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
Friday, February 1, 2013
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
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Pre-January Reiki Newsletter
Dear All,
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!
We continue our Reiki New Years tradition in Cincinnati, thanks to our dear friend Tony Agee who has organized a “Distant Reiki Experiment” every year for the last 10 years. The purpose of the experiment is to help Reiki practitioners empower their goals with Reiki for the upcoming year. You are all invited to participate in this experiment. This year’s event is scheduled for Tuesday January 1st at 3pm EST. To sign up and get the instructions click: http://www.DistantReikiExperiment.org
You can still participate if you don’t sign up- at 3 pm on Tuesday, sit quietly for 10 minutes or so, and use the following statement of intent during whatever process you choose to send Reiki so we can all focus the energy in the same direction: “I would like to send Reiki Energy to fully and completely empower and manifest each goal posted to the Distant Reiki Experiment's website; and to heal and empower every practitioner participating in this event as well as the Earth.”
May all your wishes come true...!
As is tradition for every January Newsletter, I’d like to share some tips on how you can create your resolutions and use Reiki for their materialization.
Manifesting a reality starts with clear intentions (remember The Law of Attraction). What you focus on is what you attract to your life.
Express your New Year resolution with clarity. Instead of saying “I want to be happy”, define happiness. Say “I want a new job that will bring my highest potential” or “I want to be in a relationship where we can share and grow together”. Instead of “I want a new car” say the model and the color and add any other details as possible. This shows how clear you are with your goal.
Always use positive statements in current tense. Instead of saying “I don’t want to be sick”, say “I am completely healthy”.
Visualize yourself as already accomplished your wish or resolution, i.e. you can visualize yourself at the front yard of your dream home, at the office, or in a loving relationship. Visualize as many details as you can.
Think about what emotions you’d have when you accomplish your goal. Add that emotion to your vision. Feel the breeze of the ocean or sand in the beach, warmness of the sun in your face when you’re in your dream vacation. Feel the joy, the happiness, the contentment of accomplishing your goal.
To empower your goals with Reiki; you can simply write down your resolutions on a piece of paper or visualize it.
Connect to Reiki by saying an intention or affirmation like “I’m opening myself to Reiki”. Feel the gentle current of Reiki.
If you know Reiki symbols use them at this time. If you are using visualization, beam Reiki to the image as if it’s in a screen in front of you. If you prefer to write it down, take the piece of paper into your palms and provide Reiki.
Send Reiki to the image or to the paper for 5-10 minutes, or as long as you feel necessary. .
Well, the work starts after you send Reiki. Make an action plan and work towards your goal. I’ve just updated my personal OGSM (Objectives, Goals, Strategies and Measures) and I’d be glad to work with you individually if you’d like to create yours. This is a tool I’ve adapted from the corporate world. It starts with having a vision, mission, achievable goals, and measurable targets for your goals. It works amazingly!
It’s also very important to prepare yourself for your goal and bring your surrounding conditions ready for the materialization of your wish, i.e. check internet resources for healthy diets, how to learn a new skill, etc. One thing I often do is talk about my goals to my family and friends. The more you talk about your goals, the more you’re inspired and get closer to them. It’s also important to surround yourself with people who’ll support you and your goals.
Always remember you are worth it and you deserve it!
Probably the most important aspect is not to cling to the outcome. Remember it’ll be materialized only if your goal is aligned with your life plan and if it’s for your utmost good. Trust the Divine order for that.
Watch for volume 2 of my January Newsletter as I’ll announce this year’s “Kindness Quest” very soon- an act of kindness you can all participate and support! Fasten your seat belts, more coming soon.
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!
We continue our Reiki New Years tradition in Cincinnati, thanks to our dear friend Tony Agee who has organized a “Distant Reiki Experiment” every year for the last 10 years. The purpose of the experiment is to help Reiki practitioners empower their goals with Reiki for the upcoming year. You are all invited to participate in this experiment. This year’s event is scheduled for Tuesday January 1st at 3pm EST. To sign up and get the instructions click: http://www.DistantReikiExperiment.org
You can still participate if you don’t sign up- at 3 pm on Tuesday, sit quietly for 10 minutes or so, and use the following statement of intent during whatever process you choose to send Reiki so we can all focus the energy in the same direction: “I would like to send Reiki Energy to fully and completely empower and manifest each goal posted to the Distant Reiki Experiment's website; and to heal and empower every practitioner participating in this event as well as the Earth.”
May all your wishes come true...!
As is tradition for every January Newsletter, I’d like to share some tips on how you can create your resolutions and use Reiki for their materialization.
Manifesting a reality starts with clear intentions (remember The Law of Attraction). What you focus on is what you attract to your life.
Express your New Year resolution with clarity. Instead of saying “I want to be happy”, define happiness. Say “I want a new job that will bring my highest potential” or “I want to be in a relationship where we can share and grow together”. Instead of “I want a new car” say the model and the color and add any other details as possible. This shows how clear you are with your goal.
Always use positive statements in current tense. Instead of saying “I don’t want to be sick”, say “I am completely healthy”.
Visualize yourself as already accomplished your wish or resolution, i.e. you can visualize yourself at the front yard of your dream home, at the office, or in a loving relationship. Visualize as many details as you can.
Think about what emotions you’d have when you accomplish your goal. Add that emotion to your vision. Feel the breeze of the ocean or sand in the beach, warmness of the sun in your face when you’re in your dream vacation. Feel the joy, the happiness, the contentment of accomplishing your goal.
To empower your goals with Reiki; you can simply write down your resolutions on a piece of paper or visualize it.
Connect to Reiki by saying an intention or affirmation like “I’m opening myself to Reiki”. Feel the gentle current of Reiki.
If you know Reiki symbols use them at this time. If you are using visualization, beam Reiki to the image as if it’s in a screen in front of you. If you prefer to write it down, take the piece of paper into your palms and provide Reiki.
Send Reiki to the image or to the paper for 5-10 minutes, or as long as you feel necessary. .
Well, the work starts after you send Reiki. Make an action plan and work towards your goal. I’ve just updated my personal OGSM (Objectives, Goals, Strategies and Measures) and I’d be glad to work with you individually if you’d like to create yours. This is a tool I’ve adapted from the corporate world. It starts with having a vision, mission, achievable goals, and measurable targets for your goals. It works amazingly!
It’s also very important to prepare yourself for your goal and bring your surrounding conditions ready for the materialization of your wish, i.e. check internet resources for healthy diets, how to learn a new skill, etc. One thing I often do is talk about my goals to my family and friends. The more you talk about your goals, the more you’re inspired and get closer to them. It’s also important to surround yourself with people who’ll support you and your goals.
Always remember you are worth it and you deserve it!
Probably the most important aspect is not to cling to the outcome. Remember it’ll be materialized only if your goal is aligned with your life plan and if it’s for your utmost good. Trust the Divine order for that.
Watch for volume 2 of my January Newsletter as I’ll announce this year’s “Kindness Quest” very soon- an act of kindness you can all participate and support! Fasten your seat belts, more coming soon.
Reiki hugs,
Love & Light,
Zeynep “Premdasi” Yilmaz
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Reiki Newsletter- December 2012
Dear friends,
You know how deliberately I try to stick to Reiki in this newsletter, but this is one of the few occasions I will slightly navigate (you can tell how strongly I feel about this event).
Imagine a world where the driving force is love, compassion, kindness and unity. Communities cultivate creativity, empathy and truth, and individuals are spiritually motivated for evolution and compassion guides the way. Imagine a community living sustainably, where cooperation is the motivation, where respect, mutual understanding, humility and deep connection are bonding elements. Imagine science and spirituality coming together.
A very important milestone in the evolution of human consciousness is coming on December 21, 2012. A 26,000 cycle will come to an end and a new era of consciousness will start. I believe that this milestone will bring potential of positive change for humanity to evolve to the next stage in our consciousness where we can cultivate all these qualities and recognize our unity.
So… drum roll please…..We decided this “once-in-a-history-of-mankind” milestone deserves a special celebration. We will celebrate this milestone with an overnight party at Cincinnati Yoga School starting at 7:30 pm on Dec 21 ending at 7:30 am Dec 22. We’ll raise our consciousness with a series of events throughout the night to celebrate our evolution for a positive future for ourselves, for a sustainable community and humanity.
I sincerely hope you can join us and help cultivate this new consciousness.
Arrive at 7:30 pm
8 pm-10:00 pm “I AM" movie and discussion (bring your journals, we’ll make individual action plans on what can we do for ourselves, our Earth, our community and the humanity)
10:00-11:30 pm Reiki and Energy work
11:30-1:00 am music, chanting, drumming
1:00- 5:30 am free time for meditation (or sleep)
5:30 am morning meditation and peace prayers
6-7:30 am gentle yoga
Event is donation based (with a suggested donation of $25). All donations will go to Virtues Project to support a school that underprivileged children attend in India. You don’t have to commit the whole night, you can participate in the events of your choice only. If you plan to stay over, bring your sleeping bag and a pillow, CYS’s comfy blue carpet will be our bed (if we ever sleep). Snacks, drinks and a Birthday cake will be available. http://www.virtuesfirstprojects.com/p/austin-wright-and-prem-lata-memorial.html
Lotus Yoga Temple/Cincinnati Yoga School is at 6125 Ridge Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45213
(513) 247-9642 http://www.cincyoga.com
You can RSVP by simply sending me a message or at FB:
http://www.facebook.com/events/calendar#!/events/309621532486273
If you want to read more, here is a great article: http://itsallaboutwe.com/2012/11/21/its-all-about-we
Reiki Chanting and Practice Night at Cincinnati Yoga School is on Tuesday December 18 at 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm (for Reiki 2 and above practitioners). We gather every 3rd Tuesday at CYS for a night of Energy practice, Reiki chanting and Reiju. There is a very special guest this month! (and I mean VERY special!)
10-week Yoga series continue with a different theme each week, until Dec 21, to help us re-birth to our essential self. Come join me at the Grace Tree Yoga Studio, Thursday nights 6 pm-7:30 pm.
- Dec 6 Opening doors: Mindfulness
- Dec 13 Connectedness
- Dec 20 Compassionate heart
Upcoming Reiki classes: Every year I select an agency and do a fundraising campaign by teaching yoga and Reiki classes. We helped build a water well in Africa last year and draw awareness to water shortage. This year I selected a wonderful program inspired by Half the Sky!. Watch for Reiki classes coming in late January for a fundraising program that we’ll provide funds to thousands of under privileged women in Africa to give safe birth.
I bow to you all changing agents, farewell until then.
Love & Light,
Zeynep
You know how deliberately I try to stick to Reiki in this newsletter, but this is one of the few occasions I will slightly navigate (you can tell how strongly I feel about this event).
Imagine a world where the driving force is love, compassion, kindness and unity. Communities cultivate creativity, empathy and truth, and individuals are spiritually motivated for evolution and compassion guides the way. Imagine a community living sustainably, where cooperation is the motivation, where respect, mutual understanding, humility and deep connection are bonding elements. Imagine science and spirituality coming together.
A very important milestone in the evolution of human consciousness is coming on December 21, 2012. A 26,000 cycle will come to an end and a new era of consciousness will start. I believe that this milestone will bring potential of positive change for humanity to evolve to the next stage in our consciousness where we can cultivate all these qualities and recognize our unity.
So… drum roll please…..We decided this “once-in-a-history-of-mankind” milestone deserves a special celebration. We will celebrate this milestone with an overnight party at Cincinnati Yoga School starting at 7:30 pm on Dec 21 ending at 7:30 am Dec 22. We’ll raise our consciousness with a series of events throughout the night to celebrate our evolution for a positive future for ourselves, for a sustainable community and humanity.
I sincerely hope you can join us and help cultivate this new consciousness.
Arrive at 7:30 pm
8 pm-10:00 pm “I AM" movie and discussion (bring your journals, we’ll make individual action plans on what can we do for ourselves, our Earth, our community and the humanity)
10:00-11:30 pm Reiki and Energy work
11:30-1:00 am music, chanting, drumming
1:00- 5:30 am free time for meditation (or sleep)
5:30 am morning meditation and peace prayers
6-7:30 am gentle yoga
Event is donation based (with a suggested donation of $25). All donations will go to Virtues Project to support a school that underprivileged children attend in India. You don’t have to commit the whole night, you can participate in the events of your choice only. If you plan to stay over, bring your sleeping bag and a pillow, CYS’s comfy blue carpet will be our bed (if we ever sleep). Snacks, drinks and a Birthday cake will be available. http://www.virtuesfirstprojects.com/p/austin-wright-and-prem-lata-memorial.html
Lotus Yoga Temple/Cincinnati Yoga School is at 6125 Ridge Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45213
(513) 247-9642 http://www.cincyoga.com
You can RSVP by simply sending me a message or at FB:
http://www.facebook.com/events/calendar#!/events/309621532486273
If you want to read more, here is a great article: http://itsallaboutwe.com/2012/11/21/its-all-about-we
Reiki Chanting and Practice Night at Cincinnati Yoga School is on Tuesday December 18 at 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm (for Reiki 2 and above practitioners). We gather every 3rd Tuesday at CYS for a night of Energy practice, Reiki chanting and Reiju. There is a very special guest this month! (and I mean VERY special!)
10-week Yoga series continue with a different theme each week, until Dec 21, to help us re-birth to our essential self. Come join me at the Grace Tree Yoga Studio, Thursday nights 6 pm-7:30 pm.
- Dec 6 Opening doors: Mindfulness
- Dec 13 Connectedness
- Dec 20 Compassionate heart
Upcoming Reiki classes: Every year I select an agency and do a fundraising campaign by teaching yoga and Reiki classes. We helped build a water well in Africa last year and draw awareness to water shortage. This year I selected a wonderful program inspired by Half the Sky!. Watch for Reiki classes coming in late January for a fundraising program that we’ll provide funds to thousands of under privileged women in Africa to give safe birth.
I bow to you all changing agents, farewell until then.
Love & Light,
Zeynep
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Reiki Newsletter- November 2012
Reiki Newsletter- November 2012
Is it me or everyone who came to Reiki Day still feeling high? It’s joy, inspiration, inter-connectedness, expansion, all at once. Wow, that’s what a day full of Reiki practice can do for you. Why stop here? We can practice every day and keep up the vibrations.
Here are few things we’ve discussed & practiced on Reiki Day:
- We discussed Professional Reiki best practices. We talked about consent forms. We highly suggest using consent forms, if you practice Reiki professionally.
- Some states require a massage or ministry license to be able to touch clients. Here is a link, where you can ordain yourself, ha,ha,ha weird isn't it? : http://www.themonastery.org/
- We also discussed Reiki Insurance. Here are some sources you can get Insurance.
http://www.shibumireiki.org/insurance/usa/
http://www.iarp.org/reikiliabilityinsurance.html
http://www.reikimembership.com/Insurance.aspx
- We discussed what to share, what not to share with clients after the session. Some guidelines are: Don’t interpret their experience for them, Don’t limit their experience , Less is better, Trust your intuition if you’re guided to share something.
- Have you checked Amazon for Reiki tables lately? You may be surprised: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=massage+tables
- Reiki treatments are typically priced similar to massage rates, it’s around $65/hour in Ohio.
- Here are two links on Mainstreaming Reiki. Frans Stiene’s article: http://www.ihreiki.com/blog/article/mainstreaming_reiki
Pamela Miles’ free training: http://reikiinmedicine.org/intro-to-medical-reiki
- We created a list of all Reiki Shares and Volunteer events and posted in Cincinnati Reiki Facebook page (under files section).
- We’ve sent Reiki to upcoming Elections for peace, understanding and healing of our country.
- We couldn’t get enough of our practice sessions (chanting, hands-off Reiki, Reiki Share, Reiju, Reiki drumming, yes we did it all!). We’ll have more next Reiki Day.
- And a surprise… we’ve announced two 50% scholarships to Frans Stiene’s Shinpiden Reiki Master Teacher class on April 12-15, 2013! We have an applicant already. Let me know if you’re interested applying.
- We even worked on tentative days and put together an agenda for Spring 2013 Reiki Day.
All you need to do is …. show up :-) (and keep up the practice!)
Love & Light,
Zeynep Premdasi Yilmaz
Is it me or everyone who came to Reiki Day still feeling high? It’s joy, inspiration, inter-connectedness, expansion, all at once. Wow, that’s what a day full of Reiki practice can do for you. Why stop here? We can practice every day and keep up the vibrations.
Here are few things we’ve discussed & practiced on Reiki Day:
- We discussed Professional Reiki best practices. We talked about consent forms. We highly suggest using consent forms, if you practice Reiki professionally.
- Some states require a massage or ministry license to be able to touch clients. Here is a link, where you can ordain yourself, ha,ha,ha weird isn't it? : http://www.themonastery.org/
- We also discussed Reiki Insurance. Here are some sources you can get Insurance.
http://www.shibumireiki.org/insurance/usa/
http://www.iarp.org/reikiliabilityinsurance.html
http://www.reikimembership.com/Insurance.aspx
- We discussed what to share, what not to share with clients after the session. Some guidelines are: Don’t interpret their experience for them, Don’t limit their experience , Less is better, Trust your intuition if you’re guided to share something.
- Have you checked Amazon for Reiki tables lately? You may be surprised: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=massage+tables
- Reiki treatments are typically priced similar to massage rates, it’s around $65/hour in Ohio.
- Here are two links on Mainstreaming Reiki. Frans Stiene’s article: http://www.ihreiki.com/blog/article/mainstreaming_reiki
Pamela Miles’ free training: http://reikiinmedicine.org/intro-to-medical-reiki
- We created a list of all Reiki Shares and Volunteer events and posted in Cincinnati Reiki Facebook page (under files section).
- We’ve sent Reiki to upcoming Elections for peace, understanding and healing of our country.
- We couldn’t get enough of our practice sessions (chanting, hands-off Reiki, Reiki Share, Reiju, Reiki drumming, yes we did it all!). We’ll have more next Reiki Day.
- And a surprise… we’ve announced two 50% scholarships to Frans Stiene’s Shinpiden Reiki Master Teacher class on April 12-15, 2013! We have an applicant already. Let me know if you’re interested applying.
- We even worked on tentative days and put together an agenda for Spring 2013 Reiki Day.
All you need to do is …. show up :-) (and keep up the practice!)
Love & Light,
Zeynep Premdasi Yilmaz
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Reiki Newsletter-October 2012
All these years, I’ve intentionally postponed writing about the 4th Reiki principle: “Work hard”, “ be honest in your work”, or in a different interpretation “be true to your Way”. I was waiting to fully experience and materialize it in my life before attempting to write about it. How ironic, at a time when I was feeling least competent about this principle, I was asked to talk about it in this month’s Reiki gathering. So, here are my thoughts...
We are each distinct, unique individuals and are born with a blueprint of a unique purpose and a gift to offer to Universe. I believe that we will all, one day, evolve to be fully aligned with our true nature. At that time, we will all manifest ourselves in what we do, and what we do will be a true expression of who we are. Until then, we have work to do, and it is hard work. That hard work will get us to manifest our true selves into what we do every day.
This principle, sometimes interpreted as “being honest in your work”, doesn’t mean not stealing or not lying (well that too, of course); but manifesting our purpose on Earth requires lots of honesty. It starts with being honest to what we like and more importantly what we don’t like. It starts with being conscious about our likes and dislikes and doing things that makes us happy and excelling in them, while staying away from things we don’t like.
Working hard also means giving ourselves fully to what we do, being one with what we do, and reflecting ourselves in everything we do. In other words, we should not compartmentalize our lives into family life, work life and spiritual life, but bring our full selves into every aspect of our lives every day. Thinking this way gives us ample practice opportunity every day; a stay at home mom can manifest working hard in being mindful while doing laundry or cooking with love and care; a real estate agent can manifest it by not only selling more homes but finding the perfect home for his/her clients, etc.
“Working hard” or “being honest in our work”, eventually gets us to “being true to our Way” .
Little more than ten years ago, I decided to work hard on myself. I thought about what I want to explore, excel and conquer at that stage in my life. I started with a 3-bullet-point-to-do list.
1) Explore: Learn Reiki 1
2) Excel: Explore Yoga teacher trainings
3) Conquer: Complete the Tai-Chi form
Based on that, I can say, I did pretty well. I learned Reiki. I became a Yoga teacher and I completed my Tai-Chi form.
I really liked working on myself. The next year, I added short term and long term goals into my to-do list. The year after that besides the things that I had worked on myself, I added things that I needed to do for others, finding ways to help and serve others with the work I do. The following year, I added a few columns for clear objectives, goals, strategies and measures for the work on myself. The next year, I had a breakthrough. Now that I had a comprehensive list of things to work hard on and I was proud of my list, I decided to show it to a friend of mine who is a Life coach. She praised my life plan. However she said there is something terribly missing in it. She asked me what I do every day. I said, I wake up, meditate, get ready and leave for work. She asked me how long I work every day. I said 8 hours, if I’m lucky. She smiled. She asked me how come there is NOTHING in my proud-life-plan-to-do-list, about my day job. I chuckled and said, “Of course, that’s not my life purpose, I enjoy working, I try my best, I’m paid for it, but that’s about it, that’s not my life purpose. I said “My life plan to-do-list is what I really enjoy doing”. She nodded and said, “But then you have to find a way to express yourself in what you do every day until you fully manifest what you really like to do”. Otherwise, she said, the time I spend in my day job is a waste of time. I thought about what she said. She was right. I had no clue how to align what I do at my daily job with what I enjoyed doing.
I won’t go into details, but first I moved to the “Services” division of the company I work for. I thought that might be a good start, if my purpose is to “serve”. One thing led to another, and eight years after that conversation with my friend, I finally felt like I was doing the most meaningful day job in my whole career. I started working for environmental sustainability, waste and water consumption reduction. Not only that, I started teaching stress reduction techniques in off-site meetings, breathwork and I started moderating weekly lunchtime meditation sessions at our corporate headquarters. Finally I was starting to materialize what I like to do, in my day job.
However, recently I bumped into a deeper question. I realized there is a deeper conflict with what I do, and my life purpose. I also realized that it’s not time to move on for me yet, and my current work will be a test of staying calm in the midst of a storm. I trust that is what I need to practice right now and that only when I am ready, I will move on.
What I realized through this experience was: it’s not as important what our day job is, what’s important is how we express ourselves in that work, and how we “work hard” by bringing ourselves fully into what we do and “being honest in our work” until eventually our work manifests our purpose and we are “true to our Way”.
I fully trust we’ll all manifest our life purpose in what we do, all day, every day... one day :-)
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Reiki Newsletter-September 2012
Reiki is like the sun. It shines upon regardless. We give it labels, names and make it our own practice; pretty much like everything else. We call it Japanese Reiki, Western Reiki, Komyo Reiki, etc. Please first recognize that what I write here is my own impressions of Komyo Reiki, with my limited human mind and thru my own filters of experiences. Also, no one style is better or worse than another. If I give any impressions otherwise, I give you a free pass to kick me.
Having said that, few of us from Cincinnati went to a Komyo Reiki retreat in Catskill mountains in Dai Bosatsu Zen Monastery with Hyakuten Sensei, founder of Komyo Reiki.
Hyakuten Sensei is a 72 years old independent Japanese Buddhist monk who often comes to US to teach Komyo reiki, his style and interpretation of Reiki. He really doesn’t show his age at all. It must be his practice! I found him truly genuine, humble and unifying. He is very informal, easy going, funny but keeps the personal boundaries well (we’re deeply grateful for him sharing some insights of his personal life).
Going there with friends from Cincinnati and especially meeting there with old friends from my first Reiki Master class made the experience extra fun. The drive up to Catskills and the location ROCKED !
We had a Zen monastery experience within the Reiki retreat which I’d like to talk little bit, because it was totally an AWESOME experience. Again, here beware of the duality. It might be an awesome experience for me but for some, I’m sure it might quite be painful, waking up at 5 am and having to sit thru Zazen and eating formal breakfast at the monastery. By the way, if you’re ever invited to a formal meal at a Zen Monastery; think twice before accepting it :-) We took a 1 hour orientation and training on how to behave and eat a breakfast. I’m telling you, it’s quite an ordeal. You need to learn how to enter the temple, how to bow and prostrate, how to sit down properly, how to handle your prayer books (book is not bound and you might create quite a mess if you don’t hold it properly) and after Zazen, how to grab your jihatsu bowls (breakfast bowls) and walk to dining hall.
We all waited in a single line, the way we sat at the monastery, waiting for the gongs and bells to indicate we can go in. Once all sits down at the dining hall, we started with prayers, properly removed the bowls from the folded cloth, properly handle the sticks (if placed on the table, the pointed tips at a 30 degree angle, facing the south east corner of the table). Did I mention sitting at Seiza (sitting on knees) during this whole time? We all took it very seriously and tried our best but I’m sure we all had some accidents. I forgot to donate 7 grains before I started eating the food. At some point I saw a pair of chopsticks flying but we all hold our laughs. I never tried eating a rice soup with chopsticks before and there were people who never used chopsticks at all. We were all good sports. I was so relieved when I saw the monks gulping the soup down, so I did the same. Otherwise, it could take half day to eat every rice grain in the bowl. Yet the most stressful part was to wash our bowls with the tea offered, and trying to remember how to wash each bowl (pour tea to 1st bowl and pour half of it to the second and then wash the 3rd bowl in 2nd bowl, dry with the towel and wash the second bowl in 1st, dry with the towel, drink and clean tour 1st bowl). After all, wish that all bowls are clean for the next day! We were all stressed the first day but I think we loosened up the second day. I bet we’d be experts the 3rd day but it was the day for informal breakfast. The lunch and dinners were outstanding. It was informal where we dig ourselves to truly amazing vegetarian food.
I deeply bow to the monks and residents for embracing us and their patience and enthusiasm to share their beautiful space, monastery and surroundings with us. http://www.daibosatsu.org/index.html
As for the Reiki section of the experience… Ahh expectations….Apparently I went there with some expectations (too bad): It was finding out perspective of a Buddhist monk and deepening connections between Reiki and Japanese culture, Buddhist teachings and practices.
I expected to find links to Japanese spiritual practices and how they impacted Reiki pillars. I was disappointed when Hyakuten-san said upfront the first day that the only connection he could find between Reiki and Buddhism was the similarity of 2nd symbol (which represents Amitahba Buddha). It took me a while to set my expectations aside and listen to what he has to say.
If I want to summarize Hyakuten-san’s style; it’s "simplicity". Komyo Reiki motto is: “Place your hands, Surrender to Universe, Smile”. Hyakuten-san emphasized “simplicity of practice” many times during the class. He says “Reiki is art of Surrendering”. I also liked his analogy of “two wheels”. physical healing and spiritual practice go hand in hand. If you don’t develop both wheels equally, the cart won’t go. He also said upfront that, this is “his style of Reiki”.
He learned Reiki from Yamaguchi-san, who passed away in 2003. She was one of the Reiki Masters who learned Reiki directly from Hayashi-san. Hyakuten-san uses symbols as he learned from Mrs. Yamaguchi. Well the story gets little confusing here. Hayashi-san thought different symbols to Yamaguchi-san and yet gave different symbols to Ms. Takata. There is a little conspiracy there that Hayashi-san didn’t want to give the real symbols to Mrs. Takata. As I said, don’t worry about catching the story and honestly it really doesn’t matter. After all, the shape of symbols doesn’t matter either (that’s what Hyakuten-san writes in his manual as well), for me it’s all about what they represent and what energies they invoke. However Hyakuten-san interpreted symbols just as in Western Reiki, as external tools. I couldn’t find any interpretation on what personal transformation practicing the symbols brings in one’s spiritual path (especially as the way I learned and practice now). That was little disappointing (ahhh expectations again!). However, having said that, it’s not fully fair because I didn’t meditate on his symbols yet. I should probably play with them little bit and feel the difference between his and Ms. Takata’s symbols. Yet, his explanation of the function of each symbol was exactly the same as the Takata (Western) symbols.
Hyakuten-san shared some interesting facts about Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and history of Reiki.
- Mikao Usui was not Tendai but a Pure land Buddhist and was buried in a Pure Land Buddhist cemetery. He said it’s not common for families to change sects in Japan (if people believe his family changed from Tendai to Pure Land).
- There are no records for Hayashi-san being a medical doctor. It’s true that he was a Naval officer though. It’s true that he committed suicide. Nobody knows why.
- The 3rd symbol was originally intended for transcending distance not time, however it works to heal past and to send energy to future too.
- Feeling Byosen (the sick line) was the criteria to move to next level in Reiki traditionally.
- 21 day self-healing practice is useful, but there is no such official practice in URRG.
- The correct way of pronouncing 3rd symbol is Hon Ja Ze Sho Nen (Ja not Sha).
- Hyakuten-san gave a nice refresher on Japanese techniques, and demo on patting technique.
Even though he is not a member, Hyakuten-san was invited to one of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai meetings. I completely agree with Hyakuten-san that, today’s Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, is not acting in spirit of Usui Sensei. Usui-san wanted to share this gift with everyone. He trained over 2000 students and shared Reiki in every way he could. What’s the reason for this secrecy today? If URRG believe they have the original teachings, why don’t they train new practitioners? Oh well, I’m sure they have their own reasons.
Coming back to Komyo Reiki; Hyakuten-san teaches Reiki in 4 levels: Shoden, Chuden, Okuden, Shinpiden. Despite his emphasize on simplicity, his attunement process is quite elaborate. There is a long attunement, a short attunement and an open Reiju (a shorter version of what we currently practice). We didn’t have time to practice all attunements and the Reiju. That’s OK because I’m not intending to change the way I pass attunements anyway. I think the ritual is a way to get the Reiki Master to the non-duality space, to be the Reiki, and the ritual itself doesn’t matter much. My personal goal (when I grow up!) is to be able to share Reiki with all my being without needing any ritual at all, that’s why I don’t want to hang up to much on the ritual itself and continue to use what works for me now.
Hyakuten-san sees Reiki as a spiritual practice. His focus and time spent on discussing the importance of spiritual practice makes it very clear. However the links of a clear path for practitioners to walk on and especially the practices on how to bring the spirituality into our practice was missing for me. The direction he was giving totally makes sense: simplicity and surrendering; but for those of us, lay practitioners, it’s so hard. Especially if you’re like me, a very analytical minded person who needs a step by step process; it’s hard to just "surrender". I need to understand how the pillars of Reiki system come together and support the spiritual practice that takes us to non-duality. Having said that, I felt ever more grateful for having a clear Reiki path for my practice.
On the other hand, I’m sure Hyakuten-san dives deeply when he teaches Shinpiden level one-on-one. This was a taste of Komyo Reiki, all levels together, during a weekend, and he had a mixed level of Reiki Master practitioners to accommodate. That’s probably why there was great emphasize on spirituality but in practicality I didn’t feel getting any deeper in practice.
Now back to practice!
Hyakuten Sensei is a 72 years old independent Japanese Buddhist monk who often comes to US to teach Komyo reiki, his style and interpretation of Reiki. He really doesn’t show his age at all. It must be his practice! I found him truly genuine, humble and unifying. He is very informal, easy going, funny but keeps the personal boundaries well (we’re deeply grateful for him sharing some insights of his personal life).
 |
| Old friends, organizer of Komyo Reiki class Thin Thin, Zeynep and Rupan together. Kudos to Thin thin this would not be possible without her efforts. |
We all waited in a single line, the way we sat at the monastery, waiting for the gongs and bells to indicate we can go in. Once all sits down at the dining hall, we started with prayers, properly removed the bowls from the folded cloth, properly handle the sticks (if placed on the table, the pointed tips at a 30 degree angle, facing the south east corner of the table). Did I mention sitting at Seiza (sitting on knees) during this whole time? We all took it very seriously and tried our best but I’m sure we all had some accidents. I forgot to donate 7 grains before I started eating the food. At some point I saw a pair of chopsticks flying but we all hold our laughs. I never tried eating a rice soup with chopsticks before and there were people who never used chopsticks at all. We were all good sports. I was so relieved when I saw the monks gulping the soup down, so I did the same. Otherwise, it could take half day to eat every rice grain in the bowl. Yet the most stressful part was to wash our bowls with the tea offered, and trying to remember how to wash each bowl (pour tea to 1st bowl and pour half of it to the second and then wash the 3rd bowl in 2nd bowl, dry with the towel and wash the second bowl in 1st, dry with the towel, drink and clean tour 1st bowl). After all, wish that all bowls are clean for the next day! We were all stressed the first day but I think we loosened up the second day. I bet we’d be experts the 3rd day but it was the day for informal breakfast. The lunch and dinners were outstanding. It was informal where we dig ourselves to truly amazing vegetarian food.
I deeply bow to the monks and residents for embracing us and their patience and enthusiasm to share their beautiful space, monastery and surroundings with us. http://www.daibosatsu.org/index.htmlAs for the Reiki section of the experience… Ahh expectations….Apparently I went there with some expectations (too bad): It was finding out perspective of a Buddhist monk and deepening connections between Reiki and Japanese culture, Buddhist teachings and practices.
I expected to find links to Japanese spiritual practices and how they impacted Reiki pillars. I was disappointed when Hyakuten-san said upfront the first day that the only connection he could find between Reiki and Buddhism was the similarity of 2nd symbol (which represents Amitahba Buddha). It took me a while to set my expectations aside and listen to what he has to say.
If I want to summarize Hyakuten-san’s style; it’s "simplicity". Komyo Reiki motto is: “Place your hands, Surrender to Universe, Smile”. Hyakuten-san emphasized “simplicity of practice” many times during the class. He says “Reiki is art of Surrendering”. I also liked his analogy of “two wheels”. physical healing and spiritual practice go hand in hand. If you don’t develop both wheels equally, the cart won’t go. He also said upfront that, this is “his style of Reiki”.
He learned Reiki from Yamaguchi-san, who passed away in 2003. She was one of the Reiki Masters who learned Reiki directly from Hayashi-san. Hyakuten-san uses symbols as he learned from Mrs. Yamaguchi. Well the story gets little confusing here. Hayashi-san thought different symbols to Yamaguchi-san and yet gave different symbols to Ms. Takata. There is a little conspiracy there that Hayashi-san didn’t want to give the real symbols to Mrs. Takata. As I said, don’t worry about catching the story and honestly it really doesn’t matter. After all, the shape of symbols doesn’t matter either (that’s what Hyakuten-san writes in his manual as well), for me it’s all about what they represent and what energies they invoke. However Hyakuten-san interpreted symbols just as in Western Reiki, as external tools. I couldn’t find any interpretation on what personal transformation practicing the symbols brings in one’s spiritual path (especially as the way I learned and practice now). That was little disappointing (ahhh expectations again!). However, having said that, it’s not fully fair because I didn’t meditate on his symbols yet. I should probably play with them little bit and feel the difference between his and Ms. Takata’s symbols. Yet, his explanation of the function of each symbol was exactly the same as the Takata (Western) symbols.
Hyakuten-san shared some interesting facts about Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and history of Reiki.
- Mikao Usui was not Tendai but a Pure land Buddhist and was buried in a Pure Land Buddhist cemetery. He said it’s not common for families to change sects in Japan (if people believe his family changed from Tendai to Pure Land).
- There are no records for Hayashi-san being a medical doctor. It’s true that he was a Naval officer though. It’s true that he committed suicide. Nobody knows why.
- The 3rd symbol was originally intended for transcending distance not time, however it works to heal past and to send energy to future too.
- Feeling Byosen (the sick line) was the criteria to move to next level in Reiki traditionally.
- 21 day self-healing practice is useful, but there is no such official practice in URRG.
- The correct way of pronouncing 3rd symbol is Hon Ja Ze Sho Nen (Ja not Sha).
- Hyakuten-san gave a nice refresher on Japanese techniques, and demo on patting technique.
Even though he is not a member, Hyakuten-san was invited to one of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai meetings. I completely agree with Hyakuten-san that, today’s Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, is not acting in spirit of Usui Sensei. Usui-san wanted to share this gift with everyone. He trained over 2000 students and shared Reiki in every way he could. What’s the reason for this secrecy today? If URRG believe they have the original teachings, why don’t they train new practitioners? Oh well, I’m sure they have their own reasons.
Coming back to Komyo Reiki; Hyakuten-san teaches Reiki in 4 levels: Shoden, Chuden, Okuden, Shinpiden. Despite his emphasize on simplicity, his attunement process is quite elaborate. There is a long attunement, a short attunement and an open Reiju (a shorter version of what we currently practice). We didn’t have time to practice all attunements and the Reiju. That’s OK because I’m not intending to change the way I pass attunements anyway. I think the ritual is a way to get the Reiki Master to the non-duality space, to be the Reiki, and the ritual itself doesn’t matter much. My personal goal (when I grow up!) is to be able to share Reiki with all my being without needing any ritual at all, that’s why I don’t want to hang up to much on the ritual itself and continue to use what works for me now.
Hyakuten-san sees Reiki as a spiritual practice. His focus and time spent on discussing the importance of spiritual practice makes it very clear. However the links of a clear path for practitioners to walk on and especially the practices on how to bring the spirituality into our practice was missing for me. The direction he was giving totally makes sense: simplicity and surrendering; but for those of us, lay practitioners, it’s so hard. Especially if you’re like me, a very analytical minded person who needs a step by step process; it’s hard to just "surrender". I need to understand how the pillars of Reiki system come together and support the spiritual practice that takes us to non-duality. Having said that, I felt ever more grateful for having a clear Reiki path for my practice.
On the other hand, I’m sure Hyakuten-san dives deeply when he teaches Shinpiden level one-on-one. This was a taste of Komyo Reiki, all levels together, during a weekend, and he had a mixed level of Reiki Master practitioners to accommodate. That’s probably why there was great emphasize on spirituality but in practicality I didn’t feel getting any deeper in practice.
Now back to practice!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
