My Journey

With special thanks to Sam Whitwell (who first introduced me to the wonders of Reiki), my Sister Elke (for sending me to the tipi), my daughter (for being so supportive of my Reiki), Frans Stiene (for opening my eyes to the wonders of true Japanese Reiki), Rachel McCormack (for enabling me to learn from Frans Stiene) and a rather helpful angel........ phew!

Well this is where I will share my journey (and my thoughts on that journey!) through Reiki and my life:

The begining

My Reiki journey all started with a birthday treat! My sister, knowing that I was interested in meditation and spiritual growth decided to buy me a surprise for my birthday and without my knowledge had enrolled me on an "Angel Workshop".

It was the day before my birthday when she telephoned me to say that she felt she ought to spoil the surprise and tell me of my impending gift. She had received the confirmation details in the post and was now not sure if I would want to go as she had discovered that the workshop was to be held in a tipi in the middle of a field! I must admit I was a little unsure as I didn't know who would be there or even what exactly an "Angel Workshop" involved but being a brave soul I went anyway.

I had one of the best days ever! I spent a whole day meditating in a group and we did meet your angel guided meditations and worked with angel cards. It was really relaxing and I left with a huge grin on my face, much to my sisters relief!

During the workshop I had picked up one of the leaflets detailing the other days / courses on offer and for no apparent reason felt drawn to the Reiki course. I knew I wouldn't be able to go on the course anytime soon (due to lack of funds) but I asked to be kept informed of when the next Reiki I date would be.

I soon received a text saying it was up and coming but was sad to have to reply that the funds were not there. I did however jokingly add that I would have a word with my angel and see if they could come up with the money. To cut a long story short the very next morning I was able to text again, this time full of excitement, and say "book me a place my angel came through for me".

As strange as it may seem (and believe me I know it does) I booked the course with no actual idea what Reiki was or how it worked, all I knew was that I had to do the course. I turned up on the first morning of the course armed only with the little knowledge of Reiki that I had acquired on the internet the very evening before. We spent the morning discussing Reiki and getting an understanding for it and in the afternoon I received my attunement. Following the attunement we gave and received Reiki treatments and I had my very first treatment ever. When I finally completed the course I was so excited about what was in store and I must say I have never looked back.

My Aura Photos

For those of you with a greater interest in all things spiritual, as I have, I would like to share my aura photos!

For those of you who don't know about aura photos they were a Russian invention and a means of photographing your aura, your aura is the field of energy that surrounds you. Auras say alot about a person and where they are in life at the time they are taken, this is why they are constantly changing as our lives changes.

My first photo was taken back in 2001 and my second 05/04/2003.

                     

I am hoping to get an updated one soon as I have not had one taken since receiving my Reiki attunements and when I do I will share it with you here.

Chakra Photo

Well, I know I promised an aura photo but I went to the Brentwood Centre Mind Body & Soul exhibition today (and wow what a day!) and was drawn to the Chakra photos instead so....chakra photo it is -

 

 

 

 

 

18th March 2006

Mind Body & Soul was a wonderful day and I would highly recommend it to anyone! Aside from all the stands offering things like complimentary / alternative therapies there were lots of demonstrations going on throughout the day too. Just make sure you have the whole day free for it as it warrants a whole day easily. Also although food is available it can be expensive so it may be worth considering taking your own food, you can normally leave the building to eat outside and re-enter afterwards.

Maldon Fayre

Well, I recently attended Maldon Psychic Fayre with Sam Whitwell. We gave sample treatments of Reiki throughout the day. It was a wonderful experience and it never ceases to amaze me that people can gain so much from even 5 minutes of Reiki. I was blessed to give Reiki to a selection of people and were please I could help them as much as I did in such a short time.

It was the first time I have attended a fayre for the purpose of giving Reiki samples (a small charge is made such as 5 minutes for £2) but something which I plan to do much more of after experiencing the difference it made and how you can reach so many people in just one day. Next time I am booked to attend a fayre I will be sure to post it here so that anyone wishing to come along can.

Pamper Day

Attended my first 'Pamper Day' and again was not quite sure what to expect but was confident that it was going to be a good day! And it was, very rewarding for all of us involved.

The pamper day consisted of 10 minute sample treatments and was a great way to introduce people to Reiki, of the 15 people who tried Reiki not one knew what it was before the pamper day.

A good day for Reiki education and a good day for healing. Look forward to more of them!

My Reiki Master Training

Well, originally I wasn't looking to take my masters degree for some time, I was in no rush and was happy to savour each step of my Reiki journey.

This year I began to read a book called 'The Japanese Art of Reiki' by Frans and Bronwen Stiene, from the moment I opened the book I knew that I was starting another new path on my Reiki journey but I didn't know quite how big a step it was going to be for me.

The book details the real roots of Reiki back to Japanese practises which have since been forgotten by many. Westernised Reiki has moved on to intergrate Chakra work and many new age ideas but the real roots of Reiki lie in an energy system called the '3 diamonds'. Usui Mikao also taught many practises that were used to strengthen the Reiki connection and help intergrate Reiki into every day life and this is something else that, in the majority of cases, does not get taught on a Western Reiki course.

I enjoyed the book imensely and began to intergrate practises detailed in the book into my every day life and I noticed the changes slowly but surely! Amazed that these wonderful tools had been forgotten and so grateful that Frans and Bronwen Stiene had opened my eyes to a new world and dashed off to purchase their original book, the well known, 'Reiki Sourcebook' and began to build on what I had discovered.

I finished that book too but still wanted more so I did a web search and stumbled across 'The International House of Reiki' website which is the website of Frans and Bronwen Stiene. Wow! So full of information and such a great site, then more wow's, they were going to do a world tour! I knew immediately that Frans Stiene was who I wanted to do my masters degree with.

I discovered that they live and work in Australia and so obviously the fees for the masters degree were higher due to the need to cover the travel expenses etc, I also believe that, due to the research and dedication that they give, a higher price is perfectly warranted. However, I once again had no money to cover the fee. I e-mailed the Glasgow (nearest course to me) sponser to find out about additional costs such as accomodation, taxis etc and decided that I would begin saving in the hope that they would return to Glasgow next year on another world tour and I would finally get the chance to do my masters degree with Frans Stiene.

Well once again I found that a higher power obviously thought I was ready for my next step and should be moving on sooner rather than later and the money materialised within days of my decision (as with my first and second degree). I called Rachel McCormack of Thistle Therapies (the Glasgow contact) and booked myself on the Shinpiden course.

In September I move on a step and as most people experience profound change after taking Shinpiden (Master) level I am intrigued as to see what it will bring for me. I already know that I want to teach others as I can think of nothing more rewarding than being able to pass Reiki on to others and help them on their journeys. I also know that I want to spread Reiki that is real grass roots Japanese Reiki from Japanese lineage that provides all the tools to take your Reiki skills as far as you want and beyond. We have a tendency in the West to overcomplicate things, often believing this makes them better, the Japanese think simple is best and Japanese Reiki is based on the uncomplicated (no chakras, new age additions, etc). Someone once said to me that Japanese Reiki is the only Reiki and whilst I believe all Reiki is beneficial I am excited to see the difference for myself during my Shinpiden Reiju (Masters attunement).

Happy Holistic Healing - Mind, Body and Spirit Summer Fayre

Due to take place near Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford in an open air field.

I was so looking forward to this chance to branch out and reach people from a little further afield. Adverts for the event had been in major national magazines and a good day was due. Sadly for most of us the English summer kicked in and it rained something awful, although the fayre went ahead most of us sadly couldn't pitch our Gazebo's in the field due to the wind and rain.

I hope this year hasn't put Sam off of organising the Fayre again next year as I am sure those of us who couldn't brave this year would love to try again next year.

Reiki Masters degree - Its time!