Sage Spirit Blog

Whenever I teach Reiki Level I, I share the origin story of Usui Reiki, which I will now call Reiki History 101. In summary, Dr. Usui, also called Usui Sensei, “rediscovered” a system of Reiki (healing energy) when meditating on Mt. Kurama in Japan. He formalized his version of Reiki as “Usui Reiki Ryoho” and he opened a healing clinic where he offered healing sessions, lectures and teachings on his system of Reiki. He taught Dr. Hiyashi, who then taught Mrs. Takata. Mrs. Takata taught 22 Reiki Masters, who were instrumental in disseminating Reiki teachings throughout the Western world.

Because of variations in teaching, Reiki has evolved considerably from the original techniques developed by Usui Sensei, with many existing variations of Reiki and Reiki symbols. William Lee Rand has researched and preserved much of the history of Reiki. In addition, he’s also contributed to the evolution of Reiki. So, we’ll explore more of his story here.

William Lee Rand learned Usui Reiki in Hawaii in 1981 and became a Reiki Master in 1989. To support his students, he began to create training materials. For his own learning, he continued to study Reiki from many teachers, both in the US and in Japan, adding to his understanding of Reiki practices. He also heavily researched Reiki origins. In my opinion, he has made a considerable contribution to the entire field of Reiki studies. In addition, through The International Center for Reiki Training, he has trained and connected many Reiki teachers through the years who have supported the expansion of Reiki studies. In addition, he channeled more evolutionary forms of Reiki, including Usui/Holy Fire® III Reiki and Holy Fire® III Karuna® Reiki.

With these new forms of Reiki, Usui/Holy Fire® III Reiki and Holy Fire® III Karuna® Reiki, I feel like students are understandably confused about the history and the differences between these systems. Although William Lee Rand’s textbooks for each of the levels of Reiki provide detailed summaries of the history, I’m hoping to provide some context and clarity through my own eagle view, and through the lens of questions that emerge from my students.

William Lee Rand tells us that he has worked with a spiritual advisor, Janice Jones, who helped him in 2014 to discover, “a healing energy that is more refined and contained a higher level of consciousness” (Usui/Holy Fire® III Reiki Master Manual, p. 14). He was guided to adapt his Master training the next day utilizing a new Master symbol and replacing the attunement process with an ignition. Thus began Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki, which later received upgrades, historically the Usui/Holy Fire® II version in 2015 and the most current version we have today, Usui/Holy Fire® III in 2018. In this case, the “III” denotes the version of Holy Fire rather than the level of training a student has received, which would also be noted on a student’s training certificate.

Summary of Differences between Usui Reiki Ryoho and Usui/Holy Fire® III:

• In Usui Reiki, the capacity to channel Reiki is received through an attunement process, where the Reiki energy is channeled through the teacher and into the student in a formal ceremony. In the Holy Fire® versions, Reiki energy is instead received through meditations that are called ignitions, placements and experiences. In this way, the energy is more pure, without being dependent on the consciousness or clarity of the teacher as channel. It’s more shamanic too in that it comes directly from Spirit.
• The training content for Reiki I and Reiki II workshops in both systems is much the same; however, there are two meditations per class replacing the attunement process. The Master-level classes are completely different between the systems. In the Usui Reiki teachings, the Master class was primarily focused on the ceremony for offering attunements for each level of Reiki training, as well as healing attunements that could be shared with clients for amplified healing benefit. There were four variations of attunement processes learned and practiced. In the Usui/Holy Fire® III system, there are roots of the original Reiki teachings from Usui Sensei, but there’s a large emphasis on meditations, in the form of ignitions, placements and experiences, that take each student on a personal discovery journey. In addition, the group-shares create a higher level of connection and peer learning that I find to be personally and professionally quite rewarding.
• Many Usui Reiki Masters have only one Usui Master Symbol included in their training. However, some Usui Reiki Masters have two additional Tibetan shamanic symbols included in their training. In the Usui/Holy Fire® III system, these Tibetan symbols are meant to be removed, as they reportedly dilute the new Reiki energies. The Usui Master Symbol remains and a new Holy Fire symbol is added. From my own energetic reading, during the Usui/Holy Fire® II version, the Tibetan Master symbols felt more incongruent than they do with  Usui/Holy Fire® III. I sometimes feel called to re-integrate them with powerful results that feel highly compatible with Holy Fire® energies.
• In our teachings of Usui Reiki, we often said that there was no dogma, which wasn’t actually true because there were teachings and we used language to convey them. However, Usui Reiki seemed to be more accessible because Christian terms weren’t used by most teachers, so the teachings were open to interpretation through each student’s spiritual worldview. However, the Usui/Holy Fire® III materials reflect Christian-based language much more freely, which can be more accessible for some students, but less so for others. I personally don’t experience the energies as being related to Christianity at all, but more reflective of cosmic Christ Consciousness, which I feel is very connected to our evolutionary path on Earth.  
• I’ve also noticed that since sharing Usui/Holy Fire® III, healing crises for clients and students are practically non-existent or very mild. That wasn’t true at all when sharing Usui Reiki, in fact, they were fairly common. At the same time, the Reiki feels just as effective, if not more so. When healing crises do occur, I trust in the divine wisdom and amplified healing powers supported by Reiki; still, it’s lovely when healing comes with ease.
• Students who have studied Usui Reiki levels I and II or those who have studied through the Usui Reiki Master level may all take the Usui/Holy Fire® III Master level training. There’s no need to repeat Usui/Holy Fire® III levels I and II.

Holy Fire® III Karuna® Reiki did not originate with Usui Sensei; rather it was created by William Lee Rand and other healers affiliated with The International Center for Reiki Training. In 1989, Rand began to receive non-Usui Reiki symbols and attunement techniques from various sources. In 1993 he began to share them with some of his spiritually sensitive students and together they assessed effectiveness and selected several symbols, some of which are associated with other healing schools and systems. Later, Rand developed an attunement process (now known as ignitions) and a new system of Reiki. In 1995 he named this system Karuna Reiki®, known as the “Reiki of Compassion.” With Rand’s receipt of the Holy Fire® symbol and frequencies in 2014, he incorporated the Holy Fire® symbol as the Karuna Reiki Master symbol, and then adapted with each version of Holy Fire to the current version, Holy Fire® III Karuna® Reiki. Again, the “III” denotes the version of Holy Fire, rather than the level of the training the student receives.  Karuna Reiki is essentially a fourth level of Reiki training, since it follows the third, or Master level.

Laurelle Shanti Gaia, in The Book on Karuna Reiki®: Advanced Healing Energy for Our Evolving World, tells us:

The more I use Karuna Reiki, the more I recognize that it is somehow facilitating an inter-dimensional flow of energies. By this I mean it is allowing the practitioner to activate soul memory of healing technologies from ancient times, and to link through the dimensions to bring them into the current time space that we know to be the third dimensional reality (p. 51).

I resonate with this perception so much, as in my shamanic journeying I have seen how the healing technologies from our ancient, more consciously advanced civilizations (such as Lemuria), hold essential keys for our evolving humanity, through our beloved connection with our Earth, as we re-ascend together.

Some other useful distinctions for Holy Fire® III Karuna® Reiki:

• This version of Reiki evolved from the Usui Reiki teachings and works in harmony with them. It’s meant to be taught as an advanced version to those who are already Reiki Masters and working with the Usui Master Symbol for at least six months.
• Holy Fire® III Karuna® Reiki can be taught to both Usui Reiki Masters and Usui/Holy Fire® III Masters. For those who are Usui Masters, they change lineage to Usui/Holy Fire® III, although there is an experience shared in the training that makes Karuna compatible with other forms of Reiki.
• From the training manual, you can see that there were once two levels of Karuna® Reiki, with four symbols in each level. In Reiki: The Healing Touch, Rand shares that originally there were only four symbols total (p. 28). All eight symbols are taught now in one Master-level training course, not broken down into two courses.
• According to the manual, this class is to be taught for a minimum of three days. However, it may be possible to teach a very small group who are current Usui/Holy Fire® III masters, knowledgeable in all the Holy Fire concepts and symbols, in two days.

I practiced Usui Reiki Ryoho for eleven years, to infinite benefit in all areas of my life. Throughout my journey, I felt that my Reiki frequencies were evolving, especially since Reiki is embedded in all my daily activities, life work and teachings. My Reiki began to feel more and more galactic over time. For me, these two new frequencies of Reiki have enhanced my experience even more. I can feel and sense the broader range of available healing frequencies. Many of my clients also noticed the difference when receiving Reiki from me. I completely honor those who are content with their Usui Reiki, as well as those who are eager to embrace a more evolutionary path with their Reiki, whether that involves the Usui/Holy Fire® III progression or any other route.  

Sources:

• Laurelle Shanti Gaia, The Book on Karuna Reiki®: Advanced Healing Energy for Our Evolving World, 2001.
• William Lee Rand, Registered Holy Fire® III Karuna® Reiki Master Training Manual, 2019.
• William Lee Rand, Reiki the Healing Touch: First and Second Degree Manual, 2005.
• William Lee Rand, Usui/Holy Fire® III Reiki Master Manual, 2019.

Autumn Harvest Celebration

Agenda

Friday, September 21st

• Morning – event & vender set-up
• 12:00 – lunch break for venders & volunteers
• 1pm opening ceremony
  • Dahlahk’s welcome to the land of Washeshu, why we are here
  • Messages from Washeshu Elders & Youth
  • Robert’s Lakota song for Mother Earth
  • Welcome from the HOME Team with Robert, Jose and Dahlahk – about the Dream Catcher (what is represents & how it can be utilized)
  • Alan’s Dream Catcher song
• 2:30pm Dream Catcher – rising and ceremony
  • Jose – prayer for the Dream Catcher – orientation & raising
  • Dr. Tuck Hayes – welcome from our star families
  • Kim Best – sound ceremony
  • Brian – meditation and drumming
  • Robert – “Love Shining” song
  • Mystery band
  • Mystery dance – Dahlahk
• 6pm dinner (pot luck) – Alan could play music during break
• 7pm – Fire and/or Cacao Ceremony
• 8pm – Round Dance (pay dance late into the night or even all night!)

Saturday, September 22^nd

• 10am – Welcome prayer & blessing (Dahlahk, Jose, Robert)
• 10:15am – Orlando OH – poetry and music
• 10:45am – Brian Melendez & Friends (blessings & drums)
• 11:15am – Presentation – HOME Team
  • HOME Team Alliances
  • Standing Rock Community & Medicine Wheel Living Park – Robert
  • Cosmic ID and Vision – Jose
  • Dahlahk – Mountain Eagle Training Center
• 12:30-1:30 – lunch (Indian Tacos for sale)
• 1:30-3p – Alchemist Theatre presents “Unity”
• 3p-4:30 – Dahlahk – Washeshu cultural and spiritual practices
  • • Round Dance
    • Tobacco Ceremony
    • Pine Nut Ceremony & Acorn Flour
    • Handgame
• 4:30 – Closing Blessing
• 5:00 – Break down event & camping for guests

Dream Catcher

Dream Catcher placed at Standing Rock, South Dakota, Summer Solstice 2018

As part of our event, we will facilitate the building of a semi-permanent circular Dream Catcher structure 33 feet in diameter, approximately 10 feet high, to enhance the visitor experiences of the area as connected to Native American culture and spirituality. As The H.O.M.E. Team Wisdomkeepers weave the Dream Catcher, they will weave in the dreams of the people for the next 26,000-year Mayan cycle. The Dream Catcher technology is noted to have been gifted to the people by Jade Princess in Tulan Tziu (aka Kaminal Juyu) on June 21st 1444.

The Dream Catcher, in a practical sense, is a location and Sacred Circle for all people to come together, to share community gatherings, workshops, prayer or meditation circles, dance, songs, ceremony, and rituals. The Dream Catcher can also be used as a meditation tool, similarly to a labyrinth (circular spiral).  This will be the third Dream Catcher of 100 being planned to be built worldwide by December 21, 2021. The first was built last spring in the Chumash tribal territories in the Santa Barbara region of California. The second was built on the summer solstice at the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota. Both prior events for the Dream Catcher brought in international volunteers and participants.

If you are interested in bringing a Dream Catcher to your community anywhere in the world, please contact Jose Federico Munoz, http://www.joseajpumunoz.com/. Jose is also available for other ceremonies, readings and much more.

Honor Our Mother Earth (H.O.M.E.) Team

Robert White Mountain, Jose Munoz, Dahlahk Pahtahlngee – The H.O.M.E. Team

Our vision is to continue gathering a world-wide family who respect and honor Mother Earth as a living entity and as the ‘Circle of Life.’ We have returned to our sacred selves living with integrity, purpose and in harmony within the circle. We have learned peace and gained happiness by actively participating in projects to rejuvenate good health for all life on our sacred Mother Earth. We are global Earth Warriors asserting life is beautiful, living in communion with Natural Law. Our goals include creating alliances worldwide to promote awareness on the importance of working together in protecting, preserving and honoring Mother Earth. To join or start an alliance chapter, visit this web page and click “Global Alliances” or “Get Involved.” http://honorourmotherearthteam.com/

Our primary H.O.M.E. Team Members include:

Robert White Mountain, Hunkpapa Lakota who resides on The Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota in a town called Little Eagle. Robert is a descendant of famous chiefs such as Sitting Bull and Rain-In-The-Face. He is a Pipe Carrier, a guardian of Sacred Tradition and ceremony. He is actively involved with creating solutions to the oppression, poverty, high suicide rate, alcoholism and other problems stemming from trans-generational post-traumatic stress disorder on the Indian Reservations. In addition to offering ceremony, Robert is creating sustainability projects such as community orchards and gardens and is the founder of the Standing Rock Medicine Wheel Living Park in McLaughlin, South Dakota. Robert is the visionary of The H.O.M.E. Team.

Jose (Frederico) Manik Ajpu Munoz, originally from Guatemala, is a Day Keeper of the Mayan Calendar for the Maya Chor’Ti People, Crystal Skull Guardian, and World Peace Organizer. Additionally, he is the carrier of the new 26,000-year Cycle Calendar known as the Sixth Sun Calendar which started at the turn of the cycle on December 22nd 2012. He is keeper of the spoken word of Mayan history from the years of 1444 to 1529 and works in what he calls the Northern Territories which range from Guatemala in the south to the west parts of Alaska and to Montreal (Canada) in the east. Mr. Munoz has selected the unique timing of this event to accord with galactic alignments of the heavens and Earth.

Dahlahk Pahtahlngee (Mountain Eagle) is Washeshu, which translates as “All the People.” This translation includes land, air, water, fire, plant, animal, mineral and other untold spirit entities, in addition to humans. Dahlahk remembers and shares the songs and stories of his Elders and Ancestors emerging after a “long sleep” protecting the medicine of his Washoe People. His songs and practices connect each and every one of us to the source of creation, awakening love, respect, honor, courage and compassion, all of which can be added to the pool of intention. Our intentions go into an electromagnetic wave, which surrounds the earth so that healing can begin.

Contributing Artists

Alchemist Theatre was born out of a desire to create newer and better ways of gathering and worship. As a group of professional and talented artists who are passionate about creating art, they wanted to go deeper, and find different ways to connect to Spirit. They inspire people to create art, build community, and become better versions of themselves. As modern day Alchemists, they are here to transform fear into love, for themselves and their peers who are ready to do the same. Alchemist Theatre’s main stage show occurs every last Wednesday of the month at the Center for Spiritual Living, Reno on 4685 Lakeside Drive. Each month centers around a theme, around which The Alchemists deliver sermons, music, prayer, meditation, visual and performance art. Doors open at 7pm, the shows begin at 7:30. There is a Empowerment Market in the lobby, which offers an array of wellness modalities, such as reiki, readings, books, and jewelry. Patrons leave our shows with healing, inspiration, and answers to their deepest and most personal questions. The Alchemists are also available for private bookings, church services, keynote appearances, classes, workshops, and coaching. For more information, visit: https://www.alchemistmovement.org/.

Reverends Jessica Levity Daylover & Christoper Daniels of Alchemist Theatre

Brian Melendez says, “I am humbled daily and proud of my modest origins. I’m not attempting to disclosing intricate tribal-secrets—but rather examine the basis of human-spirituality and community—that exists in all of us.  I believe it has never been more critical to develop extensive circles of global community building, and to do this by collecting endless allies (tribal and non-tribal) for the cause, for the betterment of the world. I’m not holy—more like, a cussing-praying-Indian-pirate—and we don’t have time to avoid real talk anymore, especially for tribal people we got a lot of work to do.” Brian is Northern/Southern Paiute – Western Shoshone: Community Leader, American Indian Spirituality Scholar, and practitioner of Great Basin custom(s) and culture(s), and the owner and operator of Lucentree, LLC. He’s been many things to many people—a leader, teacher, student, and innovator. He writes, speaks, and teaches about collective human-spiritual energy and community, from an indigenous perspective. For more information, visit: https://www.lucentree.com/.

Brian Melendez, Lucentree

Orlando OH says, “Art is the language of the indescribable. It speaks of life to the unborn and deceased. Love and death to the painfully alive. I use my art to connect to my ancestors who spoke in words lost to me through colonization. Each of my pieces gives a voice to the ones who are gone, but live through me; the ones ignored by our society, and the ones who dream of another reality.” Orlando Oh is an Indigenous artist of Purepecha ancestry. He was born on September 22nd 1983 in Milwaukee, WI but currently resides in the Reno/Tahoe area. He was raised in a multicultural home in one of the most segregated cities in the country. This affected his perception of identity at an early age and made him question his place in society. Surrounded by Americanized people of color he asked what his true culture was. He wondered what his ancestors thought of and hoped for. A curious child raised in a catholic home, he would often draw to express himself and pass the time. He had too many questions and needed to seek out his own answers. In 2005 he left Milwaukee and religion to pursue art away from almost everyone he knew. He headed west and was inspired by the Sierras. The stark contrast of the crystal clear lakes against the dry desert landscapes. A place of extremes. Life and death. Freedom and rigidity. Orlando’s body of work is a culmination of his journey through life. A reflection of the experiences of an Indigenous man on occupied land. Hopes and dreams. Love and pain. Racism and ecological destruction. The constant struggle to move forward and stay true to his roots are painted in his words and spoken in his visual art. For more information, visit: http://orlandooh.weebly.com/.

Orlando OH

Alan “Al” Miller is a musician and songwriter, and has contributed the song “Dream Catcher” for the festival. Al trained at the Musician’s Institute of Technology in Hollywood CA with some of the world’s great guitarists. Following a detour into a 25-year public service career as a water quality engineer in South Lake Tahoe, where he resides, he is returning to the stage with a collection of new songs to stimulate the heart and mind. He has performed locally in the past as the Alan Miller Trio.

Al Miller

Dream Catcher Support & Sponsorship

We are gratefully accepting donations to cover The H.O.M.E. Team travel fees and honorariums, contributing artist honorariums, Dream Catcher materials, and any other event expenses. Suggested Love Offering for this event: $100/day or $200.

 You may become a sponsor of the Dream Catcher International Project with a donation of $500 or more to be applied to this and/or future Dream Catcher installations. We will acknowledge your gracious sponsorship at our event and on-line.

 To make an on-line donation or to become a sponsor, please visit this link, and scroll to “Love Offering” to note your offering amount and any comments you may wish to include. http://sagespiritcoaching.com/services We will also accept donations on-site in a “love offering” jar in the kitchen.

In utmost appreciation to the following sponsors and supporters who have participated on weekly planning calls and offered other logistic support for this event:

Supporters: 

Media Support: Laura Plato

Dream Catcher Tree: Greg Rex

Project Logistics & Funding Support: Denise Sheehan, Sage Spirit Coaching & Reiki

Contributors: 

The H.O.M.E. Team Core Members & Supporters: Beth White Mountain, Gigi Rock, Sunshine Rose, Denise Sheehan, Robert White Mountain, Jose Munoz, Dahlahk Pahtahlngee

Local Community Planning & Support: Carol Lehnert, Alan Miller, Dr. Tuck Hayes, Kim Best

Logistic Support: Sage Spirit Coaching & Reiki, Sunstone Events & Promotions

And enormous gratitude to all our contributing artists for this event:

What you Need to Know to Join Us

Some things you’ll need to know to join us:

• Please RSVP to denise@sagespiritcoaching.com or to Denise Sheehan on Facebook or through Facebook messenger. Location address and driving directions will be provided with registration.
• We have plenty of space for RVs and tent camping if you’d like to stay over. Let us know in advance if you’re bringing an RV and you are welcome to come as early as 10am on September 21 to set up.
• Aside from a dish and beverage, you may want to bring a lawn chair, hat for shade, sunscreen, and sensible shoes for dusty-terrain and dancing. Casual dress in layers for optimal comfort whatever the weather may bring.
• Note that this is a natural environment, where scorpions, spiders and snakes are a possibility, especially beneath rocks.
• If you are here on Friday, you will have a chance to help stand the lodgepoles that hold up the Dream Catcher. Please only participate if your health and strength allow for this safely. We welcome any and all energetic support from the sidelines as well.
• Please be careful of our tender sage brushes when parking. We actually love them. A lot. If you need assistance with accessibility and/or loading/unloading equipment, please come all the way to the house and we will help you secure parking.
• In support of The H.O.M.E. Team’s mission and to promote awareness of indigenous issues, we plan to have media at this event. If you are here, you consent to be photographed. If you consent to be interviewed on video, you consent to having your interview published.
• Please feel free to bring food and beverages you wish for yourself or to share. We will have potluck style snacks and meals. We will have a BBQ and one extra sun oven available. On Saturday, we also plan to have Indian Tacos available for sale.
• Also bring any instruments you might want to play for our Mystery Band jam: drums, tambourines, washboards, flutes, rattles, etc.
• Click here for payment information.