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President’s Message:

Compassion and Anger Cannot Co-Exist

I wish you a peaceful and happy year in 2018!

Throughout this year you may encounter new and

interesting learnings, not all of them pleasant and I

wish you the strength to deal with them. Please be

easy on yourself and

appreciate yourself

the way you are.

There are many

ways to help us with

this task, such as

practicing Reiki and

the Gokai,

meditation, Chi

Gong, Tai Chi, Yoga,

etc. There are also

counsellors, support groups and please don’t forget

family and friends.

Talking to someone you trust is a very good start to

get loving and honest feedback and support. Others

can only support you so much though; they don’t

have a magic wand. You are the only one who can do

the work to get better and find happiness in your life.

There might be a thousand and one reasons in your

mind why you can’t do this. So it’s really up to you to

take the first step, you are the only one who can heal

yourself, backed up by a functioning support system.

A lot of these challenges are related to our personal

lives, but I am also wondering if there isn’t also a

connection to what’s going on in the world today. For

a lot of people, change usually feels uncomfortable

and in the moment

there is a lot of that

happening. Still, we

have a choice about

where our thoughts

go, creating the

feelings that follow.

One quote of the of

the Dalai Lama

states, “Compassion

and anger cannot co-exist …the more we cultivate

compassion, the more our anger will be reduced

…compassion brings peace of mind.”

Written by a human being with 63 years of life

experience, including quite a few challenges

Gabrielle Gietzen, Dai Shihan Chair JRAC

Halifax, NS

Newsletter #11 of the Jikiden Reiki Association of Canada

Spring 2018

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Respect for Tradition

How Jikiden Reiki Reflects Traditional Japanese Culture

It is not uncommon to see Jikiden Reiki followers with other styles of Reiki training in their back ground. They often wonder why the Jikiden Reiki community seems to have its own unique way of teaching and practicing. Today, I would like to write about some of the reasons that the Jikiden Reiki community does certain things in certain ways. These are a few aspects of Japanese tradition that we will look at. Shinto: The foundation of Japanese culture Iemoto: The educational system for traditional arts Okeiko: The way of practice Kototama: Words have spirit Kakejiku: The Art of painting and calligraphy

When people take Jikiden Reiki classes the concepts of Shinto, Kototama and Kakejiku are discussed during the classes but I would like to share my personal opinion that the Iemoto system and Okeiko practice also have a huge impact on how we, Jikiden Reiki followers, practice our teaching.

Iemoto (pronounced: ee-eh-moh-toh) is an educational system for Japanese traditional arts. The system applies commonly to Sado (tea ceremony), Kado (flower arrangement), Shodo (Calligraphy), Judo/Karate/Kendo/Aikido/Iai (martial arts), Kabuki/Noh/Rakugo etc (stage performance arts), Koto/shamisen/shakuhachi etc (music arts), and perhaps others that I am not aware of.

Each of the Arts has a different ways of passing down their teachings but with the Iemoto system frequently applying to many of the Japanese traditional arts. It usually has 5 main levels in general, with sub-levels sometimes occurring within each level. 1 - Only one Iemoto, or top person/successor 2 - Full teachers who can train both teachers and practitioners 3 - Teachers who can only train practitioners 4 - Students 5 – Customers, clients

When it applies to Sado (tea ceremony), there is usually 1 Iemoto, 2 sub-levels of full teachers, 3 sub-levels of teachers, 5 sub-levels of practitioners and then customers. This means there are 12 levels and sub-levels in total. (This may differ between different Sado lineages.)

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If a practitioner wants to reach a teacher level, she/he has to go through 5 practitioner sub-levels. If a teacher wants reach the full teacher level, they have to go through 3 teacher sub-levels on top of the 5 practitioner sub-levels. Reaching the full teacher’s position is often by invitation only when the Iemoto (the top person in the system) recognizes an exceptional level of dedication from his/her disciples. As you can see, dedication and commitment are required to move up the levels.

When the current Iemoto decides to retire from their position, he/she will pass down the responsibility to the new Iemoto. His/her disciples do not request that they be the next Iemoto, rather the Iemoto invites a suitable person to carry on the system. There is always only one Iemoto. When we apply this system to Jikiden Reiki, I am sure you will see the similarity: 1 – Iemoto: Tadao Yamaguchi sensei 2 – Full teachers: Dai Shihans 3 – Teachers : Shihans & Shihankakus 4 – Students: Shoden and Okuden practitioners 5 – Clients

This is the reason that the Jikiden Reiki community doesn’t have a (Western) Reiki Master system, because that is not the way that Japanese traditional arts have been practiced. Even though Reiki has a shorter history compared with other Japanese traditional arts (some of them have a history reaching back over 500 years), the Iemoto system was still the proper way to pass down the teachings when Usui Reiki was established in 1922. Thus, it is natural to consider Reiki as one of the traditional arts and quite appropriate that Jikiden Reiki should also follow this system. Okeiko (pronounced Oh-kay-koh) is the way that Japanese people practice a teaching. This system also commonly applies to the Japanese traditional arts that I have listed earlier. Once students start to learn certain techniques from their teachers, they will visit their teachers regularly to continue their practice. Students practice together with the teacher present, and go over their technique to improve. People who are called “teachers” are expected to have a commitment to their students and help them follow up their studies by providing practice opportunities. Let me explain with Sado (tea ceremony) as an example: There are 3 common groups called Ura-senke, Omote-senke and Chado Gakkai in the Sado community. Let’s call them A, B, and C groups to make it easier to discuss. There are specific things that happen during the Okeiko practice. There are no written rules, but everyone seems to know what to do and what not to do, and it is considered disrespectful if you go against the rules.

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- A, B, & C groups would never practice together.

- If A followers join C practice group, A followers are considered as guests and are never to perform A style of practice during C practice groups. (and vice-versa, B or C followers are never to perform their style of practice during A practice groups)

- A guest never speaks about their own style because it is considered disrespectful to do so.

- A ‘B’ group teacher cannot become a teacher of A group unless they take A group training as a student.

The purpose of Okeiko practice is to deepen the understanding of the teaching. So Okeiko would never include practicing with another school because that would create confusion and create unnecessary comparisons which might lead to disrespect. Do you see a similarity with Jikiden Reiki practice groups?

- Jikiden Reiki practice groups are only for Jikiden Reiki practitioners

- If the untrained public, or Reiki practitioners and masters from other Reiki schools are to join a Jikiden Reiki practice group they are considered as guests only and may receive a Reiki session treatment but are not to perform their own Reiki practice.

- Jikiden Reiki teachers hold follow up study groups for students who are learning Jikiden Reiki.

- Someone holding the title, “Reiki Master” cannot become a “Jikiden Reiki Shihan” unless they start their training from the beginning in the Jikiden Reiki system.

There is no “open” Reiki share (with Western Reiki followers) because it doesn’t fit in with the way that Japanese people practice any of their traditional arts.

These are some of the reasons why Jikiden Reiki can be seen as a traditional Reiki school apart from other (Western) Reiki communities. I personally think it is not about a separation or isolation, but simply because Jikiden Reiki naturally follows the Japanese Iemoto educational system and Okeiko practice. When people ask me what is the difference between Jikiden Reiki and Western Reiki, I usually say that Jikiden Reiki is a traditional Japanese healing art and Western Reiki is one of many healing modalities practiced in the west.

I hope this helps to provide a deeper understanding of our practice for JRAC members.

I have been giving presentations in-person and by Skype about this topic. If you have a group of Jikiden Reiki students in your area and would like to arrange a Skype presentation, please feel free to contact me.

With gratitude, Mari Okazaki Jikiden Reiki Dai Shihan/practitioner JRAC vice-president NPO-IJRA Board member www.jikidenreikiwithmari.com Note: The information written here is common knowledge in Japanese culture but may differ from that held by other Japanese people with different backgrounds.

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Do you Enkaku?

Nothing is permanent but change.

- Heraclitus

Reiki practice is personal and varied. Some practitioners choose to offer treatments to the public, other share it with family and friends while for many it remains private. Through the years, however, our Reiki practice may evolve. I would like to share my recent experience with you.

As I was getting ready for our drive South to Florida last November, I thought that I would not have much opportunity to give Reiki treatments this winter. With retirement, my life had taken a new turn, which meant that I now had more time to travel but less for Reiki treatments and volunteer work, at least for now.

I love giving Reiki treatments and teaching Jikiden Reiki, and I have always thought that the experience of hands-on treatments made me a better teacher. But my practice was now changing.

With this in mind, I thought that I could at least spend some of the travelling hours (in the passenger seat) giving distance Reiki (Enkaku Chiryo in Japanese), so I offered my services to my friends and family members. Many accepted my offer and by the time we left, I had a list of 12 names and of various ailments - some serious, some painful and others simply uncomfortable.

I find that people rarely ask for distance Reiki unless they feeling quite sick are in pain or facing a serious diagnosis. As I was offering this service, they more willingly accepted. So I had the opportunity to treat seasoned Reiki practitioners as well as newcomers. I am also well aware that distance Reiki does not require a commitment from the receiver, only their acceptance.

We are taught that Enkaku Chiryo should be used when the receiver cannot be physically present for a treatment. This time, it’s the practitioner who would be the absent party.

The drive to Florida usually takes us some 27 hours over 3 days. On the first day, I gave four 30 to 50 minute treatments. I repeated the experience on the two following days, at a rate of 3 per day, for a total of 10 treatments. I also had time for some self-treatment. I noticed that I felt much more relaxed on the road, much to the delight of the driver!

After reaching our destination, I continued to give 2 and sometimes 3 distance Reikis per day, for the next three weeks. By then, there were 22 names on my list.

I received various requests from pneumonia to the common cold, back pain, kidney problems, recovery from dental surgery, anxiety, pain after a fall, as well as for a skin rash and old injuries. Some people received Enkaku only once, but most received two or more treatments, especially people suffering from a chronic disease who required repeated treatments over many days.

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What started as a wish to help people with Enkaku became a learning experience for me. And since we cannot give Reiki without also receiving this healing energy, I rapidly noticed the benefits. I felt calm and grateful.

I kept a record of the treatments as I do for hands-on treatments. I enter a few details in a notebook: name, date of birth, request or body part, as Sensei would say, as well as the time, treatment duration and notes on Byosen. This experience helped me to pay more attention to the Byosen and feel it more clearly.

At the end of the day, I would send each receiver a message or text indicating that Reiki had been sent, and I received thanks and comments in return.

This was not an exercise to convince people that Reiki works but rather a way to make good use of the travelling hours available. I was sure it would be beneficial for the receivers but I was surprised by their comments and also by the way it completed and enhanced my practice.

Here are a few of the comments:

- "I am feeling much better. I believe that Reiki

made a difference. I recovered quickly from

my cold and I feel stronger than I did before I

left on my trip." Receiver away on a business

trip.

- "Thank you for the energy yesterday. It was

great!! This morning I woke up in a good

mood. It had been a long time since I had

smiled because of the pain. I felt the energy in

my abdomen and shoulders. I am surprised to

have felt it clearly from so

far away." Concussion after

a fall

- Hello! I am doing

okay. I have not taken pain

meds since early last

night… Thank you so much

for the Reiki. Pain after

dental surgery

Some felt only a temporary relief, for example someone suffering from chronic sinusitis, but all appreciated the support offered thanks to Reiki.

- "This makes a big difference for me. As you

can well imagine, this period of my life is filled

with challenges…. and it feels so good to be

supported by others!" Cancer patient

So what have I learned from this experience?

- Although a hands-on treatment is best,

Enkaku Chiryo is a good way of helping those

in need, not only in case of serious disease but

also for minor ailments.

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- People really appreciate the offer of distance

Reiki, no matter the outcome, because they

are grateful for the support. Someone is there

for them, even from far away.

- Enkaku Chiryo can be an important part of our

Reiki practice, in the absence of either the

receiver or the giver.

- It is possible to work with the Byosen like we

do during the physical treatment.

- Enkaku Chiryo is beneficial not only for the

receiver but also for the giver.

I have recently created on Facebook a private group of over 30 Reiki practitioners to submit

distance Reiki requests. (Several others exist.) I hope that this will serve to offer Reiki to people who need a helping hand and also to support each other through life’s challenges.

In conclusion, if you do not have a chance to treat others with Reiki on a regular basis, or if people cannot come for a physical treatment, do not hesitate to offer distance Reiki! Perhaps you too will be delighted with the experience.

Francine Mineault Shihan – Jikiden Reiki www.espacereiki.com

A Gap in Compassion Although it is rewarding to offer volunteer Reiki treatments in the Sunshine Room, at The Lodge that Gives, and occasionally on the Palliative Care Unit, I have found that distraught family members challenge my compassion. A situation in the Sunshine Room showed me how other volunteers were able to console the distressed relative of a terminally ill patient. I saw how present, accepting, and compassionate these volunteers were, and I wanted to be all of those things too. Instead, I felt so overwhelmed by the family members’ intense display of grief that I had to leave the room. This situation made me wonder: why do I have such a problem with family members who express emotional pain, when I am completely comfortable with the emotional pain of the patients? When I was nine, my grandmother died. I clearly remember my mother telling me not to cry around my father, because it would upset him. My grandmother was the first person I knew and loved who died. My mother was a nurse and dealt with suffering and death by carrying on in a calm and helpful way. My father was a hard man. He never spoke about losing his mother, but marked the date of her ‘last day’, which was also his birthday. No one else had the right to grieve. The loss was his alone, and for him it was a very private matter. My parents were very critical of people who ‘made a spectacle of themselves’ because they were upset that a loved one was seriously ill and might die. They considered this ‘low class’ behaviour. While my parents had great sympathy for dying people, they thought the relatives of the dying person should control their emotions.

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As a child, I was taught that certain displays of emotion were acceptable, while others were not. If I was injured or sick, I could whine and cry and be comforted, however, I was punished if I whined or cried because I was angry, frustrated, or had hurt feelings. This was viewed as bad behaviour. From the examples set by my parents, I learned that outward expressions of emotional pain are inappropriate. I believed that sadness should be concealed, a belief that was reinforced by my training as a nurse. At some point these beliefs became fixed and automatic. If anyone other than a patient lost control of their emotions, I avoided them. A long hard look in the mirror showed me I wasn’t unable to feel and act compassionately towards everyone: I was unwilling. Because I believed the focus should be entirely on the patients, I felt angry when attention was diverted elsewhere. I believed that family members should give their attention and support to their loved one, not require attention themselves. When family members needed emotional support, I judged them as selfish and weak. I used to sincerely believe that I found grieving relatives difficult to be around because I was more deeply affected by their emotional energy than I was by the emotional energy of people who are dying. Now I see a very different picture. My problem stemmed from judgement.

It is no wonder that compassion eluded me, as there was no room for kindness amid all the judgement. I now understand that the family members of patients ARE facing death - just from another perspective. I am appalled that I subconsciously expected other people to behave in a way that suited me. I am even

more appalled that I lacked compassion for their suffering. Now, as a result of self-reflection, I realize that it is always acceptable to express emotion. I can sit with anyone’s pain and be supportive. My way of handling my own emotions no longer

shapes my attitude towards other people’s emotional expression. I have also learned that what we can see within ourselves, we can evaluate and change. Awareness can shift judgement towards acceptance, dissolving old beliefs and behaviours. Compassion is now easier for me to find and feel. I would like to thank the volunteers who inspired me to become a more compassionate person. I am thankful for the examples my Reiki teachers set for me and their patience with my fumbling way toward inclusive compassion. I am also thankful to the Jikiden Reiki lineage. All of these people, seen and unseen continue to support me in learning to be present and kind. As a result, I am becoming a better support to others, which makes me happy. Sheila Porter Halifax, NS

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The Universe, Reiki, and Me

I was fifty-five when The Universe decided it was time to introduce me to Reiki – in about 9 years. The diagnosis was lymphoma, and after years of sporadic chemotherapies, respites, relapses, transfusions and surgery, I found myself on a clinical trial with an experimental oral drug. The hospital pharmacy where I collected my pills was just around the corner from the Sunshine Room, located in the VG hospital, Halifax, where Reiki was waiting.

The Sunshine Room is a space that offers complementary therapies, including Reiki, to cancer patients and affected loved ones. Patients and families visit the room when they need an escape or a safe haven from the often-traumatic medical treatments that consume their daily lives. I had the pleasure of being treated there by several different volunteer Reiki practitioners, and always marvelled about how calm, serene and content I felt after only twenty minutes on the table.

When I discovered that one of the volunteers also taught Reiki, I took two levels of “western” Reiki training. Research into the history of Reiki kindled my interest in learning more about the original practice so I then completed Jikiden Shoden and Okuden classes with Gabrielle Gietzen at The Healing Space

with the intention of becoming a volunteer Reiki practitioner in the Sunshine Room.

The First step to reaching that goal was to complete my case studies: a total of forty hours of Reiki treatments to at least fifteen different recipients. Participating in Reiju Kai with other Jikiden

practitioners helped to answer many of my questions, and the calm, reassuring guidance I received from Gabrielle when 'stuff happened' during my sessions was invaluable to me and my clients.

Step two was a criminal record check and fingerprinting by the RCMP, required by the hospital. At long last, it was time to

complete my orientation – three sessions in the Sunshine Room with Gabrielle. I 'flew solo' for the first time at the end of August, 2017.

Chiyoko Yamaguchi called Reiki 'compassion in action'. If a drug can be defined as 'something that causes a temporary physiological (and often psychological) change in the body', then compassion is the strongest drug I have ever experienced. Someone aptly used the expression 'sharing Reiki' for what we do, and that phrase strongly resonates with me.

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I’ll finish with a personal testimonial. I have been 'sharing Reiki' with myself every day since my first Reiki class, a period of over 18 months. One of the symptoms of my cancer is called peripheral neuropathy(PN) – for me the soles of my feet have been numb for over a decade. Normally the condition is considered irreversible after a couple of years. I saw a neurologist who did a thorough evaluation of my PN just before I started Reiki self-practice. My follow up appointment with him was in December. He reported significant improvement in all aspects of the condition–motor, sensory and balance. I feel it too. Coincidence? I think not.

We have tremendous healing power flowing through our hands. I encourage you to find time every day to share Reiki with yourself.

Ron Ternoway Halifax, NS

Animal reiki

"After 20 minutes he had a big shake, shook his head, looked at me and sighed."

The shaking stopped, and she sat with him for another 30 minutes. When they exited the room to greet staff, the dog was walking calmly. "Where is the dog we gave you?" staff asked.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/life/pets/animal-reiki-a-popular-practice-in-healing-has-made-its-way-to-pet-care-1.4490208

Contributed by Cathy Oliver and Jude Steeves

JRAC Volunteering Report (2017)

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”

- Winston Churchill

2017 was a busy year for the Reiki Therapists who volunteer their time within the Halifax facilities for Cancer Care. This community service continues to enrich the lives of everyone involved in assisting patients and family members to feel cared for during such difficult times.

The Sunshine Room [SSR] Capitol Health Authority VG site

The complementary therapies in the SSR include Therapeutic Touch, Massage Therapy, Reflexology, Healing Touch and Reiki. Currently, Nine Reiki practitioners cover 11-13 two and a half hour shifts each month. Seven therapists are Jikiden trained and two are trained in the western form of Reiki. Several Reiki therapists have donated their time for more than 10 years and all are committed to use their Reiki training to help others.

N.S. Cancer Society: The Lodge That Gives Sobey Cancer Support Centre

The Lodge That Gives provides a place for out of town patients to stay while undergoing daily cancer treatments which are only available in Halifax. Recent renovations and additions to the Cancer Society site included a lovely dedicated space for complementary therapy sessions. Five Jikiden Reiki practitioners rotate, by twos, and provide 30 minute treatments from 6pm-8:30pm every Thursday evening for people who are staying at the Lodge.

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Overview From our personal experiences and through written feedback we know that the patients and family members/caregivers at both the Sunshine Room and at the Lodge greatly appreciate the Reiki treatments they received. They consistently report receiving a much needed time of deep relaxation and a reduction in current discomforts, often resulting in a better sleep. Their sincere gratitude underlies the reason that all the therapists enjoy providing a respite to people undergoing the incredible stress that comes with a cancer diagnosis and its treatment.

Sheila Porter

Volunteer Schedule Coordinator for Reiki Therapists

Financial Assistance Grants from JRAC

Part of the mandate of the Jikiden Reiki Association of Canada (JRAC) is the promotion and development of Jikiden Reiki in Canada. To support this mandate, the Association has established two grant programs.

Promotion of Jikiden Reiki In 2015 a grant was established in the amount of $1,200 to assist in the promotion of Jikiden Reiki.

The amount is allocated at $100 per person for 12 people on a first-come, first-served basis. It is expected that this money will be used for rental fees and other costs at Trade Shows, Health Fairs, etc. at which the grant recipient promotes awareness of Jikiden Reiki. Persons receiving the grant submit receipts to the Association and are reimbursed.

In 2017 six people received $100 each for Trade Shows/Health Fairs in Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Quebec. The program is being renewed again for 2018 and all members are encouraged to take advantage of this assistance.

Seminar support A second grant program that was approved at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on January 28, 2017 was renewed for 2018.

The purpose of the JRAC Seminar Grant is to provide financial support to Jikiden Reiki students wishing to attend scheduled seminars with Tadao Yamaguchi in either Vancouver, BC or Halifax, NS. Two grants of up to $500 each would be awarded to cover seminar fees. The grant is paid directly to the organizer of the event with Mr. Yamaguchi.

In the event that no applications were received for one or the other of the seminars, both grants would be awarded for the remaining seminar. If no grants are awarded in 2017, the amounts would be held over to the next year and the grant’s value increased accordingly

1) Vancouver seminar with Mr. Yamaguchi Feb 2017

Three women who were eligible for the grant applied for it. We had a draw on Feb. 8, 2017 with at least 4 JRAC members in attendance. The winner received $ 300 for the review of Shoden and Okuden. It was paid to the organizer of the event, Mari Okazaki. 2) Halifax seminar with Mr. Yamaguchi in Oct 2017

Six members eligible for the grant applied for it. We had a draw on Sep 30, 2017 with at least 4 JRAC members in attendance. The winner received $ 200 for the review of Shoden. It was paid to the organizer of the event, Gabrielle Gietzen. Since Mr. Yamaguchi will not be visiting Halifax in 2018, the only seminar eligible for the grant in 2018 will be in Vancouver. For further information please email: jikidenrac@gmail.com

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Seminars with Tadao Yamaguchi

President of Jikiden Reiki Kenkyukai (Kyoto)

(Interpreter: Mari Okazaki)

Vancouver, BC

September 19~23, 2018

In Japanese with English translation

Location : Heart Quest Healing Collective

#202-1651 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC

Sep 19~23 : Shoden & Okuden levels

($825 for both levels)

Shihankaku & Shihan levels: upon request

For more question, please contact Mari Okazaki at

himawarimari@telus.net

JRAC Board of Directors 2017

Gabrielle Gietzen, President

Mari Okazaki, Vice President

Chris Binns, Past President

Cathy Oliver, Secretary

Candace Gietzen, Treasurer/Membership

Mike McCarty, Newsletter

Francine Mineault, French translation

Joyce Thomson

Natasha Palikuca

www.jikiden-reiki.com

Webpage for the JR Institute Kyoto

www.jikidenreikiassociation.ca

Webpage for the Jikiden Reiki Association of Canada If you have any Jikiden Reiki events, news or an article you would like to contribute to our 2019 newsletter, please send to: mikeatlarge26@gmail.com We welcome your comments and suggestions on any aspect of The Dragonfly.