Welcome to your January 2009
"Reiki Healing News"
from Laurelle & Michael with Infinite Light
Published from Peace Place, Sedona, Arizona

Guidance for the New Year
An Interview with Reiki Guides and Angels
by Laurelle Shanti Gaia

When I prepare to write my article for our newsletter each month, I always begin with a prayer and I ask and give thanks that I am guided to write what our readers will benefit from the most.  “Coincidentally” it always turns out to be what I need to read as well.

This morning I was reminded of the importance of calling on all available spiritual guidance, especially at the beginning of a New Year. It is traditional for me to celebrate the New Year very quietly, with much introspection.  This helps me gather focus and intention so that I easily step into the magical, infinite flow of and alignment with Divine Guidance. As I set my goals and intentions I give thanks for the spiritual guides and angels who are with me. I ask for, and acknowledge their guidance, wisdom, love, healing, and assistance in manifesting my dreams, visions and goals.

I also always offer prayers for the new year, which then become my daily prayers. Those of you who have attended our classes are familiar with one such prayer:

"Creator, Infinite Spirit ...I give thanks that I am a clear an open channel for Divine Love. I give thanks that my personality and ego stand aside, so that Divine Love flows through me in its clearest and truest form. Creator, I give thanks that you continue to guide me, bless me and heal me, so that I am of greater service to myself, to others and to the world."

For 2009 I also affirm:

"IAM Divine Alignment,
IAM Divine Nurturance,
IAM Divine Guidence,
IAM Divinely Guided Love.
And So It Is"

Each year is a new chapter in this adventure we call life. So as I began my article today I was reminded of some beautiful messages delivered during an interview with my guides and angels a few years ago. They are perfect to remember as we move into this new year, for they are timeless:

Many people find the concept of spiritual guides, angels, Reiki guides, and enlightened beings to be beyond belief. This is often simply because they may not yet understand how to work with these beings of Divine love. Over my years of working with Reiki and following my soul’s longing to learn about the angelic realms and inner planes, I have developed a deep inner knowing that we have spiritual helpers, guides and assistance all around us, and within us.

One of the first things that I learned is that we cannot receive non-emergency, angelic, or spiritual assistance unless we ask. It is my intention in this article to share information that can help us all develop a better understanding of how we can work with our angels, guides, intuition and inner wisdom. So when I began to formulate thoughts for the article the first thing I did was ASK the guides and angels what to write here. The answer came quickly and very gently as a fleeting thought, “Interview us, we have much to share.” After pondering and praying about the idea and listening with my heart, that suggestion felt very right. What follows is a question and answer session with those guides, angels and spiritual beings that have come forward to help us learn and grow in the light of Divine love.

So let’s begin with our interview;
Q. What is a spiritual guide?
“To understand an answer to this query, let us first explore the essence of the question. In what we are about to share with you, let it be known that as we speak of spiritual we refer to that which is sacred or reverent and that which honors the Divine within and without all life.

To understand the concept of a guide we first recognize the action of guiding to be that of suggestion or direction. True spiritual guidance communicates with your soul and suggests possibilities for directing the energy in your life. In this way the individual birthright to exercise free will and discernment is never violated.

With these things understood we come to know that a spiritual guide is simply energy that one invokes by asking for assistance. This energy then chooses a pathway of communication to offer suggestions regarding how you might proceed to make choices that support your growth and ability to experience the quality of life your heart and soul desires.”

Q. Are Reiki guides different than angels, or other spiritual guides?
“Let us first remember that all things are energy in one form or another. Energy is simply light that vibrates at varying frequencies. The more rapid the vibration, the more light it contains. Guides too are vibration. Let us share a visualization of the energy that represents the wisdom of the Divine Heart and Mind as a massive column of light. Within this column of light there are many subtly different rays of light or frequencies. There are guiding energies that work with all of these different frequencies. All guidance comes forth from this source. Just as humans find resonance with certain other humans, yet may feel less harmony with others, so it is with the energies referred to as guides. Reiki is an example of a specific frequency within which certain guides, angels and enlightened beings resonate.”

Q. How can I be certain that the guides that are working with me are good and are of the light, rather than a negative influence?
“This is one area where discernment is very important. The first step is to use your spiritual tools such as Reiki to raise your vibration and strengthen your light. When the light of love that you emanate is strong, clear and bright, you welcome similar spiritual energies into your life. Also when the light is strong, it illumines the shadows and raises them into awareness so that you can heal and grow. Even the most magnificent being of light has the ability to lift up these shadows. The greatest test of discernment is the level of peace in your heart when advice or direction is offered to you.

When you receive guidance it is wise to take the information into the stillness. Examine it from all angles, and at each vantage point, or perception, pause. Focus on the energy you hold in each of your chakras. What do you feel? Do you feel fear, agitation, anxiety, or peace, serenity, joy and jubilance? Once you have identified each of the feelings, use the same process to discern the basis for each feeling. Do your very best to still your mind, and allow your body and soul to speak to you. When you feel total peace in your heart, you will know you have embraced the choice, or the advice that holds the most light.
Rarely is there only one answer to any question. There are usually many options, which can produce beneficial results in varying degrees.

The actual identity of the guide or even its vibration is irrelevant. What is important is what you do with the advice you receive, how you measure its relevance in your life, and the actions you take once you have been helped to connect with your own Divine wisdom.”

Q. What do guides look like?
“To answer this question we shall establish a mutual understanding of “look”. Let us agree that in this question we are seeking an awareness of how guides can be identified. This would not limit one to the single sense of sight, but would expand to the ability to perceive with all senses.

It is true that guides, or guidance, can at times be seen with the physical eye, but they may also be seen through clairvoyant vision. The latter is accomplished as the viewer raises their vibration to a sufficient level through which they are able to “see” ethereal energy. This energy is vibrating at a frequency that is higher than that of physical things. An example could be the experiences of those who have seen the apparitions of Mother Mary in places such as Medjugore. Some are able to see the apparitions and some are not. Those who have seen accomplished this by a shift in their vibration that allows them to see energy of similar frequency.

Guides can “look” like humans, animals, angels, swirling masses of energy, spheres of light, glittering sparks of light, etc. They can also be perceived as a physical sensation upon one’s skin, or a tingle, pulse, or discomfort in a part of the body. Guides can come in the form of thoughts that seem to come from nowhere, and everywhere at the same time.

Guides can come as words that flow from your mouth, or your pen, when you have no prior thought or awareness that the words are forming. Guides can come to you as a prayer, a mantra, a song, or an affirmation that begins to float through your mind again and again.

Guides can take the form of a tone, angelic chorus, or rhythm. Guides can come to you as a color or a message that you suddenly see everywhere. Some guides take the form of a scent or aroma, or the sensation of warmth or cold. There are some people who clearly hear spoken or telepathic messages from their guides. This demonstrates that just as Divine Love is limitless, so too are the ways in which guiding energies present themselves. “

Q. How do I know guides are really there?
“A simple answer to this is to expand your awareness. Perceive with your ears, eyes, mind, heart, body and soul. Become still and listen to the rustle of the leaves, and songs on the radio. Listen to messages delivered in between the winds, and from the lips of children, friends, and those whispers that bubble up from the depths of your soul. Remember these powerful words . . . “Be still and know that I AM God”. Knowing that the methods through which guides communicate are unlimited, so too shall your awareness be without limit. When expectations of who your guides are, what they must look like, or how they should appear dissolve, the pathways of communication become clear.”

Q. How can guides help me in my Reiki practice?
“The first step is to come forth with a pure heart and desire to be of service to yourself and others. A simple prayer of thanks that your personality and ego move aside, so that you are able to receive guidance, without analytical interference is a key. When these things are done, you have opened the door for your Reiki guides to step forth. You have also invoked the guidance of the spiritual Master that resides in your own heart and soul. It is with this Master that all wisdom from the heart and mind of God communicates. The guides, angels and enlightened ones are simply conduits for the wisdom of Divine intelligence and love to flow through and speak to you.

The guides can help you find ways to work with Reiki to help you learn, grow and heal. They can help you know where to direct Reiki to help yourself or your clients. They can help you know when to suggest other healing modalities to complement Reiki. Guides can help you speak to the soul of another living being and discern the most effective way to be of service. Conversely they can help you recognize detrimental behaviors, actions and thoughts while providing suggestions for replacing them with healthier patterns.”

Q. How can I communicate more clearly with my guides?
“The most important elements that affect the ability to communicate with your spiritual guidance are those of trust and discernment and a willingness to truly listen. When one invites assistance from the angelic realms and inner plans, and asks for guidance, it is Universal law that the guiding energies come forth. Once you recognize this to be true, you then know that when you ask you do receive. The only element that remains is to discern the form in which the guidance has appeared. Your spiritual guides patiently wait for you to recognize their presence. When you begin to realize that the guidance you have asked for is present, then the only thing left to do is to become still and listen with your heart. This allows you to exercise your free will when making choices.”

Q. How do I know when I should follow the guidance I am receiving?
“Once again, the answer here is in the silence of stillness. When you become silent and you think about or meditate on the guidance you are receiving, listen to the silence within. Do you feel comfortable, or uneasy? Do you feel peaceful and totally still from the depths of your soul? Do you feel your own Divine power? When you feel peace, you have found your answer.

At the conclusion of this interview I thank the guides and angels that offered these helpful thoughts for each of us to ponder and find our own answers.”

Sunflowers and Butterflies
I would like to share one of my favorite examples of the many forms in which guides can appear. Several years ago William Rand and I visited Mt. Kurama and Usui Sensei’s grave. We brought sunflowers to the gravesite, and placed them in the vases among the many flowers left by others. The moment the sunflowers were in place a beautiful white butterfly landed on them. We bathed the stones at the gravesite, burned incense, prayed and meditated for over four hours. During the entire time the butterfly stayed with us. In meditation we asked Usui Sensei to guide us and help us find ways to use Reiki to assist humanity in awakening to peace. The moment we stepped out of the gravesite and on to the sidewalk, the butterfly followed us and disappeared.

To this day, nearly every time I teach or practice Reiki out in nature, a white butterfly appears. But the most amazing time was one winter day, in the mountains of Colorado. I was teaching a class in my home. I had just told the longer version of this story, when a student said “You are not going to believe this. Look out the window behind you.” I turned to see a white butterfly fluttering back and forth outside the window. Miraculously, this happened when there was four inches of newly fallen snow blanketing the earth. I give thanks to the loving guidance from Usui Sensei, which is available for all of us when we invite Reiki into our life.To this day, whenever I see a sunflower, or a butterfly, I smile and give thanks for my many blessings. Each of our students, clients, customers, and readers are among our greatest blessings! Thank YOU for your love and your support of our work!

Wishing you a lifetime of love, joy, peace, health, wellbeing, prosperity, infinite blessings and gratitude!

A portion of this article was originally printed in the Fall 2002 issue of Reiki News Magazine

NOTE: Divination tools, like pendulums can be helpful when communicating with your guides.

Many of you have been asking us to provide a schedule that allows you to combine several classes in one trip to Sedona. We listened, and here is our plan for the first half of 2009. Although this is a list of classes scheduled together, it is still possible to take any one class by itself. You will find that schedule posted at ReikiCalendar.com 5 day Karuna Reiki Master Training Intensive Summer Solstice Experience Jun 19-23 tuition $1,188 This program contains all the basic elements of the 3 day class with 2 days of additional practice, personal healing time, and deeper explorations. pre-req. prior experience as an Usui Reiki Master REGISTER 9 Day Reiki Immersion for Beginners Reiki I& II plus both Reiki Crystal Healing levels 1 plus Intermediate & Reiki Drumming June 6-14 tuition $1,975 pre-req. NONE-no prior experience necessary REGISTER Enhanced Reiki Training Series 8 Day Reiki Crystal Healing levels 1 plus Intermediate plus Reiki Drumming  Feb 21-28,  or Apr 18-25 tuition $1,625 pre-req. Reiki Level II or higher REGISTER for Februay or REGISTER for April 6 Day Reiki Crystal Healing Level 1 plus Karuna Reiki Master Mar 17-22 tuition $1,350 pre-req. prior experience as an Usui Reiki Master REGISTER 6 Day- ART/Reiki Master plus Reiki Drumming May 15-20 tuition $1,350 pre-req. Reiki Level II or higher REGISTER 6 Day-Reiki Drumming plus Karuna Reiki Master May 19-24 tuition $1,350 pre-req. prior experience as an Usui Reiki Master REGISTER Students provide their own food and lodging for these events. See the list below of lodging within walking distance of our center. If you have questions or need help registering, give us a call, we will be happy to help. 928-204-1216 (pacific time) Add Your Own Lodging Experience from the many places within walking distance of our Center, Peace Place. 355 Jordan Road in Uptown Sedona Apple Orchard Inn www.appleorchardbb.com 928-282-5328 Matterhorn Inn www.matterhornlodge.com (928) 282–7176 The Orchards Inn www.OrchardsInn.com (928) 282-5710 Rose Tree Inn http://www.rosetreeinn.com/ (928) 282-2065 A Touch of Sedona B&B http://www.touchofsedona.com/ (928) 282-6462 Star Motel Sedona very basic accommodations (928) 282-3641 OR Visit www.SedonaChamber.com for other options

What our students have to say:

Laurelle:

Thank you so very much Laurelle for a wonderful crystal healing class and great experiences….

I did one treatment for my husband who is "computer engineer" so..not really into stones and crystals.  Let me tell you that he now believes in energy.  He had a special experience.  He described it to me like "an electric storm around and inside his head" (at some point during the treatment he moved his hand around is neck and head thinking there was something there).  

He told me later that he had a headache before starting the treatment with the stones... The headache was gone and he slept very good that night.

Namaste,
Julie

Blessings Dear Michael and Laurelle,

Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience in the Reiki 1 & 2 classes I took with both of you over the weekend, I have felt so wonderful all day and just filled with inspiration.  I have been using Reiki throughout today at every opportunity that has presented itself!!

You both gave all of us so many gifts over the weekend, as well as passing on the amazing gift of Reiki ...

Again I thank you so very much, this has been a calling on my life's journey and I am grateful to have had the experience.  My desire is to continue to the Master level so I will be working with the symbols and listening to my guides, as I would love to take the Master training you...

Many Blessings to both of you ~ Joanna

Read more from our students

 

The Blog from Peace Place

The building that houses the Reiki Center of Sedona and Infinite Light Healing Studies Center, is Peace Place, located in uptown Sedona, AZ. There are three suites in Peace Place. Peace Place Gifts is in one section, the Kurama Room, our primary classroom, is in one, and we have three treatment rooms, and an additional classroom.

December at Peace Place was relatively quiet. We held a Reiki I & II and Reiki Drumming class early in the month. Much of the remainder of the month was dedicated to introspection, planning and preparation for some of the new projects we have in store for 2009.

We have continued to expand the products offered on our BRAND NEW Peace Place Gifts - Online Store. It is always our intention to help you deepen your intuitive connection with your higher self, guides, angels and masters. In keeping with that intention ...

...we recently added the largest, most complete
selection of quality pendulums in the WORLD!

Peace Place Gifts Featured Product for January Pendulums... tools for your inner child. Take a peek ... PeacePlaceGifts.com Check out our Beginner's Guide to Pendulums

Peace Place continues to be of service to our visitors. Sessions were available with gifted practitioners including Reiki, Karuna Reiki, sound healing with drums, tuning forks and/or crystal bowls, hypnotherapy, Color Energy Meditations, Reiki shamanic journeys, and past life regressions, cranial sacral sessions, as well as reflexology. When you plan a visit to Sedona give us a call atPeace Place to schedule 928-203-7755, or stop in. Hours are currently from 9-6 daily.

If one of your friends will be visiting Sedona, it is now very easy to gift them a with a healing session, or products from Peace Place. Gift Certificates are now available online!

It is with gratitude that we also honor Max, Jan, Michael A., Lucia, Cindy, Jessica, David Singing Bear, Roger and Mariko for helping us create and hold sacred space for our many visitors, students and customers.

Now Offering FOUR Free Reiki Shares Each Month
We continue to host a Free Reiki Share on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.

A special thanks to the wonderful practitioners from the Sedona Reiki Community who take turns hosting these events. It is because of their love and dedication that we are able to offer Reiki shares so frequently. We do ask that participants RSVP to 928- 203-7755 so we can plan appropriately.

We have updated our class/event schedule through July of 2009, and the registration links are now active. It is with much gratitue that I noticed that the 2009 classes are already filling up.

You can see what we have planned by going to www.ReikiCalendar.com

You are invited to visit Peace Place and the Reiki Center of Sedona and we look forward to seeing you soon.

We are continually grateful for all of you who are sending Reiki to help create the resources required to support the healing that flows through Peace Place. Knowing that you are out there cheering us on and sending beams of Reiki our way means more to us than words can express. Thank you so very much!

Love, peace and infinite blessings,

Laurelle & Michael

Peace Place Gifts 355 Jordan Road, Sedona, AZ (928)203-7755
www.PeacePlaceSedona.com

Reiki Heaven near Hunter Mountain, New York - July 2009

Join with like minded people from around the world as we immerse ourselves in Reiki Master energy for 7 days. Once again we are offering week long intensive training programs which we co-facilitate with William Lee Rand, President of the International Center for Reiki Training. In 2008 students joined us from all over the U.S. and also Italy, Australia, England, Columbia, Tahiti, Canada, and other places around the world.

In July of 2009 we will be returning to one our favorite places, Scribner Hollow on Hunter Mountain in New York. Sharing Reiki there is magical.

This year the 7 day event will be the ART/Reiki Master Teacher Program. We co-facilitate these programs with William Lee Rand. The dates are July 19-26. Learn more about this beautiful experience on www.ReikiHeaven.com

Spirit Speaks 
by Astara E. Edmonds

Spirit Speaks
By Astara E. Edmonds

A Fearless Year

The year of 2009 will be a year of balance in all things.  Our focus will be on balancing power, defining authority, defining relationships, speaking our truth and developing mastery.  It is a cycle for examining honesty, integrity and taking responsibility for our actions as well as finding ways to deal with our differences with respect.

With power being a significant subject for this year, we will look at how we give our power away and how we control or dominate with our power.

This will be demonstrated on a collective level as well with power issues being highlighted and resolved in businesses, organizations and government.  A cleansing will continue to take place around greed, corruption and dishonesty.

A special focus will be on how we relate to each other.  Communication will be emphasized with honesty being the theme.  Speaking our truth without the need to be “right” will offer relationships an opportunity to find the middle ground.  A win-win philosophy will be helpful in achieving this common ground.

With an emphasis on relationships, we will be learning how to create community in new ways.  We will look at finding ways to be creative, resourceful, generous and practical.   Simplicity will guide the way in helping to balance excesses.

Each of us is a unique bridge.  We have within us the wisdom to find solutions to problems and difficulties.  This is a time to realize that wisdom is an inner guiding light.  With this wisdom guiding each of us we can open ourselves to new possibilities.  Each year begins a new cycle and 2009 is a step along a path of awakening and personal power.  How we balance power will influence our quality of life.

During this time of global transformation, where we place our focus is important to our well being.  Setting intentions with faith and aligning with positive thoughts and feelings will create an atmosphere of calm creativity.  Remembering to be grateful especially in the face of fearful occurrences will strengthen the positive nature of what we are creating.

Remember the value of affirmations, meditation, personal and planetary Reiki treatments, communion with nature and other activities that bring balance to our body, mind and spirit.  Let us have faith in the resiliency of our human spirit to thrive in all ways that are important to us.

The year 2009 can be a year of great empowerment and growth that will emphasize a renewal in integrity and community spirit.  Remember the power of a peaceful heart and a path filled with Grace.

My Intention is to deliver the highest Truth for your Empowerment” …………………... Astara

Astara is a Psychic/Clairvoyant Messenger and Reiki Master.  Astara Visions is located in Florida and Astara is available for Psychic Phone Readings.
352-447-4104
email: astaravisions1@yahoo.com
www.AstaraVisions.com

A Special Thank You from
Laurelle Shanti Gaia & Michael Arthur Baird

Thank you for subscribing to our newlsetter. We love Reiki and have been practicing for over 20 years and teaching for 17. Should you decide that you would like to progress with Reiki, and have an interest in receiving professional quality training, we would be honored for you to attend one of our classes. In the meantime we hope that the information is helpful to on your journey.

Information about the content of our classes posted here

Our current schedule is ReikiCalendar.com.

Learn about our Reiki Healing Center PeacePlaceSedona.com

Visit PeacePlaceGifts.com for Chakra CDs, meditations, books, drums, crystals, tables & more

More from our Students

Laurelle & Michael,

I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful class this past weekend . I enjoyed the teaching, the classroom, and the interaction with the other students. My original Reiki I & II class, was not at all thorough (about 4 hours to attune 8 students, talk about Reiki, and practice!). My Reiki Master attunement was even shorter. However, I am grateful to have had access to the Reiki energy for my clinical (hospital) practice.

It felt really good to be able to just tune into the Reiki energy and follow along with the process. I gained new insight and began to learn to work with Reiki guides during the Sunday practice session. It was very powerful. I am looking forward to taking ART/RM fairly soon (4-8 month time frame). I am also looking forward to taking the crystal healing classes as I love the feel of the energy in various stones...

Thanks again for your wonderful space and energy!

Sue

Hi, Laurelle and Michael,

I thank you again for a fantastic Reiki Master Workshop.  From the  moment of my arrival in Sedona (for the second time since last year's  I and II classes), I felt at home and knew it was right to be there.

Your thoughtful and very organized but integrated way of presenting  classes allows for everyone to learn, absorb and feel all that is  being learned.  I enjoy the frequent practice sessions which help  build confidence and ease and allow a warm bonding and sharing among 
participants.

I feel much had shifted for me throughout the week in Sedona.  I felt  immense gratitude for having the opportunity to participate and have  it be in the right place with the right people. ~ Love, Gerdi

...My Reiki drum made it safely home in my suitcase - thanks for telling us how to do that.  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the class, it was just what I needed, personally, at this point in my life & career - I was feeling emotionally drained when I headed to Sedona and I came away refreshed, calmed and re-energized!  Plus I am very excited about being able to share the Reiki drumming experience with my clients, parishioners and friends.