We arrived with open hearts and excitement from many corners of Australia and beyond the oceans to gather at the 3rd National Reiki Conference. "Reiki Touching Lives" 2006 and the post conference seminars lived up to expectations with many of the 133 delegates proclaiming afterwards that they had a `life changing' experience.
Reiki Australia's culture of preserving the personal and spiritual practice of Reiki and of honouring the diversity of Reiki practices was reflected throughout the conference and in particular, by the participation of Phyllis Lei Furumoto and Dr Ranga Premaratna.
Both Phyllis and Ranga shared their personal journeys with Reiki and spoke on the form and history of their respective practices of Usui Shiki Ryoho and Reiki Jin Kei Do. The sacred space that they held, their wisdom and their connection with delegates over several days of conference and post conference events left delegates feeling deeply enriched.
We came also to develop a better understanding of how, as individual Reiki practitioners and as a community, we can answer the call for bringing the healing comforts of Reiki to the `hospital bedside'. In support of Reiki Australia's focus to facilitate the development of professional Reiki treatment standards, leading health industry figures who are integrating complementary and supportive therapies into mainstream health care facilities, informed, inspired and gave practical advice to those in attendance. Such presenters were:
Eileen Chapman:
Founder/Supervisor Reiki Clinic at Windana
Margaret Gargan:
Founder Bloomhill Cancer Help Centre
Cath Maddox and Lizzie Swatland:
The Hopewell Centre
Dr Craig Hassed:
GP. Senior lecturer Monash University
Pamela Miles:
Leading US researcher and author of the book "Reiki - A Comprehensive Guide"
David Oliver:
Co-ordinator SolarisCare Cancer Support, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Bringing the delegation up to speed with the Australian process for developing a national Reiki Treatment Practice qualification was Di Lawson, CEO Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council. Practitioners also learned about consumer rights and their own obligations within health care from a representative of the Health Quality and Complaints Commissioner.
On opening day, Uncle Peter Bird, a local indigenous elder, honoured the ancestors and welcomed us to country. Lindy Hou, Gold medalist Athens Paralympics, accompanied by her guide dog Harper, captivated us with inspiring, heart warming and often humorous stories about living your dream. Elizabeth Currey, a Reiki master and workshop facilitator for personal growth from New Zealand, spoke about Reiki and the Arts. Later in the conference, groups of delegates jointly created a collage to represent their vision for Reiki.
Each day of the conference we honoured our practice and shared Reiki.
Great care was taken to provide a conference program that nurtured and provided balance for the heart, mind and spirit.
The generosity of sponsors, most not directly connected to the practice of Reiki, was acknowledged with a permanent display.
The venue for "Reiki -Touching Lives' was Margate on the shores of Moreton Bay, just north of Brisbane. Here open spaces, fresh air and long walks along the esplanade, could only be made better by the ample variety of cafes and restaurants!
To read the full conference review click here.
