Ms Michelle Hustler, Project Officer, Trade in Services, Barbados Coalition of Service Industries

Featured Speaker, Dr Winthrop Wiltshire, Specially Invited Guests, Gathering Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Barbados Reiki Association it is my pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to this, the Opening Ceremony of the very first Reiki Gathering ever to be held in Barbados and indeed, I believe, in the Caribbean.

You know that the modern trend is to check everything out on the internet, so when I knew I had to give this talk, I thought ‘Let me look up welcome speeches on the web and see what I find – see if I can learn something new about welcomes’. And what I learned is that a welcome speech should be between three and five minutes long. Well, that suited me (and I’m sure it suits you too)! And while I cannot guarantee you just three minutes, I can promise that my talk will be relatively short.

We at the Barbados Reiki Association are particularly pleased to be hosting this Gathering because it represents a dream that has taken many years to come to fruition. but you will hear more about that later in the programme. This idea started when a few of us, way back in 1995, attended the North-East Reiki Gathering held in the Catskill mountains in upstate New York. That experience was so enriching that we all felt that one day a similar event must be held in Barbados. For many years it remained a dream, a thought, and finally in 2007 we began to make plans. Eventually we started to see what it would look like and what was needed to make that happen.

The journey from then to today, though extremely rewarding, has not been without its challenges, but with the help of the Reiki energy and support from many people, some of them not even Reiki initiates, we have been able to overcome those challenges and still keep our sanity – and remain friends. And so here we are today – the dream is about to become a reality.

We are honoured to have here today a representative from the Barbados Coalition of Service Industries (BCSI) – Ms Michelle Hustler. The BCSI has been working with our Association and has given its full support to helping us develop into a recognised organisation with a set of internationally-recognised standards. We very much appreciate that you have been able to make time in your busy schedule to be with us on this occasion. We welcome you and thank you for coming.

Next I would like to acknowledge our overseas participants – from the Caribbean region and even further afield. In particular I would like to welcome Dr. Winthrop Wiltshire from Trinidad and Tobago and Rev. Lynn Armor from Vancouver, Canada. Both Dr. Wiltshire and Rev. Armor have played major roles, together with our own Verity Dawson, in the introduction of Reiki to Barbados and Rev. Armor has been the initiating Reiki Master of many of our participants.

And our invited guests, some of whom have had to reschedule their activities and many, if not all, of whom have had to battle the after work traffic in order to join us – we are happy that you have thought the occasion sufficiently important for you to want to make the effort to be here and to share this special time with us.

Let me not leave out the participants – just under 50 people who have been wise (smart) enough to choose to be here for this weekend of relaxation and renewal and, I hope, enjoyment. Without you this event could not take place. We are happy that you have made the decision to attend.

Let me now share with you a little information about the Barbados Reiki Association.

The Barbados Reiki Association is an umbrella body for all the different lineages of Reiki represented in the island. We have two main aims: one is to be a support group for Reiki initiates and practitioners and the second is to spread the message of Reiki as widely as possible.

The Association meets on the first Thursday of every month to conduct its business and to share healing sessions with its members. Apart from these meetings, there are two main events in our annual calendar: the first is an Open Day which takes place on the last Sunday in June to which the general public is invited and in which we include practitioners of many other complementary modalities. The second event is a one-day Retreat for Reiki initiates only. During this time we take a look at ourselves and our relationship with this energy that we call Reiki, each time from some different perspective, The Retreat usually takes place on the last Sunday in October. However, this year, we decided to extend ourselves a bit and hold this four-day Reiki Gathering in place of the Retreat.

As an additional event one year we hosted a public Panel Discussion on Reiki featuring representatives of the medical profession and the church on the panel.

Apart from the activities I’ve mentioned, as an Association we also participate in public events such as BMEX, the Nation Healthy Lifestyles Fair, the United States Embassy fair, the recent Body Mind Spirit Expo and other such events, while individual members give Reiki treatments at other Health Fairs and the Spa Days or Appreciation Days offered by different private companies and Government Departments to their members of staff. So we do take every opportunity that is offered to spread the word that Reiki can help with healing.

About the Gathering itself: here are some of the highlights. Greeting the morning – early morning sessions of yoga, tai chi or meditation are being offered to help participants to start the day free of stress; there will also be daily group healing sessions and daily feature addresses on some aspect of “Unity”, which is the theme that has been chosen for the Gathering.

On Saturday the group will be taking an afternoon excursion into the world of dowsing. The setting is at Farley Hill where we can test our skills at sensing energy and have a blissful meditation on one of the most powerful energy points in Barbados. Barbados is blessed with many of these vortices where an accumulation of earth energy lines, known as ley lines, meet.

There will also be a cultural evening and this should be very enjoyable. We hope that many of our participants will volunteer to showcase their talents on that occasion.

We chose “Unity” as the theme for our Gathering because it represents an aim that we in the Barbados Reiki Association hold dear to our hearts and that is to see stronger ties develop between all people who practise Reiki. Our hope is that by the end of the Gathering, if not before, we will all experience a profound sense of togetherness, regardless of our Reiki lineage or country of origin or any of the other issues which tend to keep us apart – a sense of unity that will remain with us all for years to come.

I hope that you will all enjoy this short ceremony. For those of us who are staying on for the weekend I look forward to a time of great renewal, to a further commitment on the part of each of us to this Reiki path that we have chosen, to a determination to strengthen the bonds that we will make here this weekend and to a fuller understanding of the concept of “Unity” as it relates to our relationships with each other and the Source.

Once again, a warm welcome to everyone—and let the energy flow.

Thank you

View photos from the public opening here

The Reiki Gathering, organised by the Barbados Reiki Association, starts today and runs until Sunday, November 1. The Gathering is being held at the Barbados Workers Union Labour College, Mangrove, St Philip. It’s a great opportunity to meet and share experiences with Reiki practitioners from the region. Even if you haven’t registered, it’s not too late. Just call 828-2779 for information.

For more information, see our video and the programme.

This is the final programme for the Reiki Gathering being held from October 29 to November 1. Last-minute registrations are still being accepted. Call 246-428-4186

Reiki Mastery – Advanced Level: 24-25 October 2009 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

• Being offered for the first time
• This course is designed for those who do not necessarily desire to teach Reiki, but who wish to avail themselves of deeper insights into its philosophy and symbology
• Levels 1 and 2 must have been completed
• Please call Verity to discuss your candidature and pre-course requirements

Sekhem Levels 1 & 2: 14-15 November 2009 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

• Teaching healing methods on the Mind Body Spirit unit which pre-date Reiki
• For more detailed information email Verity
• Fee:  $300

Body Wisdom: 7 November 1.00 – 5.30 p.m.

• Based on the work of Louise L. Hay who cured herself of cancer
• Get to understand the messages the body is sending you before symptoms develop into full-blown disease
• A powerful mini-workshop with take-home material
• Fee:  $75

Forgiveness: 21 November 1.00 – 5.30 p.m.

• Who do you need to forgive?
• Why isn’t it happening?
• What can you do to get peace of mind?
• Fee:  $75

Meditation: 23, 24 and follow-up session 30 November 6-8.30 p.m.

• Meditation is the cornerstone for all spiritual practice
• A proven stress release system enabling you to maintain better health and energy levels
• Easy 4-step technique with on-going support from your tutor
• Fee: $120

Life Scripts: 28 November 1.00 – 5.30 p.m.

• Discover the personal negative messages which have been holding you back
• Discover why you seem to stay in the same old holding pattern, no matter how hard you try to break it
• A truly remarkable workshop designed to help you create the life you want to live
• Guaranteed to provide insights or your money back!
• Fee: $75

Reiki Level 2: 5-6 December 2009, 9.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.

• Start the new year empowered!

All courses:  Register two weeks early and receive a 10% early bird discount!

A 10% deposit is required for all courses.

All Reiki Initiates:  Please note – our very first inter-regional Reiki Gathering takes place in Barbados from Thursday 29 October through Sunday 1 November.  Come for one or all of the sessions. Be part of history!  E-mail Verity for programme details.  verity@caribsurf.com

Breakthrough – one on one, six private sessions

Reiki treatments: 1 ½ hours  Fee: $85

Feng Shui Consultations

Reiki School of Natural Healing – 420-6382

“According to the AHNA statement in response to the bishops’ statement, the practice of holistic nursing is not subject to regulation by the Catholic church and it would be an ethical violation for a member of the AHNA to withhold Reiki treatment from a patient who requests it; this includes those working in Catholic hospitals.”

Read the full response here and come back and share your thoughts.

These gentle exercises serve to unblock stagnant chi (energy) in the body and condition your internal organs and eliminate toxins. They should be executed slowly, with concentration and in cycles of nine. Coordinate the breath with the movements for best results.
The key is to move SLOWLY and fluidly, which in turn, adds grace and poise to your belly dance movements.

Tai Chi Bo Balancing

– Begin with hands softly cupped and spaced about waist width in front the dantian (source of life energy located in the centre of the abdomen), and legs comfortably apart. Moving at a very slow pace, turn to the right and move the energy down your right leg, with arms extended, maintaining the softness in your hands. Reach out, as your left leg bends to accommodate the movement.

Take the energy upward with your hands and then lean back on the left leg, straightening it as you bend your right leg. Follow through, down your body, until you return to the dantian.

After completing nine rotations, repeat to left side.

Swimming Dragon

Maintaining posture, bend left elbow so your palm faces the dantian and, maintaining the position of your feet (grounding yourself), extend the right arm out at shoulder height in front and slowly move it to the right as your torso twists around, and your head follows it As the arm makes its return to centre, the left arm moves out to the left, initiating at the elbow in a slow, fluid motion.

As the left arm comes back, the right arm moves out again, initiating at the elbow. Continue this series for at least one cycle (nine rotations).

Dragon Pearl

Pt 1 This segment can be done with feet together and then shoulder width apart.

With hands cupped at the dantian, this time as if holding a small ball, inhale and extend arms out to the right, left palm over right, maintaining your feet position and feeling a stretch in the waist. Hold for a few seconds and exhale slowly, returning to centre. Repeat to left and continue until you have completed one cycle.

Pt 2

Move right leg in front, in a slight lunge, and cup hands closely with left palm over the right. Inhale, slowly lifting the upper palm up, then exhale, bringing it back down. Continue for two more rotations, increasing the space between your palms each time.

Repeat sequence, with the Dallas double breath (inhaling to a point, holding breath and then continuing before returning palm). This is excellent for releasing toxins from the body.

Turn right palm up by twisting wrist to left, and then bring it towards your body, making a slow anticlockwise circle (moving to the left) over your head, before returning to cupped position. Return leg in front to centre, and your hands to the dantian.
Repeat sequence (Pt 2) with left leg in front.

Bagao Xun Dao Gong

With feet shoulder width apart, inhale, bending knees, with arms out to sides and palms face up as if holding a large ball of chi, and bring cupped palms toward each other overhead. Exhale, bringing ball of chi back down. Repeat twice.

Inhale, bending torso towards the floor, as arms come down in front body in a cupped position. From this position, inhale as arms move up and back, with palms facing up to gather chi. Exhale down. Repeat twice.

Next, move energy, by hovering hands over feet and slowing move up along inside of legs. Hands cross as they come to hips and continue like this as they move over the lungs and then uncross at the chest, moving outward. Hands move over shoulders, then behind, just below the neck and then travel up behind the head as arms extend straight upward (elbows locked). Hands are flexed with palms facing upward and middle fingers touching.

Exhale with arms moving down sides and repeat sequence.

We are excited to tell you about our new programmes for 24 – 29 September. We shall be hosting master teachers from the Modern Mystery School.

Introduction to the Kabbalah
with Lorraine Henrich
Come and discover how a study of the Universal Kabbalah can change your life and empower you
Thursday 24 September 2009
7-9pm
By donation

Universal Kabbalah
with Lorraine Henrich
Offered to Barbados for the first time!

Abundance and Prosperity
with Lynn Armor
Monday 28 September
6.30-10pm
Many of us live from day to day with the fear of not having enough. The essence of Abundance is to have enough always, and in this class we teach you to create a foundation in your life such that you will always have enough, and so you can live without fear. Here you will learn the dynamics of having a sustainable income and a life lived in joy, doing what you love the most – whatever that might be.

Empower Thyself
A step on the path of advanced spiritual learning
with Lynn Armor
Monday & Tuesday 28/29 September
9am – 5pm
This intensive 2-day programme shares true mystery school teachings on how energy flows and works through your life and how to better manage it. It is taught by a certified Guide who follows the oral tradition of handing down ancient teachings and tools that deeply connect you to celestial energies on your path of commitment to service.

Private Healing Sessions
Reserve your appointment now … …
Healings with Lorraine 24 & 25 September

• Enochian Healing
• Kabbalah Healing
• Tree of Life Healing

Healings with Lynn

• Usui Reiki
• Jikiden Reiki
• Spiritual Counselling
• Isis Healing

Please call or email to reserve your appointment and for more information.

Love, Light and Blessings

Kathleen and Fran
(246) 428-4186 or (246) 233-5840