Animals Love Reiki

Hira Reid of Puyallup, Washington recalls treating several animals in the wild:

Several years ago I was house sitting on a small island in the pacific northwest. After gazing into the beautiful pasture for several minutes I noticed a mother deer hunkered down in the tall grasses with her twin fawns, which were several days old. Later in the day she ventured higher in the pasture and I noticed her hind quarters were covered in loose fecal material and watched as she eliminated more liquid fecal matter. The following day she appeared near the garden area with fawns and another mother deer who also had a set of twin fawns.

I silently asked her permission to send her a distant treatment of Reiki and she agreed to it by coming up into the yard area and lying down on the grass. She was very relaxed, as I treated her for about 15 minutes. During this time, the other mother with her set of fawns started walking down the pasture. The newly birthed fawns followed them exiting the pasture on the far side. The new mother did not seem concerned that her new fawns had disappeared from her sight. She remained still, relaxed and soaked up the energy of Reiki. I was surprised when she didn't get up and follow her babies, but then she was being supported and protected by universal healing energy. She allowed herself to receive this energy and was giving herself time to heal.

I saw her several times after that, sending her short treatments as she walked throughout the pasture each day, but she never laid down again. I was so touched and moved by this experience of communicating with a wild animal and having a confirmation of her wanting to receive a Reiki treatment. The mystery and miracle of Reiki always unfolds in unexpected ways.


Spencer Falls From a Swaying Palm Tree
24 June 2001

I find Spencer, who is less than a week old, hairless, on the grass by the pool area at Oxbow marina on the Georgiana Slough in the Sacramento Delta. My first thought was he was dead, all splayed out on the grass. I touched him with my foot and he moved. I picked him up and his body is boiling hot from the sun and the wind blowing. I decide to take him back to Shatoosh, my boat. He may not live long but at least he will get lots of Reiki and not die in the heat. Spencer is a baby bird, probably a sparrow.

I make a nest in a margarine bowl and line it with the softest toilet paper I have. I mash up some turkey and rice and feed it to him. He eats it and is peeping. Perhaps he will live a few hours. I return to find Spencer really hungry, so more food goes into his gullet. His skin is so thin that you can see the food inside his gullet. You can see his intestines. He is pooping and peeing so systems are go. If he lives thru the night I will buy some worms. I treat him with Reiki throughout the day and before I go to bed.


25 June: He is slow to wake up but eats a few bites and then goes back to sleep. I get some worms and by 1000 he is peeping and trying to crawl up the side of the nest. He gobbles up parts of the worm. I put in a call to my bird friend, and she tells me that it will be rare if I can keep him alive for the 2 weeks it takes for him to learn to fly. In the afternoon after his lunch I put him out and let him stumble along the carpet. It is fascinating to watch him try to move. He crawls using his legs and wings and will try to come to my hand. If I put my finger under his jaw then he will try to stand on his legs and flap his wings. He has no control over his claws yet. I notice there is some new hair coming on his legs. The main strip of dark hair is from his crown to his sacrum, wings and tail. Some fuzz on his head and the rest is naked. This evening after I returned from eating with the gang, Spencer started stretching his head out and peeping for his dinner. He gobbled up the rest of the worm and some rice mush. He is holding his eyes open longer and will lift his head when I whistle at him. I let him crawl around on the table with some paper on it, as I know he will poop and he does.

It is so fascinating to watch his motor development. He was able to balance on his legs, keeping his head up and his butt off the ground for a few seconds for the first time. If he falls over on his back, he can right himself. After his exercise he finds his way back inside my hand and tries to nestle his head between my fingers. He likes to rest his chin in an elevated place to sleep. He is fast asleep in seconds. I heat up his blanket on the light bulb and he is set for the night. This little baby, listens to classical music, Om Namah Shivaya, Raga Taranga and Rama Ragava and gets Reiki at bedtime. NO way was he going to die in the hot sun. It just wasn’t in his chart.

26 June: Spencer is not a morning bird. He isn’t eating much this morning at 0600, just like yesterday. I clean his nest and off to sleep in seconds. Its now 0730 and he is still fast asleep. At 0830 he ate some but not like yesterday. Then he was hungry at 0900 peeping for food. I watched him lift himself balancing some on his hind legs with his bottom resting slightly off the bedding. I put him on the rug and he is beginning to work his long toe and hind toe claws. I notice that you can see the cranial sacral pulse in conjunction with his breathing. When he breathes in his sacrum flexes and his sacrum extends when he exhales. When I whistle he always opens his mouth. I put him on the aft cabin to hear the birds singing and he turned his head towards the sounds. In the afternoon he spit up the 3 pieces of worm that I gave him. He doesn’t look as strong today, falling asleep within seconds of eating. By late afternoon, he is failing. I hold the butter dish and am doing Reiki on him and he is taking a lot. He lifts his head to look up at my hand. Perhaps he feels the energy, but it was an acknowledgment of something. At 1830his breathing is very slow, I hold him and continue to do Reiki. I have a sense that he is about to die, so continue to hold him and do Reiki. I warm his blanket and cover him up, his little head is resting on the fluff of the toilet paper, just like he liked it. He is very particular about how he likes his head placement. After visiting friends, I returned at 2030 and he was dead. I placed the lid on his butter dish nest and placed him in the dumpster.

What a cute little bird he was. I really enjoyed having him onboard my boat and liked taking care of him. He was fascinating to watch him move about in his nest trying to get himself just where he wanted to be. To see how he developed motor wise in a few days and how his hair started to fill in. Each day was new. I’m glad he didn’t die in the sun and that he was surrounded by lots of Reiki, love and nurturing..what better way is there to depart this earthly plane!

Linda Fortune of Tacoma, Washington shares: Regal, My Cat, Benefits Greatly from the Healing Art of Reiki.

I had been initiated into Reiki about 18 years before Regal was diagnosed with kidney failure and, at the time, did not have a clue as to the benefits that this Healing Art would ultimately bring to both my treasured cat and me.

Regal was 13 ½ years old when her symptoms, decreased affection and urinating outside the litter box, manifested. Of course, as soon as I realized there was a problem, I immediately got her to her vet. The blood work analysis revealed that Regal’s Creatinine and BUN levels, which indicate kidney failure, were very high. The normal level for Creatinine is 1-2 and Regal’s level was 6.2. The normal BUN level is 10-35 and Regal’s was at 75. With the severity of the problem, my vet immediately prescribed injections of an electrolyte solution that included vitamin B. This simple procedure alleviated the dehydration problem that occurs with kidney failure and the fluids started the process of removing the poisons and wastes that had accumulated in her body. I learned how to use a syringe and gave her these subcutaneous treatments at home.

One day, I came upon Regal sleeping on the headrest of my chair. Remembering Reiki, I simply came up behind her and put my hands on her kidney area. I could immediately feel the flow of energy through my hands. They were buzzing and Regal accepted Reiki for about fifteen minutes. This started my daily routine of Reiki treatments whenever I was near her and she would accept it for awhile before moving. Reiki treatments happened anywhere we were together i.e. on the couch, my chair, or at night as she cuddled in sleep. My hands were all over her whenever we were close.

Regal’s Creatinine numbers dropped from 6.2 to 3.4 and her BUN levels dropped from 75to 47 over a three month span. To say the least, we were all thrilled with this improvement and the vet and her clinic were ‘a buzz’ with surprise at the improvement. As I talked with my vet later, she said that such improvement was very rare and she has come to recognize that Reiki played an important part in Regal’s improvement.

For the next three years, we continued Regal’s treatment, working in concert, giving Regal the best of Western medicine and Reiki. Because of our successes, I had Regal for three more wonderful years. During that time we became even closer, we had profound experiences, and I returned to a regular practice of Reiki. Much to my delight, my vet accepted my gift of a Reiki treatment from Jean. She later described it as “I felt energetically ‘washed’.”

At the beginning of March of 2006, Regal stopped accepting Reiki. If I put my hands on her when she was on the couch or chair, she would look at me and growl softly. If she were on my bed, she would very consciously just be out of reach. When I had a session with an animal communicator, Jasmine Indra (www.kindredsouls.net) and in response to my question “Why won’t you accept anymore Reiki?” she told Jasmine that “Linda is trying to heal me and it is not to be.” I knew then that she knew her time was near and was at peace with it. I, too, accepted this and simply provided all the love and care that I could give her during her final two weeks.

For the wonderful biography of this magnificent cat being and further information regarding kidney failure and my thoughts regarding pet food and the role it played, please read my new book entitled:Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline. It is an uplifting, beautiful story. www.catacumen.com

Linda Fortune’s new cat, Tux ‘the pistol’

Tux ‘the pistol’ came to live with me at the age of 14 ½ as Margie, her owner, was facing her final transition of life. Tux was known for not being very friendly, would scratch without notice, always disappeared when company arrived, and did have some problems with urinating in the house. I have to say that I did not want to take this cat on but a shift happened as I spent a week trying to catch her so that we could take her to the animal sanctuary. At one point as I reached my hand under the bed to let her get familiar with my smell, she dove her head into my hand. Surprised, I exclaimed in my mind “She wants to be touched!” With my heart engaged, a shift started within my being and eventually I ended up bringing her home.

It was late afternoon when I picked her up from the sanctuary. I had already set up her litter box and food area in the recreation room. I had decided to leave her in this room until she got comfortable with me. When I brought her in and opened the cat carrier, she immediately ran and crawled under a piece of furniture that gave her only 6 inches of space. If startled, she would hide there or under my chair. Any noise would put her on the run to her hiding spots.

Just before I went up to bed, I turned on my Ipod to play the sacred chants of my meditation tradition. I played them continuously for the next two weeks. When I awoke in the morning, I decided to meditate in the rec room with Tux rather than stay the meditation room. As I settled into my chair, Tux immediately jumped up and curled up on my lap. I immediately put my Reiki hands on her and this has become our daily morning routine. I can feel her body draw the Reiki energy through my hands and she has not only accepted it but stays for long time.



With all the love, Reiki, and respect for her as a precious cat being, Tux has relaxed and her sense of safety has increased. I am witnessing her transformation and all of her issues are disappearing. She does not urinate outside of her litter box, she does not run and hide, she lounges around with the utmost confidence, and she lets others approach without moving. I was even aware of the time that she made the choice not hurt me with her claws. She might still bat at me with the soft of her paws, as if to say “stop that”, but her claws are withdrawn. Her trust is mounting and if I say, “it is ok Tux”, I can see her visibly relax. All of this is a very beautiful thing to witness and I feel blessed for having her in my life. This is turning out to be a beautiful experience/relationship for both of us.

One last thing, as I prepare her to go to the vet for a checkup, I have been sending her distant Reiki healings. I invite the Reiki energy to help her let go of fear and be relaxed. Haven’t gone to the vet yet but I have seen another very clear shift in Tux. It was like day and night. She was almost immediately, visibly, more trustful and relaxed after my first session with her. It was beautiful to behold!

Check out her evolving story on my blog http://petstoriesblog.com.

Glenis McDonald, Lives in San Diego and is the aunt of Zoe

I’ve been taking care of Zoe, a standard poodle since she was 6wks old. After a few years she had some serious health challenges. Once I took my first Reiki class 5 1/2 years ago I started treating her on a regular basis and from the beginning she loved it, I now only need to put my hand on her and if she wants Reiki she will move so the part she wants treated is under my hand.
She is now 14 ½ and spends her winters in the mountains. She loves running in the snow and during the rest of the year takes long walks at the beach. Along with loving care, Reiki has helped her be a very happy and healthy dog.

Gratitude For Reiki in 2009

Sue Lane from El Paso, Texas writes about her gratitude for Reiki.

My journey with Reiki is truly a blessing-indeed it is a great gift. Our Reiki Master, Jean Ferris is professional, supportive, dedicated and a true healer. So, Reiki has brought me two gifts. How fortunate and grateful I am.

This beautiful photo was taken by Sue Lane at the Magic Hour on Lake Powell. May it bring you peace, Namaste.

Year End Reiki Gathering in Anapra, Mexico

December 5, 2008 was a very special day for the Reiki students: Mothers and care givers of the the disabled children, who have been apart of the Santo Nino Clinica. This was their 1st Reiki review for them, a day for all the classes to come together and celebrate their gift of Reiki. It was the end of the year of receiving this incredible support system, Reiki. Their lives were all different and their children's lives had all changed. They had an assignment: to write down an experience of how Reiki had changed their life. We would put them in a grab bag and each would draw from the experiences. There was great excitement as they gathered that morning in the clinic. Sister Carol, Eva Dominguez(translator and my El Paso Reiki Sponsor) and myself were addressing the questions of how to share one experience from the many they could choose from. As they drew from the bag of experiences, they were asked to put the gift in their hands, to Reiki the experience and to embrace it as their own. The circle of sharing began to unfold as each person sat on the edge of their chairs to listen, to learn and to receive from this magic place of Oral Tradition.

One lady shares, "4 years ago I had 3 tumors in my womb. I did not know what was to become of me. Day after day, I felt very bad. The doctors said my womb needed to be removed and they knew not if the tumors were malignant. I had my period 3 to 4 times every month. I did not have the money for the operation or any insurance. I thought I was going to die.

Then a miracle occurred. A teacher came to offer Reiki and I was invited to take the training. I felt that I was the most fortunate woman on earth. For it was at the moment that I practiced Reiki, I felt something very special. Our Reiki teacher mentioned, if we work on ourselves daily, we would heal even if it was little by little but we would heal. I began by giving myself Reiki in the morning and in the evening every day. Five months went by and I went to have an ultrasound. The doctor told me I had only 2 tumors left and it seemed strange to him. I was supposed to have 3. He told me he needed to see me again in 3 weeks. He needed to give me a treatment in order to operate. I agreed.

Three weeks went by and I did not go to the doctor because I did not have any money. I continued practicing my Reiki and 4 months passed. I felt well and my bleeding stopped. I then went to get another ultrasound and the same doctor was the one administered it. He got after me because I had not returned when he had asked me to. I explained I did not have the money. He asked me what had happened to me because I no longer had any tumors. He could not believe it, nor could I. I did not know what to tell him. It was a gift, Reiki. Merry Christmas and thank you Master Jean!" Later, she had shared that she had seen Hawayo Takata come to her several times in her treatments.

Several of the babies were with us, as the other children were being cared for in a nearby house. A 2-year boy sat next to his baby sister who was cradled in a bouncer. He was totally attentive to the group and in the caring of his sister. He periodically would start up the bouncing to quiet her. Grandmother was nearby sharing her wonder of Reiki. Our gathering is surrounded by people being killed, beheaded and shot in restaurants by drug lords who are on the rampage against humanity. This is not Iraq, this is right across from where we live. Yet, we all sit in this beautiful sharing of Reiki, listening to the truth of our experiences, thrilled at being able to have community together and to share Reiki with each-other.
The tables were set up and soon were filled with people eager to get on and receive and give Reiki. Eva, Carol and I wandered throughout the room giving Reiki to the kids and answering questions of their many experiences.

I brought our celebration meal of fried chicken, homemade Thai peanut cold slaw, and our special Reiki cake for dessert. They consumed the entire 100 pieces of chicken and every little morsel was saved for them to take home. They felt they had been served a feast for Kings and were ever so grateful.

We ended with Reiki being shared to Eva, myself, and Sister Carol. We all leave filled with Reiki, carrying stories of miracles and our hearts swollen with gratitude of receiving our year end Reiki gathering, despite the surroundings of the destruction of Mexico. We all hold on to the truth of our experiences and go out to join the New Year.

Where is my Reiki Certificate?

Where is my Reiki certificate? How often have I heard that phone message or email from a student?
My first response is to say, "Just for Today, Do Not Worry?" The second response is, "Just for Today, Do not Anger!" The third response is, "Treat the situation".

Let me share some history with you on this topic. When Hawayo Takata started teaching there were no certificates. You don't need a certificate to do Reiki. The westerners were at a loss, they had to have a certificate. Like it was some kind of proof you could do Reiki. See how the mind messes things up. After a while she did start giving certificates to those who wanted them but she charged $ for them. Over time everyone got a certificate. By the time I got my Reiki training, certificates were given out to everyone without charge.

Some Masters used the certificates from the Reiki Alliance and others created their own. Helen Haberly had always created her own. Because I was her first Master, she had not designed a Master certificate. I waited and waited patiently, knowing she was traveling so much , it would have been hard to create a new certificate. After 1 year, I finally asked her if she had my Master certificate. She said no, but because I had been so patient, she would order one for from the Reiki Alliance Office. So, I finally received my certificate about a year and a half after I had been Initiated as Master. It is viewed on the Blog site at the beginning.

"Why can't I have my certificate right away? I want it on Sunday as I finish the class", students sometimes ask. Well there is a lot that goes into the making of your certificate. I have just finished the year 2008 certificates and they were mailed for the holidays.


For years, I would do the certificates every 3 months. I would tell everyone, that is about the time you are getting lazy in doing your Reiki. Then magically the certificate arrives. Over the last few years, I started doing them 2 times a year because of my increased time away from home. I remember a long time ago, I was almost a year in getting a certificate to a mother in India. I felt a little guilty until I got a response that the certificate had arrived on her birthday and it was so well timed and such a gift. After that I knew Reiki was in charge and I didn't have to worry about the certificates arriving at a self appointed doctrine time.

I have tried various ways of getting this ongoing task at hand done. I like being home when I do the certificates. There is an ease of not hauling the letters, the class lists, the certificates, the Hon from the Reiki Alliance, the ink, the seals and the seal crimper. Are you beginning to get what this picture looks like! Sometimes I have had to do them while traveling. Then,I have to make sure the certificates are wrapped in cardboard so they don't get damaged.

I enjoy creating your certificate privately. On rare occasions, I have had students participate with me in the completion of the process. It is an incredible opportunity when this has happened. Like I said, I did this year end certificates during the holidays with my twin, Hira Reid in the Pacific Northwest during the snow bound days before Christmas.

Here is the process that reveals why I can't just get them out to you right away: the area of where I am going to do this is first energetically cleared. The names of all the students are in the computer and the class lists are imported into a program that correlates to my printer. These names, addresses, phone numbers, and etc are correlated back to the original class list for errors before they are printed out.

Copies of each class list are printed out for each student. The first and second degree letters are printed for each student. I now use my own certificate that was especially created. Each of these are printed out with your name, class date and my name. The next step is the hardest-the time of cleaning and then inking the Hon- finding the right cushion for the Hon to be clearly read and then the time in putting it on to the certificate.

Each gold seal has to be embossed with the Usui Shiki Ryoho and Master name. These are then put onto the certificate.


Each certificate is treated with Reiki.
After all that is done, the class list is pulled out to make sure each student has a certificate and the large envelopes are put together including the certificate, letter and class list.
Finally there is the trip to the post office and the certificates are sent along the way to each of you. This entire process takes me 4 to 5 days to accomplish.

The time spent in this process allows me to be with each of you energetically through all the steps. It is time of remembering you and your classmates and a time of reflection of how Reiki touches our lives and changes us. I ask you to honor my time, as a Reiki Master in completing this process and reflect on what this certificate means to you. It is not just a mere piece of paper that states you have taken this class but an energetic reflection of the gift you have given yourself. Do you need to have this to do Reiki? No, nor was it ever meant to be. It is a reflection of our shared journey with Reiki as our teacher. This gift of a certificate is given to you from me. Honor it in the same way it has been created for you. There is a $10 fee to duplicate your certificate and you will have to wait for the next time the certificates are created.

2008 Year end Reiki Message

This year has been about giving Reiki to deficient cervixes, umbilical cords, placentas, to births of Reiki babies, and birthing a Reiki blog. My teaching schedule, having reviews and treatments sessions in all the communities keeps my life very full. I have witnessed Reiki being a support to everyone’s life. This has been the most stressful year for people. One student, who is challenged with a health crisis stated, “ Reiki is an anchor in her life. Reiki keeps her in the present moment.” We are all blessed with this gift.

We welcomed Flora, my grand daughter into the world October 1, after a very long pregnancy of bed rest and 2 months of hospitalization. I thank all the people who sent Reiki to my daughter, Erin and baby $hide, as the baby was known at that point in time. I include Flora’s umbilical cord, as it is remarkable in the realm of cords. Many of you perhaps haven’t seen umbilical cords before. All the doctors and nurses remarked on the luminescence of the cord, stating they never see such a vascularized cord before. Most cords are rather spindly. This is what happens when Reiki is supporting the baby, mom is on bed rest receiving 3 meals a day, and totally hydrating herself and the baby. All this added up to a healthy, well nurtured baby.


The Reiki blog has been created for everyone to enjoy, to be informed and to participate in sharing your own experiences. It has a life of it’s own and will continue in evolve as time goes on. Here is the Blog Message:
The Usui System of Natural Healing Reiki on!
The circles of Reiki are expanding and creating a tapestry of healing energy that surround and embrace all of us. This blog site offers you an opportunity to share within the circles. Sit in stillness, listen and share of your experiences. The voices will reveal the depth of this Tradition. Enter into the realms of experience and join me!

I was recently in Gig Harbor presenting a Healing Bodies Workshop 1 for 2nd Degree students. I read what I had written in a previous time but it is so timely for all of us now, that I want to share the message with you. I had sent a distant treatment to the Usui System and this is the voice that responded:
“As the energy vibrations increases to humanity, your vibrations will also markedly increase. It is important to stay connected to the tools of Reiki: self treatments, giving and receiving from others, the Precepts and the symbols of 2nd degree. This system of healing has additional knowledge that will be gifted over time. All students need to strengthen their relationship with the system. Hold on to the truth of your experiences and not let yourself be influenced by false information. Merge into this system, become the system and experience the essence of this system.”
When we experience Reiki it connects us to the source of this energy and we don’t get lost in the confusion of the turmoil of our mind, our emotions, or our life. Stay anchored in Reiki, it is a true path of balance and healing.
Thanking you, Jean C. Ferris, Reiki Master

Rosemary Goto, my Reiki sponsor in Honolulu shares her incredible Reiki experience.

Thank you, Reiki!

It has been 3 years since I joined an already existing program of Healing Touch and Reiki (HT/R) volunteers who offer treatments to patients at the Kapiolani Women’s Childrens Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. We offer daily treatments to patients in the Surgi-Center (pre/post), women in the Cancer Center receiving chemotherapy, babies in the NICU and PICU and women and children in private rooms of the hospital.

So, it was on Sept. 24, 2008, on my regularly scheduled volunteer day that I experienced something unforgettable. When I was checking in at the nurse’s station and confirming our referral list and room numbers, a nurse approached me and requested treatment for a young mother of 32 yrs. who was going to be discharged that day. She went on to tell me this was a very delicate situation in which the patient had just lost her newborn.

Upon entering the room, I asked the young mother whether she wanted a Reiki treatment. She nodded, so I proceeded with my routine of setting up the cd player, washing my hands and asking her the standard question of whether she was in pain or discomfort anywhere.

She answered softly, “Yes”…my heart…it is broken.”

Then, with tears in her eyes, proceeded to describe the events of her situation and the subsequent pain she was feeling. She said, “ if my baby was alive, I would have come to the NICU every single day for 3 months, but instead, we will have to bury the baby next week”. Her incredible pain and grief was felt as she cried through her discourse.

I proceeded with the treatment by placing my right hand on her abdomen and my left hand on her right shoulder. We stayed quietly like this for a few minutes. I soon noticed that her breathing was slowing down and a few minutes later, gentle snoring. I felt her becoming more and more relaxed with Reiki.

As I stood at this place of silence, I suddenly heard myself talking to her baby, asking for help so this mother could deal with her pain. My hand physically moved to the right side of her belly and the baby said, ”this is where I was and I want to say thank you to my mother for protecting and caring for me for the past few months. Tell her that I love her.” Then the baby who was filled with light and complete joy snuggled onto the mothers heart, with its’ head tucked under her left chin. I could almost feel the comfort that the baby was extending to this pain stricken mother.

I then opened my eyes and saw that the mother was peacefully sleeping.

So now I was faced with a dilemma on what to do with what I had just experienced. It is hospital protocol that the HT/R volunteers say very little to the patients to avoid misleading them with inappropriate suggestions, false hopes or unwanted diagnosis. Yet, this experience was so real, that there was a part of me that wanted to tell her about it.

I struggled with this situation for the next 10 minutes and finally decided that if she is sleeping when I leave the room, I will not say anything to her. But, if she wakes up, I will tell her what I had experienced with her baby..

So, upon completing the treatment, I quietly packed my things and was tip-toeing out of the room.

Suddenly, I heard her say, “Excuse me…I need to tell you something.”

I walked back to her bed and she shared her experience of seeing colors for the first time. She saw blues and purples and repeatedly said she never experienced anything like this before. She asked me what it was and I told her it is the Reiki energy…some people experience it with color. She went on, now talking in an animated and louder voice as she further explained the fantastic “color show” that she saw and how beautiful it was.

When she finished, she looked into my eyes and I knew it was time to reveal the message from her baby. I shared what happened and we both cried together. She thanked me for telling her the story and said it had helped her tremendously.

As I was leaving the floor, the same nurse that referred this mother to me approached me to check whether a Reiki treatment was done. The story that I shared with her brought her to tears, as she commented that it is still difficult, even if she experiences situations like this almost daily.

As I walked away, I was reminded of how Reiki has shown me another aspect of healing and human caring. Reiki has been my teacher, showing me, guiding me and exposing me to the richness of life. Yes, I am so very grateful to have Reiki in my life.

Thank you, Reiki!!

A Tribute to Helen J. Haberly, my Reiki Master Born October 23, 1928 - June 25, 1999

Helen J. Haberly gave me a Gift of a Lifetime. She gave me a "winning ticket" to the Usui System of Natural Healing. The fruits of that gift are forever bearing. She said, I would come to know those fruits with great intimacy, as I would walk with them and embrace them. This gift would meet me in all the places that needed to be healed, and it would support me in going to all the places I needed to explore. I began by putting my feet on the floor, placing my hands by my heart and closing my eyes. I did not really know where this ticket would take me, I only knew where she had been.

As I looked at her hands in my Reiki class, I had only one question: "are my hands going to get as big as yours?" She laughed and said "no, my hands were always large and I never was comfortable with their size". During her Reiki class, her teacher, Hawayo Takata said "my, what wonderful Reiki hands you have!" Thereafter, Helen was always comfortable with her hands.

Helen said that the journey of Reiki is simple. "Put your hands on...Reiki on; take your hands off.... Reiki off!" Her stories and words rang the truth of her Master, Hawayo Takata. Having been a physical therapist for twenty years, it seemed like a miracle to hear something so simple. "Are you sure this is all that I have to do, I asked”. Helen responded in Takata’s words, "yes, just do it; just do it; just do it, and then you shall know". I, then began the practice of doing it. I began my journey of knowing: knowing myself, knowing my bodies, and knowing others in a way, I had not known before.

As she traveled deeper into the system, her experiences served as a guide in my own exploration of Reiki. Second Degree initiation opened the doors to the sacred symbols. Helen told me to take these gifts and make them companions along the way. "These gifts are an answer to your prayers and are guides to take you into new dimensions. Always draw them with the sacredness with which they are bestowed. They will support you along the way."


The truth of the system was revealed in the wisdom of the symbols. Helen said to trust, for the symbols will support me in my own healing. In my business as a yacht broker, I found Helen's teachings supportive to the hundreds of wounded boats that came for healing and reconstruction and also to the incredible healings in my Reiki practice.

Helen exhibited a quality of steadfastness to the system, both as my teacher, and also as a student. Her undying commitment to service was expressed as she began to travel, to extend service to the world Reiki community of masters and students, and to co-create the master vision seminars.

Helen was the bearer of gifts. The gifts I received began with doing; then I walked with wisdom and non-doer ship. The path of being, then came into focus. I was led into mystery and mysticism. As I journeyed through the aspects and elements of the system, the open path of mastery was revealed. We embraced deeply this journey together, with Reiki as our teacher, We walked with the wisdom of the system guiding our path and explored the intimacies of mastery.

My initiation was nine years ago on the Big Island of Hawaii, July 27, 1990. This was a time when the volcano was in a very eruptive stage, overtaking the town of Kalapana and the famous Black Sand Beach. Refer to the blog posted July 27, 2008 for details of my initiation.

How can I thank this lady, this mother, this grandmother, this great grandmother, this teacher, this master, my Reiki Master, Helen J. Haberly? She is my link to the system and to the lineage. I look at the gifts that Helen gave me and see the magic and the mystery. The greatest misuse of Reiki today, is not honoring the gifts our masters have given. I thank you, Helen, by doing the practices that you taught me: self treatment, treatment of others, self inquiry with the symbols and precepts, honoring the system and lineage, allowing wisdom to bear its fruit through teaching and initiation of students, and to continuously walk the path.

Today we stand before the spirit of Helen J. Haberly, in sorrow that her physical form is no longer present, but jubilant that she has expanded to realms in which she has journeyed throughout her life. The difference today is that she no longer has to return to this plane. We will now meet her in the realms that she has always known as home. Helen, may you always reside in the realms of the universe. You have traveled the path of the Usui System of Natural Healing. We are grateful that we could walk with you.


Your "First Born Reiki Master", Jean C. Ferris
Written and read at her Memorial Service in La Conner, Wa - July 5, 1999