Mr. Podge passed 19th July 2010 Hello everyone, It has taken me some time to sit and share this online in my blog. When Kovu passed in May, Moggie fondly known by my clients and students as Mr. Podge felt the loss of his brother greatly. They slept together, protected each other, played with each other and as all siblings do they sometimes got on each other's nerves. They were both 12 years old and nothing that I could do, say or be could take the place of his greatest friend Kovu.  They both are sadly missed by all. Back in the saddle - 28th June '10 Hi Everyone, Just a quick update to let you know that I am now driving again, as soon as we arrived home from the specialist, I jumped into my car feeling like an 18 year old on her first drive on her own and drove around the block. Crazy I know yet it was so much fun! My energy levels are returning and I am enjoying being back at work and at the same time having a balance of work, rest and play. Thank you all once again for your kind and loving thoughts and actions throughout my recovery. Many blessings, Maria From my desk - 24th May 2010 Hi Everyone, Today I have some sad news, Kovu my beautiful cat and friend passed away peacefully on Saturday. He was 12 years old and leaves behind his brother Mr. Podge. Many of my students and clients will remember how Kovu loved to sneak into the healing room when the door was opened to say 'hello' to whom ever was there. A very affectionate friend, cheeky and of course, on the Reiki share nights loved to jump up on the bed to receive his share of healing. He will be missed yet I know that his spirit will live on.... especially in my heart From my desk - 21st May 2010 Hi everyone, Another beautiful Autumn day in Melbourne, the sun is shining here and my garden is smiling with beautiful greens, pinks, and whites. When we have weather like this it is hard to not feel good It has been two weeks now since my surgery and it feels like a month has passed yet I am honoring my time in my healing. I have to say that I am most grateful for getting fit over the past five months as I am certain that it has helped immensely. Mind you, I am missing walking Lake Epiphany and will really appreciate even more the next time I do. Trust you are all well, and until then, with love, Maria From my couch - 17th May 2010 Hi Everyone, It is now 11 days since my surgery. I want to let you know that I am okay, in fact today feeling so much better, and I want to thank all of you who have so kindly dropped in food, flowers, dvd's and also left messages.  Surprising to me this has been a more difficult journey than expected, possibly my unrealistic thoughts that I would be up and about very quickly. Don't you just love the true optimist   I will continue to keep you informed as promised, and maybe share a few little stories along the way. Above is a photo of Mr. Podge relaxing and coaxing me to move from the couch to come down and rub his tummy. He is so cute! I will be commencing back at work as at the 1st June and will only be working part-time for the first two weeks. I am returning calls and emails as of today, so if you wish to make an appointment or have an inquiry please email or phone and leave a message and I will return your call or email. Speak soon and keep well my friends, with love, Maria 20th March 10 - Joanna's Mastery Attunement   Congratulations to Joanna Serpanos for completing her Reiki Master Teacher certificate. A wonderful three year journey from Reiki Level 1 through to Mastery. Joanna may your journey be filled with many blessings and may your students enjoy the benefit of your experience.   Joanna was joined by fellow students, Maria, Carine, Sharon and Kathryn. We were also blessed to be supported by the Reiki Master Teachers before us in this sacred ceremony. March 2010 - Congratulations to Andrew Quinn New Reiki Master Teacher On Saturday 13th March Andrew completed his final attunement after a two year journey through Reiki Level 1, 2 and into Reiki Mastery.  Congratulations Andrew now the journey really begins, and may you continue learning, exploring and experiencing as the Reiki energy and guidance works with and through you. A special thank you to the new students that shared in Andrew's journey whilst he observed your Reiki 1 and 2 weekends. Many blessings 1st January 2010 - Happy New Year to you all... Last night we had the most spectacular lightening storm and deluge of rain and I felt privileged that nature herself decided to give us a treat as the New Year came in 2010 is here! May you be full of happiness, awareness and a willingness to reconnect within, as we appreciate and honour nature and all living things within our world. Together we gain strength through our connections within our community, family and friends. May 2010 fill you with 'hope' so powerful that it overflows and touches everyone you meet. May you take notice of each moment, mindfully experiencing as you walk in synchronicity, gaining momentum as you journey, refuelling your faith that what you do in this moment is creating a brighter and abundant future. Many blessings for the New Year, Maria 23rd July 2009 - Back in Aussie Hi everyone, I arrived back home over a week ago, happy to be home, yet sad to leave my spiritual home  I arrived home late on the Friday evening and early in the hours of the Saturday morning I found myself getting up and going to a chalk board that I have in my kitchen and writing. This is what I wrote: * Clear the illusion * See things for what they are * Trust in being grounded.... After I wrote this, I stood back and really looked at it! I felt relieved with a sense of contentment and understanding.  For me it affirmed that it is safe to trust being on this earth walk and know that every experience opens us to a higher wisdom. As we break the illusion we allow the understanding and learning to be fully present. For the illusion keeps us either in the past, future or an alternate reality distracting us from experiencing the present in its fullness and seeing things clearly and for what they really are. Something to contemplate ..... Trust that you have enjoyed my sharing, and yes I know, I can be a little philosophical at times  Until next time, keep well and happy.   8th July 2009 - Whakatane Last night I had the opportunity to go to a meeting where there was a platform reader and healer. It was facinating to watch as Teku opened himself, raised his vibration and started getting messages for each person sitting there. He slowly went around the crowd and gave them a beautiful message relating to their present life. Then he placed a chair at the front and asked anyone who was interested to come and receive a healing. He explained that healing no longer took hours but could happen within minutes. I watched and listened as he shared exactly what he was doing with all of us. Each healing took only minutes and the light in people's faces after the healing was a real delight to see. I felt very honored and privileged to be in that room sharing in the experience. Trust you are enjoying travelling some of my journey with me. Well that is it for me today. Kia ora my friends. 6th July 09 - Whakatane New Zealand Well I'm back in Whakatane in New Zealand doing further study and learning with Koro. It has been one week today and the weather here is similar to Melbourne and living at the beach here is just magical. There are two places that I visit daily, The Heads in Whakatane (my place of inspiration) and Taiwhakaea beach, you can almost touch Whale Island from here, this is my place of healing. Both of these places I feel so at home, close to the ancestors and my inner guidance. In these places I listen and connect feeling grateful in the moment for the learning I am receiving.  Each time I am drawn to come to NZ I usually only have a snippet as to why? This time has been no different and as I sit here in my motel room writing, I feel a sense of sadness as if this will be the last time that I will visit for a while. It is such a wonderful adventure and Koro and the Maori people have been so generous. I do know that I will visit other shores to explore as I continue to allow my heart to guide me, and I trust wherever it may lead. Smiling, this past couple of years I have truly surrendered to the will of spirit and have been supported and rewarded in so many ways. Well my friends, that is it from me today. Will share more with you as the days go by. Kia ora my friends. Reiki at Mooroolbark Festival 28th March 2009 It was a lovely day of sharing and began with the young scouts enthusiastically putting up our tent :) There was much discussion along the way as to whether it was the right side up and whether they had enough poles or were they long enough? Not the best of tents but lovingly shared by the scouts which to me created even further the sense of community working together in harmony and for the eight Reiki practitioners including Reiki Masters who volunteered their time, they experienced that the Reiki energy can lift and open to create a nurturing space wherever we are. As a teacher in Reiki who is thankful everyday to be working full-time in her passion I asked my students to share with you their experience and trust that you enjoy reading the below: I really enjoyed Saturday.  It was great to meet other Reiki students; they were all lovely and like-minded people.  It was truly an honour to do some Reiki on real people!  I was nervous at first but after the first one I felt relaxed and confident.  Even the Scout tent had good energy!  I could definitely feel the energy going into people; felt my hands getting hot and hope that they got some relief and relaxation from the experience. It has also inspired me to be more committed to regular Reiki practise; on family and friends; at the Reiki share nights and also as a practitioner.  Thanks for giving me this opportunity, Lisa. Thank you so much for providing us with an opportunity to give back to the local community.  It was a great way for people to experience the wonderful healing energy of reiki without having to give something in return.  As a volunteer, I found it humbling, inspiring and enjoyable; it was lovely to see happy smiling faces that radiated positive energy.  Once again - thank you so much. Joanna The photo above is Andrew (a Master Teacher in training) and his wife Mercedez I would like to thank you for allowing me to give Reiki to members of the community.  It was a privilege and an honour to share in this experience with you and the other wonderful Reiki students.  Thank you for having the trust and faith in us by allowing us to provide this Reiki.  I found it a great experience and even though it was quite noisy (all good noises!!!) around the tent area I could still tune out and give Reiki.  It was so wonderful to give Reiki to people who have experienced it and also to people who haven't experienced it.  In giving Reiki I also felt the calmness and wonderful healing power of the Reiki energy.  I hope to be able to do this again.  It was very gratifying to help members of the community and hopefully help them feel more peaceful, focused and relaxed. Love from Yvonne. It was a great morning! l was only there for the first two hours..wish l could have stayed all day! The first person questioned me about Reiki, then talked about the Trust he felt in coming for a healing. Let's hope that Reiki Inspirations and the team will be able to help out again in the future. Carine :) The photo above is Carine (Reiki Master) with a member of the community Carine's Mastery Attunement - 15th March 2009 Congratulations Carine! It is always a privilege and honor to attune a new Reiki Master Teacher and Carine's ceremony was no exception She was surrounded by fellow Reiki students who held the energy as her attunement took place. Kathryn, Jackie, Vicky, Janelle, Andrew, Frances and Sandra were witness to Carine's final attunement. Along with the Teachers and Masters before us. Carine you have been a treasure to teach over these past 13 months and I know you have so much to share in healing with others. We all wish you every success and remember my friend the journey now really begins... many blessings. Photo of Carine and myself to the right Vicki and Carine   Janelle, Sandra and Jackie Spirit Orbs - I questioned and I saw proof through the camera lens - 7/3/09 I was sitting in my lounge room late one evening last year and I had noticed all day that my cat Mr. Podge appeared to be not his normal self. As he sat on the floor near me I felt the urge to take a photo of him. I didn't question, just grabbed my mobile phone nearby and began taking photos. These are the results... The photo directly above - Mr. Podge was walking away to the right and it appears the spirit orb was following. The photo to the right above - The spirit appears to have one hand layed over the other over Mr. Podge's brow... The journey continues.... Looking at the photos that night, I have to say even I freaked out a little, yet somehow I knew that everything was okay. It was confirmed the next day as Mr. Podge was back to his normal self. I have shared these photos with my students yet felt today inclined to place them on my blog, for what reason I am not sure, I've learnt to trust and you can draw your own conclusions from these. In this case I am just the photographer who feels very grateful and blessed to have experienced and captured this moment. The above photo - if you look close enough you can see an impression of a person on the floor in the photo. She has her hand under her chin. Photo to the right - this photo was taken directly above Mr. Podge and all you can see is mist. January 2009 The journey continues in New Zealand … new learning, understanding & magic! Since my initial journey in March the calling and yearning to go back to New Zealand has been strong within me. A pull as if this is my home, the nurturing strength of mother energy and the protective supportive father energy.   During my trip in March and August Koro a Te Unauhu – Tohunga (High Priest/Shaman) sent me and came with me on many adventures to many sacred places where I experienced much magic, walked through gateways and felt the vortexes. Each experience in itself has a story and I am incredibly grateful to Koro for guiding and walking this path with me. He is a very humble and powerful man with a big heart and incredible smile, a true friend. A person (life force) who I have the utmost respect, for his energy, power and status demand nothing less.   I have just come back from 3 ½ weeks in New Zealand and the most profound experience has been the synchronicity I have walked with daily on this path. People talk about ascending and our vibration rising, well I want to share that it is here and now! We are all fully connected to each other as one…. Take note how synchronicity is playing strongly in your life. You think about someone and you either bump into them or they phone. Your dreams are more vivid. Your thoughts are powerful as they begin creating instantaneously (important now then ever to think positively). Take notice, be aware and say thank you each time a small miracle occurs for they will now be apart of our daily lives. Know it, breathe it and be grateful, for this will assist you to integrate your connection each moment to this high vibration and new way of living. For we can now through awareness, walk in love with compassion   My journies to New Zealand have empowered me to step into my energy and have further trust and faith in the knowing.   The photo above is of Mount Edgecumbe (Putauake) an inactive volcano. Erina & Maria - New Zealand Jan 2009 Erina kindly opened her heart and home for me to stay whilst I was in New Zealand this time. Erina lives in Kawerau a town inland 30 minutes from Whakatane which is on the coast in the Bay of Plenty. Kawerau is a milling town and is one of the hottest places to live. There are many sulphur/hot pools in the mountains and Kawerau is at the base of Mount Edgecumbe (Putauake) an inactive volcano. My time was mainly shared with Koro, Erina and her family and the people in this area. They shared much about their history of their tribes and many wonderful stories of the past and present as well as their hopes for the future. I felt honored and privileged to be privy to their lives and I listened with open ears and heart. Thankful to be on this journey as I happily shared of myself, my knowledge, healing and counselling. This journey once again has been a gift Many places I was taken to are sacred to the Maori people and in these places I felt no need to take photos as I knew that the experience will stay in my heart and soul forever. I felt priviliged to see this place. Notice the water, there is actually steam coming off it as it flows effortlessly and naturally. Apparently it is very healing to sit and relax in these pools providing of course that you test the temperature before you venture in. To the right is Erina standing next to the pools that have been man made yet the water runs freely through this containment. To access most of these places you need permission from the landowners.   Tarawera Falls and river in Kawerau - January 2009   An easy walk through the forrest enjoying the sound of the river as you walk along side. Then crossing over the river and up to the waterfall. I can say it is very cooling on a hot and steamy day. The rivers are known to naturally grow watercress which is a delicacy enjoyed by the locals especially in their boil ups. Which consist of pigs trotters, tails etc and sometimes bacon bones and accompanied by Kumero (sweet potato), potatoes and a New Zealand variety of zucchini.   Hells Gate a geothermal reserve formed approx. 10,000 years ago - January 2009 This was another part of the journey where we experienced a beautiful gift/miracle. We had driven up to this place and had decided that it was not in our budget. So we were backing out and ready to drive off when this Maori man comes running out and tells us to park and gives us free entry. Henry at the time was a little embarrassed and notioned to the man that it was okay and thank you. Yet he insisted and guess what, we ventured into this amazing place, walked for over two hours through the smell of sulphur, the bubbling of mud and water, seeing rivers flowing hot and then in one part flowing cold. To only understand later that Erina, Henry and Sheryl had lived here all their lives and had never been in there. They were ecstatic as were I More photos from Hells Gate - January 2009   mud volcano I loved the sign to the right!! They have a great sense of humour and I can assure you with some temperatures over 100 degree celcius I certainly wouldn't be littering. If you would like further information please go to www.hellsgate.co.nz this is my way of saying 'thank you'. Whakatane New Zealand - 23rd March to 28th March 08 A profound journey of the 'heart' the 'land' and the 'people'.... Thank you to Lisa for introducing me to Koro her Spiritual Teacher as well as her family, friends and Maori culture. First I think that it is important for us to understand where this all began. Honestly, I feel that it is important for me to retrace my steps as to how I got to this present experience and I trust that you will enjoy the journey with me.   In April 2005 I met with Lisa who I taught Reiki Level 1. Then in July 2005 I met with Mike who I taught Reiki Level 2. When normally seeing the 'Life Force' energy flow from the student to the client I have always seen it as a translucent gold energy quite beautiful and radiant. Yet when seeing this energy flow from a Maori person I saw it flow as liquid gold! Absolutely amazing... I realised at that moment in time that there was much I would love to learn from the Maori people yet also understood that all indigenous people connected to the land would experience the same connectedness to mother earth and the universal life force. This is where the seeds for me were planted.  This is a photo of Lisa sitting at Melbourne Airport at the beginning of our journey... As I began to see Lisa and as she recommended some of her family and friends to me for healing and counselling, I realised that I just LOVED the Maori people. There seemed to be a connection far great than I could imagine! In September 2007 Lisa came to see me and as we were about to begin I noticed a large man standing behind Lisa with the most beautiful smile and along side him was a small woman with long grey hair. I shared this with Lisa thinking at the time it might have been a relative who had passed away. As I gave a further description Lisa looked at me quiet shocked to realise that the man was 'Koro' her Spiritual Teacher (a man very much alive) in New Zealand. It was in that moment that I knew that I would be visiting with him sometime soon. I felt a calling like an echo throughout time drawing me back to a place that I have once been. In a couple of months I was off to Nepal, India, Sikkim and Bhutan and I knew that sometime soon after I would visit New Zealand. This is a photo of me at the airport in Melbourne prior to my flight to New Zealand (a country I have never visited before) On the 15th January 2008 that very morning I was thinking about Koro and about contacting Lisa to get his number so that I could introduce myself. The reason why I know the exact date is because on the 15th January 2008 later in the afternoon I logged onto my computer to find an email not long sent to me from Lisa sharing that she is in New Zealand visiting her family and if I liked I could contact her on this number and also I could speak with Koro on this number. It blew me away..... and confirmed to me that it was time. New Zealand here I come!! You know that there is more to your experience when you have amazing and wonderful people and signs come into your life... When I realised that it was time I also noted that I didn't have the money to pay for the trip let alone knowing the business that I would miss out on whilst away. Funny now reflecting as it has been almost four weeks since coming back and another part of my journey is now in the process of beginning and I realise I am sharing the same experience once again and I know that it worked out fine for me. I am going.... and as soon as I made the decision everything fell into place!! I received calls that guaranteed me business when I came home. Lisa decided to share the journey with me and kindly opened up her home in Whakatane for me and I stayed with her family.  Everything was perfect and yet I had no expectation but just knew that I had to go and as Lisa kindly said to me, "I feel like I am taking you home". That was the greatest gift she could have ever given me. As it would be an honor and privilidge to know that I had a past life as a Maori, and somehow it felt true within my heart. Photo of Koro and myself... I felt an instant heart connection and love for this man   Standing in the water on this beach in Whakatane and overlooking Whale Island was an amazing experience. It is as if the ancestors are still here and you can feel that the island has many stories to tell of her people and ancient wisdom to share from the past, present and into the future.                      This photo is of Moutohoroa 'Whale Island' Trip to Nepal, India, Sikkim and Bhutan .... more photos and stories been added below, just scroll down Sarah's Mastery Attunement - 22nd December 07 Photo above - Yvonne, Janelle, Sarah, Carolyn & Kathryn Photo on right is myself and Sarah Congratulations to Sarah for completing your journey into Mastery.  Well done my friend, 12 months of personal and spiritual growth and now the journey really begins. Thank you for the honor of sharing this journey with you. You are a great teacher and there will be many who will be blessed to have you as their teacher. Sarah celebrated her final attunement with the wonderful students above as they held the energy in this sacred space. Together with the Masters and Teachers before us the blessing and attunement was completed. 4th November to 17th November '07 NEPAL, INDIA, SIKKIM & BHUTAN Kathmandu, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kalimpong, Phuntsholing, Thimpu & Paro Many of my clients and students are aware that I have recently been on an adventure to the above places. Only arriving back over the weekend I am still grounding myself and processing the amazing journey, not only the physicality of this adventure but also the emotional and spiritual! I can honestly say that I moved through a number of my comfort zones and will add my stories to this blog as time goes on. Trust that you enjoy reading about my journey as well as seeing some of my photos. Bodhnath Stupa in Kathmandu (we were honored to see the monks in prayer and chanting) The people in Nepal are very welcoming, the women dress so beautifully in their bright and flowing dresses and the children always have a smile on their faces. I certainly learnt very quickly that there is no such thing as your own personal space. Even when driving, it is the most amazing experience, everyone believes that it is one way and you have little cars, small buses, motorbikes (100's of them), push bikes and rickshaws all competing for the same space. There is only one set of lights in Kathmandu which is outside the palace therefore everyone uses their horns as a way of moving through the crowd. Many near misses yet amongst what I perceived as chaos there was some order because I never saw an accident let alone someone speaking nastily to each other. They would pip their horn, smile and move into the space.  BODHNATH STUPA - KATHMANDU - NEPAL This is the day that we travelled by bus to a Buddhist Temple (Bodhnath Stupa) which was amazing and certainly well worth experiencing. During this time we went up to the Thanka Painting School which is where I purchased my Green Tara (now hanging happily in my healing room). When paying I gave my credit card which didn't work on the machine upstairs, then all of a sudden the man ran downstairs with my credit card and with me running behind him. He then proceeded to try my card in two or three other machines and again told me it didn't work. Now by this time, if I was a little more travelwise I would have checked what the machine was saying but unfortunately feeling a little embarrassed I didn't. Our guide then came down and proceeded to tell me that their was an ATM around the corner and that the sales person will show me and for me to meet back with the rest of the group two blocks away where they had parked the bus. This photo is taken at Bodhnath Stupa after receiving a blessing from this beautiful female monk, the only female monk I met throughout my journey. I then proceeded to the ATM machine which was behind glass doors to find that I couldn't take out all of the money as it kept saying insufficient funds (I knew I had plenty in there). Eventually I was able to take out the majority in cash, I had some American dollars back at the hotel and was told to give the rest to the guide who would bring it back to them. With Thanka in hand I started back to the bus. Being the first time overseas and being on my own it was a little overwhelming. I was surrounded by people who just wouldn't leave me and kept grabbing my arms to take me into their stores. I absolutely love the people but felt very vunerable. Thankfully the van was parked in a lane way just after the police station and when reaching this the people left me.  I was just so glad to get onto the bus, pay the guide when I got back to the hotel and then just chill. Well you are most probably wondering why my credit card didn't work, or are thinking how silly I was. You see, I thought that the bank had made a mistake and blocked it! Which meant that I couldn't use it for the rest of the trip. I didn't know until I got back that the credit card had been used by the Painting school successfully and that I had paid several times. I am trusting that this has been a mistake on their part and that it wasn't purposeful.  Either way, I didn't allow it at the time to affect my trip and in actual fact most probably saved me lots of money as I would have spent up big.  This was an experience that I will learn from and through every adversity there is always a 'gem', experience and adventure are priceless.   21/1/08 Just a quick update to say that my money has been returned! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Bhaktapur in Nepal   This is a photo of the rooftops of the famous medieval town Bhaktapur. The photo to the right is of a Thanka being handpainted at the Painting School in Bhaktapur These Thanka's are the most beautiful paintings you could ever see. The amount of hours, days and months that go into just one is amazing. It is said that many people will spend time on an individual drawing and then the Master will come along and draw in the face. I was lucky enough to purchase a very large Thanka of Green Tara whilst in Kathmandu and to the interest and humour of my fellow travellers I carried this from the beginning of our journey throughout each country.  Mind you I was delighted as to a number of my new found friends carrying it or reminding me not to leave it in obscure places. Thank you to all of you who took interest. She is now hanging in my healing room and looks fabulous and I trust that her energy will nurture and assist the work that I do. Darjeeling in India The above photo is at the actual Darjeeling Tea facility in India and the photo to the right is the tea plantations with the Himilayas in the background. Such spectacular country. Everything is still done by hand with no machinery used. The women spend many hours in the plantation picking the tea with a large basket on their backs and they are paid as to the weight of their emptied baskets. Mount Everest   What an amazing journey to view Mount Everest. We left before sunrise at 4am in the morning. Travelled by jeeps and then walked a small way to the top of Tigers Hill in Darjeeling. There we waited and as the sun rose we were inspired by the most awsome experience and view of Mount Everest. It was freezing yet you felt warm within as this view penetrated through to your very being. Words and photos cannot describe the feeling. This photo is of Mount Everest viewed from Tigers Hill, Darjeeling Tibetan Refugee Centre The above photo is of some very playful young orphans at the Tibetan Refugee Centre. To the right is some of the acommodation. The children put on a wonderful show inside, as they sung and danced with so much passion and laughter. It was trully a blessing spending time with these young people. They all need our support!! BUDHIST MONASTERY Prior to my journey I had been touched by the light of a beautiful new born child in Jocelyn. Jocelyn has been born with seizures, multiple seizures, sometimes up to 200 per day. Her parent's Tanya and Adam and grandmother Carolyn asked me to assist with Reiki healing whilst she was in the Royal Childrens Hospital which I gladly accepted. I felt very privilidged and honored to have been asked and through those couple of weeks prior to leaving on my trip Jocelyn and her whole family touched me greater than I could have imagined. So I chose to take a photo of young Jocelyn with me on my travels and when able to I asked to have her photo and her blessed.  To the right is a photo of me outside a butter lamp blessing room where our tour guide and several monks and myself lit several butter lamps and they chanted a blessing for Jocelyn and her family. SIKKIM (on top of the world)    This photo is of the magnificent view from our motel, I felt like I was on top of the world!! Photo to the right is of one of the main streets in Sikkim It was a breath of fresh air arriving in Sikkim. The most beautiful place, clear and clean air and not a beggar to be seen. I was in awe, this place had a feel like I had been here before, it felt like sacred ground. The day we arrived it was the Duali Festival (Festival of Light) lots of orange flower garlands and much excitement for tonight they will celebrate with many crackers, banging, booming and lights and colours and patterns being splayed out into the night sky. Our group enjoyed our own display thanks to the hotel owners and their family. SIKKIM MONASTERY   The above photo shows the many prayer flags that you see surrounding many monasteries throughout my journey. To the right you will see the many prayer wheels that also line the walls and pathways of many monasteries. Taktsang (Tigers Nest) Monastery - Paro Bhutan Legend has it that the great guru, Padmasambhawa, flew here from Tibet on the back of a tigress to subdue the demons of Paro Valley. This was an amazing journey which I have to say took courage and the help of forces that I will explain soon. This legendary monastery clings on a rock cliff 900metres above the valley floor and 3,200 metres above sea level. Although tourists are not permitted to enter the interior, our group had the priviledge of entering.  I also was blessed with a half hour personal and private meeting with the head Lama to discuss a past life meditation I experienced 12 months ago, which in fact bought me to this place. This is how the story begins.... in late 2006 during one of my spiritual development classes our guidance chose to take us to a sacred place where we were able to access and experience a past life. During this process I would normally observe but not experience my own, but this time, my guidance had other thoughts and took me to the time that I was a young male monk. I knew that I had been given to the monastery when I was 3 years old and now I was 12. The experience that I was shown somewhat confused me and so the journey begun. During that meditation I was also given the name Bhutan and at that time did not even realise that it was the name of a place. Of course now that is history! During my trip overseas I asked our tour guides if I could please organise a meeting with a Lama. It didn't matter if it was in Nepal, India, Sikkim or Bhutan. Each time a meeting was organised, I was then disappointed as the meeting was then cancelled. On my second last day in Bhutan before coming home to Australia our guide Sonam told me that he had arranged for a meeting with the head Lama at Tigers Nest Monastery which we were to climb to the next morning. Now we had been told as a group that we would not be allowed into the Monastery as it was forbidden and now I was to have this meeting inside the monastery. I was blown away, overwhelmed, excited every emotion at once!!! The next morning we got up early and we were ready to climb at about 7.30am. Quite a few of us had arranged to ride horses 3/4 of the way up the mountain as we were not the fittest and the altitude made it hard to breathe.  I looked at the horses and noticed one that was standing on it's own looking very unhappy, then to myself I said,"I hope I don't get that horse". Oops!! I knew then that this was going to be mine... and yes it was. Well within a minute of sitting on top of him, he became a bucking bronco and you had better believe it, I flew off him in the most elequent of ways and landed heavily on my right hand side. My hand started to swell and I was in excruciating pain and thought that I had broken my arm. I was covered in dust from head to toe. Yet all I had on my mind was my appointment with the head Lama and nothing was going to stop me. The rest of the group left and I commenced this journey on my own.  It was a difficult journey and I felt in a bit of a haze... it seemed that I only took 10 or so steps and then would have to stop so that I could breathe. I felt that I just couldn't get enough breath into my chest.  Along the way a couple and their guide came up behind me. They were curious as to what had happened to me as I suppose I looked a little odd, covered in dirt, with my arm hanging loosely beside me. I told them of my story, they kindly gave me some pain killers, even holding the bottle of water to my mouth and then continued ahead of me. I felt encouraged and continued my trek... Then came along two young men with their guide. They once again asked my story. I shared and they kindly used the scarfe that was hanging around my neck and put my arm in a sling and insisted on giving my bag to their guide and continuing to walk with me. Their generosity and warmth was so encouraging.  They looked so fit that they could have run up the mountain yet they insisted on staying with me and I felt so grateful for their company. As we got to the half way point there was my guide Sonam sitting and waiting at the fork of the road. One pathway led up the mountain and the other to the tea house. There I said goodbye to the two young men as I decided to continue up the mountain and not stop for a cuppa, I was on a mission. After some time we reached the top and across the gorge was the most amazing site. It was Tigers Nest Monastery!! There were a number of people taking photos and some who had chosen not to continue the journey. The next minute I looked down and my legs nearly collapsed underneath me! The pathway was now stone steps cut out of the mountain side with no railing.  They say that there are around 800 of them, I can honestly say I didn't count them as I was too busy clinging to the side of the mountain in fear.  Just so you know, I had taken my arm out of the sling. By now, the pain killers had well and truly worked and I was able to move my arm. Thank goodness.  The pathway led down, across and then up to the monastery. The upward section did have railing and the path was wider. There waiting were the rest of the group. Sonam then asked the guard if the rest of the group could also enter. Unfortunately the guard said, 'no'. Then one of the group said, "we don't care as long as Maria gets to see her Lama". Just then the guard said "yes". It was as if the doors just opened because of their generosity of spirit. My private meeting with the help of an interpreter......The Lama at Tigers Nest told me that very few people had seen what I had and that it was a blessing and I was very lucky. Through this he also confirmed that I was definitely a monk in a past life because the ritual that was about to take place in my meditation only a monk who had experienced this would know about it (it was a private ceremony). He then told me that the Goddess had bought me there and then kindly gave me a blessing and offered me a position in the monastery, which I am still considering and am incredibily honored to have been asked.  This photo is taken after my meeting with the Head Lama at Taktsang Monastery. You can see how dirty I presented myself to the Lama (smiling) Notice how steep the steps are even up and into the rooms of the Monastery. I have come back from this trip with a greater sense of peace and feel so humbled. I know that I am on the right path and am incredibly grateful for this journey and the many adventures to come. 11th September 07 Reiki Master/Teacher attunement for Kathryn A new moon and a new Reiki Master Teacher in Kathryn. Two years of Reiki study, practise and personal self-development. Kathryn wanted to have her Master attunement in nature and she was blessed with a generous land owner allowing her the opportunity to do this in the Seville area. Kathryn was joined by some fellow students, Debi, Lisa, and Sarah. The day begun with much needed rain and as we entered the afternoon Kathryn remained positive that the clouds would part and the sun would shine, and guess what, "they did." Congratulations Kathryn now your journey has really begun my friend. You are a beacon of light with the sight and flight of an eagle and the blessings of mother earth herself. Our time together has been an incredible honor and I know we will remain friends and colleagues for many years. With much love Maria  More photos at Kathryn's Master/Teacher Attunement (above) Lisa, Sarah(back), Kathryn & Debi (right hand photo) Maria and Kathryn 17th, 18th & 19th August CARO Conference Wow what a weekend! A beautiful drive to Mount Eliza staying at Manyung which is set only 5 minutes walk from the beach. CARO is a national body of Reiki organisations moving to raise the awareness and integrity of Reiki Practitioners & Teachers within the community. It was wonderful meeting up with so many amazing people who have such humility in being of service within their communities. People came from most states within Australia and it was just nice to be with like-minded, pro-active and energised individuals. This is a photo of John (President of the Australian Reiki Connection) and Elizabeth (who flew from Perth - a new found friend) and Tony (Treasurer of the Australian Reiki Connection) 11th August 07 Psychic Art Workshop with Wendy Ishewe-Clarke What an amazing day.  There were nine of us wonderful artists (only joking) very nervous artists I must say. Only one of us had ever really experienced drawing let alone creating a picture of one of our own guides as well as one for someone else. Wendy wonderfully swept us up in her beautiful presence and off we went. An exhiliarating experience and 'yes' we were delighted and surprised at the results. I can honestly say that everyone was on a high at the end of the day and we are still talking about it. Photo of Wendy commencing the process with us... Example of our experience Have attached a photo of some of the drawings of those who attended and can honestly say that when in the moment of this experience you really don't see what is happening until it is finished and you stand back and go 'WOW'. Well done to everyone and thank you for the experience of sharing with you. At Reiki Inspirations we like to share many experiences with you and will run more of these and many other workshops in 2007/2008. It is great to experience and expand our awareness, especially in a small group with like-minded souls. Keep checking the Classes & Workshops page for details as these workshops do fill quickly. SoulCollage® Workshop On Saturday 14th July we experienced for the first time a Soul Collage workshop. Facilitated by Karen Mann it was fun, nurturing and amazing how our collage came together to form a picture that was much more than what we could physically see. There were tears, laughter and through the process rose a sense of ourselves as we felt empowered by reading our own images, receiving insight and becoming more consciously aware of the inner self.  Below I have some photos to share of the day, trust that you enjoy the images and vibration of our gathering. Karen & Prue enjoying good conversation on the day....... Some feedback from Prue, "Just wanted to send you a quick email to say thank you for Saturday. It was fantastic!!"    Some thoughts from Suelee... 'I had a wonderful time on the weekend.  It was great to get in touch with my artistic self and explore the inner me.  What a great conduit to be able to do so and also be able to call on it whenever I make a new card.  Can't wait to get started.'     Krisjan & Suelee sharing some of their work with us 31st January 2007 FULL MOON THIS FRIDAY, 2ND FEBRUARY Many years ago during my sleeping hours and at a time of going through some emotional turmoil my guidance shared with me the below information to assist me in my journey of self healing. I have over the years shared this with many of my students and clients and now have a medium to share this now with you. THEY CALLED IT 'MOON WATER' Fill a glass bottle with water or many if you choose and place these bottles outside under the light of the moon on the night of the full moon. Leave overnight and in the morning bring them inside. You can drink it straight or sometimes I will place a few drops into a glass of filtered water. I don't refrigerate it as I believe in drinking my water at room temperature so therefore I would use it all within 3 to 7 days. You can refrigerate if you choose. A very simple task to do and yet from personal experience it has certainly assisted with my emotional healing process. I would never presume to say that the 'moon water' will 'heal' you. I am just sharing my experience with you. Many have said that the water feels like velvet in their mouth. Now I am not a doctor/scientist nor a naturopath/homeopath, but I choose to share this information because I believe that nature is the most wonderful healer of all and in the spirit of love I share this gift from my guidance with you. When we think about it, we cleanse and recharge our crystals on the night of the full moon, why couldn't the moon recharge our water? You can choose to try it or not, it is totally up to you. If it resonates okay, if not okay too.  I would love to hear from you as to your thoughts and experience.