The Anugraha Reiki System Of Healing

Anugraha Reiki is one of the many forms of the popular Reiki system of healing. Reiki has its origins traced back to Japan where the practice was developed by a Tendai Budhhist named Mikao Usui in 1922. He was said to have discovered the technique after a 21-day retreat on Mount Kurama.

After undergoing meditation, fasting and prayer during the retreat, Usui claimed to have received some mystical revelation and was handed down the knowledge as well as the spiritual power for healing.
Reiki has been known to be fairly easy and simple to use. Everyone is said to be able to employ the system to achieve spiritual healing of self as well as others. Teaching the system usually involves three parts which are better known as degrees. The first degree usually teaches the basic theories and procedures with using Reiki energy.

This energy is said to pass through a channel in the body which can be opened by way of four "attunements" given by the Reiki master to a student. The first degree of training also involves the learning of certain hand placements that allow the Reiki energy to heal people.

The second degree of the Reiki training involves the use of the Reiki symbols and how they can be used to enhance healing. Students are also taught how to provide distant healing. This will allow people to be able to heal others without being physically present. The third degree of the Reiki training involves making the student become a Reiki master. As a Reiki master, a person may now be able to attune others to Reiki and teach the system to others.

Different forms of Reiki now exist and each one of them provides different ways of providing spiritual healing. One of them is the Anugraha Reiki which is a mystical healing art that originated in India. The word "Anugraha" means Grace, which is considered as one of the five functions of the Divine that ultimately leads to Liberation or "Mukti". Anugraha can also refer to the Power of Revelation. On another level, the word can also relate to Mercy.

Just like the Japanese form of Reiki, the first level of Anugraha Reiki focuses on self healing, self awareness, replenishment and perfecting relationship. A Diksha or attunement is given to help activate seldom used parts of the brain. A simple yet advanced spiritual practice is taught to help transform a person's consciousness and result to deep states of awareness within 30 days.

The second level of the Anugraha Reiki focuses on healing others. During this period, sacred sounds are being taught that is said to help invoke positive consciousness. An advanced form of meditation is also taught. A type of special mantra used to invoke the presence is taught along with the techniques for doing healing work both through personal and long distance means.

The third degree initiation of Anugraha Reiki involves the teaching of the esoteric use of important Reiki symbols that can be used for different means such as for astral projection, meditation, altering time or space, bridging the worlds of life and death, and easing the transition process. There are two additional master symbols are also revealed.
For a student to succeed and qualify for the third degree of teaching, he or she should already be relatively clear of his or her own physical and psychological suffering.

By: Samantha Hall

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Reiki Meditation – The Four Major Forms

Meditation is a very important part of Reiki - a form of healing practice from Japan. This meditation has some benefits, according to Reiki practitioners, which includes clairvoyance (the ability to foresee things), greater ability of visualization, enhanced relaxation (improves self healing) and a greater awareness.

Through meditations your energy is balanced. This balance in your energy helps in your healing process as well as in healing others via “energy attunement”. As with any other meditation technique you aren’t supposed to force things to happen but rather to “let them flow”. This way your frustrations will go away and in return you’ll find the inner peace you’re looking. It’s like in real life – you cannot force the nature to change its course but you need to accept it anyway.
There are four major forms of Reiki meditation.

Breathing meditation – is the prelude of all the other forms. You need to breathe slowly and focus your mind to Reiki. Another form requires you to breathe normally, which somehow is opposed to the other form of breathing meditation. This form is usually used in the end of the breathing meditation as a transition from one meditative state to another.

Visualization - based meditation is another form of meditation from Reiki. The idea is to visualize the Reiki symbol or another object with your ‘third eye’ as clearly as possible. This form of meditation is done only by those practitioners who have the second degree in Reiki training. Another thing you must visualize in this meditation form is to see your goal. Reiki helps you in achieving your day to day goal, besides healing you.

Postural meditation - the third form of Reiki meditation. In this form the practitioner can obtain the meditative state using various postures. This form of meditations is mostly used as a prelude to the other Reiki meditation forms, like breathing meditation which itself is a prelude form of other types of Reiki meditation. This form of meditation may be practiced sitting or even lying down. Other postures may be used as well.

Moment to moment meditation is the last form of Reiki Meditation. It requires devotion and manifest in the day to day roles of the practitioner. This is based on understanding things like avoiding worry or anger. Understanding and dispatching from these things along with devotion in one’s vocation are the keys in a moment to moment meditation form. This form requires a detached attitude from the things mentioned above. You must understand and do all these things in order to be a good Reiki practitioner.

By: Cristian Stan

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Balance Your Chakras Through Reiki Self Attunement - 3 Free Exercises

Light, Love, and Intelligence are the essence of pure energy. Your thoughts control the energy flow within and around you. Different energy centers within and around your body are influenced by your thinking habits. In other words, the things you concentrate on the most, - money, spirituality, relationships, and so on - affect your energy centers. These energy centers are known as your chakras and you can balance these Chakras through Reiki self attunement.

1. The White Light: In your mind's eye, see a large beam of bright, crystal - white light coming into the top of your head. Make this light as bright as you can imagine. See and feel the light penetrating the inside of the top of your head, clearing away any darkness and negative thoughts from your crown chakra. Let the light travel through your body and imagine it clearing away all darkness throughout all the chakras. At the end of this meditation, you should be able to imagine all your chakras illuminated and perfectly balanced in size. 2. Breathing Colors: As you take a deep breath, visualize yourself breathing in the color green. As you exhale completely, see yourself breathing out the color yellow. Next, breathe in the color blue as deeply as you can, and breathe out the color orange. Then, draw in the color purple with your breath, seeing the purple entering all of your cells and your blood stream. Finally, breathe out the color red completely. Repeat this meditation process three times. 3. Glass Globes: Visualize eight beautiful glass globes stacked on top of one another. The globes are stacked from top to bottom: Royal-Purple, Red-Violet, Deep Blue, Sky Blue, Emerald Green, Sunshine Yellow, Vivid Orange, and Ruby Red. See the globes become larger, brighter, and increasingly illuminated with light. Make them all grow in size until they are equally large. See the globes as perfectly transparent and the colors as clear, without any spots on the glass. These 3 exercises are great for beginners who are looking to balance their chakras. Reiki self attunement can help one learn better meditation, clear and balance chakras, and heal with energy any time of day. By: Val Felcetto Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com There is much more information that is vital to becoming a Spiritual Reiki Master through Self Attunement, and I would like to share this information with you on my site: www.squidoo.com/certified-reiki-master-attunement-program. This information is important so I recommend you to take a look now! I am a 31 year old woman who has been practicing Reiki for 5 years.

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Reiki And A Balanced Life

Spiritual laws have been given to us throughout the centuries. One of those laws repeated countlessly by wise teachers is balance. Reiki is all about balance and symmetry. Reiki gently permeates our being at every level, helping us, supporting us to move into a balanced state of being in all areas of our lives. For some of us this balancing act could take years. Symmetry physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally is our birth right, but we have just forgotten how truly important it is.
It doesn't matter what happens to you, it only matters how you deal with it. Trust, tolerance, gentleness, patience, and persistence are the keys to success. All journeys start with one small step. Be brave enough to take steps, one at a time in life, even if you are not sure where the path seems to be going. One of the goals passed on to us by Takata (the first Reiki Master in the West) is, "Just for today do not worry." The wisdom behind this statement is profound. Trust that the Universe is friendly. Trust that we are part of an orderly Universe. Trust that we are taken care of, no matter how it appears to us.
When I was a child my Irish grandmother used to tell me a wonderful story. Coincidentally, I have read or heard three or four versions of this story over the years.
There once was an Irish potato farmer whose pride and joy was his beautiful, strong black farm horse. Every day the farmer and the horse plowed his fields, pulled out stumps, or fixed fences. Everyday the farmer stopped work at noon, unbuckled the horse's harness, and let the horse graze freely while he ate his meal under a tree. One day a huge thunderstorm rumbled across the green Irish hills and startled the horse. He ran off across the hills, and the farmer could not catch him. Well, his neighbors gathered together in the local pub trying to console the farmer. They were very concerned and said "Oh, poor ol Sean!" This is such bad luck. He will never be able to get his fields ready now for planting." As they started to tell him how terrible things looked for him, he just smiled quietly and said, "We will just have to wait and see. We don't have the full story yet." But his friends and neighbors were very worried. They knew this was definitely bad luck.
A month later the potato farmer's horse came back with fifteen beautiful mares. The farmer corralled them all, and his neighbors crowded around saying, "Oh, what good luck! This is wonderful!" The local pub was filled with tales of what a great thing this was to have happened to good ol' Sean. But the old farmer just smiled and said, "We will just have to wait and see. We don't have the full story yet." But his neighbors went away talking about how great his luck was. A few weeks later the old farmers' son was breaking these new high strung horses. One particularly wild mare threw him off so badly that he broke both of his legs. The farmers's neighbors were back shaking their heads at the farmer's terrible luck. Now they were all really worried!
The farmer just smiled and said, "We will just have to wait and see. We don't have the full story yet." Of course, all of his neighbors knew that poor ol' Sean was cracking up from all the stress he had been under. They couldn't imagine what the old farmer was thinking. Nothing good could ever come from his son having two broken legs.
Then the government declared war and sent out a proclamation to all the towns and villages across the countryside. "All able bodied men in the villages and on the farms were called to fight for their country." Many knew the country was not really in a position to fight this war and they feared their sons would not return home safely.
All the young men, except the farmer's son because of his broken legs, had to go off to fight and leave their families. Now the neighbors knew this was amazing luck, but the old Irish potato farmer just smiled and said, " We will just have to wait and see. We don't have the full story yet."
When I am tempted to judge a situation or worry about things I can not control, I think about my grandmother's story and the old Irish farmer. Reiki helps us gain perspective and be able to wait and see because we know we don't have the full story yet.

Patricia Rose Upczak has been involved in Reiki since 1985. She is a Reiki Master. Her book Reiki A Way of Life is available in paperback, kindle, audiobooks and in Spanish. For more information on her schedule, classes and work please go to http://www.coincidence-creativity.com. Please follow her on Facebook, Twitter or email her at synchron@csd.net.

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The Power Of Egyptian Reiki

The art of reiki is all about channeling what is called the universal life force into your body and into others for the benefit of healing and spiritual balance. This life force energy surrounds us all the time and goes through all living creatures. Controlling how the energy enters the body and where it goes to forms the basis for reiki.
Discovered by the Japanese, its techniques have spread across the world and are well recognized today as an effective alternative medicine. Through constant use by different cultures reiki has branched off to form many variations and Egyptian reiki is one such variation. It's actually known as reyed sekh em which translated means the universal life force energy, which is in actual fact the same translation for the name reiki itself.
Unlike traditional reiki Egyptian reiki is meant to be a deeper healing method for a person's emotional, physical and mental state. The kind of feelings you get from such experiences vary but many people have reported feeling either warmth and heat or cold along with some tingling sensation. Most people feel calm and almost peaceful after a session but there have been cases where people have had increased levels of emotions. Everyone is different and so the results can be equally so but overall the person leaves in a much better state of mind often with a new outlook on life.
The egyptian reiki system got its name from a woman called Joanna Bristow Watkins who spent a lot of time in Egypt using what is called a khemitian approach and from there the reiki system was developed.
With egyptian reiki many people get a lot of benefit out of just one session but to get the full effect you usually have to take the sessions for a few weeks and it's usually advised to rest as much as you can to help with the healing process. Egyptian reiki differs from other reiki systems in that it works on extremely high vibrations which is why it is a good system for deep healing of chronic pain. Seeing results after just one session isn't the norm as far as traditional reiki is concerned which is why it has proved to be so popular over the years. It's also a great spiritual healing treatment more so than other types of reiki due to the techniques used in drawing on certain life forces.
When you attend a reiki session the usual practice is that you have to remove all jewelry which can affect the flow of energy and then you are asked to lay down so you are comfortable. The reiki master then uses his hands on the patient to channel energy to specific areas. It's normal practice to place the hands on the person but not so if the person has a physical injury as channeling energy without touching the area is more effective.
The session usually lasts around an hour but can take up to two hours depending on the case. In that time many people fall asleep as the whole process is extremely relaxing. This is a good thing though as it shows that the treatment is working. It also does no harm letting the body rest to full capacity either.
Just like all reiki systems Egyptian reiki is completely safe and has helped cure many people of physical and mental disorders but it is no substitute for conventional medicine. Reiki is best used in conjunction with other practices including other alternative medicines.

If you would like to try reiki medicine yourself there are lots of reiki training centres you can go to. They are advertised all over the place and especially online. All you have to do is type in the term and your location, for example reiki training London, and you'll find a number of places you can learn this wonderful art. If you happen to live in the London area yourself I can fully recommend http://www.reikitraininglondon.com who did a great job of teaching me and they also do reflexology which compliments reiki quite well.
You usually have to go through a series of levels before you attain the award of reiki master but it's worth doing as it not only helps you to improve your overall spiritual balance but you can also help others to achieve the same thing. Just bare in mind that you do need to have patience as it takes some years to fully master these techniques but in the end you will find and inner peace and intense love that you can't even begin to be described.

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Reiki Plus Synchronicity Equals Positive Outcomes In Life

Synchronicity and Reiki
How often do coincidences happen in your life? The interesting thing is the more you become aware of synchronicity the more you can see them taking place. It may just be a simple case of being in the right place at the right time or it can be thinking of a calling a friend just as the phone rings with her on the other end of it.
I recently had a situation where I was meant to have 9 people in my house for a meeting. In the end 4 people including myself were there. Three of us knew each other. On chatting to the new person we found she not only did the same type of work as another but for the same company, in the same building and they arranged to meet up again. Even though there were only 4 of us we had a good conversation so all was well.
I have found that synchronicity is working more and more with all of my friends. I met up recently with friends of a friend, had a wonderful day and found the answer to a question that has been puzzling me for over 2 years so these people came into my life at the right time.
I also had wanted to take part in more reiki training but the company concerned did not take funding for this particular course. I left it up to the universe and lo and behold, a few weeks later I was able to use my funding and have now booked on the course.
This week I got news about another course that I thought I would have to save up forever to do. I have now been given a place free of charge through the generosity of the course leader. How great is the universe!
I found when I took up Reiki that this started happening more and more as each time I felt ready for the next level the money came into my hands. I remember one time when I got my worst ever bonus at work. It was only £34 for a 3 month bonus instead of what I was used to. The funny thing was I had been saving up for my next Reiki course and guess how much I was short? You've guessed right- £34!
I decided recently that I wanted to make some videos but having no experience I was not sure where to start. This week I got invited to attend a webinar on how to use video for your business. How good is that!
I have spoken to other Reiki practitioners who all say the same thing that synchronicity seems to speed up after you are attuned to the energy and 2012 seems to be moving even faster.
Sometimes we can try too hard to make things happen. Instead if we just put our intentions out there then things come to us rather than us chasing them. Looking back over recent events I will be using my intentions a lot more from now on.
They say all things happen for a reason. It may be that you are reading this as it was the right time to make contact with me. It is also said "There is no such thing as coincidence".
If you would like to learn Reiki or if you would like to see what the Chi machine can do for you please contact me to discuss.

Joy Fraser is a Reiki Master / Teacher in Edinburgh. She believes in the power of positive thinking and uses both Reiki, Crystals and the Sun Ancon Chi machine to help change a persons thought patterns and also helps them to de stress and relieve painful conditions.
She is available for Therapy sessions or Reiki workshops and is also a Distributer for the Sun Ancon Chi machine.
Check out her website at http://www.peaceharmonyandjoy.co.uk

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Reiki Prosperity and Abundance

The basic principles of Reiki are based on there being prosperity and an abundance of the necessities of life.
Many people expound that you can only be happy if a person has both prosperity and enough needs. We all deserve that happiness and so we all just need to realise that we can become happy through Reiki.

To some people prosperity and abundance means money and wealth whereas others might see it as being successful in business or in your chosen career. Being successful in your marriage and personal life is also considered by many to be prosperity and abundance. Abundance and prosperity do not necessarily have to refer to material things.

So what are the 5 principles of Reiki that working together are able to achieve prosperity and abundance for a person?
The first is to give cheerfully and the second is that if you want something you have to change your voice to get it. The third is that a person also needs to know what his/her life's purpose is and the fourth is that there must be no mistakes or regrets. The fifth and last principle is that a person has to live the mantra.

The Founding Father of Reiki, Mikeo Usui, believed that if we remember these principles and keep them in our thoughts and actions then we will live a happy and positive life but harbouring negative thoughts and doubting yourself will only result in a negative life.

A person who practices Reiki not only uses their skills and talents to heal themselves and those around them but because attunement reinforces their thoughts they have the potential to do more and can make a beneficial impact on the world at large.

One of the attributes that makes us humans unique amongst other living beings on our planet is that we possess the creative power of divine heart and mind connection. All we have to do is tap this gift and utilize it to enable us to fulfil or find purpose in our lives.

Energies that manifest themselves as realities are entities like love, peace and money. Reiki's energies are unidirectional and universal and we can harness this energy to change what is happening in our world. It's these energies that determine abundance and wax and wane just like the seasons and must strive to attain the highest good and encourage and develop things that are only of value to us.

When things are going well our energies are positive and need few changes but it's when things are not going well that we must consider and realign our priorities and remove any that are surplus to our needs. These changes should then create positive energies where before there were negative ones. What we are doing is out with the old and in with the new.

So what do you need to do to start upon your journey? You need to make a list of everything that is important in your life. You need to look at every entry and review them against what you feel are necessary to move you forward on that journey. Those actions that you feel will add quality to your life you keep and those that don't you should discard.

For more information on Reiki and access to DVD sets and ebooks on Reiki see us at:

http://thereikisite.com

LeParc Trading

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Basic Information on Reiki

Do you have a nagging injury? Have you thought about seeking alternative healing techniques rather than traditional, medical methods? Have you heard about such practices as Reiki, reflexology, acupuncture, and other alternative medicines, but don't know much else about them?

Touch therapy and other non-medical practices have been met with both acceptance and condemnation; some believe alternative medicines have the veritable powers to affect emotions, thoughts, and even physicality, while disbelievers think solutions experienced through alternative medicine are facilitated by powerful suggestion.

The following article delivers basic information about, Reiki, a popular form of alternative healing. The Japan-originated practice derives its name from two Japanese words: Rei, which means 'higher power,' and Ki, meaning 'life force energy.'

What is the general purpose of Reiki?

Reiki is a practice considered to be an alternative healing technique. Reiki seeks to benefit a person's entire entity including their body, emotions, mind, and spirit. Sessions seek to facilitate body wellness and feelings of peace and relaxation.

What ailments can Reiki help cure?

Practitioners of Reiki often report it to be a safe method of alternative healing, which can affect anyone. It can be effective as a source of healing regarding any known illness or malady. Practitioners often suggest Reiki to be implemented in conjunction with other, traditional forms of medicinal solutions, especially when ill side effects from traditional medicines may occur.

Who can learn Reiki?

Those experienced with this alternative healing technique suggest Reiki can be exercised by any person. It is reported to be highly simple to learn and is modeled by a teacher during a session and then the abilities are passed to students during an 'attunement.' Once realized, a student can tap into an unlimited supply of 'energy.'

Practitioners report that the technique has been taught to thousands of people ranging in ages, sex, backgrounds, and intellectual capacities.

Is Reiki tied to a religion or other form of worship?

The teachings of Reiki and other forms of alternative healing is closely associated with ethics and positivity, but does not have close relations to any religion. Teachers promote relationships of peace and harmony in order to facilitate Reiki's healing powers.

Practitioners report that there are no specific 'beliefs' a person has to entertain in order to learn and use Reiki.

Experienced users believe Reiki can be exercised and affect the most resolute disbelievers; yet, part of the teachings is to make a commitment to improve oneself and be active in the process of acceptance and healing.

Visit Web sites focused on Reiki, alternative healing, touch therapy, and other varieties of alternative medicine to learn more about the topic.

Find videos, information, instructors, and classes related to alternative healing at Quantum-Touch (http://www.quantumtouch.com). We celebrate varied forms of alternative medicine and would like to share information with the public. Visit our Web site to pursue an interest in alternative healing or to gain a better understanding of the processes involved.

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Reiki Empowerment

As humans, we have to deal with many different diseases and complications. Learning Reiki can in fact make a large impact in how healthy one feels on a day to day basis.

In today's society, modern medicine and pharmaceutical companies have dominated the health care market promoting prescription drugs of all sorts in order to treat certain illnesses and problems. However, the fact of the matter is that prevention of these problems and leading a healthy, active life are of great importance to keeping yourself disease free. Reiki Masters all agree that prevention is the greatest way to stay healthy, and use Reiki as a tool to help them accomplish health in both themselves and their patients.

Reiki has shown to be helpful for the entire body. Physically, it can heal many common ailments, as well as the more chronic ones. It can help with lowering the bodies toxicity levels, injuries, as well as diseases all with a positive result. Emotionally, it has been known to help with depression, anxiety, stress, and other emotional traumas. Reiki is even beneficial for people who suffer with post-traumatic shock disorder. There is no problem that cannot be solved in some part due to Reiki.

Overall, Reiki promotes good mental and physical state. Reiki accomplishes this by channeling the vital energy (the Reiki energy) towards the areas of the body that are affected. This energy automatically helps to fight off these areas and gives the body back its normal function without any foreign substances or invasive methods. Reiki and the ideas behind the practice generally promote well being to achieve happiness and courage to the patients, thus helping them enjoy life to its fullest.

In addition to helping the body with conditions it may already have, Reiki sessions are used as a means of prevention. Reiki treatments generally give the patient a sense of "the calm" and help to reduce stress and anxiety. Keeping and promoting a positive mood allows the good energy to continually flow through your body and prevent negative energy from building up in the body. These sessions are perfect for anybody, and the technique will allow the body to experience total relaxation.

Now that you know how great of an experience learning Reiki can be, it's time to go out and learn Reiki for yourself! The Reiki empowerment procedure takes place through 3 different steps:

Level one - focuses on preparing the body for receiving the energy. During these initial preparations the student is taught how to attract energy, receive it inside their bodies and work with it for their own healing. The basic notions of channeling the energy are also disclosed in the first degree sessions. At the end of the preparation period the student will receive the attunement which enables them to use Reiki for their own sake. From then on the students will need to perform regular sessions to clean themselves and balance the level of energy from their bodies.

Level two - focuses on the others, as the students will be given lessons about the way in which they can use energy to heal others. The sacred symbols are taught now and the emphasis lies more on the spiritual being of the student rather than on their physical body (which was the object of the level one). At the end of this level, which lasts four times longer than the first, the student should be able to individuate the part of the body which needs treatment, will be able to give proper care to other people and will be capable of initiating both hands-on and distance treatment sessions.

Level three - this is the last attunement. Students who choose to undergo this last level of learning will be taught how to pass their knowledge and power to others who want to learn Reiki. At the end of the lessons they become Reiki masters and have the highest rank in the Reiki hierarchy, but they are also more responsible, as they are in charge of their lives as well as of the others'.

Many courses are taught, but the time and expense make learning Reiki an inconvenience to most people. Fortunately, there are ways to learn Reiki quickly and cheaply, allowing anybody the chance to become a Reiki Master and fully experience the benefits that learning Reiki can provide. If you want to know more about the actual Reiki sessions, a lot of information is available to help you better understand the actual healing process.

How to do Reiki

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Trees: Their Symbolism and Healing Energy

Trees have long represented a multi-dimensional reality in shamanism.

Native Americans call trees "The Standing People. Though immobile, trees are alive and aware, rooted in their existence. They are seen as a link between Heaven and Earth and act as guardians of the environment.

Celtic shamanism uses the concept of the Tree of Life, the "Axis Mundi", as a connecting link between all the worlds. The roots symbolize the Lower World, our subconscious mind or "The Place of Empowerment". The roots are grounded in the earth with access to the deepest levels of the unconscious mind where hidden potential lies. The branches and leaves symbolize the Upper World, the super-conscious mind or "Place of Creativity". The trunk of the tree represents the Middle World, "Ordinary Time", the conscious mind and the "Place of Manifestation". This is where potential meets creativity and our dreams become reality in the everyday, mundane world.

Trees and energy

The value of trees to our ecological health is apparent in today's world. Many people consider trees to be guardians of the ecology. Their roots anchor the soil and help prevent landslides. Leaves and branches form a canopy over rivers, cooling the water to a habitable level for fish. Through photosynthesis, trees capture carbon dioxide from the air, nutrients from the earth and energy from the sun to produce oxygen. All of this makes the earth's atmosphere better able to support healthy life.

In Oregon State, ongoing studies in phytoremediation ('phyto'=plant and 'remediation=to correct a fault, pronounced fi-to-re-mee-dee-a-shun), have shown that poplar trees are capable of removing dangerous chemicals from the soil. In this process, harmful chemicals are absorbed by the root system and altered then released in a less harmful form through the leaves. When the poplars have reached their peak growth, they are harvested to make paper. Thus, tree energy is contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment and providing a renewable resource to support industry.

Tree energy and Celtic Reiki

The concept of tree energy is used in Celtic Reiki to promote healing and gently facilitate change in our everyday life.

Reiki, "universal life energy", is a form of energy healing recognized for its ability to work effectively on all levels and promote holistic well being. It energizes and heals, reduces stress, and is compatible with other healthcare treatments.

A variation of Usui Reiki, Celtic Reiki, uses the vibrations of the Earth and specific trees and shrubs to create an environment for healing and positive change. Thus, Celtic Reiki is an Earth-energy Reiki, channeled through the Base chakra.

In Celtic Reiki energy is passed via three attunements. These attunements are working with change in the body's energy flow, healing, and Celtic wisdom. The results of the attunement process are a lifelong gift. They provide a connectedness to earth and plant energy that can never be taken away. It will always be accessible to facilitate positive change.

Let's take a brief step back in time for a historic perspective of the development of Celtic Reiki. On a cold winter day late in the 20th century, Martyn Pentecost, a Reiki Master/Teacher based in Croydon, U.K. began an ongoing process of discovery. In his words, "...having studied various forms of Reiki for many years, I was guided to work with nature. When channeling Reiki to help animals, plants, trees, rivers, lakes, the oceans, and the earth itself, I found that everything has a distinct vibration - each variety of rock, each stream, and each type of flower has its own unique energy. I would sometimes lose myself deep in this vibration, sometimes so much so that I could mimic the energy during Reiki in self-treatments."

While visiting in Wales"...I discovered a huge Silver Fir tree that had been split in two by a recent lightning strike. One half was still firmly rooted upright and was producing a healthy flow of sap to heal itself. The other half was lying on the ground, dying. As I walked up to the tree, I could sense the immense loss felt by the upright section and an urgency of the fallen half, which was completely separated from the standing section." He began sending Reiki to the standing section of the tree, but felt a resistance, so he directed the energy to the fallen half. As he did, "I felt a transfer of energy. As the Reiki flowed through my hands, I felt a vibration enter my body. It was unlike anything I have ever felt before - the essence of the tree - its knowledge, its energy, its wisdom and its love. I was then guided to give this energy to the standing section of the tree, which I then proceeded to do."

Over a two-year period, Pentecost explored various species of trees and plants native to the United Kingdom. In an effort to remember and recognize the unique energies transmitted by different species, he turned to the ancient Ogham Celtic alphabet. He then assigned each plant a symbol, as is common in Reiki and many kinds of energy work.

In Conclusion

Trees have been powerful natural symbols of longevity and enduring stability in various cultures throughout the ages. They, along with other plants, minerals, and the earth itself emit unique energy vibrations. These vibrations can be channeled and focused through Celtic Reiki into a positive force that enhances the body's openness and ability to embrace physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Trees nurture the earth and enrich our lives with their energy and presence.

Deanna may be reached at: Inner Rhythms Healing Arts, Vancouver, WA

Deanna Ramage

Certified Reflexologist

Celtic Reiki Master

Certified Aromatherapist

Member, Celtic ReikiFederation, International Council of Reflexologists

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The Benefits of Reiki During Pregnancy

While I cherish all my clients, I hold a particularly special place in my heart for prenatal and pediatric. Babies, inside or outside the womb, love Reiki. They respond immediately to the touch of the Reiki practitioner's warm hand. It is an incredible feeling to be administering Reiki and feel the baby moving and kicking as if to say, 'Give me more, please'. Each time, I'm like a kid in a candy store on Christmas morning. Reiki is safe throughout pregnancy and the delivery process. Its' benefits extend to both mom and baby. While working all seven chakras during a Reiki session, there are a couple of chakras I give particular attention:

Third Eye-Between the brown. Governs the pineal gland, brain,eyes, ears and nose. Intuition, extrasensory perception and psychic abilities.

Solar Plexus-Below the rib cage. Stomach, liver, pancreas. Willpower,self respect, self confidence

Sacral-Sits below the belly button (navel). Regulates our reproductive organs, kidneys,adrenals, bladder and lymphatic system. Emotions are also seated in the sacral.

It has been my experience that imbalanced energy tends to sit in the above mentioned chakras. During the treatment process, administering additional Reiki along with other tools such as crystals, sound and guided imagery allow the client to have a more complete healing experience.

Women who are pregnant for the first time often display new pregnancy jitters. They are both ecstatic yet at times, feel they are traveling into the unknown. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the most common complaints are morning sickness and fatigue. The stress this places on the body can cause imbalance to mom and baby. Reiki can provide assistance in calming feelings of nausea and tiredness. During the second trimester is when women report that any morning sickness has subsided, and they are noticing an upsurge in their energy levels. Once they move into the third trimester, some of the aches and discomforts along with fatigue may return. I find that administering Reiki to areas such as low back, hips, knees and ankles provide extra relief. Swelling can occur, and the joints overall seem to take on more with the ever changing pregnancy body. Releasing the energy that has pooled reduces swelling and allows more flexibility and ease of movement. One client came in with swelling in her ankles. She was unable to wear shoes and was quite uncomfortable ( she used the word miserable).

As part of her Reiki session, I placed extra focus on her joints. I followed up with her 2 days later, and she reported that her swelling had all but gone, and was back to wearing her favorite shoes. As we near 'D day', women will come in more frequently for Reiki sessions. They are becoming anxious about delivering, and are ready to meet their bundle of joy.

Because I'm based in a chiropractic setting, we've had many moms come in for their adjustment, a Reiki session and soon after labor begins. Reiki can help smooth over any anxieties and provide a reduction in low back and pelvic pains. Also, labor time is reduced. For women who have had multiple pregnancies, Reiki provides relief at home when dealing with other family members. They are not as stressed or irritable.

One of my clients came to see me for Reiki during her pregnancy with her sixth child. A military wife, her husband was serving overseas. Her consistent Reiki sessions gave her increased inner peace. She was also able to manage things at home with more focus and patience. I often say that if you are on your second or more pregnancy, your connection to that child will be different. The bond between mom and baby is extra special and unique. Now, I am not stating that the mother is going to favor this child over the others. In my experience, I find that when babies receive Reiki in the womb, it's as if both share a special, little secret. Once baby arrives, and the mother experiences first hand what I meant, she wishes she knew about Reiki sooner!

I'd like to point out that Reiki is also beneficial for expectant fathers. Having Mom, Dad & Baby absorbing all the Love & Light is surely a winning combination!

Blessed Be!

Amy Barilla is a Usui Reiki Master Educator, Author & Intuitive. Her practice focuses on pregnancy, pediatrics and women with reproductive health issues. For more information on "The Reiki Gal", visit: http://www.TheReikiGal.com Sign up for the monthly newsletter to receive Reiki tips and insights.

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Is Reiki Helpful When Trying To Help Infertility for Women

Infertility for women can be devastating to deal with, both emotionally and physically. Because it can be so tough on a woman wanting children, many alternative methods are springing up right and left. While some alternative methods treating infertility are unsuccessful, some alternative choices can be greatly effective. Reiki has been shown to help some women deal with infertility.

Most alternative treatments for infertility for women are quite effective in relieving the stress associated with being unable to conceive and sometimes may even be helpful in reinstating a sense of balance in the body. It is worth mentioning that deeper medical issues such as ineffective fallopian tubes may require the help of medical professionals.

In some cases, infertility is best treated through a combination of Western medicine and alternative treatments such as Reiki. But, how is Reiki used in dealing with infertility? First of all, Reiki is an ancient Japanese therapy that is used to encourage the body's energy to flow. It is non invasive and has been used for centuries to help the body heal itself.

In traditional therapy, the practitioner does not really touch the patient. Instead, energy is channeled from the practitioner's hands into the patient's body. When the practitioner senses a congestion of energy in the body they will focus on that area. If Reiki is used to treat infertility for women, it is assumed that there is an imbalance between the mental, emotional, and physical.

Though there have been very few, if any, studies examining the effectiveness of this Japanese therapy in dealing with infertility for women, there are plenty of women that claim it has worked for them. The main goal of this ancient Japanese therapy is to alleviate stress, boost the immune system, and detoxify the body. All of these things can improve the overall functionality of the body which may result in easier conception as well as healthier pregnancies and deliveries.

Many women that opt for Reiki treatments in an attempt to conceive a baby also use massage therapy. Massage therapy has also been used in dealing with infertility. A good massage can boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, as well as reduce stress. Used in conjunction with Reiki, the woman may experience an increased sense of well-being and therefore make her body more susceptible to conception.

Overall, Reiki treatments can improve general health through energy and the mind. While infertility is often not just mental, a good emotional and mental status can't hurt your chances of getting pregnant. Minimizing health problems can most definitely help deal with infertility for women.

Once a woman becomes pregnant, many stick with this ancient Japanese therapy to improve the chances of a good pregnancy and safe delivery. Pregnancy can take its toll on the body, so anything that can help reduce stress throughout the experience is always welcome.

If you have ever struggled to get pregnant this information Will most certainly help infertility for women. For a completely FREE infertility for women pregnancy guide go immediately too Infertility For Women Pregnancy Guide.

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Reiki and Miracle Pregnancies

Reiki is quite popular and most people commonly experience during Reiki treatment a sense of peace and relaxation, often combined with a pleasant sense of security and of being enveloped by a faint wave of energy. But even this is not experienced at all times. Therefore, this might be used for those wanting miracle pregnancies.

It is a form of Japanese or Asian medicine. When someone is treated with Reiki, they are taken back to a state of unification with the harmony of the universe. This harmony, which is capable of reaching the smallest of its cells allows it to become full and healthy again, thus enhancing the woman's natural ability to heal itself. Thus, it is beneficial to couples with infertility problems looking for miracle pregnancies. Reiki is both powerful and gentle. Often, when energy levels are low or blocked, the immune system is weakened and more susceptible to disease.

Reiki energizes women preparing for miracle pregnancies on several levels simultaneously:

-In the physical plane through the warmth of hands
-On the mental plane through the thoughts
-On the emotional level through love

Reiki can be used by those hoping to conceive as it can help relieve pain and illness. Not only may it help in achieving miracle pregnancies, but it can also help in skin problems, flu, fatigue, backache and headaches. This form of Japanese medicine is based on allowing the body to correct itself, heal itself, and provide strength to the immune system to help the body fight disease. Reiki helps the body to help restore physical balance by removing blockages. Some women may fail to get pregnant or achieve miracle pregnancies because of a blockage in their fallopian tubes. Reiki can also rid the body of toxins that have been stored.

Reiki encourages the examination of the woman's emotional life, releasing negative emotions while collecting positive and love, and self-confidence. Reiki flows to where it is needed in a healthy, balanced and natural way. Imbalances in the body can affect the health and can be caused by many situations that occur in our lives, such as emotional or physical trauma, negative thoughts and feelings such as fear, anxiety, worry, doubt or anger, nutritional depletion, destructive lifestyle behavior, bad relationships, and self-neglect. Many doctors who are not naturopathic will also tell you how important your emotional and mental health can be for your physical health.

When women are hoping to achieve miracle pregnancies and receive Reiki during pregnancy, she will find this is beneficial for herself and the baby who will develop when it is conceived. The steps within this form of Asian medicine can help women receive the strength and health as they continue to try for miracle pregnancies. Thus, it can also be used when it is time to give birth, as it helps develop labor more naturally and stress-free.

If you are struggling to get pregnant there are some very important points to follow to help you along your way. All of these tips can be seen here at infertility for women.

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Linking Reiki and Bipolar Disorder

How can reiki treatment actually be considered as a good alternative medication for bipolar disorder? Many people under such condition or who might know someone close to be having such would surely delve into this upon hearing that reiki can be a really good healing technique. First, let us try to look at bipolar disorder and see how it can actually be alleviated by reiki.

Bipolar is basically a disorder by which one person experiences a variation of moods but all in a very extreme state. Most people refer to it as manic depression because a deep depression usually follows high elation and again, all in an extremely alternating process. Manic episodes following depressive episodes are a common thing for a bipolar. Oftentimes, family members and other people around a bipolar struggle with the appropriate actions or treatments and reiki treatment might just do the trick.

As bipolar disorder affects every aspect of the human behavior and with the reiki as a means of channeling positive universal energy, there just might be a spark that could create the link in reiki bipolar disorder treatment. In most cases of bipolar disorders, the medications given can be quite uncomfortable hence patients are being referred to alternative forms of treatment and even therapies. Since bipolar is what you can refer to as a manic depressive state, reiki could very well work in the relaxation and keeping at peace of the manic stage.

Reiki treatment relaxes and rejuvenates the inner state of the bipolar. This is the same as eliminating or washing out all the negative forces and energies that are concealed within the manic depressive person and ultimately pushes itself to burst out in proportions that are not adequate. As bipolar disorder affects significantly the whole human behavior meaning thoughts, feelings, perception and all the rest, so shall the universal energy generated by reiki as channeled through the practitioner be proportionately distributed throughout the areas with particular need to be soothed.

For many who have experienced and witnessed reiki bipolar disorder treatment, it may be deemed that the spiritual healing is able to tame down the surge of uncontrolled negative emotions of the bipolar. Several treatments along the area and line of spirituality is deemed in fact to be more effective than those synthetic medications and even psychotherapies. This is because most bipolar patients need to have an expressive outlet to be heard and at the same time have the assurance that calmness and peace of mind may be very well at hand.

Linking reiki with bipolar disorder can be quite far-fetched for those who have no deeper understanding and first-hand experience of this alternative healing. All it would take for one to consequently benefit from its healing power is for one to understand and learn to properly practice or become recipient of reiki treatment.

Find out about Reiki Bipolar Disorder treatment by getting the latest updates on Reiki treatment. Check on the links provided for details.

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Reiki and Women's Hormones: A Tale of Two Personalities

Ah, hormones. Those tiny chemical messengers that perform a variety of tasks throughout our physical vessel. Ah, hormones. We are angels-in-waiting one moment... the devil in disguise the next. Hence, a tale of two personalities.

I don't know about you but hormones pay homage to the phrase, "I AM woman, hear me ROAR". Not that men don't have hormonal issues...but we can address in a future article. Now, it's all about the Goddess.

In the midst of our physical experience we are continuously seeking a balanced relationship between the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. From time to time, it feels somewhat tempestuous. Amidst the hot flashes, mood swings, cramping, bloating, food cravings, sleeplessness and wanting to take someone out at the knee caps, is it any wonder our loved ones go running for the hills?

One of the many blessings Reiki imparts is the ability to acknowledge our role as co-creators in our healing journey. I find that this is an integral part of release and healing process. How can we slough off what we no longer wish to carry if we aren't honest and willing to make healthy adjustments? In addition, Spirit, our Angels and all other Beings of Light wait patiently for us to give them the nod, allowing them to provide loving assistance.

When working with women experiencing hormonal issues, we can place added focus on several key areas during the Reiki treatment process:

• Root Chakra-Sits at base of the spine. Regulates legs, lower back, colon kidneys and adrenal glands. Grounding, survival and stability.
• Sacral Chakra-Sits below the belly button (navel). Regulates our reproductive organs, kidneys, adrenals, bladder and lymphatic system. Emotions are also based in the sacral.
• Heart Chakra-Sits at center of chest. Regulates circulation, heart, lungs, and blood pressure. Love (giving and receiving), trust, understanding, compassion, empathy, forgiveness.
• Throat Chakra-Base of neck. Regulates throat, thyroid, parathyroid, mouth, tongue, and neck. Verbal and written communication. Expressing our feelings with freedom.
• Crown Chakra-Top of head. Regulates central nervous system. Our connection to Source (God, Spirit, Higher Power or realms of consciousness).

In summation, it is during a Reiki session that the clients' Higher Self can accept and absorb all the warm, positive energy as it generates a circuit of healing that can be felt from the top of their head to the tips of their toes. How beautiful!

Showering you with Love, Light & Sparkly Bits!

Amy Barilla is a Usui Reiki Master Educator. Her practice focuses on pregnancy, pediatric and women with reproductive health issues. For more information on "The Reiki Gal", visit: http://www.TheReikiGal.com Sign up for the monthly newsletter to receive Reiki tips and insights.

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Show Your Healing Mastery by Earning a Reiki Certificate

A reiki certificate does so much more than simply proving to your friends and clients that you are a skilled healer in the ancient art of reiki. It also lets people know the lineage of your attunments, letting clients know which path of healing you have taken and who your master was. Having a reiki certificate can also be helpful in trying to find employment as a healer.

These certificates, signed by your teacher, look very similar to diplomas and other certificates of achievement. Framed, a reiki certificate can look attractive when hung on your wall or displayed on a shelf. The look of your diploma will depend on your teacher and the school of healing you have chosen to follow, as each have their own designs.

In order to gain a reiki certificate you must first find a master who can teach you this ancient healing art. If you cannot find an instructor in your city, try looking online for a course. While much of your education in reiki will depend on your teacher and the school they follow, there are three levels of training for each discipline.

The lowest level of reiki certificate can be earned by mastering the first degree, the Shoden. In this course a student is taught the ancient practice of reiki. They learn how to place their hands and treat the body in an effort to attune their energy and the energy of their patient with the universal life force. When the sessions are completed you will be able to heal yourself and others by using the ancient healing art of reiki.

To gain the second level of reiki certificate a student must master the Okuden, the second degree of healing. Building upon your the first degree of healing the student will earn the use of symbols that will help strengthen the bond between patient and healer, allowing a reiki practitioner to heal across vast distances. Some healers are so skilled they do not even need to be in the same room, or even the same building to be able to heal. It can take ten, sometimes twenty years to master this skill, and some students never progress beyond the second degree of reiki.

To grain a master reiki certificate one must master not only the first and second degree of healing, they must also undergo the master training, also called Shinpiden. The third degree is the hardest to master, and the symbols and teachings you learn are greatly dependent upon the school of reiki you are studying. Upon completion a reiki healer may choose to be either a master teacher, who is able to pass on his mastery of reiki, or a master practitioner. A master practitioner is someone who has chosen to concentrate on their healing powers, tending the ill and the sick and using their powers to ease the pain and suffering of others.

No matter what degree of reiki you have studied, having a certificate is something to be proud of. Not only does it prove that you have studied this ancient healing art, but it also allows you to practice your skills upon yourself, your family and even other people who wish for a more spiritual healing.

Having a master reiki certificate allows you to do more than just offer healing. With it you are also able to open your own school and teach the healing philosophy of reiki to others. This certificate will show not only your own time of study to master this art, it will also show which school you have studied. Some master reiki teachers can trace their attunments back to Japan. These teachers, and their students, are greatly respected. To have those names on your reiki certificate is a mark of prestige.

Today, more people are reaching back into the ancient healing arts. Not simply for their novelty or their historical values, but for the spiritual aspect, as well. Reiki is a philosophy and an art growing in popularity, which makes it easier to find teachers. It also means that, should you choose to become a teacher, you will have many opportunities to help people.

When comparing the financial cost of learning reiki and obtaining a reiki certificate to other educational programs, there is a clear benefit to this healing art. Each degree is separate and you are able to advance at your own pace as your skill increases. There are no formal institutions to teach, only teachers who must be attuned and able to attune you, in turn. This means you can learn from the teacher who best suits your needs and your own personal philosophies.

If you are interested in learning more about reiki healing, and gaining a certificate, there are many resources available to you. Check with your local alternative health center or a new age book store for information on classes. If you can't find a reiki class in your city, look for classes online. Not only is it more convenient, as you don't have to leave your own home, it can also be arranged around your own schedule.

Take the time to find the right teacher for you, one whose philosophies best match your own. If you take an online course you will receive your reiki certificate either in the mail, or it can be downloaded and printed out when you finish you training. Reiki is an ancient healing art that can bring great spiritual peace to you and to others. It doesn't require years of study, only true dedication.

Click Reiki Certificate to go to Meg's Reiki Meditation website.

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Who Was Dr Mikao Usui?

Mikao Usui was born on the 15th of August in 1865 in the village Taniai in Japan, not fare from where Nagoyo is today. His family had lived here for eleven generations and Mikao was born into the Tendai sect of Esoteric Buddhism. At a very young age he was sent to a Tendai monastery to receive his primary education. He continued his Buddhist education until he became a lay Tendai priest.

The Tiantai teaching was first brought to Japan by Chinese monks in the 8th century. Shortly it developed into what became Japanese Tendai. The Japanese Tendai did not deviate substantially from the beliefs created by the Tiantai school in China.

The Tendai sect flourished under the patronage of the imperial family and it became the dominant form of main-steam Buddhism in Japan and it also was the foundation for most of the developments in later Japanese Buddhism.

Mikao Usui was also influenced by Shintoism, the traditional faith of the Japanese people prior to contact with China. The original shintoism was a very simple religion and it had only one command: the necessity of being loyal to one's ancestors. Its early aspects were naturalistic, which includes spiritism, totemism, and nature worship. Early Japanese worshiped the sun, thunder, earth, tigers, serpents, threes, stones etc. A later stage is more intellectual and ethically oriented.

As Mikao was growing up the Japanese society went trough gross changes. It was now starting to open up to the west again. For the first time since the 1640's foreigners were allowed in the country, the ban on Christianity was lifted in 1873 and the country abandoned a feudal society and adapted to an industrialized society instead.

Mikao was an eager student and he received a doctorate in literature, he spoke several languages, and studied the western medicine, theology and philosophy. He had the opportunity to travel to China, USA and Europe where he could elaborate on his studies.

Early in his adult life Mikao lived in Kyoto with his wife and two children. He had various carriers as a businessman, and at one time he was also the private secretary to Count Shinpei Goto. At the same time he continued his spiritual studies and became involved with a group named Rei Jyutsu Kai. This group had a temple (Kurama-dera) at the base of the mountain Kurama-yama.

Mikao Usui is also said to have practices Shugenja in addition to Tendai Buddhism. Shugenja is a Japanese mountain asctic shamanism which incorporates Shinto and Buddhist practises.

Around 1900 Mikao fell very ill as an epidemic swept trough Kyoto. He had a near death experience in which he had a vision of, and instruction from, the Mahavairovana Buddha. This was a very important experience for Mikao and it caused him to rethink his life. He turned his mind to the esoteric science of healing as thought by Buddha, and he developed the compassionate wish that he may learn the methods of healing in order to benefit mankind.

Mikao went on to study Shingon Buddhism in order to find explanations to his vision. This lead to a confrontation with his family who declared him a traitor to the family and ancestors.

He spend much time and money studying Buddhist scriptures, in particular the once about healing techniques and energy disciplines. For many years he continued to study and practice the Buddhist teachings. Over time he became a respected and learned Buddhist teacher with a following of students.

In 1914 he undertook a meditation retreat at the monastery Kurama-yama. It is believed that during this retreat he was able to melt together all his knowledge and come to the realization of how he could work with the divine life energy.

He first practiced the new healing technique on himself and his friends before he, at a later stage, offered his healing to the residents of Kyoto. This gave him the opportunity to perfect and refine the healing method - later known as Reiki healing.

In 1922 he moved to Tokyo and opened up a Reiki clinic where he practiced and also taught the system of Reiki to his students. He founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, meaning Usui's Spiritual Energy Therapy Society, which is a society of Japanese Reiki masters still existing today.

After the Kanto earthquake in 1923 in Tokyo where over 140 000 people were killed and over three million people found themselves homeless over night, Mikao and his students went out in the streets and offered Reiki healing to countless of victims.

His fame spread quickly all over Japan and he began receiving invitations from all over the country. His schedule grew tight as requests for teaching continued to increase. He travelled throughout Japan giving healings and teachings. On March 9th in 1926 he unexpectedly died of a stroke 62 years old.

Anita Karlson is blogging about how to live a more healthy, natural and balanced life. Find new articles and inspiring tips at http://www.anitakarlson.com

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Reiki - East and West

I have seen questions raised over the compatibility of Westernized Reiki and the 'original' teachings of Eastern or Usui Reiki. There are some Reiki therapists who have been trained in the eastern variant that tend to look down their noses at western practices. I must admit that I myself am guilty of that on occasion.

Before I proceed I should admit that I have not been trained in any variant of Western Reiki so I am speaking from a lack of experience here, but I have been attuned and trained in Usui Reiki Ryoho. My masters are of the opinion that they wished to teach and attune as closely to the original methods as they were able to and have trimmed out what they believed to be purely western influence from their instruction. I have no problem with this at all but I will state now that I have no problem either with western methods that are genuine extensions and discoveries that have proved an increased benefit to the client and/or the practitioner.

Western Reiki has acquired a bit of a bad name over the past few decades, more because of the flakiness of some of its adherents than any fault with the basis of the practice. There is a website out there today claiming to provide Dolphin Reiki! Yes, you read that correctly, and it is not a site providing holistic care for dolphins, but the practitioner claims to channel Reiki energy from dolphins. Now I don't wish to appear too judgmental here but what on earth do dolphins have to do with Reiki? I agree that they need the energies to live just as we do, but why try to channel it from them when you have the pure source at you beck and call? Dolphins do have a genuine therapeutic effect on certain conditions when the patient is in their presence, but I feel that particular website is taking the 'Reiki' theme too far.

What a lot of this boils down to is the western tendency to want to make money. The original westernized Reiki teachings promulgated by Ms Takata where perfectly fine. The history she provided was altered to take care of American prejudice against all things Japanese at the time she introduced it to the U.S.A. This accounts for much of the western belief that Reiki has Christian roots. There are others out there who believe Reiki is of Tibetan origin; it isn't. Reiki was discovered, for the first time by Mikao Usui. He was a Shinto lay preacher in Japan. The past two decades have allowed some original texts from Usui, and other historical documents, to surface that have clarified a lot of this, and I'd recommend anyone seriously interested in gaining a better understanding or Reiki's roots to read up on some of Frank Arjava Petter's work.

The money-making side of western 'New Age' has unfortunately led to a tendency for some Reiki practitioners and some energy healers, who have never been attuned to Reiki, to stick the word Reiki onto everything they offer to try to legitimize their practice. Hence Dolphin Reiki...

Reiki energies come from source, the universe, the universal consciousness, God or Allah, or whatever you wish to call the primal energy that allows everything to subsist in this reality. If you wish to filter the Reiki energy through something, then at least bring it in to this dimension in a relatively pure form first. I use Reiki energy in my Crystal Therapy sessions. Pure Reiki is perfect for cleansing, charging and energizing crystals, as well as purifying the aura and working with the chakras. Placing a crystal over a chakra and gently running Reiki through it also helps ensure the energy the client receives is of the purest kind and limits the possibility that your own energy is used by mistake. Using Reiki in this way helps to enhance the effect of another form of therapy.

I would suggest that if the person purporting to provide Dolphin Reiki really wishes to go that route then they should market it more fairly by stating they channel Dolphins in some way and project Dolphin energy into the client. What ever they do, it is not Reiki.

So far this has all sounded a little anti-western. I am not anti-western at all, I am just anti-some-new-age-money-making-practices. I need money as much as the next person but I try not to deceive my clients, it's not fair and not good karma (if you go for that line of thinking).

Legitimate western alterations I am happy about are where Masters have meditated on, and experimented with, additional symbols and further supplementary attunements. I question the need for 20 extra symbols but then I have not been trained in their use. I assume they are used to fine tune the energies for very particular needs. Supplementary attunements are okay so long as they don't interfere with the originals.

Any tradition dies if it is not open to change and evolution. Reiki has a rock solid basis on which to build but if Western Reiki is to survive, I would suggest its genuine adherents weed out the cow-boys, charlatans and snake-oil merchants, and show them up for what they truly are. East can meet West, I am sure of it, and we will all be the better for it.

Andy Cook is a Reiki Master Teacher, Crystal Therapist and Indian Head Massage practitioner. His approach to his clients is one of providing a holistic approach to the entire person, not just trying to treat the symptoms presented.

He works out of East London and is also available for Reiki training and attunements by appointment.

Andy's personal blog can be found at http://andy-cook.co.uk

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Uncoil Your Consciousness - The 5 Things You Need to Know About Kundalini

When dormant, Kundalini energy is coiled like a serpent (kunda means coiled) at the base of the spine. Kundalini is a healing force for renewal, inner and outer evolution, and transformation. The key to uncoiling your consciousness lies in activating this powerhouse within you. Here are THE five things you need to know about Kundalini!

1. What Is The truth About Kundalini?

A great place to start is to look at the question, what is Kundalini? The simplest, and most profound, explanation is that Kundalini is the fundamental energy of consciousness. Think of Kundalini as the uncoiling of your essential consciousness, your creative potential, the energizing potential of life, spiritual energy, or the energy of the soul itself. I like to think of Kundalini as the energy of all that is and all you can be.

It is amazing when you realize that the transformational energy of Kundalini is found throughout the ancient wisdom traditions. Yogis call it Shakti (the risen Kundalini); other traditions refer to it as Holy Wind, Serpent Fire, Vital Winds, Reiki, Mana Loa, Lung, The Greater Kan and Li, Huo, and Dumo Fire. These names describe the same tremendous spiraling and wavelike physical sensations of aroused spiritual energy. There has to be something to this "Kundalini energy thing" if different belief systems from around the globe experience the exact same thing!

2. Where Does Latent Kundalini Hang Out?

Kundalini lies dormant at the base of the spine, nestled in the sitting bones at the root chakra. As Damian Nordmann creatively expresses in his poem, Fire Goddess, "[Kundalini] waits for me at the base of my being. She rests at the foot of my soul."

3. How Do You Awaken Kundalini?e

Kundalini is awakened through purposeful action or natural evolution. Techniques that trigger Kundalini awakening include breath work (pranayama), exercises (asanas), chanting meditation, fasting, trauma, drugs, and near death experiences.

4. Where Does Awakened Kundalini Energy Go?

As a yoga practitioner the goal is to open the subtle meridians and channels (nadis) of life force energy (prana) in the body to stimulate the upward flow of Kundalini energy.

Opening the nadis helps Kundalini energy rise upward through the body via the central channel of the spine (the sushumna), undulate through the energy centers (the chakras), and move up through the crown chakra as a process to uncoil consciousness.

When Kundalini uncoils and ascends, a feminine energy called Shakti rises through the body meeting a masculine energy called Shiva at the crown of the head. When Shakti and Shiva meet, a union of bliss occurs creating transformation.

5. What's In It For You?

When Kundalini is awakened, our consciousness expands and we become more aware of truth, our inner knowledge, and the creative potential within. Awakened Kundalini releases blockages in the mind, body, and spirit to allow for healing, nourishing, rejuvenation, and opening of energy and awareness. Once aroused, Kundalini dissolves the past and allows the infinite to shine through into the present.

So there you have it, the five things you need to know about the powerhouse of Kundalini that resides within you. Dare to uncoil your essential consciousness and open the soul energy of awareness within you.

©Copyright 2010 Kundalini Yoga With Sharlene Starr. All Rights Reserved.

Sharlene Starr teaches Kundalini Yoga classes and is the author of the *FREE* Special Report," A Beginner's Guide To Kundalini Yoga!" If you're ready to awaken your mind, body, and soul, get your *FREE* copy at: http://www.SharleneStarr.com

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Can You Tell If Your Reiki Attunement is a Real Attunement?

Before we define what an attunement is not, maybe it is easier to define what an attunement is. A Reiki attunement is a special form of initiation into Reiki at a certain level. During the attunement, the Reiki Master traps the energy into their body and pass it onto the student. This usually involves a form of ceremony or initiation, for example by leading into a meditation or having soft music. The attunement is said to tune the student into the Reiki channel, pretty much like we would tune a radio to a particular frequency.

Then there are Reiki Masters that give attunements over a distance. These range from get-rich-quick schemes over the internet to genuine caring Reiki Masters who believe in what they are doing. So is a distant attunement real? Well, one usually does not get a certificate with distant attunements, the time to practice self-healing and healing others in a supportive environment, in-person after-care in case there is a rare abreaction to an attunement, or guidance on how to incorporate Reiki effectively into the student's life. And whilst there are many genuine Reiki Masters out there who give excellent distant attunements, with most, you may well wonder if the attunement was actually done. After all, the Master may have been reading a book or cutting their nails or cooking instead of doing your attunement! A distant attunement often works and is real, but Reiki training consists of more than just the attunement. A good course or workshop will guide you in using your new-found skill and support your development and growth, whether on a personal or professional level. There may also be legal or association requirements in your country about whether your attunement can be a distant one.

People who have had both usually find the in-person attunement more fulfilling. However, sometimes a student is disappointed by an in-person attunement. Maybe the student and Master do not gel, or perhaps the Master is having an off-day. Some would say that attunements always work. What may happen is that the student is not aware of any change or may be unconsciously blocking the process through their own fear. Reiki is known to only work with you if you let it, so it makes sense that this extends to the attunement process too. Some students feel nothing, others see lights and hear angels, others are transported to a magical place, and some just feel relaxed. Just because a student does not feel the attunement does not mean that it did not happen. Each person will have their own experiences.

Having said that, it is not about what sensations the student feels during or after the attunement itself, but whether they can effectively channel the Reiki afterward that shows whether they have been attuned properly. A complication arises with natural healers, who can channel the energy anyway, so it is not always easy to tell. However, a good and experienced Reiki Master can often tell if the student has been attuned or not. It is the responsibility of the Reiki Master to attune the student correctly. Some systems even allow for mistakes made in the process, with the Reiki Master having to repeat the process to make sure that the attunement takes hold.

As well as the above considerations, how can you tell what is real Reiki that you are supposedly being attuned to and what is not? For example, there are 142 recognized and valid Reiki disciplines in the UK alone. There are new variations on Reiki all the time, so your attunement could well be so far removed from Reiki that is is no longer a Reiki one. It helps to talk to your Reiki Master first and ask them about the attunement process. For example, you may wish to ask them how strict the process is, what variations they use, or if they can give you your lineage tracing back to Mikao Usui.

Like anything else, recommendation is the best way to make sure you get the Reiki attunement you seek. Otherwise, do your homework first. You can go and speak to your Reiki Master, have a treatment from them, and many have a newsletter or regular Reiki shares in-person or over the internet, so you can get to know them better and make an informed decision about your attunement.

© Suzanne Zacharia 2010. My name is Suzanne Zacharia and I am committed to spreading the word about health options. A virus caught at university at the end of 1986, plus medical negligence, meant that I got smokers lung at a relatively young age. In desperation for help with my symptoms and quality of life, I turned to complementary therapy and am now a complementary therapist, author and trainer, helping others achieve health and happiness. Want to use this article? You can, as long as you credit me with it and invite your readers to get my FREE book "7 Real Truths of Energy Psychology" at http://www.newagetherapies.com or my free course "5 Days To Change Your Life" at http://www.NewAgeInternationalTraining.com.

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