What is Reiki?
There are times when we feel drained of energy, stressed out, on overload or come face to face with a spiritual, physical or emotional crisis. If, in moments like this, we take the time to sit by the ocean, watch a sunrise or sunset, walk through the woods, work in our garden or sit quietly in meditation, something changes within us.
We become connected to our inner resources. We are brought back to balance, brought to a state of relaxation where the body’s self healing mechanism can be engaged. It seems like we are absorbing what we need from the universe and it brings us to a healing place. Much like a sponge, when immersed in water, absorbs all that it can hold at that moment.
Many people describe their experience of Reiki [ray-key] in similar ways. It seems to open them up to something that is already there. It helps them contemplate the role of Mystery in their healing - having a sense of coming home to their inner core of wellness. The Reiki practitioner offers a connection to the healing pulsations of the Universe and allows the recipient to respond to that connection and draw whatever he/she needs for their healing.
What is the System of Reiki?
Mikao Usui [1865-1926], the Founder of the System of Reiki, had a deep spiritual practice which led him to the realization that there is a spiritual healing energy in the Universe which is available to all creation. Everyone has access to it. And he went about teaching his students how to let go of those things [fears, worries, anger, etc.] which only serve as an obstacle to embracing this reality. Although he made adjustments to his teachings to accommodate the student in front of him, the goal was always the same. That goal was to help them become aware of the unconditional, loving, compassionate, healing force in the Universe, which when experienced can be transformative.
So the System of Reiki was another way to connect to this “common experience” often written about by the Mystics in all the religious traditions throughout the centuries. The System of Reiki was a way developed by Mikao Usui, drawing upon the spiritual traditions and culture of his day, to help the students connect to this Loving Force in the Universe.
We may ask, if it is so available, why do we need a teacher? Good question. In our present world of dazzling technology and scientific achievement, it is easy to lose our connection to the spiritual. So a good teacher will awaken within us what is already there. Will help us remove those things which prevent us from seeing what we already have. And once we are awakened, we can use that gift for ourselves and others.
Why the Name Evolutionary Reiki?
Over the last 20 years I have studied with seven different Reiki Masters in five different lineages. So my understanding and practice of Reiki has evolved. I am committed to sharing the wisdom of my teachers so that others can begin or expand their own evolutionary Reiki journey.
Also, the new cosmology speaks of the "Big Bang" which happened 14.5 billion years ago, that led to the creation of our Universe and Planet Earth. We are all an integral part of this evolutionary process and need to work together to care for each other, as well as all plant and animal life. One way to do this is through the healing practice of Reiki.
About Bill Stevens
Bill Stevens is a member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers and he taught 25 years in their schools in Canada, the West Indies, and the northeastern part of the United States, before training in New Haven, CT at the Hospital of St. Raphael to become a hospital chaplain. He served as a chaplain for ten years at three different hospitals in Syracuse, NY and New Brunswick, NJ. While at St. Peter’s Medical Center in New Jersey he began to experience people with HIV/AIDS coming into the hospital in the 80’s, which led him to establish a nonprofit organization, Chrysalis Ministry, to reach out to those who experienced this disease as a death sentence at that time. It was during this twelve year period of time that Bill incorporated Reiki into his ministry.
Click here to read more about Bill and his journey with Reiki.
Bill's Reiki Teachers
Bill completed 300 hours of study with Khandro Kunzang Dechen Choron in 2001 and a year apprenticeship for the master program with Gilbert Gallego in May, 2001.
Bill completed a Reiki Mastership training with a Buddhist monk, Hyakuten Inamoto, from Japan at a weekend training in New York City in 2008.
Hyakuten studied with Mrs. Yamaguchi Chiyoko (1916-2003) who was a student of Hayashi Chujiro Sensei (1880-1940), who was a student of Mikao Usui (1865-1926).
In April, 2009 Bill attended a Level III mastership training in Virginia with Frans Stiene who created the International Reiki Association and made several trips to Japan to do extensive research into the beginnings of Reiki. After that, Bill took opportunities to continue studying with Frans whenever possible when he came to New York City to teach classes.
Kathleen Prasad is the world’s pioneer and leading educator in the profession of Animal Reiki, teaching energy healing for spiritually-minded aniimal advocates.
Bill has studied with Kathleen since 2009 when he completed the Level III training with her and has supported the SARA initiative by establishing a Reiki program at a local shelter.
TaiChi & Qigong
Bill completed a 200 hour program at the Institute of Integral Tai Chi and Qigong with its founder, Dr Roger Jahnke and continued an additional 100 hours of study with him to become a certified TaiChi/Qigong teacher.
How can Tai Chi Easy and Qigong Help Us?
Qi is the most profound medicine, and it is my intention to support us in one way to have simple access to the life force energy, and in another way, to have a profound personal transformation. Our shared intention is to learn something so simple, yet so profound, which is that we can produce within ourselves the most profound medicine. Just think about that for a moment.
Where does this most profound medicine come from? Does it come from a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant? Does it come from a drug store? Do we use medicine only when we do not feel well, or is it possible that medicine is something that is within us and can be enhanced and maximized? Imagine maximizing the medicine within without waiting until we are unwell unless you are, in fact unwell. Then imagine not waiting any longer to use the medicine within along with any other medicine or medical procedure that you’re having.
The big, big, big goal is to be able to actually make medicine on purpose within our own being before we get sick. However, it is just as big a goal or it might even be a bigger goal to be able to make the medicine within to complement whatever other kind of medicine you are taking. This journey that you can choose to go on is, according to me, a portal to a new self, to a more well self, to a healing of disease and pain, or to a maximized self, to actually raise the level of our well being, raise the level of our productivity, raise the level of our insight, raise the level of our intuition, raise the level of the energy.
Wow, that is a big promise, and yet one of my books is called The Healing Promise of Qi. We can actually mobilize, activate the healing promise of Qi. It is an amazing opportunity.
Dr Roger Jahnke - iiqtc.org
Opportunities
We have entered into a new paradigm these past couple of years which appears wide open with no clear boundaries. It coincides with my life as I enter into a new phase. The door remains wide open for teaching opportunities with all the new technology that is available to us. The only limitations are those that we create for ourselves.
I will be writing a monthly newsletter which will be posted on my home page and you will also have the opportunity to subscribe to it. In that monthly letter I will be listing all the opportunities that will be available to you, no matter where you live. The ball is in your court. Check it out and let me know what works for you.
At this time in my life I want to make myself available to those who have an interest in using Reiki and/or TaiChi/Qigong as a spiritual path to wholeness. These modalities can help us “turn the light around” and look within and find that still point where all wisdom resides. If any of the information on the website resonates with you, please contact me so that we can collaborate in meeting your needs.
Contact
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