Who am I and why am I doing Reiki?
Like so many people, I have spent years searching for more meaning to my life, although I
can not say I have had an unhappy life. But since childhood, I knew without question I
could heal myself. If I had a headache, a stomachache, or just felt lousy in general, I could
quiet down my mind, and, slowly, all the pain or malaise drifted away, leaving this buzzing
little vacant feeling behind, where the pain was. Interestingly, I often times chose not to
use this gift. I would let myself be sick, because that was the only way to stay home from
school, a way to get more attention, you name it.
As I got older, I 'forgot' this amazing ability and felt as though I was a victim of illness, just
like everyone around me. I even expected the specific illnesses I saw so commonly in my
own family to be my natural path and destiny. Accepting such a destiny is mankind's most
common illusion.
Some part of my mind and heart remained connected to healing though, and off I went to
college for a degree in Chemistry, and then to graduate school, to become a doctor of
optometry. Oddly, I had changed my mind at the last minute from my premed path of
becoming a surgeon to that of becoming an optometrist instead... Because I did not like
the environment of hospitals and felt no one could get better there, I dropped my surgical
ambitions and headed for a career in which I could be in a more clinical setting. I believed
in communication and wanted an environment where I could talk with and connect to
patients, rather than knowing their diagnosis better than their name.
Although I have genuinely loved my field of practice and the patients I have had the honor
to meet, I was drawn to restart my search for a meaningful, healing pathway, starting in
1996. Since then, I have learned a number of different skills, all enhancing my personal
growth, but Reiki has made the biggest difference in my life. Reiki has become the
bookmark, nestled between the chapters of "My Life Before Reiki" and "My Life After
Reiki."
Although those that do Reiki and other energy work are referred to as "healers", I find it
very difficult to embrace this term. Friends have referred to me as a healer, but I have yet
to meet a human that possesses the incomprehensible knowledge necessary to mend
tissues on a cellular basis, to stop cancer cell proliferation, to open up the arterial lumen
to allow proper blood and associated oxygen flow. Physicians, however talented, have a
tool belt including toxins and other treatments that may or may not stop infection, may or
may not help normal cells win out over cancerous cells, may dilate arteries but with a
tremendous risk of unwanted side effects. As an eye doctor, I treat a huge number of
glaucoma patients, and yet I'm the first to admit that, regardless of the immeasurable
amount of research about this sight-threatening disease, we still do a lot of hoping for the
best when starting a patient on anti-glaucoma meds, unsure of resultant patient sensitivity,
toxicity or allergic reactions, efficacy of the medication. Empirical trial and error. That's
the best we have in all fields.
The Healer, however you may address this entity, is not us. If anything, Reiki has humbled
me to realize the great honor it is to be a Reiki Master. Master is also not one of my
favorite terms, but I use it in the traditional sense, a term bestowed after study, practice,
and attunements acquired in Reiki. I've yet to meet a true Master, in the broader sense.
Regardless the level of Reiki practice, I participate in the healing process, becoming a
channel for the One that actually does the healing. This Divine Entity has a knowledge
far greater than mine, so I guide nothing. The outcome of a session is decided, but not by
me. Funny how we call this level Reiki Master when in fact I master nothing during a
session. When I "do" Reiki, I actually do nothing. I am a clear and open channel, stepping
aside so the energy can achieve the healing for the highest good of all involved. Anyone
wanting to learn the practice and gift of Reiki should first and foremost check their ego at
the door. Our humility will allow the most advanced practice possible.
I embrace, whole-heartedly, the utter simplicity of this practice. My clients have been
surprised by how such a simple exercise provides relaxation, healing, peace. I approach
Reiki with humility, with an expectation of being of service to you, your future practice,
your self-healing. Reiki has heightened my spiritual quest to a level not previously
imagined, and I appreciate the love and beauty I now see that has been there the whole
time. I would love to hear the stories of Reiki practitioners that read my website. Sharing
experiences creates such a wonderful sense of community, and I have a strong desire to
help our Reiki community be just that.
I have also begun offering classes in other areas of interest: Meditation, which I've been
practicing since 1995 or 1996, and Chakra classes, to help others balance their energy. I
have been especially amazed at the ability I've discovered in reading angel cards. The
methodology for reading cards differs greatly from person to person, and I have been led
to read cards in a rather unique way that makes perfect sense to me.
I have had several gifted and loving teachers in a variety of fields and am thankful for all
they have given me over the years. One result of these lessons-- I practice Reiki every
single day, on myself and/or others. Although Reiki is not affiliated with any one religion,
it is a spiritual journey that awakens the soul. It is Divine Love and Light, and I
enthusiastically encourage you to experience this gift that our Reiki ancestor, Usui
Sensai, brought to our world.
Do not hesitate to ask questions regarding the Reiki, meditation, and chakras. Go here
to write me!!!
Like so many people, I have spent years searching for more meaning to my life, although I
can not say I have had an unhappy life. But since childhood, I knew without question I
could heal myself. If I had a headache, a stomachache, or just felt lousy in general, I could
quiet down my mind, and, slowly, all the pain or malaise drifted away, leaving this buzzing
little vacant feeling behind, where the pain was. Interestingly, I often times chose not to
use this gift. I would let myself be sick, because that was the only way to stay home from
school, a way to get more attention, you name it.
As I got older, I 'forgot' this amazing ability and felt as though I was a victim of illness, just
like everyone around me. I even expected the specific illnesses I saw so commonly in my
own family to be my natural path and destiny. Accepting such a destiny is mankind's most
common illusion.
Some part of my mind and heart remained connected to healing though, and off I went to
college for a degree in Chemistry, and then to graduate school, to become a doctor of
optometry. Oddly, I had changed my mind at the last minute from my premed path of
becoming a surgeon to that of becoming an optometrist instead... Because I did not like
the environment of hospitals and felt no one could get better there, I dropped my surgical
ambitions and headed for a career in which I could be in a more clinical setting. I believed
in communication and wanted an environment where I could talk with and connect to
patients, rather than knowing their diagnosis better than their name.
Although I have genuinely loved my field of practice and the patients I have had the honor
to meet, I was drawn to restart my search for a meaningful, healing pathway, starting in
1996. Since then, I have learned a number of different skills, all enhancing my personal
growth, but Reiki has made the biggest difference in my life. Reiki has become the
bookmark, nestled between the chapters of "My Life Before Reiki" and "My Life After
Reiki."
Although those that do Reiki and other energy work are referred to as "healers", I find it
very difficult to embrace this term. Friends have referred to me as a healer, but I have yet
to meet a human that possesses the incomprehensible knowledge necessary to mend
tissues on a cellular basis, to stop cancer cell proliferation, to open up the arterial lumen
to allow proper blood and associated oxygen flow. Physicians, however talented, have a
tool belt including toxins and other treatments that may or may not stop infection, may or
may not help normal cells win out over cancerous cells, may dilate arteries but with a
tremendous risk of unwanted side effects. As an eye doctor, I treat a huge number of
glaucoma patients, and yet I'm the first to admit that, regardless of the immeasurable
amount of research about this sight-threatening disease, we still do a lot of hoping for the
best when starting a patient on anti-glaucoma meds, unsure of resultant patient sensitivity,
toxicity or allergic reactions, efficacy of the medication. Empirical trial and error. That's
the best we have in all fields.
The Healer, however you may address this entity, is not us. If anything, Reiki has humbled
me to realize the great honor it is to be a Reiki Master. Master is also not one of my
favorite terms, but I use it in the traditional sense, a term bestowed after study, practice,
and attunements acquired in Reiki. I've yet to meet a true Master, in the broader sense.
Regardless the level of Reiki practice, I participate in the healing process, becoming a
channel for the One that actually does the healing. This Divine Entity has a knowledge
far greater than mine, so I guide nothing. The outcome of a session is decided, but not by
me. Funny how we call this level Reiki Master when in fact I master nothing during a
session. When I "do" Reiki, I actually do nothing. I am a clear and open channel, stepping
aside so the energy can achieve the healing for the highest good of all involved. Anyone
wanting to learn the practice and gift of Reiki should first and foremost check their ego at
the door. Our humility will allow the most advanced practice possible.
I embrace, whole-heartedly, the utter simplicity of this practice. My clients have been
surprised by how such a simple exercise provides relaxation, healing, peace. I approach
Reiki with humility, with an expectation of being of service to you, your future practice,
your self-healing. Reiki has heightened my spiritual quest to a level not previously
imagined, and I appreciate the love and beauty I now see that has been there the whole
time. I would love to hear the stories of Reiki practitioners that read my website. Sharing
experiences creates such a wonderful sense of community, and I have a strong desire to
help our Reiki community be just that.
I have also begun offering classes in other areas of interest: Meditation, which I've been
practicing since 1995 or 1996, and Chakra classes, to help others balance their energy. I
have been especially amazed at the ability I've discovered in reading angel cards. The
methodology for reading cards differs greatly from person to person, and I have been led
to read cards in a rather unique way that makes perfect sense to me.
I have had several gifted and loving teachers in a variety of fields and am thankful for all
they have given me over the years. One result of these lessons-- I practice Reiki every
single day, on myself and/or others. Although Reiki is not affiliated with any one religion,
it is a spiritual journey that awakens the soul. It is Divine Love and Light, and I
enthusiastically encourage you to experience this gift that our Reiki ancestor, Usui
Sensai, brought to our world.
Do not hesitate to ask questions regarding the Reiki, meditation, and chakras. Go here
to write me!!!
Spiritual quotes from enlightened minds... Pablo Picasso--- Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. Walt Whitman--- I exist as I am- that is enough; If no other in the world be aware, I sit content; And if each and all be aware, I sit content. Dr. Wayne W. Dyer--- Refuse to ever use the term “failure” again about yourself or anyone else. Remind yourself that when things didn’t go as planned you didn’t fail, you only produced a result. Oscar Wilde--- The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for. Khalil Gibran--- A traveler am I and a navigator, and every day I discover a new region within my soul. Sunny Johnston--- Your opinion of me is none of my business. Albert Einstein--- Imagination is more important than knowledge. Joseph Chilton Pearce--- To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. John Lennon--- All you need is love. Gautama Buddha--- Anguttara Nikaya Vol. I, pp. 188- 193, R.T.S. Ed Do not believe in anything (simply) because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything (simply) because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and conducive to the good and benefit of one and all then accept it and live up to it. Andrew Weil, M.D.---- Improper breathing is a common cause of ill health. Robin Norwood--- What was at one point considered a confining prison later becomes a gateway into realization. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama--- But though anger brings us more energy, that energy is essentially a blind one. There is no guarantee that that energy will not become destructive to our own interests. Therefore, hatred and anger are not at all useful. Mariana Caplan-- At the level of essence, everyone is equal. Period. It is the law of non-duality. There is no need to argue this point, nor to react against it. To do so would be to refute the sages and mystics of every tradition in every time, as well as the truth we all know within us if we dare to admit it. It just is, and every true teacher knows this. If they don’t, they are not true teachers. At the most essential level of existence, the teacher is no different from the student. |
| Remember the power of our words and affirmations- We have the power to affirm injury, illness, desperation, and depression. Use this inherent gift to affirm prosperity, love, satisfaction, and understanding. Be empowered and make a difference. It is always your choice. |
| with Barbara |
| Reiki |
| original acrylic painting by Barbara Lee "Alaskan Polar Bear" |
| Nebraska winter sunset |
| Barbara Lee: Who am I? *Reiki Teacher, "master", practitioner *Meditation Teacher, practitioner *Angel card reader *Painter/artist *Photographer *Reader/writer *Hiker/walker/lover of the outdoors *Animal lover *Doctor *Volunteer *Wife/daughter/sister/friend *Cornhusker |
| Barb and Eric's sidekick, Harley, enjoying a beach outside San Diego (1992-2007) |
| see links to animal shelters on Services page |
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