One: 27-05-2009 (A brief into to Reiki)

Hi All

This week I would like to provide something of a short introduction to Reiki for those who may not be familiar with it. I have always had some trouble explaining what Reiki is, so I hope that in writing this, I will find a decent way of expressing my understanding of it. Most of you are fully aware of the power of human touch; the practice of Reiki builds on our natural instinct of using the human touch to comfort and ease pain.

Reiki, as most may know it, is an ancient hands-on healing technique that was rediscovered in Japan by Dr Mikao Usui around the end of the 19^th century. It involves the use of certain symbols and mantras that are imbued with energy that has a particular effect on the four-body system. The energy of the symbols flows through the practitioner’s hands which rest either just above or directly on the receiver’s body. While these symbols and mantras may be rooted in Esoteric Buddhism, the practice of Reiki is not bound to it. People from both East and West, from all different religions and walks of life, are trained in this ancient healing art. The philosophy behind it, and the knowledge of the body, is very similar to other healing techniques across the globe. A complex energy system exists within and around the body, the flow of which can be disrupted by destructive thoughts and emotions, and resistance to what is. The build up of these tend to cause blockages of energy in certain areas of the body, which often manifest in physical dis-ease. For example: continuously choosing not to communicate something that you really feel you should, will cause a blockage around the throat area which is affected by issues of expression, trust, and communication. Fear and unresolved emotions tend to affect the area around the abdomen. Reiki works to release these blockages that cause dis-ease, and helps restore the natural flow of energy within the body.

Restoring this natural flow relaxes and de-stresses the body, eases physical tension, and balances the emotions, while also bringing clarity to one’s thoughts. Often this process takes a number of sessions, and requires a certain degree of commitment from the receiver. While the practitioner can help to release these blockages in the energy system, and provide insight into the cause, it is up to the receiver to properly address the issues that underlie the dis-ease. During the time that one is receiving frequent healing sessions, and after making a conscious decision to resolve the issues, the receiver tends to experience a range of things that can be pleasant at times and unpleasant at others. Often they will experience physical discomfort for a few days, or alternatively an incredible boost in vitality.

The release of unwanted energy in the form of aches and pains, or unpleasant emotions can go on for some time after each session, but is necessary to go through, allowing consciousness to evolve, and opens the receiver to opportunities and experiences that they have otherwise been held back from. It opens you up so that you can properly reconnect to your true self, beyond the physical body, beyond the emotions, and beyond the mind. This is where Reiki becomes more than a technique for healing, but also a tool for Self-realization. Some may not be all that interested in Enlightenment or spiritual evolution and how Reiki can assist you on that path. Some are only interested in using Reiki to de-stress or ease physical discomfort, which is fine; there is nothing wrong with this. You will however still notice changes in your behavior if using or receiving Reiki on a regular basis. Situations that would normally put tremendous stress on a person will gradually be dealt more calmly and with greater clarity. Sleeping comes much easier. Creativity increases. Health tends to increase dramatically. It gently unlocks one’s potential and joy for life.

Anyone is capable of handling this energy, and is effective both as a practice on its own and to compliment other techniques. Many combine Reiki, which tends to be very gentle, with something like deep tissue massage, creating a good balance between gentle and vigorous techniques.

In the past, Reiki teachers would charge a considerable amount for their courses, but this has changed over the years and it is now much more accessible. The high pricing was particularly to have people be more serious about the course and ensure that they valued the knowledge that was imparted to them. Now it is understood that Reiki is a very natural part of our being and should be shared with all who show interest.

Well, I think that should do well enough as a short introduction into the practice.

As always it has been a pleasure sharing these words with you and I hope that you enjoyed reading them.

Your Brother in Love, Light, and Service.

Ryan

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Neighbourhood Sustainability update

Hi All.
I have been doing some thinking about this neighbourhood sustainability idea and realize it will take quite some time to establish. In a few short weeks I will be heading back to Neiu Bethesda to work on projects there before leaving South African shores. With that in mind, it is up to all those who have taken an interest in this idea to take it further.

To briefly recap what the whole idea is about:
I have proposed that groups within the different neighbourhoods and housing complexes start growing their own organic vegetable and herb garden. I have designed a template for a garden that is roughly the size of your average bedroom door (2 x 0.8 meters) which you can request from me. This is a nice starting point for those who don't already have their own vegetable garden, or have very little gardening experience. Once each member of the group has their garden going, and are more confident with working in the garden, the group can discuss who is growing what and make sure that as a whole, a variety of vegetables and herbs are being grown and produced all year round. Ultimately each group becomes self sustainable in terms of food production, the members trading their crop amongst one another (or better yet, sharing freely).
Now in most cases it probably won't be easy getting a whole neighbourhood to participate right from the beginning, so we will have to start small, even if it is only two people in the neighbourhood that are interested, that is fine. Lets work on the idea of just the two people here. These two get there gardens going and produce a decent crop. After they harvest, they invite a group of friends (or even your next door neighbours that you have never spoken to) round for dinner, and whip up a meal using what you have picked straight out of your garden. You tell them about your garden and put the idea forward with them to get their own started, which you would be more than happy to assist them with. They agree, and once they are ready to harvest, they invite people round just as you did and put the idea forward with them. This may be a slow process of getting people involved, but it is a start.
You could even give your guests seedlings that you have thinned out from your own garden to get them started right away, or add to their existing garden. Frequent dinners such as these should also help to develop better relationships with the people living around you.

Growing your own organic vegeatables will cut down on your monthly grocery expense, and also provide you with much more nutritious food that will help you to maintain a healthy body and immmune system.
Initially the garden requires some work, but over time and with a bit of research, you can create a garden that pretty much takes care of itself, and all you need to do is harvest.

I have a small group who have given me their contact details and have shown particular interest in this whole project. For those in PE, if you would like to get together as a group sometime within the next 2-3 weeks, please let me know ASAP so I can arrange something and discuss things further with you.

Hope everyone is keeping well and that your gardens are making progress.

Your Brother in Love and Service
Ryan

One: 11-05-2009 (Putting Self-sustainability, Community work, and spiritual development into perspective)

Hi All

I have been trying to think exactly how all my ideas on self-sustainability fit together in the bigger picture and how they can assist one on their own path of spiritual development.

These ideas on sustainability fist came up when discussing the possibility of a boundariless world, teaching a group of people from a poor community how to start and maintain their own vegetable garden. This would not only provide these people with their own source of food, but it also creates a space for people to come together and develop better relationships with one another.

I then began looking at organic gardening as a way to soften the blow of the economic crisis that began around December 2008. Growing your own vegetables and herbs would be one way of reducing monthly food costs, even if only by a small percentage, depending on the size of space you’ve dedicated to food production. Going the organic route will also provide you with much more nutritious food, helping to maintain a healthy body and strong immune system.

It does of course take time before you will be eating fresh produce from your garden, so it would be wise not only for those who are struggling financially, but also those who haven’t been affected by the recession, to start their own vegetable garden. Many expect that this is only the beginning and things will still get worse, so in case something does happen, if you have started your garden already, at least it won’t be as long before you are eating from it. Sadly, many have already been evicted from their homes and are living in shelters, uncertain whether or not they will have a place to sleep the next night; they don’t have the space to grow their own food. Most shelters may not have a garden to use for food production either, but here is another opportunity for you to help. Once you have a garden going to supply your own family with fresh herbs and vegetables, you could start another small garden that could be used to produce food for a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Your contribution alone would be very helpful, and greatly appreciated I am sure, but just think how many extra mouths could be fed if you, together with a group of friends, each dedicate a small patch in your back yard to producing food for a nearby homeless shelter or children’s home.

This is where sustainability and selfless service meet. While you may start off just supplying food for your family, as you dedicate more space in your back yard to food production, you will soon be able to supply another family or community project with your surplus. I understand selfless service to be key to one’s spiritual development, and the feeling of gratitude that both you and those you assist feel has powerful effects. Most of you by now have some sort of understanding of the Law of Attraction and how powerful gratitude is in shifting into a consciousness of abundance.

Getting involved with such projects builds relationships between people with common concerns and passion for service, and helps in developing a community spirit which many have lost. This is another thing that underlies my neighbourhood sustainability idea. Few of us these days know who our neighbours are, and this project aims to bring together the people within each suburb, helping one another through tough times. If we are indeed in for more challenging times ahead, neighbours and colleagues can support one another, making it easier to cope with the global shift in consciousness taking place over the next few years.

I believe these community projects to have a big role to play in this shift in consciousness. Those working with township communities or with people from violent and destructive backgrounds will show a loving kindness that these people may not be used to. Juvenile violence has been increasing in South Africa, and for most of these children, violence is all they know, it is all they are exposed to. Non-profit organizations and community projects working with these youngsters, whether it be by feeding, clothing, or educating them, have the potential to open their eyes to positive state of being, learning to share the same loving kindness they receive from those helping them.

These projects also bring hope to the people, and for some, that’s all they have. With a little creative thought, you will realize how much you can actually do for these people. Beyond separation you realize that your act of kindness has not only helped someone else, but yourself as well. Your acts of kindness have the power to transform and inspire, and could potentially cause a ripple effect of loving kindness that could increase in magnitude with each heart it reaches.

As always it has been a pleasure writing this and sharing it with you.

Your Brother in, Light, Love, and Creative Service

Ryan

PS… You may want to give this article a read. I found it to be very moving, and was what really motivated this week’s blog. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30644993// )

If you've missed any of my previous blogs, you can view them at various sites or request them via email:

http://www.thoughts.com/RyanSnoopyAllan/blog
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http://lightworkers.org/blog/3699/
http://my.care2.com/ryansnoopyallan
http://ryansnoopyallan.wordpress.com/
http://ryasnoopyallan.xanga.com/weblog/

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Note: you are more than welcome to share your thoughts on these various topics either by leaving a comment or emailing me.

I have obtained your email addresses from various sources, adding to my mailing list whoever may enjoy or relate to these words. If you feel the need to pass this email on to any of your contacts, please do so with pleasure. You are also welcome to share your thoughts and comments with me on the various topics. And if you'd like to be removed from my mailing list, feel free to send me an email with "unsubscribe" as the subject.