may feel compelled to intervene when difficulties arise, but it is important only to offer guidance when asked unless the person is involved in a truly dangerous situation or cannot act for their own self. Failure to choose the right path or to make enlightened decisions is simply another step on the journey. It is a means to experience and wisdom. Letting go of the need to influence others does not discount offering loving support and it does not mean that you need to stop caring. It does mean stepping back, dissolving judgment, and gracefully allowing others to live their own destinies. Giving others the freedom to blossom in their own journeys gives you the freedom to take more notice of your own. You may not condone the actions you see taking place, but your reactions will be more loving by letting them be. And you will be able to focus on just being yourself, confident that the path you take is as right, valid, and special as any other.
From the Daily OM
The Importance of Aligning the Chakras
By Samasathi Byron Bay, Australia
Who are we, but a line of energy, pulsating more or less in harmony according to the balance of our four planes (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual)Enveloping our physical body, the Etheric aura is the direct result of this pulsation and will be strong, smooth, firm provided that our life energy is harmonious, our Chakras, true vortexes of energy , turning on themselves without any blockages.
In Sanskrit, a Chakra is a “wheel of energy”, and, although the Tradition numbers 72,000 the seven (the wisdom number) main ones are located alongside a channel “Sushumna” following the backbone from the Root up to the Crown.
Symbolically represented as lotus flowers ranging from 4 petals for the Root and 1,024 for the Crown, the Chakras whirl faster and faster when aligned, similar to blooming flowers radiating energy.
In direct relation with the too often overlooked endocrinal glands, the Chakras impact on our four planes and aligning them is the very essence of a Reiki treatment:
I AM: the Root Chakra is the Centre of Survival; the newborn has first to survive. A baby lives in the present and the fragmentation of life has us loose this grace. We have to find again our Inner Child.
I FEEL: the Sacral Chakra is the Centre of Desire; here enters duality and the emotional law of attraction and repulsion. We wish to be approved and accepted, we are scared to be abandoned.
I WANT: the Solar plexus is our Inner Sun and the Centre of our Will; we want to conquer the world and, what is good, master our fears. There is no love here but all the pressures of our modern society: money, power ad our image.
I LOVE: the Heart Chakra is the Centre of Unconditional Love and truly the Bridge between our earthen energies and the higher spiritual ones. Here Love becomes stronger than primal fears, and we discover the virtue of giving.
I TRUST: the Throat Chakra is the Centre of Trust and governs our capacity of expression. We open ourselves to life, and every sentient being including Mother Earth and the Cosmos is the face of Oneness.
I SEE: the Third Eye is the Centre of Intuition. We accept to let come and let go, and we are not scared to look at the Sun. We are now aware of the limits and dangers of the ego and we privilege intuition over mind.
I KNOW: the Crown Chakra is the Centre of Wisdom (the number 7). We are One with the Universe. We started in Innocence and we end in Innocence. Beginning and end, life and death, positive and negative are one. This is the Circle of Truth.
We are all divine beings and Buddhas to become! From the very beginning, everything is present as well as each Chakra contains all seven chakras. Once all aligned, there is only One Energy radiating Light and Love. Only the direction of your attention has changed, for all the aspects of the Universe have always been in you.
Our relative existence is just a grain of sand in the Ocean with which we are ONE.
The contemplative quest
Linda Sabbath took her three sons and decided to go and live on a small farm in the interior of Canada, where she wanted to dedicate herself completely to spiritual contemplation. In less than a year she fell in love, got married again, studied the saints’ techniques of meditation, fought for a school for her children, made friends, make enemies, neglected her teeth, got herself an abscess, hitchhiked in snowstorms, learned to fix the car, thaw out frozen pipes, make her alimony stretch out at month’s end, survive on unemployment money, sleep without indoor heating, laugh for no reason, cry with despair, build a chapel, make repairs to the house, paint walls, and give courses on spiritual contemplation. “And I eventually realized that a life of prayer does not mean isolation,” she says. Love is so big it has to be shared.
Paulo Coelho
Thanks to all who participated in the last Usui Retreat. The next one will start on the 21st of December. The guest Reiki writer is to be announced.
Thirty-Nine years ago today I gave birth to my daughter Stacey. It has given me time to reflect on the events of her birth and life. It is awe inspiring when I look back and she how she has grown up and taken her place as an adult and a mother. This morning we sang Happy Birthday to her while she was still in bed. Her children all around her filled with joy and love. Instead of the customary spanking of 39 light touches with one to grow on…we decided to kiss her 39 times. She squealed with delight.
I have enclosed three articles or short stories for your reading pleasure, I hope you enjoy them.
I wish you days of happiness and fond memories are we head into August.
Love and Blessings,
Mari
There is Something New at Wisechoices!
Now registering and paying for your upcoming event with Mari Hall is much easier. You can simply choose the date of interest, click on the 'Pay' buttons, and use your Credit or Check Card to complete the transaction and ensure your place in the next event with Mari Hall. You DO NOT need a Paypal account to complete a transaction.
All the classes are listed yet but we are working on it. There will also be links directly to the organizer of each course or event
http://www.wisechoices.com/paypal.asp
There is still a chance to attend the "Healing Ourselves, Healing the World," Greater Washington Reiki Conference Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, 2005. Mari is one of the guest speakers and will be teaching a ONE class on Sunday. Just follow this link for more information and to register.
http://www.reikicenter.info/pages/907070/index.htm
Giving the Freedom to Live Accepting the Journeys of Others
Each of us, in life, walks on the special path that the soul is destined to undertake. Our journeys are very different and we progress at different rates. The pitfalls and blessings we encounter are unique, yet we are all learning and no one form of knowledge is more important than any other. Even so, when we observe others, it can be easy to pass judgment on their decisions and to assume their actions will correspond with what we feel is right. But for every problem, there are a multitude of solutions. Everyone makes mistakes and, while watching others do so can be frustrating, it is important that you accept each person's unique way of doing things. Giving others the freedom to act in the way they feel are best without the fear of harsh judgments honors the capacity for growth that all people possess. It is helpful to practice accepting others as they are. Never judge the decisions of others based on the path you would have taken because every person lives by different values and experiences. Challenge is a universal concept, but we all deal with difficulties in our own way. Give others the space to fail, but don't harden your heart against their experience. It isn't wise to try and fix people or control situations. You may feel compelled to intervene when difficulties arise, but it is important only to offer guidance when asked unless the person is involved in a truly dangerous situation or cannot act for their own self. Failure to choose the right path or to make enlightened decisions is simply another step on the journey. It is a means to experience and wisdom. Letting go of the need to influence others does not discount offering loving support and it does not mean that you need to stop caring. It does mean stepping back, dissolving judgment, and gracefully allowing others to live their own destinies. Giving others the freedom to blossom in their own journeys gives you the freedom to take more notice of your own. You may not condone the actions you see taking place, but your reactions will be more loving by letting them be. And you will be able to focus on just being yourself, confident that the path you take is as right, valid, and special as any other.
From the Daily OM
The Importance of Aligning the Chakras
By Samasathi Byron Bay, Australia
Who are we, but a line of energy, pulsating more or less in harmony according to the balance of our four planes (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual)Enveloping our physical body, the Etheric aura is the direct result of this pulsation and will be strong, smooth, firm provided that our life energy is harmonious, our Chakras, true vortexes of energy , turning on themselves without any blockages.
In Sanskrit, a Chakra is a “wheel of energy”, and, although the Tradition numbers 72,000 the seven (the wisdom number) main ones are located alongside a channel “Sushumna” following the backbone from the Root up to the Crown.
Symbolically represented as lotus flowers ranging from 4 petals for the Root and 1,024 for the Crown, the Chakras whirl faster and faster when aligned, similar to blooming flowers radiating energy.
In direct relation with the too often overlooked endocrinal glands, the Chakras impact on our four planes and aligning them is the very essence of a Reiki treatment:
I AM: the Root Chakra is the Centre of Survival; the newborn has first to survive. A baby lives in the present and the fragmentation of life has us loose this grace. We have to find again our Inner Child.
I FEEL: the Sacral Chakra is the Centre of Desire; here enters duality and the emotional law of attraction and repulsion. We wish to be approved and accepted, we are scared to be abandoned.
I WANT: the Solar plexus is our Inner Sun and the Centre of our Will; we want to conquer the world and, what is good, master our fears. There is no love here but all the pressures of our modern society: money, power ad our image.
I LOVE: the Heart Chakra is the Centre of Unconditional Love and truly the Bridge between our earthen energies and the higher spiritual ones. Here Love becomes stronger than primal fears, and we discover the virtue of giving.
I TRUST: the Throat Chakra is the Centre of Trust and governs our capacity of expression. We open ourselves to life, and every sentient being including Mother Earth and the Cosmos is the face of Oneness.
I SEE: the Third Eye is the Centre of Intuition. We accept to let come and let go, and we are not scared to look at the Sun. We are now aware of the limits and dangers of the ego and we privilege intuition over mind.
I KNOW: the Crown Chakra is the Centre of Wisdom (the number 7). We are One with the Universe. We started in Innocence and we end in Innocence. Beginning and end, life and death, positive and negative are one. This is the Circle of Truth.
We are all divine beings and Buddhas to become! From the very beginning, everything is present as well as each Chakra contains all seven chakras. Once all aligned, there is only One Energy radiating Light and Love. Only the direction of your attention has changed, for all the aspects of the Universe have always been in you.
Our relative existence is just a grain of sand in the Ocean with which we are ONE.
The contemplative quest
Linda Sabbath took her three sons and decided to go and live on a small farm in the interior of Canada, where she wanted to dedicate herself completely to spiritual contemplation. In less than a year she fell in love, got married again, studied the saints’ techniques of meditation, fought for a school for her children, made friends, make enemies, neglected her teeth, got herself an abscess, hitchhiked in snowstorms, learned to fix the car, thaw out frozen pipes, make her alimony stretch out at month’s end, survive on unemployment money, sleep without indoor heating, laugh for no reason, cry with despair, build a chapel, make repairs to the house, paint walls, and give courses on spiritual contemplation. “And I eventually realized that a life of prayer does not mean isolation,” she says. Love is so big it has to be shared.
Paulo Coelho
7.05.2005
Becoming the Peace Ray
Meditation for week Three of the Virtual Usui Retreat, July 5, 2005
Becoming the Peace Ray
Peace is all around us and within us. Peace is not something that we need to create because Peace already IS. By simply aligning our energy with the vibration of the Peace Ray we ARE peace.
We will begin as we did in last week’s meditation:
Please take a moment to relax and quiet your mind.
Breathe deeply, and slowly.
Imagine a sphere of shimmering, white, iridescent light floating above you.
Recognize that this sphere contains the full power of the Reiki energy.
Gently invite this energy into your crown chakra and allow it to descend down into the center of your head, behind your third eye. There is a connection of Divine healing energy here that creates your soul vision center.
Allow yourself to feel the brilliance of the Reiki energy growing in your soul vision center.
Feel a warm glow here as if the sun were shining from within you.
Now simply hold the intention for Reiki to flow out from your soul vision center in a beautiful ribbon of light, until it connects directly with the Peace Ray. (If you are a level II practitioner, please add the distant symbol here)
When you feel the energy connection, allow the essence of peace to flow back across that ribbon of light carrying the full vibration of peace into your soul vision center.
Allow the energy to flow into your entire physical body, and out into your etheric field. Allow perfect peace to permeate your entire being.
As this energy coalesces within your being, use your breath to increase the intensity of the light that is peace. Rest in this light.
When the process feels complete to you, gently disconnect from the ribbon of light and focus on integrating and grounding the experience of peace into your being.
Now focus on the Reiki energy and give thanks as it balances and aligns your chakras. Allow Reiki to adjust your chakras perfectly so that the flow of energy in your body is clear, smooth and peaceful. Be aware as your chakras are adjusted by placing your focus on your chakras one at a time beginning at the crown, and moving your awareness and intention down to your base chakra.
Laurelle Gaia
http://www.reikiclasses.com/
Becoming the Peace Ray
Peace is all around us and within us. Peace is not something that we need to create because Peace already IS. By simply aligning our energy with the vibration of the Peace Ray we ARE peace.
We will begin as we did in last week’s meditation:
Please take a moment to relax and quiet your mind.
Breathe deeply, and slowly.
Imagine a sphere of shimmering, white, iridescent light floating above you.
Recognize that this sphere contains the full power of the Reiki energy.
Gently invite this energy into your crown chakra and allow it to descend down into the center of your head, behind your third eye. There is a connection of Divine healing energy here that creates your soul vision center.
Allow yourself to feel the brilliance of the Reiki energy growing in your soul vision center.
Feel a warm glow here as if the sun were shining from within you.
Now simply hold the intention for Reiki to flow out from your soul vision center in a beautiful ribbon of light, until it connects directly with the Peace Ray. (If you are a level II practitioner, please add the distant symbol here)
When you feel the energy connection, allow the essence of peace to flow back across that ribbon of light carrying the full vibration of peace into your soul vision center.
Allow the energy to flow into your entire physical body, and out into your etheric field. Allow perfect peace to permeate your entire being.
As this energy coalesces within your being, use your breath to increase the intensity of the light that is peace. Rest in this light.
When the process feels complete to you, gently disconnect from the ribbon of light and focus on integrating and grounding the experience of peace into your being.
Now focus on the Reiki energy and give thanks as it balances and aligns your chakras. Allow Reiki to adjust your chakras perfectly so that the flow of energy in your body is clear, smooth and peaceful. Be aware as your chakras are adjusted by placing your focus on your chakras one at a time beginning at the crown, and moving your awareness and intention down to your base chakra.
Laurelle Gaia
http://www.reikiclasses.com/
6.27.2005
Usui Virtual Retreat June 2005 - Week Two
Using Reiki to Connect with the Heart and Mind of God
Meditating with Reiki energy is very simple. If you have found it difficult to meditate in the past, Reiki can help you experience new levels of relaxation and peace.
Remember that Reiki is Divinely Guided Life Force Energy. It is guided by the Wisdom and Love of God. The meditations offered here are very simple, there is very little for you to DO, because Reiki will do it for you. Just intend to follow the steps in the meditation, and let the energy carry you wherever you need to be.
Please take a moment to relax and quiet your mind.
Breathe deeply, and slowly.
Imagine a sphere of shimmering, white, iridescent light floating above you.
Recognize that this sphere contains the full power of the Reiki energy, the essence of Divine Love.
Gently invite this energy into your crown chakra and allow it to descend down into your heart center.
Become aware that as you are opening to the flow of the Reiki energy completely there is a column of light flowing through the central channel of your body from the Heart of God, through you directly into the Heart of Mother Earth. You are a pillar of light, and you are anchoring the highest and most sacred healing energies onto the planet now.
Sit in silence for several minutes with Reiki energy flowing through you and BE the pillar of Divine Love and Light. When this feels complete to you, bring your awareness to the crown of you head and bring the light down through your crown into your heart. Then bring the light from the heart of the Earth up into your heart. Allow these beautiful energies of creation and manifestation to blend within you.
Now focus on the Reiki energy and give thanks as it balances and aligns your chakras. Allow Reiki to adjust your chakras perfectly so that the flow of energy in your body is clear, smooth and peaceful. Be aware as your chakras are adjusted by placing your focus on your chakras one at a time beginning at the crown, and moving your awareness and intention down to your base chakra.
Laurelle Gaia
http://www.reikiclasses.com/
Meditating with Reiki energy is very simple. If you have found it difficult to meditate in the past, Reiki can help you experience new levels of relaxation and peace.
Remember that Reiki is Divinely Guided Life Force Energy. It is guided by the Wisdom and Love of God. The meditations offered here are very simple, there is very little for you to DO, because Reiki will do it for you. Just intend to follow the steps in the meditation, and let the energy carry you wherever you need to be.
Please take a moment to relax and quiet your mind.
Breathe deeply, and slowly.
Imagine a sphere of shimmering, white, iridescent light floating above you.
Recognize that this sphere contains the full power of the Reiki energy, the essence of Divine Love.
Gently invite this energy into your crown chakra and allow it to descend down into your heart center.
Become aware that as you are opening to the flow of the Reiki energy completely there is a column of light flowing through the central channel of your body from the Heart of God, through you directly into the Heart of Mother Earth. You are a pillar of light, and you are anchoring the highest and most sacred healing energies onto the planet now.
Sit in silence for several minutes with Reiki energy flowing through you and BE the pillar of Divine Love and Light. When this feels complete to you, bring your awareness to the crown of you head and bring the light down through your crown into your heart. Then bring the light from the heart of the Earth up into your heart. Allow these beautiful energies of creation and manifestation to blend within you.
Now focus on the Reiki energy and give thanks as it balances and aligns your chakras. Allow Reiki to adjust your chakras perfectly so that the flow of energy in your body is clear, smooth and peaceful. Be aware as your chakras are adjusted by placing your focus on your chakras one at a time beginning at the crown, and moving your awareness and intention down to your base chakra.
Laurelle Gaia
http://www.reikiclasses.com/
6.21.2005
Usui Virtual Retreat June 2005 - Week One
Be the peace we wish to see in the world
Please join me on a marvelous adventure, an exploration into the knowingness that you personally are, and we collectively are the peace we wish to see in the world.
I invite you to begin to see our world through the eyes of Gaia, our Mother Earth, and also through the infinite potential within the Heart and Mind of God. There is an evolutionary leap that is happening right now. It is happening by each of simply BEing who we truly are.
It is with soul felt gratitude that I offer the messages and journeys that the Reiki energy brings to us. I am forever thankful to Usui Sensei for sharing the beautiful gift of Reiki with us, and for the magnificent light that is enveloping our planet
Let’s begin this week with a message and meditation offered to us by Gaia, the Soul Essence of our Mother Earth.
“Welcome children of peace, I embrace you. Thank you for hearing this message and opening your hearts, minds and souls to the energy upon and within these words. You are remembering your choice and I embrace you. You carry the peace ray within you. You hold the vision beyond the vision for you are the very essence of peace ...and you are remembering this.
Please pause for a moment and prepare to connect with the very essence of this message. You may begin by placing your focus upon your breath. Let it be deep, soothing, and calming. Allow yourself to begin to experience an expanded reality.
You may experience this by closing your eyes.... focus on your breath ... expand your awareness above you and around you ... intend to expand and become aware of your connection with the light of your soul. .. Breathe into this awareness ... now expand more and become aware of the light of your soul group ... breathe into this connection.... expand and become aware of your connection to the full intensity of the Divine heart and mind...breathe into this expanded awareness. Allow the full intensity of this light to flow . . . from the heart and mind of the Divine ... into the light of your soul group ... expanding its light ... breathe ... next allow the expanded light of your soul group to flow into the light of your soul ... breathe ... increase the light of your soul ... and now allow the full intensity of this expanded light to flow into your energy field and your physical body ... flowing from above ... around and within ... breathe ... breathe ... breathe ... feel the intensity of the light you now hold.
You are here in this moment to make the most important choice that you can make in this lifetime. That choice is whether you will accept the power of Divine love that you are. This choice is whether you will continue to accept that which you perceive to be darkness, or whether you will come to know that darkness is simply the conscious limitation of love. You have the choice to release the distraction of focusing on that which is not real, and to shift your focus to the Divine in all things.
You may choose to see peace as light. When you choose to BE that light of peace . . . peace will BE. It is that simple, for the Divine is not complicated and the Divine is unlimited. The frequency that is peace is stronger than all the darkness that some perceive to be exploding on the earth. I am the voice of mother earth, and I am the soul of reality.
Please know that which is not real is simply less than the full power of the light of Divine love. It is not truly dark, it is not evil, yet it is awakening light.
See my children ... See. See the wars; see the terror, see the pain as awakening light. See the transformational potential in this awakening and hold the great vision . . . hold the vision beyond all limits.
The great vision calls you ... it calls all light workers ... it calls all peace weavers to this purpose. The purpose is to be who you truly are, to be the light of peace and to place your focus always upon the light of Divine love which resides in all people, all actions, and all things. Light is awakening within even that which appears to be the darkest of the dark . . . and you each transmit the light that awakens ... you do this by being peace.
The intensity of Divine light is expanding ... the volume of light is increasing. This is the focus ... This is what you see.... the rest is invisible. Perhaps you will you will see the irony ... what humanity has perceived to be invisible is visible through the eyes of the soul. In the text of your Bible you find the Christed one of that time, the one known as Jesus to say in John 20:29… Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
You may ask ... have I felt peace within myself? Can I see peace in the same way as I can see war? If you have felt peace within yourself ... yet have not “seen” peace ... you still know that peace is very real. You see the invisible with the eyes of your soul. Together you have the power to awaken humanity to the age of peace. You have the power to transform the collective creative God consciousness by raising the frequency of the peace ray with your thoughts, words, visions and actions. As one prophet of peace implored you ... so do I implore you.... “Be the peace you want to see in the world.”
Laurelle Gaia
http://www.reikiclasses.com/
Please join me on a marvelous adventure, an exploration into the knowingness that you personally are, and we collectively are the peace we wish to see in the world.
I invite you to begin to see our world through the eyes of Gaia, our Mother Earth, and also through the infinite potential within the Heart and Mind of God. There is an evolutionary leap that is happening right now. It is happening by each of simply BEing who we truly are.
It is with soul felt gratitude that I offer the messages and journeys that the Reiki energy brings to us. I am forever thankful to Usui Sensei for sharing the beautiful gift of Reiki with us, and for the magnificent light that is enveloping our planet
Let’s begin this week with a message and meditation offered to us by Gaia, the Soul Essence of our Mother Earth.
“Welcome children of peace, I embrace you. Thank you for hearing this message and opening your hearts, minds and souls to the energy upon and within these words. You are remembering your choice and I embrace you. You carry the peace ray within you. You hold the vision beyond the vision for you are the very essence of peace ...and you are remembering this.
Please pause for a moment and prepare to connect with the very essence of this message. You may begin by placing your focus upon your breath. Let it be deep, soothing, and calming. Allow yourself to begin to experience an expanded reality.
You may experience this by closing your eyes.... focus on your breath ... expand your awareness above you and around you ... intend to expand and become aware of your connection with the light of your soul. .. Breathe into this awareness ... now expand more and become aware of the light of your soul group ... breathe into this connection.... expand and become aware of your connection to the full intensity of the Divine heart and mind...breathe into this expanded awareness. Allow the full intensity of this light to flow . . . from the heart and mind of the Divine ... into the light of your soul group ... expanding its light ... breathe ... next allow the expanded light of your soul group to flow into the light of your soul ... breathe ... increase the light of your soul ... and now allow the full intensity of this expanded light to flow into your energy field and your physical body ... flowing from above ... around and within ... breathe ... breathe ... breathe ... feel the intensity of the light you now hold.
You are here in this moment to make the most important choice that you can make in this lifetime. That choice is whether you will accept the power of Divine love that you are. This choice is whether you will continue to accept that which you perceive to be darkness, or whether you will come to know that darkness is simply the conscious limitation of love. You have the choice to release the distraction of focusing on that which is not real, and to shift your focus to the Divine in all things.
You may choose to see peace as light. When you choose to BE that light of peace . . . peace will BE. It is that simple, for the Divine is not complicated and the Divine is unlimited. The frequency that is peace is stronger than all the darkness that some perceive to be exploding on the earth. I am the voice of mother earth, and I am the soul of reality.
Please know that which is not real is simply less than the full power of the light of Divine love. It is not truly dark, it is not evil, yet it is awakening light.
See my children ... See. See the wars; see the terror, see the pain as awakening light. See the transformational potential in this awakening and hold the great vision . . . hold the vision beyond all limits.
The great vision calls you ... it calls all light workers ... it calls all peace weavers to this purpose. The purpose is to be who you truly are, to be the light of peace and to place your focus always upon the light of Divine love which resides in all people, all actions, and all things. Light is awakening within even that which appears to be the darkest of the dark . . . and you each transmit the light that awakens ... you do this by being peace.
The intensity of Divine light is expanding ... the volume of light is increasing. This is the focus ... This is what you see.... the rest is invisible. Perhaps you will you will see the irony ... what humanity has perceived to be invisible is visible through the eyes of the soul. In the text of your Bible you find the Christed one of that time, the one known as Jesus to say in John 20:29… Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
You may ask ... have I felt peace within myself? Can I see peace in the same way as I can see war? If you have felt peace within yourself ... yet have not “seen” peace ... you still know that peace is very real. You see the invisible with the eyes of your soul. Together you have the power to awaken humanity to the age of peace. You have the power to transform the collective creative God consciousness by raising the frequency of the peace ray with your thoughts, words, visions and actions. As one prophet of peace implored you ... so do I implore you.... “Be the peace you want to see in the world.”
Laurelle Gaia
http://www.reikiclasses.com/
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