We are two members of the same family, mother (Linda) and daughter (Laura), that have the same vision and excitement about our future and how we can assist others to learn about their own lives and paths. Our vision stems from the many amazing experiences with Reiki energy and our excitement has come from all the wonderful people we are meeting along our journey.
Linda: We were both in completely different places in our lives when I found a long forgotten but very pivotal book one day while preparing to make a meal in the kitchen. This book was quite literally thrown in front of me. It came from a stack of cookbooks that had been sitting on a shelf in my pantry. The name of the book is Essential Reiki by Diane Stein. Just after I had lost a very dear friend to cancer, I found that my life needed a deeper meaning and purpose. A force outside myself was telling me that it was time to pursue my Reiki training. I had purchased the book years before in the hopes that I could help heal my friend, but was never able to find a Reiki Master/Teacher and I had given up.
My youngest daughter, Laura, found out about the Reiki teachings and concepts from me while I was again looking for a Reiki Master/Teacher in the Charlotte, NC area. Once I found a Reiki Master/Teacher, I convinced Laura that she would really enjoy this experience and encouraged her to take the training with me. Although I had no doubt this was my path, Laura struggled with why she needed this Reiki energy and what a Reiki Attunement would do to her. In spite of her doubts, we went to our Reiki I class. We had much to learn and remember but once we got to know our teacher and the other students it turned into an eye opening experience and a fun time.
Laura: I went along with my mother even though I was not fully convinced that this was my calling. I remember thinking that it would be cool to be able to heal myself. I have had back trouble for quite some time and had hoped that Reiki might be able to heal my pain. It was in the Reiki I class that I learned that pain is not always physical and that it very often stems from something emotional. The new energy I received in my attunement helped me to clear out a lot of emotional baggage I had been carrying around with me for years. Mom and I were able to lean on each other as things bubbled to the surface for us.
Linda: After a few months, I was ready for my Reiki II training and attunement, but Laura was still fighting her true path and was still a little apprehensive to take the second level class. She had a little trouble adjusting to the higher frequency from the Reiki I class, but I convinced her that level II would be easier and she would be able to do more with her new-found energies.
Laura: Reiki II turned out to be more physically and emotionally uncomfortable for me than I anticipated. I kept getting sick with colds and a few months after I received my Reiki II, I actually got the flu! Mom did an emotional/mental treatment on me then and things began to clear up. It was then that we realized how important it was that we had each other to turn to.
Linda: I didn't want to stop at Reiki II. Actually, I couldn't stop at Reiki II. As soon as the class was over I knew it was time for me to take the training for Reiki Master/Teacher. Our Reiki Master was very traditional and after speaking with her, she told me it was up to her to decide when I was ready for the Master level and that it would take about a year or two of training with her. I knew that my Master training had to take place much sooner and that I was in charge of my own destiny.
Something inside of me was ready to start attuning my own students and teach the world about Reiki. After doing a search on Reiki on the Internet, I found William Lee Rand's Web site, The International Center for Reiki Training. I realized he had a Master class scheduled in the Catskills of New York in August 2005. I was ready, and after talking it over with Laura we decided that I should go by myself. I would give Laura the Master attunement and training later. Laura was my first attunement as I initiated her to the Master level as soon as I returned. Our first Reiki I class was in the fall of 2005. We've been teaching and counseling ever since.
Laura and I have been lucky in that we've been able to travel on this journey together. Not all of our students have the same support system. It was obvious to us that we needed to offer them an avenue to network and meet other Reiki practitioners. So we started holding monthly Reiki Shares open to anyone interested who was trained in Reiki energy work.
I was fortunate in the spring of 2006 to train for the Karuna level of Reiki, which heals on a cellular level and gives you many more symbols to enhance your healing techniques. We have now added Karuna Reiki to our teaching roster.
At the beginning of 2007 we also implemented Reiki Healing Circles once a month. We hold the Healing Circles on the second Saturday of the month from 2:00-3:00 p.m., followed by the monthly Reiki Shares.
Linda & Laura: Through our students we learned that it was sometimes difficult for them to find Reiki materials such as books, incense, crystals, etc. for them to use in their energy work. It became apparent that it would be of benefit to our students if we had a store.
In the summer of 2006, we were able to clean out an adjacent room to our teaching room and we made that into a store. We carry books, CD's, candles, incense, jewelry and crystals in our tiny store.
As the Reiki energy opened our third eyes, we have been able to "see" and "feel" our Master Guides, Teachers and Angels. They help us during healing sessions and when we need to clear negative energy from our clients and students. Many don't realize the negativity around them is what causes their spiritual discomfort and ultimately their physical, emotional and mental illnesses. We have perfected a simple way to clear negativity from people, places and things to allow our clients and students a healthier environment.
Our journey is ongoing. We are located in Gastonia, NC - just 20 miles west of Charlotte. We would love to have you join us the second Saturday of each month for the free healing circle first, followed by our monthly Reiki Share. In the true spirit of sharing, we welcome new insights and techniques to further our healing experience and yours.
