August 05

Letter From The Editor

The committee has been very busy working on Reiki Teaching Guidelines as well as regular RFI business.

A lot is happening in the background regarding regulation of Complementary therapies. Committee members Mary Tuohy and Majella Fagan have been attending recent FICTA meetings. It will be with FICTA and the Professional bodies like RFI that the Government will communicate regarding regulation and not with individual practitioners. We ask you to support us energetically during this important time.

We are pleased to say that our membership continues to grow. There has never been a more crucial time for a strong Reiki voice in Ireland. We encourage you to be very proactive in promoting RFI at any workshops that you facilitate or to Reiki friends. We would like to emphasize that RFI is open to anyone involved in Reiki. Some people may think that they have to be a Reiki practitioner to join. Anyone who has been attuned to Reiki 1 is eligible for membership. So, please spread the word. There is power in numbers. Our website has been a wonderful tool in spreading the word about Reiki and RFI. Remember that you can direct people to it who might be interested in becoming a member. The benefits of membership are listed on our website. www.reikifederationireland.com

The next Newsletter will be sent out in November. If you are interested in advertising in the next edition, see page 4.

As always, I welcome any relevant articles that you would like included

Angela Gorman

Send articles & correspondence to:
editor@reikifederationireland.com

What the Bleep do we know?

"What The Bleep do we know" the movie Hollywood turned down saying there was no audience for it is taking the world by storm. Independently produced this movie gives a voice to the radical souls of science bringing their genius to millions.

This movie illustrates how Science and Spirituality are not different modes of thought but are in fact describing the same thing. The message and information conveyed brings the power back to the individual as it demonstrates creations as the God like capacity of every individual.

Part story, part documentary, the layman is introduced to an understandable version of quantum physics, how our minds and thoughts create our reality and how our mindset influences the quantum field. Respected physicists, neurologists, molecular biologists and spiritual teachers talk about how we weave our realities with our minds. This movie is a must for anyone involved in energy work.

The movie has received many international awards. It appeared briefly to a limited number of theatres in Ireland. The good news is that you can purchase the DVD if you visit www.whatthebleep.com

A Word of Thanks to our Committee .... Letter to the Editor

I am currently a member of RFI and have been simply amazed by the progress that this federation has made since its small beginnings back in Portlaoise in 2002. At our last AGM in February 2005 I offered to help the committee in any way I could by working in the background. I was then invited to attend a committee meeting to see the work in action. The fist meeting that I could attend was in May 2005. After this meeting I felt that I wanted to share with other members my views and experience.

The committee meeting started at 10.00am and everyone worked solidly until 2.30pm only stopping for a 15 minute lunch break. It was obvious that much work and background research had been done prior to this meeting. There was a mixture of practical decision making, preparation of PR events, financial updates, work on teaching guidelines and intense discussion.

The first thing that struck me was how lucky we are to have such a talented and dedicated committee. I truly believe they aim to represent the view of all members and are passionate about their belief in the development and progression of Reiki. I also reflect on all that RFI has achieved since formation - a strong functioning committee, constitution, code of practice, website, newsletter, group insurance scheme, group health insurance, multiple discounts for members, member of FICTA, practitioner and teacher lists, working on teaching guidelines, and a growing membership - to name just a few!

I simply want to say a huge thank you to all committee members, both current and past. Their hard work, and oftentimes thankless work, has ensured that RFI continues to grow and flourish. Many, many thanks!

Maura McGinley

RFI Represented at the Adult Education Guidance Conference

RFI was represented by our PRO, Patricia Sheehan at the Adult Education Guidance Association's second National Conference. It was held in the National College of Ireland on the 9th of June. RFI with other Complementary Bodies took a Stand under the Auspices of FICTA (Federation of Irish Complementary Therapy Associations)

The day started with an opening address from Sile de Valera, Minister of State at the Dept. of Education. Approximately 130 delegates from Adult Education Colleges across the country attended workshops and visited the stands.

Many delegates observed that in order to formally include Reiki in our educational system there is a need for a Professional Reiki body and they were delighted that RFI is in existence.

It was a privilege for RFI to be represented at such a prestigious event. The FICTA stand was one of the busiest stands there.

Collecting Data about Reiki

Reiki is becoming more of a household name in Ireland due to the many Reiki practitioners that are actively using and practicing Reiki.

For Reiki to be taken seriously by mainstream medicine and state bodies it is important to archive and document the impact Reiki has had in improving the quality of peoples lives in the workplace and in our healthcare system.

I am interested in hearing from any of our members who have direct experience in using Reiki professionally in Irish Hospitals, places of work, prisons, schools and any state run body. I would like to know the names of these establishments, how long Reiki has been practiced there and what the feedback on Reiki there has been to date.

I urge you to take the time to participate by sending the relevant information with your contact details to me at:

editor@reikifederationireland.com or Fax: 01 8380831

Grapefruit Seed can help ulcers

According to new research Grapefruit seed extract can help in the treatment of stomach ulcers.

Researchers at the recent Digestive Disease Week conference in Chicago claim that the seed extract possesses antibacterial and antioxidative properties that calm the gastric tract.

The team from Jagiellonian University Medical College in Poland examined the different doses of grapefruit seed extract on induced gastric ulcers in rats.

Rats treated with the grapefruit extract at 10mg/kg experienced a 50% reduction in gastric acid secretion, and a progressive decrease in the area of gastric ulcers by days six and nine of treatment.

A significant rise in blood flow at ulcer sites which could help healing was also noted.

Researchers say despite the common view that citrus fruit can cause stomach problems, people with ulcers should actually include grapefruit in their diet.

Suicide Continues to Rise

According to the CSO's Vital Statistics 2004', there were 457 deaths from suicide last year, a slight increase on 2003's figure of 444. Of these it is estimated that one in five were over the age of 55.

However, the worrying trend of high suicide among young adults continues. 40% of suicides last year were among people aged between 15 and 34.

More than three in four suicides were among men (78%)

It is important that Reiki practitioners be aware of counselors and organizations in their area to whom they can refer clients with depression.

AWARE is an organization which assists and supports those suffering from mood disorders as well as their families. Contact details:

Phone: 01 661 7208 Email: aware@webireland.ie

Depression phone line: 01 676 6166

Reiki Teaching Guidelines

The RFI committee is currently working on guidelines and standards for Reiki Teacher Training. We would like to thank those who attended our AGM in February for their contribution in what they would like included in these guidelines.

In our last Newsletter we invited all of our members to give their input to us about:

What should the length of each level of Reiki training be?

What content do you consider important to be included in each level?

We wish to thank Margaret V. O' Connor and Joe Mulvaney for sending us their well thought out ideas regarding Reiki training. We also note that both of you attended the AGM and made a valuable contribution there. We would have liked more of our members to have participated, particularly those of you who are actively teaching Reiki. As outlined in the Newsletter the deadline for submissions was the 7th of May. We are now in the process of defining what must be included in each level of Reiki Training. We are also adhering to the standards of teaching and practice as outlined to us by the National Working Group.

The Many Colours Of Reiki

As you know RFI is delighted to accept members from the various lineages of Reiki. We are aware that it is hard for those teaching Reiki to keep up with everything that is going on in the wider Reiki community. One thing that has come to our attention is that often times those attending Reiki workshops are not aware of the type of Reiki Training they have received. The most common types of Reiki being taught in Ireland are Tera Mai and Traditional USUI Reiki.

We would appreciate if RFI members who are teaching Reiki would let their students know that different teachers have different styles of teaching and that there are different types of Reiki being taught.

For those who want to find out more about Tera Mai Reiki you can visit: www.kathleenmilner.com or read Tera, my Journey by Kathleen Milner. To find out more about Traditional USUI Reiki you can visit: www.reikialliance.org, keeping in mind that there are many Independent teachers of Traditional USUI Reiki who choose not to be part of the Reiki Alliance.

William Rand's website is a wonderful source of information for anyone involved in Reiki. Visit www.reiki.org

Recent Scientific Research Study into Reiki

The summer edition of the Reiki News Magazine featured an article called The Science of Reiki by Nicola Mackay. Nicola is a medical physicist and a Reiki Master.

She is interested in the use of scientific research to back up and explain the efficacy of Reiki. To this effect she carried out a small research study to assess if there was a physiological response to energy healing with the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

45 volunteers were randomly placed in groups of 15, each group receiving one of the following: a Reiki treatment; a placebo Reiki treatment; or no treatment.

A number of quantitative physiological parameters were observed; for example heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and skin temperature.

To conclude Nicola states" what we can say after completing this study is that the body and the ANS specifically, responds to Reiki or energy healing and that this response is not purely a psychological effect or wishful thinking on the part of the practitioner and /or patient."

As this study was a relatively small study the results could be deemed inconclusive but, these results certainly justify further research.

This research is published in full in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Volume 10, Number 6.

Nicola can be contacted through her website at : www.tirnanog.co.uk Maura McGinley

Europe controls vitamins - What next?

Major restrictions on the sale of vitamins and minerals throughout the EU, including Ireland, are to go ahead, following a ruling by the European Court of Justice.

The ruling upheld the validity of the European Commission's Food Supplements Directive, which was originally adopted in June 2002. According to the Commission, the main aim of this directive was to enable food supplements ' to be marketed freely across the EU while ensuring the safety of consumers'.

The bottom line is that 200 vitamins and minerals will be banned from August. This will result in hundreds of products being removed from our grasp in health stores. The Green Party responded by saying that it is 'less about consumer safety and more about commercialization and harmonization.

The ruling was also criticized by Fine Gael MEP, Avril Doyle. She described it as a 'clear example of over-regulation'.

A number of groups in Britain, including the Health Food Manufactures Association, attempted to stop the directive, insisting that it was too restrictive.

This ruling illustrates how we are losing our freedom of choice when it comes to our own health care. This ruling could be taken as a sobering reminder of how important it is for the Reiki community to keep its focus in ensuring that Reiki is self regulated by the Reiki community and not by EU directive.

The RFI committee is working diligently on your behalf to ensure that Reiki stays in our hands. The outcome will be a reflection of how active and focused our collective intent is. It is important that the Reiki community is proactive and participate in whatever way possible to give Reiki a strong voice.

Book Review

"The Soul of Money"  Lynne Twist

You may have heard people banter the expression " money is energy ". It can be argued that very few people really understand that concept at it's fundamental core. Lynn Twist is a person worth listening to when it comes to the subject of money and our attitudes to it. In her book she shows how living consciously and fully in our relationship with money can deliver a widespread transformation in all aspects of our lives. Lynn uses personal stories to demonstrate how people can replace feelings of lack, scarcity and guilt with abundance and purpose.

Lynne Twist has had an interesting and purposeful life. Today she is a global activist and fundraiser who has raised more than 150 million dollars in individual contributions for charitable causes. But what came across very strongly in her book is her understanding of the attitudes in individuals and cultures that support lack consciousness. In her work she endeavors to educate people about their relationship to money as well as giving them financial contributions. Her amazing journey has been marked by extraordinary encounters with the richest and poorest people on earth, from the famous Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama to the anonymous but unforgettable heroes of everyday life.

Irish Child Services Slammed

Services for young children in Ireland are among ' the worst in Europe", Fergus Finlay, chief executive of children's charity, Barnardos, has said.

According to Mr. Finlay, dental services, speech and language therapy and supports for children with special needs 'remain seriously under-developed'. Meanwhile thousands of children continue to live in consistent poverty.

A child is said to be living in poverty in Ireland if they and their family are living at 60% below the average income.

Simply put, we have children living in Ireland who are frequently cold and hungry, who may not have a bed to sleep on, who feel worthless from being constantly told that they don't have a future or any rights at all", Mr.Finlay said.

Bipolar Disorder - Stigma still a fear

About 40,000 people in Ireland have bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. This condition results in sustained high moods, followed by periods of sustained low moods.

Depression is often misunderstood by the public and the majority of people with bipolar disorder believe that the public are unaware of and do not understand the condition.

A recent survey, 'Thinking Ahead', was carried out by the World Federation for Mental Health. It involved 700 people with bipolar disorder across seven countries.

This survey is set to be repeated with service users in Ireland, and it is welcomed by organizations working with people who have bipolar disorder. The data could prove valuable in focusing discussion on treatment, diagnosis and service users needs.

The Irish survey will be extended to include both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and will be published in 2006.

Fingernail test for Osteoporosis

Diagnosis for Osteoporosis in the future looks as if it will not involve Dexa scans to measure bone mineral density. Researchers at the University of Limerick have developed a fingernail test to detect Osteoporosis in its early stages by measuring the disulphide bond content of the fingernail using Raman spectroscopy.