Live a life full of light, joy, abundance!

The Spirit Of Giving

2011-12-05T05:29:00.000-06:00

written by Jenna Gebeke
In the spirit of the Holiday season, this experience couldn’t have come with better timing. Since my recent move to Denver, CO one of the things that has been the hardest for me to get used to is the higher amount of homeless people that reside on almost every street corner anywhere you go.
Driving by them is always the toughest decision for me…and many questions run through my head. Do I stop? Or do I keep going? Do I have cash on me to give? How much should I give?
I just come back from Toronto where I had advance training with the Modern Mystery School and while I was there this topic came up again for me. One of my instructors addressed it in a way that really made sense and hit home. They said that in every one of these cases, we need to follow our hearts – not our heads as our heads lie to us and our hearts are always pure. We need to use our discernment in a case by case basis to determine the best course of action…turn off our heads and listen to what our heart tells us. And if our hearts tell us to give, we should cast light on it and be in joy while giving…because by sending light we push away the darkness, both in ourselves and in the recipient.
So last week when I was driving down the road, I was prepared to make this decision from my heart. I drove past a man as flow of traffic did not allow me to stop, but then came up to red light with a woman on the corner holding a sign that said “Anything helps, even a SMILE ☺”. I looked around at all of the cars at the intersection and every single one of the drivers was reading the sign and genuinely smiling to the woman. I made eye contact with her and gave her a warm sincere smile…and as the light turned green and I saw how she affected all of us in our comfy warm cars. I surprised myself when I found myself out loud say “what a little light worker”. That was it, it was in that moment that I decided I needed to turn around and give her money. She lifted me up (and many others) that day with a simple sign that gave me joy and hope and I wanted to return the favor. So I turned around and drove the 3 blocks back. I parked in a parking lot and walked over to her with my $20 bill as it was all that I had on me. She thanked me, and I said “Thank you, you are a light worker in your own right, God Bless.” I gave the $20 (which was more than I have ever given to a homeless person) in humble gratitude as she had truly shifted me and so many other people that day. She was doing a greater service and spreading more light to more people with that simple sign than I was doing by giving her $20.
So, what did I learn? Spreading light and helping others by giving to an organization is great, but if the time and situation is right – helping someone in person who is truly in need is greater because it is personal – the connection from one human to another that ignites the compassion that is inside our hearts does huge service. The joy that you can share by doing service and taking care of your fellow brothers and sisters is priceless. Basically, it reminded me that living from the heart and projecting joy and compassion to my fellow humans needs to become something that I do more naturally in my daily life. I lived a blessed life and am thankful for everything that I have…but this experience made me even more thankful for all that I am able to give and share with others.
Tips for raising the vibration of your donation this year:
• When giving through an organization (whether it be money or items), giving in a sense of joy and from a place of love will raise the vibration of your donation to have even more of a profound affect for that organization or person that receives the item you donated.
• If you are not financially in a place to give a donation, one of the highest acts of service we can do for others is to genuinely smile at them. Smiling brings joy. By smiling you bring yourself joy as well sending joy to others…when you smile from the heart everyone wins!

Science Proves the Importance of Meditation

2011-10-16T14:18:00.000-05:00

You heard it before – meditation is good for you! Then why does it seem so hard to practice meditation regularly? Look at it this way: any thing that brings in more light and has huge potential to transform our negative thoughts into a positive reality – is likely going to be met by some sort of resistance. The real question is what do you do when that happens? Do you push through and meditate anyway?

Perhaps these facts will motivate you to meditate more often:
• A scientific study published this year found that adults who meditated every day for 30 minutes had significant changes in the gray-matter density in parts of the brain associated with memory, learning, sense of self, empathy, anxiety and stress. M.R.I. images for the control group that did not practice meditation showed no changes in the brain.
• The Mayo Clinic says meditation helps with: gaining a new perspective on stressful situations; increased self-awareness; reducing negative emotions and it even helps with physical conditions such as: allergies; anxiety; binge eating; depression; fatigue; high blood pressure; pain; sleep problems; and more!
* Recent CNN articles link meditation to neuroscientists who claim meditation changes the brain and helps with decreasing pain
• Children see huge results as well. Meditation increases attention spans in children, as indicated by a recent study published by the International Journal of Yoga. Children who practice meditation have significant increases in math and English scores over a one-year period, as indicated an Education Journal study.

Throughout history almost every culture has used meditation in one form or another to improve their experience of life; to develop on a spiritual level; to increase mental function; to balance emotions and to improve physical health.

Photo from CNN.com shows how meditation changes the brain.

Now modern science is providing proof that meditation alters brain waves and causes physical reactions in the body that promote healing and wellbeing.

There is so much to gain from regular meditation practice! The Sanctuary Meditation technique that we teach is based in the ancient mystery school lineage. It assists with deepening your connection during meditation and takes you to a place of personal power. It’s a method that works for everyone!

Check out our upcoming class schedule for more details.

Energy Cleaning: Make A Positive Shift!

2011-09-27T17:29:00.000-05:00

Change your energy, get unstuck and set positive vibes in motion.

Have you felt a call to make changes in your life? Then you’re ready to shift your energy and clear out the stagnant energy that’s holding you back.

Try these techniques to make positive change in your life.

Change your environment
Making changes to your outside environment helps to make positive change in your life.

Clean your space: Deep cleaning is good for the soul. It literally sets stagnant energy in motion. Remove the clutter. If you haven’t used it in a year – donate it! Soon you’ll attract new, useful things to enhance your life.

Freshen it up: Rearrange the furniture; change out your artwork; paint an accent wall. Not only will it feel good, but it assist with creating a new start in life that will extend beyond the walls of your living room.

Use the Sacred Geometry techniques to raise the vibration of your space!

Re-invent yourself
Change your hair-do. Yes, believe it or not - changing the color or style of your hair is actually an alchemical process and a symbolic step toward shifting your energy.

Wear more color! Assess the color scheme you find hanging in your closet. If it’s limited to just a few shades – expand your wardrobe to include all colors.

The power of Intention, Affirmation, and Connection to self
Make every change this fall with the intention to shift your energy to a positive state. Use a positive affirmation daily, spoken out loud when you rise for the day. “I now create positive change in my life” or write your own affirmation to make it specific to the energy you wish to create in your life.

Don’t forget to take time daily to have gratitude and connect to your higher self. Take a walk in nature and give thanks to the lake, the trees, and the air you’re breathing. Practice the ancient art of meditation, one of the best tools to improve your physical and emotional health, while connecting you to positive energy. We teach the Sanctuary Meditation technique to connect to your higher self.

At True Sanctuary, we also suggest the following to shift your energy:
• Sacred Geometry Class: Activate your space to bring in positive energy.
• Life Activation: This is the most powerful session we offer to shift your energy and create positive change in your life!
• Empower Thyself Class: Create more light in your life, more guidance from the universe and increase protection from negative energy.
• Adam Kadmon Class and Activation: Activate your spiritual DNA and connect to your unique life purpose.
• Intuition Development Class: Learn new techniques to better trust your instincts.
• Chi Class: learn how to harness life force energy through your breath.
• Sanctuary Meditation: discover a meditation technique that works to connect to your personal place of power and the true self.
• The Art of Astral Travel: learn an ancient meditation technique to reach higher energies, and increase your connection to pure light!
• Reiki class or session: reiki connects you to pure joy, assists with healing at a physical and emotional level and restores balance in your life. Check out an upcoming reiki class or try a session!
• Emotional Cord Release session: Release negative emotions and cords holding you back. Restore your energy and start with a clean slate.

Sarah Gebeke is a certified Guide and Ritual Master in the Modern Mystery School lineage and a shihankaku reiki teacher in the Jikiden Reiki method of healing. More information can be found at www.TrueSanctuary.com

Family Meditation Time: a moment of peace from the chaos of life!

2011-04-06T09:20:00.000-05:00

A family with three boys under the age of six took a moment for stillness, quiet, and connection to self during an in-home family meditation class.

I arrived at the family’s home early Saturday morning. I was greeted by two boys ages 6 and 4 playing with their children’s golf clubs in excitement for their upcoming family vacation. Their mom was holding their sleeping three-month-old brother.

The mom and dad invited me to teach the Sanctuary Meditation Technique in hopes they could start a family tradition of meditating on weekends and before bedtime. I’ve taught the class to kids and adults many times, but never a combined family meditation with different levels of understanding. I didn’t know what to expect, but I followed the kids’ lead!

The boys wanted to sit on the floor, their parents and I joined them. I began by teaching the class at the kids' level, but the parents also benefited from learning about the chakras and how our breath affects our ability to relax and enter a tranquil state of meditation. The take-away from the chakra breathing technique alone was huge for this family. The dad plans to use it at work when he’s stressed. The mom will use it to relax while she’s nursing her son, and they can’t wait for the boys to use this technique when it’s time to clam down before bedtime.

Next, I guided the family on a meditation journey to their sanctuary – a special place of power unique to each of them – to meet their higher-self, which provides a heightened connection to their true nature. What impressed me most was the 6 and 4-year-olds' ability to connect to their higher-self and have an uplifting experience. The mom and dad were right there with them on this meditation journey and reached a heightened state of relaxation and awareness of this higher vibration of energy.

Each of them shared their experiences:
The six-year-old said, “My sanctuary had big rocks in a circle, and my name was in the middle of it! My higher-self felt like it came in really fast.”

The four-year-old said, “I saw gold, and there was a tiger, leopard and lion, but they weren’t scary, they were my friends.”

Their dad was amazed, “That was really intense. I connected to my higher-self instantly, and I got a clear message. I wasn’t expecting that! It was incredible.”

Their parents hope to use this Sanctuary Meditation often to teach their kids the value of being still, connecting to their true self, and creating peace in their life.

It was a gift to see the meditation through the eyes of these kids, and know this family is creating a positive tradition that will serve them well as they grow in the light!

Benefits of Family Meditation:
• Model stress management for your kids.
• Put a new twist on time-outs. Use the chakra breathing techniques instead!
• Teach children an effective way to calm down before bedtime.
• Improve physical health and creative a positive emotional state.
• Discover a new way teach children about their unique self

Contact Sarah Gebeke at Sarah@TrueSanctuary.com if you’d like to set up a family meditation class or join her Sanctuary Meditation, Max Meditation or Children’s Meditation class. Sarah is trained in the art of meditation through the Modern Mystery School tradition, which is part of the ancient wisdom school teachings.

Set up a family Life Activation session or the ultimate experience of the Empower Thyself workshop. More information about Sarah can be found at www.TrueSanctuary.com.

Healing Prayer for Japan

2011-03-31T10:13:00.001-05:00

To all people of all belief systems with an open heart:

Please send your prayers of love and gratitude to water at
the nuclear plants in Fukushima, Japan!

The massive earthquakes (Magnitude 9) and tsunami’s have
created disaster in Japan. More than 10,000 people are still
missing even now. It has been 16 days already since
the disaster happened and the reactors of Fukushima Nuclear
Plants are leaking and contaminating the ocean, eco systems,
air and water supplies in the surrounding areas making the natural
disaster worse for the people and animals that live there.

Now is the time to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Japan. Let us all join the prayer ceremony to help the people, animals, and water in Japan.

Dr. Emoto has organized this prayer to ask all people, not just in Japan,
but all around the world to please help them find a way out the crisis
of this planet.

Prayer:
Send our thoughts of love and gratitude to all water
in the nuclear plants in Fukushima.

Day and Time:
March 31st, 2011 (Thursday) ***
12:00 noon in each time zone

Please say the following phrase:
The water of Fukushima Nuclear Plant, we are sorry to
make you suffer. Please forgive us. We thank you, and
we love you. Please say it aloud or in your mind.

Repeat it three times as you put your hands together in
a prayer position. Please offer your sincere prayer.

For more information, check out Dr. Emoto’s website where he gives this message on You Tube from the Emotopeaceproject.

Thank you!

Relief for Japan Benefit

2011-03-17T22:45:00.003-05:00

by Jenna Gebeke and Sarah Gebeke of TrueSanctuary

“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.” ~George Iles

There have been many moments throughout history across countries and cultures where hope has lit the way through darkness. In today’s world we are no longer isolated from tragic events, but see and feel the aftershock of those events across the globe. We are no longer isolated nations and countries but a global community that works together on projects in big businesses, learns together in study abroad/exchange programs, and communes together across borders on social networking sites. This boundary-less society we live in is a blessing in times of tragedy as it allows for us to band together as a human race to spread hope, love, and peace across all borders to help those in need.

Now is the time not just to react to the situations in Japan, but to be proactive in aiding them in their healing and recovery. There are many different ways to help the situation in Japan. Pray, meditate, send light and positive energy – all of these actions will assist. Donations to trustworthy relief organizations are also a great way to help those in need. A friend of ours runs The Golden Pyramid of Peace – Japan Relief fund. 100% OF ALL DONATIONS will go directly to the people of Japan immediately without any admin fees! Our friends and colleagues in Tokyo have started a benefit fund, and have personally gone deep into the disaster zones bringing life-saving water, blankets and rice. Please help them continue to do so by making a donation today!

Even though we are in Minnesota and not in the front lines of the disaster, we can still TAKE ACTION and provide relief to those in Japan.
"How far that little candle throws his beams. So shines a good deed in a weary world.” ~ William Shakespeare

Please join us for a this Sunday, March 28th from 7-8pm at the Waterstone Clubroom 9700 Waterstone Place, Minnetonka, MN. The event is free to attend, and 100% of all donations will go directly to help the people of Japan.

. . . . . . . . . . . . JAPAN BENEFIT EVENT DETAILS . . . . . . . .
HANDS OF LIGHT MEDITATION – Sarah from True Sanctuary will lead you on a meditation to send light to the people of Japan. It makes a huge difference to gather as a group and send positive energy. You will also learn how to use this meditation not just for Japan but also for yourself on a regular basis to send yourself or loved ones light or positive energy.
*** There is no fee to attend, it's by donation only.
***Any level of experience is welcome - please bring your friends. The only thing needed is an open heart and willingness to serve.

JAPANESE RELIEF MEDITATION CANDLES – Japanese relief meditation candles will be for sale at the event. It is always recommended to have a white candle lit during meditation – use these candles during meditation and to help support the relief effort in Japan!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WE ARE ALL ONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
It's time to unite - we are all one! The people of Japan can use all of the light and positive energy that we can send them now from MN!

IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND:
- Please consider making a donation to help the cause
- Please continue to send light, prayers, and positive energy to all those in Japan – for the survivors, for the relief workers and volunteers, and for the country as a whole to aid in recovery.

Intuition: Learn How to Trust Your Hunches

2011-03-15T22:30:00.000-05:00

written by Alissa Gebeke

Everyone is intuitive. We are all born with a varying degree of intuition. Developing intuition starts by realizing you have it already. If you've ever had a hunch about something, inner knowing, a “gut feeling”, that was your intuition. Intuition is just your mind using more than what you are consciously aware of.

Dr. Carl Jung described intuition as the ability to anticipate change and to see possibilities inherent in a situation.

What it means to be Intuitive
Being intuitive is being able to hear the inner voice over the negative ego voice. It’s being able to hear that Angel voice that let’s you know what’s for your highest good. Being intuitive is being in tune with not only your own emotions and feelings but those of the people around you. Being intuitive is being able to make informed choices rather than ones based on emotion and things of the past.

Developing Intuition
Recognize it – intuition can act as an encouragement or reassurance, or intuition can act as a caution to not act upon something that may not be in your best interest.
Intuition can come in the form of a gut feeling or knowing (clairsentience). Or it can be a voice you hear guiding you (clairaudience). It can be a vision during meditation or during dreamtime (clairvoyance).
Start questioning your hunches. Get in the habit of paying attention to and studying your intuitive feelings.

The Intuition Development course taught with True Sanctuary can assist in understanding how we perceive the world and learn skills and tools to develop these gifts. During this class you’ll get exercises you can use on a daily basis to increase your intuition (clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience).
Check the True Sanctuary Calendar for the next class!

Another great way to increase your intuition is with the Sanctuary Meditation Technique, and Empower Thyself class. The Life Activation also helps you raise your vibration and open you intuitive gives.

Empower Thyself Program - A Testimonial

2011-03-02T13:51:00.003-06:00

Read a testimonial from a client who recently took the Empower Thyself class. His words speak volumes for the way the teachings and energy you receive from class can be applied to your life:
"I was guided to True Sanctuary by a friend who told me about how I might be interested in the Modern Mystery School (MMS) teachings because of my personal spiritual goals. I spent time reviewing True Sanctuary's website where I found a lot of information on the various MMS classes they offered as well as the healing modalities they provided. I met Sarah, Jenna and Vonnie and at an expo and after only a few minutes I knew that they were very genuine and grounded in their perspective on what they had to offer me as healers and guides on my journey.

I received a Life Activation and an Emotional Cord Cutting and I immediately felt much more focused and free from nagging thoughts about various situations and people in my life. I am also a healing practitioner and after the Life Activation and Emotional Cord Cutting I noticed that my sessions were much easier in their flow and being connected to my client as well as the energy. This was a definite bonus for me and my clients.

After this experience I knew I wanted to go on to experience more of the MMS teachings so I signed up for the Empower Thyself program the next month. The class was a very intense two day course where the energy brought into the room was palpable and amazing! After this course with True Sanctuary, the level of power in the healing sessions with my clients exploded! I was so surprised at how I could connect with higher-source as well as the client with such intensity and ease. I also know that my clients could feel the intensity from the feedback they gave me. Empower Thyself was one of those incredible life-changing experiences that will unfold within me for the rest of my life. I've very much enjoyed the Meditation, Intuition Development and Sacred Geometry classes I've taken so far and I look forward to the Empower Thyself II in the near future!" ~ D.R. Energy Work Practitioner and Web Consultant

Read additional testimonials here

Register for the next Empower Thyself class by March 30 and get a complimentary healing session. More details here

Visit our True Sanctuary expo booth

2011-02-28T14:57:00.000-06:00

We'll be at the True Sanctuary booth # 603 this weekend at the Body, Mind, Life Expo. Stop by to say "hi", sign up for our free meditation and intuition class giveaways, and check out our special expo offers to save up to 75% off services.
March 5-6, 2011
Minneapolis Convention Center
Sat: 10am-7pm | Sun: 10am-5pm

Print half-off tickets to the Body, Mind, Life Expo

You won't want to miss our free talk on Saturday:
Feel Positive Energy on So Many Levels - Open Your Chakras and Activate Your Spiritual DNA!
Saturday. 2:40 p.m. — Stage 2
Want more positive energy in your life? Discover how your chakras and spiritual DNA connect you to happiness, abundance and connection to self. Learn tips to open your chakras and connect to positive energy every day. A member of the audience will receive a free Life Activation session and another will win a free Meditation Class. Sarah is a meditation and intuition class instructor, guide and reiki practitioner certified by the Modern Mystery School and Jikiden Reiki. In her 10 years experience she’s seen countless benefits: less stress, more joy, better health, increased positive energy and more!

Words of Wisdom from a 4-year-old client...

2011-02-26T16:53:00.001-06:00

I did a reiki session for a 4-year-old today. He loved the energy and let me work with him for 1 hour and 40 minutes! "My heart feels warm and like waves," he said, when I was working at his heart. Great words from a smart little guy. His mom is already noticing a change in his behavior after one session and we have a few more to go.

Our next Reiki Level I and II classes are coming May 13-15 - get a discount with advance registration. See details on the reiki page of our website.

Find out what medical science has to say about the health effects of reiki.

Sacred Geometry – What you need to know to enhance your home and your life!

2011-02-22T13:18:00.002-06:00

What is Sacred Geometry?
Sacred Geometry helps you to manifest your goals and create better energy around you. The primary geometries are the sphere, cube and pyramid, which hold incredible energy that is fundamental to the structure of the Universe and to your daily life.
Sacred Geometry is about understanding how these divine shapes are the basis of all creation, and harnessing the energy of these geometries to enhance the energy of your home, office space, healing or meditation room.

Why study Sacred Geometry?
The class that I teach not only gives you more knowledge about Sacred Geometry, but I also energetically hand down keys to work with the energy of Sacred Geometry in your life. In the class you’ll awaken the three primary sacred geometries within your physical body; learn how to activate a room or a building, increasing the vibration and protection; and you’ll learn how to create a sacred space for meditation or healing work.

Who benefits from learning about Sacred Geometry?
Anyone can benefit from taking this class:
• If you’re already practicing some form of healing arts or intuitive readings this class will enhance the work you’re already doing by better protecting your space and increasing the positive energy in your space, which allows you to better flow energy to your clients.
• If you meditate, create artwork, practice yoga or tai chi – you’ll benefit from using the tools from this class to enhance the vibration in the space where you practice.
• If you’re a realtor or if you have a home you’d like to sell, this method will raise the vibration of the home, making it more appealing to the potential buyer.
• If you want to shift the energy in your home, if it feels like you need a “spring energy cleaning”, this class is for you. It’s a great way to refresh the energy in your home.
• If you feel the energy at your workspace is stagnant or negative and you want to shift it to the positive, this class will help you to do just that.

Why did you become certified to teach Sacred Geometry?
I wanted to bring this method for creating a higher vibration and more positive energy to people. I took the class myself several years ago and was really affected by how powerful the tools are. It’s not something you can learn in a book or on the internet, because this method is based on the ancient linage of the mystery school wisdom teachings, which are only handed down from teacher to student as a transfer of energy in addition to handing down knowledge.

How have you applied Sacred Geometry in your life?
I’ve used this method to sell my parent’s home, which was on the market for 9 months without any offers. I applied the techniques and the very next buyer who toured the home made an offer that day.
I’ve used these techniques to enhance the space of my office and my co-workers now gravitate to my small office for meetings instead of using a larger meeting space. They like hanging out in the energy, and if they’re not in a good mood they tend to avoid my office, which is a plus!
I use this method before I do any healing session for a client or before I teach any class, and in both cases my clients or students have commented on how nice the energy feels in the space.
I use Sacred Geometry in the space where I meditate and notice a very high connection with incredible energy and messages that come through while I meditate.

Are there advanced Sacred Geometry classes?
Yes! All of the above attributes are based on the basic level 1 class, which I teach each month. The second level is called Sacred Geometry II – Gemstone Healers class. This class teaches you how to used Sacred Geometry with crystals and gemstones for healing sessions, intuitive readings, dreamtime, and crystal gridding to further raise the energy of a space. The pre-requisite is Sacred Geometry level 1.

How can I sign up?
Contact Sarah@TrueSanctuary.com 323-445-9594 to register for class. Check out our website calendar for upcoming classes here.

More about Sarah Gebeke, Sacred Geometry instructor:
Sarah is a meditation and intuition class instructor, guide, ritual master and reiki practitioner certified by the Modern Mystery School and Jikiden Reiki. In her 10 years experience she’s seen countless benefits: less stress, more joy, better health, increased positive energy and more! For more information visit: www.TrueSanctuary.com

The Proof is in the Reiki!

2011-02-20T17:17:00.006-06:00

by Sarah Gebeke, Jikiden Reiki and Usui Reiki Method of Natural Healing Practitioner

Reiki is a gentle but powerful energy work modality. It has a long history of aiding in healing virtually every known illness. Reiki improves medical treatment by reducing negative side effects, shortening healing time, reducing pain and releasing stress. Universal Healing Energy is sent through the practitioner’s hands to assist the client in healing on a physical and emotional level.

Medical science is starting to show support for reiki as an alternative form of therapy. In Minnesota the U of M offers reiki as an elective for nursing students, and reiki can be found as a complimentary healing modality in hospitals around the Twin Cities.

To show the proof is in the reiki, I've listed some studies below to demonstrate the healing properties of reiki:

Reiki Clinical Studies Highlights
Post-operative pain
• This study examined the effects of Reiki and LeShan therapies in combination on pain experienced after surgery. A statistically significant difference between the treatment and control groups was observed in both the level of pain intensity and the degree of pain.
Source: Wirth DP, Brenlan DR, Levine RJ, and Rodriguez, CM. “The effect of complementary healing therapy on postoperative pain after surgical removal of impacted third molar teeth.” Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 1(3): 133-138, July, 1993.

Immune Function and Reiki
• In this study reiki treatments were given to improve the immune function of patients with chronic illness: multiple sclerosis, lupus, fibromyalgia and thyroid goiter. Patients received no other conventional or alternative therapy and noticed significant differences before and after Reiki sessions
Source: Hartwell, B and Brewitt, B. “The Efficacy of Reiki Hands On Healing: Improvement in Adrenal, Spleen and Nervous Function as Quantified by Electro-Dermal Screening.” Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 3(4): 89. July, 1997.

Chronic Illness and Reiki
• 120 participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 10 sessions of Reiki, 10 sessions of Progressive Muscle Relaxation, a control group receiving no treatment, and a placebo group receiving 10 sessions of false-Reiki. Pain, depression, state anxiety, trait anxiety, belief in personal control and other parameters were measured pre-test, post-test and at three month follow up. The following conclusions were reached: Reiki is an effective modality for reducing pain, depression and state anxiety; Reiki is effective in enhancing positive personality changes such as decreased trait anxiety, increased self-esteem and a greater sense of internal locus of control.
Source: Dressen LJ and Singg, S. “Effects of Reiki on Pain and Selected Affective and Personality Variables of Chronically Ill Patients.” Subtle Energies & Energy Medicine. 9(1): 51-82, 1998.

Multiple Sclerosis
• Thirteen M.S. patients with either primary progressive or secondary progressive M.S. were selected for Reiki treatments. The patients were asked on the first visit to identify the symptoms which were most disruptive to their quality of life. On each visit they were asked to rate their individual symptoms. The results are as follows:
• 90.2% Reduction of lethargy
• 87% Reduction of depression
• 78.7% Reduction of cognitive problems
• 75.3% Reduction of motor problems
• 73.5% Reduction of pain
• 70.2% Reduction of fatigue
• 69.1% Reduction of urine problems
• 62.8% Reduction of bowel problems

Depression and Reiki
• Forty-six participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: hands-on Reiki, distance Reiki or distance Reiki placebo control. Each participant received 1 to 1.5 hour treatment each week for 6 weeks. There was a significant reduction in symptoms of psychological distress in treatment groups as compared with controls and these differences continued to be present one year later.
Source: Shore AG. “Long-term effects of energetic healing on symptoms of psychological depression and self-perceived stress.” Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 10(3):42-8, 2004.

If you'd like to experience reiki for yourself, contact Sarah@TrueSanctuary.com. Mention this blog article and get $10 off your first session.

If you'd like to become certified to practice reiki, the next class is November, 2011.

The Power of Visualization

2011-01-30T12:05:00.003-06:00

by Elizabeth Seldon, Magickal Living

Visualization is a small but important part of the process of creation. Without it, there is no way to project desire into physical manifestation.

The magickal process begins with this step. A clear picture, drawn from the spark of inspiration is the start of all things!

In order to properly assign the energies necessary to move forward, there are a few simple steps to follow. First, come to a clear understanding of what you want to create.

Simple enough? Yes and no. As human beings we have experienced nearly as many failures as successes. This often lends itself to our tentative nature in creating a realistic and positively envisioned desire.
Magnetic energy, another part of the creational process, is key to what can be attracted. If fear or doubt comes into our visualization, it will tarnish the vision and the results!
So the process is as follows:

1. Decide what you want to create

2. Create your vision board (this brings your vision into the physical and is very important!)

3. Identify the energy you feel when you are creating and looking at your vision board (excited, prosperous, successful, free, sexy, secure, joyful. . .)

4. Infuse your vision with the ENERGY you have identified! (you may choose one or ALL of the vibrations)

5. See yourself, your actual physical form in the energy you have identified. Live in it. Identify with it. Be it. This creates powerful magnetic energy.

6. Bring words to your vision (I am prosperous; I am free; I am beautiful) and WRITE them down, adding them to your vision board and SPEAKING them aloud often!

7. Set goals and tasks for physical manifestation.

Seeing it isn’t enough! Set specific goals for yourself in line with your vision. Make your goals realistic! (If you’ve never touched $1,000,000 then start with a number for which you have physical understanding and awareness.)

Once you’ve reached your goal, double or otherwise enhance it! And move on from there, staying out of fantasy and making the reality tangible!

Follow through with your tasks! Following the above directions and lying in bed all day watching movies or playing video games will not bring you any closer to manifesting your vision. Take the physical steps to create in this physical world!

We create our realities every day with every thought and word we speak. Actions make our creation fully physical.

Creation is a dynamic process! Conscious thought, word and action in alignment with clear, realistic vision is what makes what we create consistently line up with our desires!

Elizabeth is a guest author for the TrueSanctuary.com blog. She's a lifetime student of the elements and an Herbal and Energy Therapy practitioner. She has her Undergraduate Degree from Northwestern University and a Master’s Degree from Vanderbilt University as well as extensive training and initiations through the Modern Mystery School.

If you're interested in taking your visualization practice and goal setting to the next level, check out our Life Activation session and Empower Thyself class.

Meditation for a New Year!

2011-01-24T22:56:00.005-06:00

We’re already a few weeks into the New Year. How have the first few weeks of 2011 gone for you? The most common goals are to lose weight, exercise more, save money, make more time for family, relationships, or volunteering. But if you’re like most, it can be challenging to make your number one goal a reality.
This is where meditation can help.
Yes… meditation! Stay with me here, and I’ll explain. Most people hear that word and either think, “I don’t have the patience for meditation.” Or, “I’m not good at it.”

One thing I know for sure, is that if I can meditate and see huge benefits, then I know you can, too. I started meditating six years ago when I was a stressed out, type-A workaholic experiencing major anxiety, difficulty sleeping, a hard time concentrating and severe headaches. I took one class, called the Sanctuary Meditation Technique, and I saw immediate change. I actually connected to peaceful energy, and not only did I feel good while I was meditating but the feeling carried through to help shift my day into a positive one. I keep trying it and soon I saw additional benefits: less anxiety, better sleep, an overall sense of calm, trusting my instincts – and most of all: HOPE for a better outcome!
Since then I’ve been certified to teach meditation for the past four years, and the clients I work with have seen additional results. One student told me: "Since the meditation class I've broken into a new level of enjoying life and a knowing more about myself.”

Medical science is starting to pay attention to the benefits of meditation as well.
The Mayo Clinic says meditation helps with: Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations; Increased self-awareness; and Reducing negative emotions.
And Mayo Clinic’s research shows that meditation helps with physical conditions such as: Allergies; Anxiety; Binge eating; Depression; Fatigue; High blood pressure; Pain; Sleep problems; and more!
I even noticed that Dr. Oz recently urged his viewers to make meditation part of their New Year’s resolution because he sees the physical and emotional benefits for his patients.

So, what do you have to lose? If it’s worked for thousands of years, if it’s proven by science, and if it’s worked for me – then I know it can work for you, too!

Check out our calendar for upcoming meditation classes, or get a group of 5 friends together and host your own class out of your home!

MEDITATION TIP: If you want to meditate but find it hard to motivate yourself, try bringing a meditation buddy with you to class or invite a friend to meditate with you at home. The same theory that applies to a workout partner can also apply to a meditation buddy – it’s nice to have someone to team up with you to take better care of yourself!

Congratulations to our giveaway winners!

2011-01-24T22:51:00.004-06:00

The Healthy Life Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center was a big success this past weekend! We enjoyed meeting everyone who stopped by our TrueSanctuary.com booth. Thanks to everyone to participated in the free drawing to win a Sanctuary Meditation or Intuition Development Class. Congratulations to our four winners: Marciela, Jody, Leeann and Amber.

Frequently Asked Questions: The WHO, WHAT, and WHY of TrueSanctuary.com

2010-10-16T07:01:00.005-05:00

By Sarah Gebeke, founder of TrueSanctuary.com, Jikiden Reiki practitioner and initiated Guide, Ritual Master, Teacher through the Modern Mystery School lineage.

What are the benefits of meditation?
The benefits are vast. On a personal level it helps to reduce mind chatter, release stress, connects you to your higher self and intuition, and to learn more about who you truly are. It improves your physical health and helps to reduce mind chatter. On another level meditation affect the mass consciousness in a positive way. As you train to reduce mind chatter, you have less negative thoughts. As you still the mind you shift into your heart energy. As you train yourself to live from the heart and not from the mind, you’re better able to see the beauty in yourself and others without judgment.

What should I wear or bring to class?
Come as you are! All are welcome. The meditation classes are done sitting upright on a chair or on the floor. You can wear comfortable clothing and bring a notebook. We encourage you to take notes in class and journal what your experience was like during the class.

What is your overall goal?
Every private session and class we offer has one goal: to spread light to those who seek it! The result is increased positive energy for the client that spreads like a ripple effect throughout humanity. As we do so we create joy in our lives and spread that joy to others. We accept ourselves for who we truly are and we see that divine spark not only in ourselves but in others. The fastest way to achieve this is the receive the Life Activation and Empower Thyself initiation, as this increases the amount of light you hold. This is the key for creating peace and joy within our lives.

Are these New Age services and teachings?
No. All of the classes and healings that we offer are rooted in an ancient lineage. These are techniques that have been working for thousands of years that have been handed down to us in the tradition of the spoken word directly from teacher to student.

How did you get started in this line of work?
I started practicing Reiki on myself nine years ago. As I did the treatments, I noticed my stress and anxiety melted away. I started feeling this calming Reiki energy – and it was very comforting. My family and friends noticed a change in me and asked if they could experience Reiki. I did sessions for them and they started to see positive results. At that point I realized this was a gift far too valuable to keep for myself. I started doing the work for clients as well.

About five years later I discovered the Empower Thyself Program at a point in my life when I was seeking change, but I didn’t know how I could make it happen. My entire life I was searching for that feeling of “home”. Not my physical home, but that feeling of where I came from – the all accepting, all loving, all honoring energy. My family started to see a shift in me. Soon after my sisters both received the Life Activation and the Empower Thyself class. They started to see dramatic changes in their lives and were called to share that with others. Now they are certified to teach classes and do the Life Activation work as well.

How often should I get Life Activation?
Once you have the Life Activation, you will incorporate the energy over the next seven years. You will be fully activated after one session, but it’s best to get a “tune up” every six months to a year to assist with increasing the light you carry to manifest your goals.

How often should I get a Reiki session?
The best treatment is 10 sessions, the first four sessions every day and then once a week for the next six weeks. We’ve seen dramatic results to help shift physical pain and emotional patterns after 10 sessions. But if you only have the opportunity to get a few sessions spread out over a month, you’ll still see results!

What about scientific proof for all of this?
The U of M and other mainstream institutions offer Reiki as an elective for their nursing programs, and hospitals around the world have Reiki as an alternative form of therapy. Studies have been conducted with focus groups of patients who has Multiple Sclerosis and the findings are that the group which received 10 sessions of reiki showed an 80% decline in their symptoms.

Russian scientist Dr. Korokov is measuring the energy that comes through during rituals conducted by a Shaman initiated into an ancient lineage and is finding incredible results.
Dr. Emoto, bestselling author of The Hidden Messages from Water is teaming up with the Modern Mystery school to show how sending energy and positive thoughts to water changes the molecules.

Science is now starting to show that energy can be measured. The Empower Thyself program gives you 10x more energy. Imagine the difference that alone will make in your life.

Where do I go from here?
The two most powerful things TrueSanctuary.com has to offer is the Life Activation and Empower Thyself! Class. Try something new! Follow your gut feeling even if it doesn’t make intellectual sense. That’s part of having faith. Take action and let the result speak for itself. It’s likely you will learn new things and meet new like-minded people along the way.
If you’re uncertain ask yourself: is this a class or healing session that will empower me and support my growth? Is the instructor operating out of ego or from the heart? Will this best serve me? Remember to stay in the heart when making decisions to avoid fear or mind chatter that will steer you off the path that is of your highest good.

Life Activation – How can this help in your everyday life?

2010-05-10T21:43:00.002-05:00

Written by Jenna of TrueSanctuary.com

Have you ever tried getting out of a friendship or relationship that was not positive and continuously found yourself falling back into it? Or have you had the same self defeating negative thoughts and not been able to shake them? Perhaps you’ve had an addiction (to food, alcohol, drugs, sex, etc.) and traditional ways of kicking the habit failed you? Have you ever thought ‘there has got to be more to life’ or ‘it shouldn’t have to be this hard’?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you’re ready for a Life Activation. There are many benefits to a Life Activation and, no, you do not have to feel lost or frustrated in order for this tool of empowerment to be right for you. If you’re ready for positive energy to flow your way, then it’s time for a Life Activation!

The Life Activation is a shamanic healing that helps align you to your purpose and shift out the negative energy in your life so you’re better able to align with the positive at a higher level to achieve your goals. The remarkable thing about this gift of empowerment is that while the procedure is the same for every client, the end result is different and unique to all. This session works with the specific energy of the client to shift out the ‘old stuff’, unique to that client, that no longer serves them in their life. While these old negative energies (sometimes represented in addiction, depression, or thought patterns) get shifted out and the new positive energy gets integrated into their life – clients notice many positive changes taking place with little to no effort on their part.

“I feel like my heart is lighter, and I am not as bothered with the little things!” ~MH

This is a common result of the Life Activation. Many people get hooked on or stressed out about the small insignificant things in life – some people are so affected that they become easily agitated, angry, or even depressed. The result of your heart feeling lighter as you release the old energy that keeps the heart and mind imprisoned by these triggers is a wonderful feeling. You will actively notice yourself shifting through those situations that used to bother you with little thought or emotion and with more positivity and love.

“The Life Activation has shifted me in such a positive direction with little effort or resistance. Doors have began to open for me, I struggle with the little things less, and things overall just seem easier.” ~JG

The Life Activation is a great tool to assist in the balancing of emotions. If you ever feel as though you are on a constant upward and downward swing emotionally, the Life Activation can assist you to be more emotionally balanced. The things that you used to struggle with you will no longer have to continuously fight – over time as the activation integrates things will just seem to get easier. Once you are more in balance, doors will start opening and assist you in aligning you to your path.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit www.TrueSanctuary.com