2017 Celebration of Reiki Conference: "Soul Igniting"

by Guest Author, Gretchen Dunoyer (first-time Conference participant)

I had been looking forward to the 2017 Celebration of Reiki Conference for quite some time and once there, it exceeded all of my expectations.

In 2012, I took Reiki 1 and Reiki 2 courses and had incorporated Reiki into my life mainly as a self-care practice.  However, I had fallen out of this daily self-practice about a year ago. The 2017 Reiki conference (my first one!) felt like a profound "re-awakening" of the Reiki energy inside of me. 

From the very first moment I stepped into the hotel lobby – meandering through the beautiful lane of vendors exhibiting gorgeous crystals and stones, books and tapestries, skin and home care products, cards, CDs and jewelry – I knew I was in the right place and with "my tribe." Everyone I encountered, from conference staff to fellow attendees, were open-hearted and compassionate, interesting and unique.

And then…. Bam!! Frans Stiene!!! Wow. His talk was mind-blowing and soul igniting for me. I felt as if I was receiving a Reiki healing from him, as well as from all of the powerful and beautiful Reiki practitioners around me. I had never heard or taken in the Reiki precepts in such a deep way. I am so grateful. From Frans' talk, I continued to take in and savor the rest of the day and learned so much. Yet the learning was not just "in the mind," but also in my spirit and body and deep in my cells. ​

Since the conference, I have joyously reinstated my daily self Reiki practice and feel inspired to further my Reiki studies in some fashion, which I know will become clearer to me in coming days and months. I am so grateful to Elise Brenner, my gifted and all-compassionate Reiki practitioner over the years, for all of her work in creating and continuing this fabulous gathering. I am grateful for all who put this conference together.  

Lastly, the conclusion of the conference day with the Medicine Buddha Chant was a highlight for me and continues to resonate within me. I very much look forward to next year's Celebration of Reiki Conference 2018!! I look forward to spending more time with this "tribe" of great, bright lights. Much peace and love to you all.