Reikiverse wrote:I wouldn't say that Chi_Solas. I was just pointing out some scientific information that maybe of use. Besides there was a time when science and spirit were one.

Reikiverse wrote:Godiva, It is wonderful that you connected with another fellow Reiki practitioner and a new teacher. Learning for the human species is not a solo exercise as we get the most out of it when it is done in a group.

Reikijim, I thought I would add some information for your comment on the relationship between connectedness and compassion in regards to each other. Here on the RLL there is a post called, "If the symbols are for intent & focus...", where rzukic posted a url for a video done by a neuroscientist called VS Ramachandran. In it Dr. Ramachandran talks about mirror neurons and how we can feel what another is feeling if our skin is numbed. As others on that post pointed out, we are truly connected at that point. Underlying problem lies at the very heart of we are doing now, communicating. The evolution of the human brain is the story of human communication. As our prefrontal cortex evolved so did our capacity to develop language. The basis for language is the use of symbolism. A symbol being anything that can convey a thought, idea, or feeling using a sensory trigger (think the five senses). Symbolism allows us to express complex ideas the problem comes when another human being becomes a symbol and not another human being. When a person becomes a symbol they are essentially an object and as such an object can be used, abused, and discarded without a second thought because they are not alive. To add insult to injury part of our learning is also rooted in this connectedness Dr. Ramachandran's work alluded to.

For those who are interested here are some links:

(11 min.) Dr VS Ramahcandran -- The neurons that shaped civilization
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0pwKzTRG5E

(53 min.) PBS - Nova - Ape Genius
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKbvzEjM_RE

(120 min.) Journey of Man a genetic Oddesy - Dr. Spencer Wells
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLh775nMBHQ

water flower wrote:I was taught not to bond, although it was and sort of still is my natural inclination to do so. The reason being is that if I ever want to attain YOGA (which is different from reiki), I need to detach from everyone.

That being said, I find it difficult at times. I started by reaching out to reiki circles. I eventually branched on my own w/ the group I follow, but generally I'm the only active person in my lineage and sometimes a relative of mine follows. It's hard to not have other fellow students practicing (which is really a Yoga program for me than a reiki program), but I have to let go of the desire that 'others will be there for me', which we all know that in life, even our closest family members are not there when we need them the most. It's tough. So far the volunteering is working and I had some tough, but good, lesson of having to do this on my own without my relative. The love from Source pulled me through the loneliness and the meditation practices help since I'm pretty much alone in this where I'm at. Too many times I want to quit. Maybe it's a good sign of detaching for spiritual growth purposes because in the end, it's not about the students, the group, the teacher, it's about loving and trusting Source completely. This is just my experience.