• Reiki

Reiki holds possibilities for humanity in disarray: Ajit T elang

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By Kanak Hota

"Reiki is not alternate therapy to treatphysical ailment as it is made out to be in theWest; it is the ultimate consciousness of the

spiritual/cosmic energy encompassing thewhole human consciousness," said Ajit Telang,one of the prominent proponents of reiki,speaking here in Chicago.

One of the founding members from ReikiIndia Resource Center Mumbai, he has been

visiting the US for the last three years. Duringhis visits to Chicago he initiates members torealize the· "physical, mental and emotionalrestructuring or "Chittasudhi" through reiki.In an interesting attempt to bring togethermind, intellect and the soul, Telang, lovinglycalled Guruji, has combined reiki with theVedic concept of Agnihotra. "Reiki addressesthe energetic disturbance in the human body,and balances the body in a state of relaxation; itis the] apanese spiritual practice starting withaddressing the imbalance in the body; reikiconnects the spirit with the physical wellness.He explained that reiki pronounced as "RayKey", it the spiritually guided (Rei) life forceenergy (Ki) which is channeled through thehealer and received by the body of the recipientas gentle supportive healing energy. He alsocautioned that reiki is not based on religion.

Agnihotra, he states, starts from purifYingthe environment and there by helping man tolive a holistic life of goodness.

Telang, a nuclear scientist and amanagement consultant believes that theultimate cure for the crisisin human life-stress,anxiety, uncertainty, pain and fear can be takencare of by reiki; and Agnihotra can savehumanity from the fear of the doom's day ­devastating natural calamities, caused by thephenomenon of global warming that basicallyresults from the imbalance man has created in

the elements of nature through mindlessprogress in science and technology. "It is timeto put all our resources together" he reiterated.

Reiki, Telang says, has been in the Indian

Ajit Te1ang. (Desi Talk photo)

spiritual scene since 1989 and it has been awell-established spiritual healing practicethrough out the world. He is currently a reikimaster; he started teaching reiki in 1997.Hebelieves that reiki has become part of humanlife-it gives bliss and happiness. He remindedthat reiki is a holistic system encompassing themental, emotional and spiritual aura. Agnihotraon the other, is an ancient Vedic practicecorroborated in the Atharva Veda in detail.

Agnihora teaches man to maintain atmosphericbalance. According to the practice individualsneed to perform havan or yagna during thetime of sunrise and sunset in copper, gold orearthen pyramid by lighting a small fire andputting riceor "supari" in to the flame. GajananMaharaj rediscovered the ancient art form. Itstands for the enrichment of the environment.

According to Telang, both reiki andAgnihotra are effective in influencing thecollective conscious and beneficial in workingout the physical, mental and spiritualrestructuring. Byfollowing reiki and agnihotrapeople have been cured of drug addiction,trauma, mental retardation, stress anddepression. With more and more faith in thesetwo oriental practices, "people have come to

experience healing and recuperation," heemphasized in his talk.

During his visit to Chicago Telang hasconducted classes extensively at Manav SevaMandir, Norteastern Illinois University andMetropolitan Asian Family Center. He alsospoke in detail at Skoki public library to makepeople realize the benefits of living a lifeconnected with the supreme cosmic energy thatkeeps lifegoing in the universe. He is impressedwith the response he gets from the students atNEIU. He has initiated 73 peope to reiki inChicago so far.

AjitTelang and two of his close friends Dr.Subhas Gokhle and Dineshbhi Thakar have

founded Reiki Vidya Mission in Devrukh,closer to Mumbai. "It is not a business for us; itis a mission for us. We are teaching people howto get bliss and happiness in their lives" saidTelang. Reiki Vidya Mission works in closeassociation with the Maharastra and Gujaratpolice forces, organizes workshops at old-agehomes, orphanages and destitute homes. Themission also imparts people lesionson parentingand maintaining healthy familial relationshipsand on conflict resolution. All their programsare free. "We do not advertise. I always believethat the mission is bigger than me. We startwith the idea that goodness still prevails;peopleare loosing their faith in themselves and weneed to go beyond ourselves" said Telang.

Being a scientist and a spiritual thinker ithelps Telang to be extremely articulate abouthis ideas. So far 20,000 students have trainedunder him and he believes that once we are

aware that divinity is with in us, many of thecrises that man face today would be resolved.

Suhasini Govindan, a scholar of physicsand a reiki master trained under Telang whoaccompanied him during his recent Chicagovisit says,"I joined the reiki classes out ofcuriosity. There have been a lot of changes inmy life. I'm trying to reach out to as manystudents as I can to help them heal mentallyand spiritually".

",,-~,;~.,). 'f- .•.' .; .'1.-desiTALK, June 15,2007

IIDesigners

Jewelry designer Payal

Pittie hits the big time

with Oprah's order

Para! & Lauren. (File photo)

By K. Sharma

In the highly competitive market ofdesigner jewelry it is hard to find a breakand leave one's mark.

Thankfully, for Hyderabad born ArtInstitute of Chicago grad Payal Pittie, thebig time came as Oprah Winfray's stylistordered a few pieces of her jewelry.

Already this classicallytrained designerhas been selling her trend-setting items inLondon, Singapore, Miami and Montana.She is known for her elegantly organic andwearable jewelry made out of diamond andprecious gemstones and purest metals.

She is twenty-six and her piecesturquoise diamond drop earrings anddiamond and black pearl bracelet have beena hit at Mira Couture since she has stated

selling there one year ago.