Wisechoices ...

Holiday Newsletter

2011-12-15T23:21:00.002-06:00

Hello there. I just posted my Holiday Newsletter. Here is the link

One story I think you will enjoy is An angel lives in Rugby

An Angel lives in Rugby

I am a mother and grandmother who had based in the Czech Republic for over 13 years. I travelled all over the world to earn my living as a facilitator of personal development and healing.

I am considered independent and have really never thought of asking for help; my work after all is helping others. However life gave me an opportunity to experience how I had stopped the natural balance of giving and receiving in my life. This was supported with the help of many people and especially an angel who lives in Rugby, England before Christmas in 2003.

In October 2003 I came to the UK for a short visit to help friends get organized in order to put their house on the market. I rolled up my sleeves and began to help them sort through years of collected papers and stuff. It was fun yet hard work and I felt I was making a difference in getting their home in order before the sale. The mountain of tasks to complete finally had become a molehill.

However on the morning of the third day of my visit I suffered a heart attack and was rushed in to A&E in Milton Keynes. I spent a month in hospital after finally been transferred to The John Radcliff Hospital for more tests.

Each and every person I came in contact during my stay in hospital was loving, compassionate and supported me in every way imaginable. My laundry was done, other people’s visitors came to see me as well, and magazines were left for me to read.

There were so many small and yet very meaningful things happened to make me feel at home and not on my own. A hospital can be the loneliest place in the world with no friends and family close by.

When I was dismissed at the end of November from the hospital more friends from Warwickshire asked me to stay with them for two months in order to stay to take the after care classes at a near by Hospital. This meant I would spend the holiday with them as well. My daughter in the USA took over the running of my business. My father helped me financially. I was overwhelmed with kindness. I was not working and all I needed to do was concentrate on getting well.

To continue click on this link

Have a Blessed Holiday Season,

Love, Mari

The Usui Retreat Starts August 15, 2011

2011-07-21T11:22:00.004-05:00

In just less than a month the Usui 21day Virtual Retreat will start.

How the Retreat Works

The Usui 21-Day Retreat is simple and flexible. Reiki practitioners can participate in this Retreat fully or partially, as they are comfortable. It is not necessary to spend the entire 21-days in fast and meditation, nor is it necessary to do this for a full day. Some people find that 10 minutes a day is a way to connect with inner guidance and wisdom that works well for them.

Practitioners can join in the Retreat from their homes, offices, centers and can meet with their Reiki Circles to enjoy the Retreat. During the Retreat, generally we meet up to share on the Wisechoices Facebook page. The intent is to be able to be in quiet reflection, meditation, or prayer. Reiki is the focusing tool for this experience in which a way is cleared for balance and healing in our lives and in the lives of others. There is a special interest in distancing Reiki at this time. Some Retreat practitioners, who work for wellness of the planet, find this an excellent time for Reiki sessions for the highest good of all concerned.

Please tell eveyone you think would like to join us.

How you decide to join with the Retreat, whether in solitude or not, I welcome you!

This Retreat is not limited to one location, but takes place wherever you may be. It lasts for 21 days during which time we (mutually) intend that the highest good of all concerned will be served, and that our community experience will generate a deep, very nurturing ocean of shared Reiki.

For more information about the Retreat, follow these links

Usui Retreat Invitation

How did the Usui Retreat start?

Usui Retreat Options

Frank Arjava Petter, Reiki Master and author of author of Reiki Fire, Reiki, the Legacy of Dr. Usui, The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui, The Original Reiki Handbook, co-author of The Spirit of Reiki, Reiki Best Practices and The Hayashi Reiki- Manual will be writing the focus meditations on innocence for the Retreat.

Reiki Helps a Couple's Dreams Come True

2011-07-19T00:02:00.004-05:00

My office was in the regional hospital in Kolin, Czechoslovakia. It was a supportive place to work because I could consult the doctors, and quite often we worked together in regards to clients of mine and patients of theirs. The head of Gynecology sent a young woman to me for a consultation to see if Reiki could assist her in conceiving a child. Both she and her husband had been checked in the hospital's fertility clinic, which found some problems with conception. I asked both the woman and her husband to come for an evaluation and initial treatment.

The couple, Jana and Honza, had been married for eleven years. Unsuccessful in conceiving, they asked me to use Reiki with them. I had been sent the clinic's records and also took a standard case history from both of them. I asked about eating habits and stress factors and how they were emotionally regarding this problem.

Jana was 33 years old, a technician in a refrigeration company. She worked from 7am to 4pm, then cared for her grandmother until her mother got home from her job. She was often upset and believed she was a failure because she couldn't conceive a child. She had depression and lost weight. She found it hard to sleep at night. The doctors told her only one ovary was functioning. She was quite stressed, both in her personal life and at work. Her eating habits indicated a strong desire for sweets. She craved chocolate and also drank coffee with three spoons of sugar.

Honza was 37 years old, a translator for a petrochemical company. He worked from 7:30am to 5pm. He was quite busy and did not feel stressed at work but did at home. Because Jana was depressed and there was so much tension in the home, he often worked into the night, doing additional work at his computer. He was very fond of salty foods. The doctors said he had a low sperm count.

I decided to treat the couple individually with Reiki so that each had their own time and also said I would adjust their food a bit as we progressed with the treatments. We had noticed in treating fertility problems that many of the couples had a pH difference which seemed to make conception harder. I gave Jana some meditations to help her relax. I set up an appointment with the head of the fertility clinic to speak with Jana about their diagnosis, especially emphasizing that the problem concerns them both. She had taken it as her problem only. It was important for her to realize it was not just her problem. The talk did help her to relax more.

To continue reading our Wisechoices newsletter

Seeds of Wisdom Blossom in Spring

2011-05-10T04:58:00.008-05:00

Jikiden Reiki Joined us Together

I just returned from the Jikiden Shoden and Okuden class at Silver Bay, in upstate New York. Having organized the class for Arjava I looked forward to being "In Reiki " for 5 glorious days in such an ideal setting at Lake George. There were Reiki people I knew and those I didn't know taking the course and in that space of five days we became a loving creative family. Yes, we all had Reiki as a basis when we arrived there however Jikiden Reiki united us in a profound way that went deep into our whole being.

I took the course in Bogata, Columbia last April 2010 and came away with a deep sense of gratitude experiencing Reiki as it had taught by Usui and Hayashi with no Westernization in the teaching. I was literally "blown away" by my time in the class and with the people in Bogata. This time was no different, except that I was hearing English spoken in New York. In Bogata, Tadao Yamaguchi's Japanese language was translated into Spanish and then into English and Arjava was speaking English and Japanese.

I liken both Jikiden course experiences to a Christmas morning with all eyes all lit up at the wonder of it all. I loved seeing how each participant would light up from the inside, their radiance softening edges, melting separation as hearts and mind opened to new and exciting possibilities.

I taught Reiki and traveled for years being translated in several languages and have such an understanding of the need to have people speaking for/with you that are also deep in their own Reiki Journey. I appreciated every effort for us to understand what was being said. Yet I sat in this New York class I had times when I thought I had not learned that bit before, that I was getting "more" this time. But what I know is that every time you retake the class new things are revealed to you and on different levels. I am now looking forward to Houston in two weeks time to retake the course again.

When I left Houston on April 27th it was 90 degrees. Our flowers and trees in full bloom, my favorite time of the year because it is not 'Hot" yet and evenings afford us the possibility to sit outside where we can take in all the sounds of nature. Arriving first in Albany with the temperature of 67 and driving up Highway 87 we saw snow still on the ski runs on the mountains, very little had bloomed, it was the tail end of winter.

Over the next five days we were a witness to the flowers just starting to bloom and trees that had buds and promise of leaves. As Spring blossomed so did we.

Love, Mari

Do Not Miss this Unique Experience

2011-03-06T12:12:00.008-06:00

Mari is organizing two Jikiden Reiki Courses and one Japaneese Reiki techniques course that will be taught by Arjava Frank Petter.

Jikiden Reiki stands for Reiki Teaching from the original authentic Japanese lineage. This lineage goes from Dr. Hayashi to Mrs. Chiyoko Yamaguchi, who learned Reiki in 1938. Because has not gone through Mrs. Takata it lacks the Westernization of Reiki as it is taught in the Western World. You will experience Reiki in its original beauty and simplicity.

The hours are 10 am to 5 pm. The workshop language is English. Handouts in English will be provided. Every participant will receive 5 attunements from Arjava every day. You will learn the Reiki- Symbols in their original form. Upon completion of the workshop you will be sent a certificate from Japan.

The workshop is divided into two parts: Shoden (beginner degree- Reiki One) and Okuden (the middle degree- Reiki Two). Classes are limited to 20 people.

The Jikiden course investment is 850.00 with a early payment discount of 100.00 if paid in full by March 15, 2011. There is a non refundable registration of 250.00 that is included in the price. Your place can be held with the 250.00 non refundable registration fee, but the balance must be paid by March 15th for the early discount price or paid in full by April 15 th for the full price.

In Lake George, New York

The Course is April 28 - May 2, 2011

The daily cost for your accommodation is 160.00 per day single and 109.00 double occupancy which includes all 3 meals and taxes. Venue booking will be done by email at: reservations@silverbay.org The Retreat Center states that they will do all they can to accommodate requests to share a room, however this cannot be guaranteed and that you may have to pay a single room price in that case.

The Link to Silverbay is:
Check in time is between 3:00 and 5:00 Thursday, April 28 and Check out time is after breakfast on Tuesday the 2nd of May. You can arainge to check in a day earlier and leave a day later.

If you are making airline connections, it is suggested that you plan your flight to arrive no later than 3:00 so that you will arrive in daylight and in time to check in for dinner. The course begins on Thursday, April 28th and ends on May 2nd in the evening.

In Houston, Texas

The Jikiden Reiki 5 day course being held in Houston, TX on May 19-23, 2011 at Mari Hall's house in West Houston.

There will also be a Japanese Reiki Techniques course starting May 24th in the evening to May 26th

The Japanese Reiki Techniques course is 350.00, you will receive a 50.00 discount if you are taking this course after the Jikiden course.

You will pay Mari Hall for your course fees plus $ 50.00 for your lunches for the Jikiden Reiki Course and 20.00 for the Japanese Reiki Techniques course. To Pay your course fee using your credit card through Pay Pal use this link: Please add the lunch money to the amount for the course.

Please make your own arrangements for a hotel, breakfast and dinner. There are many hotels along IH 10, Highway 6 and IH 290. Follow this link: Hotels close to Mari's House and the link to her house

Waking up to the Wonder of Life with Reiki

2011-01-24T21:00:00.005-06:00

"Authentic spirituality awakens the soul, reconnects us with the sacred, and fills us with the passion of life. Spiritual development is not about religious rituals and practices; it is about waking up to the wonder of life." -- David N. Elkins

How often do we find ourselves being connected to the wonder of life as it unfolds in each moment in every flower, bird and breeze? Like most people who live on planet earth we are too busy “doing” our lives to have the time to connect to anything but the endless to do list we have in our minds or have written on a piece of paper. It seems as if life by its very nature is speeding up and we are hard pressed to keep up with it all. Taking time to do Reiki on ourselves and others certainly gives us this feeling of connection. But life is busy and we tend to get caught up in it and forget about ourselves; days pass by, even weeks and we loose that connection without even realizing it.

I sometimes found myself sitting at the hairdresser or standing in line at the grocery store hearing conversations about the endless places parents must take their children to and how they jockey time to run children to different schools, after school activities and sports. I often wonder when any Mother, Father and child could have the time to just BE. To have that infinite space to breathe, connect and then go forward…or stop to really smell the roses.

Cell phones make it easier for us to “catch” each other, but honestly do we want to be “Caught” and available no matter where we are and what we may be doing 24/7? Don’t we need to slow down and take time out to recharge our batteries, to even think about what it is we want or need, rather than getting caught up in the endless maze of what we call living.

There is a deep need inside each of us to feel fresh, alive; full of joy and wonder. In order to touch into that essence we also need to slow down enough to connect to it, rather than push so hard that we seem to push this peace and joy away. When was the last time you laid on your back and looked at the clouds in the sky and said what shapes the clouds were taking? Or when was the last time you just watched a butterfly as it flew through the garden touching flowers, drinking the dew from within and flying on? Better yet, when was the last time you simply put your hands on yourself to do Reiki for more than a few minutes? Our intention may be there, but we have a tendency to cut us short…after all there is so much to do…and besides we can take longer or even do “it” tomorrow. For many of us tomorrow just keeps being put off and for very good reasons.

What I realized in my own style of living was that I had not thought to “book” an appointment to do Reiki on myself, much less spend time with just me. I remember my own Reiki Teacher telling me how important it is to give myself a Reiki treatment each day…in fact I have said that to all my students over the years, yet I was not practicing what I preached on a regular basis. My schedule continued to fill up, I had meetings after meetings with folks squeezed in between breakfast and a coffee meeting at 10am. Once I got that I was just as important as all the people I was trying to spend time with. I started making Reiki appointments with myself; I would take an hour here, an hour there always starting with Reiki that soon lead to needing more quality time and ore Reiki time with me. At first it was harder to slow down and enjoy the time I had carved out because I was a human “Doing” and being still was a waste of time…or was it?

The first appointments with me consisted of doing Reiki on myself and then taking walks while looking at nature, I often sat and did nothing else but look and become still giving myself Reiki. It was so refreshing to give myself permission to do this. The end result was that I came away from each encounter with myself refreshed and connected…and I wanted more because I realized the more still and connected I was the better I was not only for myself but others as well. Life worked with me rather than we working against life. Reiki enabled me to come into a better relationship with me and the world around me. Parts of my being that I had been to busy to pay attention to now started to feel open and energetic. I was connected and felt ALIVE. I had reconnected with Reiki on a personal note and myself.

"Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse of existence. But rightly understood it is a vital awareness that pervades all realms of our being... Wherever we may come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual." -- David Steindl-Rast

I realize that it may be hard to just get off the roller coaster called life and sit down for a while with out being busy. It’s a challenge to start putting yourself first even for small blocks of time to do Reiki and also have more quality time as well.

I can give you some pointers, a place or two to start. First open your agenda/schedule, or open it online in your PDA, Phone or what ever program it is stored in. If you are any thing like me I had so many appointments I found myself out even most evenings. So take on evening “this week” and write…time just with my best friend to do Reiki and hang out. And give yourself at east an hour. Then look ahead 2 to 3 days, maybe to a Saturday or Sunday and write in a 2 hour slot time just with my best friend to do Reiki and hang out.

Understand that these two appointments can not be broken or changed. It is a commitment you are making to you, your best friend. This is a time to just be with you, not sleeping in, filling up the hour or two with TV, sports, any activity; it is time to be quiet with you doing Reiki and what ever else you wish to do… Oh I can hear your mind…but, what will I do? You will do nothing at first but sit and be with yourself giving yourself Reiki. In the next section I am giving you some conscious raising activities that can help you.

At first it may seem silly or hard to just slow down but hopefully you will discover like I did that in that time with my best friend, me I realized …”hey this feels good” and I want more Reiki and time for ME.

Obviously once you have started this you will continue to book Reiki and hang out time with yourself on a weekly basis. You may find later that this becomes time to touch in to you, you may wish to journal, meditate, and be still and one with nature. Out of your experiences you will find all sorts of places to experience the deep well spring of Oneness and joy with your Best Friend.

Two Consciousness Raising Exercises
1.) Take a walk only your approach to walking will be different. With each in breathe take a step, with every out breath take another step. Breathe in a slow and deliberate manner. You may feel at first as if it is impossible to move so slow and deliberately. This is only your mind/ego not wanting you to get connected; it may even be saying “This is impossible. I have other more important things to do!’ It is Ok, deliberate walking is a moving meditation and it may take a few minutes to truly slow down and get quiet. Use your breath to guide you.

As you walk slowly begin to look around you and see what you connect to. Take in what you see as slowly and deliberately as your steps. Feel your whole body begin connecting to what you see. Allow yourself to look at things close up and then shift your gaze to things far away always coming back to the awareness of your breath.

Look to each side of you both close and far away breathing in what you see. Now look down as you slowly walk. Be aware that each step makes an imprint on the earth. Now stop and notice how you are feeling. How expanded are you? If you had any problems doing this exercise use your Reiki hands on the areas of your body that may not feel as connected as others. Honor what you have seen and what you are feeling now.

It is surprising how much we can see and take in once we have consciously slowed down. Repeat as often as you like. It is especially helpful when you have had a stressful day or have been feeling disconnected. After you have finished give yourself Reiki for at least 20 minutes. What is happening is that Reiki is helping you to integrate your experience. Taking “Home” your new level on consciousness and internal peace.

2.) To help us return to the Simplicity and wonder of Life let’s focus our attention on a flower. We know that each flower starts life as a seed. Within this seed is contained everything the flower ever needs in order to grow to full bloom, to reach its full potential.

As the flower buds, and grows, putting out one tentative leaf after another and then the first bud, the flower knows that the only purpose of its existence is to bloom and to be the best and most beautiful it can be, just for itself. This celebration of its very being is the flowers joy and the expression of its God Self as Love.

The flower is nourished by the earth, finally reaching maturity. The flower isn’t afraid to share its beauty with the entire world because it knows that this is what it came into existence to do. The flower sounds its own personal musical note joyfully without fear to everything and everyone. In this way, whole gardens sing together, each existence holding their own musical note within the harmony of life and those who pass by to admire also add to this beautiful and harmonious song.

Then, having fully lived its cycle of life, singing its song to the fullest it slows down its reproduction of itself, and starts to degenerate. As life starts up, it must also wind down; this is a natural cycle and a part of Divine Right Order. Often we call this process nature.

Before the flower dies it throws out a seed as its last expression of life. However life continues as each new seed sprouts. Each generation might be slightly different, though, because Life is really a spiral, not a circle. We never return to the same place from which we started. We cannot, because of the experiences or expressions of life cause us to grow in some new way, always, and forever.

Knowing all this about life of this flower Look at the flower and take in the essence of the flower; be at one with it. Take in every detail of the flower and then the surroundings of where it is growing. Finally sit quietly and see how the flower can and does represent all of life, even you.

You might ask yourself…If this is Life, then, and each flower, leaf, tree, animal etc is living life in their own ways, what happened to me in terms of my humanity? What has caused me to be in such dis-chord with myself, with life, with the earth, the universe too? What has caused this within in me?

The answers to this relate to a separation of Self from Spirit, or a denial of that which has always been found within us all; our inherent wisdom, our guidance, our intuition.
Once you have finished sit quietly and give yourself a Reiki treatment…By taking this time you help to deeply integrate your experience. By allowing yourself to slow down and take in nature…a flower, all the magic in the garden or in the forest or perhaps even on the street you live helps to reconnect to all that is and will be, and most of all…our wonderful self. This is the truest essence of...a Human Being. Reiki goes with this process naturally like our breath, deep, true, supporting and loving.

Blessings and Love,
Mari

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Homecoming.html?soid=1102200932928&aid=FP2rf5Tb2dI

2010-10-29T23:12:00.000-05:00

I have just posted my Fall Newsletter for Wisechoices. There is a special message from Arjava for you. Enjoy it!

Love and Blessings,
Mari

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Homecoming.html?soid=1102200932928&aid=FP2rf5Tb2dI

http://conta.cc/bJ5tJe

2010-09-09T20:45:00.000-05:00

The closing of the Usui Retreat for 2010. You can still access the meditations that are on this Thank You.

Love and Blessings,

Mari

http://conta.cc/bJ5tJe

'Welcome to the third week of the Usui Retreat'

2010-08-29T23:44:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends and Family. Here is the third Week's meditation of the Usui 21 Day Virtual Retreat.

'Welcome to the third week of the Usui Retreat'

Love and Blessings,

Mari

'A Note from Wisechoices'

2010-08-27T13:46:00.000-05:00

New Whispers of Wisdom are up on the Wisechoices pages. Follow the link and choose the image you like to receive a special message.

Love and Blessings,
Mari

'A Note from Wisechoices'

Welcome to the first week of the Usui Retreat via @constantcontact

2010-08-15T08:15:00.000-05:00

The first week of the Usui 21 day Virtual Retreat starts today. Please join us.

Blessings and Love,

Mari

Welcome to the first week of the Usui Retreat via @constantcontact

'Responsibility and Risk'

2010-07-28T14:27:00.000-05:00

I have just posted my newsletter with an introduction to this years facilitators for the 21 day Usui Virtual Retreat that starts on August 15th. This is the 15th year of the retreat and I hope you will be joining us.

Love and Blessings,

Mari

'Responsibility and Risk'

Planting Seeds of Potiential for Spring

2010-03-14T22:52:00.007-05:00

We take flight when we rise above our habitual ways of thinking about things and experience new insights.

As earthbound beings, humans have always had a fascination with winged creatures of all kinds. The idea of being able to spontaneously lift off from the earth and fly is so compelling to us that we invented airplanes and helicopters and myriad other flying machines in order to provide ourselves with the many gifts of being airborne. Flying high in the sky, we look down on the earth that is our home and see things from an entirely different perspective. We can see more, and we can see farther than we can when we're on the ground. As if all this weren't enough, the out-of-this-world feeling of freedom that comes with groundlessness inspires us to want to take flight again and again.

Metaphorically, we take flight whenever we break free of the gravity that holds us to a particular way of thinking or feeling or being. We take flight mentally when we rise above our habitual ways of thinking about things and experience new insights. This is what it means to open our minds. Emotionally, we take flight when the strength of our passion exceeds the strength of our blockages; the floodgates open and we are free to feel fully. Spiritually we take flight when we locate that part of ourselves that is beyond the constraint of linear time and the world of form. It is in this place that we experience the essential boundlessness that defines the experience of flight.

Taking flight is always about freeing ourselves from form, if only temporarily. When we literally fly, in a plane or on a hang glider, we free ourselves from the strength of gravity's pull. As we open our minds and our hearts, we free ourselves from habitual patterns of thought and emotional blockages. As we remember our true nature, we free ourselves from identification with the temporary state of our physical forms. The more we stretch our wings, the clearer it becomes that taking flight is a state of grace that simply reminds us of who we really are.

Always be FOR something, not AGAINST.
Being FOR something takes less energy as it is already in a lighter form.

As human beings, we cannot help but be subject to our preferences. However, we do have control over the manner in which these manifest themselves in our lives. Every value we hold dear is an expression of either support or opposition, and it is our perspective that determines whether we are for something or against it. As an example of a situation we are all familiar with at this time: We can direct our energy and intentions into activities that promote peace rather than using our resources to speak out in opposition of war. On the surface, these appear to be two interchangeable methods of expressing one virtue, yet being for something is a vastly more potent means of inspiring change because it carries with it the power of constructive intent.

When you support a cause, whether your support is active or passive, you contribute to the optimism that fuels all affirmative change. Optimistic thoughts energize people, giving them hope and inspiring them to work diligently on behalf of what they believe in. Being for something creates a positive shift
in the universe, which means that neither you nor those who share your vision will have any trouble believing that transformation on a grand scale is indeed possible. To be against something is typically easy, as you need only speak out in opposition to it. Standing up for something is often more challenging, because you may be introducing an idea to people that may scare them on a soul level.

Throughout your life, you have likely been told that the actions of one person will seldom have a measurable impact on the world. Yet your willingness to stand up for what you believe in instead of decrying what you oppose can turn the tides of fate. The thoughts you project when you choose to adopt a positive perspective will provide you with a means to actively promote your values and, eventually, foster lasting change.

Seeing the Beauty and Goodness Right in Front of Us
Henri Nouwen Society

We don't have to go very far to find the treasure we are seeking. There is beauty and goodness and peace right where we are. And only when we can see the beauty and goodness and peace that are close by, amid the storm of life, can we recognize beauty and goodness and peace on our travels far and wide to get away from the storm. There are trees and seas and flowers and birds to enjoy, dazzling paintings and beautiful sculptures to admire; most of all there are people who smile, play, and show true kindness and gentleness. They are all around us, to be recognized as free gifts to receive in gratitude.

Our temptation is to go off to collect all the beauty and goodness surrounding us in some other place, as helpful information we can use for our projects here. But then we cannot truly enjoy it, and we soon find that we need a vacation (from our vacation) to restore ourselves once again. Let's try to see the beauty and goodness right in front of us before we go elsewhere to search for it. Then we can really enjoy our trip to wherever we might choose to go, knowing that "we are seeing things correctly," fully prepared to see truth.

Serenity is not freedom from the storm but peace amid the storm...Anomymous

Update On Reiki Master's Course in Tuscany

2010-02-22T23:30:00.005-06:00

We now have participants from Ireland and the USA that are joining us on the course. There is a limited number of places available for the course so book early. We do have the flexibility to have other people join us but not to take the course. I have heard from several people who are already Reiki Masters that they want to take the course to gain some more insight and depth in their teaching. This is an excellent way to do that and have a lovely holiday as well. We are here to support you in whatever your next step is.

In the next few updates about Tuscany I will also be giving you additional information about the areas we will be seeing when we are there.

The Venue is Pian del Colombaio. It is a traditional, stone farm building where the refurbishment has been executed to maintain the original style but with modern, efficient interiors. Arched, cotta ceilings and wooden beams have been lovingly restored to keep the character intact.

The owners, Angela and Jimmy McCracken who live on site, obviously have a keen eye for design which is also displayed in their very pretty garden - a rarity in these rural parts of Tuscany. Lush green lawns are dressed with flower beds, trees and shrubs. An 8mt diameter swimming pool has been placed to the far front of the garden and the entirety is surrounded by amazing vistas reaching to a back drop of Monte Amiata where there are some very well planned walking itineraries.

Less than 30 minutes away is the charming walled town of San Quirico d'Orcia. It is located on the northern edge of the Val d'Orcia of southern Tuscany and often unjustly overlooked by visitors to Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano, in this agricultural hinterland of Sienna. The distinctive landscape of the Val d'Orcia, flat chalk plains interspersed by almost conical hills topped by fortified settlements, inspired many Siennese artists, and their paintings have come to exemplify the beauty of well-managed Renaissance agricultural landscapes, where the inhabitants are depicted as living in harmony with Nature. Today, the Val D'Orcia is a destination in itself, and its expansive, sweeping landscape is tremendously attractive. The Rome-Florence railway line and most of the road traffic passes well to the east, down the Val di Chiana, leaving the Val d'Orcia to walkers, cyclists and those who motor rather than drive.

In the next weeks we will be reading about Sant' Antimo and the Abbey of Monte Uliveto Maggiore where some of Italy's most beautiful frescoes are seen.

Please look at the attached smile box for more photos and all the information about the course. You may also contact me at Mari@wisechoices.com with any questions or to book.

Make a Smilebox photobook design

You are Invited to join us in Tuscany

2010-01-24T15:23:00.003-06:00

Dream big and then give wings to your dreams...

It started with a dream and it has now taken root, come join us

For more information and beautiful pictures

Dr Oz prescribes Reiki

2010-01-11T15:44:00.002-06:00

Watch the segment of his show where he talks about Reiki and also gives you a prescription for it's use.

A New Year to fill with Promise

2010-01-08T01:43:00.009-06:00

It is a New Year...a new decade. Beginnings remind us that we hold what is possible in the center of our hearts and hands. We build our lives with each choice we make. Make Wisechoices and allow your heart to lead. May your choices inspire a better place for yourself and for those who share this beautiful earth.

Love, Mari

"We are all longing to go home to a place we feel we've never been - a place half-remembered and half-envisioned, that we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own unique access to (His) power. Community means strength that joins our strength, to do the work that needs to be done.Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of acceptance and healing. A circle of true and lasting friends. Someplace where we can be free and learn to take the light of freedom out into the rest of our lives."

-- Starhawk

"Healers do not heal. Love heals. Healers are essentially lovers-those with the courage to live with an open heart-allowing love to work through them."
~Linda White Dove~

Cultivate Heart Centered Presence- Beth Songer

I don't really consider myself a healer, but I am very grateful to be a witness and bridge to what we consider healing.I have studied many forms of healing and energy balancing modalities. It is something that I am interested in and I enjoy learning about. In fact, I have felt immensely blessed to have witnessed and held sacred space for some very profound healings. For me, there is no better gift that I can give myself than to be a bridge, a vessel for balance for another. In truth, that may be why all of us are here, to cultivate heart centered presence, love and total acceptance of who we truly are, by witnessing others and transmuting ourselves. For it is absolute truth, that when we suffer, everyone suffers. When we are joyful we elevate everyone and everything in joy. When a balance is corrected as healing, everyone and everything is positively effected" because we are all connected as One."

Note: I personally found so much wisdom in her words.

When Spiritual Life Really Begins

When your honeymoon with spirituality ends -- and it will end, marked by the arrival of STDs (spiritually-transmitted disappointments) -- and when your affair with being spiritually correct and spiritually in-style runs dry, you may say so long to spirituality, but it is a premature goodbye.

Disillusionment with spirituality is not only inevitable but also necessary, so that spirituality might be thoroughly deglamorized. When that disillusionment has had its say -- cynicism's couch now being no more than a pain in the butt --and when your fear of re-entering the spiritual no longer frightens or disturbs you, your spiritual life really begins.

Most of the books will be gone; the ones that remain will feel like old friends you don't tire of revisiting, even if only a page or two every couple of months. Most of the practices will also be gone; the ones that remain will feel as natural to slip into as your favorite jeans or T-shirt, at ease with both being worn and being worn out. Most of your aspirations to be spiritual will also be gone; the few that remain will feel less like aspirations and more like unforced inhalations...

Whatever disciplines we take on will result not from one aspect of us dominating the rest, but rather from a core recognition of what is needed... Instead of being at war with our weaknesses, we bring them into our heart. Instead of trying to get rid of what we don't like about ourselves, we develop a better relationship to it. Intimacy thus becomes more our path than transcendence.

Seeking will become supplanted by living a deeper life. Questions will still arise, but will ask for something more real than answers. Alignment with the Real will become the ground rather than the goal. Details will cease being just details. Focusing on might be will yield to focusing on what's here now; that is, hope (nostalgia for the future) will be replaced by faith (radical trust in the now)...

Your longing to be fully awakened will still be present, minus the desperation and ambition that once characterized it. Where once you were in a hurry to get it, now you are not rushing or pushing, having accepted the fact that you are in it for the long haul. Then, even when you are off track, you are on track.

Life after spirituality is the beginning of authentic spirituality. No fireworks, no applause, no pats on the back from the Important, no need to present oneself as someone spiritual. This is the beginning of true nobody-ness. It is not annihilation, but revelation. It is at once bare yet sentient openness, and also the beginning of true individuality.

For every question that arises here, Silence is the answer. Put another way, everything supplies the answer. Nothing is explained, everything is revealed. Beyond knowledge, Wisdom; beyond paradox, Truth; beyond self, Being; beyond everything, everything...

Life after Spirituality is committed apprenticeship to What-Really-Matters. All that happens is the practicum. Every situation offers the same fundamental opportunity. The teacher is everywhere. There is no freedom from our Freedom. No escape. The implications of this froth then still the mind, awaken and release the body, ground and expose the soul, unraveling all our dreams, breaking us open to what we were born to do and be...

Life after spirituality is a constant dying. Emerging from our own ashes becomes no big deal, but just the way things are in each new moment....

-- Robert Augustus Masters

Upcoming Events

Reiki One and Two - Houston, February 27 and 28, 2010

Mari speaking at an Int'l Reiki Conference in Bogata, Columbia, April 1-4, 2010

One Energy Therapy and One Plus, Washington, DC, May 29-30, 2010

Reiki Master's Course in Tuscany, Italy, June 12-19th, 2010

Soul Food

"In everyone's life, at one time or another, our inner fire almost goes out. It is then miraculously burst back into flame by a powerful encounter with another human being.We should be thankful for those people who rekindle our inner spirit."
-- Albert Schweitzer

"Deep within each and every one of us glows a smoldering spiritual ember waiting to burst aflame, waiting for the spark to rekindle it, to allow us to fully experience our capacity and to fulfill our spiritual destiny."
-- Joel Padowitz

"Love is our true essence. Love knows no barriers of caste, religion, race and nationality.We are all beads strung on the same thread of love."
--Mata Amritanandamay Amma

"My deepest desire is to discover how to live life as a work of art,
rather than as a chaotic response to external events."
-- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are.
-- The Talmud

In the middle of a storm, a pilgrim reaches an inn and the owner asks where he is going.
"I'm going to the mountains," he answers.
"Forget it," says the innkeeper,
"it's a risky climb, and the weather is awful."
"But I'm going up," answers the pilgrim, "if my heart gets there first,
it will be easy to follow it with my body."

A Must See, It is a special invitation.

Reiki Masters Course in Tuscany June 12-19, 2010

Love, Mari

2009-10-20T22:35:00.004-05:00

Dear Friend and Reiki Family,

I have been searching for a way to reconnect with my students in Europe. I also have been doing my own inner work in order to resurface from a much-needed rest and redefine how I will do the work I love to do in a way that both supports me and empowers my students and clients. Yes, I have discovered that this older gal can learn new tricks!

The biggest fear I have is that I will not pay attention to my own body and my own emotional needs to live my passion. One thing for sure I am not interested in single handedly saving the world...one more time. I have discovered the beauty of working towards this goal together.

The challenge has been to honor this fear while putting it to rest. I have learned that what I fear the most is what I seem to bring to me. It is time for new programming! My passion is here and now. I am most happy when I am teaching and working with people. I love seeing the light that comes alive in people's eyes when they remember their own beauty and light.

I am in a period of change. I am working with my body and mind and have excellent traveling partners in this phase of my life. I am excited at being almost 65 and seeing that I am still on the path with you, and that a whole new better world awaits us. I am so grateful you are there with me.

I have created a special smile box..."From Seeds of Desire"...for you...Just click the link to play, I hope you enjoy it. If you are interested in joining me in Tuscany, write to me. If you know people who may be interested please forward this email to them. And if this is not something you are attracted to, then the delete button can be an excellent answer.

You remain in my heart! Thank you for continuing to bless my life. Let me know how you are, too.

Love and Blessings,

Make a Smilebox photobook

2009 Reiki Virtual Retreat Post Retreat Reflection

2009-09-19T10:58:00.003-05:00

Reiki is a very passionate and personal journey, the kind of journey one takes in life by choice. It is through looking back at my journey that I have seen Reiki’s subtle workings the most clearly. My story takes place in the Knox, Pennsylvania USA but is worldly in nature. My journey began in Stuttgart, Germany where I stumbled upon Reiki as a healing modality via the World Wide Web. Reiki took me soon after to Tokyo, Japan where I was formally trained in 2005. I am a level two practitioner. I had no idea at the time that I was moving swiftly along a path to understanding an ancient method for gaining happiness. What I did understand about Reiki from my first glance was that Reiki would be a journey that would last the rest of my life.

I began my 2009 Reiki Virtual Retreat with a sense of new hope for reawakening and deepening my Reiki experience. It was my first virtual retreat. This retreat experience came at a time when the Reiki portion of my lifestyle had waned dramatically; I was looking for a gentle journey back towards the Reiki practice I had stepped away from in my recent past. For this year’s retreat I made a personal dedication to self, set a few reminders on my calendar and was determined to participate at whatever level I could comfortably accommodate …no matter what!

In the retreats opening statements I found these reassuring words, “Please find the balance of commitment and comfort that fits your lifestyle. Look at what invites you to practice, and doesn’t feel burdensome. Don’t make it big, make it steady, and practice every day. Find an amount of daily practice that you can comfortably commit to, and a time when you can place your hands and be with your self-treatment every day.”

I realized that I needed to commit to consistency and in so doing promised myself that I would say my precepts twice daily as my minimum without fail.

Week one came and I eagerly listened to the audio files, read the messages and began a new journal just for this 21 day experience. I began in earnest, saying my precepts and practicing my self treatments after which I would do my second degree work, writing about it all in my journal. A well patterned routine, it was one that I had participated in many times over. In my second day’s journal entry I wrote these words detailing my awareness,” During today’s treatment my mind lingered upon many distracting sounds and thoughts and revisited some historical events. I experienced some regret for past emotional upheavals. While I was not saddened by remembering a recent past personal experience of grieving I was intrigued at looking at it from a new, distant and detached perspective, something I have not been able to do before.” Remembering a personal grief experience is significant because as part of my retreat I have promised to send Reiki over the course of the next 21 days to a grieving friend’s family. “In so doing I have more purpose and reason to live Reiki every day during my retreat.” My transformation within the subtle energies of Reiki begins here in the understanding of my use and practice of Reiki Healing Energy.

Over the course of week one my self treatment and Second degree experiences were very similar with a sense of increasing intensity of energy. I was also growing more tired, more exhausted dealing with life issues and ongoing Reiki demands. Reiki Treatment started to seem like a chore, another thing to do on a list wherein there weren’t enough hours in the day. By the end of the week my personal energy reserves seemed spent physically and emotionally. Then, I had a real Reiki refocusing moment. I felt like I had stepped into a black hole. At the end of week one I stood at a crossroads unsteady, struggling with a very difficult decision. I was unsure of my Reiki future, afraid it was suddenly coming to a screeching halt. I needed to give myself some much needed perspective.

After a small period of withdrawal and self reflection, I recorded these words in my second week of journaling, “This evening I began my practice with the precepts and a self treatment. It has been several days of deeply emotional self reflection. I’m not even sure I want to practice Reiki anymore. If it hadn’t been for me starting this retreat I may have thrown in the towel completely. Every morning I remind myself to say the precepts because I promised myself I would, no matter what. This has been the first day I could go back to doing self treatment after a very difficult weekend; a weekend that shook my faith in self, my trust and my commitment for Reiki.”

“I sat in Reiki meditation, not a full self treatment with multiple hand positions but just hands on knees focusing on the feeling and presence of Reiki Healing Energy. I sat for a long time in this simple fashion just trying to believe that Reiki continues to work in my life and that it goes where it is needed even if you just place your hands and listen. I felt a pained connection, a deep emotional ache in my heart. But this was simply how deeply I feel about where I was and what I was doing. Instead of focusing on my physical awareness I tried to just listen. After another long quiet hour I closed the session with love and light feeling that I had practiced acceptance but not sure of my trust in Reiki, my self-worth or my future path. I really wouldn’t call this a treatment by definition but I am trying to treat myself kindly as I search for self healing. I am somewhat broken in spirit but not lost. I feel the light has dimmed but not gone completely out inside me. I hope meditative Reiki can help me to complete my journey back. I was practicing before with a firm grasp of ritual, structure and dedication of purpose. Now, I let go of my preconceived ideas of Reiki work and allow the Reiki itself direct me.”

Week two had felt like an exercise in futility but not failure. It took a great deal of determination to listen to the audio files and read the messages I had missed from week two trying to catch up to week three. Yet, I was happy I had not thrown in the towel after week one.

My first journal entry of week three held these words, “Today I chose to practice. I began my day and decided what I really wanted was to have an indulgent self practice and start my day with happiness. I am choosing to practice Reiki for myself for the first time today. I feel happier and lighter for even attempting to practice purely for practice’s sake.”

In reading the retreat blog posting of “Practice Makes Present” I made the profound discovery that my experiences pointed directly to the path I had chosen and I had indeed experienced a deepening and new connectivity with my Reiki. I had seen first hand how Reiki was moving me forward for my highest benefit and greatest good. My intention at the outset of this retreat was to follow the rules and learn how to participate. I had no goals, save one, to return to the daily rituals of self practice. My clarity came in looking back and hindsight being 20/20. I had been practicing from the beginning with a self treatment ritual but not participating in a self Practice. In all honesty I had no idea there was a distinction between self treatment and self practice. But I learned through the course of my journey of transformation that we as practioners have a whole “other reason” to practice.

In my post retreat reflection, I wrote, “Recently, I have struggled with my Reiki experience and the current retreat has moved me in a new direction. Today for the first time in my Reiki Life I chose to practice Reiki self treatment solely for the sake of daily self practice. (Not self treatment….self Practice) I have come to realize that I indeed felt unworthy of self practice and had been using self treatment as a tool in a toolbox for physical practice, or alternately, as a tool used in my personal preparation for the treatment of others. Today I chose to practice for myself, not for a need or as a discipline but just practice to be with the energy and be with myself. Today I didn’t perform a self treatment I participated in a self practice.” There was a moment when I thought Reiki would leave my life even after I had believed with my whole heart that once you were attuned it could never leave you. I discovered a new way to approach self practice. A way to keep it with me everyday for the rest of my life, and Reiki was the teacher.

Call it hindsight, self reflection or whatever you like. The virtual retreat delivered in ways I could never have anticipated. I have come to know a much deeper understanding of the subtle workings of Reiki in my own life. I can say with all honesty that if I had not participated in this 21 day exercise I would not have been looking when all the pieces came together and the changes I sought were made real before my eyes. I expected to be taught by a person but I learned through the subtle workings of the energy itself. Most importantly I learn to just “BE”. Just for Today…..

Karla Hartzell

Thank You for Participating in the 21 Day Usui Virtual Reiki Retreat

2009-09-04T21:14:00.006-05:00

We are honored and delighted that you choose to be with us these 21 days as we commemorated the 144th birthday of Mikao Usui, the founder of our practice, the very first Reiki practitioner.

Usui was a brave and compassionate man whose spiritual longing and effort literally gave birth to this practice, he lives on today in our own practice, even though the form of our practice may be quite different than how Usui himself practiced and taught.

We are a diverse group of Reiki practitioners from around the world. We come from different lineages, different practice styles, different countries, cultures and lifestyles.

Our intention for the retreat was to deepen our relationship with Reiki, and to strengthen our sense of being connected to a global community. We hoped that you reached out and invited others to join us.

This year was a very special opportunity for all of us. Pamela Miles, our facilitator offered us enough structure so that this was a meaningful adventure into practice for all of us. We also counted on each of you to participate in the retreat in the way that worked best for you.

You know yourself and you know what your life is like. We hope that you found the balance of commitment and comfort that fits your lifestyle. And that you looked at what invited you to practice, and didn't feel burdensome. We hope that you didn't make it big, but choose to make it steady, and that you practiced every day. It was our intention that you found an amount of daily practice that you could comfortably commit to, and a time when you could place your hands and be with your self-treatment every day. We know that when we want to create change, steadiness and consistency matters.

It was suggested that you kept a paper and pen near where you practiced, so that you could jot down your observations and contemplations after each session, and even between sessions, as an insight blossoms in your awareness.How did that go for those of you who did that?

Pamela said she has a surprise for you after the end of the retreat..to be revealed later. It sounds like the Retreat continues.

Follow this link: Usui Virtual Retreat look down towards the bottom of the page and you will see the link to the ending message from Pamela.

We will be leaving the three weekly meditations up on her web pages for three weeks at least.

Kimberly Fleisher who started the Reiki School and Clinic in Philadelphia 10 years ago joined us as the last week's guest blogger on Pamela's Retreat site- I loved this particular sniplet she wrote.

"I feel that we all need reminders sometimes, as well as invitations, to renew and refresh our practice. The support provided by the retreat, and the reiki community, nurture my self practice. In turn my self practice helps me to serve the community."

Thank you Pamela for your integrity, heart and clear communication. Your passion for community support shines through in all that you do and are. It has been treasured time spending this Retreat with you. It is my deepest desire that you come and facilitate again.

I have enjoyed being creative during the Retreat. I made another for you today. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did making it.

Make a Smilebox photobook

From my Heart to Yours
Love and Blessings,

The 3rd week of the 21 Day Usui Virtual Retreat Starts Today

2009-08-29T12:08:00.015-05:00

We are honored and delighted that you have chosen to be with us these 21 days as we commemorate the 144th birthday of Mikao Usui, the founder of our practice, the very first Reiki practitioner.

Usui was a brave and compassionate man whose spiritual longing and effort literally gave birth to this practice, he lives on today in our own practice, even though the form of our practice may be quite different than how Usui himself practiced and taught.

We are a diverse group of Reiki practitioners from around the world. We come from different lineages, different practice styles, different countries, cultures and lifestyles.

Our intention for this retreat is to deepen our relationship with Reiki, and to strengthen our sense of being connected to a global community. So we hope you will reach out and invite others to join us.

This is a very special opportunity for all of us. Pamela Miles, your facilitator has offered you enough structure so that this can be a meaningful adventure into practice for you. We are also counting on each of you to participate in the retreat in the way that works best for you.

You know yourself and you know what your life is like. Please find the balance of commitment and comfort that fits your lifestyle. Look at what invites you to practice, and doesn't feel burdensome. Don't make it big, make it steady, and practice every day. Find an amount of daily practice that you can comfortably commit to, and a time when you can place your hands and be with your self-treatment every day. When we want to create change, steadiness and consistency matters.

We hope you will find a way to practice Reiki everyday for this next week, in whatever way you can, and know that we are all practicing with you. But if you miss a day, come back to your practice, and your community, the next day.

It is suggested that you keep a paper and pen near where you practice, so that you can jot down your observations and contemplations after each session, and even between sessions, as an insight blossoms in your awareness.

Follow this link: Usui Virtual Retreat Week Three look down towards the bottom of the page and you will see the link to Week Three, Part One and Part Two. The material for Week 3 builds on the foundation we created in our practice in Weeks 1 and 2.

If you are joining the retreat in the third week, Welcome!

We encourage you to back up, spend a few days with the material from Week 1 and 2, and then move into this material. Part One which sets the stage and gives you some context and suggestions. and Part Two is the mediataion and is the foundation for Week 3. There will be a closing message from both us at the end of the 21 days.

There is also a link should you choose to forward this to friends you think will be interested in joining us.

One of the participants of this Retreat is Marvin Double who is
a writer, artist, and photographer as well as Reiki master. He has strong interest in energy work of all types. His specialty is the creation of works which inspire, energize, illuminate and elevate the spirit through writing and visual media.

Marvin posted a message on the Usui Retreat blog and caught my interest as he is passionate about Reiki and the power of keeping it simple. I enjoy his blog and thought you would too. He wrote something beautiful that I am sharing with you. In my mind the smoke he refers to is Reiki. In order to read what he has written you may have to clink on the image to make it bigger

He said "I created this to express in words and images a prayerful hope that our lives may be filled with the wonder, joy peace and harmony to which we are each entitled. Please take the message into your heart and pass it on to others". To read his blog use this link.

Thank you for continuing to be with us for this retreat. We look forward to practicing together this week.

Reiki blessings and Love,

P.S. I made this for you to enjoy!

Make a Smilebox postcard

The 2nd week of the 21 Day Usui Virtual Retreat starts Today

2009-08-22T00:32:00.005-05:00

We are honored and delighted that you have chosen to be with us as we commemorate the 144th birthday of Mikao Usui, the founder of our practice, the very first Reiki practitioner.

Usui was a brave and compassionate man whose spiritual longing and effort literally gave birth to this practice, he lives on today in our own practice, even though the form of our practice may be quite different than how Usui himself practiced and taught.

We are a diverse group of Reiki practitioners from around the world. We come from different lineages, different practice styles, different countries, cultures and lifestyles.

Our intention for this retreat is to deepen our relationship with Reiki, and to strengthen our sense of being connected to a global community. So we hope you will reach out and invite others to join us.

This is a very special opportunity for all of us. Pamela Miles, your facilitator has offered you enough structure so that this can be a meaningful adventure into practice for you. We are also counting on each of you to participate in the retreat in the way that works best for you.

You know yourself and you know what your life is like. Please find the balance of commitment and comfort that fits your lifestyle. Look at what invites you to practice, and doesn't feel burdensome. Don't make it big, make it steady, and practice every day. Find an amount of daily practice that you can comfortably commit to, and a time when you can place your hands and be with your self-treatment every day. When we want to create change, steadiness and consistency matters.

We hope you will find a way to practice Reiki everyday for these next two weeks, in whatever way you can, and know that we are all practicing with you. But if you miss a day, come back to your practice, and your community, the next day.

It is suggested that you keep a paper and pen near where you practice, so that you can jot down your observations and contemplations after each session, and even between sessions, as an insight blossoms in your awareness.

Follow this link: USUI VIRTUAL RETREAT WEEK TWO look down towards the bottom of the page and you will see the link to Week Two, PART ONE and PART TWO The material for the Week 2 builds on the foundation we created in our practice in Week 1.

If you are joining the retreat in the second week, Welcome!

We encourage you to back up, spend a few days with the material from Week 1, and then move into this material. Part One which sets the stage and gives you some context and suggestions. and Part Two is the mediataion and is the foundation for Week 2.

There is also a link should you choose to forward this to friends you think will be interested in joining us.

One of the participants of the Retreat is Janet Dagley Dagley who is the editor of The Reiki Digest, a free weekly online publication serving the global Reiki community, and founder of The Reiki Dojo in New York City. Janet has posted a wonderful story about her focus and intention for daily self treatment on Pamela's Retreat blog. We encourage you to share your experiences as a participant in the Retreat as well, follow this link. Retreat Blog

Meditation takes many forms...creating is one of them. Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thank you for continuing to be with us for this retreat. We look forward to practicing together

Reiki blessings and Love,

Mari

The 21 Day Usui Virtual Retreat Starts Today

2009-08-14T22:41:00.008-05:00

We are honored and delighted that you have chosen to be with us as we commemorate the 144th birthday of Mikao Usui, the founder of our practice, the very first Reiki practitioner.

Usui was a brave and compassionate man whose spiritual longing and effort literally gave birth to this practice, he lives on today in our own practice, even though the form of our practice may be quite different than how Usui himself practiced and taught.

We are a diverse group of Reiki practitioners from around the world. We come from different lineages, different practice styles, different countries, cultures and lifestyles.

Our intention for this retreat is to deepen our relationship with Reiki, and to strengthen our sense of being connected to a global community. So we hope you will reach out and invite others to join us.

This is a very special opportunity for all of us. We have offered you enough structure so that this can be a meaningful adventure into practice for you. We are also counting on each of you to participate in the retreat in the way that works best for you.

You know yourself and you know what your life is like. Please find the balance of commitment and comfort that fits your lifestyle. Look at what invites you to practice, and doesn’t feel burdensome. Don’t make it big, make it steady, and practice every day. Find an amount of daily practice that you can comfortably commit to, and a time when you can place your hands and be with your self-treatment every day. When we want to create change, steadiness and consistency matters.

We hope you will find a way to practice Reiki everyday for the next three weeks, in whatever way you can, and know that we are all practicing with you. But if you miss a day, come back to your practice, and your community, the next day.

It is suggested that you keep a paper and pen near where you practice, so that you can jot down your observations and contemplations after each session, and even between sessions, as an insight blossoms in your awareness.

Follow this link: USUI VIRTUAL RETREAT WEEK ONE look down towards the bottom of the page and you will see the link to Part One which sets the stage and gives you some context and suggestions.

Directly under that link is the link to Part Two which is the actual practice meditation, you may want to listen to more than once that's why it was recorded separately

There is also a link should you choose to forward this to friends you think will be interested in joining us.

Thank you for being with us for this retreat. We look forward to practicing together

Love and Blessings

Mari and Pamela

Make a Smilebox greeting

Connecting and seeing

2009-08-11T08:08:00.003-05:00

Good Morning. I am sharing the result of letting go of how my morning "should" unfold and have played like a child with a new toy. I hope you enjoy this as much as I have making it.

Love, Mari

Make a Smilebox postcard

Virtual Usui Reiki Retreat Starts August 15th

2009-08-04T10:51:00.007-05:00

It is my plesure to introduce your facilatator for this year's

21 Day Virtual Usui Retreat

Pamela Miles RMT

Greetings!

I am pleased that Pamela will lead this year's 21 day Virtual Usui Retreat. I have asked her to write a few words for you.

From Pamela:

When I first came upon Reiki in 1986, I was already a professional healer and had been studying yoga and meditation for 25 years. This experience gave me a more profound context in which to understand Reiki practice than is common for Westerners.

Years of spiritual practice also taught me the skills needed to dive deeply into my Reiki practice, distill the essence and the opportunity this practice offers, and communicate it in mainstream language...and to help other Reiki practitioners to do so as well.

Let us honor ourselves and Mikao Usui, the incomparable founder of our practice, by participating in this 3 week virtual retreat. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, participating in the retreat will expand your connection to Reiki and open new depth in your practice.

For more information follow link to Usui Retreat pages on Wisechoices. To receive the weekly meditations sign up to receive the newsletter at the bottom of the page.

Love and Blessings,

Mari

Mark your Calendars....August 15, 2009

Summer Is here in Houston

2009-06-27T17:50:00.016-05:00

Summer is here in Houston, Texas. Our thermostat has not registered under 100 in almost two weeks and no rain in site. After the flood of April I thought I would never wish for the gentle cooling effects of rain again. Bring it on, besides I have flood insurance now, not that I wishing for one, it would be nice for a good soaking rain the garden is in need.

We are back in the house and mostly settled in from having to redo it due to the inches of water that had collected there over April 28th. I am most grateful to my adopted kids Dawn and Donnie Bell who came with a crew from Dallas and fixed the house and added some new improvements as well.

Once they left then Gary fell and broke his hip in four places…it seems once it rained it started to pour! He is on the mend, walking with a walker and in a much better mood since he is not in so much pain.

I feel like I finally have some space to be creative and have started writing to get caught up on all fronts.

We have a pair of cardinals that have taken up residence in the patio tree in front of our living room window. We have watched them build the nest and now she is sitting on the nest. Right there in front of us nature has provided us the best show.

Here are some excerpts from the newsletter I have just sent out…enjoy!

World peace is not an abstract concept removed from our everyday lives. It starts with trust between one individual and another-each of us opening our hearts and speaking with sincerity, communicating and touching the other on the deepest level.
President Daisaku Ikeda

Truly Feeling like Authentic Individuals
We begin to understand that the only acknowledgement that truly matters is the acknowledgement you give yourself. We can only reach a mental and emotional place in which we truly feel like authentic individuals when we choose to do what we do because it fulfills us rather than to attract the attention of those in a position to offer validation. While recognition can be both sweet and satisfying, we address the needs of our souls only when our motives come from within the very depths of our being. For this reason, we must feel a strong connection to the choices we make if we want to fulfill our purpose. Some paths will prove more rewarding than others, but there is no substitute for the pride we feel upon knowing that we are following a destiny that is uniquely our own. We will no longer feel ignored when we remind ourselves that our desires are not related to outer-world glory but are a product of our wish for fulfillment.

The Divine Hand- Rabbi Elisha ben Abuyah
"Those who are open to life's lessons and who nurture no prejudices are like a blank sheet of paper on which God writes his words with divine ink

"Those who are always looking on the world with cynicism and prejudice are like a sheet of paper already written upon and on which there is no room for new words.

"Don't bother about what you already know, or what you don't know. Don't think about the past or the future, just let the divine hands write down each day the surprises of the present".

Sage Words for Summer and Always

Remember to Care for Yourself

When we accept that caring for ourselves is no more selfish or self-centered than caring for the important people in our lives, we come to realize that our willingness to see to our own needs facilitates our ability to ensure the well-being of others. If we are tired or worn out because we have spent all our available time or expended the whole of our energy stores helping others thrive and achieve contentment, we have nothing left with which to refuel. When we save a portion of ourselves, however, so that we may use that to satisfy our own wants and needs, we ensure that we always have plenty of resources to devote to those whom we wish to see fulfilled. As you nurture your loved ones today, you will be a better caregiver if you remember to care for yourself.

You honor your goals by embodying them

We tend to derive far more satisfaction from the pursuits we engage in when we dedicate our minds and our souls to the task at hand. However inconsequential these duties may seem, they are likely in some way related to our larger purpose in life. When we recognize and acknowledge this, we begin to see that a lack of commitment in just one area of our existence can interfere with our ability to make the most of our aptitudes on multiple levels. We need only regard each and every one of our objectives as being worthy of our attention to ensure that we never overlook the importance of any one of them. The more dedicated we are to our purpose, the smoother our larger life paths will be. You will feel competent and purposeful when you honor your goals by embodying your devotion to them in your choices.

Reiki is as easy as touch

Upcoming Reiki Courses
Reiki Two- San Antonio, September 19-20
Reiki One and Two - Houston, September 26 and 27th, 2009
Reiki One and Two - Houston, November 21st and 22nd, 2009

To register

It is my pleasure to invite you to attend any of the courses offered this Fall.
The Reiki Two class scheduled for the 19-20 of September in San Antonio includes Saturday afternoon in the surrounding countryside The Reiki One and Reiki Two courses in Houston in September on 26th and 27th and on November 21st and 22nd will be taught at my home.

All the classes combine lecture, discussion, attunements, meditations and experiential practice in a well organized, but relaxed program A detailed class manual is included, and upon successful completion a certificate from the International Association of Reiki is awarded

Read about Mari's integrated approach to healing. Energy work sessions with Mari

Home office sessions and Distance Energy Work by Appointment Make an Appointment

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Love and Blessings, Mari

Waking up to See Life as it Really Is

2009-02-15T12:58:00.003-06:00

So life you see is only waking us up...and it is up to us how we SEE what is true in the LIGHT of day

We all have pain in our lives. It is hard-wired in. It is not based on or grounded in, but is surely linked to, our external circumstances, both past and present. It is, in the end, a gift through which we find our way to true "joy, peace, and freedom." When we pretend we don't have any pain, either because we perceive that it is not allowed or appreciated or helpful, or because we are striving to look superior or unaffected by life, or because we feel we have some "need to" appear "just fine," we often make fools of ourselves, because it is certainly not the human condition to be "just fine," unless, of course, it is referring to the old acronym, F###ed-up, Insecure, Neurotic, and Emotional. Yes, we are all, under varying levels of masks and costumes, that kind of "just fine."

And when we think we have "more than our fair share" of pain, we eventually find out that that is also not true. We all have our equal human share, regardless of circumstances, and equally regardless of circumstances we tend to be either in agony (whether consciously or not) or transcendent (which only happens consciously) - one or the other. Why would we ever try to hide something so natural and so perfectly our own? Well, this is probably because we "learned to" in a society that is so thoroughly pain-averse, pain-avoiding, pain-condemning, pain-covering-up, pain-escaping, pain-killing, pain-managing, pain-medicating, etc., etc., etc..

But pain is not our enemy; our own resistance to it is. By resisting it, it persists, and it feels like such a PAIN!!!!, instead of what it usually is, a signal to our senses that something different than what is is now being called for or invited. We sure have a tendency to blow things just a little out of proportion, turning minor inconvenience or nuisance into WORST NIGHTMARE!!!!, until it really becomes that. We have learned this art after decades of practice as children and young adults.

I retook a training last weekend that I have considered pivotal in my growth. In 1982 the course was called Life Training. From that experience I literally started living fully. I learned tools in the training to help me tell the truth and see from a clearer perspective. To live life unencumbered by my conditioned mind. What I also discovered was that if one does not use the tools it is like going back to sleep again. Not the way I was before the "Life Training" but certainly dozing in areas of my life.

The training is now called "More To Life" and believe me it was worth the investment in time and money to be able to once more see that it is not the tiger in the night to be feared but the kitten on the bed to be loved in the light of day (clear mind) It is all a matter of perspective and choice. I am choosing to use those precious tools daily. For More information follow this link to More to Life.

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T17:40:00.013-06:00

I realized that I have not added anything to this space in quite a while. I have been sending out newsletters to people who have indicated they wanted to hear from me and failed to post here as well. Here are a few things to start the New Year off with.

I understand that often during the holidays people will get depressed. Perhaps things did not go as well as planed, or they felt alone and unloved. We all go through times like that. But this New Year I want you to know that you are loved beyond measure…

I am sharing with you two videos worth watching:
Discover the 5 secrets of Living,

And…

"The Law of Attraction Explained"

This movie clearly explains how to use the Law of Attraction to get more of the things you want and how being clear on what you want, which puts you in a proper state of being, is important so you can take the best inspired action to get you to your goal.

Here is a story about being very wise

In the animal kingdom: The centipede decided to ask the wise man of the forest, who happened to be a monkey, the best remedy for the pain in his legs. "That’s rheumatism,” said the monkey. “You have too many legs.”
"And what do I have to do to have just two legs?"

"Don’t bother me with details," answered the monkey. "A wise man just gives the best advice; you have to solve the problem."

And finally;
The mark of your understanding is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy.

What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.
- Richard Bach

Here is to a New Year filled with promise, hope, peace and love

Blessings,
Mari

Important Information on Upcoming 21 day Virtual Usui Retreats

2008-09-22T20:01:00.007-05:00

This is the 13th year of the 21day virtual Usui Retreat.

I realized in August of this year that my mail list server had not been functioning for at least 6 months. I had not known this when I sent out the Retreat notice and three week meditation E-mails through the defunct server for the past two retreats; December 21, 2007 and June 21, 2008. What was amazing to me was that during this six months I had not heard from a soul about not getting the mail or asking me where the meditations were and I thought that perhaps there was no longer any interest in continuing the Retreat.

Fortunately I now have heard from many of you when I sent out the E-mail from the new mail server in August and was asked to continue the retreat with a reduction in how many times the retreat was done per year. Many of you found that in December with the holidays there was just too much going on.

It is my commitment to continue to have the Usui Retreat as a focus meditation for the Reiki community. The difference is that the 21 day virtual Usui retreat will be held on the anniversary of Mikao Usui's birth on August 15th. The next Retreat will be on August 15, 2009.

You may access the past two Usui retreat focus meditations on the Wisechoices weblog

The first two meditations of the December 2007 Usui Retreat are linked here

The last meditation of the December 2007 Usui Retreat is linked here

The first two meditations of the June 2008 Usui Retreat are linked here

The last meditation of the June 2008 Usui Retreat is linked here

Please help me fan the flames of possibility by sharing news of the Usui Retreat with all the people you feel will be interested. I would love to see this focus grow, be renewed. I will also open the retreat to others who would like to write the focus meditations. It is not my Retreat, it is our Retreat. The 21 day virtual Usui Retreat is our place to come together, focus and give thanks to Usui, Mother Earth and all of those who are using Reiki to help bring peace and harmony to our world.

Here are links about the Usui Retreat:

The Usui Retreat Invitation
How did the Usui Retreat Start
Retreat Options
Mikao Usui’s original course booklet

Love and Blessings,

An Invitation from Mari

2008-08-08T10:07:00.007-05:00

My Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to share wonderful news. I invite you to work with me directly to help you achieve a balance of body, mind and spirit.

As you know, I have been fortunate to teach Reiki for twenty-five years to thousands of people throughout Europe, Australasia and United States. My books have enabled this work to be available to many more. Throughout this time of teaching, practice and writing, I have continued with my own studying and development in the art of healing. The integration of this learning journey enables me to bring a unique approach to individual clients in search of attaining their own healing. I am also offering new Reiki classes to continue the ripple-on effect of people healing people and themselves.

A brand new section (“Energy work sessions with Mari”) appears on my Wisechoices Web site. Read about upcoming classes and my integrated approach to healing at http://www.wisechoices.com/matrix-reiki-sessions.html

New Office Hours
6103 ALden Street
Houston, TX 77084
By Appointment Only

Home office sessions and Distance Energy Work by Appointment

Make a Personal Appointment
http://www.wisechoices.com/matrix-reiki-sessions-rates.html
and/or
Register for Classes
http://www.wisechoices.com/reiki-classes-one-energy-therapy.html
(281) 856-7910 (home) / (832) 282-4454 (cell) (9 am to 9 pm CST, please)

Next Reiki Classes

September 20: Reiki Level One. September 21: Reiki Level Two.
Learn the art of Usui Reiki, in a sacred, loving, and healing environment

Please specify which Level you wish to sign up for, or whether you are signing up for the Reiki Weekend

Do you have a friend or family member who might benefit from a Reiki session or class? Feel free to forward this message! Gift certificates are available.

If you are interested in group classes outside of the Houston area, please contact me for details.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be of service and look forward to seeing you soon!

Love and Blessings,

Mari

Final week of the Usui Retreat

2008-07-09T07:24:00.002-05:00

May your journey always lead you to places unexpected; may you find wonder and awe at every turn. May your awareness be such that you see that the path you are on is one you have chosen and where new decisions must be made; your faith in your self and in the universe frees you to make the ones required.

May peace, happiness and blessing follow you all the days of your life and to wherever your path takes you and may you rediscover things lost and have new experiences of happiness, fulfillment and success.

Wishing that each day in the remainder of 2008 and beyond is better and better and better.

Happy Summer…Are you ready to begin?

Next, I want you to do something different and unique. I want you to release all the positive memories you are holding on to from your past. Are you holding on to the best Summer you remember? Or the best present you ever received? Could it be your first car or favorite home, your first great love or your proudest moment? Maybe it is happy, loving times with your family, best tasting food, beautiful sunsets, flowers…release it all.

How many of you are holding these positive past events and feelings and using them to judge every experience you create today? Are you comparing every kiss or embrace today to an experience you had in the past? Release every positive experience from your past that is keeping you from being in the present moment and experiencing things as if for the first time.

During the release, make an intention to keep the wisdom, joy, and love from these positive past events. All you're doing is releasing the energetic charges you are holding on to which are still causing you to have judgments and comparisons today.

Once you've released all the charged positive experiences from your past, shower or bathe with fresh water.

Positive experiences often have more of an energetic charge than your fears. Think about it. We do our best to heal the negative things from our past, but we do not realize we are also comparing positive experiences. Releasing all charged memories is a helpful technique to aid us in staying present in the moment.

By letting go of even the good memories and allowing us to be present in the moment of This Summer season, just for it, we will have a choice we may have never had before. We will have the choice of LOVE, the space where miracles can occur.

We are motivated to see our efforts through to their natural end when we can envision the brighter future these endeavors are calculated to bring about. It is easy to become discouraged when we are not quite sure how the outcome of our labors will affect our lives because the potential for negativity is omnipresent. Visualizing precisely what we hope to achieve empowers us to focus on primarily positive probabilities throughout the whole of the goal-realization process. When we feel disheartened by circumstances that interfere with our forward momentum, we need only call our image of success to mind to feel once again enthusiastic about the path we have chosen to follow. Because you are focusing on the fulfillment of your ambitions today, challenges in the present will have no power to adversely affect your mood.

To finish I want to encourage you to journal your experiences…. Mapping The Inner Journey using Journaling as Meditation

Of the countless forms of meditation we can use, journaling offers its own unique benefits. Most meditations help empty the mind of concerns and bring positive ideas from our mental landscape, but journaling helps us anchor that experience in the material world. Not every person is attracted to meditating in seated silence, and journal meditation is a nice alternative as an active meditation. It allows us to trace our journey and see where we have grown and what lessons we may be repeating. By employing a different part of the brain than creative or inspired thought, writing or typing a journal can create a greater sense of connection and union with our physical selves and the world around us.

In working through challenges, it can be helpful to first empty all worries from our heads onto the safe pages of our journal. Fears can be brought to light rather than allowing them to haunt the dark corners of our subconscious. We may even feel heaviness dissipate once our heads are free from clutter, leaving space for inspiration and the creation of positive images in their place. Often in the process of writing out all the details of an event that troubles us, something that had been forgotten will come to the surface, providing a missing piece of the puzzle. Then we can truly begin to come up with answers, and write them down beside the worries to map the way from concern to constructive thought.

For capturing guidance and flashes of inspiration, journaling is ideal. This is especially true in the case of dreams, which often fade as we awaken. While working toward goals, keeping track of progress as well as guidance from readings or divination tools can be encouraging. Though it can be difficult to keep all of our guidance in the front of our minds, if we write it down it can serve as a reminder whenever we need it. We can also use our journals to converse with our higher selves or even the universe. Journaling offers yet another way to unburden mind and spirit, while also creating a record of the present and preserving our hopes and dreams for the future.

From my heart to yours,
Blessings and Love,
Mari

The 2nd week of the Usui Retreat

2008-06-27T08:08:00.003-05:00

Here we are at the beginning of week two. Several people wrote and asked me about the Life Training Program which is now... The More to Life Program. The name has been changed since I did the training in 1983 to the More to Life program. More To Life courses teach practical tools and skills that help you connect with your best self whenever you choose and grasp more of the creative possibilities in every life situation. I highly recommend this program to everyone…it certainly gave me the tools to have more to my life. You can find out more by following this link: http://www.moretolife.org/

I am sharing a process that a gifted spiritual teacher named Ken Page and his wife teach. It is excellent and naturally follows on from our first week together.

This summer season, you are being given a GIFT. Each summer past holds a memory, good or sad. Some of you may even hold the memory of one summer holiday that was truly wonderful, often comparing each following summer season. The holding on to that memory can bring about disappointment, resulting in the emotion of sadness. This summer season, let go of ALL memories of summers past by using the following simple 'Pattern Release Technique':

Old energy patterns can keep you out of the present moment. A good time to use this technique is while taking a bath, so plan for fifteen to thirty undisturbed minutes. Take off your jewelry, including your rings. Light a candle to represent a spiritual person you admire, such as Krishna, Sai Baba, Moses, Jesus, Mother Mary, or Buddha. Picture them with you. Feel the unconditional love this spiritual person reflects and recognize that place of love inside yourself.

Stare at the flame and release old feelings, thoughts, programs, issues, and fears. Allow them to flow through you. Say them either out loud or in silence. Your intention to clear yourself is most important.

Begin by releasing the things you are afraid of, such as losing your job, getting older, being poor, sick, or alone. Next release thoughts, feelings, and emotions you are holding, such as guilt, anger, hate, abandonment, separation, betrayal, grief, sorrow, or sadness. Release feelings of being helpless, hopeless, used, or trapped. Release feelings of pain and jealousy. Release all the feelings and projections of others that you have bought into. During the release, make an intention to keep the wisdom gained from these events and your feelings. Above all use your Reiki hands to respond to areas in your body that are cold, warm and/or dense (this is where reactive energy has been stored)

Once you've released all the charged negative and positive experiences from your past, shower or bathe with fresh water. Give thanks for the opportunity to let go and make more space in you. It may help to journal about your experience…once you are dried off and all bundled up after your bath that is.

I am sharing a wonderful site with a beautiful and meaningful song to hear. Follow this link;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMOMgQCRAqM I choose Love!

I am looking forward to being with you next week. Have a wonderful entry into this summer of 2008

Love, Mari

Welcome to the Semi Annual Usui Retreat

2008-06-18T20:59:00.001-05:00

Rather than giving you three different meditations this retreat. I have decided to give you some areas to focus on and work through. I like to think of it as spiritual weeding the garden time in order to plant new flowers for the future. Perhaps your mind is saying that you do not have time to do this or that you want to wait until after the retreat that is fine. We live in exciting and fast times however, doing this is a great gift that you give yourself; and you are worth doing the work for.

In order to achieve the depth of thought necessary to thoroughly examine your life, consider meditating on your past, present, and future lives. You may discover that what you thought was the most fulfilling path is only a detour and that you can find greater happiness by changing directions. As you look deep within yourself, be sure to explore your emotional state and ask yourself how the decisions you made in the past have shaped your life.

Taking time to ponder your life’s direction can help you navigate your chosen path in a more conscious way. Often, we move through life unaware of what is going on around us or oblivious of the impact our actions have on others. Thinking about the life you have created for yourself and regularly revisiting the choices you have made gives you a chance to determine the direction you need to follow. Attaining your desires will bring you even greater satisfaction when you’ve pursued them with mindfulness. Spend some time in deep thought about your life, and you will acquire a fresh perspective.

Life Review

I do a semi annual life review to see how much of my energy is devoted to what makes me feel alive and also on the things that drain my energy that do not support me.

By taking the time to come inside ourselves to review our lives we can then make internal and external changes, because we see that the old structure, beliefs or time spent that does not nourish us and is not what we want or need. We then can move forward in our lives filled with promises that we can keep. By doing this process semi-annually if there are course corrections to make I do them right away. I decided that I am worth the time taken and I suggest that you’re worth it as well.

In cultures through out the world people make resolutions for the New Year to bring about change. Often times this may be the resolution to lose the extra weight that we seem to put on with all the Christmas cookies and rich food we eat during the holiday time. We begin the year full of good intentions and ending up mentally beating ourselves up because we did not keep our promises. I went through that for many years until I started doing my semi-annual life review. With this information I could see and feel the necessity for change and move into those changes out of a strong desire to live my life in a different way. What perfect time to do this in the beginning of summer and the end of the year. I take time to check and see where I am with my intentions in my living and loving.

I have decided to share the process of the life review with you. Perhaps you will want to take the time to answer these questions. It is worth regularly spending time on the exercise. Be careful to distinguish what YOU want from what your family, friends or partner think you should want. Bear in mind that we can keep changing our goals, but unless we have a destination in mind, we are unlikely to set off on the journey at all.

Make a list of any activities that make you feel really alive, activities that absorb you so that time seems to dissolve, or which give you a sense of inner peace and satisfaction. What do you really enjoy? What makes your heart glow and your spirit dance? Is it a walk in the forest, gardening, reading a novel, and writing poetry? Listening to music, chatting with friends, and painting, jogging, making love or traveling to new places? Perhaps it is doing charity work or playing with children? Could it be certain aspects of your job? Which PEOPLE make you feel good? Make sure the list is based upon how you feel now, not upon what you used to enjoy, or think you should enjoy, or what other people like to do.

Next make a second list of any activities (or People) which deaden or deplete you, which leave you feeling tired, board or under stress.

Now assess how much of your life is devoted to each list. Does this reflect how "alive" or "dead" you feel? How might you begin to change the balance so that you feel more and more energized?

2) Review your life, and where it is going:
* What are your secret ambitions (large and small)?
* What are your strengths, talents and abilities?
* What does, or would, give your life meaning and purpose?
* What personal qualities do you wish to develop?
* What is your ideal lifestyle?
* What do you wish to experience in life?
* What do you need- physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually?
* Is your work (whether paid or unpaid) just a way of paying the rent, or is it important to you as a person?
* Are you learning and growing in everyday life?
* Is your life challenging enough? Relaxing enough? Loving enough?
* If you knew you only had five years to live, what would you do?

Remind yourself that: this is not a dress rehearsal for life. This is IT! How do you want to create your life now?

What you can do, or dream you can, begin it: Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
(Goethe)

The other part of the review that I do at semi annually is to undertake a process that I learned in the "Life Training" program. I write down a list of all the people I have had a judgment about, or not forgiven for something. In fact anyone I have had the least amount of ill will towards. Beside each name I write the result of this action (payoff) and how I have behaved, it could be one of the following or more: victim, superior, confused and what was the cost of holding on to this anger, resentment or pain in terms of my own energy, how has this situation affected me mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I allow my self to feel the pain of separation, the cost of being so right in my judgments.

Then I write a letter to each person and tell them how I have reacted. I take full responsibility for my part in any and all of the situations and I ask for their forgiveness, while also forgiving them for what I think they have done to me. If it is possible I go and speak to them face to face and to be heart to heart. Wiping the slate clean, putting forgiveness where there was judgment, light where there was darkness.

Your mind may be saying that it is nearly impossible to do any of this, but it is not impossible. I had thoughts like that myself the first time I did this review, but soon realized how much better I felt and how much clearer my life seemed to be afterwards. It had been worth all the effort so that the past was truly past. The future is ahead and I am in this moment in the NOW.

The beauty and power and the joy in life is not in what happens, it is in the motion, in the movement, and in the constant process of change. Joy is the incredible dance of life. We always know what the next step of our lives should be; which area of our lives needs to be resolved, and where we need to find the courage and self love to start moving.

I encourage you to stop dragging your past along with you as you try to create a future. We are half way to 2009. Take the time to stop and review your life and make the changes necessary so that you can truly enjoy the dance of life and all the pleasure life brings.

Looking forward to being with you next week……I would love to hear what you discovered and how you were feeling.

Love, Mari

How to Dance in the Rain

2008-05-14T08:25:00.006-05:00

"Authentic spirituality awakens the soul, reconnects us with the sacred, and fills us with the passion of life. Spiritual development is not about religious rituals and practices; it is about waking up to the wonder of life." -- David N. Elkins

"Allowing the truth of who you are--your spiritual self--to rule your life means you stop the struggle and learn to move with the flow of your life." -- Oprah Winfrey

Let Yourself Be Carried
The Flow of the Universe

The flow of the universe moves through everything. It is in the rocks that form, get pounded into dust, and are blown away. It is in the blossoming of a flower born from a seed planted in the spring. The growth cycle that every human being goes through is part of this natural flow, which is also the current that takes us down life’s paths. When we move with it rather than resisting it, we are riding on the universal wave that allows us to flow with life.

Many people live struggling against this current. They try to use force or resistance to will their lives into happening in the way they think it should. Others move with it like a sailor using the wind, trusting that the universe is taking them exactly where they need to be at all times. This flow is accessible to everyone because it travels through and around us. We are always riding it—it is just a matter of whether we are willing to go with it or we resist it. Choosing to go with the flow is often a matter of relinquishing the notion that we need to be in control at all times.

The flow is always transporting you where you need to go. It is merely a question of deciding whether you plan on accepting the ride or having it take you there with your feet dragging. Learning to step into it can help you feel a connection to a force that is greater than you and is always there to support you. The decision to go with the flow takes courage because you are surrendering the belief that you need to do everything by yourself. Riding the flow of the universe can be effortless, exhilarating, and unlike anything you ever expected. When you are receptive to being in it, you open yourself to possibilities that exist beyond the grasp of your control.

As a child, you were naturally swept by the flow. Tears of sadness falling down your face could just as quickly turn to tears of laughter. The mere tiniest wave carrying you forward off the shores of the ocean could transport you into peals of delight.

Our souls feel good when we go with the flow of the universe. All we have to do is make the choice to ride its currents.

Going Back By Going Within
Healing Childhood Wounds

Events from childhood, our first experiences, have the power to shape our lives. Some do so immediately, offering us challenges to overcome and encouragement to make use of our talents and interests. In the process character is built, and we make the first steps upon our personal paths. Other events seem to lay dormant until adulthood, when our closest relationships help to bring out the deepest aspects of ourselves. This is when unexamined lessons can be put to use and untended childhood wounds make themselves known in a call for healing.

We may discover issues of trust coming up, or perhaps we find ourselves mirroring actions from our past instinctively. No matter the case, we have the power within us to heal ourselves at the deepest level. With the wisdom of an adult, we can be the loving parent or guardian we needed as a child. Knowing that we are each whole spiritual beings having a human experience, we can nurture ourselves from that wholeness, and then reach out to others as well. We can recreate scenarios in our mind’s eye, trying different outcomes and following them to their logical conclusions. In doing so, we may be able to imagine possible reasons a situation occurred as it did, and even accept that it could not have happened any other way. With the wisdom born from age and experience, we might be able to see events from a different perspective, bringing new understanding and freeing ourselves from any hold the past may have on us.

Life offers opportunities to clear these weeds in the gardens of our souls. However, when we want to focus on easier and more pleasant tasks, we are likely to pass up the chances, leaving the wounds to continue to drain our energy and resources for living life fully today. We might find we need support to face the events of the past, so turning to a trained professional who can offer tools for healing can be a valid choice. As long as we remember that the child we were lives on within us, we are always free to go back and right old wrongs, correct mistaken perceptions, heal wounds, forgive, and begin anew.

Asking And Receiving
Prayer And Meditation

Prayer and meditation are similar practices in that they both offer us a connection to the divine, but they also differ from one another in significant ways. Put simply, prayer is when we ask the universe for something, and meditation is when we listen. When we pray, we use language to express our innermost thoughts and feelings to a higher power. Sometimes, we plumb the depths within ourselves and allow whatever comes to the surface to flow out in our prayer. At other times, we pray words that were written by someone else but that express what we want to say. Prayer is reaching out to the universe with questions, pleas for help, gratitude, and praise.

Meditation, on the other hand, has a silent quality that honors the art of receptivity. When we meditate, we cease movement and allow the activity of our minds and hearts to go on without us in a sense. Eventually, we fall into a deep silence, a place that underlies all the noise and fray of daily human existence. In this place, it becomes possible for us to hear the universe as it speaks for itself, responds to our questions, or sits with us in its silent way.

Both prayer and meditation are indispensable tools for navigating our relationship with the universe and with ourselves. They are also natural complements to one another, and one makes way for the other just as the crest of a wave gives way to its hollow. If we tend to do only one or the other, prayer or meditation, we may find that we are out of balance, and we might benefit from exploring the missing form of communication. There are times when we need to reach out and express ourselves, fully exorcising our insides, and times when we are empty, ready to rest in quiet receiving. When we allow ourselves to do both, we begin to have a true conversation with the universe.

Analyzing The Path
Recognizing Happiness

Those of us on the path of personal and spiritual growth have a tendency to analyze our unhappiness in order to find the causes and make improvements. But it is just as important, if not more so, to analyze our happiness. Since we have the ability to rise above and observe our emotions, we can recognize when we are feeling joyful and content. Then we can harness the power of the moment by savoring our feelings and taking time to be grateful for them.

Recognition is the first step in creating change, therefore recognizing what it feels like to be happy is the first step toward sustaining happiness in our lives. We can examine how joy feels in our bodies and what thoughts run through our minds in times of bliss. Without diminishing its power, we can retrace our steps to discover what may have put us in this frame of mind, and then we can take note of the choices we’ve made while there. We might realize that we are generally more giving and forgiving when there’s a smile on our face, or that we are more likely to laugh off small annoyances and the actions of others when they don’t resonate with our light mood.

Once we know what it feels like and can identify some of the triggers and are aware of our actions, we can recreate that happiness when we are feeling low. Knowing that like attracts like, we can pull ourselves out of a blue mood by focusing on joy. We might find that forcing ourselves to be giving and forgiving, even when it doesn’t seem to come naturally, helps us to reconnect with the joy that usually precedes it. If we can identify a song, a picture, or a pet as a happiness trigger, we can use them as tools to recapture joy if we are having trouble finding it. By focusing our energy on analyzing happiness and all that it encompasses, we feed, nurture, and attract more of it into our lives, eventually making a habit of happiness

Here is a great article written by a friend of mine “Anna of Cyprus”. In fact her entire newsletter is wonderful here is a link to it because what she is writing is amazing.

http://bl129w.blu129.mail.live.com/mail/mail.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0&n=2096135276

FORGIVENESS

Well it's time overdue to write about Forgiveness, because when we are unable to forgive, it is we ourselves that we imprison with and by our memories, and we ourselves that become or stay stuck in the past. And as we stay stuck, our people around us reflect this too; because we are all inter-connected.

Stuck energy is something that does not grow, it literally looks like a hairball or glue ball or something similar in the subtle, or energetic planes. When we have this in our system, the life force cannot flow through us and in many ways we shrivel and often die, emotionally and mentally if not also physically.

It's neither easy to forgive nor it is an easy subject to write about. All of Life, as with all of our experiences, is highly subjective and we deem someone to be 'right' - or not - in terms of how our experiences, conditioning and views have shaped our own lives.

So we nod our heads and agree with, or not, with someone whose actions can be defined by ourselves as 'right' or 'wrong', 'good' or 'bad'.

When someone does or says something that does not agree with this, or we allow invading our personal space in any way, we deem them to be 'wrong', or 'bad', and this can be basis of grievance that can last literally for years, if not for lifetimes.

I see this so often and it can be so, so sad all round.

For the person who nurtures any grievance, this means that they are holding onto an energy that is eating them up, literally. How? Because all grievances are held in the mind - and by extension also our physical bodies - and are locked therein by the energy of Anger and its projection, Judgment. Sometimes also the energy of guilt is present, although not in every case. But anger and by effect, judgment, is always, always present.

Anger, originally designed by nature to be a motivating force for change, is something that mankind has for thousands of years used as a weapon to destroy (usually each other, but mostly ourselves).

In the physical body in simplistic terms, anger is often the reason why a single cell might change form to enable a virus to be born or held in our bodies. It can also impact the immune system so that such a virus might grow and spread. It can be a basis of fever and any kind of inflammation, and can also be a cause of cancer. Having said this though of course there is never any one single reason why anything 'could' or 'should' happen to anyone - we are all the sum total of our experiences, genetic, karmic and spiritual histories and everyone is different (even though we are all One). In any case, the body is a hologram and this especially must also be taken into account.

Anger is often masked by Depression, mostly because we don't usually know how to manage ourselves when we are angry, especially when we've been taught that it's wrong to be thus. The energy used in screwing down anger within the physical body is immense and can suppress much other energy - causing 'depression'. When we have a lot of depressed (and secretly angry) individuals (and all medicated against it), we can have whole societies that are depressed (and heaving with rage, within); this can explain why different velocity of different dis-eases present as themes in different societies.

When we are unable to forgive, we find quite often we replay our issues in our minds, again and again, speaking often of them and communicating them subliminally too in between our words and thoughts, as they are embedded in the light cells and subtle energetic grids with which we do our real communication. It's as if there is a video constantly playing in our minds about what so-and-so 'did to us', which is able to trigger the same anger and associated emotions in us whenever we remind ourselves about such-and-such.

Few people, though, recognize that there are often many different sides to a joint experience, as many perspectives as there are people (and observers!) We can usually only see one side of the story, that is, our own, and we are usually unaware of what part of our energies have fed into any given situation.

At personality level we can of course speak of many different reasons why things happen in the way they do and many of us spend a lot of time doing this, usually in a coffee shop or tea-house. At a deeper, soul level though, there is no such thing as a co-incidence and that everything always happens for a purpose.

Going directly to the deeper level then, remember the concept that All is One, and that there is no external reality. Everything therefore is a projection of our inner selves and if there is any sort of disharmony inside us, these are projected for us to see, experience and therefore know ourselves differently, and to harmonize within ourselves, consciously, if we so choose. This is both an understanding and acceptance of the God/dess within us all, part of the natural order of Life, and is also the Journey of the Soul.

If we are willing to see Life from this perspective, then we might also be able to open ourselves up to many other different perspectives too, including the one of the perpetrator of whatever is was 'against us'.

When we are willing to do this, we might come to a different sort of understanding of events as they might have been. From understanding often comes compassion, which in turn leads to acceptance of Life as it really is, for many, not just for us. With this then, we might be able to bring ourselves to forgiveness, so that we can clear the energies and can all move on.

To forgive after all means "to give so that we can move forward", there is no co-incidence in the word as it is written in English. In order to have clearance at all levels, someone has to give something to enable stuck energy to flow. If other people are not as aware as we are - or even if they have done something 'so terrible against us' - if we do not have compassion for either their state of being or their pain, it is we ourselves who remain stuck and forever in that energy, usual in pain. We've seen it so often in people around us, in almost every case it is we ourselves who are in this place too.

How do we apply this spiritual principle on a human level? It's true that I've sat often with many of you as you've shared your stories of joint experiences and my eyeballs have fallen out of my head with disbelief at man's humanity to fellow man. I've been in that place myself too where I have allowed people for whatever reason to choose to use me for target practice. For me in the past, sometimes it's been a call to practice for discernment, which means I deliberately determine for myself what I will allow to happen in my Life (or not); sometimes is about conscious and respectful application of personal boundaries and at other times it has been about trust issues (leading back to discernment).

It has never been just about the other person, it has always at some level been about me too. I have usually been out of integrity with myself in some way for these situations to have occurred. I recognize and own this.

With the above spiritual principles in mind, when there has been anger, I have recognized too that it has been always been an anger against myself for having allowed such-and-such situation to have occurred in the first place.

For forgiveness to start, we have to first of all transmute the anger. To do this we have to feel it by being in it, and then to express it appropriately. The latter word 'appropriately' is a huge response-ability for us all because few people know how to do it this way. What I usually do is to tell someone how I felt when a certain situation occurred. I am very careful not to blame, because blame anchors us in the past and creates victims where there can be none.

What we are doing here is clearing energy - usually old - so that we can be fully present in the present moment rather than rooted in the past.

Sometimes I can do it direct with the other party, sometimes I feel I need a third party to help me hold space whilst I do this. These friends, sometimes healers, sometimes not, only need to hold the space with me whilst I go through the emotion. I do not need them add to the flame with their own judgments - this is not usually helpful to the understanding and ownership of different perspectives. Usually all that is needed is the phrase "I can understand how/why you feel this way." That's all. We just need to be heard. It normally takes me about 7-10 minutes to transmute particularly the energy of anger. Then I can let it go and get on with Life.

If the other person has moved on, or passed on, we can still do the same thing by writing a letter, or asking a friend to step into that person's energy in order to assist. For the latter, though, I would suggest this be done by a healer who is very conscious of which energy is coming up for release and when. It's extremely powerful work.

If an apology is forthcoming, that greatly facilitates the process, but often it is not, so we have to find creative ways around this in order to free ourselves from bondage to anger and judgment (our own, that is).

It's all about resolution at the end of the day. Without this, a coming to terms with Life and an acceptance of All That Is, Life - our lives that is - will forever be full of conflict. It will continuously reflect an inner judgment that we are not good enough, that people might not like us, etc….too much, too little, not enough, too young, too old, too new, too big, too small, too dirty, too clean. The internal chatter goes on, and we take it all so personally. Otherwise, 'it' wouldn't be an issue.

When we are able to come to an acceptance of All That Is, of all that is Life, we can come to an acceptance of ourselves too, and vice versa (remember, Life is a hologram and always interconnected). Forgiveness is really all about acceptance, of our ability (and fundamental desire) to let go, to live in the present moment by resolving our past and allowing our future to take care of it. That Unconditional Love that we all essentially are is then able to express itself freely, and the energies will start to flow again. When we are quiet, peaceful and in acceptance within ourselves, and the energies are starting to flow, which means our lives are flowing nicely, how would our external world be like for us to live in then?

I hope the above has answered some of your questions about forgiveness on an individual level. At community and national level, it is a little bit more complex - but not by much. If you have any more please do just ask and I'll do my best to help you find answers.

Anna of Cyprus (anna@onetouch-centre.com)

Check out this link:
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

Enjoy watching this and know that we are one and you are LOVED by me!

Last but not least here is something that I am putting up in my office

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
but how to dance in the rain.'

Blessings and Love,

Mari

Spring in the Meditation Garden

2008-04-08T16:24:00.003-05:00

The picture I have posted is one of our critters in the garden with his own eating and exercise style. He hangs upside down and eats. When he wants another bite of corn he does his form of a sit up to reach the food and then goes back down to eat. We can learn so much from watching life in the garden.

I know it has been a while since I have posted a newsletter. I apologize to all of you. My life has been full of challenges and I have needed the time to go inside and process what life has been bringing to me lately. Or another way to look at is what and why have I attracted these occurrences to my life at the present time? One of my core issues that kept coming up is that when I wanted time for myself or even to do something just for me I thought/accused myself of being selfish. Boy that early programming is hard to put aside. The very thing I have needed to do in order to process and stay quiet inside I considered “bad’ therefore putting myself in a catch 22.

A few mornings ago I woke up and found a message in my E-mail relating to my very issue. Isn’t it great when we get the answers that even have only thought about?

"One of the last things any of us want to be called is 'selfish.' It has a very negative connotation in our society. We often end up doing things we don't want to do to avoid being considered or seen as selfish by others.

In my counseling work with people, I often hear the questions, 'Aren't I being selfish if I take care of myself instead of take care of everyone else? Am I being selfish if I do what I want instead of what someone else wants me to do?'
The problem occurs because of an excessively broad, inaccurate, and/or skewed definition of 'selfish.'

To be more specific, we are being selfish when:

• We 'expect' others to give themselves up for us.
• We make others responsible for our feelings of pain and joy.
• We get angry at others for doing what they want to do rather than doing what we want them to do.
• We consistently make our own feelings, wants, needs, and desires most important without also considering others' feelings, wants, needs, and desires.
• We believe we are entitled to special treatment, as if life and the world owed us something.

However, we are being self-responsible (vs. selfish) when:

• We take care of our own feeling, wants, desires, and needs rather than 'expecting' others to take care of us.
• We support others in doing what brings them joy, even when they are not doing what we want them to do.
• We show caring toward others for the joy it gives us rather than out of fear, obligation, or guilt.
• We have the courage to take loving action on our own behalf, even if someone gets angry with us. For example, we go to bed early because we are tired, even if our partner gets angry at us for not watching a movie or TV show with him or her.
• We have the courage to speak our truth about what we will or will not do, and what we do or do not feel, rather than give ourselves up to avoid criticism, anger, or rejection.

Giving ourselves up to avoid being called selfish is not self-responsible - in fact, it is manipulative and dishonest. When we give ourselves up to avoid criticism or letting someone down, we are trying to control how others feel about us.
Taking loving care of ourselves, with no intent to harm another is self-responsible. Yet we are often called 'selfish' when we take care of ourselves in this way.

Therefore, it is important for each of us to define selfishness and self-responsibility for ourselves so that we are not dependent upon others' definition of it and us. When you become secure in knowing that you not only have the right, but the responsibility, to support your own joy and highest good - with no intent to harm another - then you will not be tempted to give yourself up when someone tells you that you are selfish for not doing what he or she wants you to do.

When you are secure in knowing that your own intent is a loving one toward yourself and others, you do not have to manipulate others into defining you as caring by totally giving yourself up."

Dr. Margaret Paul, Ph.D., in Healing Your Aloneness

Feeling Our Words
Words Have Weight

Words carry energy and this gives language its power and its potential to heal or hurt. Most of us can remember a time that someone sent a word our way, and it stuck with us. It may have been the first time we received a truly accurate compliment, or the time a friend or sibling called us a name, but either way it stuck. This experience reminds us that what we say has weight and power and that being conscious means being aware of how we use words.

The more conscious we become, the more we deepen our relationship to the words we use so that we speak from a place of actually feeling what we are saying. We begin to recognize that words are not abstract, disconnected entities used only to convey meaning; they are powerful transmitters of feeling. For the next few days, you might want to practice noticing how the words you say and hear affect your body and your emotional state. Notice how the different communication styles of the people in your life make you feel. Also, watch closely to see how your own words come out and what affect they have on the people around you.

You may notice that when we speak quickly, without thinking, or rush to get our ideas across, our words don't carry the same power as when we speak slowly and confidently, allowing those receiving our words time and space to take them in. When we carefully listen to others before we speak, our words have more integrity, and when we take time to center ourselves before speaking, we truly begin to harness the power of speech. Then our words can be intelligent messengers of healing and light, transmitting deep and positive feelings to those who receive them.

Relating To The Negative
The Danger Of Repression

For the last several years, there has been a lot of focus on the power of positive thinking. Many people have come to misinterpret this wisdom to mean that it is not okay to have a bad mood or a negative thought or feeling. This can lend a kind of superficiality to their relationship with life and relationships with other people. It can also lead them to feel that if a negative thought or feeling comes up, in themselves or someone else, they must immediately block it out. When they do this, they are engaging in the act of repressing a part of themselves that needs to seen, heard, and processed.

When we repress parts of ourselves, they don’t go away so much as they get buried deep within us, and they often come out when we least expect it. On the other hand, if we allow ourselves to be fully human, honoring all the thoughts, feelings, and moods that pass through us on a given day, we create a more conscious relationship with ourselves. Instead of blocking out thoughts and feelings that we label as negative, we can simply observe them and then let them go. They only get stuck when we react to them negatively, pushing them down and out of sight where they get lodged in our unconscious minds. A healthier solution might be to develop a practice of following any negative thought we may have with a positive thought. This works well because positive thoughts are many times more powerful than negative thoughts.

Rather than setting our minds up in such a way that we become fearful of the contents of our own consciousness, blocking out anything that is less than 100 percent positive, we might resolve to develop a friendlier attitude toward ourselves, trusting in our inherent goodness. When we recognize our true inner worth, a few dark clouds passing through our minds will not intimidate us. We will see them for what they are—small, dark figures passing through an expansive sky of well-being and truth.

An invitation from two of my Reiki Friends:

Laurelle writes “This morning I awoke to inner whispers "Reiki hour...Reiki hour...Reiki hour...ask them...ask them....ask them...Reiki hour."
Reiki hour is the same concept as earth hour with Reiki of course...Reiki enhances everything

Sunday night(s) at 9:00 p.m. in their local time zone Reiki practitioners turn off all non-essential lights, and we become the light.

First we telepathically connect with one another using the distant Reiki symbol, thus becoming one united light. Then we send Reiki with the pure intention "Peace, Love, Health, Prosperity and Well-being for all beings." At the same time we visualize a world at peace and the earth returning to a healthy state of balance; see the air, streams, rivers and seas being cleansed.

For those who wish to participate, this can also be a wonderful way to personally receive a Reiki treatment at the same time. Simply be open to bathe in the energy as you are sending Reiki out. Group sessions of this nature enhance the strength of Reiki's healing power exponentially.

So as those inner whispers encouraged me to do this morning...I am asking... Will you please join us for Reiki hour at 9 p.m. Sunday night? That is 9 p.m. in your own time zone and we will create a wave of Reiki energy across the planet.
We plan to do this every Sunday night for the immediate future, and perhaps beyond. We hope you will join us.

Peace and blessings
Laurelle & Michael

I invite you to watch the lovely short movie “May you be Blessed” Just follow the link

www.MeditativeMovies.com/MayYouBeBlessed.htm

Here is a picture of Texas wildflowers taken this weekend, Yes I went away and had fun!

Remember always that as you bless others, you instantly receive the blessing ...

Blessings and Love,
Mari

The Third Week of the Usui 21 Day Online Retreat

2008-01-03T08:32:00.000-06:00

The Third Week of the Usui 21 day Online Retreat

When Usui Sensei was asked about the purpose and the outcome of his work, he answered that it was: “Shoufuku no hihoo, manbyo no reiyaku”. This phrase means “The secret art of inviting happiness, the spiritual medicine for all illness.”

When I am asked what Reiki is, I answer the same way instead of getting lost in an esoteric discussion. What a blessing Usui Sensei has showered upon the Earth with this simplicity!

Exercises for the Third Week

This week, please look at all the ways that Reiki has brought you happiness, and the ways that it has healed and is healing your discomforts. Return in your mind to the time when you began with Reiki, and look at the changes that have happened in your life since then. I guess that your whole life may have changed completely.

Sometimes we tend to forget the blessings that have been showered upon us. We take it for granted and forget our gratitude. Be grateful today and bow down to Reiki- and to Usui Sensei. Find a quiet moment every day of this week and sit on the floor if you can. Sitting in a chair should not stop you…You can sit either cross-legged or on your knees in the Seiza position (on your knees with your legs crossed under your butt).

Make sure you are not disturbed for a few minutes and very slowly and gently bow down to the floor, touching the floor with your forehead. In this moment, let go of everything: let go of your thoughts, your emotions, your body and become pure gratitude- without any attribute. Surrender everything you think as “yours” and be reborn in this
surrender…

With love and gratitude, your friend, Frank Arjava Petter

Frank Arjava Petter is the author of seven internationally best selling books on Reiki. He teaches world wide and can be reached by email at Arjava@Reikidharma.com. You will find his teaching schedule and other info at www.Reikidharma.com

The 2nd week of the Usui Online Retreat

2007-12-28T08:03:00.000-06:00

The Second Week of The Usui 21 day Online Retreat

The original description of what Usui Sensei came across when the Universe hit him sitting on Mount Kurama was coined by him as: Shin- Shin Kaizen Usui Reiki Ryoho. This phrase means: For the improvement of Body/Mind/Soul Usui Soul (or spirit) Energy Healing Method.

In the seminar manual that he used to give to his students (published by me under the title” Reiki, the legacy of Dr. Usui; Lotus Light Publishers, Wisconsin) we find an interview with him where he is asked the following question: “Is Reiki a Shinrei Ryoho?” (A psychic or spiritual healing Method).

Answer: “Right, you could call it Shinrei Ryoho. But it would also be correct to call it a physical therapy, because energy and light are emitted from all body parts of the practitioner, mostly the hands, the eyes and the breath.”

The Japanese people believe in reincarnation. Life does not end with the death of the physical body. We are continuously reborn, until we reach a state of maturity that allows us to be reborn into the Pure Land- some kind of Buddhist Paradise. Until we have reached this maturity we keep on coming back.

The soul is believed to reside inside the body, and when the body is touched, the soul is touched. When the soul is touched past and future is touched. When past and future are touched, Body/Mind and Soul are taken care of- for eternity.

The improvement of Body/Mind/Soul

The improvement for Body/Mind/ Soul is twofold. It happens to the practitioner and the client both at the same time. During a treatment as well as during an attunement, the practitioner as well as the client is purified on all levels.

Hayashi Sensei used to say to his students (Mrs. Yamaguchi told me) that the best way to learn Reiki would be to begin with some sort of discomfort or illness, either on the physical, or mental- emotional level. You are then introduced to Reiki to find the antidote to your suffering. After receiving treatments you are healed and once healed you
feel grateful.

Out of your gratitude springs the desire to help others the same way you have been helped. And thus you begin practicing Reiki your self. Because the learning process has transformed you, you may become interested in spreading the work further and you want to become a teacher… And now you pass the healing on to your students.

Usui Sensei says in the aforementioned interview that once healed the mind becomes “Buddha like”. Look at it from the standpoint of the word “Reiki”. By receiving the treatment or the attunement you are once again connected to the Cosmos/ God. You are what you are supposed to be…

Exercises for The Second Week

This week, please be acutely aware of the fact that you are a unity of Body/Mind/Soul. In every breath you take your whole Being breathes. Past, present and future breathe together. Heart, mind and body dance together. You are eternity; you are Millions of years old. You are immortal: life continues after this form has changed shapes. Imagine a
wave in the ocean: is it the same wave returning to the shore again and again- or is it a different wave? You cannot tell them apart, the fabric of life belongs together.

Reiki heals Body, Mind and Soul. Every time you touch your self or someone else this week, be aware of the fact that Reiki heals all wounds of present past and future, no matter where they stem from. Whenever you catch yourself with the old habit of dividing yourself into “this and that” this week, please discontinue the pattern and become aware of your Oneness once more.

Blessings, Arjava

The 23rd online Usui 21 day Retreat

2007-12-20T21:43:00.000-06:00

It is Winter Solstice and the beginning of the 23rd Usui Online Retreat

Nurturing the Spirit Year Round

Holidays and joy are two elements of our lives that are naturally intertwined. Traditional celebrations awaken within us an ardent desire to reconnect with the people we care about and to share our abundance. During the holiday season, we feel more driven to actively practice compassion, tolerance, selflessness, and gratitude. When we feel stressed, we find peace in the company of loved ones. And, filled with warm thoughts, we endeavor to ensure that others can share in our celebrations. Yet while happiness and holidays go hand in hand, the serenity and optimism that blossom within as we act on our festive feelings need not be relegated to a few days or weeks each year. We can carry the holiday spirit within us all year long if we make an effort to embrace a celebratory frame of mind no matter what the date.

Holding the holidays in your heart can be wonderfully transformative. Changing your life can be as simple as thinking about the uplifting activities you engage in and the positive attitudes you adopt during the holiday season and then integrating them into your daily life. If you learn to always be as open to wonder as you are around the holidays, the world will seem like a more magical place, whether it is December, March, or August. While holidays represent a great opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, there is little preventing you from reaching out to the people you care about throughout the year. The patience, compassion, goodwill, and tolerance you feel while celebrating can easily become a part of your everyday experience. Likewise, you will soon discover that the generous charitable gifts you give once a year mean just as much during other months and are often needed even more.

To remind yourself of your decision to carry the holiday spirit in your heart, consider displaying some small part of your holiday decor to signify your commitment. Remember that giving, whether your gifts are tangible or of the soul, always feel good, whatever the occasion. However you prefer to celebrate the holidays, practicing the ideals of the season every day means experiencing the beauty of the holiday season all year long.

Here is an excellent article on Reiki and Cancer http://www.advancesjournal-digital.com/advancesjournal/2007fall/

The Usui 21 day Retreat

Arjava Petter will be our guest for the 23rd online Usui 21 day Retreat that starts today the 21st of December 2007. I have had the pleasure of being with Arjava several times when I lived in Europe as well as studying with him in the USA on one of our visits to the States. I think of him as a brother and certainly a terrific dance partner in life. He has also contributed several times to the Retreat in the past.

For more information on the retreat itself please go to http://www.wisechoices.com/usuiretreat.html

Remember it is not how much you do, but your intention to spend even a few minutes will make such a big difference to our world.

Now here is Arjava…..

Dear Friends!

I have been asked by our friend and dance partner Mari Hall to write the meditations for this year’s Usui retreat. I pondered about what to write for a few days, and looking out across the Mediterranean Sea outside of Athens, Greece, something stirred up the quiet waters.

Usui Sensei, our beloved teacher, used some Japanese words and phrases to describe his work, the purpose of his work and the outcome of his work. Some of these words have been translated and explained here and there earlier, but I feel that they have been done some injustice. By understanding these words and phrases clearly, a whole new Reiki Universe opens up and takes you to a deeper understanding of what we all do and love so much.

When Usui Sensei described what he had experienced on Mount Kurama in March 1922, with the word “Reiki”, he had something quite specific in mind. To illuminate that, I would like to explain the word for you in detail.

The First Week- The word Reiki

The word “Reiki” is made up of two characters. In Japanese those characters are called Kanji (Chinese characters). The reason they are called “Chinese characters” is due to the fact that the Japanese did not have an adequate written language of their own; so they imported the Chinese written language and modified it over the centuries to fit their own needs and their own culture.

The character for Rei

Just as some words in our languages do suddenly change their meaning, Kanji too may change their meaning with the times. The word “cool” for example used to mean the temperature of something. Nowadays it usually means something else.

In Usui Sensei’s time the word “Rei” meant “Soul”, or “Spirit”. Nowadays it is often understood to mean” ghost” or “occult”. (This is the reason that Reiki is not as wide- spread in Japan as it is elsewhere).

The first character, “Rei” can be divided into three components. Each part has a distinct meaning of its own. When you understand the word in its totality, you understand Reiki – and you will be able to explain it to your friends and students.

The first part of the character for Rei stands for “Ame”- rain. Japan is a volcanic country and as you know, volcanic ash and rain make for fertile soil. So the word “Ame” stands for the cosmic blessings falling from the heavens; the powers that fertilize the Earth. The meeting of Yin and Yang.

The second part of the Reiki- Kanji is a simplification of the word “Utsuwa”, meaning container, or human body. It looks almost exactly like Michelangelo’s well-known drawing. In our case this means: The human body is the container for the cosmic blessings (the rains that fall from the heavens).

The third part of the Reiki- Kanji stands for “Miko” meaning female Shaman. In ancient Shintoism, the original spiritual practice of the Japanese people, a Miko or Miko- San is a young girl previous to her first menstruation, who is thought to understand the “language of the gods”. In short she is a medium who bridges the gap between the human and the divine. She is someone who is well connected to the cosmic forces, as well as to the powers of the Earth. Someone who is connected with the powers of the Earth and the powers of the Heavens is the container for cosmic energy. This is you, the Reiki channel…

The character for KI

the second character, “Ki” can be divided into two components. The first one means cloud. The cloud is what divides Heaven and Earth, what lies between us humans and the divine beings above- the gods. The second component of the character Ki is “rice”. Rice is the staple food of the Japanese and all Asian people. And rice gives you power… In Germany this would probably potatoes…or German water- beer…

So, all together, the word “Reiki” means “Soul Energy” or “Spirit Energy”. And this is the reason we give someone a treatment or an attunement. We want to help them to be properly connected to the Divine forces once more.

Exercises for The First Week

For this week, please become as intensely associated with the meaning of the word Reiki. Begin writing it, with a thick pen, one stroke at a time. Feel the rain that fertilizes the Earth, every time it pours down on you. Feel the morning shower cleanse and fertilize your day. Imagine standing under a waterfall and letting it purify your body/heart/mind.Use any situation in your daily life that has any relation with water. Every time you wash your hands…are purified.

Also, remember the word Utsuwa, human body /container. For this week be a container for the cosmic blessings. Watch your self, when standing at the bus stop, or at the cash register of the department store. Watch yourself when standing in the garden or in your kitchen.

Stand straight, with both feet on the ground, slightly pointed inwards. Breathe into your lower abdomen. Move your pelvis slightly backwards and let the lower abdomen come out. Let the shoulders relax and allow the air to come into the body and go out of it just by itself. Become a container for cosmic energy. Feel how it fills you, how it comes and goes. Feel like a hollow bamboo, a flute, a perfect conduit for the cosmic blessings.

Become aware of the fact that you are just a medium. Nothing in this world is yours, yet everything is yours. You are a conduit for the divine forces and you are the divine forces. You and the energy are one. Feel this whenever you remember my words. Celebrate your Oneness with the Cosmos for this week and enjoy every moment of it.

Arjava

Our Wedding Journey

2007-11-28T11:01:00.001-06:00

We started off our wedding trip on November 8th in the wee hours by driving to Nashville first and staying at the Union Hotel (the grand old train station) and the next day taking a murder mystery train ride for the day out and back to Nashville. The town the train stopped in had a Veterans Day celebration all staged for us complete with GI’s dressed like in the old days. Many of the men on the train were Vets and appreciated the time and effort of the town.

We then drove to Gatlinburg and were in a small condo up a hill at light 8 (everything is on which light number you are at) for 4 days until the kids started coming on Thursday, then we moved to the big cabin up a mountain in Ware Valley between Pigeon Falls and Townsend with stunning views and lots of space.

We had 16 of our kids, grandkids and my adopted daughter who is Stacey's best friend Dawn and her family. Everyone got along great, did things together and by themselves, they took turns cooking breakfast and dinner. I had a hand for breakfast one morning turning left overs into breakfast casseroles that were yummy. The morning ritual was gathering in the kitchen and dining room for coffee together and laughing over what happened the day before or when we all were younger.

Gary and I took many drives on nature trails and I was busy taking photos and both enjoying the sight of fall in the Smokey Mountains. We were completely turned off by the crowed tourist trap shops that line the streets of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Falls and Sevierville. Gatlinburg retains it charm...but the real beauty is in the nature. We were so close to deer and other critters.

We also spent some time in the artisan’s community and fell in love with an artist who draws pictures of the people in the hills...truly amazing. We bought two small pictures one of Miss Emily at 106 and a hermit named Daniel around the same age. Take a look at his work www.paulmurray.com There was also a photographer named Steve Shoemaker who does the most beautiful work...you feel his soul in each one as he is so engaged with the subject he is filming and has Patience to get just the right shot...we came away with cards of his work. You can check out his work at www.mountainvisionsgallery.net. Then there was a small community “Cliff Dwellers” within the bigger one that has excellent artists of all media we stayed and talked with them for hours it seemed. http://www.cliffdwellersgallery.com/index.html We found The Wild Plum tea room and were like a couple of kids, sampling great food and talking with everyone. We have their cookbook and have even traded recipes.

We applied and received our marriage license in Sevierville at the court house where they issue an average of 400 licenses each and every week. Gatlinburg is 2nd to Las Vegas in weddings...a very big business for sure.

The wedding was on Saturday night November 17th and while set for 6:00 the pastor ended up late to the wedding by 2 hours which also made the wedding dinner at the Park Restaurant back in Gatlinburg late, in fact they kept the place open for us to have the dinner at 10:00pm. What was frustrating was because of the mountains we hardly ever had a signal on our cell phones and with that big family there were many phones to try. We would finally get a signal, call the preachers house and he would not have a signal to answer...and so it went.

I had flowers delivered to the cabin for the fireplace, the girls all had cream colored roses, my bouquet was stunning and then of course for Gary. His daughters and grandchildren brought in half the forest so it seemed to add touches of green. The cabin had a Christmas tree up and lit so I added packages for each person that had a sweatshirt I designed, the boys got pocket knives, the girls had Black teddy bears and the grown ups mugs from our favorite potter at the artist community...and of course the book I did for the family and copies of the wedding music. They opened these after dinner (midnight) while having a piece of the wedding cake.

The wedding itself was very sweet. We had written our own vows and had not shared them with each other till the time during the wedding. We had a unity candle that was first lit by Gary and I, then all the family there lit their individual candles from it. We did things to unite us as a family. Tears were in eyes, a sense of wonder filled the room mixed with joy. After the I do’s, Gabby one of Gary’s granddaughters said “Goodie now we are official cousins” to Jinny my granddaughter.

I gave Gary a beautiful hand made Dulcimer for a wedding gift. He had said he always wanted to learn how to play an instrument. The man who made his dulcimer also had a book where you can learn by number http://www.smokymountaindulcimers.com/ Little did I know he would serenade us at 6:00 am one morning with “Love me Tender”…he had all of us up and in the kitchen early and grumpy till we realized he was playing the song clearly. Of course he thought he was playing softly since he did not have his hearing aids in. We requested that he not play till at least 10:00am and not later than 10:00pm while we were together. The kids did not know who to be angry with, him for paying it so early or me for giving it to him.

Angela, Gary’s youngest daughter lead many of the children on long walks to water falls or spots in the mountains each day to keep them interested and tired out at day’s end. They loved it but I do not think she was successful on getting them tired, there was too much to see and do with each other.

My kids left on Monday with their families and his stayed on with us. We moved from the large cabin to a motel in Townsend for the last two nights and had Thanksgiving together before leaving on our return trip. We took two days to drive back.

The bags are unpacked, wash is done, mail all opened and read and now I am spending time answering several e-mails like yours. Filling you in and sending some pictures along. I have not worked with them yet but at least you will have an idea. Gary and I came down with a flu bug once we were home so it has been a little slow going. When we stopped I guess it all caught up with us.

We knew that many of our friends were with us in spirit, both feeling the presence of love in the room with us. Yes indeed we are so blessed…and it is good to be home and in the quiet of our space.

Here is a photo of us with SOME of our grandchildren.

Love to you all,

Mari

News from Mari

2007-10-31T23:46:00.001-05:00

In just a week Gary and I will be leaving for our wedding trip. We will drive from Houston to Nashville, TN and then on to Gatlinburg TN the next day. Our family will start arriving on the 15th of November for our wedding on the 17th. Afterwards we will be spending Thanksgiving with part of our family in Townsend, TN before driving back to Houston on the 25th, to arrive on the 26th. We are so thrilled that we will be in the mountains in the fall. Hopefully the fall splendor will still be bright and colorful for our special day. I will post a newsletter with some photos once we are back and settled in.

The Usui Rereat will start on December 21st. I will write more about that later.

Have a beautiful month of November. This is the time to celebrate and enjoy the harvest with family and friends. We have so much to be grateful for. Thank you for being in my life.

I hold you all in my heart.

Love and Blessings,
Mari

News from the Meditation Garden

2007-10-14T18:43:00.000-05:00

In just a month from now on November 17th Gary and I will be married with our combined families as witnesses in a beautiful cabin the Smokey Mountains of Gatlinburg, TN. The cabin overlooks the mountains and all the splendor that especially comes in the autumn in the “Smokies” bring. I will feel the presence of your spirits with us on that day.

It is a giant step for us both. I have been single for over 23 years. Learning to be in relationship has been quite a growth opportunity! Our children didn’t want us to elope (their words) and have opted to join with us as we unify as a couple and as a family. I appreciate your sending us your well wishes, prayers and love.

“Meeting the Great Mystery” my first meditation CD and downloadable MP3 is for sale. It was well received at the Reiki conference in Washington DC last month. I appreciate Tom Parish for helping make this dream come true. Use this link to hear a preview and/or purchase. Doing this has certainly stirred my creative juices.

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1249135

Project Health Update

We are still so excited about the continued results we are experiencing by taking the wonderful substance Frequensea…over the past months I said that Gary immediately stopped having the constant bowel complaint he has lived with for over 40 years, in fact he is stable since starting to take Frequensea, that his hair is turning darker; he is not as gray anymore, he also had dental surgery and had been on liquids for over two weeks and maintained his weight, even gaining a few pounds. He has certainly been given a new lease on life in just weeks. I continue to feel as if I am coming into balance from the inside out. I continue to take my increased dosage of one ounce of Frequensea twice a day.

I believe so strongly in Frequensea and how it can help people to “live healthy”. I know it can be something everyone can benefit from, because of this I will continue to keep you informed of our progress.

Please check it out for yourself. Go to: http://www.forevergreen.org/videos/AnotherDay_dsl.html there is an excellent video entitled “Another Day” when you watch the video you will see how the Marine Phytoplankton was grown and harvested in a one of a kind $30 million Sea Farm.

By going to my personal web page at Forever Green you can order the product by signing in. http://www.myforevergreen.org/566187/home.html we both highly recommend it. And it can be a great opportunity to earn extra money.

I thought this was a good reminder….

"Priority-wise, it simply makes sense to take care of yourself before you start searching for your higher meaning or trying to live your higher purpose. You aren’t really much good to anyone else if you’re totally unhealthy, a financial burden, or an emotional basket case. Begin the work on yourself first before you turn outward. It’s best for everyone involved, starting with you."Scott Raymond Adams, in The Dilbert Blog: The Meaning of Meaning

Here are some great stories to uplift you.

"A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share some of her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so with a smile and without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

'I've been thinking,' he said, 'I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back to you in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Please give me whatever you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone in a way where it obviously didn't cost you anything.'"

-- "The Wise Woman's Stone," Author Unknown

This extract from an on-board magazine and is attributed to Loren Eisley:

“The journey is difficult, long, and sometimes impossible. Even so, I know few people who have let these difficulties stop them. We enter the world without knowing for sure what happened in the past, what consequences this has brought us, and what the future may have in store for us.
“We shall try to travel as far as we can. But looking at the landscape around us, we realize that it won’t be possible to know and learn everything.

”So what remains is for us to remember all about our journey so that we can tell stories. To our children and grandchildren, we can tell the marvels that we have seen and the dangers that we have faced. They too will be born and will die, they too will tell their stories to their descendants, and still the caravan won’t have reached its destination.”

Bounded By Wellness
Send Healing To Yourself

Most people, when given an opportunity to aid someone in need, are eager to do whatever they can to be of service. Those of us who have chosen to make healing the world a vocation are grateful for any occasion to send light and love to people in our immediate spheres of influence and beyond. As we apply our passion and our principles to this altruistic endeavor, we often forget to send ourselves the same bountiful gifts of wellness, though we ourselves may be in dire need of it. We overlook ourselves, not because we forget, but because we fear that focusing on the self is an indicator of selfishness. It is moreover much more difficult to heal oneself than to heal others because the seeds of uncertainty are more easily banished when we act on another's behalf. When we send healing light to ourselves, it is important that our intentions and our self-trust be stronger than ever to counteract doubt.

As we bless ourselves in this way, we serve as both an active channel and a passive destination. This should not change the way we interact with the valuable energy we wish to receive, however. Though we may be tempted to consciously direct or influence the manner in which light impacts our lives because we know ourselves most intimately, we should not try to control its path. When we draw the white light of protection and purity to our bodies, taking it into ourselves with each inhalation, our belief in the fact that it will naturally move toward areas of dysfunction will ensure that it flows through every muscle and organ. And when we fill our spaces with this light, our environments are cleared of all the negative energy that can sap our strength and our spirit. Surrounded inside and out with healing light, we feel safe and protected, healthy, relaxed, and content just as those who regularly receive such loving gifts from us do. If you sincerely believe that there is a part of yourself that exists independently of upset and illness, the love and light you send yourself will help you connect with it. You will see the affirmative impact of this connection almost immediately when you include yourself in the recipients of your healing gifts, as life's frustrations become more tolerable and your bliss becomes ever more palpable.

Below The Surface
Finding Deep Strength

We have all faced moments in our lives when the pressure mounts beyond what we feel we can handle, and we find ourselves thinking that we do not have the strength to carry on. Sometimes we have just gotten through a major obstacle or illness only to find another one waiting for us the moment we finally catch our breath. Sometimes we endure one loss after another, wondering when we will get a break from life’s travails. It does not seem fair or right that life should demand more of us when we feel we have given all we can, but sometimes this is the way life works.

When we look back on our lives, we see that we have survived many trials and surmounted many obstacles, often to our own amazement. In each of those instances, we had to break through our ideas about how much we can handle and go deeper into our hidden reserves. The thought that we do not have the strength to handle what is before us can be likened to the hard surface of a frozen lake. It appears to be an impenetrable fact, but when we break through it, we find that a deep well of energy and inspiration was trapped beneath that icy barrier the whole time. Sometimes we break through by cutting a hole into our resistance with our willpower, and sometimes we melt the ice with compassion for our predicament and ourselves. Either way, each time we break through, we reach a new understanding of the strength we store within ourselves.

When we find ourselves up against that frozen barrier of thinking we cannot handle our situation, we may find that the kindest choice is to love ourselves and our resistance too. We can simply accept that we are overwhelmed, exhausted, and stretched, and we can offer ourselves loving kindness and compassion. If we can extend to ourselves the unconditional warmth of a mother’s love, before we know it, the ice will begin to break.

B e i n g L o v e
Baba Ram Dass

The most important aspect of love is not in giving or the receiving: it's in the being. When I need love from others, or need to give love to others, I'm caught in an unstable, unsustainable situation. Being love, rather than giving or taking love, is the only thing that provides stability and self-sustainability. Being love simply means seeing the Beloved all around me.

I'm not interested in being a 'lover.' I'm interested in only being love. In our culture we think of love as a relational thing: 'I love you' and 'You are my lover.' But while the ego is built around relationship, the soul is not. It wants only to be love. It's a true joy, for example, to turn someone whom you didn't initially even like into the Beloved. Mother Teresa has described this as 'seeing Christ in all his distressing disguises.' When I realized that Mother Teresa was actually involved in an intimate love affair with each and every one of the poor and the lepers she was picking up from the gutters in India, I thought to myself, 'That's the way to play the game of love.' And that is what I have been training myself for the last past quarter century: to see and be with the Beloved everywhere I am.

One of the interesting aspects of seeing the Beloved in this way is that it doesn't require the other person to see him or herself as the Beloved. All that's necessary is that I focus on my own consciousness properly. It's interesting to notice, though, how warmly people respond to being seen as the Beloved, even if they don't even know what's happening. Of course, it all assumes that your feelings are genuine and that you aren't compelled to act on them or to lay any sort of trip on the other person. The idea is simply to live and breathe among the Beloved.

The way I work at seeing others as the Beloved is to remind myself, 'This is another soul, just like me, who has taken a complicated incarnation, just as I have. I don't want to be in his or her incarnation any more than he or she wants to be in mine. But since I want to rest in my soul and not in my ego, I would like to give everybody the opportunity to do the same.' If I can see the soul that happens to have incarnated into a person that I don't particularly care for, then my consciousness becomes an environment in which he or she is free to come up for air if he or she wants to. That person can do so because I'm not trying to keep him or her locked into being the person that he or she has become. It's liberating to resist another person's opinions, yet still see him or her as another soul worthy of love. That's what Krishna meant when he said, 'I'm not going to fight, because they are all my cousins on the side.' We may disagree with one another in our current incarnation, but we are all connected souls.

A story I have told many times reinforces this point. Some years ago I put out a set of records called "Love, Serve, Remember." The records - which had music, readings from the Gospel of John, and all kinds of neat things - came in an album with a beautiful booklet with text and pictures. It was a wonderful package, and we sold it by mail order for about $4.50. I showed the album to my father. Dad was a wealthy Boston lawyer - a conservative Republican, a capitalist, and, at the time, the President of a railroad. He looked over the album and said, 'Great job here! But, gee, you know - four and a half dollars? You could probably sell this for ten, maybe fifteen dollars, don't you think?'

I said, 'Yeah, I know.''Would fewer people buy it if it were more expensive?' he asked.

'No,' I replied, 'probably the same number would buy it.

''Well I don't understand, then,' he pressed on. 'You could sell it for at least ten, and you're selling it for four - fifty? What's wrong, are you against capitalism or profit or something?'

I tried to figure out how to explain to him how our approaches differed. I said, 'Dad didn't you just try a law case for Uncle Henry?

''Yeah,' he replied, 'and it was a damned tough case. I spent a lot of time in the law library.'

I asked, 'Did you win the case?'

And he answered, 'Yeah, I won it.'

Now, my father was a very successful attorney, and he charged fees that were commensurate with his reputation. So I continued. 'Well, I bet you charged him an arm and a leg for that one.'

Dad was indignant at the suggestion. 'What, are you out of your mind? That's Uncle Henry - I couldn't charge him.''

Well, that's my problem,' I said. 'If you find anyone who isn't Uncle Henry, show me, and I'll rip them off.'

The point I was trying to make is that when you see the Beloved all around you, everyone is family and everywhere is love. When I allow myself to really see the beauty of another being, to see the inherent beauty of soul manifesting itself, I feel the quality of love in that being's presence. It doesn't matter what we're doing. We could be talking about our cats because we happen to be picking out cat food in the supermarket, or we simply could be passing each other on the sidewalk. When we are being love, we extend outward an environment that allows people to act in different, more loving and peaceful ways than they are used to behaving. Not only does it allow them to be more loving, it encourages them to be so while teaching them how to be so.

In 1969, I was giving a series of lectures in New York City. Every night, taking the bus up Third Avenue, I got the same extraordinary bus driver. Every night it was rush hour in one of the busiest cities in the world, but he had a warm word and a caring presence for each person who got on the bus. He drove us as if he were sculling a boat down a river, flowing through the traffic rather than resisting it. Everyone who got on the bus was less likely to kick the dog that evening or to be otherwise hostile and unloving; because of the loving space that driver had created. Yet all he was doing was driving the bus. He wasn't a therapist or a great spiritual teacher. He was simply being love.

Remember, we are all affecting the world in every moment, whether we mean to or not. Our actions and states of mind matter, because we are so deeply interconnected with one another. Working on our own consciousness is the most important thing that we are doing at any moment, and being love is a Supremely co-creative act.

Finally, I am giving you a link to watch a precious evoking video. http://www.gratefulness.org/brotherdavid/a-good-day.htm I encourage you to take the time to watch it for yourself, the potential from watching it is that everyone you meet will be blessed. Have a great day, until we meet again.

Love and Blessings,
Mari

News from Houston

2007-09-04T01:17:00.000-05:00

I am thrilled to let you know that my first meditation “Meeting the Great Mystery” has been published and is for sale now as a CD and a downloadable MP3. Thanks and deep appreciation to Tom Parish for helping make this dream come true. It was great to work with him. It is my intention to have a series of meditations published...stay tuned!

Use this link to hear a preview and/or purchase.

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1249135

I will be introducing the meditation at the Greater Washington Reiki conference this coming weekend. There is still time to register. http://www.reikicenter.info/

Project Health Update

We are still so excited about the continued results we are experiencing by taking the wonderful substance Frequensea…last month I said that Gary immediately stopped having the constant bowel complaint he has lived with for over 40 years, in fact he is stable since starting to take Frequensea. Another new result is that his hair is turning darker; he is not as gray anymore. This month he also had dental surgery and has been on liquids for the past two weeks. He has maintained his weight and even gained a few pounds. He is hungry and wants “good food” we have created shakes for him to drink that fulfills his nutritional requirements. He has certainly been given a new lease on life in just weeks. I continue to feel as if I am coming into balance from the inside out. I have increased my dosage of Frequensea to one ounce twice a day.

I believe so strongly in Frequensea and how it can help people to “live healthy”. I know it can be something everyone can benefit from, because of this I will continue to keep you informed of our progress.

Please check it out for yourself. Go to: http://www.forevergreen.org/videos/AnotherDay_dsl.html there is an excellent video entitled “Another Day” when you watch the video you will see how the Marine Phytoplankton was grown and harvested in a one of a kind $30 million Sea Farm.
By going to my personal web page at Forever Green you can order the product by signing in. http://www.myforevergreen.org/566187/home.html we both highly recommend it.

Change is Just Around the Corner.

Fall is in the air, leaves are getting ready to turn into bright colors. One of the biggest changes for us this coming fall is that Gary and I are getting married. We are going to Gatlinburg, Tennessee in the Great Smokey Mountains where 16 members of our families will be with us when we marry on November 17 over looking the mountains in a lovely log cabin. We thought we would have a quiet affair, just the two of us, but our children said they didn’t want us to elope. They are so happy we have made it a family affair. We will be sightseeing and enjoying the nature before and after the wedding. I will feel your presence in spirit as we stand together. We have many projects going on about the wedding including writing our own vows. We will keep you updated. Life even in my 60’s proves exciting each and every day.

Here are some great articles for your reading pleasure and another link to check out…until next time…Breathe in the magic of the moment.

Love, Mari

I invite you to view a very important film trailer….http://www.theshiftmovie.com/

Throwing Away Crutches

Spiritual practices can be misused as crutches, too.

We can become so attached to a teacher (or guide of any kind), to meditation (or medication), or to a diet (or other form of self-improvement program) that we lose sight of the fact that it is really God that we want and need, and not another habit. A teacher or a discipline ceases to serve its purpose if it becomes a dead end of devotion to a form (rather than essence). Stopping at vegetarianism or a particular form of meditation (or even one's particular practice of religion) is like hanging out on Boardwalk and forgetting to pass "Go." In the end, all forms must go.

When necessary, however, it can be very helpful to accept the support of a discipline, a person, or a group that can further our spiritual growth. If a man injures his leg, a crutch is very much in order, and a great blessing, at that. When the leg has healed, though, the crutch must be relinquished. At a specific stage of the journey, it may be very valuable to become attached to a teacher (such as a coach, mentor, pastor, or spiritual guide), to a physical practice (such as yoga, tai chi, or a good diet), or to a spiritual community (such as church, Love Machine, or small group). These positive crutches give us the momentum to free ourselves of old, destructive habits such as smoking, laziness, harmful behavior, and negative company. These spiritual crutches, however, are merely habits that lead to no habits, which is our real destination.

The reward of the adventure of life is freedom. The irony of the adventure is that we were free before we set out, but we needed to learn that freedom was not to be found where we fantasized it to be. We needed to learn, like our old friend Dorothy from Kansas, that there's no place like home, because there is no place but Home. When we learn that God is everywhere, that Love fills all space, and that Truth is the very Ground of Our Being, we may surely release the little to embrace the All.

To be free, to be able to stand up and leave everything else behind - without looking back. To say "Yes"! to what matters most, ... that is freedom.

-- Dag Hammarskjold

Source: The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore
By Alan Cohen, page 68

From a Different Perspective

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked

"Oh yeah," said the son.

"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered:

"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

The Soundless Center

Silence of the Heart

We spend a lot of time attempting to put the feelings in our hearts into words, to communicate to others our passions, our emotions, and our love. Often we are so busy trying to translate our heart’s roar into language that we miss the most profound experience the heart has to offer, which is silence. Every poem arises from this silence and returns to it. When all the songs have been sung, the soliloquies delivered, the emotions expressed, silence is what remains. As each wave of feeling rises and falls back into the silence, we have an opportunity to connect with the vast, open, powerfully healing wisdom at the soundless center of our hearts.

Our hearts may seem noisy and tumultuous so much of the time that we do not even associate them with silence. It takes a sensitive ear to tune in to the silence of the heart, but it is there in each one of us, so close and so large that we do not even notice it. We can begin to become aware of it in the same way we become aware of the negative space in a still life, the background of a photograph, or the open sky that contains the sun, clouds, moon, and stars. We are accustomed to tuning in to objects and sounds that are one-pointed, solid, and three-dimensional. Seeing and hearing the apparently empty space that contains these sounds and objects takes a little practice.

We can bring our awareness into our hearts by simply breathing into the general area of our heart. The first thing we may notice is feelings like joy or sadness and physical sensations like tightness or tenderness. We acknowledge these as we continue to breathe and focus, listening attentively. We surround these feelings and sensations with breath and recognize that they are contained and held in an immeasurable substance like water or air, intangible, ineffable, but utterly real. This is the silence of the heart, and the more we listen for it, return to it, and accept it, the more we bathe and purify ourselves in the soundless center of our being.

Recognizing Our Own

The Greatness in Others

A person who is said to possess greatness stands apart from others in some way, usually by the size or originality of their vision and their ability to manifest that vision. And yet those who recognize that greatness, whether they display it themselves or not, also have greatness within them; otherwise, they could not see it in another. In many ways, the achievements of one person always belong to many people for we accomplish nothing alone in this world. People who display greatness rely upon others who are able to see as they do, to listen, encourage, and support. Without those people who recognize greatness and move in to support it, even the greatest ideas, works of art, and political movements would remain unborn.

We are all moved by greatness when we see it, and although the experience is to some degree subjective, we know the feeling of it. When we encounter it, it is as if something in us stirs, awakens, and comes forth to meet what was inside us all along. When we respond to someone else’s greatness, we feed our own. We may feel called to dedicate ourselves to their vision, or we may be inspired to follow a path we forge ourselves. Either way, we cannot lose when we recognize that the greatness we see in others belongs also to us. Our recognition of this is a call to action that, if heeded, will inspire others to see in us the greatness they also possess. This creates a chain reaction of greatness unfolding itself endlessly into the future.

Ultimately, greatness is simply the best of what humanity has to offer. Greatness does what has not been done before and inspires the same courage that it requires. When we see it in others, we know it, and when we trust its presence in ourselves, we embody it.

Reiki stories shared from Cookeville, TN

Reiki Helped My Rescued Cat

My husband and I have several rescue animals. Our orange tabby cat came to us with intense fears of thunder. When it thundered he would immediately run for the nearest cover, be it bush, car or chair for refuge. During the time it stormed he would cower, shiver and refuse to eat or drink water for the duration. He was so petrified by the storm that offering his favorite lap and blanket were ineffective at calming him - he was inconsolable. After I received Reiki II training and he got used to the new energy, I began giving him Reiki as often as he'd accept it. This summer we've had some loud thunderstorms that last several hours and I've noticed a difference in him: he no longer immediately runs for cover, but waits to see how much more thunder will come before making a decision to seek shelter; he seeks shelter that is less protected now, and sometimes he seeks the openness of my lap or his favorite blanket instead of a covered area. Now he will also seek food and water if the storm continues.

This cat is probably my favorite pet - being a first-time cat owner, he taught me how to handle cats and what to expect from them. He also taught me that they are wonderful little Reiki healers themselves as I received wonderful healing energies from him while trying to adapt to a new life in the country. I am very grateful to Reiki that it allows me to return the favor by giving him healing energies when he needs it, as he did for me.

And another story with deeper healing than imagined

Reiki Controls Pain and Facilitates Healing with Table Saw Accident

When I began doing Reiki last fall it seemed emotional or spiritual issues that manifested as physical ailments were always appearing in my work. I read how others used it to heal physical illness and injury, and have had others heal some of my physical maladies, but it seemed it wasn't my lot was to have Reiki work at a physical level when I did it. I was a little disappointed because I hoped Reiki would work at all levels through me, but accepted this served a purpose. This summer I had a situation that showed me Reiki does work at all levels through me, I simply wasn't aware of it.

This summer I was taking a workshop on furniture making. I've worked with wood and electric saws for 20 years, so was looking forward to finally expanding my skills into dovetails, joints, etc. The second day of class I was cutting my table legs on an unfamiliar table saw and got distracted by some activity around me. I was also getting frustrated with the table saw because the excess wood kept blocking subsequent passes instead of being thrown clear like it does on my table saw. So, I turned the table saw off to clear the excess wood, then broke a cardinal rule of table saws - I swiped at the wood to remove it before the blade quit spinning! At first it didn't hurt, but when I looked at my hand and saw blood dripping down I quickly realized I'd cut off the tips of two fingers. After cleaning the wound and almost fainting, I asked to be taken to the emergency room for treatment.

En route, I kept looking at my hand, appalled and angry at myself. I knew better and this was the first time I'd ever hurt myself with power equipment, but it certainly looked like I'd hurt myself pretty badly. I was very nervous and afraid, so began to do Reiki on my hand. I asked for a pure and perfect healing from Mother Ansa, Father God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and all benevolent spirits who surrounded me. As I began to do Reiki I was surprised at how much PAIN I felt in my fingers all the way up to my elbow, but I persisted and the pain abated after a few minutes. I continued doing Reiki while traveling, then in the waiting room and in the treatment room. I even cleaned and blessed the room, and called upon the benevolent spirits who protect my ER physician and his nurse to guide them and assist with my healing. After I got to the treatment room I was pleased to find I could tell the doctor I wasn't in any pain, and could refuse the Loratab they offered, but I did request over-the-counter Tylenol, just in case. I was also amazed to find the shots for the localized anesthesia didn't hurt at all. (I've had stitches before and have often found the pain of the shots to be almost unbearable without a painkiller.)

Later that evening as I was removing the wrapping to clean the wounds I was literally floored by the pain of removing gauzey strings from my mutilated fingertips and the sight of the wounds. I immediately began doing Reiki again with the determined intention of "no pain." After a few minutes the pain ceased, and I was able to clean and rewrap the wound without difficulty.

The doctor had informed me in the Emergency Room that I'd knicked the bone of one finger, so I needed to be very careful to avoid infection, and I needed to hope the skin would grow back over it to avoid future injuries and infections in the bone. He also told me I needed to watch for possible nerve damage as the wounds healed. After seeing how well Reiki had performed that day, I determined to do Reiki on my hand with every cleaning and :30 per day for at least one week.

It's now two months after my table saw accident. One finger has healed so well it's impossible to tell it was recently a bloody mess. The finger that received the most damage has healed 3/16" shorter and little deformed, but again, the healing is so complete the injury is imperceptible unless someone knows what to look for. The skin has grown back over the exposed bone, forming a nice, safe cushion, and there is no perceptible nerve damage in either finger. As a matter of fact, the only difficulty I'm having is adapting to the shorter finger when I type!

Eventhough I think I would have liked a less dramatic proof that Reiki works at the physical level when it moves through me; I also know I wouldn't have been so firmly convinced of its healing if a less dramatic injury and healing had occurred. For that, and for the evidence it provides when I tell this story in the future, I am grateful.

Connie Perdue, MSSW
Usui/Tibetan Reiki Master

How does "our" Garden Grow?

2007-07-23T17:22:00.000-05:00

Mari, Mari how does your garden grow?
"It grows with love and prayer and a partner who talks to each and every plant daily!"

Wonderful News from Houston

Shortly after my last letter in which I declared I am worthy to prosper on all levels. I heard about new substance to help me heal my body from the inside out. My immediate thought was, “Yes, I am worthy of health and prosperity” so I decided to give it a try. I brought it home I enrolled my guy Gary in “Project Health” too. The result has been nothing short of a miracle as far as I am concerned.

I am so excited about the results of a wonderful substance named Frequensea … Just to give you a bit of history, shortly after returning from the Viet Nam war in the late 60’s Gary developed massive internal bleeding. He finally had his stomach removed nearly 40 years ago in one of his many extended stays in the VA hospital. Keeping weight on him has been a chore. As a couple we look like Jack Sprat who ate no fat and his wife who ate no lean, yet Gary is a butter and sugar-holic.

We both started taking an ounce of Frequensea everyday. I felt the energy of Frequensea like a shimmer running through my body as I drank it. It feels alive and energetic in my system. I have had more energy and vitality and have been sleeping so much better. Gary immediately stopped having the constant bowl complaint he has lived with and in fact has been stable since starting to take Frequensea. He is starting to gain weight and he feels more energetic and calm. He has been given a new lease on life and in just a few short weeks.

What is so wonderful is that Frequensea goes to the cell with out going through our digestive system and liver so the all our cells are nourished and can help the body to heal. It is comprised of 100% pure Marine Phytoplankton. Marine Phytoplankton are single celled- plants that are responsible for making up to 90% of the Earth’s oxygen and are the basis of all other life forms on the planet.

I believe so strongly in Frequensea and how it can help people to “live healthy”. I think it would be something everyone can benefit from. And because of this I want you to know about it first hand.

Check it out by going to this website www.frequensea.com/marihall-2 there is an excellent short video called “Another Day” and find out how the amazing discovery of Marine Phytoplankton was made on a one of a kind $30 million Sea Farm. Please pay special attention to the amount of nutrients, minerals and goodies that are in Frequensea. It is LIVING.

The Forever Green Corporation who sells Frequensea through distributors is growing rapidly. By getting in at the ground floor I am hoping to generate more income to have more time to enjoy doing what I love and in a way that speaks volumes about integrity. The company has a great message.

What has impressed me in addition to the product itself is that where the plankton is grown in the Pacific North West, the marine life is returning, the estuary is cleaner, water clearer and even bird life is returning.

Giving life back to nature sure speaks volumes to me.

More News…

In August I will be working with Tom Parish, a friend of mine in Austin to make my first Meditation CD. So many of my students over the years have asked me to do meditation CDs; the opportunity just opened for it to happen. When I declared I was worthy, it was like the stars aligned to support my clear intention.

I will have copies for sale with me for the Reiki conference in Washington DC in September. You can read and also register for the conference by following this link:

http://www.reikicenter.info/conferences.htm

May you be blessed with health, happiness and joy, may you always know you are abundantly cared for, supported and loved, and that each day is one more precious day to realize that you make such a beautiful difference in the world.

Love, Mari

I am also sharing some interesting articles with you.

Just Being There

Acting As a Guardian

One of the greatest gifts we can give another human being is to act as their guardian. Whether this gift is related to a specific situation or is representative of an ongoing commitment, we each benefit from the association. To protect someone is to walk with them in challenging times and see them through safely to the other side. In doing this, we grow with them. And those under our guardianship derive confidence from our support and assistance, enabling them to persevere through almost any conditions. There are many reasons we feel inspired to serve as guardians to those we care for. Sometimes just holding the space for somebody allows them to do what is necessary to grow or heal. We may simply want to see that our friend or loved one is taken care of and equipped to prevail over difficult circumstances. We may also sense that we are in possession of knowledge our loved ones are lacking yet need in their current stage of development. Our offer to serve as a guardian may also be both unsolicited and unrelated to any one situation. Instead of helping someone we care about cope with a specific challenge, we may find ourselves providing them with a more general form of emotional sustenance that prepares and strengthens them for challenges yet to come. Our ability to empathize with those under our guardianship is our greatest asset because our comprehension of their needs allows us to determine how we can best serve them. Even when this comprehension is limited, however, the loving intentions with which we enter into our role as guardian ensure that our care and protection help others grow as individuals while living their lives with grace.

The Gift

"If we are too busy, if we are carried away every day by our projects, our schedules and deadlines, our fearful uncertainties, our lustful cravings, how can we have the time to stop and look deeply into the real situation - our own real situation, the real situations of our loved ones, the real situation of our families and of our communities, and the real situation of our nation and of the other nations?" -- Thich Nhat Hanh

"The process of discovering oneself is usually the same as the process of inventing oneself as one discovers others." -- Isaac Perez

"Fortunate, indeed, is the man who takes exactly the right measure of himself." -- Peter Mere Latham

"Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true." -- Honore de Balzac

"A man's true delight is to do the things he was made for." -- Marcus Aurelius

"The best you can do for someone else is to be yourself." -- Aaron Eisenberger"

Attachment to the result of love's labor destroys it." -- Swami Sai Premananda

"The more you know, the less you need to show." -- Anonymous

"The worse a person is the less he feels it." -- Seneca

"Know thyself." -- Socrates

Who are you? What were you made for or made to do with your life? How do you measure yourself and against what standard? Why are you here and for whom? When do you really show up? These are the most important Who, What, How, Why, and When questions of your life. Have fun living the answers.

And, if you feel a strong desire to give yourself selflessly to something much bigger than you, please remember that you must know your "self" in order to lay it down completely. And how can you possibly lay down (vs. inflict an unconscious need for validation upon others) what you do not know and fully possess?

Jim Spivey

Following Your Dreams

2007-07-07T11:37:00.000-05:00

My Friends

On this day 7-7-07 I offer you an idea about making your dreams come true by following your dreams ...

if you need to get re-ignited and if you haven't seen this YouTube video, you simply must go see it now at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_S0DtpvpIg&NR=1

I have been simply blown way by this man and his journey...Things happen when we even "start" to believe in ourselves. This "opportunity"to watch this video clip came to me to a time when I have been looking at what I have been doing to block the energy to my creating and living an abundant life from my heart.

Today I promised and made a commitment to my self that I am worthy and I AM manifesting life and love in abundance NOW.

Dreams those dreams and manifest what your heart desires by believing in yourself. I certainly believe in you!

Love and Blessings,

Mari

The 3rd and final week of the Usui Retreat, June 2007

2007-07-05T00:06:00.000-05:00

Welcome to all of you who have joined us for the 3rd and final week of the Semi Annual 21 day Virtual Usui Retreat for June 2007. The retreat is now in it's eleventh year.

It is a pleasure to have Bronwen and Frans with us and I trust that your experience this week will be just what you need.

To pick up this weeks meditation go to:
http://www.wisechoices.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=7

I was sent an invitation today that I am passing on to you. Whenever any group of us gets together in focused thought, as this site suggests... I feel it is one of many opportunities for us to help our world. I will be "Be" in the meditation for that one beautiful hour, come join me please and ask your friends and circles of people to join with us.

http://firethegrid.org/eng/home-fr-eng.htm

I asked Arjava Petter who lives in Germany, but is now traveling if I could share his message with you about Reiki. He so graciously said yes and he also will be doing the focus meditations for the Usui Retreat in December.

Love and Blessings,

Mari

Arjava wrote....

"I would like to talk to you about two subjects. The first subject is Japanese terms commonly used in Reiki. And the second subject: responsibility, a serious issue concerning all of us, clients, students and teachers of Reiki alike.

Let’s begin with clearing up the meaning of some Japanese words.The word Reiki

The word “Reiki” was not introduced by Usui Sensei. It is part of Japanese culture and is often understood to mean occult, or ghost energy. In our case it means cosmic energy. But Usui Sensei did not describe his teaching by this one word only. He used the following phrase: Shin Shin Kaizen Usui Reiki Ryoho, which means “For the improvement of body and mind Usui Reiki Healing Method”. The phrase “Usui Shiki Ryoho” that is commonly used in the West, is a misunderstanding and not the best way to describe what we do. It means “Usui Style Healing Technique” - missing the word “Reiki”. In order to avoid the long (Japanese) phrase, most people in Japan just call it “Usui Reiki Ryoho.” This would be the appropriate term meaning Usui Reiki Healing Method.

The word Reiju

The word Reiju is an ancient Japanese term for energy transmission, literally meaning "granting (someone) the soul”. In Reiki this ritual was used to make someone a Reiki channel- to remind him of his original nature. Contrary to what you may find written in countless internet sites, Reiju is exactly what we call “attunement”. Of course the way it is done is different, but that’s no subject for public discussion.

The Reiki Teacher

In Japan several words are being used to address your teacher. Which word you use depends upon the situation as well as upon the background of the teacher. Before I explain it more clearly, I would like to tell you how the Reiki system was divided originally.

The Degrees

The first degree was called Shoden, which means “ beginner degree”. The second degree was called Okuden, meaning “ middle” or “deeper degree”. The third degree was called Shinpiden or “ deeper mysteries degree”.

Shoden

The first degree was divided into three subdivisions, called roku- to, go- to and yon- to (levels 6, 5 and 4), each one being taught in one day. According to Ogawa Sensei from the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, Usui Sensei used to grade his prospective students by touching his folded hands. When he felt their energy he graded them into the respective levels. According to the research of Tadao Yamaguchi, Hayashi Sensei had a slightly different way of grading his students. He used pre- Reiki sublevels for those with a sparse natural energy flow. Only after practicing some energy enhancing exercises would they be permitted to be attuned.

Okuden

The second degree was divided into two subdivisions, called Okuden Zenki and Okuden Koki. Again, each subdivision or teaching module was taught in one day.

Shinpiden

The third degree was divided into two subdivisions, Shihan- Kaku (assistant teacher) and Shihan (teacher). The correct technical term for the Reiki Teacher is either Shihan- Kaku or Shihan. The Shihan- Kaku was permitted to teach Reiki One for a while and when his teacher agreed, he was granted the title Shihan. A Shihan was permitted to teach Reiki One and Reiki Two.

Once the new teacher had his own students, they called him Sensei. His own teacher’s students, or his Shihan colleague’s students may have used the same title. For example, the students of Tadao Yamaguchi call him Sensei, and when they address me, they will use the same title for me. But if they do not accept my position and don’t respect my expertise, they will call me Petter- San (Mr. Petter) or Frank-San (Mr. Frank). If they want to make fun of me, or if we are very close to me, they may call me Frank-Chan (little Frankie). And if they disapprove… lord have mercy!

The word “Sensei”

The word Sensei means respected, or venerable teacher. This word is for the student to refer to his teacher. The teacher will under no circumstances call himself “Sensei”. I often feel quite embarrassed when I am given a Reiki Teacher’s business card that reads “ So and so Sensei”… If there is the need to distinguish between two teachers with the same name, let’s say Hayashi Sensei and his wife, you may call them Hayashi Sensei (for him) and Onna Sensei (woman, for her). Another way of distinguishing between the two would be to call them by their first name, followed by the title Sensei. We called Tadao’s mother “Chiyoko Sensei”. If your teacher, or the teaching couple allow a close relationship to their students, the students may also call them Chujiro Sensei and Chie Sensei. If you don’ know your teacher well, or the age difference is big, you use the family name plus Sensei.

In the Oriental Reiki Tradition, only the head of the organization- in this case Usui Sensei- was permitted to teach another teacher. In the Usui Association this is still done the same way today. That means that if someone claims to teach in the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai tradition, he must be dreaming…The Teacher- Training The teacher, whether a Shihan- Kaku or a Shihan was instructed on a personal basis by his teacher. There were no formal classes for an upcoming teacher. After the training he was allowed to start a branch of the organization in his place of residence, and his training continued every time he met his teacher. Japanese society is martially organized and therefore divided into a very strict hierarchy. This hierarchy never changes…As an example, you call your elder sister by her title “Onesan”, not by her first name.

The Master Symbol

The so- called Reiki Master Symbol that we use in Western Reiki, is not used in the Japanese Reiki Tradition. Who added it to the system is not clear. I have heard from one of Mrs. Takata’s student’s that she was taught it by her. We know that the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and the Hayashi Reiki Kenkyukai did and do not teach it. However, this symbol is not channeled. It is an ancient, powerful Buddhist term used for hundreds of years in various Buddhist traditions. It is used in Zen Buddhism as a supreme principle. It is used in Ninjutsu, in many small Japanese groups called Shin Bukkyo, as well as at the Kurama Temple as their highest principle- the result of the merging of love, light and power. But essentially it has nothing to do with traditional Reiki- it is a new development.

Back to the Reiki Teacher

But, lets come back to the Reiki Teacher. When teaching at his own branch of the organization, the new teacher was permitted to have his own students (teaching Shoden or Okuden depending on his level). Whenever he met with his own teacher, the training continued. They team- taught together, with the training teacher giving Reiju alongside with his teacher.

The responsibilities of the teacher to himself

The Reiki teacher is not necessarily a spiritual teacher. As far as I am concerned the description “spiritual teacher” is too big a word for a small person like me.Personally I follow a rather strict regimen towards myself. I neither lie to myself nor to others. I practice utmost honesty, yet when working with others I am soft and accommodating. My own advantage is not my interest, my disadvantage not a deterrent for doing something I feel like doing. My main focus nowadays is living a loving and compassionate life. I know that the way I live and incorporate Reiki in my personal life influences my students. Therefore, the medicine is simple: Just follow the Reiki principles… Kyo dake wa…(only today). Ikaru- Na, Shinpai suna, Kanshe shite, Gyo o hage me, Hito ni shinsetsu ni…

The responsibilities of the teacher to Reiki

In all spiritual schools, the teaching is more important than the teacher. However, the teacher can nourish the right attitude by doing serious inner work. When he puts himself in the service of Reiki, he can learn to erase his own personal affairs for the time being. This is a lovely experience for the teacher and for the student. When the ego is temporarily out of order, and Reiki calls the shots, the teacher turns into a fountain of love and compassion… for everyone to be nourished by- including himself!

The responsibilities of the teacher to his own teacher

Remember the third Reiki Principle. Be grateful, “Kansha shite”. Hang a photo of Usui Sensei and the others who have passed on in your treatment room. Call on them (silently) when you begin to work…

The responsibilities of the teacher to his students

Traditionally the teacher thinks himself responsible for his students. Once asked in a workshop by a student about this issue, Tadao Sensei replied that he feels even responsible for his student’s students.

The responsibilities of the practitioner to his client

The only practical responsibility I see toward the client is for the practitioner or the teacher to empty himself as much as possible and to allow the Reiki to pass through him as un- obstructedly as possible. All else is up to someone else. On a psychological level his responsibilities are manifold. The most important may be to know that Reiki is always good, and always helpful. With that knowledge in your heart, your clients will find the courage to continue, even when times are rough.

The practical responsibilities

The teacher has countless practical responsibilities as well. The foremost and most obvious is for him to train his students well. In Japan the teacher’s level is not given too freely, because it is felt that not everyone is a born teacher. Once the title is conferred, there is no way back. As we said earlier, the teacher is responsible for his student’s students…

Teaching skills

Some teaching- skills can be acquired with training but the main ingredient of teaching is either in- born or it develops due to a spiritual experience. In India one distinguishes between two kinds of enlightened beings. The first they call Arhat. An Arhat is someone who enjoys his enlightenment by himself. He sits under the tree, smiling…The second category is that of a Bodhisattva. He postpones his own enlightenment for the sake of his fellow men. This is the perfect example for a spiritually oriented Reiki Teacher. It is no coincidence that in Reiki Two we invoke the Buddha of love and compassion (the same principle as Mother Mary). This helps you nourish the Bodhisattva aspect, which in turn transforms your surroundings…

with love and gratitude from the desert

Your friend, Frank Arjava Petter

The 2nd Week of the Virtual 21 day Usui Retreat

2007-06-27T23:14:00.000-05:00

Welcome to all of you who have joined us for the 2nd week of the Semi Annual 21day Virtual Usui Retreat, now in it's eleventh year. It is still not too late to let your Reiki friends and other Reiki communities know about the Retreat and ask them to join with us in the balance of a deep and meaningful 21 days. Remember we all set our own pace and commitment. Here are some helpful links

To register to have the Retreat notices sent: http://www.wisechoices.com/newsletter.asp

To read about the Retreat these links will provide all the information needed:

Invitation to the Usui Retreat: http://www.wisechoices.com/usuiretreat.html

How the Retreat works:

www.wisechoices.com/usui_options.htm

To Pick up the 2nd week's meditation with Bronwen :

www.wisechoices.com/forum/default.asp

Have a beautiful week and again thank you for being here with us.

Love and Blessings,

Mari

The 21day Virtual Usui Retreat Starts Today

2007-06-21T07:34:00.000-05:00

Welcome to all of you who have joined us in the eleventh year of the Semi Annual 21day Virtual Usui Retreat. It is not too late to let your Reiki friends and other Reiki communities know about the Retreat and ask them to join with us in what promises to be a deep and meaningful 21 days. Remember you set your own pace and commitment.

To register to have the Retreat notices sent:
http://www.wisechoices.com/newsletter.asp

To read about the Retreat these links will provide all the information needed:

Invitation to the Usui Retreat: http://www.wisechoices.com/usuiretreat.html
How the Retreat Started:
http://www.wisechoices.com/usui_start.html
The Retreat Options:
http://www.wisechoices.com/usui_options.htm
To Pick up this weeks meditation with Bronwen Stiene:
http://www.wisechoices.com/forum/default.asp

Have a beautiful week and again thank you for being here with us.

Love and Blessings,

Mari

A Reminder that the 21 day Virtual Usui Retreat starts soon

2007-06-17T17:34:00.000-05:00

Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers this letter is reaching.
Today is June 17th, and it is only 4 days from the start of the Usui 21 day Virtual Retreat that is in its 11th year. I am so honored to announce that Bronwen Stiene of the International House of Reiki has written and recorded the three meditations that will be used as a focus for the retreat. I promise you they are beautiful.

Let your Reiki friends near and dear know that the retreat is about to begin. They can register to have the notices of the retreat sent to them by going to this link.
http://www.wisechoices.com/newsletter.asp

To read about the retreat this link will provide all the information you as well as they need. There are several pages.

The Usui Retreat invitation: http://www.wisechoices.com/usuiretreat.html
How the Retreat started: http://www.wisechoices.com/usui_start.html
The Retreat Options: http://www.wisechoices.com/usui_options.html

You will be directed to pick up the meditations each week at our Wisechoices forum. You can get there using this link. http://www.wisechoices.com/forum/default.asp

You are welcome to post your experiences on the forum once you sign up as a member. It is all marked and easy to follow on the forum page.

I went to Bronwen and Frans’ web pages to copy part of their introduction and ended up giving it all to you because they are such an interesting and dedicated Reiki couple as well as teachers. What their pages have not said is that they are amazing parents as well. It is my wish that you take them into your heart as I have and enjoy this retreat as much as I know I will.

It is my sincere pleasure to introduce you to Frans and Bronwen Stiene.

Reiki Masters Frans and Bronwen Stiene (pronounced stee-nuh) are authors of the internationally acclaimed The Reiki Sourcebook, and The Japanese Art of Reiki and are the founders of the International House of Reiki.

With over 16 years of combined experience as practitioners, teachers and speakers in healing and spirituality they have worked with, taught and researched healing in the USA, Europe, Asia, Australia and Japan. They are teachers whose passion is truth, education, support and spiritual development for all.Frans is from Holland and Bronwen from Australia. They met in 1989 and have shared their lives together since then in both their homelands. After living in Holland for seven years together they decided to embark on a spiritual search for a deeper connection to life and headed to India. In their first year there they studied a western form of Reiki called Usui Reiki in Katmandu, Nepal and then went on to open a Reiki centre in Darjeeling in the Indian Himalaya. Reiki had changed the direction of their lives forever.

Reiki House was the name of their Darjeeling centre and for a year they treated many locals from Darjeeling itself and traveled out into the tea villages. In the villages they volunteered their services to treat everyone from tea pickers, to school teachers to plantation owners and also helped to set up a small Reiki healing centre at one village. Here the practitioners were taught Reiki by Frans and Bronwen and then supported in opening a weekend healing centre to help their families. Frans and Bronwen also participated in treating patients at village eye camps where over 30 people would be operated on in one day by just one doctor who also volunteered his services. The patients were amazed at the benefit of receiving Reiki after the operations and it was a great joy to be able to participate in such events. Westerners traveling through Darjeeling also took advantage of having a ‘local’ Reiki centre and Reiki courses were held twice a week from Reiki House. Reiki House became so popular it was even written up in the Indian Lonely Planet

From India, Frans and Bronwen decided to head back to Australia for the birth of their daughter. It never crossed their minds that they wouldn’t continue teaching and practicing Reiki and soon the International House of Reiki was up and running in Sydney, Australia. It was at this time that they realized that the Usui Reiki that they had been taught was a mixture of varied systems – not just Reiki. The term Usui Reiki appeared to be a generic name for anything taught since about 1980 in the West. But what were the roots of the system? What was its original purpose? These questions inspired them to begin researching the system. Sifting through the different information they realized that the answers were not to be had in the West and they eventually traveled to Japan in 2001.In Japan they arranged to meet with various Japanese Reiki Masters, visited Usui Mikao's memorial stone in Tokyo as well as other spiritual energy sites such as Mt Kurama and Mt Hiei near Kyoto. In their attempt to learn more about the origins of Usui's teachings, Frans has also studied an early spiritual practice developed by the founder of the system of Reiki, Usui Mikao in Florence, Italy. Both Frans and Bronwen currently study with Chris Marsh - a teacher of this earlier spiritual practice. Chris Marsh is a student of Suzuki san, a 109 year old Tendai nun who studied with Usui himself.

Frans and Bronwen are also certified Gendai Reiki Ho Shihans (Reiki Masters) which is a Japanese/Western school of Reiki run by Doi Hiroshi, Frans Stiene having studied with Doi Hiroshi in Japan. In 2003 they also trained as Komyo Reiki Masters with Japanese Reiki Master and Buddhist monk Inamoto Hyakuten who they had met in Japan and invited to Australia to teach. Today they teach Usui Reiki Ryoho, a system that attempts to teach the origins of the system or Reiki from a Japanese perspective. As interest in the original aspects of the system grows, Frans and Bronwen Stiene have found themselves teaching people from all around the world who are searching for truth and inner connectedness through these specific teachings.In 2005 Frans Stiene has once again visited Japan to continue researching into the system of Reiki.Since 2005 Frans Stiene has been teaching in North America and Europe and both having been giving talks on the subject of the system of Reiki.Frans and Bronwen's open, informal style of teaching has been an inspiration for students and clients throughout the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. Their aim is to provide students with the most comprehensive and up to date information about the system of Reiki as well as a strong energetic connection to Reiki's founder, Usui Mikao.They are referred practitioners and teachers of Australia's leading Reiki association; the Australian Reiki Connection. Bronwen Stiene is currently also vice-president of the Association.

In December 2003 Frans and Bronwens' research book, The Reiki Sourcebook, was published and has been an international success, currently in its fourth reprint. It has remained one of the top Reiki books sold through amazon since its release by UK publisher O Books.

In 2005, The Japanese Art of Reiki, Frans and Bronwens' second book was released. It is the first book of its kind to look at the practical elements of the system of Reiki from a Japanese, rather than Western, perspective.

In 2006, the Reiki techniques Card Deck was released. Develop your intuition and self-healing abilities by working with these 45 traditional and non-traditional Reiki techniques cards that are beautiful to look at, feel and use.

In 2006, the A-Z of Reiki Pocketbook was also published. It is a fabulous, everything-in-one handy pocketbook about Reiki. If you want to know the Reiki who, what, when, where and why then just look it up alphabetically!In March, 2007 Your Reiki Treatment was released. This a book that looks at what a client should expect prior to, during and after a Reiki treatment. An excellent book for both Reiki practitioners and clients!

It is Almost Usui Retreat Time

2007-06-06T08:45:00.000-05:00

Before writing this letter to you I sat in my meditation spot. My mood was certainly enhanced by the sunlight and how it played on the trees, the sound of the meditation fountain spilling over the crystals placed there and the sweet music of the windchime that hangs from the limb of the craggy old tree completed my peace filled expereince.

It is June already which means that in a few weeks the semi annual Virtual 21 day Usui Retreat will start. Mark you calendars for June 21st. The first meditation will go out then. This Retreat will feature Bronwen Stiene from the International House of Reiki in Australia. I have had the pleasure of staying with Bronwen and Frans in their home in the Blue Mountains a few years back. They both are wonderful teachers, facilitators and authors. Check out their web pages by using this link: http://www.reiki.net.au/

To read the invitation please use this link:
http://www.wisechoices.com/usuiretreat.html

To review how the retreat started and why use this link: http://www.wisechoices.com/usui_start.html

To review the practice for the retreat you may use this link:
http://www.wisechoices.com/usui_options.html

Please forward the invitation to people that you think would be interested. They can sign up to receive the notices by using the newsletter link:
http://www.wisechoices.com/newsletter.asp

Feeling Our Words

Words Have Weight

Words carry energy and this gives language its power and its potential to heal or hurt. Most of us can remember a time that someone sent a word our way, and it stuck with us. It may have been the first time we received a truly accurate compliment, or the time a friend or sibling called us a name, but either way it stuck. This experience reminds us that what we say has weight and power and that being conscious means being aware of how we use words.

The more conscious we become, the more we deepen our relationship to the words we use so that we speak from a place of actually feeling what we are saying. We begin to recognize that words are not abstract, disconnected entities used only to convey meaning; they are powerful transmitters of feeling.

For the next few days, you might want to practice noticing how the words you say and hear affect your body and your emotional state. Notice how the different communication styles of the people in your life make you feel. Also, watch closely to see how your own words come out and what affect they have on the people around you. You may notice that when we speak quickly, without thinking, or rush to get our ideas across, our words don't carry the same power as when we speak slowly and confidently, allowing those receiving our words time and space to take them in. When we carefully listen to others before we speak, our words have more integrity, and when we take time to center ourselves before speaking, we truly begin to harness the power of speech. Then our words can be intelligent messengers of healing and light, transmitting deep and positive feelings to those who receive them.

I am letting you know that I will be one of the guest speakers at a Reiki conference "Walking the Reiki Path in Gratefulness"Third Annual Greater Washington Reiki Conference, Friday, July 27 to Sunday, July 29, 2007

The Reiki Center of Greater Washington presents their annual conference, this year to be held at the Seven Oaks Pathwork Center in Madison, Virginia, about just over 100 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia and 30 miles from Charlottesville, Virginia. For more information and to register please use this link: http://www.reikicenter.info
I would love to see you all there.

And finally I am giving you the link to watch a terrific movie. I hope you enjoy it and that it touches your heart as much as it touched mine.

To Watch and Forward this Movie, simply go to www.MeditativeMovies.com/MayYouBeBlessed.htm

Remember always that as you bless others, you instantly receive the blessing...

Love and Blessings,
Mari

May's News

2007-05-06T02:45:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends and Family of Wisechoices and Mari Hall

After many months and e mails back and forth between the web designer, Katerina in Thessaloniki, Greece and myself in Houston, Texas our new Wisechoices web pages have been put up. We are still working out the the kinks that we find. I had been waiting to post a newsletter until I had the finished results to show you. My intention was there at least even though it took longer than I had imagined.

To see our new site follow this link. http://www.wisechoices.com

I have also moved into my new home, unpacked all the boxes from storage and have begun to reacquaint my self with treasured books and photos. I am also enjoying my garden complete with a meditation spot. It is heaven to sit outside and listen to the birds, the sound of the water running over the sides of the fountain and the wind chimes hanging in the craggy old tree. It has been 19 years since I have purchased my own place...My roots are growing deeper. I have been planting patio containers with flowers that spill out in multi colors. I am so blessed!

Our next 21 day virtual Usui Retreat will start on June 21st. I have a very special person to do the focus meditations this time. Stay tuned for further announcements. Here are some interesting articles that I am sharing with you. May your Spring be filled with sights, smells and sounds of newness and your heart be filled with joy.

Love and Blessings,

Mari

Each of us is a Vital Thread

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" the mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning:

There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse”, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The pig sympathized, but said, " I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow and said "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral; the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them. The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

And so, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember -- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

REMEMBER..... EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY; OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.

Pausing To Drink

Beauty Day

Sometimes we go through whole days without really tuning in to the beauty of nature that surrounds us. We have a habit of seeing it without really taking it in, yet once we begin to notice it we treat ourselves to an exquisite realm of subtle, complex scents, miraculous forms, and ethereal light. The natural world enriches our entire being through the vehicles of our senses. When we are low, nature lifts our spirits. When we are tired, it rejuvenates us-if we pause long enough to drink from its beauty. If you have fallen out of the practice of taking time to observe the light as it filters through the leaves of a tree, or the concentric rings a raindrop makes as it plops into a puddle, you can re tune yourself by dedicating a day to noticing the beauty in nature.

On this day, one possibility is to rise early enough to see the sunrise. Watching the sky change colors and the world emerge from darkness is an experience that will influence the whole rest of your day in ways that words cannot describe. Or simply observe the quality of the morning light as it infuses the world with its particular pale golden beauty. You may let the light play on your own hand, remembering that you are also part of the natural world. Let your intuition guide you to the elements of nature that call to you throughout the day, such as the sound of the wind as it shakes and sways a tree or the feeling of snowflakes landing on your warm eyelids and cheeks.

After you devote one day to opening your eyes more fully to the beauty of nature, you may want to make this part of your daily routine. Each day drink from the beauty all around you, and allow it to rejuvenate your entire being. All you have to do is pause, for just one minute, and really take it in, remembering to thank Mother Nature for her beauty.

Hearing the One Voice

Taking Counsel in A Circle

When we sit in a circle together and share our thoughts and feelings, we participate in a powerful, unifying practice whose origins stem from the very beginning of human time. All early cultures practiced some form of this ritual, which gives each individual in the group a voice, and at the same time reveals the one voice, and the ultimate unity, of the group. This profound and simple way of talking and listening has experienced a modern rebirth in counseling, social work, and spirituality.

Most circles benefit from the presence of a leader who opens the circle by calling in angels, spirit guides, and ancestors-beings of light who will be present with those taking counsel. The leader may announce a theme for the circle, or one may simply evolve from the unstructured expressions of each participant. The circle continues for as long as feels right, at which point the leader may summarize what has been said, perhaps leading everyone in a moment of silence before the circle disbands. One of the most powerful components of this work is the talking stick, which can be any object-a crystal, a flower, or a candle-that is passed around the circle from person to person. The person holding the object speaks until he has fully expressed his feelings, and no one else interjects, interrupts, or even responds until they are holding the stick. This enables people who have a hard time speaking out to express long buried feelings and points of view. This is powerful because in a! Community it is often what is not said or acknowledged that causes the most pain and suffering.

The circle, which contains no hard edges or angles, is the ideal container for these difficult truths. As we hear the many perspectives the subject at hand inspires, we begin to see that our individual truth is just one of many. Our own hard edges begin to soften as the circle flows from one person to the next, and each wave of words cleanses us of one more layer of mental and emotional armor, freeing us to be closer to the people around us. Try using counsel during your next family meeting, school class, or any setting where you feel a centering communication method is needed.

Returning Home

Open Heart

Spiritual teachers have always pointed to the heart as the seat of consciousness, and recently Western science has found evidence to support this realization. It turns out that the heart has its own central nervous system and is not simply under the rule of the brain as formerly believed. Anyone who has taken the time to explore the heart knows this and, more important, has realized that the heart is the source of our connection to a consciousness greater than the ego. Approaching life with an open heart means that we have opened the door to this greater consciousness, taking up residence alongside it in the seat of our soul. Fortunately, at this time there is a lot of support for this shift energetically as well as practically. To some degree, approaching life with an open heart is as simple as shifting your attention onto your heart.

Eventually you will be able do this any time, any place, but at first it may help to try it in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Simply sit with your eyes closed and draw your breath into your heart. As your breath expands your chest cavity, your heart expands and opens. You may feel tenderness or sadness in your heart, and you may also feel relief. Any emotions that arise can be effectively witnessed and healed through the meditation process, which benefits both your physical heart and your energetic heart. The more you practice, the more you will find your heart opening to your own presence and to all the situations your life brings.

When we open our hearts, they may feel tender and vulnerable, which simply means that they need our loving attention as we cleanse and heal them of past hurts and blockages. This process asks us to practice some of the heart's greatest lessons-patience, compassion, and unconditional love. On the other hand, we may take up residence as effortlessly as a bird returns to its nest. Either way, approaching life with an open heart simply means returning to our true home.

As if it Were the First Time
Paulo Coelho

I would like to believe that I am going to look on this new year as if it were the first time that 365 days have unfolded before my eyes. To see the people around me with surprise and amazement, happy to discover that they are by my side and sharing something so often mentioned and so seldom understood, called love.

I shall climb on the first bus that comes along without asking where it is going to and I shall get off as soon as I see something that catches my attention. I shall pass by a beggar who asks me for some spare change. Maybe I’ll give him something, maybe I’ll think that he will spend it on drink and just walk past – hearing his insults and understanding that that is the way he has to communicate with me. I shall pass by someone who is trying to wreck a telephone booth. Maybe I’ll try to stop them, maybe I’ll understand that they are doing that because there is nobody to talk to on the other side of the line and that is their way of chasing off loneliness.

On each of these 365 days I shall look at everything and everybody as if it were the first time – especially the small things that I am not used to and whose magic I have forgotten. The keys of my computer, for example, that move with an energy that I fail to understand. The paper that appears on the screen and for a long time has not been revealed in a physical manner, although I believe that I am writing on a white sheet where it is easy to make corrections by pressing a key. At the side of the computer monitor are some papers that I do not have the patience to put in order, but if I feel that they are hiding something new, than all these letters, memoranda, newspaper cuttings and receipts will gain a life of their own and will have odd stories of the past and the future to tell me. So many things in the world, so many paths trodden, so many entrances and exits in my life.

I am going to put on a shirt that I wear a lot and for the first time I shall pay attention to the label and the way it was sewn, and I am going to imagine the hands that designed it and the machines that changed this design into something material and visible.

And even the things that I am used to – such as my bow and arrows, the breakfast coffee mug, the boots that have become an extension of my feet after wearing them so much – will be coated in the mystery of discovery. Let everything that my hand touches, my eyes see and my mouth taste be different now, although they been the same for many a year. In that way they will no longer be still-lifes and start to convey the secret of having been with me for such a long time, and they will show me the miracle of coming into touch again with emotions already worn down by routine.

I want to look at the sun for the first time, if the sun comes out tomorrow, or at cloudy weather, if tomorrow is overcast. Above my head there is a sky for which all of humanity - over thousands of years of observation - has given a series of reasonable explanations. Well, I shall forget everything I have ever learned about the stars, and they will once more turn into angels, or children, or anything else that I feel like believing in at the moment.

Time and life have changed everything into something perfectly understandable – and I need mystery, the thunder that is the voice of an angry god rather than just a simple electric discharge that sets off vibrations in the atmosphere. I want to fill my life again with fantasy, because an angry god is far more curious, frightening and interesting than a phenomenon of physics.

And finally, let me look at myself on each of these 365 days as if it were the first time that I was in contact with my body and my soul. Let me look at this person who walks, feels and talks like any other, let me feel surprised at his most simple gestures, like chatting to the mailman, opening his correspondence, contemplating his wife sleeping at his side, wondering what she is dreaming about.

And so I shall remain what I am and what I like to be, a constant surprise to myself. This I who was not created by my father or by my mother, nor by my school, but by all that I have lived so far - suddenly I forgot and am discovering it all over again.

Week Three of the Usui Retreat- January 4, 2007

2007-01-04T06:44:00.000-06:00

Welcome to week three of the Usui Retreat. It is my wish that your journey always lead you to places unexpected; may you find wonder and awe at every turn. May your awareness be such that you see that the path you are on is one you have chosen and where new decisions must be made, your faith in your self and in the universe frees you to make the ones required.

May peace, happiness and blessing follow you all the days of your life and to wherever your path takes you and may you rediscover things lost and have new experiences of happiness, fulfillment and success.

Wishing that each new day in 2007 and beyond be better and better and better.

Happy New Year…

And now are you ready to begin?

I want you to do something different and unique. I want you to release all the positive memories you are holding on to from your past. Are you holding on to the best Christmas you remember? Or the best present you ever received? Could it be your first car or favorite home, your first great love or your proudest moment? Maybe it is happy, loving times with your family, best tasting food, beautiful sunsets, flowers…release it all.

How many of you are holding these positive past events and feelings and using them to judge every experience you create today? Are you comparing every kiss or embrace today to an experience you had in the past? Release every positive experience from your past that is keeping you from being in the present moment and experiencing things as if for the first time.

During the release, make an intention to keep the wisdom, joy, and love from these positive past events. All you're doing is releasing the energetic charges you are holding on to which are still causing you to have judgments and comparisons today.

Once you've released all the charged positive experiences from your past, shower or bathe with fresh water.

Positive experiences often have more of an energetic charge than your fears. Think about it. We do our best to heal the negative things from our past, but we do not realize we are also comparing positive experiences. Releasing all charged memories is a helpful technique to aid us in staying present in the moment.

By letting go of even the good memories and allowing us to be present in the moment of This Holiday season, just for it, we will have a choice we may have never had before. We will have the choice of LOVE, the space where miracles can occur.

We are motivated to see our efforts through to their natural end when we can envision the brighter future these endeavors are calculated to bring about. It is easy to become discouraged when we are not quite sure how the outcome of our labors will affect our lives because the potential for negativity is omnipresent. Visualizing precisely what we hope to achieve empowers us to focus on primarily positive probabilities throughout the whole of the goal-realization process. When we feel disheartened by circumstances that interfere with our forward momentum, we need only call our image of success to mind to feel once again enthusiastic about the path we have chosen to follow. Because you are focusing on the fulfillment of your ambitions today, challenges in the present will have no power to adversely affect your mood.

To finish I want to encourage you to journal your experiences…. Mapping The Inner Journey using Journaling As Meditation.

Of the countless forms of meditation we can use, journaling offers its own unique benefits. Most meditations help empty the mind of concerns and bring positive ideas from our mental landscape, but journaling helps us anchor that experience in the material world. Not every person is attracted to meditating in seated silence, and journal meditation is a nice alternative as an active meditation. It allows us to trace our journey and see where we have grown and what lessons we may be repeating. By employing a different part of the brain than creative or inspired thought, writing or typing a journal can create a greater sense of connection and union with our physical selves and the world around us.

In working through challenges, it can be helpful to first empty all worries from our heads onto the safe pages of our journal. Fears can be brought to light rather than allowing them to haunt the dark corners of our subconscious. We may even feel heaviness dissipate once our heads are free from clutter, leaving space for inspiration and the creation of positive images in their place. Often in the process of writing out all the details of an event that troubles us, something that had been forgotten will come to the surface, providing a missing piece of the puzzle. Then we can truly begin to come up with answers, and write them down beside the worries to map the way from concern to constructive thought.

For capturing guidance and flashes of inspiration, journaling is ideal. This is especially true in the case of dreams, which often fade as we awaken. While working toward goals, keeping track of progress as well as guidance from readings or divination tools can be encouraging. Though it can be difficult to keep all of our guidance in the front of our minds, if we write it down it can serve as a reminder whenever we need it. We can also use our journals to converse with our higher selves or even the universe. Journaling offers yet another way to unburden mind and spirit, while also creating a record of the present and preserving our hopes and dreams for the future.

From my heart to yours,
Blessings and Love,
Mari

I thought you may be interested in this experiement…please read on.

Hello Dear Friends,

I hope everyone had a great and prosperous year. I know I look
forward to seeing next year be even more prosperous. I've been very
busy these past couple years investigating Reiki's roots in Japan,
and have been very fortunate to meet and study with some of the top
Japanese Reiki Masters.

To close out an incredible year I want to invite each of you and
all your friends to join me in a Reiki Experiment.

On January 6, 2006 4:00PM Eastern Time all Reiki practitioners
are invited to send Distant Reiki to:

Empower your goals for the year
Empower everyone else who participates goals
Heal the Planet

We have some scientific equipment in place to measure the effects
from the experiment. You can read more about that on the website. All
the details and location of the goal box are there. Please forward
this email along to anyone you might feel would be interested in
joining us.

http://www.distantr eikiexperiment. org

Many Blessings,
Anthony Glenn Agee, TRM

Usui Retreat- Week Two, December 28, 2006

2006-12-28T06:31:00.000-06:00

Welcome back to the 2nd week of the Usui Retreat.

A special note: The Life Training Program is now The More To Life Program

Since writing about The Life Training program last week I have been asked by several people just what it is. The name has been changed since I did the training in 1983 to the More to Life program. More To Life courses teach practical tools and skills that help you connect with your best self whenever you choose and grasp more of the creative possibilities in every life situation. I highly recommend this program to everyone…it certainly gave me the tools to have more to my life.

I am sharing a process that a gifted spiritual teacher named Ken Page and his wife teach. It is excellent and naturally follows on from our first week together.

This Holiday season, you are being given a GIFT. Each Holiday past holds a memory, good or sad. Some of you may even hold the memory of one holiday that was truly wonderful, often comparing each following holiday season. The holding on to that memory can bring about disappointment, resulting in the emotion of sadness. This holiday season, let go of ALL memories of holidays past by using the following simple 'Pattern Release Technique':

Old energy patterns can keep you out of the present moment. A good time to use this technique is while taking a bath, so plan for fifteen to thirty undisturbed minutes. Take off your jewelry, including your rings. Light a candle to represent a spiritual person you admire, such as Krishna, Sai Baba, Moses, Jesus, Mother Mary, or Buddha. Picture them with you. Feel the unconditional love this spiritual person reflects and recognize that place of love inside yourself.

Stare at the flame and release old feelings, thoughts, programs, issues, and fears. Allow them to flow through you. Say them either out loud or in silence. Your intention to clear yourself is most important.

Begin by releasing the things you are afraid of, such as losing your job, getting older, being poor, sick, or alone. Next release thoughts, feelings, and emotions you are holding, such as guilt, anger, hate, abandonment, separation, betrayal, grief, sorrow, or sadness. Release feelings of being helpless, hopeless, used, or trapped. Release feelings of pain and jealousy. Release all the feelings and projections of others that you have bought into. During the release, make an intention to keep the wisdom gained from these events and your feelings. Above all use your Reiki hands to respond to areas in your body that are cold, warm and/or dense (this is where reactive energy has been stored)

Once you've released all the charged negative and positive experiences from your past, shower or bathe with fresh water. Give thanks for the opportunity to let go and make more space in yourself. It may help to journal about your experience…once you are dried off and all bundled up after your bath that is.

Here is a wonderful site with a beautiful and meaningful song to hear. Follow this link;
http://www.ichooselove.org/ I choose Love!

I am looking forward to being with you next week. Have a wonderful entry into the New Year.

Love, Mari

Usui Retreat - December 21, 2006

2006-12-21T08:24:00.000-06:00

Bird calls

Present with bird calls
We fly together
Beyond spaciousness
and words....,

(Songbird)

Rather than giving you three different meditations this retreat. I have decided to give you some areas to focus on and work through. I like to think of it as spiritual weeding the garden time in order to plant new flowers for next year. Perhaps your mind is saying that you do not have time to do this or that you want to wait until after the retreat that is fine. We live in exciting and fast times however, doing this is a great gift that you give yourself; and you are worth doing the work for.

Annual Life Review

At the end of every year I do a annual life review to see how much of my energy is devoted to what makes me feel alive and also on the things that drain my energy that do not support me.

For a long time I have felt that the winter months have been given to us so that we can take the time to go more inside of ourselves. Just as in the winter when the branches on the trees are bare, the life is deep inside the branch. By being inside ourselves and taking the time to review our lives we can then make internal and external changes, because we see that the old structure, beliefs or time spent that does not nourish us and is not what we want or need. We then can move forward in a new year which is filled with promises that we can keep.

In cultures through out the world people make a resolution for the New Year to bring about change. Often times this may be the resolution to lose the extra weight that we seem to put on with all the Christmas cookies and rich food we eat during the holiday time. We begin the year full of good intentions and ending up mentally beating ourselves up because we did not keep our promises. I went through that for many years until I started doing the annual life review. With this information I could see and feel the necessity for change and move into those changes out of a strong desire to live my life in a different way.

So I have decided to share the process of the annual life review with you. Perhaps you will want to take the time to answer these questions. It is worth regularly spending time on the exercise. Be careful to distinguish what YOU want from what your family, friends or partner think you should want. Bear in mind that we can keep changing our goals, but unless we have a destination in mind, we are unlikely to set off on the journey at all.

Make a list of any activities that make you feel really alive, activities that absorb you so that time seems to dissolve, or which give you a sense of inner peace and satisfaction. What do you really enjoy? What makes your heart glow and your spirit dance? IS it a walk in the forest, gardening, reading a novel, and writing poetry? Listening to music, chatting with friends, and painting, jogging, making love or traveling to new places? Perhaps it is doing charity work or playing with children? Could it be certain aspects of your job? Which PEOPLE make you feel good? Make sure the list is based upon how you feel now, not upon what you used to enjoy, or think you should enjoy, or what other people like to do.

Next make a second list of any activities (or People) which deaden or deplete you, which leave you feeling tired, board or under stress.

Now assess how much of your life is devoted to each list. Does this reflect how "alive" or "dead" you feel? How might you begin to change the balance so that you feel more and more energized?

2) Review your life, and where it is going:
* What are your secret ambitions (large and small)?
* What are your strengths, talents and abilities?
* What does, or would, give your life meaning and purpose?
* What personal qualities do you wish to develop?
* What is your ideal lifestyle?
* What do you wish to experience in life?
* What do you need- physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually?
* Is your work (whether paid or unpaid) just a way of paying the rent, or is it important to you as a person?
* Are you learning and growing in everyday life?
* Is your life challenging enough? Relaxing enough? Loving enough?
* If you knew you only had five years to live, what would you do?

Remind yourself that: this is not a dress rehearsal for life. This is IT! How do you want to create your life now?

What you can do, or dream you can, begin it: Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
(Goethe)

The other part of the annual review that I do at the end of the year is to undertake a process that I learned in the "Life Training" program. I write down a list of all the people I have had a judgment about, or not forgiven for something. In fact anyone I have had the least amount of ill will towards. Beside each name I write the result of this action (payoff) and how I have behaved, it could be one of the following or more: victim, superior, confused and what was the cost of holding on to this anger, resentment or pain in terms of my own energy, how has this situation affected me mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I allow my self to feel the pain of separation, the cost of being so right in my judgments.

Then I write a letter to each person and tell them how I have reacted. I take full responsibility for my part in any and all of the situations and I ask for their forgiveness, while also forgiving them for what I think they have done to me. If it is possible I go and speak to them face to face and to be heart to heart. Wiping the slate clean, putting forgiveness where there was judgment, light where there was darkness.

Your mind may be saying that it is nearly impossible to do any of this, but it is not impossible. I had thoughts like that myself the first time I did this review, but soon realized how much better I felt and how much clearer my life seemed to be afterwards. It had been worth all the effort so that the past was truly past. The future is ahead and I am in this moment in the NOW.

The beauty and power and the joy in life is not in what happens, it is in the motion, in the movement, and in the constant process of change. Joy is the incredible dance of life. We always know what the next step of our lives should be; which area of our lives needs to be resolved, and where we need to find the courage and self love to start moving.

I encourage you to stop dragging your past along with you as you try to create a future. It is almost time to make those New Years Resolutions for 2007. Take the time to stop and review your life and make the changes necessary so that you can truly enjoy the dance of life and all the pleasure life brings.

Looking forward to being with you next week……I would love to hear what you discovered and how you were feeling.

Love, Mari

A December Message from Mari

2006-12-17T16:07:00.000-06:00

Hello my Dear Friends and Family,

I want to remind you that the Usui Retreat will start on the 21st of December…just a few days away. I am doing something a bit different in the retreat space this year. I will be giving you a little spiritual gardening to do.

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays also comes searching for that perfect gift. The following article is meaningful and will give you some great suggestions. Why not take some time to just chill out and read the newsletter and give yourself permission to recharge your batteries and touch back into your spiritual wellspring.

Expressions of the Heart
Creating Meaningful Homemade Gifts

The gifts we craft with our own hands are often the most significant because the love that drove us to create is infused in the products of our creation. And the recipients of these homemade offerings receive a token of our willingness to invest ourselves in their joy. Allow these ideas to inspire you:

1. When you craft a beautifully decorated prayer box (or jar) for loved ones, you give them the gift of spiritual awareness. As you share this gift, explain that it should serve as a receptacle for their hopes, dreams, and loves—as well as worries—and thus a reminder of who they were, are, and will someday be.

2. If you love journaling, share your writing joy with family and friends by giving each a unique, handmade personal journal. A simple spiral notebook dressed up with paper, fabric, photographs, or other embellishments will give your loved ones a special place to record their private thoughts.

3. Erase the distance between yourself and your far away loved ones by presenting each with a photo journal documenting how your life has changed in the past year. Or introduce them to your locale with a homemade guidebook that highlights everything you love about your town or city.

4. When you sew medicine bags for the people you care about, you can rest assured your gift will always be close to their hearts. A small pouch can be filled with many meditative or symbolic items, such as quartz crystals, sage, or magical objects.

5. A progressive photo album, wherein pictures tell the story of your relationships from the past up to the present, can be a simple yet poignant reminder of the many wonderful experiences you and your loved ones have shared over the years.

6. Give the gift of serenity with a guided meditation you create and record to CD or tape. Your loved ones will take pleasure in being led through tranquil landscapes by the soothing sound of your voice.

7. Hand-crafted ornaments that can be hung on trees, in windows, and on walls afford you an opportunity to surround the important people in your life with beauty. Whether you prefer to work with clay, crystals, fabric, baked dough, or natural objects, your gift can serve as a calming focal point in your loved ones’ homes. Whether you choose to give a gift or simply share your friendship and love, remember that it is the intention behind the thought that is most important.

Hidden Gems
Experiences We Don’t Understand

Sometimes we have an experience that we don’t understand, but if we look deeply, or wait long enough, a reason for that experience will usually reveal itself. All the events in our lives lead to other events, and all that we have manifested in this present moment is the result of past events and experiences. We cannot easily tease apart the many threads that have been woven together to create our current reality. Experiences that don’t make sense, as well as any that we regret, are just as responsible for the good things in our lives as the experiences we do understand or label as “good.”

This is especially important to remember at times when we feel directionless or unsure of what to do. It is often at times like these that we take a job or move to a place without really knowing if it’s the right thing to do. We may ultimately end up leaving the job or the place, but often during that time we will have met someone who becomes an important friend, or we may have an experience that changes us in a profound way. When all the pieces of our life don’t quite make sense, we can remember that there may be some hidden gem of a reason that we are where we are having the experiences we are having.

It’s fun to look back on past experiences with an eye to uncovering those gems—the dreadful temporary job in a bland office building that introduced you to the love of your life; the roommate you couldn’t tolerate who gave you a book that changed your life; the time spent living in a city you didn’t like that led you into a deeper relationship with yourself. Remembering these past experiences can restore our faith in the present. Life is full of buried treasures. Chances are, you’re sitting on some right now.

Let Go And Let Flow
Taking A Leap Of Faith

Many people, in heeding the guidance of their souls, find themselves contemplating goals that seem outrageous or unattainable. In the mind's eye, these individuals stand at the edge of a precipice and look out over the abyss at the fruit of their ambition. Some resist the urge to jump, paralyzed by the gap between their current circumstances and the life of their dreams. Others make a leap of faith into the unknown, unsure of what they will encounter but certain that they will gain more in their attempts than they would bowing to self-protective instincts. This leap can be exceedingly difficult for individuals with control issues because the act of embracing uncertainty requires them to trust that surrender will net them the rewards they seek. Yet when you make a leap of faith, believing without a doubt that you will land safely on the other side, you can accomplish almost anything you set out to do.

There have no doubt been times in your life when you chose to go where the universal flow took you. Yet you may encounter instances in which your objectives require you to step outside of the boundaries of your established comfort zone so that you may freely and actively jettison yourself into a new phase of your life. While you may fear what seems to be the inevitable fall, consider that in all likelihood you will find yourself flying. A successful leap of faith requires your attention, as it is the quiet and often indistinct voice of your inner self that will point you toward your ultimate destination. Understand that the leap across the chasm of ambiguity may challenge you in unforeseen ways but you will make it across if you trust yourself.

If your mind and heart resist, you can dampen this resistance by building a bridge of knowledge. The more you know about the leap you are poised to take, the smaller the gap between "here" and "there" will appear to be. Your courageous leap of faith can lead you into uncharted territory, enabling you to build a new, more adventurous life. Though you may anticipate that fear will be your guide on your journey across the abyss, you will likely discover that exhilaration is your constant companion.

Working From Center
In The Thick Of It

When we are "in the thick of it," overwhelmed by too many things that need our attention, it's important to remember that we are never given more than we can handle. When life's challenges make us question this, our best coping mechanism is to follow the reliable and well-known course to our calm center and anchor ourselves there. It is for these times that we have been practicing regularly, so that our mind, body, and spirit will know how to find the peace within. Even in the midst of seeming chaos, a deep breath can help us turn within to find the space to work from, the calm at the center of the storm.

Tapping into our inner resources we begin again, bringing our focus to the needs of the present moment. Asking "why?" shifts our energy away from the task at hand. We can seek answers to those questions once we get to the other side of the present challenge. For now, we accept what is. Once we have collected scattered energy and created space, inspiration will strike, help will arrive, and what seemed impossible will either become possible or we will find it has become unnecessary. The flow of the universe and its perfect order has room to move in our lives when we get ourselves and our extraneous thoughts out of the way.

After the thick has become thin again, we have the opportunity to learn from the situation with a better idea of our true capabilities. We can now ask ourselves the "why" questions with the goal of fine-tuning our lives. Perhaps we have taken on more than is ours to do or made commitments out of obligation rather than insight. It could just be the ebb and flow and life, or we may be receiving life lessons on a fast track in preparation for something wonderful to come. But when we have a chance to make new choices, we know the best ones are made when we work from center.

Life
Your Perfect Teacher

Many of us long to find a spiritual teacher or guru. We may feel unsure of how to practice our spirituality without one, or we may long for someone who has attained a higher level of insight to lead the way for us. Some of us have been looking for years to no avail and feel frustrated and even lost. The good news is that the greatest teacher you could ever want is always with you-that is your life.

The people and situations we encounter every day have much to teach us when we are open to receiving their wisdom. Often we don't recognize our teachers because they may not look or act like our idea of a guru, yet they may embody great wisdom. In addition, some people teach us by showing us what we don't want to do. All the situations in our lives, from the insignificant to the major, conspire to teach us exactly what we need to be learning at any given time. Patience, compassion, perseverance, honesty, letting go-all these are covered in the classroom of the teacher that is your life.

We can help ourselves to remember this perfect teacher each day with a few simple words. Each morning we might find a moment to say, "I acknowledge and honor the teacher that is my life. May I be wise enough to recognize the teachers and lessons that I encounter today, and may I be open to receiving their wisdom." We might also take some time each day to consider what our lives are trying to teach us at this time. A difficult phase in your relationship with your child may be teaching you to let go. The homeless person you see every day may be showing you the boundaries of your compassion and generosity. A spate of lost items may be asking you to be more present to physical reality. Trust your intuition on the nature of the lesson at hand, work at your own pace, and ask as many questions as you want. Your life has all the answers.

A beautiful site that explains a spiritual experience, take the time to be inspired.

http://www.support4change.com/spirit/explaining.html

Serving The Higher Self
The Ego

In most spiritual circles, the ego gets a pretty bad rap. The reason for this is that the ego, to some extent, is the principle in our psyches that separates us from one another, while spirit is the principle that shows us that no such separation exists. Sometimes the ego is depicted as an almost demonic figure that keeps us from realizing our true nature. But at its most basic, the ego is simply a tool that helps us organize the various aspects of our personality so that we can function in the world. In this sense, the ego is simply a way for us to understand and attend to ourselves at the same time as we understand and attend to the world around us. The ego is a tool that we use to navigate the world.

Perhaps the problem is that the ego sometimes gets out of control. This happens when the higher-self loses control of the psyche. The psyche then falls under the leadership of the ego, an entity that was never meant to lead. The ego is meant to be definitively in the service of the higher self. When this relationship is functioning, the ego is a useful intermediary representing the whole self but not thinking that it is the whole self. Then, it is almost as if the ego is the self playfully pretending to be the separate entity called “I.” Like an actor, the ego plays the roles that the world asks us to play in order to be part of the program. In this way, the ego can be a tool enabling us to be in the world but not of it.

As long as we are in touch with our higher selves, our egos are not a threat. They are simply useful tools in the service of spirit. We keep our egos in check when we continually nurture our awareness of who we really are. Then our egos are free to serve without trying ineffectually to rule. It is healthy to have ego, but like all things in life, ego functions best when it is in balance and harmony with your whole self. "Go back to those times in your life when you came to a crossroad. Your life changed abruptly. You lost someone you loved. You found and committed to a new partner. You had a new baby. You moved geographically. You ran into someone that completely changed your belief system with the fullness and richness and total unconditional-ness of their love for you.

Revisit each of those times in your past to uncover 'godwinks' that were sent to you even if you weren't paying attention; make a list of these 'coincidences' and answered (even if to unexpressed) prayers. This is what you'll discover: when there were multiple paths that your life could've followed, there were always signposts of reassurance - godwinks of personal communication - to you and to no one else on Earth.Here's more good news! The map of winks from God will continue to unfold long into your future if you just look for them. They are experienced to the extent you're open to and seeking them. And acknowledge, finally, that He is communicating directly with you."

-- Squire Rushnell, in When God Winks at You

Have a beautiful and meaningful Holiday Season,

Love, Mari

The Full and True Beauty

2006-10-06T17:23:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends and Family,

They say fall is here, yet it is still warm in Texas so that it does not feel like it. I have been longing to see the brilliant colors of autumn leaves and find myself thinking of New England and Eastern Europe as both places have colorful falls and crisper air.

I was in Fredericksburg, Texas over last weekend and contented myself with the landscape and green, graceful Live Oak trees. I remember as a girl jumping in piles of brightly colored leaves. I would always gather as many different colors as I could find and press them in a book. It is still something that I do when I find myself in fall color. There is beauty everywhere when we choose to see it…looking in Fredericksburg last weekend I was graced with a silver rose bush in full bloom, a lovely fluffy cat asleep on the front porch step and the smell of newly mowed bailed hay. I enjoyed them all immensely. I will let you know when I have gathered my leaves!

Love and Blessings,
Mari

"People are a lot like stained glass windows -- the full and true beauty can only be seen when there is abundant light shining from within, and when the viewer is standing back enough to take in the whole view, the big picture, what the 'artist' actually had in mind. Up too close, with a critical eye, you see only the imperfections in the glass. Standing back, taking everything in, you see the stunning artistry of the Maker's intended message. Also, and not coincidentally, the darker the night on the outside (in the form of the world's chaos, conflicts, death, fear, and struggles), the brighter and more beautifully the windows show up."

--Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Our Inner Image

We can be so hard on ourselves regarding our self-image and surface appearance - are we beautiful enough, sexy enough, slender enough, smart enough, strong enough, successful enough? It can be exhausting, how harshly we measure ourselves, when underneath it all God made us equally precious (and yet unique) masterpieces.

This becomes most visible to others when we remember the truth of it, allowing our inner light to shine, and when the darkness of the world surrounds us, challenging us to "effulge." In the ordinary light of an ordinary day, where we often tend to go unconscious, we rarely truly see each other and often miss the point of life entirely. So, what does this naturally suggest?

Maybe it means that the key to life is "to shine forth most brightly, to radiate, or to beam" (the actual dictionary meaning of the word, "effulge"), consciously and proactively, from your depths, and to find the world's most bitter darkness that waits just for you in which to brighten and cheer things up with your own unique light and the very personal message that God gave you to share. He came here to teach us that - to let our light shine into the darkness of the world - but first we must find it, find Him, within ourselves, amidst our self-doubt and self-hate, and turn it on.
--Jim Spivey

Blessed With a Purpose

Your Life's Work

Many people are committed to professions and personal endeavors they never consciously planned to pursue. They attribute the shape of their lives to circumstance, taking on roles they feel are tolerable. Each of us, however, has been blessed with a purpose. Your life's work is the assemblage of activities that allows you to express your intelligence and creativity, lives in accordance with your values, and experience the profound joy of simply being yourself. Unlike traditional work, which may demand more of you than you are willing to give, life's work demands nothing but your intent and passion for that work.

Yet no one is born with an understanding of the scope of their purpose. If you have drifted through life, you may feel directionless. Striving to discover your life's work can help you realize your true potential and live a more authentic, driven life. To make this discovery, you must consider your interests in the present and the passions that moved you in the past. You may have felt attracted to a certain discipline or profession throughout your young life only to have steered away from your aspirations upon reaching adulthood.

Or you may be harboring an interest as of yet unexplored. Consider what calls to you and then narrow it down. If you want to work with your hands, ask yourself what work will allow you to do so. You may be able to refine your life's work within the context of your current occupations. If you want to change the world, consider whether your skills and talents lend themselves to philanthropic work. Taking stock of your strengths, passions, beliefs, and values can help you refine your search for purpose if you don't know where to begin.

Additionally, in your daily meditation, ask the universe to clarify your life's work by providing signs and be sure to pay attention. Since life's journey is one of evolution, you may need to redefine your direction on multiple occasions throughout your lifetime. For instance, being an amazing parent can be your life's work strongly for 18 years, and then perhaps you have different work to do.

Your life's work may not be something you are recognized or financially compensated for, such as parenting, a beloved hobby, or a variety of other activities typically deemed inconsequential. Your love for a pursuit, however, gives it meaning. You'll know you have discovered your life's work when you wake eager to face each day and you feel good about not only what you do but also who you are.

Learn and Let Flow

We Don't Need To Suffer

The idea that we have to suffer or live in poverty in order to be spiritual is an old one and can be found in the belief systems of many philosophies. Most of us carry this idea around subconsciously, and we may be holding ourselves back from financial or emotional well-being, believing that this is what we must do in order to be virtuous, spiritually awake, or feel less guilty for the suffering of others. While it's true that there can be a spiritual purpose to experiencing a lack of material well-being, it is rarely intended to be a permanent or lifelong experience.

What we are meant to find when material or emotional resources are in short supply is that there is more to our lives than the physical realm. Intense relationships and material abundance can distract us from the subtler realm of the spirit, so a time of deficiency can be spiritually awakening. However, once we recognize the realm of spirit, and remember to hold it at the center of our lives, there is no reason to dwell in poverty or emotional isolation. In fact, once our connection to spirit is fully intact, we feel so compelled to share our abundance that lack becomes a thing of the past.

If you find that you are experiencing suffering in some area of your physical life, perhaps your spirit is asking you to look deeper in your search for what you want. For example, if you want money so that you can experience the feeling of security but money keeps eluding you, your spirit may be asking you to understand that security is not to be found through money. Security comes from an unshakable connection to your soul. Once you make that connection, money will probably flow more easily into your life.

If relationships elude you, your spirit may be calling you to recognize that the love you seek is not to be found in another person. And yet, ironically, once you find the love, your true love may very well appear. If you feel stuck in suffering to live a spiritual life, try to spend some time writing about it. The root of the problem will appear and it may not be what you expected. Remember, the Universe wants you to be happy.

Following the Current

Going with the Flow

The expression going with the flow is a metaphor that applies to navigating a river. When we go with the flow, we follow the current of the river rather than push against it. People who go with the flow may be interpreted as lazy or passive, but to truly go with the flow requires awareness, presence, and the ability to blend one's own energy with the prevailing energy.

Going with the flow doesn't mean we toss our oars into the water and kick back in the boat, hoping for the best. Going with the flow means we let go of our individual agenda and notice the play of energy all around us. We tap into that energy and flow with it, which gets us going where we need to go a whole lot faster than resistance will. Going with the flow doesn't mean that we don't know where we're going; it means that we are open to multiple ways of getting there. We are also open to changing our destination, clinging more to the essence of our goal than to the particulars. We acknowledge that letting go and modifying our plans is part of the process. Going with the flow means that we are aware of an energy that is larger than our small selves and we are open to working with it, not against it.

Many of us are afraid of going with the flow because we don't trust that we will get where we want to go if we do. This causes us to cling to plans that aren't working, stick to routes that are obstructed, and obsess over relationships that aren't fulfilling. When you find yourself stuck in these kinds of patterns, do yourself a favor and open to the flow of what is rather than resisting it. Trust that the big river of your life has a plan for you and let it carry you onward. Throw overboard those things that are weighing you down. Be open to revising your maps. Take a deep breath and move into the current.

Managing the Power of Choice
Carolyn Myss, Ph. D., in Anatomy of the Spirit

"Managing the power of choice, with all its creative and spiritual implications, is the essence of the human experience. All spiritual teachings are directed toward inspiring us to recognize that the power to make choices is the dynamic that converts our spiritual intent into matter, our words into flesh.

Choice, and the intention and words that naturally follow, is the process of creation itself. The fact that our choices weave our spirits into events is the reason the major spiritual traditions are formed around one essential lesson: Make your choices wisely, because each choice you make is the genesis of a creative act of spiritual power for which you will be held responsible. Further, any choice made from faith has the full power of heaven behind it - that is why 'faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain.' And any choice made from fear is a violation of the energy of faith and will result in the experience of chaos, no matter what circumstances ensue.

We are both physical beings in a spiritual body and spiritual beings in a physical body, but since the physical world cannot be controlled, the task before us is to master our inner spiritual responses to the external world - those being our thoughts and emotions. Nevertheless, we all struggle in a seemingly never-ending cycle of disappointment in which we attempt to control our lives and the lives of others. We search endlessly for the one grand choice that will put everything in our lives into permanent order, halting the natural motion of change long enough to establish final control over everyone and everything. Is that the right career move? Is this the right marriage partner? Are we in the right location? In seeking this one right choice constantly, we give form to our fear of the changing rhythm that is life itself.

In looking for this single external circumstance, community, person or thing that that will forever bring us stability, peace, love, or health, we dismiss the more authentic power that lies 'behind our eyes and not in front of them.' The truth contained within the paradoxical nature of dualism is this: It is not what or who we choose that matters; our power to influence an outcome lies in our motivation or reasons for making the choices we make.

In learning about our motivations, we learn about the content of our spirits. Are you filled with fear, or are you filled with faith? Every choice we make contains the energy of either faith or fear, and the outcome of every decision reflects to some extent that faith or fear. This dynamic of choice guarantees that we cannot run away from ourselves or our decisions. And in order to learn about our motivations - to discover our own personal 'false gods' - we need relationships.

To form a relationship, we use some of our energy or personal power. Once the relationship is formed, we may ask, often unconsciously: Is this relationship drawing power from me, or am I drawing power from it? Where do I end, and where does the other person begin? What is my power, and what is the other person's power? Am I compromising myself, in exchange for status, safety, peace, or money? While these questions are essentially healthy, in most relationships we begin thinking in terms of psychologically divisive and conflict-inducing opposites: me or you, mine or yours, good or bad, winner or loser, right or wrong, legitimate or not, rich or poor.

Symbolically, these conflicts represent most people's relationship to God: my power or yours - are you really with me here on this earth, or must I try to control and manage things myself? And even if I do believe God is maneuvering behind the scenes, how do I know what choices to make? This primary conflict in and crisis of faith is present in every one of our relationships.

Paradoxically, our challenge in managing these conflicting energies is to maintain them in the consciousness of the inherent oneness of all that is. We begin this journey by exploring the conflict within our relationships: Relationships naturally generate conflict, conflict generates choice, choice generates movement, and movement generates more conflict. We break free of this vicious cycle only by making choices that transcend dualism and the perceived divisions between ourselves and others, and between ourselves and God.

So long as we focus on trying to control another person and forget that that person is a mirror reflecting back to us our own qualities, we keep conflict alive within ourselves. Seeing ourselves and others in symbolic union, however, help us to better first accommodate and then celebrate our perceived differences."

Exploring Divinity- the Reiki Way
V.N.Mittal

As a child I would sit through the ritual of Yagya (Hom) with my father for more than an hour as a passive participant The Vedic mantras chanted in the yagya, though, appeared musical to my innocent ears, yet were of little interest to me ,then, as I would understand neither their meaning nor their significance. What kept me waiting patiently as a silent witness was the Halwa (sweets) Prasad distributed after the observance. I failed to understand as to how could one conceive and meditate on something which was formless and not perceptible.

My visits to local temples further added to my dilemma rather than connect me to the Divine. Confusing images of God would conjure up in my adolescent mind, after noticing different deities installed on the altar. The Ram Leela enacted in my small town as an annual feature erected images and lasting imprints of Ram as God , the Mahabharata of Lord Krishna , Shiva’s lingam in a local temple that of Lord Shiva and so on. I was left completely mystified.

As I grew up, my quest became stronger and stronger. I sincerely looked for answers to end my confusion, whether to worship the deities or offer my prayers to a formless God. Just in that moment of my bewilderment, I invoked Reiki to guide my path, awaken in me the Divinity and ferry me to the realm of truth. With my self awareness thus provoked and stimulated by Reiki, I was on my way to experience the unfolding of the mystery.

In my usual prayers every morning, I would sit in my backyard doing my Gassho Meditation but this one proved fateful. While I sat there meditating on Mikao Usui’s Reiki precepts – the secret Mantra for achieving happiness, my eyes fell on a mango tree and its branches shooting out from its stem in all directions like the hands of a damsel dancing with joy. As I was appreciating the beauty of the form, my mind took me beyond the form through the vacant spaces between the branches. The sight of the passing clouds on the blue sky sent a thrill into me when I found surreal shapes rising out of the clouds and dismantling into formless again. And yet, the bizarre forms seemed to gather light in the dark dim centre of my mind to appear as real, full of life and blood, I could feel His presence emerging from formless to form and melting into formless again.

Shapes after shapes in all things that He has sculpted flashed upon my inward eye. Did God conceive and pre design them or they just emerged as gifts of His ingenuity to the mankind? The appearance of forms and then their melting into formless motivated me so much that I picked up my chisel and a flat piece of wood lying in my garden to carve out some unknown shape. Soon, I found myself sculpting the wood not knowing or conceiving in advance what would come out of my exercise. And lo, a meaningful form started emerging as I would dig deeper and deeper. Every stroke of the chisel seemed to bare the hidden beauty of the sculpture. A form was evolving from the formless converging into Nirakar [formless] again like the melting sculptures in the drifting clouds.

The two episodes obviously motivated by Reiki, made me realize that God is formless but assumes a form that a human mind conceives of. In fact God is beyond form and could be reached either through forms or without form. It is immaterial how one approaches Him, whether through form as a crutch or without form. What is important is to get started and sincerely explore Him with devotion, without reservation of any kind. Seek the blessings of Reiki to open the doors of your soul to the realm of bliss and to experience your true Divinity.

Check it out!
A web site dedicated for children in Reiki. It is so great to see little hands at work.

http://www.reikikids.com/

And finally take a few minutes click on this link and see this beautiful message.

4 Candles

I wish you Faith Hope Love and Peace today and everyday.

Blessings, Mari

Fall Synchronicity

2006-08-19T08:40:00.000-05:00

My Dear Friends and Family,

In Texas I can’t say that fall is in the air with temperatures of 100 plus. The only thing fall like is that my grandchildren have gone back to school. Of course when I was their age we went back to school after Labor Day and the air was certainly crisper in the North East of our country. But of course that was way back when. So there is a peace that has descended on the house during the day as the cats and I fill the space until they come home again. Stretching ahead is autumn and then winter; cycles of life to enjoy in so many various forms.

I love how synchronicity plays with me. I had been upset for not being able to do more of “The Work” and wondering just what “Life” was calling me out to do when this came to me today. It is an excerpt but certainly timely…it is about partnership and enrolling others into this beautiful dance of life.

“…as you inspire others to participate in charitable action, you cease to be an individual striving for a massive cause and become a member of a network of humanity championing for a manageable cause. You’ll see the results of your efforts immediately and take pride in your ability to recruit aides. When you ask others to become a part of your efforts today, you’ll be able to accomplish more than you believed possible.”

I have been having conversations lately with several people about self-forgiveness and that the real job is allowing that forgiveness into us. It seems that it is easy for us to forgive others, but harder to take their forgiveness in or to forgive ourselves for what we “Know” we did in the past or how we “Know” we are. I also received this reminder this morning…

"Many promising reconciliations have broken down because, while both parties came prepared to forgive, neither party came prepared to be forgiven."
-- Charles Williams

All I can say is Yes I am listening and I will do my work. Come join me in BEing the love and peace we wish to see and experience in the world!

The Wisdom Of Sharing
Stone Soup

There are many variations on the story of stone soup, but they all involve a traveler coming into a town beset by famine.

The inhabitants try to discourage the traveler from staying, fearing he wants them to give him food. They tell him in no uncertain terms that there's no food anywhere to be found. The traveler explains that he doesn't need any food and that, in fact, he was planning to make a soup to share with all of them.

The villagers watched suspiciously as he builds a fire and fills a cauldron with water. With great ceremony, he pulls a stone from a bag, dropping the stone into the pot of water. He sniffs the brew extravagantly and exclaims how delicious stone soup is. As the villagers begin to show interest, he mentions how good the soup would be with just a little cabbage in it. A villager brings out a cabbage to share. This episode repeats itself until the soup has cabbage, carrots, onions, and beets-indeed, a substantial soup that feeds everyone in the village.

This story addresses the human tendency to hoard in times of deprivation. When resources are scarce, we pull back and put all of our energy into self-preservation. We isolate ourselves and shut out others.

As the story of stone soup reveals, in doing so, we often deprive ourselves and everyone else of a feast. This metaphor plays out beyond the realm of food. We hoard ideas, love, and energy, thinking we will be richer if we keep to them to ourselves, when in truth we make the world, and ourselves, poorer whenever we greedily stockpile our reserves.

The traveler was able to see that the villagers were holding back, and he had the genius to draw them out and inspire them to give, thus creating a spread that none of them could have created alone. Are you like one of the villagers, holding back? If you come forward and share your gifts, you will inspire others to do the same. The reward is a banquet that can nourish many.

The following piece has the ring of truth.

The Choice is Ours.

With momentum building toward the election in November, I have been reflecting on “freedom,” “power,” many of the “rights” of which our forefathers spoke.

First, perhaps we need a mature, social consensus on what “freedom” and “power” really mean, not one that has been shaped by separated egos intent on using them to achieve their personal goals. What does “freedom” and “power” mean in a society that is evolving, having learned the lessons of the past and moving toward a future that is open and invites us to create something new.

We cannot project the undesirable state of affairs today onto those “in power,” which are making decisions that affect the world. This power could be better described as “force” as David Hawkins discusses in Power vs. Force. We each have god-given power waiting to be used for the good of the whole. When we, as a people, agree on a vision that serves all humankind, and merge that energy with that of others who share the vision, we have the power to make it happen. We have the freedom to choose. Will we continue to “pass the buck” or will we stand up and “be the change we wish to see in the world?”

We are at a critical crossroads. We are witnessing the breakdown in all the systems we have taken for granted in our love affair with acquisition and extravagant consumption of the world’s goods, which belong to all inhabitants. That which served us in the past is no longer working – its time has passed. We are invited to confront our feelings of fear and impotence, to discover who we really are and to discover those others who are ready to write a new script for the human family. Claiming, or reclaiming, our own power can produce results beyond anything we might imagine. We are limited only by our imagination. All that we take for granted today was once only a figment of someone’s imagination.

The media has a responsible role in our re-education. We cannot continue to allow the old script and trying to “fix” it, to drain us of energy that is waiting to be freed to give birth to the new vision that is rising. Around the world some amazing shifts are taking place (see www.evolve.org), which are rarely reported by the media. We need more of the “good news” to encourage, inspire and validate what is rising within the hearts and minds of those who are awakening, an awakening that would move us from adolescence to adulthood as a species.

The time is now and we are the ones. If not us, who? “Because we have the means and the opportunity to achieve an evolutionary bounce [rather than an evolutionary crash] being alive at this time confers on us a unique opportunity…. We are the leaders we have been waiting for…. We can get there together…. There is promise ahead.” (Promise Ahead; A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity’s Future, Duane Elgin)

We are both the cause and the cure for what is happening in our world today. We have the power and the potential to change things. The choice is ours.

From the SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE - 8.4.06
By Kelley Kelsey kelleykelsey@sbcglobal.net

Week Three Usui Retreat- Detachment

2006-07-04T18:03:00.000-05:00

Detachment

Jim Spivey is a coach and trainer here in Houston that sends out daily e-mail thoughts. Often I find that what he is writing about will dovetail with issues I am going through at that moment in my life. Our demands and expectations, I.E. attachments give cause to so much unhappiness in our lives that I have decided to use this as the final weeks focus in this our 10th anniversary of the Usui Virtual Retreat. Jim’s contact information is at the end of this letter.

Note: It will be helpful to have a journal and a pen ready to use after the meditation. It is also great if you can have someone read the meditation to you or that you prerecord it and play it back for yourself. When I first did this meditation I wrote down in my journal what I knew I was attached to and wanted clarification about.

But first some wise words on the subject of Attachment that Jim had shared...

"If you look carefully you will see that there is one thing and only one thing that cause unhappiness. The name of that thing is attachment. What is an attachment? It is an emotional state of desperate clinging caused by the belief that without some particular thing or some person you cannot be happy."

Anthony de Mello

"The fear of loss is a path to the dark side. … Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is. Train yourself to let go of everything and everyone you fear to lose. And yet, still love and give of yourself...”

Yoda, Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith

"Whenever you start to mention detachment, there is the severe risk of being misunderstood. More than that, it is a concept that takes living with and studying a long, long time before it clarifies. My present understanding is clouded by the fact that as much as I would like to lay claim to it, I am mostly anything but detached. ...Many seem to think that detachment basically means deprivation. ... For many, the Lenten practice of 'giving something up' serves as a useful penance and reminder of the sacrifice made for us. However, if most are like me, a great deal of thought is lavished on what is given up. That is, we feel the occasional craving for chocolate, or cigarettes, or whatever it is that we have given up, feeling the strong need we have for these enjoyments. We resist giving in, but have the promise that in another couple of weeks we can be back to normal.

While giving things up is training and strengthening the will in what detachment is about, it isn't detachment. And it has occurred to me that detachment is never an end in itself and it is a goal that is achieved only by means other than seeking it. ...

...detachment boils down to a right ordering of loves. ...

I am thinking more about it, and detachment may also be a training in the right ordering of thoughts and of ourselves in the universe. Detachment teaches us that what is 'ours' is really not ours and is only lent to us as we need it. Even 'my child' is 'the child who, through the grace of Creator, I hold in trust.'

Detachment teaches us to look through the surface of things and see behind them to the true wonder of the fact that they exist at all, all sustained by Creator’s gentle breath and will. ... I rejoice in the rose not for the rose but for what the rose whispers about who made her. I rejoice in the moment, because Creator is with me and within me, sustaining me and helping me see. That is detachment -- learning to love as Creator loves and because I abandon the need to own what I love, I can let it be what it truly is in Him, with no attachment."

Steven Riddle

Meditation on Attachments and Detachment
Using the Awareness of Your Breath

Sit or lay in a comfortable position. Have your journal and pen nearby so that it is easy to reach once you have finished. It is important that you do not fall asleep, but that you are relaxed. Have the intention in this meditative experience to come into a deeper and meaningful relationship with your attachments and becoming detached.

Close your eyes and begin to take deep, slow breaths. Inhale for a count of seven, hold your breath for a count of three, and then exhale for a count of seven. Do not force air from your lungs; allow it to gently leave you. Each in breath brings you to a deeper state of relaxation, each time to exhale you are letting go of all cares, thoughts, and concerns. In this space of time allow your body and mind to fully relax, your energy to expand knowing that you are perfectly safe…supported…and peaceful. If you hear any noise, it will not disturb you. In fact, it will help you to intensify this experience.

Anytime you feel yourself slipping from this state of relaxation, just take a slow, deep, inhaling breath and as you release it, mentally repeat the word “relax” and you will move back into a deep, abiding state of perfect peace.

Whatever thoughts you might have, allow them to drift past you as your mind empties of its chatter and relaxes even more. Do not resist anything. Acknowledge it and release it, allowing it to float away as you move into a deeper, more peaceful state of being…Nothing outside of how you feel right this moment even exists. You are at the deepest, most relaxed state of body and mind that you have ever experienced. You are totally relaxed… your heart rate, blood pressure, and number of breaths have been reduced significantly, leaving your body in a very relaxed state of perfect health and harmony.

Your breath is your lifeline to your physical body and connection to Spirit. Begin to visualize your breath coming in the top of your head and then out of your heart. Do this several times until it feels natural. Then breathe in through the middle of your forehead, which is called your Third Eye, bringing your breath down through your heart and out of the palms of your hands until this pattern feels natural.

Now breathe through the bottoms of both feet, allowing this breath of life to course through every cell in your entire body and out the top of your head. Take note of how you feel. Notice what you are feeling and what thoughts and emotions are coming up for you as you continue to breathe in this pattern.

Shift your attention from your breath and allow yourself to fully experience that you are traveling on a path that is loving and comfortable… Allow yourself to be fully aware of all your senses as you continue your journey… What do you see? Feel the weather on your face as you are walking. Do you feel a slight breeze, the warmth of the sun; what are you feeling and smelling as you continue your journey? Take in all the information about your journey, what all your senses see, feel, touch, and taste.

Ahead you see a door. Notice where it is and what it looks like, what it is made of. As you walk towards the door, you may feel as if this door is familiar, as if you have been here before. You feel perfectly safe and relaxed. How large is the door? Describe the door in your mind’s eye…Is it open or closed? Touch it. What does the door feel like? You know in all your being that the meaning the word you have chosen and how it applies in your life of will be clearer for you once you choose to see what is on the other side of the door. In order to do this, the door must be open and you must step through. Are you ready? Open to your highest and greatest good and step through….allow your mind’s eye to focus as you look around. What do you see? Is there someone there for you? … Feel yourself in the presence of a Being of Light and Love. In your mind’s eye there is someone stepping forward to guide you through your time here. You are open to this experience. Remember in detail how he or she is dressed and anything else that might help you to recognize them in the future.

Your guide motions you to follow and takes you into a space in a clearing. Many other beings are there emanating a great sense of peace and love that you intimately remember. They have taken their place with you to assist you with quick and easy processing of your question about attachments and becoming detached. You tell them that you are questioning about what you are attached to and why and how to become detached; ask them for guidance. They encircle you radiating loving energy to you and ask that you understand about loving and showing love in every aspect of your mind, body and spirit. You look at each aspect of your thoughts and experience thus far, accepting, loving, healing and integrating all of this “knowing” into you. You have some time in silence to experience this work (allow about two minutes to pass) When the process is complete, thank all who are there for the assistance they have given you. Now take a deep, cleansing breath and exhale …you will find yourself back at the doorway. Your guide is no longer there; however, you know that you can come back here at any time. You remember everything. You are expanded, full of wisdom, and ready to return and write in your journal about your experience.

Take a deep breathe and allow yourself to feel where you are sitting or lying. Feel your connection to this space and how your body feels in the present. Keeping your eyes closed, stretch your body slowly, then move your toes, fingers, and stretch out your arms and legs. When you are ready, slowly open your eyes. Immediately pick up your pen and begin to write in your journal while it is all fresh in your mind.

Honor yourself for your work…Being detached from others and out comes gives so much freedom to love and certainly opens the door to so much possibility. I appreciate the time you have taken these three weeks to work through the meditations, send energy to Mother Earth and be with yourself. As we know it is so important to take time to reconnect to our source and clear the space for more light to be there. I hope to see you in the near future. The next 21-day Virtual Usui retreat starts on December 21st

I am leaving you with a few more thoughts:

"Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, regardless of the surface appearance of their circumstances, and the total delight in the recognition."
-- Alexander Smith

"There is a story about a rich father who takes his son on a trip to the countryside to show him how poor some people are. They find and spend time with one particular family in their very simple home. The child is quiet through the whole trip and visit. On their way home, the father asks his son what he learned from it all, to which his son responds: 'Dad, I saw that we have one dog, and they have seven. We have a nice swimming pool in the back yard, but they have a really cool creek running behind their house, with fish and frogs and rocks and flowers. We have many fancy lights and colorful lanterns all around our property, but they can see countless stars at night. We have high walls for protection, but they have lots of good friends all around to look after them. Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are.”
Fr. Jerry Orbos

Love and Blessings,
Mari

Jim SpiveyRevolution Consulting2219 McDuffieHouston, TX 77019(713) 854-4848www.revolutionconsulting.com

"helping people come ALIVE, and thrive,in their personal and business relationships"

If you would like to listen to an interview with Mari with Bronwen Stein in Australia follow this link: http://www.reiki.net.au/copy.asp?id=PodcastMariH

Week Two Usui Retreat- Changing is Easy-Sustaining change is Hard

2006-06-27T18:16:00.000-05:00

Note: It will be helpful to have a journal and a pen ready to use after the meditation. It is also great if you can have someone read the meditation to you or that you prerecord it and play it back for yourself. When I did first did this meditation I also wrote down in my journal what points I wanted to include when I redefined my dream while still remaining open to what life slotted in.

Changing is easy. Sustaining change is hard.

Remember how few New Year's resolutions you have actually kept. Now think of 'change initiatives' in the business world. Change has become a way of life at work. Yet, for many of us somehow, the changes never seemed to really matter or last.

Could it be that expectations are part of the problem? We know most people live either in the past or in the future, hoping to dodge the responsibilities, opportunities, limits, and demands of the present moment.

I would like you to think of the handful of people you may know who had been through real change. Not a small adjustment that might have felt big at the time, but the real thing - dramatic, life-changing, to-the-core stuff. Probably in every case that you can think of, the person affected had grown significantly, especially in wisdom, tolerance, relational maturity, impact, and overall life effectiveness.

Constructive, real change made people BOTH stronger AND more loving. It helped them become better, healthier, more relational human beings. They moved forward in life with more confidence, peace, and a profound sense of purpose.

Perhaps it is time to redefine your dream. Not of what you'll do ...but of who you'll become.Remembered that famous question from your childhood: what are you going to be when you grow up? No one ever asked us who we would be when we grew up.

As an adult, the first question strangers usually asked us was, what do you do? I wondered why. Maybe it has to do with the need for visible success, and how we define it. This makes sense because almost everyone in business defines success by the balance sheet.Success is neither good nor bad. Success is neutral. How we define it leads us to goodness or deceit.

If the what precedes the who, we will more likely connect to a misguided personal meaning of success. Most often, it'll be tied to position and money.Don't misunderstand, there's nothing wrong with money or position. It's just a question of whether they are our means or our end. If they become our desired end, we will have most likely developed a subtle, but powerful addiction. This is not intentional; addictions are not deliberately created. But intentional or not, the results are the same. Most addictions become increasingly hard to support.

In the case of addiction to material success, we create a certain exclusive lifestyle within a certain exclusive community. If going up is seen as success, I can guarantee you that going down is seen and felt as a painful failure. We begin to need what we want, rather than want what we need. And much like the greyhound at the dog track, we will never catch the rabbit. That is, unless we are living intentionally.

Remember, no one's doomed forever in this life when they find themselves lost in this way. But it does take extraordinary courage to change directions. Addictions are always painful to abandon. The cure itself is always a challenge, and might seem more painful than the problem, but that's an illusion which reveals itself in time when everything starts to unravel in the world of relationships. It takes a disciplined mind to give up anything. There's a tremendous resistance that we must break through to move forward.

Think of the immense energy and momentum that it takes to launch a space shuttle and the resistance it met as it tried to leave, and then reenter Earth's atmosphere.It takes a strong person to define success by who (vs. what) he or she wants to become. You may reflect on the very few people you have known who had taken this road. Perhaps you know someone who had walked away from enormous financial gain to follow their heart in other ways. I remember Dave, one of the most brilliant individuals I met, who turned down lucrative offers from top law firms to join the navy in order to use his incredible mind to serve his country.

Work is only an arena where you can bring the who to life. Where you are is not nearly as significant as who you are. Life on the surface doesn't need a lot of documentation, it is when we take the time to dive deep we discover who we are.

The concept taken from…John G. Blumberg, in Silent Alarm

Perhaps it is time to redefine your dream. Not of what you'll do ...but of who you'll become.

Meditation on redefining your dream of who you will become
Using the Awareness of Your Breath

Sit or lay in a comfortable position. Have your journal and pen nearby so that it is easy to reach once you have finished. It is important that you do not fall asleep, but that you are relaxed. Have the intention that this meditative experience will help you redefine your dream of who you will become.

Close your eyes and begin to take deep, slow breaths. Inhale for a count of seven, hold your breath for a count of three, and then exhale for a count of seven. Do not force air from your lungs; allow it to gently leave you. Each in breath brings you to a deeper state of relaxation, each time to exhale you are letting go of all cares, thoughts, and concerns. In this space of time allow your body and mind to fully relax, your energy to expand knowing that you are perfectly safe…supported…and peaceful. If you hear any noise, it will not disturb you. In fact, it will help you to intensify this experience.

Anytime you feel yourself slipping from this state of relaxation, just take a slow, deep, inhaling breath and as you release it, mentally repeat the word “relax” and you will move back into a deep, abiding state of perfect peace.

Whatever thoughts you might have, allow them to drift past you as your mind empties of its chatter and relaxes even more. Do not resist anything. Acknowledge it and release it, allowing it to float away as you move into a deeper, more peaceful state of being…Nothing outside of how you feel right this moment even exists. You are at the deepest, most relaxed state of body and mind that you have ever experienced. You are totally relaxed… your heart rate, blood pressure, and number of breaths have been reduced significantly, leaving your body in a very relaxed state of perfect health and harmony.

Your breath is your lifeline to your physical body and connection to Spirit. Begin to visualize your breath coming in the top of your head and then out of your heart. Do this several times until it feels natural. Then breathe in through the middle of your forehead, which is called your Third Eye, bringing your breath down through your heart and out of the palms of your hands until this pattern feels natural.

Now breathe through the bottoms of both feet, allowing this breath of life to course through every cell in your entire body and out the top of your head. Take note of how you feel. Notice what you are feeling and what thoughts and emotions are coming up for you as you continue to breathe in this pattern.

Shift your attention from your breath and allow yourself to fully experience that you are traveling on a path that is loving and comfortable… Allow yourself to be fully aware of all your senses as you continue your journey… What do you see? Feel the weather on your face as you are walking. Do you feel a slight breeze, the warmth of the sun; what are you feeling and smelling as you continue your journey? Take in all the information about your journey, what all your senses see, feel, touch, and taste.

Ahead you see a door. Notice where it is and what it looks like, what it is made of. As you walk towards the door, you may feel as if this door is familiar, as if you have been here before. You feel perfectly safe and relaxed. How large is the door? Describe the door in your mind’s eye…Is it open or closed? Touch it. What does the door feel like? You know in all your being that the question you have and how it applies in your life of will be clearer for you once you choose to see what is on the other side of the door. In order to do this, the door must be open and you must step through. Are you ready? Open to your highest and greatest good and step through….allow your mind’s eye to focus as you look around. What do you see? Is there someone there for you? … Feel yourself in the presence of a Being of Light and Love. In your mind’s eye there is someone stepping forward to guide you through your time here. You are open to this experience. Remember in detail how he or she is dressed and anything else that might help you to recognize them in the future.

Your guide motions you to follow and takes you into a space in a clearing. Many other beings are there emanating a great sense of peace and love that you intimately remember. They have taken their place with you to assist you with quick and easy processing of your question. You tell them that you wish their help to redefine your dream of who you will become; ask them for guidance. They encircle you radiating loving energy to you and ask that you understand about loving and showing love in every aspect of your mind, body and spirit. You look at each aspect of your thoughts and experience thus far, accepting, loving, healing and integrating all of this “knowing” into you. You have some time in silence to experience this work (allow about two minutes to pass) When the process is complete, thank all who are there for the assistance they have given you. Now take a deep, cleansing breath and exhale …you will find yourself back at the doorway. Your guide is no longer there; however, you know that you can come back here at any time. You remember everything. You are expanded, full of wisdom, and ready to return and write in your journal about your experience.

Take a deep breathe and allow yourself to feel where you are sitting or lying. Feel your connection to this space and how your body feels in the present. Keeping your eyes closed, stretch your body slowly, then move your toes, fingers, and stretch out your arms and legs. When you are ready, slowly open your eyes. Immediately pick up your pen and begin to write in your journal while it is all fresh in your mind.

Honor yourself for your work….Redefining who you will be and not what you do gives space for deeper connections and possibilities. See you here next week.

Love and Blessings,
Mari

Contact for Jim Spivey: Revolution Consulting2219 McDuffieHouston, TX 77019(713) 854-4848www.revolutionconsulting.com

"helping people come ALIVE, and thrive,in their personal and business relationships"

If you would like to listen to an interview with Mari with Bronwen Stein in Australia follow this link: http://www.reiki.net.au/copy.asp?id=PodcastMariH

Usui Retreat Week One- Relationship to Love

2006-06-20T21:21:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the 10th Anniversay of the 21 day Virtual Usui Retreat.

As a Teacher/ practitioner of Reiki I have been asked how long should I be in the practice of Reiki before I teach. My reply is that your answer comes in time because it is a process of surrender so that when you are with your students you embody the message of Reiki. Somehow what you do touches their soul with love because you are that love and are Reiki. This morning I received this from Jim Spivey and am passing it along to you. It is another way to look at it.

Rickie Byars-Beckwith said it this way, "To have soul, you must somewhere be connected to divine presence. People who 'have soul' have a certain way of expressing themselves. What they're saying is real for them, and they have the facility, the ability to touch you with it. There's this sense that they're not trying to transmit anything to you, but transmission is taking place. They're in tune with themselves and their Creator. They have flowing rhythm in their message. They have an understanding of the way things really are, and what they're here to do about it. There is a strong heart commitment and a natural way of being, and in their way of being, there's something that is universally on point, whether they know it or not. Soulful people love with a big love, with 'THE' BIG LOVE!"

Relationship to Love

Note: For the meditations we will be doing for this 10th Anniversary Usui Retreat it may be handy to have someone read the meditation to you or that you prerecord the meditation before hand and play it to yourself, also to have a pen and journal or paper handy to write what came up for you after you have done the meditation.

Genuine relationships are God's greatest gift. Think about how many people you have been blessed to know and bring them to mind. There are so many wonderful people. Love is what matters most.

There are so many kinds of love, and most of us find we have failed to love in so many ways. Love and busyness don't mix too well. Think about the pace of life in America, do you wonder if anyone really remembered how or had time to love.

Can you think about how connected you think you are to so many people? Do you have a lot of networking contacts, but do those contacts amount to a real community of friends. Do you think other people are in similar situations?

Who do you know you love? Do your actions always show it? Do you really love others? Can you love others? Are you capable of love?I want to suggest that the answer is sometimes, if you choose. And yes.We tend to forget about many whom we ought to love. We are so busy building a network that we are forgetting to love and cherish the relationships we already have. As we work to add more and more people to our network, we undermine our ability to enjoy the people we already know.

So many people suffer from a desperate need to be interesting in the world. Celebrities want to be interesting and everyone else follows their lead, if only through the kind of attention they pay them. Everyone is trying to outdo everyone else so as not to fall behind in the race for visible success and a visible audience.Interest is the answer. But it's about being a person who is interested in others, rather than a person who is interesting.

The concept of love has been greatly misunderstood and abused by so many. We are not alone here. It's not about how busy we are, although that sounds like an excellent excuse. There are many busy people out there who love. It's about motive. Busyness is only a problem when love requires you to stop and pay attention to another and you can't, when you're too addicted to other things.

Think of all the workshops and training you have attended in your career: negotiating skills, customer service, team-building, handling tough clients, effective communications, executive development, motivating others, and more. It is strange that these workshops represented so many ideas and strategies for developing skills, but that not one instructor had ever mentioned the importance of being loving.

Perhaps the best workshops could be presented in no more than fifteen minutes. You may laugh as you imagine this scenario: 'Do you want to give incredible customer service? Love your customers. Do you want to retain your best employees? Love them. Do you want to build better relationships with tough people? Love them. Do you want to have more effective leadership teams? Love your teammates.'"

This concept has been taken from --- John G. Blumberg, in Silent Alarm

Meditation on Love and Loving
Using the Awareness of Your Breath

Sit or lay in a comfortable position. Have your journal and pen nearby so that it is easy to reach once you have finished. It is important that you do not fall asleep, but that you are relaxed. Have the intention in this meditative experience to come into a deeper and meaningful relationship with how you love and if your actions always show it or not.

Close your eyes and begin to take deep, slow breaths. Inhale for a count of seven, hold your breath for a count of three, and then exhale for a count of seven. Do not force air from your lungs; allow it to gently leave you. Each in breath brings you to a deeper state of relaxation, each time to exhale you are letting go of all cares, thoughts, and concerns. In this space of time allow your body and mind to fully relax, your energy to expand knowing that you are perfectly safe…supported…and peaceful. If you hear any noise, it will not disturb you. In fact, it will help you to intensify this experience.

Anytime you feel yourself slipping from this state of relaxation, just take a slow, deep, inhaling breath and as you release it, mentally repeat the word “relax” and you will move back into a deep, abiding state of perfect peace.

Whatever thoughts you might have, allow them to drift past you as your mind empties of its chatter and relaxes even more. Do not resist anything. Acknowledge it and release it, allowing it to float away as you move into a deeper, more peaceful state of being…Nothing outside of how you feel right this moment even exists. You are at the deepest, most relaxed state of body and mind that you have ever experienced. You are totally relaxed… your heart rate, blood pressure, and number of breaths have been reduced significantly, leaving your body in a very relaxed state of perfect health and harmony.

Your breath is your lifeline to your physical body and connection to Spirit. Begin to visualize your breath coming in the top of your head and then out of your heart. Do this several times until it feels natural. Then breathe in through the middle of your forehead, which is called your Third Eye, bringing your breath down through your heart and out of the palms of your hands until this pattern feels natural.

Now breathe through the bottoms of both feet, allowing this breath of life to course through every cell in your entire body and out the top of your head. Take note of how you feel. Notice what you are feeling and what thoughts and emotions are coming up for you as you continue to breathe in this pattern.

Shift your attention from your breath and allow yourself to fully experience that you are traveling on a path that is loving and comfortable… Allow yourself to be fully aware of all your senses as you continue your journey… What do you see? Feel the weather on your face as you are walking. Do you feel a slight breeze, the warmth of the sun; what are you feeling and smelling as you continue your journey? Take in all the information about your journey, what all your senses see, feel, touch, and taste.

Ahead you see a door. Notice where it is and what it looks like, what it is made of. As you walk towards the door, you may feel as if this door is familiar, as if you have been here before. You feel perfectly safe and relaxed. How large is the door? Describe the door in your mind’s eye…Is it open or closed? Touch it. What does the door feel like?

You know in all your being that the meaning the word you have chosen and how it applies in your life of will be clearer for you once you choose to see what is on the other side of the door. In order to do this, the door must be open and you must step through. Are you ready? Open to your highest and greatest good and step through….allow your mind’s eye to focus as you look around. What do you see? Is there someone there for you? … Feel yourself in the presence of a Being of Light and Love. In your mind’s eye there is someone stepping forward to guide you through your time here. You are open to this experience. Remember in detail how he or she is dressed and anything else that might help you to recognize them in the future.

Your guide motions you to follow and takes you into a space in a clearing. Many other beings are there emanating a great sense of peace and love that you intimately remember. They have taken their place with you to assist you with quick and easy processing of your question about loving. You tell them that you are questioning about how you love and if your actions always show it; ask them for guidance.

They encircle you radiating loving energy to you and ask that you understand about loving and showing love in every aspect of your mind, body and spirit. You look at each aspect of your thoughts and experience thus far, accepting, loving, healing and integrating all of this “knowing” into you. You have some time in silence to experience this work (allow about two minutes to pass) When the process is complete, thank all who are there for the assistance they have given you.

Now take a deep, cleansing breath and exhale …you will find yourself back at the doorway. Your guide is no longer there; however, you know that you can come back here at any time. You remember everything. You are expanded, full of wisdom, and ready to return and write in your journal about your experience.

Take a deep breathe and allow yourself to feel where you are sitting or lying. Feel your connection to this space and how your body feels in the present. Keeping your eyes closed, stretch your body slowly, then move your toes, fingers, and stretch out your arms and legs. When you are ready, slowly open your eyes. Immediately pick up your pen and begin to write in your journal while it is all fresh in your mind.

Honor yourself for your work….Loving others and yourself opens the door to so much possibility. See you here next week.

Love and Blessings,
Mari

Contact for Jim Spivey:
Revolution Consulting2219 McDuffieHouston, TX 77019(713) 854-4848www.revolutionconsulting.com

"helping people come ALIVE, and thrive,in their personal and business relationships"

If you would like to listen to an interview with Mari with Bronwen Stein in Australia follow this link: http://www.reiki.net.au/copy.asp?id=PodcastMariH