I am off Zoloft

Reiki in the Emergency Room

Finding Peace with Reiki

The Gift of Reiki Healing

A Reciepe for Healing - Attitude, Faith, Love and Reiki

Jacob - Our Miracle Baby

Some Miracles Take a Little Longer - A Story of Healing Lupus

The Value of Receiving Reiki Before and After Major Surgery

A lot of you can probably understand when I say I depended on Zoloft for my sanity and yet hated taking it, hated having to depend on it. I began taking Zoloft several years ago when I found job stress, as an insurance agent, too much to deal with. I was off and on it several times because when it really took affect I would think I no longer needed it. Then the feelings of panic would come back, and I would go to the doctor and ask for Zoloft. It would take weeks to calm my system down again. I quit my job to care for my boyfriend of 10 years when he developed a brain tumor that was malignant. So I felt I no longer needed Zoloft. Is everyone saying “Duh…..”? So I went back to my old friend Zoloft hating it but feeling relief from the familiar feeling of anxiety. That was about a year and a half ago.

About 10 months ago I heard about Reiki at a Tai Chi retreat. It seemed like something I would like to learn more about. I went to Tranquil Waters to try out the Course in Miracles and found out that not only could I get a free Reiki treatment from Sharon but I could take an introductory class from Dawn. I was all ears although I made no connection between Reiki and what it could do for me and my need for Zoloft. I got my first Reiki attunement in March and then the Reiki II attunement in June.

It has empowered me to grow spiritually in ways I could never have dreamed of before. It has given me ways to help others and I am deeply grateful for that. Synchronicity flows through my life everyday. I began Reiki treatments with Dawn to work on some of my personal and physical problems several weeks ago. I mentioned to her that I would like to get off of Zoloft but didn’t see how I could since a tendency toward anxiety is a hereditary trait in my family. But I put the desire to get off it out there and just let it go. A couple of weeks ago I began forgetting to take my Zoloft most days, and when I went away for a week I just forgot to take it with me. So I finally realized I am off of it! I no longer feel the anxiety that I suffered with for so many years! It is not something I worked on. I just asked to be released from the need for Zoloft, forgot it, and it happened with no effort or even further thought on my part.

Always remember that even when you think nothing significant is happening with you spiritually, it is! The beauty and simplicity of Reiki is that you put the intention into the cosmos, and it requires no further effort on your part.
Love and gratitude, Carol

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On September 29, 2002 I think that I was getting a message which was: SLOW DOWN! It had been a hectic weekend. I work full-time and I care for two children (one in elementary school and one in middle school), a husband, a house, a dog, two birds and numerous fish. Don’t get me wrong –I am grateful for every one of my blessings. But, I also feel like there is never enough time to do all of the things that I need to do. I know that I don’t NEED to do everything, but I do TRY to do everything.

This particular day, I had taken the kids to a birthday party, run to the store while they were at the party, then I picked them up. We got home and I had dinner starting on the stove. I was putting groceries away. I had wash in the washer and dryer. I was watching the kids while my husband worked in the basement. My husband was bringing up lots of boxes and trash from the basement and putting them in the garage. Since I obviously didn’t have enough to do, I thought that I would cut up the boxes for recycle, in between what I was already doing.
I found a box knife. I went into the garage. I was hurrying. The box was about four feet tall and very thick. The box knife was dull. I was thinking, “I need a new blade.” I had to push the blade out extra long – about three inches – because the box was so thick and the blade was so rusty and dull. Then it happened. I was pulling down very, very hard and the box knife slipped and went into my left thigh. It went all the way in. I don’t remember pulling it out – but I must have.

There was dark blood everywhere. I put my hand on my thigh and made it to the garage door. The angels were there because my husband had come up from the basement and was standing by the garage door. I think I said his name, and he said, “Oh my God.” He ran for some towels, and I began to get sleepy. I lay down on the garage floor. There was blood everywhere. I told my daughter to turn the stove off, just to give her something to do and to make her go away. Then my four-year-old son opened the door. He said, “Mom, are you going to die?” I told him that I wasn’t, but I was fading fast.

I had the bleeding stopped by applying pressure, so my husband put me in the car and probably got me to the hospital faster than any ambulance could have. I remember telling him to slow down. I was very sleepy and fighting to stay awake.

The hospital was a mad house and when they first looked at me in triage, they thought I could wait. I was in a wheel chair, and I could hardly stay in it. I wanted to lie on the floor. When they finally took my blood pressure, it was 40/24. The triage nurse said, “That can’t be right. You should be…” and I said, “Dead?” Then I went out. I started convulsing. I heard voices saying, “She’s fighting it.” A lot of hands lifted me on a table and they started cutting my clothes off. I had IV’s put in both arms. I kept fighting. When I complained about my shirt the nurse said, “Be quiet. We’re trying to save your life.”

They brought my blood pressure up, but they couldn’t feel a pulse in my left foot. They called for a vascular surgeon. I was stable so my husband went home to take care of the kids. The doctors had told him that they would be keeping me. My daughter said that when she saw her father, she thought that he was going to tell her that I was dead. I was in a lot of pain. The wound was really hurting now. I could hardly move my arms due to all of the tubes and wires, but I knew that I had one chance. I FORCED myself to do Reiki on my leg. It was very hard. I wanted to rest. I don’t know how long I did Reiki. I just kept doing it.

Finally, the vascular surgeon arrived. She did a sonogram of my leg and veins. I had definitely cut an artery. Then she seemed surprised and confused. I asked her what was wrong. She said, “Well, everything seems fine!” She was under the impression that I was in bad shape.

My blood pressure was now normal, and my leg was still sore, but it had a pulse. When my husband returned to the hospital, they told him that they were letting me go! He couldn’t believe it. They had been getting the paddles ready – I had been going out on them! Now, I was going home.

Since my clothes had been cut off I had nothing to wear. I left in two hospital gowns and hospital socks. I walked out of the hospital that same day. They said that I had given them “quite a scare.” I spent the next week at home, and I developed some early blood clot symptoms. When the blood clot symptoms would start, I would do Reiki. The symptoms would stop.

I have a nasty scar, but I am fully recovered. I can honestly say that I use Reiki daily – for just about everything. Did it fix my leg? Well, on New Year’s Eve my husband said that he doesn’t want to go through another year like 2002. He referred to it as the year that I almost died. We are certainly believers. Have I slowed down? No, but I do stay away from sharp objects!
By Lisa

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Life’s roads have not been completely smooth for me. I’ve battled disturbing emotions for my entire life, and up until a couple of weeks ago, I thought that future roads looked just as bumpy. That is, until, I discovered Reiki.

I guess I should tell you a little about myself. I’ve been battling depression ever since I can remember. When I was a young child, I have memories of wanting to cry for no reason. I have memories of being so frustrated at something, but not knowing what that something is or how to make it better. As I entered my teenage years, these feelings grew, leaving me extremely uncomfortable and seeking the help of a “professional”. Now, don’t get me wrong. I trust doctors, and I trust that they’ve had their education and know what they’re talking about. But after going to doctors almost every week for the past four years, they’ve unofficially diagnosed me with bipolar depression, severe anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. The reason I say unofficially is because every doctor I go to has a different opinion regarding the technical terms for the type and severity of depression I may or may not have. But there is one thing that is for sure. There is something wrong with me. I cannot handle situations as a normal twenty year old would. I am berated by racing thoughts, panic attacks, episodes of mania and severe depression. I have behavior that could be considered obsessive compulsive, which fuels the anxiety, which in turn fuels my depression.I thought I would have to deal with this for the rest of my life. That’s what brings me back to the topic of Reiki.

I learned what Reiki was only a couple of months ago. I was having a conversation with my friend, and she casually brought it up. It immediately sparked my interest. Somehow I knew that I had to try this. I’ve been on so many medications and seen so many doctors in the past, and nothing has worked. I don’t expect to be cured in one session with my psychiatrist or psychologist, but I also feel that nothing has ever helped me. I take medication to stabilize my mood, and I probably will have to take one form of medicine or another for the rest of my life. Therapy has never been helpful as my situation is more chemical than situational (my depression is derived from a lack or plethora of certain chemicals in my brain as opposed to something bad that happened to me while growing up). I immediately felt that Reiki could be my way to battle depression. At the time, I thought to myself that if it didn’t work, it was at least worth trying. It couldn’t hurt anyone.

I scheduled a group session with my friend, Amanda Nauton, her mother and stepfather, Dawn and Bill Fleming, and Eileen Foley. I was nervous when I first got there. All I saw was a massage table with some blankets on it and the four of them sitting around and talking. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous or skeptical as I lay face up on the table. They all stood around me, closed their eyes, and joined hands. Then they put their hands on my head, my shoulders, and my legs. I was shocked as I felt a burst of energy rush through my body the moment they all touched me. What shocked me even more was that, judging from their reactions at the moment, they all felt it too. They kept their hands in place, and I immediately calmed down. By the end of the fifteen minute session, I was the most relaxed I had been in a long time.

After my first session, I was hooked. When I left their house that night, a type of peacefulness had settled over me. I was also excited when Amanda told me that I could learn how to practice Reiki on my own. I found out that she was teaching her first Reiki I class, and I signed up. In November 2003, I received my attunement and a certificate verifying that I was a Reiki practitioner.

When I went to my first Reiki Practitioner’s night at the Beacon, I was extremely nervous. I kept thinking that I was going to practice on someone and seriously injure them. However, I had a really good time. What felt like thirty minutes was actually two hours. I even got compliments from people who could feel a difference in the section of body on which I was working. It is an exhilarating feeling to be able to help someone, and even more exhilarating knowing that I’m helping myself in the process. When you perform Reiki on someone, you are also healing yourself because the energy has to pass through you in order to get to them. That first Reiki night was the first night in a long time that I didn’t have racing thoughts. It was the first time in my life that I have been able to shut off my mind and only concentrate on one thing: the person on the table who was receiving the Reiki.

My problems have not been cured with Reiki, but it sure has helped. I’ve learned how to meditate and how to calm myself down. After a Reiki session, I find myself much more relaxed and just generally happy. Since I’ve discovered Reiki, I’ve introduced it to two of my friends. One of them just finished their Reiki I class, and the other is signing up to take it. I’m determined to tell more people about it and get more people interested in it.

In my mind, how could you not want to be a part of something so great? In February I completed my Reiki II training and I plan to then go on to study Karuna Reiki. During the past couple of months, I feel that Reiki has been the best medication for me. Although I am not cured of my depression and my anxiety, Reiki has given me the opportunity to sit back and look at things from afar. I am able to relax and sift through my brain and find out what really is bothering me and try to fix it. Because I am able to give Reiki to other people, I now feel as if I am an asset instead of a burden. Being around people who give and receive Reiki is encouraging because I see people being healed in all sorts of ways. Now that I know about Reiki, I can’t imagine life without it.

By Kara

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The gift of Reiki played a major role in my preparation for spinal fusion surgery, as well as, my subsequent healing. For twenty-five years I experienced reoccurring back pain that led me to seek a myriad of traditional and alternative treatments. Many of these treatments were periodically beneficial, but with each passing year my pain worsened. When I practiced self-healing Reiki, my pain diminished, and I was able to complete my daily routine. However it wasn’t until traveling to New York in November, that I came to the realization that my daily routine had become limited.

Our family had taken a leisurely walk along the lake one chilly afternoon. In the early evening my brother-in-law found me in an exhausted state lying on the couch. He commented, “You really aren’t yourself are you? I can see that you are unable to do the things you used to do.” Tears filled my eyes as I recalled that pain and fatigue had prevented me from keeping up my usual lively pace. During the ride home my thoughts drifted back to my brother-in-law’s remarks. I felt that Spirit was giving me a clear message. Upon arriving home, I immediately called the neurosurgeon to schedule surgery.

As I prepared for surgery, I realized that I needed to rise above my usual stoic nature and ask others for help. I called Dawn Fleming and asked if she would set up some preoperative Reiki sessions. Dawn lovingly arranged several preoperative, as well as, postoperative sessions. Each of my Reiki sessions was a powerful journey toward recovery. On almost every occasion the Reiki Masters commented that although my chakras were clear, they felt a definite heaviness, an energetic block around my lumbar region. Several mentioned that it could be a result of an old issue, (perhaps even one from a past life.) During these preparatory sessions I felt my pain lessen and a sense of well being as the warmth of loving, healing energy flowed through my spine.

After surgery the doctor tiptoed into my hospital room around 2:00 a.m. to check on my progress and to deliver some very interesting news. The doctor explained that after removing the damaged discs from my spine, he discovered an abnormality. The anomaly was likely a result of a traumatic fall I must have experienced during infancy. He described the reconstruction as somewhat like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. He also commented on how well I was recovering from such a major operation. I told him that I had been fortunate to have several Reiki treatments before surgery that were instrumental in my recovery. He recalled that I was a Reiki Master and commented on the benefits of Reiki. I felt fortunate that God had led me to an enlightened doctor who embraced many healing modalities.

My recovery continues at an astounding pace and three weeks after surgery I was able to relieve my pain with Extra Strength Tylenol alone. Reiki’s healing power has left me feeling calm and peaceful, ready to face the challenge of recuperation without fear. In addition, I am experiencing a spiritual shift as a result of healing second chakra issues. Reiki energy flows from my heart allowing me to express and receive love along with a feeling of heightened connection to Source. My gratitude and blessings go to Dawn, Russ, Susan, Pam, Vic, Sharon, Pat, and all the otherReiki Masters and practitioners. These loving, selfless people volunteered their time and presence in order to be channels for God’s healing energy.

By Lin

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While in Florida, my father was diagnosed with an aneurysm in the abdominal artery. His paperwork was faxed to his home doctor in Pennsylvania, who told him to get home immediately. The artery should only have been 3 centimeters in diameter, it was swollen to 5.4 cm. Six is considered bursting. He went through additional tests to see if there were other aneurysm, but none were found. With his permission, Dawn and I did absentee Reiki on dad. Others also sent Reiki to him. He joked that it wasn’t working because the aneurysm swelled to 5.6 cm. I told him that it hadn’t burst, so Reiki WAS working.

I talked to him about going into surgery and doing Reiki. He was going to bring it up with the doctor. I prayed to be where I was needed for the highest good. After his appointment, he told me I wouldn’t be allowed into surgery. Dad was scheduled to be in surgery on a Tuesday morning, ICU for three to four days, then a regular room for seven days. From the very beginning, he had a great attitude about the surgery. Instead of feeling lousy, he looked forward to the surgery. He was glad that the aneurysm was caught and would be repaired.

On the day of the surgery I was allowed to see him after pre-op. I performed Reiki on him while my mom talked to him. I took some time and talked to his body, letting it know that it was going to have surgery, that it would be intrusive, but that it was for his highest good. I told dad’s artery that it had served him well, but needed repair. I explained what was about to happen, all the while I continued to perform Reiki. Then we had to go to the waiting room.

Since I was unable to talk to the surgical team, I didn’t know how they felt about Reiki. So, I sent Reiki to dad and included a prayer for God to be the eyes and hands of the surgical team and to allow the Reiki to reach them also, if they were willing to receive. I created my intention for the Reiki to be “turned on” and to continue even if my mind was involved in other things. Every now and then I would return to the conscious thought of sending Reiki to dad and the surgical team. The operation was over in four hours. Everything went extremely well.

My mom and I visited dad in Intensive Care. There I performed Reiki directly while mom talked to him. He had seven monitoring wires, two tubes, and three IVs. Since I did not want to disturb any of the many wires and tubes, I did Reiki by touching his left arm with the intention that the energy was to go to his whole body. I also talked to his body again and let it know that it had done a wonderful job throughout the surgery. I also told it that it needed to continue the job and heal. Mom and I went back the same day for the next visiting hour, and I again did Reiki through his left arm. The next day he was sitting up and all the tubes and half the wires were gone.

I had to leave and return home. But I kept working on him as did my family (Dawn and our daughters) and friends. Dad was released from the hospital four days after the surgery. The hospital staff, including the surgeon who operated, were amazed at how quickly he recovered from this major operation. I credit four things for his quick recovery....his attitude, his faith, love and Reiki.
by Bill Fleming

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Reiki has been a part of my life for quite some time now. In fact, it seems like eons ago when Dawn and I took our first Reiki class together. As time went on the more we practiced Reiki, the more we started seeing remarkable results. Recently our family experienced a true Reiki miracle and many of you were part of it.

On October 24th last year, the dreaded “call in the middle of the night” came. It was 2AM and when I answered the phone my daughter Ashley said “Mom, - I’m at the hospital and I am in labor”. Her baby was not due for another three months. She said as soon as they knew what the situation was she would call us. I immediately started to pray for Ashley and the baby and send Reiki to them. Another call at 4AM from my son-in-law told us that Ashley was now on medication to stop labor. The doctors also started her on steroids to help develop the baby's lungs, but she needed to be on them at least twelve hours. I then called Dawn and she said she would immediately start sending Reiki. One last phone call told us that nothing was working and the baby was coming very soon.

The doctors and nurses were preparing Ashley and her husband for a very tiny baby, between 1-11/2 lbs. That is the usual weight for six months gestation. They also listed all the “normal” problems with a baby that early.

Well, our little guy arrived at 2lbs. 15oz. and everyone was amazed. He was wisked off to the NICU and put on a ventilator to help him breathe. When we saw him about two hours later he looked like a little skeleton with very red skin stretched over his frame. He was immersed in a tangle of tubes, IVs and warming lights. The doctors told us to expect lung problems to develop during the next three days and for his overall condition to worsen. They also repeated the various concerns with a preemie including failure of the retinas to attach properly in his eyes.

I spent that night at the hospital with Ashley so her husband could get some sleep at home. About 5:30 the next morning I walked down to the NICU to check on our baby. When I saw him, I was astonished to see the ventilator had been removed. We had been told he would be on it for weeks – possibly even months. His nurse said that he was breathing so well on his own that they removed it earlier that morning. Again the doctors just could not believe how well he was doing.

Dawn continued to do Reiki on him from her home and all my dear Beacon friends did the same. He was also put on numerous prayer lists from Maryland to Colorado. Ashley and her husband finally picked the name Jacob for our little boy. That day I reread the story of Jacob in my Bible and discovered that the name Jacob means “protected by God”. How could he have any other name?

Each day Jacob improved more and more. His condition never deteriorated and his breathing remained normal. Dawn and I kept in touch every few days and I would tell her the next milestone Jacob had to meet. Accepting nourishment from a feeding tube, regulating body temperature, learning to nurse and of course gaining weight were just some of them.

Each hurdle was addressed with Reiki and focused intention from our network of loving support. Jacob just kept growing and improving each day. IVs disappeared, breathing problems never developed and the retinas in his eyes were properly attached. Fifty-two days after birth Jacob came home. This was five weeks earlier than the doctors expected. He has continued to thrive – each check up is perfect and his doctor is amazed. As of January 31st he weighed 10lbs.

There is no doubt in our minds that Reiki and prayer made all the difference in Jacob’s life. I feel that Reiki is just another form of prayer – a connecting with our higher source – a stepping into the light with faith and right intention. Reiki helps us open up to the healing love, blessings and peace that are always available to us.
by Lynn Sins

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I went to the Doctor last month for a routine physical, something most of us do on a regular basis. However, this one was unusual for me because all of my lab work came back negative. As near as my Doctor could tell, I am very healthy. He couldn’t explain it and was very confused. You see, 10 years ago I was diagnosed with Lupus. My path to this last physical has not been short, quick, or painless, but it has been an adventure.

I was very ill ten years ago when I met Lynn, and she invited me to visit a healing circle at Madeline’s house. She explained it might seem a little weird, but what did I have to lose. That was my first encounter with energy work, Chakras, and the whole concept of being more than the sum of my parts. Within that group of healers I was exposed to concepts, friendships and “new” ideas. I began to feel better. Within 18 months I discovered something called Reiki, and Herbology, and a new way of thinking – (complete with a support group) that would lead me on a path of discovery and totally change my life forever.

Through the guidance of that first group I found new methods of regaining control of my life, periodically slowing the pace and reevaluating my personal and professional priorities.

I found that teachers appeared when I was ready to learn. It was Madeline with the healing circle and first Chakra class and Eileen at the Dandelion Herb Shop. It continued with training at the Baltimore School of Massage, Linda and Dawn with Reiki, and Ralph, my own husband who knew more about this “stuff” than I ever imagined and too many others to mention. Some teachers dealt only with the physical, some with the mind and others with spiritual aspects. Many taught me that all were related and could not be compartmented. I found a confidence to explore new ideas and ways of living, some were easy and comfortable and others were not. Some worked and some did not.

Ralph supported my efforts and provided the necessary “sanity checks” along the way. I learned that it was easier to be compassionate, loving and forgiving to others than it was to love and forgive myself. However, treating myself as I tried to treat others became crucial to my healing. I learned that I could not give from an empty cup and that I needed to refill my own and allow others to help me refill the cup…I had to learn to be a gracious receiver.

My health has improved gradually and steadily over the years. I am still careful about how much I obligate myself to do (still tend to try to do too much) and try to maintain a balance between my personal and professional life. Learning to say NO has been difficult.

I am delighted to report that at this juncture, I am off all medications (the M.D.s said it would never happen) and have a full time massage and Trager practice. The adventure continues and I now look forward to the future with great anticipation.

Carolyn Spinelli

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As an advanced level Reiki practitioner, I have understood the value of giving and receiving Reiki treatments for a variety of physical, emotional and mental challenges. However, I had no way of assessing the impact of the healing power of Reiki when done in conjunction with major surgery. That is until I made my decision to have total hip replacement surgery to be done on October 3, of this year.

I had been privileged to be a member of a team of Reiki practitioners working with Ed Roebuck and Dennis Dunn both of who had also made the decision to go ahead with major surgery. With Ed and Dennis, the thing I remembered most was their positive attitude and the giving over in trust the work of the Reiki practitioners. I learned from Ed the importance of setting a clear intent for the Reiki work as he sought to bring about a balance of mind and heart energy. I was struck with Dennis’s conviction in the healing power being channeled by the Reiki practitioners.

I requested to have a series of Reiki sessions the week before my scheduled surgery and set as my intent to use the work of Reiki to heal at the physical, emotional and mental levels. I remember my first of many sessions leading up to and after my surgery with great clarity. As I focused on my intent, I felt an incredible wave of love coming from my heart and begin to permeate my entire physical body. I felt so full of the healing love that I thought I would burst. The room where the practitioners were working seemed filled with white light and felt light as a feather and unaware of my nagging physical pain I had come in with. I don’t pretend to know what unconditional love is and I had a clear sense of what it might be. Along with the healing love was a peace that was as warm as a summer sun and as quiet as a still, still night.

I had a frame of reference from which to approach each succeeding Reiki session as the day of my surgery approached. There was a part of me that was scared going into the surgery and that part was calmed with the incredible love coming through the Reiki. I remember waiting outside the operating room after having received Reiki the night before and a few minutes before being wheeled down the corridors of the hospital and feeling a deep sense of calm. My conversations with the anesthesiologist and surgeon attending to my surgery had the tone of knowing I was in the presence of a loving presence I had experienced throughout the week. As I was returned to my room from the recovery room I was greeted by my immediate family and family of Reiki practitioners. Their loving presence help me to sustain the feeling of peace and calm as I set about my recovery period.

I continued to receive the healing power of Reiki in the days that followed and it is my sincere belief that the love present throughout this traumatic surgery prevented the grasp of fear from ever taking control of my physical body, emotions and mental body. To all those who gave of this love and of the their time, I am eternally grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
John Collings

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