A Way Back Interview from Jan 2007

I had almost forgotten this interview that I did for Mind-Energy Net a couple of years ago. The strange thing is, I don't think many of my answers would change if I did the interview over again.
:)

I’m glad to announce my fifth interview for Mind-Enegy.net. Today I’m posting the interview of Bonnie Adam. Bonnie is a Tibeten -Usui and Karuna® Reiki Master, and also does psychic readings. She started reading professionally about 8 years ago. She read for friends for a few years before that. She has been doing Reiki for about 7 years and teaching Reiki and workshops for 3 years. She has an office in lovely downtown Guelph, Ontario, Canada. For more information about Bonnie go to http://www.pathwayshealing.com/ or check out her 2 blogs http://psychicsarepeopletoo.blogspot.com/, or http://www.healinghands-bonnie.blogspot.com/. She try to update them frequently, but the kids, the dog, her partner and her business do require quite a bit of attention. Enjoy it.

How have you discovered that you want to be a healer and a psychic? Did you develop your psychic power or was discovered “by accident”?

I have had ‘psychic’ experiences since childhood. I would be aware of spiritual beings, and I would hear things and see things that others did not. It was quite confusing as a child as I would be told by the adults around me that I was imagining things. I eventually seemed to have shut down my abilities, but they returned quite strongly when I was in my late teens. I would be aware of the spirits, and I would know that they were trying to communicate with me. It took a few years of practice and meditation before I was able to interpret the messages they were trying to send.

I learned about Reiki in 1997. My infant daughter needed surgery and she was in quite a lot of pain. I was guided to use my hands to try and sooth her, and her pain seemed to diminish. Very soon after that I was looking through a continuing education brochure and saw a class on Reiki. When I read the description I knew that I had been trying to do Reiki for my daughter, and signed up!

Why did you study Reiki? What’s special about Reiki?

I studied Reiki at first because of a desire to help myself, my family and my friends. I had been looking for another career direction as well. When I had my first attunement I had a vision of myself as a Reiki Master teaching others and I knew I had found my place.

Reiki is a beautifully simple and effective complimentary therapy for almost any condition. It soothes pain, decreases inflammation, relaxes tense muscles, and reduces stress. I have never had anyone who did not receive benefits from even 5 minutes of Reiki.

The thing I find most amazing about Reiki is the simplicity. There is no way to do harm with Reiki, so it is really one of the only therapies that is 100 % safe.

Why are there so many different Reiki variations?

Reiki is an extremely creative energy. It’s uses are endless. In most places it was also passed down verbally, so variations would naturally develop. Part of the Reiki philosophy is that all lineages are accepted as valid as long as the intent is for good.

Why only an attunement is necessary for being a Reiki practitioner, while other require development of energy through inner work? Isn’t it a path to “not qualified” practitioners? Isn’t it too easy?

That depends where you train. You can get an attunement over the internet if you wish, but you are not going to get any quality training that way. In most places Reiki is not regulated. So there is a little bit of ‘buyer beware’ as far as Reiki goes. I would suggest anyone looking for a practitioner ask a lot of questions and find out how much training the practitioner has, where they trained and if they are registered with any professional organizations.

I am in Canada and a registered teacher with the Canadian Reiki Association In the United States I would recommend The International Centre for Reiki Training as a quality Reiki organization.

Each level of Reiki is more like an initiation. You are given the attunement and taught the basics of the level. There should be practice time required before moving through the levels if you are learning from a reputable Reiki Master. Students should be offered ongoing support and opportunities for practice.

What other healing modalities have you studied? How do you compare them?

I do lots of research and read up on other modalities, and I have taken extensive workshops on 3 different kinds of Reiki and other energy work. I am also trained in Learning Path Integrated Technique and Sound Healing.

I have received sessions in quite a few other healing modalities as well. As for as working with and giving the therapy; to me Reiki is the easiest to learn and send. It also seems just as effective as other therapies I have tried, if not more effective. I have also found it has many advantages even when related to more traditional treatments.

For example, Reiki can relieve a basic tension headache in about 15 minutes. It takes that long for most pain medications to take effect, and they are harmful for your liver and digestion.

It is especially beneficial to anyone who cannot use other methods to help themselves. If a person requires a medication that results in many side effects eg. chemotherapy Reiki can help with the side effects and still not interfere with the medication. Some people e.g.. fibromyalgia and osteoporosis sufferers have very tight and sore muscles but cannot take the physical stress of a massage, but they can enjoy Reiki, as it is much gentler.

Tell some great success stories from your Reiki practice.

I have seen clients completely change their lives because of their experience with Reiki. I have seen abused women walk away from their partners because of their new-found value for themselves. I have seen a client with Multiple Sclerosis limp in my door with a leg brace and walk out without the brace. He later called to say he had been on a 3 hour hike that afternoon.

I have clients with MS, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, cancer, arthritis, and other debilitating and sometimes chronic problems find relief from their pain. Everyone has experienced relief at varying levels. Some had immediate relief with pain never returning and others had relief for a few hours, or a few days or weeks. I once stopped a very bad nose bleed in about 20 seconds. I have insomniacs call back to say they’ve been sleeping like babies. I also have extremely fatigued clients call back to say they have more energy than they know what to do with.

Being a healer, what does it require from a person?

It requires a dedication to keeping yourself centered and clear enough to be an open channel. Daily meditation and lots of self care are essential. You have to be reliable and responsible to the client.

There is sometimes a misconception that a Reiki practitioner or a psychic must be making tonnes of money. In my area most practitioners charge around the same amount as I do. I charge $60 for a new Reiki client, and $50 for a reading. The thing most people don’t know is that we cannot see client after client, day after day.

The maximum number of people I see in a week (Reiki or Readings) is between 8 and 10. That is about all I can reasonably handle in a week. If I work with more clients than that I am not at my best and I cannot do quality work. The Reiki work is a little easier for me, but it is still quite a lot of energy to be in that role of support for a client. The psychic work is very draining for me, so I have to be very careful not to overdo it and schedule accordingly.

Tell about your psychic readings practice.

I read from an oracle deck. The images on the cards speak to me. Particular parts of the cards will draw me in. I also sense the presence of guides and spirits, who will send me information. I try to send on the information in as pure a form as possible. I just describe the images and repeat the words as I hear them. I will tell people what I think it all means, but I make it very clear that they can interpret the information in whatever way feels right to them. It is a little intimidating at times. When I do a reading I often feel as if I am watching the whole thing from a distance. Words come out of my mouth and I have no idea where they come from. I rarely remember what I have said to people. People come back weeks, months and years later and tell me that things that I predicted have happened, and it is a little scary.

How do connect to the other side? What do you feel when channelling?

Thanks for that question. I think that people have an idea that psychics just walk around knowing everything and that we are always connected. It’s not that easy.

I have a little relaxation routine that I use to relax and let my mind open. I meditate and try to open my chakra system. Especially my third eye and crown chakras. I shuffle my cards and then I just listen. It takes an enormous amount of trust to let the process happen, and be willing to repeat what you are getting. I often have no idea if I am right, wrong or insane for most of the reading. Most times I only find out afterwards if what I have said has any meaning to the client.

You give aura reading workshops. Do you see auras? Can you teach a person to perceive other’s auras?

I do see auras. But it is similar to the above question. I don’t walk around seeing every one’s aura. I have to focus in and try to see them. The routine is very similar to doing a reading for me.

The funny thing is that I see more with my eyes closed. I will look at a person and then either look at them with my peripheral vision, or with my eyes closed. Then I see the colours off to one side, or with my third eye. Almost like the colours are being projected into my forehead when I close my eyes.

I have taught others to see auras. Some see with their eyes open, and some with their eyes closed like me. Some people may not see the aura right away, so then I will teach them to sense the aura with their hands first, and get them to continue to practice. No one has failed yet.

What goals do you set for yourself as a healer and a psychic?

My first goal is to be of help to people. I want to see everyone healthy and happy.

I am also very concerned about keeping fees at a reasonable level. These services should not only be reserved for the well-off. I must earn a living as well, but I feel it is possible to do that without charging exorbitant amounts of money.

I find it very important to present my combined professions in a positive and realistic light to the community. I try very hard to earn respect for Reiki as a therapy. I also would like to improve the reputation of intuitive and psychic readers. There are so many good readers out there, but sadly, there are far too many bad/fake ones.

In some ways my greatest goal is to work myself out of a job. Everyone can learn Reiki. It is such a wonderful tool to have at your disposal to help yourself and your family and friends.

I also believe that everyone can learn to be more intuitive. We can all learn to listen to those messages and follow the guidance. My services would not be needed anymore if everyone would open their minds to the possibilities and take the time to learn the skills. It is true, that some of us are born already connected to those abilities, but we could all develop some kind of ability and try to learn to help ourselves.

You have a blog (or two?). Why have decided to write a blog?

I do have two blogs. http://psychicsarepeopletoo.blogspot.com/, and http://www.healinghands-bonnie.blogspot.com/ .

I started the psychic blog because I got a lot of the same questions from people all the time. I just wanted to put the answers somewhere they could be accessible to all. I chose the name ‘Psychics Are People Too’ because I wanted people to know that I am just a regular person. I have a family, I have friends, I go grocery shopping and I clean the toilet. I like to go out on a Friday night. I run my own business and I try to make ends meet.

Healing Hands came about because I felt I could do the same thing there. Answer some common questions, and just let people read about some of my experiences. The whole thing becomes less mysterious when you can read someone’s personal stories.

One of the benefits of writing a blog is that it gives you a place to creatively express your thoughts. It has a therapeutic aspect to it as well.

What were the benefits of getting a blog for your business?

I do, of course, have some hope that people might read my blog and decide to book an appointment with me, or take one of my workshops.

It gives me another forum to communicate with the public. People get a chance to get to know me a bit if they are interested in coming to see me. It’s great when people leave comments and ask questions. I’d love to see more discussion. I also hope that the blog might just put me up a bit on the search engines. I have more sites out there with my name on them.

Thanks, Bonnie for your interview. Read more interviews that I've done by clicking on interviews

Interview with Bonnie on CFRU Radio

Listen to the link for my radio debut!
Click here to listen.

Psychic Development and Intuition

Everyone has psychic abilities. Yes, everyone!
Some people seem to be able to access them naturally and others have to work a little harder at it. Want to learn more?
I know that if I teach others how to become more intuitive I will be basically working myself out of a job, but I will do it anyways. I believe that by becoming more in-tune with your inner spirit (and with the outer spirits) you will be able to live a happier and more fulfilled life.
Tuning into your natural abilities not only helps you to feel happier and more balanced, it helps you to make practical life decisions. When you learn to listen to yourself and the guidance that exists all around you, your confidence increases. You begin to know when you are heading in the right direction. You become more aware of your environment, the people in it, and how you are interacting with them. You begin to be able to make simple and practical predictions that can help keep you out of trouble and moving towards a positive future.
I believe that my path is to help people to be happy, so I am moving in that direction on my own path by offering some classes.
I will be offering monthly Intuition Development classes starting on March 19th at my Guelph office. 7:30 to 9:00 pm The class will repeat on the 3rd Thursday of each month. We will have different topics each month and we will do exercises designed to relax and open the sub-conscious.
The first topic will be "How to Relax and Tune In."
I want these classes to be open and accessible for all so I am keeping the requested donation as low as I can. I am requesting $10 per person. If you let me know you are coming I will try to have enough chairs out ahead of time. 519-265-7440 or email bonnie@pathwayshealing.com
See my website for more details.
Hope to see you!

Past Lives; Who were you before you were you?

The concept of past lives and reincarnation is not a new age phenomena. Most major religions have some concept of reincarnation. Strangely enough, the concept was removed from the Christian bible somewhere around the 5th century.
One of the funniest and most profound stories of reincarnation I ever heard of came from my son. He was about 3 years old at the time. I hadn't discussed such things with him because I thought he was too young to grasp the concept.
We were driving somewhere in the car, when out of the blue he said, "Mommy, how come I was big and now I am little?" I didn't get what he was talking about at first, and asked him to repeat what he had said. He expanded, "I was big and my (older)brother and sister were little, and I was at your house, and then I got little again. I didn't want to get little again Mommy!" He was a little peeved that he was little again. It seemed like a big inconvenience to him. He went on to say that he wanted to be bigger than his brother and sister like he was before and he was mad that he had to get little again.
I don't really recall the response I had for him. I was more than a little shocked at his revelations!

In Times of Trouble

In the last year or so there have been challenges for so many people on so many levels it is hard to even keep track.
In my personal and business relationships and friendships I have seen many people struggling. They struggle with relationships, work situations and finances on the surface, but underneath it all there is an energy at work.
If you are at all familiar with the tarot, you might recognize the energy of The Tower card at work. This story applies to many at this time. It could apply to you in your personal life, in your relationships, in your workplace, or in your bank account, or it could also easily describe what it happening in the US economy. I'll let you decide how it applies to your own life.
The story of the Tower goes something like this. The Tower has been built over many years. The labour and the sweat of building the Tower has been great. Many have sacrificed in order to help the Tower to stand. The Tower may often have been a source of great anxiety, anger and fear. Some feel they have been taken advantage of for the sake of the Tower and that their rights and feelings have been put aside in favour of building this huge structure that now looms over them.
When the Tower card comes up in a reading, it signifies that their is explosive change. It will be messy and unpleasant. It will be frightening. But, the good side is that there will be a cleansing process to follow. There will no longer be a huge Tower looming over the people and taking their resources to keep itself standing. No one will need to fight over the tower or protect it. The people involved will no longer have to maintain the Tower.
Once the mess is cleaned up, there will be new opportunity, and usually the card signifies a healthier rebuilding process.
Humans are resourceful. We recover and we rebuild. Hopefully we learn from our mistakes and try not to over-extend ourselves to maintain structures that serve no purpose other than vanity and pride.
In these times of trouble I am trying to keep the message of the Tower in my mind. I want to remember the lessons and try to apply them to my own life. I hope our political and economic leaders learn some lessons from the current troubles in our world. It is time to face the mess that has been made and start the cleanup process.
Let's try to rebuild something with more balance to it that serves the interests of people, rather than artificial structures.

Readings by Phone

I am starting to do readings by phone. It is about time for me to expand beyond private readings, and email readings. It is not that I have not done phone readings in the past. I have, and my clients have been happy with the results. It was just something I hadn't designed a process for and fit into my schedule yet. Every time I offer a new service I have to update my website etc. and things do get pushed onto the back burner.
So all of you who have been waiting, give me a call! I will arrange an appointment time for a phone reading with you! Check my website for the details...www.pathwayshealing.com Smiles, hugs and well wishes to you!

Some Channeled Writing

I haven't been writing her in a while, but this came to me last week. The next day it became clear who the writing was for. Even though it may be meaningful to others as well.

Please excuse my lack of poetic skill, this is just the way it came through. I haven't changed anything.

For Mary and Her Sister

written on Sept. 11, 2008

Those who are gone from this plane

No longer have pain or sorrow or fear

They no longer ask why or when or how

They remember their time here with nostalgia

They remember their time here with joy and grace

For this is the place of loving and giving of grace

The place of learning and growing, tasting and trying

Physical, earth and ground

Both immersing soul and spirit

Out there, spirit floats, free

Drifting and swaying, chanting and praying

No home, no place, only spirit and grace

There is work to do in either place

Separation is the true cause of pain

To let go of disharmony

Unity in all things

In all ways, in all places

In all questions and all answers

Our very nature draws us to this and only this

If anger and fear fester and grow

Recognize how they cling to you and let them go

As you would with a child

Allow them to grow up and go so they can be as one

Happy Hillside

It seems that the Hillside Festival was a success as usual. The music and people were all wonderful. Thanks to everyone who came out to see my workshop and try a sound meditation. Even with the challenges of background noise and a torrential downpour it seemed that everyone came out of the workshop feeling relaxed and refreshed. Let's carry that feeling forward into the rest of the days ahead!

Meditation Workshop

See Bonnie at Hillside Festival on the weekend of July 26th and 27th, 2008! She will be giving a workshop on meditation and sound healing. The festival is held at Guelph Lake Conservation area. Check the Hillside website for details.

What does it take to be a Psychic?

People often ask, "What do you have to do to be psychic?"
The answer is simpler than you may think.
You have to listen. It's really that simple. There are good listeners and not so good listeners in the world. You've all been involved in those conversations when you are not with a good listener. I'm sure you can remember talking to someone and realizing that they were just not getting what you were trying to say. Or, worse yet are the ones who constantly interrupt. It seems we humans have a hard time shutting up and allowing others to speak.
What a psychic has to learn is how to shut up their mind so that they can receive the messages. There are a few tricks to it. You have to learn how your psyche is wired and how you are going to receive the info. Eg. some people are clairvoyant(clear-seeing), some are clairaudient (clear-hearing), and some are sensory(physically sensing). Others use a combination of these abilities. I use simple exercises to help people figure these things out, and then it's up to them to practice the listening part. For more information, see my book on Aura Reading! It's great fun, interesting and useful.

Aura Reading Book

My book on aura reading is available in hard copy as well as pdf!
This book is a very comprehensive manual on how to see auras and how to read them and it can be yours for only $20.
For more information click here.

I have just watched a video about a woman who is a brain scientist who suffered a stroke. She explains how the two sides of the brain work and what happened to her when she lost the left (logical/analytical) side of her brain.
What really got me was when she was describing the "out of body" feelings she was having when she did not have control of her left brain. What she describes is very much like what I have felt after doing too many readings at a psychic fair. The inability to figure out where your body begins and ends, and where the walls and floors begin and end was quite familiar to me. (And people keep asking why I am taking a break from doing readings. Maybe this will help them to understand.)
Anyway, it's about 15 minutes to watch. Bring the tissue box along! Watch it on Healing Hands
:)
Bonnie

The Human Body Energy Centers, Beautiful! (1 of 3)

For anyone who would like to learn more about the Chakra System, here is a great video series...

The Human Body Energy Centers, Beautiful! (2 of 3)

The Human Body Energy Centers, Beautiful! (3 of 3)

Psychic Protection

Next on the agenda....Psychic Protection!

This is something I am asked about quite often in my line of work. People come to see me and are concerned that they may be under some kind of negative influence or attack. They feel their energy is being drained or that some kind of force is dragging them down. They may be bombarded by one misfortune after another, or in some cases, they may actually find themselves physically influenced by unseen forces. They are often unsure if it is coming from another person or from some kind of spiritual being.

Thankfully, I now provide some answers in one simple-to-use package! My new e-book Psychic Protection will help.

It explains what is happening and what to do about it. It gives basic techniques you can use to learn how to clear yourself and your environment and protect against negative energetic influences. Check it out: Psychic Protection

A Little Philosopphy

I chose the name Pathways Healing because of the symbolism it represents. Our lives are full of pathways. We are always trying to choose or follow paths in life. My goal is to help people choose a path that helps them in their lifes work, and leads to personal healing.

One of my heartfelt beliefs is that we are all intuitive beings who can learn to follow our own inner guidance. We are all searching for inner peace and harmony and the only way to really achieve this is to learn it for yourself. That is why I am dedicating myself to writing and educating so that students can find the strength to follow their own healing pathways.

Useful Intuitive Development Info

Here's a little suprise that is not really surprise.
I have been on a bit of a leave of absense from doing my readings. I have been putting the time to good use, developing some new products for you, my dedicated readers!
The not so big surprise is that now that I am not tuning in to other people and doing readings for them regularly, my attention to my personal situation is opening up a little more. It reminds me of years past when I hadn't yet started reading for others. I felt a little more aware of my own guides and my own feelings about my life. Now that I am less focused on others, I am happily finding some of those feelings and spontaneous glimpses or psychic flashes are coming more often and more easily. I think it pays not to have to force it to happen on demand and let things come at their own time.

AURA READING BOOKLET

The big news is, I have finally finished my new booklet. I am ready to sell in by email right now, so if you're interested, read the info below, or send me an email....

INTRODUCTION TO AURA READING

A NEW BOOKLET YOU CAN USE TO TEACH YOURSELF HOW TO SEE AURAS

OR

A GREAT MANUAL IF YOU ARE AN INTUITIVE TEACHER WHO WANTS TO TEACH OTHERS HOW TO WORK WITH AURAS

Do you want to learn how to develop your intuition and psychic abilities, but:

1. You don’t have access to a teacher?

2. You are shy about attending workshops and prefer to learn at your own pace?

3. You don’t want to give up a weekend or can’t find the time to attend a course?

4. You don’t want to pay expensive workshop fees?

If any of the above apply to you, then you are in the right place!

What you will need to do this course.

To successfully do this independent study course you will need:

• A curious and open mind
• Patience and the desire to keep trying
• A few willing subjects (friends, family members, co-workers etc. even plants and animals will do!)
• Faith in yourself. You can do this because everyone can!
  
  

What you will get from this course:

• An opening of your psychic abilities
• The ability to perceive an aura
• Easy to follow practical exercises and tips that will help to train your natural abilities
• Step by step instructions that are clear and easy to follow
• Support with the instructor through email

Email bonnie@pathwayshealing.com today for your copy of this exciting new booklet! Your copy is $20 CAD payable by personal cheque or paypal. Or see the shopping page at

http://pathwayshealing.com/shopping.htm

How did I know?

I am very often surprised when people contact me long after a reading to tell me that something that I told them in a reading has come to pass.
There is this strange phenomenon that I tell people about when I do readings. I find that I forget most of what I say only moments after the reading has ended. It is almost as if I step into another world, do the reading, and then return to reality. I don't remember much of what I say when I am in that world.
At least with this latest feedback I can say it is great news. A long time client who has become a friend of mine as well, recently wrote to tell me that she was pregnant. She had her first reading 5 years ago, and at that time I told her that it would be 5 years before she had a child. At the time she felt that there was no way she was going to wait that long before starting her family, but she has some difficulties getting pregnant and before she knew it the 5 years had passed.
I am ecstatic for her and her husband. Congratulations and best wishes for a happy healthy baby!