Connected across the worlds.

In October 2013 I traveled to Israel. Ben Gurion International Airport was the destination for beginning my “bucket list” trip. Road Scholar, formerly Elderhostel, was the host for this tour. For two glorious weeks I basked in the educational tour entitled “The Land of Israel: Past, Present, and Future: A Journey of Discovery.” 

2013 was the year I retired from teaching at Great Falls Central Catholic High School, in Great Falls, Montana, as the Religion teacher. My only regret, after I completed the trip to Israel, was not teaching one more year. A favorite of my classes (I taught all the students), was Scripture. Returning from the country of origin for Jesus, the Jewish Rabbi from the first millennia, it would have been fun to share the personal experiences I gained from the multiple tours I took.

If my memory serves me right, there were 25 of us on the bus that began in Tel Aviv on October 6 and ended in Tel Aviv on October 20. My fellow travelers were American, and the majority of them, were of eclectic Jewish backgrounds. I was the only Roman Catholic. We were people with all manner of educational experience and training. I wanted a historical understanding of the country Israel; a history that spread over the two thousand plus years. 

The sights and sounds of Jerusalem were fantastic. I saw and experienced the ancient city that is world renowned. I delighted in international foods and peoples who were the movers and shakers of the political clime present there. I heard the modern history of this powerful hub that is the center for all three Abrahamic faith traditions. I stood outside the Oil Press Art Gallery, 33 Jewish Quarter Road, Jerusalem, Israel 97500. It was there in 2004, that William Lee Rand of The International Center for Reiki Training, in Southfield, Michigan placed a Peace Grid. Time did not allow for me to go in and see it for myself. By the time I realized where I was standing, in its doorway, we were on the move.

Whenever or wherever I travel I like to know what amenities I get to sample. When we left Jerusalem on October 8, we drove to the Dead Sea. Known for its healing salt waters, people from all over Europe and Russia take part in the clinics there that assist people suffering from all manner of ills. I could not get my nose past the smell of the Sea, so I chose a powerful reflexology session with a sturdy Russian practitioner. She did not speak English and I did not speak Russian, but she knew her work and as a fellow reflexology practitioner, I knew she was worth more money that they charged. We explored Masada, the Qumran Caves and we lunched at Ein Gedi, kibbutz.

Modern Israel was established through the Zionist movement who recruited Jews to go to Israel and found the kibbutz system. A kibbutz is a communal settlement in Israel, typically a farm. The first kibbutz, Degania, was founded in 1910. These cooperative, agricultural farms sustained families of Jews who literally started from scratch, “picking rock” and tilling the soil by hand or with simple tools. The kibbutzim have changed over time, but they still outline the country of Israel. 

Day 9 of our tour we traveled to the Galilee in the north. For three nights we stayed at Lavi Kibbutz Hotel. I was so excited they offered Reiki as one of their amenities. I asked Cheryl, our Tour Leader, to make an appointment for me while we were still on route. I was scheduled for the second night. That is where I met Essie.

How is it two people from across the world, meet at a kibbutz in Israel, and share their thoughts & hearts so quickly and so passionately? There are times I sense her close to me, even now, especially when I am doing a Reiki session. Esther lives on Lavi Kibbutz.  I have no way of knowing and certainly no way of proving that she comes in spirit. But, I believe she is there, supporting the Energy of Reiki, giving a compassionate gaze, and assisting me in sustaining the beautiful gift of Reiki for whoever I am serving. Essie, wife, mother, and grandmother, trained nurses in Israel, so they could give healing touch to their patients. I wonder about those nurses trained in Reiki. Do they know if it helped them in the awful and strained days and months of the pandemic?

Reiki is a way of life, more than any other healing modality. It is a way to assist the practitioner as well as the client/patient. It never drains the practitioner, and it is always respectful of the client/patient. It goes where it needs to go. Furthermore, it gives and gives without giving out. It is as tiny as the smallest issue in the body and as huge as all of the universes. Reiki waits patiently to be invited in and when it comes its Energy flows peaceful, strong, and for one’s highest good.

Reiki also blessed two women from opposite ends of the world, from different faith traditions, living two different life styles. There is not a week that goes by that I am not grateful for the incredible gift of my Israeli trip. I had no way of knowing I would meet such a wonderful soul. I will not see her again on this side. I have no doubt, when my body leaves me, I will see and be seen by my Reiki practitioner and friend from Lavi Kibbutz.

When we left Lavi Kibbutz we had three more nights and we spent them in Tel Aviv, a beautiful city along the eastern edge of the equally beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Everywhere I went I met the friendliest and kindest of people. At the end of the trip, I was full to overflowing from the multiple experiences. A trip of a lifetime was everything I wanted and then some.

It is easy to judge the news we hear from this side of the world. It’s quite another thing to live that news within the context of a young country. Reiki heals. A peace grid is present in Jerusalem to amplify the prayer Energy. And people, like Essie, are there to hold the line and heal her world. I am challenged to do the same.