With so many Reiki camps under its belt and having attuned more than a thousand people to Reiki, Lotus Healing Seva Group, Kenya, decided to do a different kind of Seva. On 29th May, we hosted our little Reiki healers from Mukuru along with a few adults and Josephine who runs the Mukuru Outreach Centre, and our young Reiki healers from Hawkers Market Girls Centre including Isabella who runs the centre, to a day out at the Karura Forest in Nairobi.
Nineteen LHSG members and 3 HMGC girls gathered together under the trees in Karura Forest at 9 am to carry out the weekly healing on the cold, cold morning. We were soon joined by our guests from Mukuru and HMGC, all ready and excited to participate in whatever was in store for them!
First, the importance of the environment was discussed, then the value of healing nature with Reiki. Next they were shown how to bless water in bottles with positive thoughts and emotions like Love, Forgiveness … etc. Then they were shown how to water a tree with love by pouring the water over their hands and onto the tree as they chanted ‘Aum, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti’. Then in groups led by LHSG members they walked to LHSG’s plot of trees to water the trees planted by us 2 years ago.
After that we all trooped down to Lily Lake … only to discover it didn’t look like a lake at all … it had all but dried up … Wel,l we proceeded to pour the blessed water into the lake, knowing that its message of love and peace will reach all waters in the world, and from there into peoples’ hearts and mind.
Hugging of trees came next … all the way back to our picnic spot! The children just could not get over the joy of hugging trees and telling them ‘I Love You’. They hugged almost every tree as they walked back. The boys did even more … in no time they had hugged, and then climbed the trees ….
Back at our picnic area, Lunch of a vegetable burgers and samosas was served after which the girls were invested into Girl Guiding.
And then it was all systems go! Nobody could stop them from running around free on the field and playing on the slides and swings! We left them with some cakes and biscuits to have before they went home at 3 pm.
My impressions of that day? They are in my mind and heart. Nothing can compare to the catch I felt in my heart as I witnessed the pure joy on the faces of these angels. Nothing even comes close! Suffice it to say that there were many many grateful hearts that day.
Please read the contributions of other LHSG members below and the feelings and experiences of the girls from the Hawkers Market Girls Centr AND the photographs below!
Kamal Tolia
LHSG members …
Rashmeen ………This picnic would be the most cherished memory of my (as healers) life. Though we didn’t heal or help anyone but we just try to give some children the best day of their lives till that day. To give a gift of healing is magnificent but to give a gift of happiness is beyond words, in total humility. These are my exact emotions after this wonderful time at Karura. I am so grateful to be a part of it. These little healers were totally involved in blessing the trees and healing the lake. The most touching moment was when they hugged the trees as if they are pouring out all their pain and smiling with eyes closed. Their smiles and laughter will always remain etched in my memory.
Thank you LHSG for giving me this opportunity.
Mamta ……. Our day at Karura Forest was totally gratifying! The children from Mukuru were very enthusiastic and open to embrace what we taught them.They watered the trees with blessed water and gave them Reiki. They poured the blessed water into the Lily lake praying for peace. It was lovely to watch these beautiful children hugging trees and shouting out “I love you”. It was fun to be a child again with them and play games around the trees. They enjoyed the lunch we took for them and were very grateful for this day out! I loved the moment when the 10 children in my group and I huddled together in a group hug before we left. We left from Karura with our hearts full of joy and gratitude to the universe for this beautiful sewa opportunity. Even thinking about it still makes me smile!
Nuri ……. What beautiful, pleasant, love-heart beating experience… My first ever at Karura Forest. Having never made it to any of the previous visits, I was looking forward to the event !!
We begun our Meeting at 9am, including all our Thursday prayers in a neat way, so as not to miss any of our weekly obligations !! Being one with nature, I felt as if all my requests, intentions, were being immersed with the Universe’s Light and Energy… I loved it so much and felt so much love and peace!!
Then at 10 am, the 67 Mukuru children, aged between 7 and 12 arrived in their brown uniforms. There was also an young adult group of Girl Guides and Teachers for both the groups. They didn’t need any invitation. They just settled in the Circle of Light, as if that was where they were meant to be !! They had all done Reiki so it was just as if they were home !! Our Teacher, Kamal talked to them and they responded with such amazing understanding and maturity, I felt we were all one big soul. They were explained about the Environment and the glorifying of Nature through positive thoughts and water.. The children of the world, understood all that was being said. The charging of trees and lake was done in groups of 10 with Team Leaders from the Ethereal Group. The Bonding between ‘child and adult’ become a happy and fulfilling experience.
Where did the time go… I enjoyed every second of the time we were together !!
Thank you so much Reiki and Kamaljee for bringing together nature and humans !! Love and Light
Sheela …… Yesterday’s meeting at the Karura forest was an extra special one not only because of the children being there….. it is also because of being outdoors in Karura. For some reason it always feels magical when Reiki and Nature come together.
The children were absolutely one with nature too and could observe this in their relaxed and happy behavior whilst partaking in healing the trees and lake.
I thank you my fellow members for this beautiful opportunity and hope we can do such activities often. Last but not least, my humble gratitude to the universe and Reiki for blessing us with brilliant weather through out. LnL
Shariffa ….. Reaction of the Girls to being in a forest
The girls from the Hawkers Market were very excited to,be in Karura forest. They learnt the names of five trees they see very day but had never identified Common trees like Jacaranda, Mimosa, Bombax and Gravillea.
They were also surprised that all the waters of the earth were connected.
It was very special for them to be part of the whole group of Lotus Healing Seva Group. It gave theme the confidence to share and speak up in public.
We at HMGC are so grateful for this wonderful,opportunity to be treated to being out in the open on a,lovely Nairobi cool and fresh day.
It is an opportunity that comes to us rarely to be treated to an outing with a delicious lunch We learnt how to bless the trees and the waters of the earth A spiritual, uplifting day out in the open.
We were lucky to be invested as Girl Guides in such a special day together with the Girl Guides from Makuru,who,are very well trained, thanks to Milkah Njagi and Martina.
Singing together and saying our promise and Law together was indeed a very special Thank you Anna Bagangi, KGGA national trainer for investing all the girls.
Thank you LHSG for making it all possible, travel, lunch, Seva and a seamless well organised event . A memorable day for all of us.
Kamalji your,preparation and guidance was impeccable, together with your team.
LHSG did it again. Yet another opportunity to learn to be punctual and take responsibility for themselves.
Bindi …….The best concept about this Sewa was that instead of providing the children with material things, we gave them two things,which is rare this days-Time and bringing them in touch with the Nature.
I felt fulfilled and rewarded when we all were saying goodbye, the children in my group came up to me, said thank you and gave me hugs. My heart just welled up by that validation. How humble and grounded I felt, can’t even express.
Thank you kamal Aunty for giving us this opportunity. warm Regards
Jayantee …… Staying, praying and healing in the lap of nature was a novel experience for me. I felt energised and truly blessed and felt the happiness of the youngsters and children around me. I’m sure they will remember this experience for a long time to come. LNL
HMGC girls …….
Caroline Muthoni …. Am now finding Reiki to be very much interesting in my life by being educated more about it by being shown how I can use it. I never knew we can bless or water tree with water that we have gave Reiki. Same to lake it was a good experiencing to learn how I can water the tree and lake and how to connect to all the waters in the earth. Thank to Mrs. Kamal Tolia and her group for minding and caring for us most by even booking Karura forest because it was my first time to be in Karura forest it was also fun meeting Mukuru students. Thank you we and ill use Reiki for healing everything.
Antonia Peter …… What I experienced at Karura forest was how Reiki can be used on different things.We did Reiki to trees and learnt how Reiki helps trees. First, Reiki helps them be healthy and strong. We blessed the water and watered the trees as a show of blessing them in order to grow well.We also watered the water Lilly at the lake so as to give them strength and to connect with all the waters in the earth .I also learnt the importance of planting trees and we were encouraged to plant more trees because they bring rainfall, fresh air and also makes a place cool.We were also told the purpose of different trees like they are used for medicinal purposes. We were also enrolled as a Girl Guide. Sincerely, it was a good experience I have ever had.
Sharon Makokha …… MY EXPERIENCE AT KARURA FOREST
First I would like to thank Professor Wangari Mathai for that idea by not letting anyone to cut down trees and encouraging them to plant more trees. I saw many trees for example eucalyptus, cypress. I blessed water which I used to water the trees in order to grow well. Trees are very important for human life for example they provide shades some used as medicinal and some provide fruits for human beings and animals. Trees are also home for some animals. I saw lily Lake which has water lilies which are beautiful .I learnt that trees should not be cut down because if you cut them is a result of polluting environment and it also source of income in the country. I was also enrolled as a Girl Guide all this was possible because I belong to Reiki group.
Sara Kundu ….. MY EXEPERIENCE AT KARURA FOREST
At Karura forest, I experienced a lot of things. First of all, I really enjoyed visiting Lily Lake whereby I found that Lily Lake consists of green plants and it was a peaceful environment. Some of the plants had flowers which were really glittering. After visiting the Lake, I enjoyed hugging trees this symbolizes that I was showing love to trees. Watering trees actually showed me a lot of experiences, without planting of trees and watering of small trees planted by Reiki members, we cannot enjoy our environment. I saw some different species of plants e.g mtundu, mtungu and umbrella tree.
Cyrene Mukai …….The place was beautiful enough. There was a lake called Lily Lake. There are many types of trees and even we watered some which were planted two years ago. We enjoyed ourselves swigging and playing football and on the see saw. The trees had fresh air .We enjoyed eating burger since we never had such a lunch. We were also enrolled as Girl Guides. We hugged the trees by giving them love. We were told the important of planting trees our role model being Wangari Mathai. Itwas really remarkable experience I have ever had thanks to Reiki members for organizing the trip and educating us on our environment.
Anne Obado …… First I appreciate for the chance I got to be at the karura forest. The food and the time our guest sacrificed to be with us. My experience was fantastic and I enjoyed every second I spend there. Mostly I enjoyed watering the trees and the lake, which we blessed and gave all our happiness for them to have a good growth full of life, for the trees and the lake to spread the blessing to all other sources in the world. We also had the chance to hug and kiss the trees, which were so beautiful because it’s a once in a lifetime thing to do. Gradually my experience was wow and I can’t wait to get another chance to go there again. THANKS to Reiki.
Eunice Brenda …….. My experience at karura forest, it was very great to me. I really enjoyed being around the trees; I learnt many different trees like mimosa and other trees. I was very happy watering the trees and even the lake, which we blessed by giving Reiki. Mrs. Kamal Tolia told us that it is very good to have the trees, because they are giving us oxygen and also rain, we have to love the trees and give them good health also I enjoyed eating the food, Even the enrollment of Guiding it was very fantastic to experience. It was exciting to sit in a group of many people and share a lot with them and it was really amazing and encouraging.
Jane Njoki ….. It was a fantastic day that I had never seen. It was the fist time to be in karura forest, my first and experience I had ever had. The forest was quite and neat, the trees were so green and neatly arranged. We water the trees giving them the good health so that can grow well, we enjoyed hugging the trees so that they can have good health that wished for them. Trees are better than anything in life, they give us life and we should plant more trees everyday. Thank you Lotus Healing Seva group for such a wonderful trip and the teaching.
Beryl Atieno …….. I enjoyed when we did Reiki to the water and then pour the water to the trees so that they can be healthy the remaining water we took to the Lake to connect with all waters and hugging trees. The forest was very cool. There were nice trees which bring rain, and which help us with shade again they helping us in building and making furniture I enjoy the trip at karura forest and the food, I made friend with children from Mukuru center I was also enrolled to be a Girl Guide I was very happy to be a Girl Guide.
Jacinta Nyaboke ….. I really enjoyed being around trees; I saw many different trees that I had never seen before. I enjoyed the cool breeze around the forest. I enjoyed watering the trees, and even blessing the lake. It was exciting to sit in a group and enjoy our lunch together. I came to realize that, it is good to plant many trees because they help us in many different ways like; bringing us rain, provide beauty to the environment and even bring income. I like trees and I will always encourage people to plant more trees. Thanks to Reiki
Lillian Oyuka ……. It was a fantastic day that I had never seen. It was the fist time to be in karura forest, my first and experience I had ever had. The forest was quite and neat, the trees were so green and neatly arranged. We water the trees giving them the good health so that can grow well, we enjoyed hugging the trees so that they can have good health that wished for them. Trees are better than anything in life, they give us life and we should plant more trees everyday. I learnt all this through Reiki thanks to them.
Romona Nduta …… My experience at Karura forest was so great and wonderful which made me as happy as a king. First I want to thank Miss Kamal Tolia and Mrs. Keshavjee for inviting us to karura forest. It was amazing day, which I will never forget in my life. There were different types of trees with different colors, which I had never seen in my life. Also they taught us how to give the trees good health, blessing and even watering the young trees. After finishing dealing with trees they took us to the Lake where we bless water together with plants. And also inside the there were plants, which were very beautiful example water lily and water hyacinth. Even I was happy to be enrolled as a full Girl Guide. Thank you.
PHOTO GALLERY:
‘…..To give a gift of healing is magnificent but to give a gift of happiness is beyond words, in total humility..’ Very Powerful from Master Kamal Tolia. I like the photos, a total evidence of the of happiness.