Usui Reiki vs Karuna Reiki?

As a Reiki Master, I decided to join a couple Reiki groups on the LinkedIN networking site, one of which is called Reiki Healers Worldwide. Today I noted the following question, "What is the difference between Usui Reiki and Karuna Reiki? Is one better than the other?"

There were several comments offering a variety of answers--all good. I, of course, offered my two-cents as well. Just in case you are interested, I thought I would share my feedback with you here.

Usui Reiki vs. Karuna Reiki

Simply put, Usui Method of Reiki is done in accordance with the Usui Shiki Ryoho tradition named after and taught by Master Mikao Usui.

Although I am not a student of Karuna, I do follow William Rand's teachings and believe it to be an intensive healing practice that certainly expands the traditional Usui teaching. My feeling is that the symbols and other techniques used in Karuna acts in a similar way the Reiki II Usui symbols enhanced the Reiki I experience. To me, the symbols are merely pointers or intention activators, which are quite useful for keeping the practitioner focused and in alignment with the energy intention. The recipient also surely benefits.

I applaud William Rand for taking a leading position to discover other methods for increasing the practitioner's vibration, which is really what Reiki is all about. As the practitioner is able to hold a higher vibration Being Reiki, the recipient's intelligent energy system naturally seeks to align with it. Win, win!

In my opinion, there are many ways to expand your light and raise your vibration. Usui Reiki is a wonderful platform; Karuna is another path. I have done other studies and practices to fine tune and expand the light body, which all have enhanced my healing practice. I would encourage anyone who has found Reiki, is attuned with it, practices it or teaches it, to always continue to learn new ways to develop their gift of being a lightworker.

I like the idea of following tradition, but I also like the idea of living on the leading edge of thought. If you are drawn to Karuna, go for it!

Consider it all JOY!

In light,
Maggie Kalas
http://www.attitudelift.com/

Your Higher Self #1

The big question of "Who Am I" can be simply answered as "YOU ARE DIVINE."

This Divine You or Higher Self or Non-Physical Self has great purpose. You are the bird choosing your direction, but you Higher Self, it is the wind beneath your wings. In general, all people have their own unique expression of the Divine Self. However, ultimately, we are One in light.

There are many important things the Higher Self wants you to know. When you tune in, all these loving messages can be received. For now, we are going to focus on them one at a time. In this way, you can develop not only a deeper understanding of the Divine You, you can also engage in a productive relationship with this infinitely intelligent Self.

Your Higher Self wants to:

#1: BRING YOU EVER CLOSER TO GOD

The Divine You had a goal when you came into this world and is always ready to accomplish it. Even though you are physical and have conscious thought, your Higher Self is continually prompting you to stay on the path of growth. That was the agreement.

You are an eternal Being, ever expanding. When our life experience brings Spiritual growth or maturity, your Higher Self is expanded. All That IS is expanded. In other words, our life experience offers wonderful opportunities to come closer to our Source; to God. That is always our Divine intent.

You know all the drama issues -- physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual -- you are experiencing, well they are designed to help you meet your life's contract. Drama, or contrast to who you are, creates a clear intention for you to move toward your goal. It teaches you about who you are, what you want in this life and lovingly directs you on that path.

And guess what?

You can always change the game plan you originally intented when you decided to come into this life. Free Will is just that FREE! A spiritual contract is merely like creating a marketing plan for your business. You layout guidelines and considerations, but you do leave room for change and flexibility. As you live and learn, new options for life experience and growth come into play. And your Higher Self is totally on your side, ready to help.

Think of your Higher Self as your own personal Life Coach, diligently guiding you to make the best choices for YOU - now and going forward.

Your Higher Self communicates through your feeling place, your intuition, your visions, your inner voice, your dreams, your inspirations.

Stop and listen.

In light,
Maggie Kalas
www.attitudelift.com

Who Are YOU?

Along my quest to know thyself, many teachers have come my way. By form of humans, animals, spirit guides, Angels, inspiration (my own), books, tapes, channelings, religious teachings, metaphysical sciences, quantum physics, nature, and infinite intelligence.

One key question: "Who Am I?", has often been anwswered with reference to as my "Higher Self."

So, what does that mean-- "Higher Self"?

Here is what I've got so far...

Your Higher Self is the most perfect form of "YOU" that exists in the universe.

It is the “I AM” of who you are.
It is your infinite being; the reflection of your God self.
It is pure positive energy.
It is supreme intelligence.
It is your connection to Source.
It is always guiding you on your journey through life.
Its guidance manifests itself in your life in many subtle ways: as a still small voice, as vivid images and pictures, as flashes of insight and feelings, as intuition and knowingness.

As you awaken to it and follow its loving guidance, you expand; raising your vibration higher, which also elevates the resonance of the plant and the universe, ultimately giving glory to God, our creator.

Gulp! Can't say much more than that right now.

More to follow...

Mags

Bringing a bit of "Joy" to cancer patients

If today you are feeling good, healthy, have a job, a family... well, today you are having a pretty good day. For you, joy may be easy to find.

For some, who suffer from health issues, job loss or loneliness, joy can easily elude them. Sometimes, it takes another person or a community to show them the way back to feeling good.

My dear friend, Roe--who has been in my life since second grade--and I both lost our parents and a sibling to premature death due to various debilitating illnesses. Regardless of the cause, watching someone be drained of the joy of life is life-changing, to say the least. I do believe there is always something good happening in every situation, even the challenging ones. For us, with our loss came a rewarding gain. We both have become compassionate, loving, giving woman who have a heart for others and for following our life's passion.

Years ago when my sister, Val, was critical with brain cancer, I thought I could help her financially by putting together a little fundraiser. What started small turned into a terrific Ladies Night Out event raising over $10,000. What I learned was how the power of one and the love and generosity of many in a community can not only raise money for a worthy cause, but can truly bring joy and lift the spirit of someone who is going through a difficult time.

Recently, Roe, who lives in North Carolina, came across a new charity called "Help from Hopp" which was created by Bruce Miller after his wife, Sue, lost her life to breast cancer. Sue, aka Hopp, a pet name he gave her meaning Hoptoad, was the inspiration for him to start this non-profit organization.

When Sue was in treatment, the one thing that made her feel really good was to get a manicure. Now he offers cancer patients $50 toward whatever pleasurable "little thing" they want that feels good. Sometimes it's a manicure, a haircut, a foot massage, a nice dinner or even getting a special gift for someone else; regardless there is no strings attached. "Help from Hopp" is simply about bringing a bit of "joy" to cancer patients.

If the "joy" is in the little things, is sure seems to bring big things! As a way to support "Help from Hopp's" joy-giving efforts, on May 17th, Roe will be hosting a big "Family, Food & FUN-raiser" event at her restaurant, Georgina's Pizzeria & Restaurant in Cary. She already has delicious foods, music, raffles, magic and lots of surprises in store. If you know Roe like I know Roe, this will be one heck of a great shindig!

For those who are close to Cary, North Carolina, do come on by! Regardless of where you live, you could still get involved by becoming a sponsor or making a donation. Click here for more information about "Help from Hopp" and this special fundraiser event.

In joy,

Maggie Kalas

MAGSjoy

May the Vortex be Within You!

I just returned from a 4-day road trip from Phoenix to Prescott to Dewey to Grand Canyon to Sedona and back with two travelling buddies, Rox and Toni. It was a reunion of sorts since Toni moved to Dewy back in December. We had decided in advance that it would be a life-changing experience, and it was.

Toni said it perfectly in her Blog at: Dove And Snake

For me, there was a synchronistic moment when our "Cowboy" tour guide, Ken, and I started talking about the vortexes of Sedona. [Vortex sites are believed to be locations having energy flow that exists on multiple dimensions. It is a perfect place for prayer, healing and meditation]. He had mentioned that some local Indian friends of his told him that the vortexes had moved [from the sites that all the tourists are seeking out].

It is believed that the energy or magnetics of the planet shifted several years ago, which would have affected various vortex sites around the world. It is also said that the "new energy" allows for all of humanity to experience these more than subtle spiritual vibrations. Though vortexes allow for a more fine-tuned perception of what Ken described as a "woo-woo" sensation, he and I agreed that no matter where you were in Sedona, you could definitely tap into a "good vibe"!

I do believe Sedona is a sacred place. If you ever see it in person, you will have a hard time disagreeing with me. One only has to look out in any direction, and if you close your eyes, you can feel the ever-present stillness within. And it feels good!

You don't have to be in Sedona to get to that place of peace -- just stop and be still.

In magical light,

Mags

Ever-Present PEACE

“Make Peace with where you are.”

This is one of the most important things we can do says Abraham-Hicks, a teacher of co-creating the life you desire. One of the key points she makes is that the Universe is like an ever-flowing river and everything we ever want is downstream.

When you make Peace with where you are—even when you are in debt, in anger, in a bad relationship, in an unfulfilling job, in an unpleasant situation—you disarm yourself from what is happening and engage in the power of the stream of potential in that moment.

Making Peace with where you are means simply to let go of the struggle. You don’t need to control anything. You just need to trust in the current. It is not necessary to do all the work. It is not necessary to paddle upstream. For one, nothing you really want is upstream, everything is downstream. Two, you feel better when pull in the oars and simply float to a better feeling place.

Making Peace with where you are is to recognize what is happening without judgment on anyone or anything. You ride the storm; let the wind and rain blow through like you are a lighthouse. By embracing the sunshine and the rain, the blue skies and the fierce winds, you allow life to unfold in a natural, effortless way.

When you make Peace with where you are your perception shifts. You expand your awareness and experience life authentically. Something wonderful happens to you. A light goes on inside you that cannot be turned off. Healing occurs. Growth takes place. Like a Lotus flower, something beautiful emerges from deep within you. A glimpse of joy, compassion and forgiveness appear. Standing beside the worry, the fear, the angst, the powerlessness is a feeling of calm, a pillar of stillness.

Peace is not a destination; it is a state of being.

When you find yourself out of the moment, stressed out, in a bad spot, saddened, frightened, worried, lost…stop yourself. Breathe in and out with awareness. Accept what is happening. Become an observer of yourself. Feel the emotion, but don’t become the emotion. Make Peace with where you are. Say to your self, “Here I am. I am here.” Acknowledge your position. “Okay, I am angry.” “I am worried about the future.” “I am afraid of the outcome.” " I am overwhelmed in the situation."

You will be surprised to find that although the circumstance is the same, your perception will dramatically change. By purposefully acknowledging your position and your state of being, you get unstuck, you allow an opening so that you can now take appropriate action.

One of the greatest perks to practicing this powerful exercise of making Peace with where you are—and it does take practice—is that once you experience this new state of being, this profound insight; once your heart and mind are opened to the ever-present Peace, you can never go back.

Oh, you might slip into the abyss; you might spiral down to misery, you might jump onto the bandwagon of doom and gloom, you might get sucked into negative patterns, you might get all caught up into the demise of a situation. But I guarantee that the new found Peace in you, like a Gorilla in the room, cannot be ignored for long.

You may not be able to avoid challenges or unpleasant circumstances, but by making Peace with where you are, you will find that instead of dwelling in your despair, you recover more quickly.

For me, everyday I get better at making Peace with where I am.

I am here. Here I am. And you know what, the Joy is always there!

Keeping the light on,

Mags

TAPAS Now in Northport

Here’s a little bit of trivia: the word "tapas" is derived from the word "tapar", which means "to cover." Why? Because tapas were originally small pieces of bread topped with a slice of cured ham that bartenders used to cover your glass of wine, reportedly to keep the swarms of fruit flies away.

Today, the concept has evolved to include little dishes of hot, cold and marinated foods which still should be complimented with a favorite beverage of wine, beer, sangria or even sparkling water.

In my home town of Northport, you can find a fantastic assortment of inexpensive tapas at the Batata Café. Originally a chocolate and coffee house, this eclectic little bistro has turned into a hotspot for lunch goers because of their incredible menu of fresh baked pastries, breakfast burritos, wraps, paninis, salads, soups and desserts.

Now you can wine and dine on delectable little gourmet meals for dinner. The ambiance at Batata changes from earthy-crunchy casual to cozy and romantic as the evening unfolds with candlelight, music, white tablecloths, extremely attentive table service, and, of course, a menu of deliciously unique Ba-tapas.

Two visits by me so far; one on Valentine’s day with three other couples and the other with a bunch of girlfriends. My favorite tapas was the mussels in coconut milk broth w/fresh ginger and lemongrass & served with grilled crostini; although the pan seared crab cakes served over mixed baby Green salad with Lemon Aioli is a close second.

The next time you are in Northport, why not stop by the Batata Café to try it for yourself; tell Nicole Nappy, your culinary host, that Maggie sent you!

Sharing in light and culinary delight,

MagsJoy

The Love Cycle of Parenting

Every parent comes to a fork in the road when they must let their child go down their own path as they must continue on theirs. It is a fearful time. Not only a fear of the unknown, I believe it is much more a fear of separation or loss.

In truth, life reveals that in branching out, no matter where life takes you, what remains parallel is the very thing that brought you all together in the first place--love.

And love always trumps fear!

Below is poem that I created as an edited version of a letter I wrote to my oldest daughter. I offer it here as a kind of dedication to parents and children alike--For all the strength it takes a parent to release their child into the world and for all the courage necessary for a child to fly on their own. May your unbreakable love bring peace and encouragement.

The Love Cycle of Parenting

by Maggie Kalas

You are my child.

With God’s help,

I have brought you into this world

and you are precious to me.

You are not my possession.
You are someone I do hold dear to my heart.

I love you.
It is not just three words

but a truth that cannot be broken.

You are like flower; delicate, exuding beauty,

yet an amazing strength lies unseen within.

You shine in the sun one day and then the next,

you must return to your roots for new growth.

Like magic, you emerge again; even more majestic.

I once planted the seed, but now,

I am only the observer; amazed and in awe.

I do not judge.

I rejoice when you are in full bloom

and mourn when you are wilted.

I sprinkle a little love with hope

and reach out to caress your drooping spirit.

If your thorns prick me, I may weep,

but I am forgiving; I know your thorns protect you.

When you are sad, I am sad

because I long for the joy of your light.

I love you; it is eternal and ever present.

Even in the cold of darkness, a warm light remains lit.

You are the light in me as I am the light in you.

We are one in this light.

No time or distance will ever separate our bond.

You are free to be you. And I believe in you.

My purpose at one time was to feed you,

nurture you, love you and protect you.

Now you are matured in your skin

and must live life in order to grow.

Loving you is all I can do now.

And, I do love you.

The rest is up to YOU!

A little secret…

everything you will ever need

is already within you.

Know thyself.

Consider it all joy,
Mags