A New Dimension

On many occasions and in quieter moments when we are silent within ourselves, things come to us in thought forms, visions, voices … things we refer to as inklings, sensations, feelings, etc., etc., etc.  We know this happens to all of us.  But can we explain them in logical terms ?  Often we push them aside because we have no explanation for them.  We would not get near that space … What are we afraid of ?

After much deliberation, we have decided to take our group a further step further into the realm of the metaphysics.  The logic of Renaissance science does not delve in metaphysics, a subject which lie outside the limits of human understanding. We want to explore it … to fully understand the other aspect of what being a human is all about.  We feel we should to talk about it with acceptance. It is a part of us.

We invite you to come and spend some time with us at our Spirituality Discussion Group on the first Saturday of each month at 2.30 p.m.  Freely deliberate over any metaphysical thought that comes to mind … from angels or aliens to zombies… without being critical or judgmental, rather accepting the range of human thoughts and queries which come to the fore.  Let’s talk and listen.  Maybe we could learn something new.  See all of you there !

Message from John & Chrystalla

Time has really flown, hasn’t it ?  It feels like it was just the other day when we left Toronto and moved to the Trent Hills area.  It really had been eight  full years !  We’ve reached many with our message of giving from the heart, giving with care and love and really reach out to another who need Help.

2006 was kind to us.  It afforded us the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Reiki.  With Sheila and Innesa, we spent a week in Kyoto at a Buddhist temple and climbed Mount Kurama with a monk, trained in Reiki by a student of Dr. Hayashi.  We visited his Reiki dojo and then Mount Kurama, which was extremely fulfilling and heartfelt – a dream truly came through for all of us.

Kyoto, Japan, has given us many beautiful memories to cherish within.

We have developed a number of new programs with the hope of bringing channels closer together.  You will find many functions catering to channels at various stages … Level 1, Level 2 and Reiki Teachers.  Hopefully, this will keep the group tightly together.

Love to all of you.        

John & Chrystalla

Pilgrimage to Mount Kurama

When we decided to visit Japan in 2006, Chrystalla, painstakingly researched the best way to make our pilgrimage rewarding and fulfilling.

Marina Toledo, had just completed two years of working in Japan.  She had visited a Reiki centre in Kyoto and met Reverend Hyakuten Inamoto, a teacher at the Komyo Reiki Kai.  She provided us with information of the group.

In our ultimate discussion, Chrystalla suggested that Rev. Hyakuten was our best source.  We agreed and she got in touch him via e-mail.  His reply was prompt, friendly and helpful.  As a result, he arranged for us to stay at a Buddhist temple in Kyoto. Sheila Flattery and Inessa Manorik, traveling with us were accommodated too.

We arrived in Kyoto on Saturday, 4th March 2006.  The next evening, we met Hyakuten-san.  After some very amiable discussions, we adjourned to a sushi restaurant  with some friends who had traveled from Osaka to meet us.  It became a very rewarding evening for all of us.  We sat on the floor and ate real sushi – Japanese style – miso soup with fish head in it  !  Not only was the food fabulous, the conversation was clearly stimulating.  We had a tremendous evening; I certainly felt our journey was just beginning.

Hyakuten-san spoke perfect English.  This was excellent for us because we had great difficulty finding someone in Kyoto who could speak and understand English.  He invited us to join his group the next evening in what he called “A Reiki Share”.

We happily accepted and were at the temple on Monday evening.  The Reiki Share certainly  provided us with understanding and insight into the practice of Reiki outside our own group.

The evening concluded with Hyakuten-san confirming our trip for the next day to Mount Kurama.  He would be our guide and lead us up the mountain to the spot where Mikao Usui found his enlightenment.

We eagerly awaited the arrival of Tuesday, 7th April 2006.   At 11.00 a.m. we met Hyakuten-san at a curry restaurant.  Yes, a CURRY restaurant in Kyoto !  Two of Rev. Hyakuten’s students, Makiko and Akiko, were there as well.    Lunch was great !  An Indian family actually ran the restaurant and were the cooks as well.  Who would have expected that ?  Of all places, in Kyoto, Japan !

Around noon, we took a forty-five minute train-ride to the station at the foot of Mount Kurama.  There were the four Canadians – Sheila, Inessa, Chrystalla and myself – and there were our hosts, Makiko, Akiko and Hyskuten-san.

We bought tickets for the cable-car ride to go half way up the mountain.  There, we had to trudge on foot the rest of the way – five hundred feet of steep hills.  I became very aware of my own physical disadvantage that I had to combat to make it up the hill.

After weeks in a hot, damp tropical rain forest climate, the drop in temperature in Kyoto has caused my body to adjust dramatically to the cold.  The heel of my left foot had developed deep splits in five spots and on my right, there were four.  This made walking difficult even with a cane.

I was also aware that I had left my nitro-lingual spray behind.  My heart condition needs this spray to assist me to breathe in the thin air.  Strangely enough, I did not even remotely think of stopping the hike.  I simply told myself to move carefully, each step would take me CLOSER to the spot where Rev. Mikao Usui had spent twenty-one days to be enlightened about Reiki.  So, on I trudged.  The patience and assistance of my companions helped as well.  Five hundred feet of steep climb was a long way; but no one complained.

Hyakuten-san explained that Mount Kurama had long been considered a sacred mountain by Buddhists.  Many, Buddhists and non-buddhists had spent time up the mountain.    We met several people, many were clearly tourists.

Shrines and temples dotted the way.  Wherever possible, the mountain path gave way to man-made concrete or stone steps.  Going up or coming down, the trekker certainly could feel the power of gravity - such is mother nature.

The journey was filled with tremendous learning and understanding.  Often, I stood proudly by, reveling in the knowledge of what I understood as an oriental and a Buddhist.  I truly felt I had come home.

A rest at the foot of another peek, brought us one more row of concrete steps, followed by a jungle footpath and we were in a wide clearing !

There we were !

The spot where Rev. Usui spent twenty-one days to bring us the  simple message of love, trust and belief in things natural and what being a human is all about !  There was silence within the group.  Each went quietly, aware of his or her own truth.  A tremendous energy buzzed in the clearing. 

The clearing was quiet and calming, indeed peaceful.  There was no raucous excitement.  It just felt good.  Hyakuten-san bade us farewell as he had an appointment in Kyoto, leaving the us to enjoy  the sacred space, savoring the sweet taste of a dream come true.

Then came the time to leave.  We had missed the last cable car down.  We must walk the 1,000 feet to the foot of the hill.  Quietly, we made it in about two hours, exhilarated and tired.

But it was worth it every step of the way ! 
Arigato !  Sayonara !