Enrichment of Community

My Nepalese brother in law Tara grew up in a small village in Nepal where he would have experienced strong community all his life.  I’m sure this enriched him as a person, even if the living conditions were basic.  The human warmth this experience of community brings is part of his personality – and that of many other Nepalese.  They share what they have without question because that’s what communities do.  

In my early years I didn’t have much experience of community: my family did not originate in the places we lived, so we didn’t have much connection with those around us.  My first really enriching experience of community was in my teens, spending several weeks with my family and an international group working on a voluntary project in France.  Perhaps this early experience of living with people speaking different languages and joining together to offer service to help others is why I love being part of the international Reiki community and when I go to international events I have a feeling of coming home.

I’ve also experienced community through my involvement with The Reiki Association over the past 24 years.  During my time on Council my mission was to ensure that The Reiki Association could continue to serve its purpose as a place for people with Reiki to be connected in community.  In the earlier years I was ambivalent about being in community – I would often go to gatherings somewhat reluctantly, but once there always found it enriching (if sometimes challenging!).  As a result I really looked forward to going to this year’s annual gathering and found it a supportive and enjoyable experience.

I feel that something about being in community has been healed in me, so over the years I’ve been able to make deeper connections with my own community of Reiki 

students and friends.

Thanks to this community that the fundraising for Nepal I started last month has been successful: I was able to raise over £100 at each of the Reiki Shares; the Tea, Cake and Reiki Tasters event at Reflections in Ludlow raised over £200; other students not able to attend these events also donated money or contributed cakes.  The afternoon at Reflections was lovely,  thanks to those who came to support the event: making cakes, helping to set up the room, serving tea, making signs so people would find us, going out into the market place to sell the remaining cakes, washing up and making people feel welcome: in other words community in action!  I could not have done it without them and I realise that the reason I felt able to put on such an event was because I felt confident that I would be supported by my community. 

So I’m deeply grateful to everyone who is a part of this community and has supported my fund-raising in so many ways.  I’m delighted to let you know that I not only reached the target of raising £500 but gone beyond it: the current total is £667.63 and it may rise further.

So while I may not have had the advantage Tara had of growing up in a strong community, Reiki – through the 4^th Aspect of Mystic Order – has given me experience of the value and potential a community has.  I’m so happy this has enabled me to support those in Nepal whose lives have been devastated.  Thank you to all who have contributed and for being a part of this community.

My Nepalese Family

Like so many others my thoughts are currently with the people of Nepal after the recent earthquake.  When disaster strikes in other parts of the world it is our natural desire to want to do something to help.  Some Reiki practitioners send distant Reiki treatments to those affected.  However Phyllis Furumoto (lineage bearer of Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki) advises that we think twice before following this impulse.  It is important for those who receive Reiki to give their permission and, as we do not know the many individuals involved, this is not possible.  In one sense we have no connection with them, certainly less than with our own selves, family and community.  In wanting to send Reiki to such events are we perhaps not seeing these individual people, but an imaginary thing that needs fixing.  Phyllis suggests that instead we look at what it is in ourselves that feels this need to help.  What is the wound in ourselves that resonates with the hurt of others so that we want to act?  To send Reiki to that pain is very appropriate and of course permission from ourselves is easier to obtain.

 

The recent earthquake in Nepal is far away and I don’t know the people involved, but it does touch me   My sister fell in love while trekking in Nepal – after I had sent her some Reiki for her travels!  Sadly the marriage didn’t last, but they are still friends and the boys see their father regularly (he still lives in the UK).  Although I have never visited Nepal, the stories about it from other members of my family have become part of our family story.    

personally because my sister married a Nepalese man, so my beautiful nephews are half Nepalese.

Reiki has given me a greater sense of connection with the world family, many of my Reiki master friends are from different countries and cultures, which I relish.  I have learned that although there are many differences between us, we also share some essential qualities: a need for love, safety and nourishment; an essential nature that is kind and considerate rather than violent.  The kindness is something I’ve heard spoken of a lot about Nepalese people and have certainly experienced this quality in my brother in law.

So when we heard the news of the earthquake, we were in touch with him immediately to ask after his family and friends back in Nepal.  So far he has heard that family and some friends are fine, although worried about aftershocks.  Some friends he had not heard from.  I’m also grateful, perhaps a bit selfishly, that this didn’t happen while he was on a visit to Kathmandu just a couple of months ago.

My sister immediately organised an event at work and raised over £300 selling cakes and Nepalese crafts.  This inspired me: while sending Reiki may not be appropriate, this sort of help is clearly needed and welcomed.   Money is also energy, so I would like to send this sort of energetic help to those in my extended family.  I’ve therefore set up a fundraising page and my aim is to raise £500.   If you would like to contribute go here: https://www.justgiving.com/Kate-Reiki-Jones

I’m also trying to think of a Reiki themed fund-raiser: a Reiki-a -thon (doing Reiki treatments all day for a day)?  Reiki share with all donations to the fund?  Reiki tea party?  Distant treatment for donations?  Any ideas welcome.