One of the questions I get asked a lot is “what exactly are you doing when you give an Attunement?” Although difficult to answer without going into a long and involved trip down several different concepts, the basis for an Attunement is best summed up as ‘resonance’.

If we place two same frequency tuning forks in a room and hit one of the forks with a mallet, the corresponding fork will vibrate in resonance, if we stop the sound of the original one we will still hear the sound resonating from the second one that was not touched – the vibration of sound flows through the air from one tuning fork to the other and the second fork responds by resonating to the same vibration (see video at the end).  In this way, someone who is trained to activate Reiki (referred to as a Reiki Master) is also trained to gain access to a vibration that allows the Reiki to activate in that person, and via resonance this information is passed on to another person through the ritual of ‘Attunement’.

Over the years the Reiki Attunement has undergone many changes to the extent that one Attunement process differs vastly from another in any given lineage.  However this is not a problem as the intention is to simply raise the vibration to a level that allows the body to resonate with the same frequency of energy as Reiki, once this is achieved the body is able to remember this frequency and it is retained for life.  Once you have been attuned to Reiki the ability to funnel or channel Reiki becomes a life long ability (much like learning to ride a bike, once you ‘know’ something you cannot ‘unknow’ it).

Anyone can be Attuned, there is no talent required or special healing ‘gift’, I have attuned little children, cats and dogs, I have attuned sceptics and believers, meditation masters and high-flying business executives.  No one can block resonance, if you want to have Reiki, there is nothing to stop you achieving that goal.

Once you have had an Attunement, the Reiki will simply flow through your hands automatically and without your direction, you can liken yourself to a large energy funnel and you can now direct your hands to any area of your body that requires attention.

The stories don’t disappoint, they are more focused on God and faith then I was expecting, which is odd, given the title!  But the experiments on non-religious subjects are fascinating – especially as they use one of my favourite chant meditations: sa-ta-na-ma as the test.  There are a whole ton of conclusions based on the results but the key ones that stood out for me (because they reinforce my own belief system – hehe) are:

With only 8 weeks of practice for 12 minutes a day they found:

1. An almost 50% improvement in memory function (the area the subject wanted to improve) as well as other brain functions that tend to deteriorate with age such as co-ordination, cognition.
2. Increased activity in the prefrontal cortex which helps focus, clarity and attention span.
3. Increased activity in the anterior cingulated that plays a major role in lowering anxiety, irritability, protecting against depression, as well as enhancing social awareness.

Reiki produces alpha state, meditative effects when done consistently over a period of time.  I find it easy to extrapolate that some of these benefits tally with what we are seeing for ourselves as we do Reiki.  Although, to my knowledge, no one has brain scanned Reiki practitioners, I would expect very similar results.  I can’t say my memory has improved, but I can definitely vouch for the other 2!

Even more stunning is that part of the brain is involved with developing our sense of self – yes folks, the Ego has a home!  This ego zone, or parietal lobe, reduces its activity with meditation thus helping us feel more connected, more in the ‘flow’ or ‘in the zone’.  Ie a lessening of self-consciousness enhances one’s intention, ability, and pleasure when faced with a task or goal we want to achieve.

Overtime this part of the brain shows more activity when we are not meditating which helps to increase consciousness, alertness and the ability to resonate with others’ feelings and thoughts.

Sounds good to me!

Reference: How God Changes Your Brain by Andrew Newberg, M.D and Mark Robert Waldman

Website: www.andrewnewberg.com

The talk is held at The Reiki Centre, 282D River Valley Rd

For Location map click here.

Wednesday 20th January 2010, 12noon-1pm
Please Call 9644 1986 for more information.

Please RSVP booking@reikicentre.com.sg to reserve your seat.

In Kundalini Reiki 2 (taught minimum 3 weeks after Kundalini Reiki 1), the evening consists of a further attunement to open and enhance the bottom chakras and allow the Kundalini energy a gentle opening to begin is flow up the spine.  This is done as a very gentle process and their is no danger of over-activating the Kundalini or causing any damage whatsoever.  This process, as with Kundalini Reiki 3, is an ongoing process as the body continues to open.  Within the evening we also learn advanced healing, strengthening techniques, and meditations.

In the final Kundalini Reiki 3 (taught 2 weeks after Kundalini Reiki 2) we complete the opening with the top chakras which allows the Kundalini reiki to flow unimpeded throughout the spine.  We also learn more specific healings including DNA reiki, past-life trauma reiki, locational balancing and Crystalline (toxin removal) reiki.  This is the final level which will then allow participants to pass on the attunements and activate Kundalini Reiki in others (Reiki Master equivalent).

It is recommended that no alcohol is taken 48 hours prior to the course.
To register please call 9660 4893 or email: booking@reikicentre.com.sg

“He should pull his weight”

“Its not my responsibility”

“She shouldn’t be so lazy”

“I’m not being paid for this”

“It’s not my job”

Around every problem that has yet to be solved, there is a pile of resistance in the form of thoughts like these creating a diversion.  Thoughts guide our mind’s direction.  If we are all thinking about why it’s not my problem, the mind automatically guides us into ‘because..this, that or the other’, we move into justification and defense.

Once a thought has been questioned, the mind can be redirected.  We ask ‘is it true?’ as a way to invite the mind out of its rigidity.  We ask ‘how do you react when you believe this thought’ as a way to show the mind how futile this thought is in creating anything positive or stress-free.  We then ask ‘who would you be without this thought?’ or another way of looking at it is ‘without this thought, what would you be doing differently?’  and this is where the lightbulbs can really start working.

Every morning in my household it used to be a chaotic mix of pushing, herding, shouting, nudging, panic, lecturing, frustration, and stress to get the kids onto the bus on time.  I noticed that many a morning I was packing the bags, trying to remember if it was PE or Library or homework day and often forgetting important pieces of information and getting mad at the fact the girls were mindlessly wandering about without any cares.  It came to me that my stressful thought was ‘they should do more’ and with it was lots of other stressful thoughts about expat brats, poor mothering skills and the like.

As I was Inquiring into this thought (when the house was quiet again), I noticed that when I had the thought ‘my children should do more’ I just yelled at them and made everyone feel inadequate and upset.  After years of yelling, it was clearly not helping or changing anything except my blood pressure.  When I didn’t have the thought ‘my children should do more’ my mind started to accept this fact and automatically asked ‘so if the kids are not supposed to do more, what are you going to do to stop this insanity?’  I immediately went into problem solving mode and came up with a list of things I could do which included getting ready in the evening, packing the bags and having lists more clearly laid out as to the children’s activities by day etc.  As I was brainstorming, I suddenly realized that the kids could be doing this with me.  In the evenings we had more time and it could become part of the bedtime routine – in that way, my children would be doing more.  Bingo, problem solved.

In any problem situation the same criteria exists.  What are you resisting or thinking ‘should’ be happening that isn’t.  Are you upset that someone else should be doing something that they are not?  Are you annoyed that someone else isn’t taking responsibility?  Are you convinced that someone is wrong?  Question these beliefs and be open to taking full responsibility – you’ll be surprised at the answers that come to you once you see that change can only come from you.  And if you are thinking ‘that’s not fair, I want them to change first’, then that is a good place to start!

How is Usui Reiki and Kundalini Reiki different?

Usui Reiki seems to work on the etheric energy level of the body, or the ‘blueprint’ of the body.  Energy from the Universe travels through our hands and into the body automatically and without thought or intention.  The healer can actually be asleep or can be an animal and the reiki will still flow, as if by osmosis.  Energy will travel from areas of high energy ie. the Universe, to areas of low energy ie our body.  It is a very simple, natural and totally automatic response.  The Reiki workshops activate the Reiki in a person’s hands and allows this process to flow.  As a result you do not need to be aware of energy, or of flow, or indeed of any sensations.

Usui Reiki treatments for both self-treatments and treating others last from 30 to 60 minutes and induce a deep sense of relaxation, similar to meditation.  As a result when treating yourself with Reiki you will feel much calmer and it will probably put you to sleep!  The Usui system’s advantage is in its ease of use and automatic flow – meaning you do not need to be aware of what you are doing, or have any feelings or sensations for the energy to work.

At the level 1 Workshop you will learn how to give a treatment to yourself, to others and to plants and animals.  However, if you wish to do distance healing, cleanse environments or work on specific blockages you will need to attend a level 2 workshop to learn the symbols to activate these processes.

More on Usui Reiki, click here

Kundalini Reiki appears to work through the mental energy (a higher vibration energy level) and requires mental thought to activate the healing.  Practitioners are taught to think ‘Reiki’ to get the flow going.  As a result the practitioner is more involved, and more influential in the healing process, this is particularly true at higher levels of healing in Kundalini Reiki 2 and 3.  Although this may seem more like hard work, the process is quickened and shortened because of this higher energy involvement.  It also means that through intention, the practitioner can manipulate the energy and move it around the body, as well as harmonising situations and events, releasing emotions and conducting distance healing.  This is much wider in range than Usui Reiki 1 (these techniques are taught in Usui Reiki level 2).

Kundalini Reiki treatments are 5 minutes in length and as a result people find it an easier system to do as a daily practice.  There is also an optional 20 minute mediation given at the level 1 class for those who enjoy meditation and want a longer treatment.  This system’s main advantage is in its speed to treatments and the flexibility and range of tools offered at level one.  In general we feel Kundalini Reiki 1 is equivalent to Usui 1 & 2.

More on Kundalini Reiki, click here

The benefits of beginning with Usui Reiki is that it is absolutely the best foundational healing course for the beginner, or the skeptic.  It is also the original Reiki and for some it has the attraction of its long tradition and reputation.  It is truly a tried and tested system of effective healing.

The benefits of beginning with Kundalini Reiki is that it is more versatile, faster and easier to incorporate into daily life.  It is also much faster to learn and you can benefit from a huge range of tools in a very short period of time.

Monday 8- Tues 9th March
9.30am-3pm
Fee: $350
booking@reikicentre.com.sg

Reiki 1 is the foundation course for activating the Reiki flow in your hands.  This course is ideal for anyone wanting to increase their vitality and energy and reduce stress.  Reiki is so easy to use that it is ideal for lay people who are not familiar with natural health and methods of healing as it provides an excellent foundation for exploring other types of modalities.  The Workshop is very experiential with exercises, practice and sharing of techniques and ideas.

Reiki 1 as taught by Dara is about returning the self to its innately calm and harmonious flow.  Her workshops are focused on encouraging and activating the natural healing ability that we are all born with and guiding students in how to self heal through the gentle hands-on-healing art of Reiki.  Reiki, as such, is a method of self-empowerment because it returns to you the responsibility and control of your own life, enabling your true self to emerge.  You will learn breathing techniques, meditation skills and simple tools to manifest more positive and good in your life in a non-judgmental, relaxed and open atmosphere.

Who can benefit?  Essentially, anyone living in the modern world and suffering on any level (physical, mental or spiritual) from conditions arising from today’s manifold challenges and who wants to find inner peace and balance.  Reiki is a truly simple technique and anyone can be attuned to it!

Dara has over ten years experience working with people with many challenges including those suffering from back pain, anxiety/depression, addiction and strokes.  Both children and the elderly have benefited from her treatments as well as those in all ages in between.  She loves teaching and is delighted and honored to accompany you on your new adventure!

Please wear comfortable cotton clothing, you may bring a towel to lie on if you wish.
Reiki 1 Manual & Materials provided.
Please Call 9644 1986 to book or email booking@reikicentre.com.sg to reserve.

Click below for more information on:

Dara Inoue
Usui Reiki

Click here to view article

Join us for another of Rebecca’s wonderful Kundalini Yoga workshops at the Centre on Monday 21st December 9.00-11.30am.

Its so simple and so effective.  The first time I wrote this I was living in Long Island, New York.  To be honest I wasn’t in a very good space mentally, physically or emotionally.  I had spent the past 3 years at home with my two babies, and was exhausted, and certainly not in flow.  It was a desperate lurch to get myself back into the groove and out of the funk I had allowed myself to sink into, so I had an ‘all or nothing’ approach to it, and with hindsight I think that’s why the first year was so phenomenal for me – I had a huge list of things I wanted to turn around including the continent I lived in, the work I was doing, my relationship with my kids, my husband, myself, my diet and well-being, my emotional state, my community….a pretty long list!

So I just went for it, I figured, I have nothing to loose – its only paper and ink

What you do is write the date a year ahead at the top of the page, ie Jan 1st 2011, then you begin “What an incredible year its been!…” or something similar.  Then you write about all the different aspects of your life that you would like to see change, it could be your ‘perfect home’, your ‘perfect relationship’ or your ‘perfect job’ and ideally should cover all aspects of your life that are important to you – run into several pages and make it as rich and juicy and exciting as you dare!

Here’s the synopsis of how much stretch I put into mine: (bear in mind I was living in the USA at the time I wrote this and we were settled in a home we owned, my husband was working for a multi-national, and Singapore was nowhere near our discussion list, neither was leaving the US)

1. I wanted to live in Singapore
2. I wanted to celebrate my 40th birthday in Bali with ALL my family, and siblings
3. I wanted to be teaching regularly again
4. I wanted to be doing something worthwhile with my brain again
5. and a whole bunch of personal emotional and relationship balance stuff.

In one year, I achieved all that.  Some aspects were different to what I had imagined, and some took slightly more than a year to actualize, but in all cases I saw massive progress.  So you can see why I now do this every year!

I think part of the magic is in focusing yourself on what you want, and being honest about what aspects of your life are far from ideal.  For example, if you write ‘I had a wonderfully nurturing year with my husband and our relationship just grows from strength to strength’ and you choke on your tea as you write this – then you know you have some work in this area!  The same goes for anything you write, ‘my job fulfills and excites me, I created so much value this year with my projects and connections with my team that my boss gave me a substantial raise! I can’t wait to see what this year holds for me’…etc.  Just go for it, whatever makes you excited, passionate, whatever would make you deeply fulfilled and happy, get it all down on paper and create some energy around it.

Eva asked us to be very specific, eg, my boss gave me a raise of $20,000! but I have to say that personally I find such specifics limiting, I prefer words like ‘huge’ or ’substantial’ or ‘bigger than I could imagine!’  I also focus more on the kind of feelings I want, rather than the type of ‘behaviour’ I want, eg. I would prefer to write “my children and I continue to develop a loving and fulfilling relationship based on deep respect for each other” as it helps to be my guiding light – when I am shouting at my kids to ‘hurry up’ I can do a quick check, is this ‘loving’ or ‘fulfilling’ or ‘respectful’?  This is much more effective at changing behaviour then writing ‘my children are incredible, they are so polite and obedient all the time’ which sort of sets you up for failure right there and then

Once you have your Ideal Scene,then just move towards it, one step at a time, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve in a year!