Personal & Teaching Philosophy

My personal philosophy has grown out of experience and observation. And yes, reading and studying is also necessary in the development of the self. I began Reiki after a trek in Nepal in the late '90's where I observed a healing in the Himalayas near the Tibetan border that literally involved raising the dead. When I returned from Nepal, I happened to sign up for a Reiki class the very next weekend, not knowing anything about it! My first attunement was amazing, my understanding of "healing" has grown, and my journey since then has been life-changing.

Reiki reliably heals. Having experienced many other forms of spiritual, hands-on, and distant healing from the time of a teenager, I have to say that Reiki is the most gentle, reliable and transformational kind of healing I have ever known. Greatest guidance has come through the intersession of Jesus, who was with me before and now along with Reiki, continues to guide the process. I feel gently supported by Reiki, whether giving or receiving a treatment or training, while also having my energy balanced and invigorated at the same time. Clarity of understanding and awareness occur during and after treatments that do not require mental activity or "meditation." Intractable emotional issues start to resolve without "working" on them. Sometimes the effect is immediate, sometimes a subtle change over a few days or weeks. Sometimes the change is difficult - yet it always brings about necessary outcomes. The point is: something always happens after a Reiki treatment or attunement! It offers a positive way to deal with life on life's terms.

Reiki allows space for discovery. Since Reiki I have developed a level of trust in my Higher Self that surpasses anything I previously knew in this lifetime. My background in Catholicism and Tibetan Buddhism combines easily with Reiki to the point where I do not now identify myself with any polarity. Reiki is not a religion or New Age movement. It has no political alliances. It is an independent force field and a powerful spiritual catalyst that interfaces with your Higher Self. For me, Reiki is different from other forms of healing because it works along with and draws inspiration from (not trying to change or alter) my beliefs and values. Reiki works for your greatest good, no matter who you are: young, old, atheist, agnostic, believer in God as your understanding guides you, believer in science or nothing at all--- it works for everyone. I have seen this proven over and over in the responses of my students and clients. We all have in common one thing: we are fellow seekers.

Reiki is grounding. Perhaps the most important thing that Reiki has done for me is to have brought a solid, irrefutable sense of grounding into my existence, no matter what is happening. It has consolidated all of my experiences into a frame of reference that has given me the ability to manifest what is right for me in this lifetime. There are other influences in my life as well that help me on my path--- Reiki is not the only one. But it focuses me in a way that transforms me where ever I go. In my personal life, I have more energy every day for the things all of us engage in to live: survival ("career/work", food, shelter); relationships; with other beings; creativity. Without this kind of grounding, I do not think I would have the joyful renewal of energy (healing) that I experience every time I give or receive Reiki.

Reiki facilitates connection to the Higher Self. I worked hard toward future goals and I had several very satisfying careers and relationships over the course of this lifetime. As the daughter of an Italian imigrant violin maker and "self-made man" and a professional musician independent-thinker woman, I was taught and then maintained the belief that happiness came either through education, achievement, success, relationships, music, art and other outward manifestations of life satisfaction, or through inwardly achieved states of being such as positive attitude, values such as honesty, peacefulness through meditation or prayer, health through exercise, nutrition, etc. Sounds good, huh? What a lot of pressure to be that way, but still, I did all these very good things, quite happily. Not that I didn't have tough times either. But in general, I had a great life because I was determined (or maybe predetermined) to have it.

Then I discovered Reiki in 1999. Sometimes I think that Reiki discovers people, not the other way around. All I know is that everything (even the hard things) in my life today is easy, not from working hard or being successful or surrounding myself with beauty, but from letting be. And not in any superficial, starry-eyed, light-sider way, but in the recognition that there is no linear time or space, therefore no point in emotional constraints such as worry or fear, sorrow or regret. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have abandoned the achievement motive and the illusion of control in the present, emotion over the past, and concern over my individual and our collective planetary futures. I still struggle with these things at times, but what has changed is something fundamental that did not happen from reading an inspirational book or manifesting an intention or working hard. It happened through the particularity of the connection with my Higher Self that was facilitated by Reiki. And other things that transcend Reik too....

Teaching Philosophy

I was taught that that attunement from a Reiki teacher is the only way to acquire Reiki and I still believe this, because I have seen many examples over the past decade of people who say they have Reiki, and they do not. Maybe they have some other form of healing ability - there are many wonderful healers and methods in this world - but it is not Reiki if you do not receive a correctly given Reiki empowerment. This is something I want to get right up front, because of the proliferation today of the "become a Reiki Master on-line in 24 hrs" mentality, with distant study and attunements. I have had distant attunements that really work, but that was after I had already been empowered in person by a Reiki teacher. Reiki has to be taught hands-on, and then it has to be incorporated into your energy system, and then into your life, in order for it to be useful. Otherwise it is just another technique or method that you have added to your collection, rather than an integrated energy system.

People ask me how do they find the right teacher. I tell them the old saying that when the student is ready the teacher will appear. (and for you Reiki teachers out there, it is true in reverse that the student will appear when the teacher is ready). In general, when you hear someone saying they are a powerful healer or medicine person, look elsewhere for someone with humility. Reiki is taught at different levels, each one a pre-requisite for the next. Even though it is easy to acquire, there is no fast track to enlightenment in this world, and Reiki is no different. You need to energetically absorb Reiki before it does you any good. That is why you need the hands-on attunement from a Reiki Teacher. Anyone can read a manual and memorize a symbol; no one can experience "hibiki" (the specific sensitivity in the hands that is Reiki) - though they may have natural healing ability through their hands - without direct Reiki empowerment. Anyone who tells you they got this ability from a 3 hour course in Reiki Master is blowing smoke. And for teachers, it is the teacher certification course which instructs you in (among other things) how to pass on the attunements.

I'm mentioning this not to be snotty but to let you know how important the attunement process is, and what a privilege it is to be able to pass it on. Even if you never teach a class after taking the teacher training, it deepens your Reiki understanding and increases your energy. For several years I was one of only a few Reiki teachers world-wide licensed by the International Center for Reiki Training. One of the many reasons I wanted to teach for the ICRT is because I knew it would sharpen my teaching ability to the point where I had so much experience with attunements that I could enjoy giving them anytime, anyplace! The ICRT demanded a lot, and it gave a lot. I am grateful for that opportunity.

Now there is nothing wrong with Reiki as a business, and there are other wonderful teachers with big classes like I used to teach when I was in the ICRT. But that way is not right for me any more. I prefer to give a more tailor-made version of training so I mainly now teach private students. How they find me I don't know, because I have stopped advertising and marketing myself. My only link to my business past is my website! Reiki will always be my calling, so this is only a shift in approach. I think it came about after training in Gendai Reiki Ho, which is some way seemed to lead me toward simplicity in all aspects of my life. Perhaps it was also a return to my roots philosophically.

Gendai Reiki Ho has enormously increased my understanding of Reiki, because it is closest to the "source" of Japanese Reiki--- that which Usui Sensei taught. Keeping with this tradition, in the lineage of Hiroshi Doi, I find that small or private classes allow for optimum learning. I emphasize demonstration, hands-on practice (especially circulation of energy with the breath and other Japanese Reiki Techniques that are the main-stay of Gendai Reiki Ho) and the use of intuition over didactic teaching. Unlike classes where information is conveyed mostly by explanation consisting of "cookbook" lists and slight of hand tricks and slideshows ---but you are not sure how to use it afterward--- I can promise that you will learn to use your Reiki with confidence, no matter the level of training, and with a sense of humor too!

Other things I have taught (dance, piano, stress management, human relations seminars, psychology, meditation and verious self-awareness/self-help programs) have helped me to learn different methods, but I have learned most from my students themselves. There have been some great conversations about life and the wealth of information and "wisdom" shared is always amazing! I believe learning should be exciting and fun, not about performing. As a clinician, I want to be sure that my students really experience Reiki during class. I am used to working intensively with people to teach them to help themselves. Open, interactive discussion is encouraged during training, and at the same time there is respect for your confidentiality and privacy concerning sharing of personal experiences.

Natural elements are an intrinsic part of the Reiki experience with Avanti Healing Arts®. Attunements are often held outside --- in the mountains if weather permits. Sometimes we have a purification ceremony or observe astronomical events. Class is structured when possible to give you the opportunity to have solitude if you wish, to walk or meditate before or after class, or have a stimulating interactive time. In addition to information drawn from world medicine practices, particularly from Nepal, India and Japan, additional aspects that I am familiar with may be included to enhance the Reiki experience through music, Reiki Healing Dance™, guided visualization, meditation, chanting, Heart Sutra, and a little here and there from Qi Gong, Jin Shin Jyutsu. Whatever is best for the conveyance of what is needed!

Class usually starts at 9 AM and ends at about 5 PM if it is a day-long training. Often the Levels of training are broken up into 4 hour segments and spaced apart for optimum learning. For all classes you receive complete training manuals (either Reiki The Healing Touch, Reiki Master or Karuna Reiki Master Manuals by William Lee Rand or Gendai Reiki Ho manuals by Roberta Barnes) and my supplemental class handouts. William was my first Reiki Master teacher, and I continue to study with other great teachers. Usui Sensei said that he never wanted to achieve the highest level in Shinpiden (Master) because that way he would always have more to look forward to learning. In this tradition, there are no concepts of achievement, success, glamour, awe, mastery, or other such gransiose ideas associated wtih Reiki training in my classes. Ego has no place in Reiki. I do take Reiki training very seriously and I expect you to as well but I do not place it (or anyone) on a pedestal.

It was a blessing for many years to teach in my private sanctuary at Avanti Healing Arts®, surrounded by the peaceful vibrations of years of meditation in that beautiful wooded place in Maine. For awhile I traveled a good part of the time to teach in Canada as well as Internationally. The nomadic way of life suits me. I was able to write a lot while doing Reiki on the Road. But now it feels right to live in one place again, in the mountains of Colorado.

I believe that we all find our teachers in exactly the right place and time in our lives, as I have done. I am comfortable practically anywhere (because I've lived a lot of different places), in a tent or a resort. If you would like to sponsor a class in your area at your workplace or home, please contact me to discuss this possibility. It is a great privilage to teach Reiki and I look forward to sharing its transcendent beauty with you.