Beyond the Mind

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Lately, I've been pondering the way people think about healing energy and try to define it. Students in my Energy Healing Certification Program are charged with defining Reiki in a paragraph, an "elevator speech" they could use to answer the inevitable stranger's query "What is Reiki?" They don't pass the program without being able to do this. And it isn't easy! Search on the Internet and you'll find a great variety of definitions, just for the word Reiki. But look for energy healing and you'll find thousands of techniques and methods, variations on methods, and practitioners saying that their method is the most effective of them all.

I love what I do, and yet I'm very interested in learning more, expanding my abilities, incorporating new energy methods, and making sense of it all from an experiential perspective. So news stories such as this one really draw my attention.

Dr. Nemeh lives in my area, and I know several people who have had individual or group sessions with him. As you saw on the video, he has "catchers" to stand behind the people he works on, because they often become overwhelmed with energy and collapse. That's different.

I'm also fascinated by the noise discussed in this news story, that occurs when he does healings via Skype. I haven't tried doing a live distance healing over Skype, and I have some interesting and powerful distance healing techniques that I wonder if they would produce such a sound if I tried them live that way. Think I'll have to grab some colleagues and do some investigative work on that one!

Then there's Braco, the Gazing Healer. He came here recently and one of my students went to see him, skeptical, and yet she reported feeling profoundly changed by the experience. Here's a video about him, and his healing sessions via Skype.

Braco simply gazes, stares out at people, over internet or live. And those watching report powerful emotions, strong energy, and often visions while looking at him or being in his presence.

Recently, I read a book "Whose Hands Are These?" by (the late) Gene Egidio, an autobiography. In this book, Gene tells his fascinating story, and reports how he began doing "Open Eye Healing" - basically staring and sharing healing energy for a group of people at a time. His crowds grew to enormous size, just as Braco's have.

So what's going on here? There are connections. I believe the connections are these basic ideas:

• Energy is directed by intention.
• The energy that is directed is a natural part of our inherent essence already, but at a higher "frequency" or "vibration" so it affects our own by also elevating it, enhancing the ability to heal and balance.
• The limits to what we can do are ours to discover. The more we are open to allowing for endless possibilities, the more we find that to be true.
• Love, gratitude and humility strengthen this connection.
• Understanding that healing for others is a direct result of the recipient's openness and ability to receive the energy, rather than the healer "doing something to them" is also important.
• We are all connected by this ONE energy, our collective consciousness - intentions, thoughts, and emotions - create our reality. This creation via intention and manifestation by expectation of results is Spirit energy. Not separate from us, doing something, but a part of the endless and limitless energy of life that we are and create. This means that WE are, collectively, God/Spirit/Source.

So what do we do now? Bring all of these methods, modalities, etc. under the umbrella of "energy work" and know that whatever we do, the concepts above apply to strengthen it. I think that Dr. Nemeh and Braco are just examples of what happens when we do that. (Plus perhaps some factors such as near death experiences, or being open to a spiritual "calling" where they are concerned). How much is learned, acquired, or brought into being by being open...that much I'm still engaged in finding out by observing myself.

I'm one who knows that healing can be learned, because I learned to do what I can do now. I wasn't gifted from birth, had no significant near death experiences or bold flashes of light and understanding thrust upon me. No, just a lot of "try it and see."

I know that I plan to learn more, try more, and discover more. And keep doing what I already am doing - try things and reflect on what it means. And I have Skype, but haven't tried live distance healing over Skype ...yet.

Are you interested in moving beyond self-imposed limits too?

Misconceptions

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On the phone today, during a coaching call with one of my students, I heard that there is someone on the big conference circuit who is teaching a workshop in "everyday shamanism." Sounds nice. She's up there with Doreen Virtue, Gregg Braden, and other bigwigs. Except that my student reported that this person is telling Reiki practitioners that Reiki energy is "lower level" and the symbols are "blocking higher forms of energy from getting through." Then she brings Reiki practitioners up to the stage so she can "remove their symbols" through a "deattunement" process and thus free them from their energetic limitations.


Oh dear, I think I feel my blood boiling. Must be the reason smoke is coming out of my ears.


Grounding...yes...a good thing for moments like these.


And now to set the record straight.


Reiki is not a "lower level" of healing. Reiki is a specific frequency of healing. And Practical Reiki, furthermore, is an expanded frequency because it includes Earth (Kundalini) energy in the mix. All energy healing techniques work with specific frequencies of energy. Qi Gong, Quantum-Touch, Polarity, and more, all have methods, techniques, and subtle energetic frequencies that activate to create energetic change. Think of an orchestra, and each method is a specific instrument in a family of instruments. One who learns to play a range of instruments has more tools for his use, in combination or singly. It's not that one is "better" than another, but the more one uses, the more energetic ranges are affected for healing and balance.


Symbols are a way of setting the intention for the energy to work. I teach a method of Reiki that does not use symbols. I do not "remove" symbols for people who use them (as if that were possible!!), but instead I teach that the use of symbols is optional. I teach people to access intention through words instead of symbols so they have a choice. I also give everyone an understanding of what symbols really are - shortcuts for directing intention. Speed-dial. When people learn Practical Reiki, they learn, experience, and then practice directing Reiki energy by thoughts and words only. There are no hand positions or symbols. This isn't a higher level of healing, it's a higher level of understanding about what's really going on behind the scenes when one is practicing Reiki.


What this person is doing, actually, is the same as what I'm doing, but her way is misleading. She doesn't have the power to remove symbols. There is no "symbol removal" necessary or even possible, even if symbols were used in one's attunements (as many are). In essence, that's not what she is doing. But by making people think that after she does her little ritual, they will magically be "free" of the "limitation" of using symbols, these people are now ready to believe that they are practicing a higher form of healing - without "needing" to use symbols. Ta-daa! I no longer need those symbols!! It's mind manipulation.


By being a person at the forefront, accepted as a authority, and speaking alongside others who are at the top of this energy healing and metaphysical field, she is responsible for the accuracy of what she teaches. And I have to say that I totally resent her giving the impression that Reiki is sub-par or that a Reiki practitioner needs an energetic "deattunement" of any kind in order to move forward. That's just wrong.


Increasing the strength of the intuition and the power of one's energy healing ability is done through mindful practice and dedicated learning. It is good to become attuned to various systems, as long as one takes the time to fully learn and incorporate these new energetic frequencies into his or her own. I'm trained and familiar with several methods of energy healing and going to a workshop to learn another method in November.


But you will never hear me telling someone that one method is "lower level" than another. Because just as methods are different, people are too. Different methods will naturally resonate with different people. I'm very resonant with Reiki. My good friend and colleague Ernie Betz is very in tune with Quantum-Touch. We've each learned Reiki and Quantum-Touch both, and we both experience profound results in our practices. But we both understand that it's about the practice and the person's comfort level that makes the difference. As long as one is mindfully practicing, one's intuition gets stronger, and the results continue to show themselves as valid and powerful.


Anyone who doesn't understand this does not belong in the spotlight teaching others.


(Alice steps off the soapbox...for now.)

Meditation has annoyed me

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I am trying. Seriously. I've determined to allow 30 minutes per day to meditate. I know it would benefit my intuitive development to do this. I also know that a person who does this sort of work should have a regular meditative practice. Otherwise, it's like getting personal training from someone who doesn't exercise.

Sure, I do self-Reiki daily. That's a given. It also truly helps me stay healthy and balanced. I can feel the difference and know that it's working.

But meditation, that's another story.

So I decided to take this seriously and really give it a try. At first, I was meditating just sitting quietly and closing my eyes. That was okay. I could stop whenever I wanted to, and usually found myself sitting there pretty peacefully for about 20 minutes.

Then I got this Holosync CD. It promises to help one meditate at a much deeper level, by listening to the sounds that have some kind of binaural waves that are supposed to engage some kind of deeper brain waves into the process. Cool, I thought. I can sort of fast-track my meditation practice. This is a good idea.

So I put it on, sitting with my earphones in as instructed. Waterfalls and bells are played. Hmm hmmm hmmm...what am I making for dinner?...oops....meditating now.......ding ding.....oops I forgot to call the kids' school to remind them that I'm picking up today....oops...meditating! Stop thinking!....ooh, I need to email this person and put that event on my calendar, and I should make that call, and ....ugh I'm doing it again....dang. How long until this is over?

This is about how it's gone now for a few days running. This is not enjoyable. Instead of peaceful, I left my meditation time frustrated and feeling like I'd wasted 30 minutes trying to listen to waterfall and bell sounds and getting some benefit from trying not to think.

I have to rethink this.

I know that there are benefits to meditation. Of course. Meditation is the number one way to increase one's intuition. I know this. I think, actually, for myself, that Reiki is better for me because I am able to do this much more when I'm working with Reiki.

But I should also try to have a regular meditative practice, and I'm not doing so well at it so far.

Just thought I'd share.

Kinda funny to rant about meditating.

I'm not giving up. I'll keep you posted.

I've Been Promoted

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This has been a very eventful summer!





I wrote a book about Reiki. Over 100 copies have been sold in the first month.

Now I've launched the next step in my practice - a school of intuitive development, The Reiki Awakening Academy. It felt right - to make more classes available to more people, in an organized way. The pieces lined up - my teachers, colleagues, and students showed up ready to help others learn. I know it will grow - I look forward to selecting more teachers and offering more classes to those who are looking for learning and support.

I've been told that this is a time of great change - an awakening, not only for me (Reiki Awakening!), but around the planet, people are becoming aware of their intuition and powers for healing. They are seeking answers, methods, and information about how to harness, nurture, and use these abilities to help others and themselves. A consciousness is rising - I think I feel it too.

This journey I've been on since I started this blog seems to reflect this change. I hope that my school can become a resource for those seeking guidance, learning, and support. I'm offering what I have learned, and as I learn more, I will offer more. I'm also bringing on board those who have passion to do the same.

And now I've inherited a new title. I'm the founder, the leader, the head teacher, the big cheese of this school. I tried on all of those (well not the cheese - that's a joke), to see if they felt right. I guess, in order to express in business terms my role in the process, that I have become an Executive Director. Funny how businesslike and a little stuffy it sounds. Funny how I picture an Executive Director sitting in a suit behind a big desk in a large office with a door. And funny how that image doesn't really fit me here in my t-shirt and jeans shorts, typing on my laptop in its docking station in my basement.

But it's what I am I guess!

I am organizing and posting all classes, setting up the virtual classroom for my teachers, training the teachers on how to conduct their classes, taking registration, keeping track of students, rosters, enrollment, payroll, answering emails, teaching a large number of classes and programs myself (it's my passion and my true calling!), and recruiting students. So I guess that title fits.

But I still feel like the person who started this blog, amazed at the tingles in my hands, dying to find others to share this amazement with.

Well, the universe has promoted me. Thank you, Universe! I am so glad to be here. I look forward to the next steps.

Come on over and have a look. Try a class. Choose a program that will help you become who you are too. We're here to help.

Practical Reiki is READY!

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Hello everyone! It's funny, but a year ago I was told that I'd write a book about Reiki and I laughed and said that was silly, that there wasn't anything to say about Reiki that wasn't already in a book. I stand corrected.

Recently, I was at The Cleveland Clinic, where I volunteer with the Healing Services Department giving Reiki to patients, family and staff. I was talking with the head of the department, telling her that I'd love to teach Kundalini Reiki to staff there. She told me that people feel that the word "Kundalini" is too mysterious and has negative or strange connotations. So I said I could change the name and take out the word "Kundalini" and the method would still work and have the same effectiveness.

I checked it out with Ole Gabrielsen, the founder of Kundalini Reiki, because I wanted to be sure it was okay with him that I'd make adaptations to the method he channeled. He told me that it would be just fine. Green light!

So instead of revising the Kundalini Reiki manual, I decided to put everything I say when I'm teaching into a book. There's a lot that I have been adding when teaching in person - information on clairs, chakras, intention -all important stuff!

My family went on vacation to Virgina Beach - a 10 hour drive each way - and so I took my laptop in the car and typed the first five chapters on the drive. It was a good start! Now the book has 10 chapters, includes FAQs, recommended books, and two Appendixes (a quick guide for teachers at the end, and articles on using a pendulum and Master Kuthumi). The cover is absolutely gorgeous, thanks to a talented graphic designer who was able to beautifully recreate my attempt to express a design!

So here it is!


Practical Reiki ^TM
for balance, well-being, and vibrant health. A guide to a simple, revolutionary energy healing method.
by Alice Langholt

If you’ve never heard of Reiki, this book will explain it in plain, clear language.

Reading the book will help you understand what Reiki is, how it works, how it helps, and how it can be learned. This book presents a down-to-earth, “woo-woo-free” approach that’s easy to understand whether you’ve had any experience with intuition or none at all. Anyone who wants to learn to connect with the innate, natural power for healing is capable of doing so.

If you already practice Reiki, this book will show you the true essence of working with energy, beneath the ritual, symbols, and mystery surrounding the practice.
It will widen your knowledge and strengthen your connection.

Practical Reiki ^TM is a new, revolutionary Reiki modality for everyone who wishes to quickly and easily learn to practice Reiki energy healing for themselves and others. It is simple, strong, and will change your life. The entire method through Master level can be learned in just three weeks.

Order Practical Reiki here.

If you'd like to save $3 off the list price (because you are such awesome blog readers!), you can enter the code: FBSBD4JN

For an autographed copy of Practical Reiki, use this link to order directly from me! Just let me know how to inscribe it!

Who knew, when I started this blog as a Reiki level 2 practitioner, that I'd be writing this post today?! Not me for sure!! Thank you all for being here for this journey with me, and for the path ahead!

Follow Up

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I want to thank again all who helped me with paying forward the Random Act of Kindness (see previous post) for my friend who needed help. She has emailed me a response to share with all of you. I'm so proud to have been part of a beautiful effort to make a difference.

To all who have graciously contributed!

During our time of need and with so many changes and hardships going on we thank you immensely for the gracious donations that you have made to help our family. These things have helped decrease some of the stress we've been dealing with and made life infinitely easier! While I myself have heard of such wonderful things being done for people I never thought to have it happen to myself and I am stunned and astounded to tears that so many people - none of which I know personally - were kind enough to be so generous! You have my eternal gratitude!

Love,
The Williams Family

Random Acts of Kindness and Paying it Forward

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We went on a family vacation! It's the first time we've had the chance to really get away for a full week all together in six years. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that the last couple of years have been hard for my family. But we put some money aside and were able to rent a beach house in the Virginia Beach area for a week of R&R and sunshine. It was really needed. It was wonderful.

One night on our trip we went out to a little crab shack for dinner. We ordered food for our crew of six and dug into a delicious repast. The kids were (happily) well behaved and even sang a little bit together, just having fun. The restaurant was a social atmosphere- not quiet or fancy. When we finished, we asked the server for our check. Evan, my husband, went to the bathroom. Before he came back, the server came back to our table and informed me and the kids that the gentleman at the table behind us had paid for our meal. Surprised, I turned around. He was sitting with his back to our table. He had not spoken to us or acknowledged us in any way during the meal.

I said to him, "Excuse me, but did you just pay for my family's dinner?" He replied, "Yes." Shocked, I said, "Wow. Thank you so much! That was incredibly nice of you!" He said, "Ok." My kids asked him, "Why did you pay for our dinner?" He shrugged and replied, "I don't know." So I just responded that we were on vacation and this was a super wonderful thing for him to do and thanked him again.

Evan came out of the bathroom and we left. I told him what had happened and he was surprised and taken aback also. It was a wonderful lesson for our kids (and us) about random acts of kindness.

I've been looking for an opportunity to pay it forward. An opportunity has recently presented itself and I'm requesting the help of anyone who would like to participate with me. I know that I can be exponentially more powerful if I have support. Here's what I'm asking:

I have a good friend who I know from Twitter and Facebook. She just (6/10/11) had her first baby. (A little boy). She and her partner have been struggling very hard financially and she has decided she needs to go back to work as soon as she can - planning on two weeks or less - despite the healing she really needs to do instead, and the time she needs with her newborn son.


I see my friend now, who is really in need of making ends meet until she is well enough to start work again. They can barely make rent and food, let alone utilities. And I know she might be embarrassed if I put her name here, or if money started flowing to her from a lot of different people.

So I'm looking for a way to "pay it forward."

Here's my idea.

I've created a special paypal button.

If you feel like doing a similar random act of kindness for someone you don't know, click and put in whatever amount, however small, even $1, that you want.

In three days, (on 6/17), I'll send the full amount to my friend, include my own contribution, and tell her that it is a gift from her friends on Twitter.

I'll let you be anonymous like the guy in the restaurant. And we'll all feel great knowing that this generous act of his was paid forward.

Also, I'll send each person who donates an amount $10 or more a gift certificate for a full Distance Healing session, to use or pay forward to someone else. Just my way of expressing thanks to you for your support in this.

Thanks so much. Blessings and love, Alice

Donation to help a mom in need. Any amount is welcome.

Thank you for helping me pay a gift forward.