Reiki and Automatic Writing
By Colleen Benelli
Reiki can help us travel deep inside, connect with our true self, and teach us to listen
from our hearts. Reiki assists us in reflecting on our lives in a sincere way that can bring
us fresh ideas to manifest our dreams and create new solutions to needed changes.
However, often when we reflect on our lives we use our minds instead of our heart, and
see ourselves according to the expectations of others, or our culture. We make long lists
of all that we have not accomplished or we look at the ways we “should” be, and we
make choices that are not in alignment with our real hopes and dreams. This can block us
from feeling peaceful, successful, and finding meaning in our daily life.
Using Reiki and a technique called automatic writing; the following exercise can
demonstrate how we view ourselves when we listen to our minds, and the difference of
how we view ourselves when we listen to our hearts. Automatic writing is simply writing
without evaluation. Try not to think about grammar or writing correctly. Just put your pen
to the paper and let it flow.
1. In your journal or on a piece of paper, describe yourself.
Stop here and complete step 1 before reading further.
2. Activate Reiki in your hands, if you are Reiki II or higher, invoke the symbols
you are attuned to. Activate Gnosa and Iava if you are attuned to Karuna® Reiki.
3. Fill your body, heart, and hands with the divine light from above and from the
earth. Surround yourself and fill your hands with the light and Reiki.
4. Place one hand on your third eye (forehead) and one hand on your heart.
5. Give yourself Reiki and ask Reiki to quiet your mind, help you connect to your
heart and your true self, and give voice to your inner truth. Ask Reiki to help you
remember who you truly are. Do this for at least 10-15 minutes.
6. Now write and describe yourself from your heart.
Notice the difference in the two descriptions. You can use Reiki and automatic writing to
help you reflect on your life from your heart. Try this method to ask your true self other
questions such as; what are your dreams, what you would do if you could do anything
your heart desired, what changes are needed to manifest your dreams, etc.
Reiki is always available to assist us in our daily lives. Reiki illuminates the path before
us so we can hear our own truth, make choices from our heart, and create the life of our
dreams.
I learned of this technique in Jan Engels-Smith’s Basic Journey class. www.lightsong.net
This article was first published in William Rands Newsletter, Winter 06 www.reiki.org
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
AROMATHERAPY COURSE UPDATE!
NEW PRICE & DATE FOR AROMATHERAPY COURSE
Carolyn has set a new price structure for the aromatherapy class coming up this month. The course dates have changed as well. See below for details.
WHEN: March 29
TIME: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
COST: 400 QR Course Fee
400 QR Kit Fee
WHERE: Eman Amnah's house.
So the total cost of the course (including kit) will be 800 QR, due before course begins. Lunch will be provided. Spread the word and let Caroly know if you are interested in attending, as there are only 10 spaces available.
Hope to see you all there!
Carolyn has set a new price structure for the aromatherapy class coming up this month. The course dates have changed as well. See below for details.
WHEN: March 29
TIME: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
COST: 400 QR Course Fee
400 QR Kit Fee
WHERE: Eman Amnah's house.
So the total cost of the course (including kit) will be 800 QR, due before course begins. Lunch will be provided. Spread the word and let Caroly know if you are interested in attending, as there are only 10 spaces available.
Hope to see you all there!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Some Questions Answered
I recently found this blog on the Amazon page for Branwen and Frans' book, The Japenese Art of Reiki. I thought the questions were relevant to some that we've been asking. http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Art-Reiki-Practical-Self-Healing/dp/1905047029/ref=pd_sim_b_title_2 Click on the link to follow it to Amazon and read all 8 blogs posted. Enjoy!
Q: Do distant attunements work?
A: It is a very relevant question in light of the fact we are all so enamoured of the Internet and that is the culture that distant attunements have sprung out of.
It is phenomenal the list of Reiki Branches with curious new Age names that have sprung up on the Internet advertising distant attunements. So, is it worth putting your money into these courses? Will you get anything out of them?
First, does the concept of distant attunement work? Well, it seems to us that if Reiki practitioners believe that distant healing works then… why not. Energy is everything and working with energy does not necessarily require the physical body to be present.
But… Yes, there are definitely some buts!
Does receiving an attunement mean that you have studied the system of Reiki? Of course not. The attunement process is just one of the five elements of the system of Reiki that you are required to experience. The others are learning about hands-on healing, symbols and mantras (in levels II and III), the precepts, and meditations/techniques. Find an indepth analysis of these elements in our book: The Japanese Art of Reiki: A Practical Guide to Self-Healing
Without these elements then it cannot be said that you have studied anything. An attunement alone is not the system of Reiki.
What does an attunement do anyway? Does it give you a Reiki level? Does it make you a ‘healer’? We don’t believe either of the above. An attunement is a support offered by a teacher to a student to help the student move his or her energy. It is the student that, as always, must do the work to progress from one energetic level to another and a teacher can support that. The attunement gives the student a glimpse of where his or her energy can move to. An experienced teacher offers the student energetic insight into where he or she can move a practice. Traditionally in Japan, the reiju (the forerunner to the attunement) is often translated as a ‘spiritual blessing’. The reiju is also performed regularly by the teacher and is not relegated to making someone a level of anything. It is merely a teacher supporting the student’s progress.
Everyone is born a healer. We have been healing since the day we were born (and who knows prior to that)! The system of Reiki gives you guidelines and a practice to develop your energetic and personal development skills – but don’t let the system negate the fact that each of us is/was and always will be able to heal ourselves and others.
Is the teacher able to perform the attunement? Attunement is not an empty ritual – it is something that one works toward being able to perform. It is not a magic process whereupon you can suddenly wave your hands and instead of producing a bunch of flowers you ‘attune’ someone. None of this. A teacher needs to be committed to working on oneself and developing one’s energetic prowess. It is this prowess that the student glimpses and becomes encouraged to move in the same energetic direction as the teacher.
We have an article on reiju and its meaning on this webpage.
Finally, how do you know that the person on the other end of the attunement, the Reiki teacher that you have just paid, has actually performed an attunement? Do you know this person? Can you trust them or have you just filled in an online form and received a time to ‘receive’ an attunement? This is risky business!
A: It is a very relevant question in light of the fact we are all so enamoured of the Internet and that is the culture that distant attunements have sprung out of.
It is phenomenal the list of Reiki Branches with curious new Age names that have sprung up on the Internet advertising distant attunements. So, is it worth putting your money into these courses? Will you get anything out of them?
First, does the concept of distant attunement work? Well, it seems to us that if Reiki practitioners believe that distant healing works then… why not. Energy is everything and working with energy does not necessarily require the physical body to be present.
But… Yes, there are definitely some buts!
Does receiving an attunement mean that you have studied the system of Reiki? Of course not. The attunement process is just one of the five elements of the system of Reiki that you are required to experience. The others are learning about hands-on healing, symbols and mantras (in levels II and III), the precepts, and meditations/techniques. Find an indepth analysis of these elements in our book: The Japanese Art of Reiki: A Practical Guide to Self-Healing
Without these elements then it cannot be said that you have studied anything. An attunement alone is not the system of Reiki.
What does an attunement do anyway? Does it give you a Reiki level? Does it make you a ‘healer’? We don’t believe either of the above. An attunement is a support offered by a teacher to a student to help the student move his or her energy. It is the student that, as always, must do the work to progress from one energetic level to another and a teacher can support that. The attunement gives the student a glimpse of where his or her energy can move to. An experienced teacher offers the student energetic insight into where he or she can move a practice. Traditionally in Japan, the reiju (the forerunner to the attunement) is often translated as a ‘spiritual blessing’. The reiju is also performed regularly by the teacher and is not relegated to making someone a level of anything. It is merely a teacher supporting the student’s progress.
Everyone is born a healer. We have been healing since the day we were born (and who knows prior to that)! The system of Reiki gives you guidelines and a practice to develop your energetic and personal development skills – but don’t let the system negate the fact that each of us is/was and always will be able to heal ourselves and others.
Is the teacher able to perform the attunement? Attunement is not an empty ritual – it is something that one works toward being able to perform. It is not a magic process whereupon you can suddenly wave your hands and instead of producing a bunch of flowers you ‘attune’ someone. None of this. A teacher needs to be committed to working on oneself and developing one’s energetic prowess. It is this prowess that the student glimpses and becomes encouraged to move in the same energetic direction as the teacher.
We have an article on reiju and its meaning on this webpage.
Finally, how do you know that the person on the other end of the attunement, the Reiki teacher that you have just paid, has actually performed an attunement? Do you know this person? Can you trust them or have you just filled in an online form and received a time to ‘receive’ an attunement? This is risky business!
Q. Should a teacher keep secrets from students?
A. We don't see the system of Reiki as being about "secrets". This question was started by the discussion as to whether students should have their eyes open during an attunement and if they did would they see the process and copy it.Imagine you teach the trapeze instead of Reiki ... you teach a beginner to hold onto the rope etc... and relevant safety features ... at the same time the beginner watches you do some amazing somersaults. The beginner aims to be able to do that one day. However, the beginner knows that if he or she practices that now, then he/she will fall. Thus the beginner realises there are certain steps that need to be progressed through to get that point. In the case of attunements, we are not saying that we show students how to do them, we just don't work along the lines of "secret". The trapeze artist doesn't show the beginner the nitty gritty of how to do it, but rather the results of his or her practice. The beginner wouldn't even want to know as he or she realises, by being in the space of the teacher, that it is something that you work up to. The "secret" is the practice! This is what Reiki teachers need to bring across to their students through their own hard work on themselves. A student should sense that the teacher has worked on him or herself. They shouldn't need to be told. When you are in the space of a true Master - you know it. This is not saying that Reiki teachers are Masters mind you (good topic for next blog :-)). But we can certainly work toward that aim.
Q: Why do teachers tell their students to keep their eyes closed during the attunement/reiju?
A: It seems that some teachers are afraid that their students might see the actual attunement/reiju ritual that they are performing. In fact, some teachers go so far as to remove other students from the room where they are performing the attunement/reiju.
An action undertaken from this standpoint can foster a sense of secrecy resulting in unhealthy power issues concerning the teacher/student roles.
It is also a misunderstanding of what the actual attunement/reiju is and how it works.
It is not the physical ritual which creates the attunement/reiju; it is the energetic connection and space that a teacher develops which allows the attunement/reiju to take place.
For most of us this energetic practice cannot be seen in the physical sense. Therefore it doesn't matter if students have their eyes opened or closed. Anyone can learn the physical attunement/reiju in half an hour but copying physical moves does not mean that an attunement/reiju is performed!
To be able to perform a correct attunement/reiju the teacher has to work for many years on her/himself with the five elements of the system of Reiki (precepts, meditation, symbols-mantras, hands on healing, attunement-reiju). Only after this will the teacher be able to enter a specific energetic space to perform these rituals. There is more about this in The Japanese Art of Reiki: A Practical Guide to Self-Healing
Through this energetic practice a teacher also gains intellectual insight as to what an attunement/reiju is and how it works. The coupling of intellectual and energetic understanding creates the perfect attunement/reiju.
We should also not forget that Usui Mikao did not use a physical ritual to perform the reiju, so there was never anything to see or hide.
PS: Some teachers claim that in meditation you need to have your eyes closed but in most spiritual practices it is advised to have you eyes slightly open to counter one from falling asleep.
A: It seems that some teachers are afraid that their students might see the actual attunement/reiju ritual that they are performing. In fact, some teachers go so far as to remove other students from the room where they are performing the attunement/reiju.
An action undertaken from this standpoint can foster a sense of secrecy resulting in unhealthy power issues concerning the teacher/student roles.
It is also a misunderstanding of what the actual attunement/reiju is and how it works.
It is not the physical ritual which creates the attunement/reiju; it is the energetic connection and space that a teacher develops which allows the attunement/reiju to take place.
For most of us this energetic practice cannot be seen in the physical sense. Therefore it doesn't matter if students have their eyes opened or closed. Anyone can learn the physical attunement/reiju in half an hour but copying physical moves does not mean that an attunement/reiju is performed!
To be able to perform a correct attunement/reiju the teacher has to work for many years on her/himself with the five elements of the system of Reiki (precepts, meditation, symbols-mantras, hands on healing, attunement-reiju). Only after this will the teacher be able to enter a specific energetic space to perform these rituals. There is more about this in The Japanese Art of Reiki: A Practical Guide to Self-Healing
Through this energetic practice a teacher also gains intellectual insight as to what an attunement/reiju is and how it works. The coupling of intellectual and energetic understanding creates the perfect attunement/reiju.
We should also not forget that Usui Mikao did not use a physical ritual to perform the reiju, so there was never anything to see or hide.
PS: Some teachers claim that in meditation you need to have your eyes closed but in most spiritual practices it is advised to have you eyes slightly open to counter one from falling asleep.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
URGENT UPDATE! MEETING WITH TAQI THIS WEEK!
Thursday, March 16 at 6:00 pm we will be meeting at Amna Al-Mushiri's house to see Mohammed Taqi. So, have a list of questions ready for him and be prepared to get re-energized! Can't WAIT!! See you all there.
21 Day Self-Healing Graduation Ceremony
Our graduation celebration to mark the completion of our 21 days of self-healing was a wonderful evening. The lighting of the candles was symbolic and healing for all of us. We got to thank God for bringing Reiki into our lives and for allowing us to be healing instruments. After the ceremony, we shared a wonderful meal and then did our goody bag exchange. We all got some wonderful stuff! We tried some wonderful new teas and got a chance to relax and share some of our Reiki experiences. GREAT JOB, REIKI GIRLS! Let's hope the men's Reiki group has as wonderful a bonding experience as we did!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Reiki Burning Bowl Ceremony
This is an awesome article about a cleansing ritual that involves reiki energy and clearing intention. It sounds like a wonderful activity for a future Reiki gathering! What do you all think?
Some other project ideas from same site include:
Reiki journal Project: http://www.reikilifestyle.com/downloads/ReikiJournalInstructions021408.pdf
Reiki Gratitude Ceremony: http://www.reikilifestyle.com/downloads/ReikiGratitudeCeremonyEarth.pdf
Reiki Blessing Ceremony:
Reiki Tote Bag Project:
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Dream Big
Dream Big Author unknown
If there were ever a time to dare,
To make a difference
To embark on something worth doing
To embark on something worth doing
It is now.
Not for any grand cause, necessarily –
But for something that tugs at your hear
Something that is worth your aspiration
Something that is your dream.
You owe it to yourself
To make your days count.
Have fun. Dig deep. Stretch.
Dream big.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Reiki 21 days of self-healing graduation celebration!
For those of us who registered in Taqi’s January Reiki course, this month marks the end of our 21 days of self-healing, and the beginning or our lives as practitioners of Reiki. I know I’m EXCITED!!! How about you? We want to mark this special event with a special celebration/ceremony. So, on February 28th at 6:00 pm we will gather at Amna’s house for the not-to-be-missed party! Please fill in the poll at the top of the page to clarify your participation in the event. We hope to see you all there!
Aromatherapy Course
In March, Carolyn Cardigan is offering us a special opportunity! She is teaching an Aromatherapy course. Anyone interested should contact Carolyn immediately. A deposit of 500 QR is required to reserve your spot. There are only 10 places available so don’t delay! It promises to be a wonderful addition to our ever-growing base of skills. Contact Carolyn Cardigan directly at 668-5936 or email us at healinghandsofdoha@gmail.com.
WHEN: March 15 & 22
TIME: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
COST: Course I - 400 QR
Course II - 400 QR
Oils Kit - 400 QR
WHERE: Amna Al-Mishiri’s house in Airport area near Shoprite. Call Carolyn for directions.
A Five Minute Guided Meditation
You can say goodbye to the hostilities and grudges of the past that fester inside you, and keep you from surrendering to all that is life-affirming and new. You can embrace lightness and freedom. You can begin again. And what better time to start than now? Begin by dimming the lights or lighting a candle. Sit in a favorite spot or get cozy in your chair, and take a few deep breaths. Let us begin. Just click on the link below. It’s from a site called beliefnet.com which has some amazing and inspiring stuff! Explore the site while you’re there!
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/158/story_15864_1.html?WT.mc_id=NL54#
What is Prana Therapy?
Amna Al Mushiri sent in this fascinating article from worldwidehealth.com. It was too good not to share. Enjoy and thanks, Amna!
"You ought not to heal the body without the soul for this is the great error of our day in treating the human body" Plato was one of the greatest philosophers in history. He lived almost 2500 years ago and knew at that time already that there was something more to healing then just treating the physical body. As we look beyond the physical body we may be surprised to find another body – the energy body. In truth there are even many more "bodies" beyond that, but that would be beyond the scope of this article. Our human body is composed of the visible physical body, and the invisible energy body called the bioplasmic body, human energy field or aura. This invisible luminous energy body interpenetrates the visible physical body and extends beyond it. The aura is visible to clairvoyants as a glowing area resembling a coloured cloud around someone and had been made visible in Kirlian photography.Prana is a Sanscrit world meaning vital energy or life force. Prana permeates everything in the universe. It is called Chi in Chinese, Ki in Japanese and Ruah or breath of life in Hebrew. Prana Therapy is an energy healing technique based on the overall structure of the human body. Pranic healing is an ancient science and art of healing that utilizes prana or life energy to heal dis-ease, which are nothing else but energy imbalances. The healing process involves the manipulation of the patient's chakras, or energy centers, prana and aura. Other names for it are: medical quigong, psychic healing, therapeutic touch, laying of hand, magnetic healing and faith healing. The energy body or aura is a field of energy that contains the physical as well as etheric, emotional, mental and causal (soul) bodies. The etheric body consists of the pathways of energy (nadis), which converge at different spots in the energy body to form the energy centers or chakras. These centers (chakras) act like traffic lights and govern the flow of energy and the health of the physical organs associated with them. The advanced pranic healer can see, feel and work with the seven main energy centers as well as the numerous minor and mini centers that exist throughout the body. The seven main energy centers, beginning at the base of the spine up to the crown of the head, also correspond to gradually increasing levels of greater consciousness and the highest centers in the head to increasing spiritual awareness. Our thoughts and feelings are forms of energy reflected in the energy centers and the energy field. Each of the main centers has specific emotional and psychological issues associated with them. Unhealthy thought patterns and blocked emotions create imbalances in the energy bodies and can manifest as a wide range of ailments. The aura is the human energy body and reflects the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical state in it in form of colours Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning "spinning wheel of energy". These energy centers receive and transmit energy and each is situated at a major endocrine gland, and nerve bundle called plexus. In this way, each chakra is connected and associated with a different part of the body.
There are seven major charkas:The Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine and is associated with the adrenal glands. It's closest to the earth and grounds us to the physical world. It controls your physical vitality, "flight or fight" response and physical survival instincts. Its colour is red. The Sex Chakra is located just below the navel and associated with the gonads. It represents our sexuality, creativity, self esteem and pleasures. Its colour is orange. The Solar Plexus Chakra is just above the navel, in the center of the solar plexus. Its associated endocrine gland is the pancreas. It is where the "gut feeling" comes from; emotions are processed and pass through. It gives us a sense of personal power in the world. Its colour is yellow. The Heart Chakra is in the heart. The associated endocrine gland is the thymus. It is the center for unconditional love, tolerance, empathy, forgiveness, and compassion. By some considered the seat of the soul. Its colour is green. The Throat Chakra is located in the throat, near the thyroid gland, which is the associated endocrine gland. It is the chakra of communication, creativity and higher will. Its colour is blue. The Brow Chakra is located in the center of the forehead, and is also known as "the third eye". Its associated endocrine gland is the pituitary. This chakra governs spiritual direction and wisdom. It is the seat of dreams and inner vision, with the capacity of looking to the past, present and future. Its colour is indigo. The Crown Chakra is located at the crown of the head. Its associated endocrine gland is the pineal gland. It balances the inner and outer person, and is the connection of the higher self. It is the channel through which we receive divine guidance, purpose and wisdom. Its colour is violet. In Panic healing, prana serves as a catalyst to accelerate the rate of biochemical reactions involved in the natural process of healing, when panic energy is applied to the affected part of the body, the rate of recovery or healing increases tremendously. For acute illnesses there can often be very rapid and dramatic positive results in the physical body. But there can also be a slight lag time before the healing manifests, which depends on the complexity and severity of the health problem. This lag time is often seen in chronic, long-term problems. In those situations, it is recommended that the person receives a one-hour Prana therapy session on a weekly basis, until the initial problem or symptoms are relieved. For complete healing, the session may then be continued every other week.
There are seven major charkas:The Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine and is associated with the adrenal glands. It's closest to the earth and grounds us to the physical world. It controls your physical vitality, "flight or fight" response and physical survival instincts. Its colour is red. The Sex Chakra is located just below the navel and associated with the gonads. It represents our sexuality, creativity, self esteem and pleasures. Its colour is orange. The Solar Plexus Chakra is just above the navel, in the center of the solar plexus. Its associated endocrine gland is the pancreas. It is where the "gut feeling" comes from; emotions are processed and pass through. It gives us a sense of personal power in the world. Its colour is yellow. The Heart Chakra is in the heart. The associated endocrine gland is the thymus. It is the center for unconditional love, tolerance, empathy, forgiveness, and compassion. By some considered the seat of the soul. Its colour is green. The Throat Chakra is located in the throat, near the thyroid gland, which is the associated endocrine gland. It is the chakra of communication, creativity and higher will. Its colour is blue. The Brow Chakra is located in the center of the forehead, and is also known as "the third eye". Its associated endocrine gland is the pituitary. This chakra governs spiritual direction and wisdom. It is the seat of dreams and inner vision, with the capacity of looking to the past, present and future. Its colour is indigo. The Crown Chakra is located at the crown of the head. Its associated endocrine gland is the pineal gland. It balances the inner and outer person, and is the connection of the higher self. It is the channel through which we receive divine guidance, purpose and wisdom. Its colour is violet. In Panic healing, prana serves as a catalyst to accelerate the rate of biochemical reactions involved in the natural process of healing, when panic energy is applied to the affected part of the body, the rate of recovery or healing increases tremendously. For acute illnesses there can often be very rapid and dramatic positive results in the physical body. But there can also be a slight lag time before the healing manifests, which depends on the complexity and severity of the health problem. This lag time is often seen in chronic, long-term problems. In those situations, it is recommended that the person receives a one-hour Prana therapy session on a weekly basis, until the initial problem or symptoms are relieved. For complete healing, the session may then be continued every other week.
Blessing of Water
When we were in Reiki class, I remember someone telling us a story about blessing water and how the structure of the molecules changed when it was blessed... thus doing Reiki over our food is a wonderful practice. Was it Taqi that told us? Look at the video link on the right from youtube.com showing that very principle. It also appears in the movie, "What the Bleep Do We Know" if anyone is interested.
Reiki Changes Lives
We have all witnessed the power of Reiki and God’s healing energy; each in our own unique way. Most of us felt something special happening during our attunements, and then while learning to scan and heal, we had differing, but none-the-less amazing experiences. Now that we have a chance to look around us, it seems that God’s love is everywhere, and the possibilities for using our new found gifts are endless. The photo below is one that touched my heart… not just for what the image is, but what it represents. A new soul, with a chance at a fresh and balanced beginning. How wonderful a gift to give a new life… God’s love, healing energy,
and prayers of harmony.
If I could start my life over again, would I do things differently? Would Reiki save me from some of my worst mistakes? Maybe not… but it’s comforting to think that we are raising a generation that is turning to God, natural medicine, and to spiritual balance
in the search for happiness. I am thankful for the opportunity to help others and to heal myself… but most of all, I am grateful for the chance to connect with God and to feel his love, working through me. What an amazing and awe inspiring experience!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
