Proyecto Santo Nino -- Christmas Blessings

19 December 2009

Hira Reid shares:
Jean and Hira start their day and discover Sister Carol's passport in the car. Oh dear! She is at the clinic in Anapra, Mexico hosting the Christmas party for the 40 families. She won't be able to get back across the bridge without it. Jean calls and our plans suddenly change, as we head for the Juarez bridge to cross. Nobody is going to Mexico these days, so we drive through without any wait.
We can see a steady stream of people(Saturday shoppers)walking across to El Paso, though.


We fall in behind 3 police trucks, each with 4 ninja dressed officers clad with machine guns. Nice to have an escort in the most dangerous town in north america. They are headed to the Anapra area, so we just tag along. Suddenly, they pull off and we are on our own. Not to worry as there is no one on the road, or streets. The Lone Ranger and Tonto head north to Anapra.

We find our turnoff and head up the dirt street towards the clinic.


We see a mother with children in tow approaching the Clinic



Sister Carol is waiting for us at the steps.


















The party is in progress and Father Denny is blessing each of the children.
We enter the main room and this is a sight to behold. All the families are seated with their children, quietly and patiently waiting for their beautiful blessing. I am brought to tears.

















I see Isidra with her 26 year old son, who is severely handicapped. My heart melts as I realize the love she has had to care for this child for so many years and now she has Reiki and the clinic in her life supporting her and her family. After his blessing I bend down to meet him and gently place my hands on his head. Isidra is pleased and she greets me with a smile and a big hug. I just met her yesterday and I feel we are long lost friends.








Father continues to work his way around the room blessing each child, while a young girl holds the doll-like figure of Santo Nino. Sister Carol watches each blessing from the side. Another beautiful young mother and daughter wait patiently for their family blessing.





On the other side of the room a young girl finds her way over to Maestra Jean. She can't take her eyes and hands off and Jean is loving this moment. It doesn't get much better than this. The sisters state that this is unusual behavior for this child. Unusual, maybe, but in India they call this "Namaste", which means "I see the light of God within you, that is the same light within me."




Father blesses Jean's hands so that she may continue with her mission of Reiki.
Meanwhile, Sister Carol brings me an angel baby to hold and feed. Her mother is only 15 years old and this is her first baby. It seems quite unusual to have a Down's syndrome baby at such a young age. I'll consult with our Pediatric PT in Washington, Dr. Jane Sweeney. I have fun holding her and doing Reiki on her back. By now the turkey, potatoes and corn is being passed around. Little angel baby eats some potatoes, but ends up cuddling on my chest for little snoozes.





Hira watches Sister Janet(an M.D.) receive her blessing. Hira also, received blessings to her hands.





Sisters Peggy(a nurse) and Carol gather around for last minute session expressing our gratitude and laugh about that passport getting us back to the clinic to experience a beautiful and touching day. A young boy with spinal bifida and club foot was given a bike so he could get around better. I'm told he can go to the corner store very fast now and is getting stronger with all the exercise. This has been such an amazing and miraculous day. The sisters have accomplished so much in 3 years and we were very fortunate to see the fruits of their prayers and visions. The Miracle In Anapra....lives on in all our hearts.

Go to www.proyectosantonino.org for more wonderful and loving stories.

Anapra, Mexico Clinic year end Reiki review

In the year end review in Mexico, we have as a tradition to write up a Reiki experience and gift it to someone. We sit with our gifted experience, do reiki on it and then each mother reads her new experience. It is then translated for the group.
The experience below is the one I gifted. As the photo of my grand daughters was being passed around it, it came to Sister Carol, who was holding one of the severely
retarded children. The young girl pointed to the pictures and she got all excited and full of smiles. She looked at us so happy. Always, Flora and Georgia bring light and happiness to everyone who comes into contact with them.



"Feliz Navidad,

My daughter, Erin was never supposed to have children according to the doctors. If she did get pregnant she would never be able to carry a child to full term.

Reiki knew different!

My 2 granddaughters, Flora and Georgia are Reiki babies. They
received Reiki from so many students, from family and from their Mother and Father. Reiki healed my daughter’s cervix and strengthened it when Georgia was in utero. She was a full term baby. On the 2nd pregnancy with Flora, my daughter fell and hit her abdomen, yet Reiki supported her in holding the baby to full term while being on bed rest in the hospital for 3 months. Many students sent Reiki to the babies and to my daughter.
Our family is so very grateful to have Reiki support these 2 babies. They came to us in the breath of light and they continue to bless everyone that comes in contact with them. They will carry on our ancestral lineage after we have gone."

Proyecto Santo Nino -- Love Is In The Air

18 December 2009
Written by Hira Reid

In the midst of the violent drug wars in Mexico, the small ASARCO contaminated burrow of Anapra, Mexico continues to produce children with alarming birth defects,
inspite of the fact that the smelter, which lies across the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas, has been closed for decades.

3 years ago Sisters of Charity; Carol, Janet and Peggy created a small clinic for the children out of a two room hut. It has been expanded twice now and provides support for 35-40 families with handicapped children. Today, Jean Ferris Reiki Master, Sister Carol, Eva Dominguez and Hira Reid are venturing across the border to have the annual Christmas Reiki Review and Christmas lunch with the mothers.

Our festive mood is not dampened at the Santa Teresa border crossing in New Mexico, when the line of crossing cars creeps at a snails pace. We are delayed by one hour, but once through that fence we turn left and begin to travel along the New Mexico/Texas/ Mexico borders and finally reach Anapra and the mothers and a few children are happily awaiting our arrival. The mothers have cleaned the clinic, worn their finest clothes, sport new hair do's,(all provided by the sisters) and are busily writing their Reiki Experiences for the review.

Hira gets a quick tour by Sister Carol. The place is so amazing; a whirlpool bath
was donated and provides a well needed cleansing for the children, treatment tables are available to do therapy and Reiki, photos on the wall display current children and those who have departed this realm,
a small kitchen area is in one corner and parallel bars in the other corner, along with exercise charts.


The mother's have been trained in Reiki, Thai massage and aroma therapy. The mother's used to hide their handicapped children, but now do not hesitate to show them off. This grandmother proudly shows me her grandchild who will have surgery for the cleft palate.


The clinica provides a safe haven for them to be nurtured and to nurture all the children. The mother's are so grateful for the clinica and for all the gifts they have received.

The written experiences are shared and read as Eva(in blue vest) translates them beautifully and gracefully.

Jean, in her master mode, answers each of their questions and supports all their efforts of daily practice of treating themselves to create a balanced foundation for themselves. With this foundation they can manage their lives better and be of service to all their family members. Several mothers share how important Reiki has been in helping all the family members. They all call Reiki a milagro or miracle and cry as they speak about it.

After everyone receives a Reiki treatment, we dine together eating chicken, peanut thai cold slaw, and a festive christmas cake.



During lunch this mother shares: her son had a virus and the doctor states his brain is the size of a lemon. He is amazed by the fact the boy can swallow and eat and is still alive. Both mother and doctor call him a "Milagro". Both mother and grandmother have commited to the Reiki program of treating the children and helping in the clinic for a year.

All the mothers have gifted Jean with a clay molding of a ring of children that they purchased with their meager supply of money. Ah!, so much love. The Gifts of Reiki and the Gifts of Gratitude. They go hand in hand to create this Infinite Circle of Light and Love.

It is clear that the clinica with its gentle, but firm direction from the Sisters, has given this small group of mothers and their handicapped children a new outlook on life. They have moved forward in the last three years with commitment and dedication that is rarely seen in higher socio-economic stratas. Love, is definately in the air, and the heavens are smiling down on Anapra and its special Clinica de Ninos. We depart after many hugs and sweet kisses.
Eva doesn't have to translate all this. Love is the language of the heart and never needs translation.

We ride the high road along the mesa on our newly formed wave of love and find only a few cars at the border crossing.

We are home in a matter of minutes feeling full of love and knowing dreams do come true for all who commit.

What Does Fishing Have To Do With the Usui System of Natural Healing?

A fishing story that is true and sounds familiar!

My twin sister, Hira Reid and I have spent a great deal of our lives doing 3 things: exploring on the water, fishing and doing Reiki. We have traveled over the waterways and on land gathering experiences and sharing stories. It happened one day on the Sacramento Delta in California, the ultimate fishing experience and story of a “system that works.”


Hira had bought a new boat, a wonderful Albin 25’ cruiser. She had named her “Shatoosh.” We had cruised the expansive oceans together but now she was to begin an inner journey of cruising the 1,000 miles of inland waterways of the Sacramento Delta. I met up with her to go striper bass fishing and explore new areas and gather new stories. We had never fished for the delicacies of striper bass before. They run 2 times a year, coming in from the ocean. “If we just knew how to catch them, if we only knew how to go about doing it, they would provide us with nourishment for the week.”

Hira searched the area trying to find the best fisherman, one with a history of success and proven over time. She listened to the old men tell their stories and checked the internet but it was word of mouth that led her to Don. In great excitement, we boarded his boat
to learn the fundamentals and basics of striper bass fishing and to hear of the history of how he learned to fish this specialty.

I asked him to tell us how he learned the art of striper fishing. He said it was simple.
He bought his boat from an old man that had spent years painstakingly creating a system that always caught fish. The old man shared the details with him, the exact length of leaders, the specific swivels, the special colors of worms and the exact angle to hook them on to the leadheads and the broken back Rebel lures. He made the leadheads himself and taught Don in the same way.

Don showed us the basic form of setting our rigs up. We got underway and he then shared the details of the current and flow of the tide, the speed to troll, the depth to drop the lures and the exact relationship of length to depth ratio. We worked with Don and started catching fish immediately. We had caught our limit by 11 am! Not only that, Hira caught the largest striper bass creating a new record for the fall season!


He told us about his frustration of sharing something that worked and then over time seeing how people would start changing everything and then they didn’t catch fish anymore. Don was content not to change the system.
I asked Don if he fished for any other types of fish? He answered, “no, I specialize only in striper bass. I just stick with what I was taught.” We left that day confident and knowing we had come away with all the tools we needed to catch striper bass. Now the true test, “could we repeat the process on board Shatoosh”? We got the boat set up for fishing, rigged our lines and got the exact lures from Don and off we went for the week. After eating many fish dinners, we can say from our experiences over time, that the system we were taught does work and we repeat it season after season, cruising the Delta on board Shatoosh.

I often reflect on our experience that day with Don, were we fishing or were we hearing about a system that works? I had heard throughout the morning correlations to this system of fishing and the Usui System of Natural Healing. It was simple! There are the Aspects and Elements! There was a tendency to stray from the system and add other things or perhaps delete elements! Repetition of form existed to experience the wisdom of the system. Oh yes, it was learned through oral tradition and discovered by others through word of mouth. We came away with our own experiences. Lineage existed in his system, his teacher taught him and he taught others. Payment was given for the teachings and we didn’t get a special deal because there were two of us taking it together. The last correlation, speaks of truth, as this is not a story of a fish tale. It actually happened. Of course, that day was also about being again on the water with my twin and doing what we know best: exploring on the water, fishing and sharing Reiki stories in whatever form they come to us.

This system we know as the Usui Shiki Ryoho, the system of Natural Healing has its Aspects and Elements. Refer to the blog on the left side where these are listed and defined by the Lineage Bearer, Phyllis Furumoto. They are parts of the whole, This system is of Oral Tradition and handed down through Initiation to support humanity in this great time of healing and need for balance. Explore this system and receive the friuts of treatment.

Jean C. Ferris, Reiki Master
Teaches in Texas, California, New Mexico, Washington and Hawaii
Written for The Reiki International Magazine

My House holds Memories

My house holds memories. They are in organized places waiting to be pulled out in times of remembrances or sometimes they might fall out of a drawer or slide from a shelf hidden before viewing eyes. They all wait to have their turn in being viewed once again.

The viewing stations are all like eyes, flickering in subdued lighting, deep within me or hanging on the walls in paintings and photos.
They store the recorded past; the past history of people, places and things. They all have one thing in common, a blending of Reiki working over time to create a tapestry of memories of people and experiences.





My house is full of people.
The criteria for entering is, you have sat with your feet on the floor, hands by your heart, eyes closed and you had Sacred Symbols drawn onto you by me. This allows entrance into a domain that lasts a lifetime. I marvel at the memories, often invoked from an asking question in an email, a call for help in need of Reiki, or a message left on my phone regarding my next visit.

If these walls could talk? Yes, indeed they do! The source of memories has blended an interesting array of events in my life, flowing over time, holding truth to be honored. The mystery is, I never know when they will reveal themselves. The magic is, their appearance will lead me on a journey. The path I am led down is directed by the unknown and by wisdom. I am guided through this maze of memories, being released from the burdens, so that I can remember the truth of the journey. We all sit in memories, some bind us and some elate us and yet we can all be freed.

My house holds the potential to be freed through this simple practice of Reiki. “Just do it”, said Hawayo Takata. The memories are held suspended in time to be cleansed, cleared and released in this magical process. The viewing has been transformed through the crystalline facets of Reiki energy. I sit in the release and little by little I become the crystal. Helen Haberly spoke of this in the 80’s when a student asked, why do some Reiki practioners put crystals all over you when they do Reiki? Helen answered, “ Oh they think they can make Reiki more powerful, but if you just do Reiki, you will become the crystal.

I sit in both the physicality and metaphorically of my house and the physical form that house my bodies. Yes, there are experiences in both of those domains and both domains are filled with Reiki energy. I sit in quiet this afternoon doing Reiki on myself, preparing me for the class tonight in El Paso and the rooms are also filled with Reiki to support those who come. Yes, the people and their experiences they will bring and have in the class will once again bring another wave of memories that will settle in and reveal themselves over time. It happens when an email comes thru, when a call is answered, or when I am doing Reiki. Some experiences are with me a short time and others journey with me indefinitely. I am blessed to experience all the people and all the memories in my lifetime and reflect on the fullness that each brings.

I have to go now and finish the placement of the photos of the Grand Masters on my beautiful bamboo carved oriental chest. Once again the memories of this Lineage will be told in Oral Tradition. Who will listen and hear tonight?

My day in El Paso reflecting on Reiki classes, memories and getting ready for the next group of students. Jean C. Ferris, Reiki Master

Pilgrimage To Mt Kurama, Kyoto, Japan

Rosemary Goto shares her recent pilgrimage to the mountain where Dr. Usui received the teachings of Reiki:


"For the last seven years, I have been sponsoring Jean Ferris’ Reiki classes in Honolulu. As one of the benefits of doing this, Jean has invited me to sit in on all of her classes. By doing so, I have been listening to our lineage story of our Reiki Grand Masters on numerous occasions. Each time she spoke of Dr. Usui’s life, I wondered about the mountain where he sat for 21 days in meditation and received his spiritual transmission. Then, in Oct. 2008, my growing curiosity and interest finally brought my husband, Alan and I to this famous mountain, Mt. Kurama(Kuramayama) near Kyoto, Japan.

My intention initially was to climb Kuramayama and find the exact spot that Dr. Usui meditated and perhaps even re-live some of his experiences. So it was with this expectation I began my journey at this special place.

We arrived at Kurama Train Station where we were greeted by a huge red tengu mask which I recall seeing pictures of as a child. I learned that this mountain is known to the Japanese as the place where Minamoto Yoshitsune(1159-1189) a famous warrior trained with this mysterious tengu. Kuramayama also holds ancient temples and has become a place of pilgrimage for a certain Buddhist sect today. After searching the area, I was a bit disappointed when I could not find any signs indicating where Dr. Usui spent his time.



From the train station, we took a cable car ride to a main temple and found ourselves amongst many tourists. People were busy posing for photos and voices were heard everywhere. I was eager to trek further to the mountain top to escape the chatter of the crowd.

The climb was steep but manageable. Soon it became more quiet and I could begin to feel the silence of the mountain. We walked under towering cedar trees and felt the fresh air gently blowing. Only the sound of singing birds and footsteps breaking tiny branches on the pathway was heard. It is no wonder that Dr. Usui would choose such a tranquil setting to sit and meditate.

We came across the famous cedar tree roots that jut out of the ground making the pathway arduous and challenging. We had to focus on our footing and carefully stepped over and around the roots. I imagined that this might have been where Dr. Usui stumbled and severely injured his toe. We stopped to honor and send a reiki treatment to this section, as we felt that it had a place in our historical lineage. Gradually the life of Dr. Usui had become real and alive for me.

I felt the peacefulness as we quietly walked down the mountain. After crossing a tiny bridge at the bottom, we walked directly into the little town of Kibune. There we saw many eating places and inns with low tables covered with red cloths. The lineage story was alive again, as I could imagine Dr. Usui eating his first meal here and giving his first Reiki treatment to the inn-keeper's daughter.

We completed our day by walking back to the Kibune train station. My heart felt full as we walked next to a flowing stream, admiring the tall, aging cedar trees above us. Reflecting on this day, I was no longer disappointed in not finding specific signs or markers of Dr. Usui. Just having the opportunity to trace Dr. Usui’s footsteps on Kuramayama made me feel that the ENTIRE mountain was special.

I treasure my trip to Kuramayama for it has given me an opportunity to listen to the lineage story with renewed interest and deeper appreciation of Dr. Usui's journey and his gift of Reiki."
Rosemary Goto, Honolulu, Hawaii

More Reiki Pet Stories

Kathleen Armogida from San Diego states:

THE FINCH AND I

I remember when I first experienced the love and support of the universe flowing into me and embracing me so gently, so completely, body and soul. I remember the sense of safety, and that I was not alone, rather part of an intricate pattern of love.

This was years ago when I was very ill and my future was uncertain. I had been practicing Reiki for about 3 months and whenever I placed my hands on my abdomen I immediately slept. But, on this day, when I put my hands on myself, I was awash in this wonderful experience of love. Since then I have felt safe and supported no matter the course of illness and health, life and death. I thought this was a uniquely human experience until I met the Finch.

This graceful little bird was dumped on the living room floor at dusk by my cat, Lily, and pounced on not just once, but three times. By the time I got the Finch away, I could see that its’ wing was broken and that there was blood. I was sure that its’ injuries would eventually though not immediately, be fatal.

I cupped it in my hands, feeling its’ soft feathers, offering it Reiki. Its’ heart was beating wildly and it was gasping for breath and flailing around. After a moment this little bird took a deep breath, (I could almost hear it sigh), closed its’ eyes, and settled into my hands, resting quietly in the energy. Its’ heart and breathing calmed and we just sat together in the evening light.

When some 30 minutes had passed, I began to wonder what to do. The Finch would surely die, but I could not bring myself to hasten the process or to abandon it to the cold night outside, alone. Just then it took another deep breath, opened its’ eyes, looked around, shook itself and began to seek freedom from the safety of my hands.

At that moment I had a clear realization, even a communication, that now, having rested in the support of Reiki, the Finch was ready to continue its’ journey on its’ own, in its own environment, in its’ own way; unafraid and safe in this larger place of love and support. I took it outside to a place of green ferns and ground cover, opened my hands, and it hopped out, awkwardly, but energetically, and went on its’ way. For my part, I returned to the patio, to sit in wonder in the fading light, sharing the experience of being one with all beings.


Another story by Kathleen:

COSMO – A CAT REIKI STORY



When my nephew brought me his cat Cosmo 2 years ago, this wonderfully social and friendly animal was a physical mess. He had a terrible flea allergy and worms and scratched himself so much he had almost no fur. Also, he was slightly underweight because he threw up his food regularly, sometimes for days every time he ate. My nephew said “don’t worry, he goes though these cycles”!

We went to the Vet several times and did all the medical things of course. I also spent a small fortune trying new foods on the theory that he had food allergies. And indeed some things improved, yet the severe vomiting continued on some mysterious cycle.

In the mean time I started giving Cosmo Reiki whenever he sat with me or lay down beside me in bed at night. I’d put my hand as close to his abdomen as I could and just rest it there as long as he would let me. Often he would roll onto his back and stretch out until his tummy was right under my hand and just sleep through the night that way.

Now, 2 years later Cosmo rarely throws up – not even hairballs – has put on 2 pounds of healthy muscle, and eats regular cat food. He has a beautiful coat of fur and is a magnificent specimen of a male cat in his prime. He not only doesn’t seem to be allergic to fleas, but he doesn’t even get them, though I rarely even use flea medication. Thank you Reiki!

Kathleen Armogida