Dear Friends,
I hope you’ve all had a great Thanksgiving. I just saw a sign that says: “ThanksGiving is good but ThanksLiving is better ~ by Matthew Henry.” May we all bring the 3rd Reiki principle of Gratitude to every aspect of our lives by developing an attitude for Gratitude. Gratitude attitude is about developing an awareness of life and attracting more miracles to our lives by demonstrating gratitude to every day miracles.
Why are we trying to develop “Gratitude” by the way?
Gratitude opens our hearts. Developing an attitude of Gratitude rather than taking things for granted helps us to develop an awareness of life and cultivate joy and happiness. Isn’t it all we want: to be unconditionally happy? Gratitude helps us to take that additional step in the road to happiness. We naturally begin to feel happier, less concerned about what we haven’t got but happy with what we got.
I took an early New Year resolution and re-start Gratitude journaling. When I first started years ago, I had a computer download, now there are so many apps out there. Here is the one I decided:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gratitude-journal-original!/id299604556?mt=8
Here are many other options: http://www.appolicious.com/curated-apps/1826-giving-thanks--apps-for-gratitude-journaling
Would you like to join me?
I sincerely wish that we all reach to a stage that we live in that natural state of “Gratefulness” at all times.
In Gratitude,
Love & Light,
Zeynep “Premdasi” Yilmaz
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Friday, November 1, 2013
A Life experience...
I just finished a 2 week ecochallenge of not eating or drinking anything that comes out of a package. Why ? First of all, I like to do life experiences and especially ecological experiences. In the past, I did a vegan challenge; we lived off of food from our refrigerator (nothing from our pantry) for a few weeks. Once we took the garbage can out to the garage for few weeks and we become much more conscious of what’s going in to the trash. Last summer, I took the bus to work once a week to reduce my carbon print, and finally this one; not eating or drinking anything that comes out a package.
The U.S produces a quarter of the world’s waste despite the fact that its population is less than 5% of the world’s population. 1/3 of the solid waste in US is generated from packaging waste. That’s why I wanted to see my contribution to that packaging waste and how I can reduce it.
The first few days were easy because this challenge overlapped with my last days of juicing, and obviously I didn’t consume anything that comes out of a package.
Between Kroger and Whole Foods, I was able to find pretty much everything to live without eating “anything that comes out of a package”. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/cincinnati
Well.. there were few law-breakers:
1) Tea : The very first morning I broke my challenge using a tea bag as I realized I didn’t have any loose green tea at home. Then I remembered the wonderful Reiki tea I had and that took me through the next few days until I went to Teavana
and stocked up on loose tea. Boy that store is expensive! I paid $45 for 4 oz of tea. Ordering online is the best. Also Coffee Emporium and Essencha have bulk teas. Next time I’ll order from Elmwood Teas online, yes they have a Reiki tea too! http://store.elmwoodinn.com/ayurvedic.aspx
2) Olive oil: I guess there is no way to find olive oil that doesn’t come in a package. I usually buy it in a 5 L container and transfer it to a smaller glass one. That one was a law-breaker!
3) Tomato paste: If you want to use tomato paste that doesn’t come in a package, you need to make your tomato paste. It’s that simple. I buy mine in a recyclable glass container from Halal Market in Tylersville, but this was one other outliner in my challenge.
4) B12: Because I was just out of a 7 day juicing diet, I thought I should take some supplements so I took the liberty of getting B12 daily, and that comes in a package L
Few things that I craved but I couldn’t find in bulk:
- Milk/yogurt/eggs: Thanks to this challenge and my eco-conscious friends, I learned that you can order raw cow’s milk online. Highland Farm offers weekly deliveries to downtown Cincinnati, in recyclable glass containers! http://www.highlandhavenfarm.com/. I don’t drink cow’s milk anyway but not being able to eat yogurt and eggs was tough. Oh well, I survived.
- Grapes and all berries only come in a package unless you buy from the farmers directly, so I had to pass on those.
- Agave, I guess there is no such thing as bulk agave, well there has been so much debate about it lately anyway.
- Tofu: I didn’t search if I could find bulk tofu but that must be a hard one.
Surprises:
- Salt: I found Himalayan salt in a large container at Patel brothers. There is also bulk salt at Whole foods.
- There are lots of bulk snack options at Patel Brothers if you like Indian snacks.
- I learned that you can make your own Almond milk (no I didn’t try it).
So, just to give you an example, my daily diet was something like this;
Breakfast: Bulk oats, bulk hempseeds, bulk chia seeds with fruits, loose tea
Lunch: Soup and salad
Snack: Fruits, bulk nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts), bulk raisins, bake pumpkin seeds with little salt and it makes a great snack (I didn’t do this one but I sure will next time).
Dinner: Vegetables, salads, bulk beans, bulk lentils.
The most price efficient way of living on bulk foods is shopping online. At Frontier, an online coop store, you can find herbs , spices, teas, bulk products, at http://www.frontiercoop.com/. You can even stop by and fill in an order form at Grace Tree Yoga Studio!
I also learned that you can find vitamins, minerals and raw local honey at Ell Farm in Sharonville. http://ellfarm.com/index.php?customernumber=834757213362425&pr=Online_Store&=SID
My family didn’t participate in this challenge, so it was just me. It would have been more complicated if they had joined in. Also, in two occasions I had to take a boxed salad at work. That was my only packaging waste in 2 weeks.
So, it can certainly be done, it just takes more awareness, time and effort but it sure is worth to relieve Mother Earth’s burden, just a little bit.
Love & Light,
Zeynep
The U.S produces a quarter of the world’s waste despite the fact that its population is less than 5% of the world’s population. 1/3 of the solid waste in US is generated from packaging waste. That’s why I wanted to see my contribution to that packaging waste and how I can reduce it.
The first few days were easy because this challenge overlapped with my last days of juicing, and obviously I didn’t consume anything that comes out of a package.
Between Kroger and Whole Foods, I was able to find pretty much everything to live without eating “anything that comes out of a package”. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/cincinnati
Well.. there were few law-breakers:
1) Tea : The very first morning I broke my challenge using a tea bag as I realized I didn’t have any loose green tea at home. Then I remembered the wonderful Reiki tea I had and that took me through the next few days until I went to Teavana
and stocked up on loose tea. Boy that store is expensive! I paid $45 for 4 oz of tea. Ordering online is the best. Also Coffee Emporium and Essencha have bulk teas. Next time I’ll order from Elmwood Teas online, yes they have a Reiki tea too! http://store.elmwoodinn.com/ayurvedic.aspx
2) Olive oil: I guess there is no way to find olive oil that doesn’t come in a package. I usually buy it in a 5 L container and transfer it to a smaller glass one. That one was a law-breaker!
3) Tomato paste: If you want to use tomato paste that doesn’t come in a package, you need to make your tomato paste. It’s that simple. I buy mine in a recyclable glass container from Halal Market in Tylersville, but this was one other outliner in my challenge.
4) B12: Because I was just out of a 7 day juicing diet, I thought I should take some supplements so I took the liberty of getting B12 daily, and that comes in a package L
Few things that I craved but I couldn’t find in bulk:
- Milk/yogurt/eggs: Thanks to this challenge and my eco-conscious friends, I learned that you can order raw cow’s milk online. Highland Farm offers weekly deliveries to downtown Cincinnati, in recyclable glass containers! http://www.highlandhavenfarm.com/. I don’t drink cow’s milk anyway but not being able to eat yogurt and eggs was tough. Oh well, I survived.
- Grapes and all berries only come in a package unless you buy from the farmers directly, so I had to pass on those.
- Agave, I guess there is no such thing as bulk agave, well there has been so much debate about it lately anyway.
- Tofu: I didn’t search if I could find bulk tofu but that must be a hard one.
Surprises:
- Salt: I found Himalayan salt in a large container at Patel brothers. There is also bulk salt at Whole foods.
- There are lots of bulk snack options at Patel Brothers if you like Indian snacks.
- I learned that you can make your own Almond milk (no I didn’t try it).
So, just to give you an example, my daily diet was something like this;
Breakfast: Bulk oats, bulk hempseeds, bulk chia seeds with fruits, loose tea
Lunch: Soup and salad
Snack: Fruits, bulk nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts), bulk raisins, bake pumpkin seeds with little salt and it makes a great snack (I didn’t do this one but I sure will next time).
Dinner: Vegetables, salads, bulk beans, bulk lentils.
The most price efficient way of living on bulk foods is shopping online. At Frontier, an online coop store, you can find herbs , spices, teas, bulk products, at http://www.frontiercoop.com/. You can even stop by and fill in an order form at Grace Tree Yoga Studio!
I also learned that you can find vitamins, minerals and raw local honey at Ell Farm in Sharonville. http://ellfarm.com/index.php?customernumber=834757213362425&pr=Online_Store&=SID
My family didn’t participate in this challenge, so it was just me. It would have been more complicated if they had joined in. Also, in two occasions I had to take a boxed salad at work. That was my only packaging waste in 2 weeks.
So, it can certainly be done, it just takes more awareness, time and effort but it sure is worth to relieve Mother Earth’s burden, just a little bit.
Love & Light,
Zeynep
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Reiki Newsletter- September 2013
As a practitioner of both Yoga and Reiki, people often ask me how Yoga and Reiki relate to each other. I see them both as paths of self improvement that lead to “self realization”. Practiced together, they can support each other and lead the practitioner to the ultimate goal, “self-realization” or being “Great Bright Light”.
Physical practice: Both Yoga and Reiki typically associated with physical practice at first. Yoga in the West is associated with asana (posture) practice which is typically practiced to build power, strength, flexibility and balance. Similarly, first emphasis of Reiki practice is at the physical level, as a hands-on healing modality. Reiki practitioners typically start practicing hand positions to “channel” energy to induce relaxation, and promote health. The practitioner of both disciplines delves into the other components of the practice once they see that even the physical practice helps to promote well-being.
Built on pillars: Both Yoga and Reiki have supporting pillars other than just being the physical practice. Yoga, a 5000 year-old philosophy, depending on what type of philosophy you’re attracted to, has moral codes, breathing exercises, concentration and meditation techniques; all of which step by steps leads the practitioner to “self-realization”. Similarly, Reiki is supported with 5 Reiki precepts, attunements, symbols, mantras and meditations; providing a complete and a clear path to practitioner to discover and bring out the “divine self” and to be the “Great Bright Light”.
Taking the practice off-the mat/ or off-the Reiki table: Both Yoga and Reiki practitioners are encouraged to take the practice off the mat or off the Reiki table. Yoga supports practitioners with yama/niyamas or moral codes (compassion, truthfulness, honesty, self-restraint, non-possessiveness, purity, contentment, discipline, self-examination, surrendering). Reiki practitioners are encouraged to apply the practice to daily life by practicing the 5 precepts (Just for Today, Do not Anger, Do not worry, Be Grateful, Work hard, Be kind to all living beings).
Breathing: Both Yoga and Reiki use breath as a bridge between body and mind. In Yoga, a whole pillar of Pranayama practice offer practitioners an art of mastering life force energy. In Reiki, breath is an integral part of major techniques and meditations. Practitioners introduced to techniques, like Joshin Kokyu Ho, that use breath and Reiki (the spiritual energy) to connect, build and expand the energy-self.
Meditations: For some yoga practitioners, yoga practice equates to meditation. There are many traditions and techniques built around meditation practices to calm the mind and help practitioners to realize “self”. In Reiki, there are different levels of meditations that go hand in hand with the deepening Reiki practice.
Initiations: Repeated Reiki initiations or Reiju, help practitioners re-align and refine the connection to Spiritual Energy. Reiki practitioners are encouraged to get initiations frequently. In Yoga, depending on the lineage, initiations bring the energetic connection to the lineage and the connection is typically kept by keeping the attunement to the Guru (by serving, meditating on the Guru, etc.).
Practice,Practice,Practice: In both Yoga and Reiki, one’s own practice is utmost important. In Reiki, practice means practice of hands-on healing, precepts, meditations, symbols and mantras and attunements. In Yoga, depending on your inclinations, your practice can be selfless service, devotion, self-study or a combination of posture practice, breathing, contemplation and meditation.
In both modalities, the prize of your practice is priceless: Finding the true self.
Physical practice: Both Yoga and Reiki typically associated with physical practice at first. Yoga in the West is associated with asana (posture) practice which is typically practiced to build power, strength, flexibility and balance. Similarly, first emphasis of Reiki practice is at the physical level, as a hands-on healing modality. Reiki practitioners typically start practicing hand positions to “channel” energy to induce relaxation, and promote health. The practitioner of both disciplines delves into the other components of the practice once they see that even the physical practice helps to promote well-being.
Built on pillars: Both Yoga and Reiki have supporting pillars other than just being the physical practice. Yoga, a 5000 year-old philosophy, depending on what type of philosophy you’re attracted to, has moral codes, breathing exercises, concentration and meditation techniques; all of which step by steps leads the practitioner to “self-realization”. Similarly, Reiki is supported with 5 Reiki precepts, attunements, symbols, mantras and meditations; providing a complete and a clear path to practitioner to discover and bring out the “divine self” and to be the “Great Bright Light”.
Taking the practice off-the mat/ or off-the Reiki table: Both Yoga and Reiki practitioners are encouraged to take the practice off the mat or off the Reiki table. Yoga supports practitioners with yama/niyamas or moral codes (compassion, truthfulness, honesty, self-restraint, non-possessiveness, purity, contentment, discipline, self-examination, surrendering). Reiki practitioners are encouraged to apply the practice to daily life by practicing the 5 precepts (Just for Today, Do not Anger, Do not worry, Be Grateful, Work hard, Be kind to all living beings).
Breathing: Both Yoga and Reiki use breath as a bridge between body and mind. In Yoga, a whole pillar of Pranayama practice offer practitioners an art of mastering life force energy. In Reiki, breath is an integral part of major techniques and meditations. Practitioners introduced to techniques, like Joshin Kokyu Ho, that use breath and Reiki (the spiritual energy) to connect, build and expand the energy-self.
Meditations: For some yoga practitioners, yoga practice equates to meditation. There are many traditions and techniques built around meditation practices to calm the mind and help practitioners to realize “self”. In Reiki, there are different levels of meditations that go hand in hand with the deepening Reiki practice.
Initiations: Repeated Reiki initiations or Reiju, help practitioners re-align and refine the connection to Spiritual Energy. Reiki practitioners are encouraged to get initiations frequently. In Yoga, depending on the lineage, initiations bring the energetic connection to the lineage and the connection is typically kept by keeping the attunement to the Guru (by serving, meditating on the Guru, etc.).
Practice,Practice,Practice: In both Yoga and Reiki, one’s own practice is utmost important. In Reiki, practice means practice of hands-on healing, precepts, meditations, symbols and mantras and attunements. In Yoga, depending on your inclinations, your practice can be selfless service, devotion, self-study or a combination of posture practice, breathing, contemplation and meditation.
In both modalities, the prize of your practice is priceless: Finding the true self.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Reiki Newsletter- August 2013
In Zen Buddhism, Koans (paradoxical questions) are tools for teaching getting out of the box, or out of the limitations of the mind. A good classical example is “What’s the sound of one hand clapping?”
Just 3 days ago while I was planning for an urgent business trip to PA, I had realized that Dai Bosatsu was only 3 hours away from my destination. I felt a sudden excitement even thinking of the idea of being there again. When I called the monastery and asked if I could stay for the weekend, they asked me if I’d be willing to work since they don’t have any other programs to accommodate visitors like me- they said this was their volunteer work weekend and I could stay if I could help around. I gladly accepted.
I pulled my car in the front door of the monastery to drop my baggage off and returned my car to the fenced parking lot hundred yards down the hill, so that the beavers wouldn’t eat my tires at night. No kidding, beavers come at night and eat tires. That’s why they have a fenced parking lot. As I got out of my car, I saw the monks from the 2nd floor window looking out to the lake. They greeted me with a smile that made my heart fill with gratitude.
As I dropped my baggage to the room, I looked at the futon on the floor and neatly folded blankets, comforter and sheets on top. I didn’t know later I was going to learn to how neatly fold the sheets and blankets, “Zen-monastery- style”, and how much mindfulness goes into the task of folding as mindfulness goes into every act here.They say Dai Bosatsu is the most authentic Zen temple outside Japan (I hope I can go to Japan one day and verify this, ha ha ha). It has all the Japanese design features, with the roof, large stairs leading to entrance, a Zendo (hall for meditation), a Dharma Hall (hall for ceremonies and chanting), very simply designed rooms with oak floors, with futons, a dining room with low tables and cushions to sit on the floor, bells and gongs, even Japanese style hot tubs. Behind the scenes to most visitors, a large kitchen, a large basement with food storage area, laundry room, trash and compost room, walk-in refrigerator and a lounge for residents and visitors. There are off-limit , private areas, I assume private quarters of residents.
I reported to the main office to inquire about my first assignment and I was sent to the back porch to help another volunteer to clean the porch. I quickly realized hierarchy in a monastery is very important. When you’re assigned to work with someone, you need to listen carefully, follow instructions and do your job mindfully. After finding the new Web Master, I started cleaning the spider webs off of the ceiling of the porch. I started with such an enthusiasm that my new-volunteer-friend had to remind me to slow down and not to exert myself. I would later understand how important it is because: the goal here is to find mindfulness thru service not to exert yourself and because it’s hard work, you should really manage your energy. She came back to remind me to be very careful not to kill any spiders. Of course!!! What bad karma I’d get from killing a sentient being, especially a helpless spider in a Zen monastery.
Few minutes into cleaning the spider webs, I decided to create a process; clean horizontal beams first all the way and then the vertical ones, back and forth, in and out, like everything in a monastery, even cleaning has an ebb and flow to it. It’s a constant flow, a wave. Ten minutes into it, I realized I was not cleaning the spider webs in the beams, I was cleaning the webs in my mind. As soon as I realized this, I made an intention to clean out anything that I don’t need any more. I saved lots of spider lives though, for those I couldn’t… sorry… I accept the bad karma.
I had a short break to take a shower , pick up my robe and get ready for dinner (yes, you need to wear a robe in certain parts of the monastery and for formal meals). The dinner tonight was informal. Well, informal doesn’t mean you walk into the dining hall. You are reminded the dinner by bells and chimes and wooden clappers then you get in a single line outside the dining hall. You walk into the open buffet silently, pick up your food, offer few rice to the offering table and sit in your table in seiza (traditional way to sit down on your heels) until everyone is gathered ( for those who can’t sit in seiza, chairs are available). Prayers followed by a joyous meal. Mindful! chatting is completely allowed.I couldn’t have picked a better time to come because 1) there was a special concert by a famous Shakuhachi player and his 2 students that night and 2) two days later was the Mandala day that the monks was going to celebrate with a special recitation of Lotus Sutra and I got to be part of it. How cool! Yoga retreat participants, monks and all volunteers gathered at the Zendo, the main prayer room, for the Shakuhachi concert. Shakuhachi is the only instrument played in Zen Buddhism and it’s very hard to learn to play, let alone master it, and these folks were definitely masters.
I was already stressed for the breakfast ceremony the next morning, because it was going to be a formal one, so I asked to have an orientation. A young monk gave me and another volunteer an hour orientation on how to properly eat breakfast, it could take pages to explain it, so all I can say is that it is very ritualistic and it follows a perfect order like everything else here, and needless to say it follows waves and cessation, waves and cessation. It’s not only being mindful of your acts but also being in close rapport with your partner sitting across, as some acts requires acting together. After going thru the breakfast ritual we went to Zendo and rehearsed the “entrance” , “sitting” and “ prostration” rituals there. I was ready for the next morning. It was 10 o’clock already and all I could think of was my bed.
I survived the breakfast. I’m sure I made some mistakes but I know that for as long as you try your best,
you’re excused. My first task of the day was to serve breakfast to the Yoga Retreat attendees at the Guest House and clean up after. How ironic it was that I’m a yoga teacher and here I was serving to yoga teachers. I loved it. We had to be transparent, not be on their way, but also keep a close eye on what’s going on and make sure they have everything they needed. The task included going thru the trash and making sure that everything compostable goes to compost (most people throw their used tea bags into trash). A monk later warned me to check any metal pieces in the tea bags since they feed the compost to animals, we don’t want them to swallow any metal pieces. I can’t explain you enough the level of recycling, reusing, going on in the monastery. It gave me a whole new level of understanding of sustainability (given this is my day job and hobby). Nothing is thrown away, everything is re-purposed and used again and again. We even washed and cleaned used ziplocks inside and out, aluminum foils and saran wraps for reuse. When a cloth napkin is retired, it transforms to a dusting wipe. Every piece of rag has a letter in its corner indicating if it’s for kitchen counter, dusting or floor and the letters correspond to Japanese names. Few yoga students also asked to do seva (selfless service). So we had few helpers to help with the dishes. It was fun. As they headed to their yoga class, we quickly cleaned after and headed back to monastery for the next task.
I was asked if I could help wash a car (of someone who’ll leave soon for the city) and you won’t believe but we washed the car with only 1 bucket of water. If you dust first and use a spray bottle for the glass, all you need is a bucket of water. Another lesson of sustainability learned.
One of the precious times at the monastery is the morning tea break. Around 10:30-11 AM, monks, residents and volunteers get together at the patio to enjoy drinks and snacks. Literally everyone drops what they’re doing and get together to relax and recoup. It quickly became one of my favorite times.
The afternoon was more cleaning and helping in the kitchen. Another volunteer and I cleaned the lodge. This is a small recreation room for monks, the perfect place to spend long winter nights. It has a small kitchen, comfy couches and is perfect to sit down and read a book, especially given that they burn wood and they keep the temperature at 50 degrees in winter (remember this is upstate NY). I could spend a whole afternoon sitting and reading here but we were on a mission and we had more to do. After a thorough cleaning at the lodge, the next task was to help in the kitchen. I don’t know why but it felt that was the most stressful. I learned a lot though. I learned how much mindfulness goes into preparing the meals. Cutting, chopping and cleaning is the volunteer’s job. The cook puts it all together.
They were all extra nice people but I must talk about the cook. First of all, according to belief, it requires a very good karma to be a cook in a Buddhist monastery. It’s an extremely important job and our cook was no different. She is the embodiment of Buddhism to me and I bow to her with deep respect.
I was asked to help in the kitchen next to prepare for the evening meal for the yoga retreat. Once again I’m amazed how much mindfulness goes into preparing the food and cooking. This meal was no different. Somehow the guest felt it too, they complimented the food and they even took pictures before starting to eat. The monk who was leading the dinner kindly let me go and take a walk around the lake because this was my last night as I was leaving the next afternoon.
Walking the trail we had walked with my friends last year brought back all the joyful memories. It was a tribute to last year. When I reached to the Buddha statue across the lake, I even found a gift, a blueberry branch grew underneath the statue and I gladly ate it as a Prasad (sacred meal) from Buddha.
I enjoyed a long meditation at the Zendo that night before going to bed and it was very peaceful and deep. Another 5:30 am wake-up call tomorrow morning so I’d better be in the bed by 10 pm.
Just as the previous morning, I woke up at 4:30 am, an hour before the official morning bell. No alarm clocks… every morning, a monk walks down the hallways with a bell to announce the wake up time. Meditation starts at 6 am. It must be the clean air, I was wide awake already. Since it was my last day, I got up and went to Zendo for a longer morning meditation. There were monks meditating already. I guess you can’t beat them. I forgot this was the Mandala Day and we were summoned at the Dharma Hall for the Lotus Sutra chanting. Boy… it was long…. Heart Sutra is my favorite but Lotus Sutra is the next and I believe we were chanting only one chapter of it. Even though I don’t understand a single word, all chanting is in Japanese, I could feel the energy.
Next was the breakfast- since most volunteers had left, another volunteer and I had an intimate breakfast at the kitchen floor with the residents and monks. It was formal breakfast again, and this time I messed up big time. Things proceed so fast, if you lose one moment of awareness you may quickly fall behind and falling behind impacts the group flow and energy, so I felt very bad but thankfully the cook who was sitting next to me asked me to follow her and I caught up with the ritual. A short satsang followed the breakfast, by readings on Zazen.
Zazen is considered the heart of Zen Buddhist practice. The aim of zazen is just sitting, breathing, observing and all thoughts pass by without getting involved in them. It’s funny because I started my meditation practice with Zazen over 10 years ago, even my e-mail address which I had picked around that time has “zen” in it. However it was so very hard for me to do Zazen back then, I got so lost that, frustration pushed me to discover different types of meditation until I find what works for me. Now I understand how important it is to have guidance of a teacher along the way. Now 10 years later I can finally meet with Zen Buddhists at the same point I started, sitting, breathing, observing.
It was time to work again. I wasn’t on any assignment this morning but I really wanted to help, so I assigned myself to cleaning the rooms of the visitors. I teamed up with a young Japanese monk and another volunteer, together we vacuumed the futons, shook the blankets and comforters and folded them properly (did I say there is certain way to fold them, as there is a certain way for folding sheets, pillow cases and towels as there is a certain way of doing anything here). The whole purpose of that “certain” way is to bring awareness to what you’re doing. I was also assigned a task that I wouldn’t think in a million years. When I arrived 2 days ago I thought how cool it would be to be assigned to clean the Dharma Hall but they probably would not let me do it since it must be a precious task. Well… when another young monk asked me if I could sweep the floors, I could jump up and down, but I had to be Zen instead so I gladly accepted and swept the floor in a certain way (to the side, one row at a time, up and down), another wave.
Tea time followed the hard work. How precious it is to sit down, relax and simply chat with other volunteers and monks at the front patio. Then I helped to fold the laundry and we got busted by a monk while speaking loudly and it was embarrassing. I guess some habits never fade. I was talking about Reiki to another volunteer and I got over excited. One should remember to keep quiet even you’re down at the corner of the basement, in a Zen monastery.
A delicious lunch followed at 1:15 pm- why 1:15, I don’t know, there must be significance. Before lunch I simply sat in the porch, wiggling my legs, I checked out the ceilings I cleaned two days ago of any spider webs. It was a good job done. How quickly it past by, I worked hard but I completely enjoyed every single moment of it. I made one final wish: May I be back one day?
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Reiki Newsletter- June 2013
Dear friends,
We all can live in that space, the space of non-duality, at
times. What, I think, helps to constantly live in that space are 3 things: our
personal practice, having a support group and guidance of a teacher.
When I had my first Shinpiden training in 2008, I had 3-4
days of complete no-fear, no-anger, no-worry state, I remember vividly what a
liberating feeling it was. I remember thinking, what would enlightenment feel
like if living without worries is so liberating. This time I was more
determined to hold on to that space created after Shinpiden class longer. I was
determined to have a daily practice including a daily Reiju. I realized that
the best investment I can make to myself is a daily dedicated practice. If I
practice 1 hour and can completely live free remaining 23 hours, I’ll take it.
What I mean living free or being in that clear vast-sky-space is: your projects
at work are falling apart and you continue to do your best and you can still
have good night sleeps, your finances are falling apart but you have deep
feeling of security, you still get sick but don’t suffer, if things don’t turn
out as planned, you simply move to Plan B and have no regrets, if relationships
become bothersome you still feel full compassion regardless.
We all can do it, it’s no magic.
So, what does the daily practice looks like that takes us to
this space?
Depending on where we’re in our practice it can be simply
doing Joshin kokyu-Ho, Hatsurei-Ho, meditating on symbols, chanting, meditating
on DKM space, living the principles day in and out or a mixture of them. What I realized is that
it’s important to have a core practice and have variations around it. The
practice you choose should resonate with you and should motivate you. You
should crave to do that practice daily. Even though I whole heartedly believe
the impact of chanting Reiki symbols, it doesn't move me, so instead I do
practices that will create same impact. My core practice is yoga, so I add
yogic breathing exercises and yoga meditations into my practice.
It’s also important to keep a support group and surround yourself
with people who motivate and inspire you, surround yourself with people who you
can practice together. For that I’m grateful to our practice group which meets
every 3rd Tuesday at Cincinnati Yoga School at 7:30 pm. Our practice
is open to any Reiki level 2 and above practitioner. Feel free to come join us.
 |
| Our awesome Shinpiden 2013 class |
Last but not least, it’s also important to keep connection
to our teacher(s) to get their help guide the way, share their wisdom and
inspiration, for that I’m grateful to all my teachers and especially Frans Stiene.
This way even if our sky gets cloudy, it’ll clear quickly.
May we all live a life of being the vast clear sky.
Reiki hugs,
Love & Light,
Zeynep “Premdasi”
Yilmaz
Reiki Newsletter-May 2013 ..
Dear friends,
Imagine you’re on top of a mountain and you’re looking out to
the wide open sky. Imagine the sky is vast blue for as far as you can see in
all directions. Imagine the sun is shining, air is brisk and a cool breeze is
gently brushing your face. You can see mountain tops far ahead with snow caps
and trees on skirts far distant. You can see patches of white fluffy clouds,
moving slowly with no purpose.
Throw something to that sky and it won’t stick.
Clouds will slowly drift away. The sky won’t hold on to
them.
Birds fly by, sky won’t claim them.
Airplanes fly by, sky won’t be proud
If missiles go by, sky won’t be offended.
Stars will shine, sky won’t take credit.
Now imagine you’re that sky.
We all can live in that space where all potential is
available.
We can be the open vast sky itself,
Daily events will pass by and won’t register.
Conflicts will dissolve themselves, no hard feelings.
No offenses and credits.
Actions are taken, no consequences
Everything will be allowed its full potential
Don’t take me wrong, it’s not an-indifferent-living, it’s in
fact very deep living. This is the space of non-duality, non-attachment but
also a space lived in full awareness at its full potential. This, to me, living in Dai KoMyo space. This
is being the Great Bright Light.
This was my biggest take away from this year’s Shinpiden
training. We can live in that space. We all can, at times. What it takes to
constantly live in that space is the Practice.
 |
| Sundar-Frans-Zeynep in Shinpiden Class 2013 |
What a motivation!
Keep practicing.
May we all, one day, be this great vast sky!
Reiki hugs,
Love & Light,
Zeynep “Premdasi”
Yilmaz
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Reiki Newsletter-April 2013
Dear friends,
As you may know, Frans was also voted Favorite Reiki Teacher by Readers' Choice Awards recently.
Such a well deserved recognition!
 |
| . |
I was talking to a friend of mine and she said “Oh, I was at Frans’ public talk last year, I’ll probably skip this year”. That reminded me that the public talk is not only about the knowledge of Reiki (well, that too) but it’s about the energy. In fact, if you’ve been to the talk last year, it’s even better because now that you’ve heard it before, you can take your mind out of it and you can focus on the energy part. It’s not only what Frans says but it’s amazing just to observe how he can be absorbed in Reiki , “be Reiki” and share it with the whole room, without moving his finger.
 |
| Shinpiden class 2008-NYC |
Having said that none of Frans’s talks or classes are the same, that’s why people keep repeating the Shinpiden Reiki Master class over and over again. This will be my 4th! The talks are always very informative, fun and experiential. As Frans deepens his own practice, which is a source of inspiration for any Reiki teacher, his teachings evolve. He contagiously helps his students evolve.
 |
| Shinpiden Reiki Master Teacher class
Grailville 2011 Be careful sitting next to Frans in classes, he picks on you! |
As you may know, Frans was also voted Favorite Reiki Teacher by Readers' Choice Awards recently.
Such a well deserved recognition!
What: Free Public Talk on Japanese Art of Reiki
When: Thursday April 11th 7pm-9pm
Where: New Thought Unity Center 1401 East McMillan Avenue
Feel free to invite your family, friends, neighbors, or anyone you think is interested in Reiki.
Hope to see you all there!
 |
| Public Talk 2012- with Sundar (my dear friend and co-organizer of Shinpiden class and Frans) |
When in Cincinnati, Frans will give private teachings and sessions. He has only 1 spot left: Thursday April 11th at 10am. If you’d like to be the lucky one, just let me know.
Oh, who's Frans???? Read more.. http://www.ihreiki.com/about/teachers/frans_stiene
Also, we’re getting ready for the next Reiki Day in fall already. Watch out for a survey that you’ll receive from me. We’d better understand your needs, what you’d like to see in the agenda and how can we make the next Reiki Day the best :-)
Reiki hugs,
Love & Light,
Zeynep “Premdasi” Yilmaz
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Reiki Newsletter- March 2013
Dear friends,
It’s been an exciting month of teaching Reiki to raise funds to support my fund raising project: Half the Sky. Did you know that there is an exhibit at Freedom Center featuring the Half the Sky project? I’ll be there in a private event next week (which is a total coincidence - oh, of course there are no coincidences), having breakfast with our CEO and touring the exhibit :-) http://www.skirball.org/exhibitions/half-the-sky Can’t wait!
Did I tell you that I raised over $1500 for one of the Half the Sky projects, Edna’s Maternity Hospital at Somalia? Deep gratitude to everyone coming to the classes and making individual donations! You rock!
Hold tight..Reiki excitement continues!!!
Next weekend is Reiki Day on Sunday March 10th at Grailville. Cincinnati Reiki community meets twice a year to share, learn and grow together as a community. Morning session is for Reiki Master/Teachers from 9:30 A.M until 12:30 P.M; the afternoon session is for all Reiki practitioners from 1:30 P.M until 5:00 P.M. Day long events include deep dive into Reiki symbols and deep dive into Reiki principles, Reiki Share, energy experiences, Reiki drumming and Reiju (Reiki blessings). Don’t miss this change to meet with like minded practitioners, to learn from each other and have fun. Hope to see you all there!
Excitement will continue in April!
Frans Stiene is coming in April for a Shinpiden class and while he’s here, he’ll graciously offer a free Public talk on Japanese Art of Reiki at the New Thought Unity Center. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Frans (as you know he’s my Reiki teacher and he is coming from Australia). Mark Thursday April 11th 7pm!
Gentle Yoga classes on Thursday nights at 7pm Grace Tree Yoga Studio ($7 for new students)
My yoga classes are moving to 7pm on Thursday nights starting March 7th.Come try a yoga class with me. We explore a sequence of gently paced Hatha yoga postures designed to stretch, tone, strengthen, and improve balance while increasing breath awareness. Emphasize is on "being" rather than doing.
There is still room at Reiki Shinpiden class!
Reiki Shinpiden Master/Teacher Training on April 12-14 with Frans Stiene: Let me know if you want to be part of this life changing experience. Send me an e-mail at turquoizen@yahoo.com For more info: http://cincinnatishinpiden.wordpress.com
Frans only has 2 sessions left for private Reiki treatments. Would you like to be the lucky ones?
Last but not least, a friend of mine still has 3 Dalai Lama tickets for sale for Monday May 20th at Louisville ($88.5/each). Also I need to sell my Dalai Lama public talk tickets for 1pm Sunday May 19th. ($7) :-( Let me know if you’re interested. I’ll be there for Monday’s teachings.
Reiki hugs,
Love & Light,
Zeynep “Premdasi” Yilmaz
It’s been an exciting month of teaching Reiki to raise funds to support my fund raising project: Half the Sky. Did you know that there is an exhibit at Freedom Center featuring the Half the Sky project? I’ll be there in a private event next week (which is a total coincidence - oh, of course there are no coincidences), having breakfast with our CEO and touring the exhibit :-) http://www.skirball.org/exhibitions/half-the-sky Can’t wait!
Did I tell you that I raised over $1500 for one of the Half the Sky projects, Edna’s Maternity Hospital at Somalia? Deep gratitude to everyone coming to the classes and making individual donations! You rock!
Hold tight..Reiki excitement continues!!!
Next weekend is Reiki Day on Sunday March 10th at Grailville. Cincinnati Reiki community meets twice a year to share, learn and grow together as a community. Morning session is for Reiki Master/Teachers from 9:30 A.M until 12:30 P.M; the afternoon session is for all Reiki practitioners from 1:30 P.M until 5:00 P.M. Day long events include deep dive into Reiki symbols and deep dive into Reiki principles, Reiki Share, energy experiences, Reiki drumming and Reiju (Reiki blessings). Don’t miss this change to meet with like minded practitioners, to learn from each other and have fun. Hope to see you all there!
Excitement will continue in April!
Frans Stiene is coming in April for a Shinpiden class and while he’s here, he’ll graciously offer a free Public talk on Japanese Art of Reiki at the New Thought Unity Center. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Frans (as you know he’s my Reiki teacher and he is coming from Australia). Mark Thursday April 11th 7pm!
Gentle Yoga classes on Thursday nights at 7pm Grace Tree Yoga Studio ($7 for new students)
My yoga classes are moving to 7pm on Thursday nights starting March 7th.Come try a yoga class with me. We explore a sequence of gently paced Hatha yoga postures designed to stretch, tone, strengthen, and improve balance while increasing breath awareness. Emphasize is on "being" rather than doing.
There is still room at Reiki Shinpiden class!
Reiki Shinpiden Master/Teacher Training on April 12-14 with Frans Stiene: Let me know if you want to be part of this life changing experience. Send me an e-mail at turquoizen@yahoo.com For more info: http://cincinnatishinpiden.wordpress.com
Frans only has 2 sessions left for private Reiki treatments. Would you like to be the lucky ones?
Last but not least, a friend of mine still has 3 Dalai Lama tickets for sale for Monday May 20th at Louisville ($88.5/each). Also I need to sell my Dalai Lama public talk tickets for 1pm Sunday May 19th. ($7) :-( Let me know if you’re interested. I’ll be there for Monday’s teachings.
Reiki hugs,
Love & Light,
Zeynep “Premdasi” Yilmaz
Friday, February 1, 2013
Reiki Newsletter- February 2013
Dear friends,
What an exciting month it has been and more is on the way!
Next Reiki Day is set for March 10th at Grailville, Frans is coming in April for Shinpiden class and my Reiki trainings are going full throttle to raise funds to support my seva project for this year: HalftheSky
First thing first: Mark your calendars for next Reiki Day on March 10th. This will be another fun day to bring Cincinnati Reiki practitioners together to share, learn and grow together as a community. Morning session is for Reiki Master/Teachers from 9:30 A.M until 12:30 P.M; the afternoon session is for all Reiki practitioners from 1:30 P.M until 5:00 P.M. Day long events include deep dive into Reiki principles, Reiki symbols, Reiki Share, energy experiences, Reiki drumming and Reiju (Reiki blessings). Don’t miss this change to meet with like minded practitioners, to learn from each other and have fun. If you have any suggestions for agenda let me know. Hope to see you all there.
Also mark your calendars for April 11th 7 pm. Frans Stiene will give a free public talk on Reiki while he’s here in Cincinnati. As you know Frans is my Reiki teacher and is coming from Australia to teach a Reiki Shinpiden Master/teacher class. He is graciously offering a free public talk on Japanese Art of Reiki at the New Thought Unity Center. Just participating this talk has created healing experiences for many people in previous years. Don’t miss this!
Lastly thank you so much for your encouragement and support for this year’s seva project. Every year for quite some time, I’ve been dedicating a portion of my Reiki and yoga classes to raise funds or take attention to some world problems All my classes in January and February will support HalftheSky Project and specifically a maternity hospital in Somalia.
http://www.halftheskymovement.org
Half the Sky movement is to ignite the change needed to end the oppression of women and girls worldwide. Inspired by two journalists and the book of the same title; the movement brings resources and educational tools to the women in need and raises awareness of women issues, providing steps to fight these problems and help empower women for issues ranging from sex trafficking, to health risks and education.
Now you can be part of the solution by coming to my classes and donating the class fee in below link!
http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamFriendsofEdnas
Fasten your seat belts and hope you enjoy the classes!
How to teach a Reiki class – Refresher for Reiki Masters on Sunday February 3rd 2-5pm ($45)
This class is a refresher for Reiki Masters on practicalities of teaching a Reiki class. This class is perfect for those who has been a Reiki Master Teacher for a while but not started teaching yet and started feeling the call to teach Reiki or those who want to expand and deepen their Reiki teaching experience. We’ll cover Pre-Class, Class and Post Class periods. Everyone who participate the class will receive my Reiki Manual and will have the right to use it. I’ll pass attunements and teach how to pass Reiju (traditional way of sharing Reiki blessings).
Reiki Level 2 Class on Saturday February 9th from 9:30 am till 5:30 pm $175
Are you ready to take your Reiki practice to the next level? This class is empowered with Japanese Reiki Teachings and introduces the “symbols” as a means to invoke particular energies to help enhance your understanding of the macro and micro Cosmos. You will learn symbols to help you ground to the Earth, balance with Heavens and expand your heart to connect to the whole Universe. This class is a major step in your self-discovery to find what’s hidden inside.
At the end of the class, students will learn how to invoke and use the symbols in daily life as well as techniques for distant healing. A light vegetarian lunch will be served.
Reiki as a Spiritual Path on Sunday February 17th 2pm-5pm open to all levels ($45)
This class explores how Reiki can be a path of spiritual development and how do the pillars of Reiki systems (precepts, symbols, mantras, meditations, hands-on healing) complement each other and provide a path to enlightenment. This class is a comparative exploration of major religions and spiritual traditions versus Reiki as paths of “self-realization”.
Gentle Yoga classes on Thursday nights at 6pm Grace Tree Yoga Studio ($7 for new students)
Come try a yoga class in New Year! We explore a sequence of gently paced Hatha yoga postures designed to stretch, tone, strengthen, and improve balance while increasing breath awareness. Emphasize is on "being" rather than doing.
Meditation Meet-ups on 2nd Sundays at 9 am – February 10th 9:00am - 9:45am at Grace Tree Yoga Studio
I’m continue to facilitate monthly Meditation group meetings at Grace Tree Yoga Studio every second Sunday of the month. Join me each month to experience the dynamics and support of meditating as a group. Each meet-up will begin with a brief introduction for newcomers on the basics of meditation and a grounding meditation. The rest of the time is open for everyone to have their own experience. All are welcome. Love donation accepted.
http://www.gracetreestudio.com
There is still room to participate Reiki Shinpiden class!
Reiki Shinpiden Master/Teacher Training on April 12-14 with Frans Stiene
Let me know if you want to be part of this life changing experience. Send me an e-mail at turquoizen@yahoo.com For more info: http://cincinnatishinpiden.wordpress.com
Last but not least, would you like to see Dalai Lama? I have 4 extra tickets for Monday May 20th for his teachings at Louisville! I’m selling my tickets at face value ($88.50) so that I can sit with my friends :-) Let me know if you’re interested.
Reiki hugs,
Love & Light,
Zeynep “Premdasi” Yilmaz
What an exciting month it has been and more is on the way!
Next Reiki Day is set for March 10th at Grailville, Frans is coming in April for Shinpiden class and my Reiki trainings are going full throttle to raise funds to support my seva project for this year: HalftheSky
First thing first: Mark your calendars for next Reiki Day on March 10th. This will be another fun day to bring Cincinnati Reiki practitioners together to share, learn and grow together as a community. Morning session is for Reiki Master/Teachers from 9:30 A.M until 12:30 P.M; the afternoon session is for all Reiki practitioners from 1:30 P.M until 5:00 P.M. Day long events include deep dive into Reiki principles, Reiki symbols, Reiki Share, energy experiences, Reiki drumming and Reiju (Reiki blessings). Don’t miss this change to meet with like minded practitioners, to learn from each other and have fun. If you have any suggestions for agenda let me know. Hope to see you all there.
Also mark your calendars for April 11th 7 pm. Frans Stiene will give a free public talk on Reiki while he’s here in Cincinnati. As you know Frans is my Reiki teacher and is coming from Australia to teach a Reiki Shinpiden Master/teacher class. He is graciously offering a free public talk on Japanese Art of Reiki at the New Thought Unity Center. Just participating this talk has created healing experiences for many people in previous years. Don’t miss this!
Lastly thank you so much for your encouragement and support for this year’s seva project. Every year for quite some time, I’ve been dedicating a portion of my Reiki and yoga classes to raise funds or take attention to some world problems All my classes in January and February will support HalftheSky Project and specifically a maternity hospital in Somalia.
http://www.halftheskymovement.org
Half the Sky movement is to ignite the change needed to end the oppression of women and girls worldwide. Inspired by two journalists and the book of the same title; the movement brings resources and educational tools to the women in need and raises awareness of women issues, providing steps to fight these problems and help empower women for issues ranging from sex trafficking, to health risks and education.
Now you can be part of the solution by coming to my classes and donating the class fee in below link!
http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamFriendsofEdnas
Fasten your seat belts and hope you enjoy the classes!
How to teach a Reiki class – Refresher for Reiki Masters on Sunday February 3rd 2-5pm ($45)
This class is a refresher for Reiki Masters on practicalities of teaching a Reiki class. This class is perfect for those who has been a Reiki Master Teacher for a while but not started teaching yet and started feeling the call to teach Reiki or those who want to expand and deepen their Reiki teaching experience. We’ll cover Pre-Class, Class and Post Class periods. Everyone who participate the class will receive my Reiki Manual and will have the right to use it. I’ll pass attunements and teach how to pass Reiju (traditional way of sharing Reiki blessings).
Reiki Level 2 Class on Saturday February 9th from 9:30 am till 5:30 pm $175
Are you ready to take your Reiki practice to the next level? This class is empowered with Japanese Reiki Teachings and introduces the “symbols” as a means to invoke particular energies to help enhance your understanding of the macro and micro Cosmos. You will learn symbols to help you ground to the Earth, balance with Heavens and expand your heart to connect to the whole Universe. This class is a major step in your self-discovery to find what’s hidden inside.
At the end of the class, students will learn how to invoke and use the symbols in daily life as well as techniques for distant healing. A light vegetarian lunch will be served.
Reiki as a Spiritual Path on Sunday February 17th 2pm-5pm open to all levels ($45)
This class explores how Reiki can be a path of spiritual development and how do the pillars of Reiki systems (precepts, symbols, mantras, meditations, hands-on healing) complement each other and provide a path to enlightenment. This class is a comparative exploration of major religions and spiritual traditions versus Reiki as paths of “self-realization”.
Gentle Yoga classes on Thursday nights at 6pm Grace Tree Yoga Studio ($7 for new students)
Come try a yoga class in New Year! We explore a sequence of gently paced Hatha yoga postures designed to stretch, tone, strengthen, and improve balance while increasing breath awareness. Emphasize is on "being" rather than doing.
Meditation Meet-ups on 2nd Sundays at 9 am – February 10th 9:00am - 9:45am at Grace Tree Yoga Studio
I’m continue to facilitate monthly Meditation group meetings at Grace Tree Yoga Studio every second Sunday of the month. Join me each month to experience the dynamics and support of meditating as a group. Each meet-up will begin with a brief introduction for newcomers on the basics of meditation and a grounding meditation. The rest of the time is open for everyone to have their own experience. All are welcome. Love donation accepted.
http://www.gracetreestudio.com
There is still room to participate Reiki Shinpiden class!
Reiki Shinpiden Master/Teacher Training on April 12-14 with Frans Stiene
Let me know if you want to be part of this life changing experience. Send me an e-mail at turquoizen@yahoo.com For more info: http://cincinnatishinpiden.wordpress.com
Last but not least, would you like to see Dalai Lama? I have 4 extra tickets for Monday May 20th for his teachings at Louisville! I’m selling my tickets at face value ($88.50) so that I can sit with my friends :-) Let me know if you’re interested.
Reiki hugs,
Love & Light,
Zeynep “Premdasi” Yilmaz
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Reiki Newsleter-January 2013
Dear friends,
May this be the year to love, to be kind and compassionate to ourselves, the Earth, and all humanity, to let go of anything we don’t need any more, and to unite around love, kindness, care, service and action. May this be a wonderful year for you all!
You’re not late to join the “Distant Reiki Experiment” today January 1st at 3 pm to empower your goals with Reiki for the upcoming year. To sign up and get the instructions click: http://www.DistantReikiExperiment.org
Every year for quite some time, I’ve been dedicating a portion of my Reiki and yoga classes to raise funds or take attention to some world problems.
For the first couple years, our group supported “Smile Train” and helped a few kids to have cleft palate surgery, an operation so easy and affordable that for only $250, you can change the life of a child. So, we did!
In 2010, I came up with all the “Reiki continuous education” classes, so that I could teach as many classes to raise funds to help the devastation of the Haiti earthquake. We raised $1200 in only 3 weeks. Thanks to you all!
Last year, we supported MyCharity:Water. We raised $1100 for a water project. The construction of a well in a water deprived area in Africa is underway as we speak. More importantly, we raised awareness of the water shortage and water quality problems around the world, a resource so precious that we are so dependent on.
This year I was contemplating what this year’s quest should be and when I turned on the TV, I came across the PBS series: Half The Sky, two nights in a row. Given that I rarely watch TV sometimes for even a week, this was clearly a message for me: http://www.halftheskymovement.org
Half the Sky movement is to ignite the change needed to end the oppression of women and girls worldwide. Inspired by two journalists and the book of the same title; the movement brings resources and educational tools to the women in need and raises awareness of women issues, providing steps to fight these problems and help empower women. If you haven’t watched the PBS series, I’d strongly recommend it. It consists of stories of women and girls who are living under some of the most difficult circumstances and fighting bravely to change them, with issues ranging from sex trafficking, to health risks and education.
I was deeply touched by each story, the bravery of the women who have become agents for change in their society, improving the world for themselves and for generations to come, with so little resources. Once again, I realized intention and courage is the biggest resources and how lucky we are and how much grateful we should be as we take so many things for granted.
Of all the stories, I was touched by Edna. Edna is one of the first (and few) RN’s of Somalia. A retired United Nations employee, Edna returned to her country to build a Maternity Hospital on a dump using her retirement funds to help significantly reduce the maternal mortality rate for women who come to the hospital. Educating young girls and families against female genital mutilation and fighting to bring dignity and security to giving birth, Edna is also environmentally conscious. She’s trying to invest to a solar power system to reduce the energy bill using solar panels.
Now you can be part of the solution.
I’ll be donating proceedings of all my yoga and Reiki classes for next 2 months to support Edna’s Maternity hospital in Somalia. For that, I’ve scheduled a list of classes. As you take classes, you can simply donate at below link (so that you can deduct from tax) or pay me cash so that I’ll donate it all at once on our behalf.
http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamFriendsofEdnas
Fasten your seat belts and hope you enjoy the classes!
Reiki Refresher Class on January 12nd from 3-5 pm $35
Perfect way to reconnect with Reiki! You might have taken a class few years ago; you might not have been practicing Reiki as much or just want to deepen your understanding of Japanese Reiki teachings. You can come back for a refresher class and refresh your knowledge. This class provides an overview of Reiki as a system of self-improvement and self-realization and explores pillars of Reiki system (precepts, meditations, hands-on healing, symbols and attunement).
Everyone will receive Reiju (traditional way of passing Reiki blessings).
Deep Dive into Reiki Symbols on Sunday January 27th 3pm - 5pm (only Reiki 2 and above practitioners) $35
This class is an in depth exploration of Reiki symbols based on Japanese Reiki teachings. We’ll discuss the meaning and function of the symbols, introduce meditations and chanting the name of the symbols and discuss how to eventually drop the symbols and “be what the Symbol represents”.
Reiki Level 1 Class on Friday on February 1st from 9:00 am till 6:30 pm $150
Spread the word to your friends and loved ones. This class incorporates Japanese Reiki elements and empowers you to come closer to your higher self by creating a connection to Reiki and supporting your practice with precepts, meditations and hands-on healing. A light vegetarian lunch will be served.
How to teach a Reiki class – Refresher for Reiki Masters on Sunday February 3rd 2-5pm ($45)
This class is a refresher for Reiki Masters on practicalities of teaching a Reiki class. This class is perfect for those who has been a Reiki Master Teacher for a while but not started teaching yet and started feeling the call to teach Reiki or those who want to expand and deepen their Reiki teaching experience. We’ll cover Pre-Class, Class and Post Class periods. Everyone who participate the class will receive my Reiki Manual and will have the right to use it. I’ll pass attunements and teach how to pass Reiju (traditional way of sharing Reiki blessings).
Reiki Level 2 Class on Saturday February 9th from 9:30 am till 5:30 pm $175
Are you ready to take your Reiki practice to the next level? This class is empowered with Japanese Reiki Teachings and introduces the “symbols” as a means to invoke particular energies to help enhance your understanding of the macro and micro Cosmos. You will learn symbols to help you ground to the Earth, balance with Heavens and expand your heart to connect to the whole Universe. This class is a major step in your self-discovery to find what’s hidden inside.
At the end of the class, students will learn how to draw, how to activate and where to use the symbols in daily life as well as techniques for distant healing. A light vegetarian lunch will be served.
Reiki as a Spiritual Path on Sunday February 17th 2pm-5pm open to all levels ($45)
This class explores how Reiki can be a path of spiritual development and how do the pillars of Reiki systems (precepts, symbols, mantras, meditations, hands-on healing) complement each other and provide a path to enlightenment. This class is a comparative exploration of major religions and spiritual traditions versus Reiki as paths of “self-realization”.
Gentle Yoga classes on Thursday nights at 6pm Grace Tree Yoga Studio ($7 for new students)
Come try a yoga class in New Year! We explore a sequence of gently paced Hatha yoga postures designed to stretch, tone, strengthen, and improve balance while increasing breath awareness. Emphasize is on "being" rather than doing.
More exciting news:
2x50% Scholarships ($650 value) available for Reiki Shinpiden Master/Teacher Training on April 12-14 with Frans Stiene: Let me know if you want to be part of this life changing experience. Send me an e-mail at turquoizen@yahoo.com For more info: http://cincinnatishinpiden.wordpress.com
Meditation Meet-ups on 2nd Sundays at 9 am - January 13th 9:00am - 9:45am at Grace Tree Yoga Studio
I’m continue to facilitate monthly Meditation group meetings at Grace Tree Yoga Studio every second Sunday of the month. Join me each month to experience the dynamics and support of meditating as a group. Each meet-up will begin with a brief introduction for newcomers on the basics of meditation and a grounding meditation. The rest of the time is open for everyone to have their own experience. All are welcome. Love donation accepted.
http://www.gracetreestudio.com/
I wish you all a happy New Year filled with abundance of health, peace, prosperity, love, and joy.
Reiki hugs,
Love & Light,
Zeynep “Premdasi” Yilmaz
May this be the year to love, to be kind and compassionate to ourselves, the Earth, and all humanity, to let go of anything we don’t need any more, and to unite around love, kindness, care, service and action. May this be a wonderful year for you all!
You’re not late to join the “Distant Reiki Experiment” today January 1st at 3 pm to empower your goals with Reiki for the upcoming year. To sign up and get the instructions click: http://www.DistantReikiExperiment.org
Every year for quite some time, I’ve been dedicating a portion of my Reiki and yoga classes to raise funds or take attention to some world problems.
For the first couple years, our group supported “Smile Train” and helped a few kids to have cleft palate surgery, an operation so easy and affordable that for only $250, you can change the life of a child. So, we did!
In 2010, I came up with all the “Reiki continuous education” classes, so that I could teach as many classes to raise funds to help the devastation of the Haiti earthquake. We raised $1200 in only 3 weeks. Thanks to you all!
Last year, we supported MyCharity:Water. We raised $1100 for a water project. The construction of a well in a water deprived area in Africa is underway as we speak. More importantly, we raised awareness of the water shortage and water quality problems around the world, a resource so precious that we are so dependent on.
This year I was contemplating what this year’s quest should be and when I turned on the TV, I came across the PBS series: Half The Sky, two nights in a row. Given that I rarely watch TV sometimes for even a week, this was clearly a message for me: http://www.halftheskymovement.org
Half the Sky movement is to ignite the change needed to end the oppression of women and girls worldwide. Inspired by two journalists and the book of the same title; the movement brings resources and educational tools to the women in need and raises awareness of women issues, providing steps to fight these problems and help empower women. If you haven’t watched the PBS series, I’d strongly recommend it. It consists of stories of women and girls who are living under some of the most difficult circumstances and fighting bravely to change them, with issues ranging from sex trafficking, to health risks and education.
I was deeply touched by each story, the bravery of the women who have become agents for change in their society, improving the world for themselves and for generations to come, with so little resources. Once again, I realized intention and courage is the biggest resources and how lucky we are and how much grateful we should be as we take so many things for granted.
Of all the stories, I was touched by Edna. Edna is one of the first (and few) RN’s of Somalia. A retired United Nations employee, Edna returned to her country to build a Maternity Hospital on a dump using her retirement funds to help significantly reduce the maternal mortality rate for women who come to the hospital. Educating young girls and families against female genital mutilation and fighting to bring dignity and security to giving birth, Edna is also environmentally conscious. She’s trying to invest to a solar power system to reduce the energy bill using solar panels.
Now you can be part of the solution.
I’ll be donating proceedings of all my yoga and Reiki classes for next 2 months to support Edna’s Maternity hospital in Somalia. For that, I’ve scheduled a list of classes. As you take classes, you can simply donate at below link (so that you can deduct from tax) or pay me cash so that I’ll donate it all at once on our behalf.
http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamFriendsofEdnas
Fasten your seat belts and hope you enjoy the classes!
Reiki Refresher Class on January 12nd from 3-5 pm $35
Perfect way to reconnect with Reiki! You might have taken a class few years ago; you might not have been practicing Reiki as much or just want to deepen your understanding of Japanese Reiki teachings. You can come back for a refresher class and refresh your knowledge. This class provides an overview of Reiki as a system of self-improvement and self-realization and explores pillars of Reiki system (precepts, meditations, hands-on healing, symbols and attunement).
Everyone will receive Reiju (traditional way of passing Reiki blessings).
Deep Dive into Reiki Symbols on Sunday January 27th 3pm - 5pm (only Reiki 2 and above practitioners) $35
This class is an in depth exploration of Reiki symbols based on Japanese Reiki teachings. We’ll discuss the meaning and function of the symbols, introduce meditations and chanting the name of the symbols and discuss how to eventually drop the symbols and “be what the Symbol represents”.
Reiki Level 1 Class on Friday on February 1st from 9:00 am till 6:30 pm $150
Spread the word to your friends and loved ones. This class incorporates Japanese Reiki elements and empowers you to come closer to your higher self by creating a connection to Reiki and supporting your practice with precepts, meditations and hands-on healing. A light vegetarian lunch will be served.
How to teach a Reiki class – Refresher for Reiki Masters on Sunday February 3rd 2-5pm ($45)
This class is a refresher for Reiki Masters on practicalities of teaching a Reiki class. This class is perfect for those who has been a Reiki Master Teacher for a while but not started teaching yet and started feeling the call to teach Reiki or those who want to expand and deepen their Reiki teaching experience. We’ll cover Pre-Class, Class and Post Class periods. Everyone who participate the class will receive my Reiki Manual and will have the right to use it. I’ll pass attunements and teach how to pass Reiju (traditional way of sharing Reiki blessings).
Reiki Level 2 Class on Saturday February 9th from 9:30 am till 5:30 pm $175
Are you ready to take your Reiki practice to the next level? This class is empowered with Japanese Reiki Teachings and introduces the “symbols” as a means to invoke particular energies to help enhance your understanding of the macro and micro Cosmos. You will learn symbols to help you ground to the Earth, balance with Heavens and expand your heart to connect to the whole Universe. This class is a major step in your self-discovery to find what’s hidden inside.
At the end of the class, students will learn how to draw, how to activate and where to use the symbols in daily life as well as techniques for distant healing. A light vegetarian lunch will be served.
Reiki as a Spiritual Path on Sunday February 17th 2pm-5pm open to all levels ($45)
This class explores how Reiki can be a path of spiritual development and how do the pillars of Reiki systems (precepts, symbols, mantras, meditations, hands-on healing) complement each other and provide a path to enlightenment. This class is a comparative exploration of major religions and spiritual traditions versus Reiki as paths of “self-realization”.
Gentle Yoga classes on Thursday nights at 6pm Grace Tree Yoga Studio ($7 for new students)
Come try a yoga class in New Year! We explore a sequence of gently paced Hatha yoga postures designed to stretch, tone, strengthen, and improve balance while increasing breath awareness. Emphasize is on "being" rather than doing.
More exciting news:
2x50% Scholarships ($650 value) available for Reiki Shinpiden Master/Teacher Training on April 12-14 with Frans Stiene: Let me know if you want to be part of this life changing experience. Send me an e-mail at turquoizen@yahoo.com For more info: http://cincinnatishinpiden.wordpress.com
Meditation Meet-ups on 2nd Sundays at 9 am - January 13th 9:00am - 9:45am at Grace Tree Yoga Studio
I’m continue to facilitate monthly Meditation group meetings at Grace Tree Yoga Studio every second Sunday of the month. Join me each month to experience the dynamics and support of meditating as a group. Each meet-up will begin with a brief introduction for newcomers on the basics of meditation and a grounding meditation. The rest of the time is open for everyone to have their own experience. All are welcome. Love donation accepted.
http://www.gracetreestudio.com/
I wish you all a happy New Year filled with abundance of health, peace, prosperity, love, and joy.
Reiki hugs,
Love & Light,
Zeynep “Premdasi” Yilmaz
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