• Reiki Reiki holds possibilities for humanity in disarray: Ajit T elang 24 By Kanak Hota "Reiki is not alternate therapy to treat physical ailment as it is made out to be in the West; it is the ultimate consciousness of the spiritual/cosmic energy encompassing the whole human consciousness," said Ajit Telang, one of the prominent proponents of reiki, speaking here in Chicago. One of the founding members from Reiki India Resource Center Mumbai, he has been visiting the US for the last three years. During his visits to Chicago he initiates members to realize the· "physical, mental and emotional restructuring or "Chittasudhi" through reiki. In an interesting attempt to bring together mind, intellect and the soul, Telang, lovingly called Guruji, has combined reiki with the Vedic concept of Agnihotra. "Reiki addresses the energetic disturbance in the human body, and balances the body in a state of relaxation; it is the] apanese spiritual practice starting with addressing the imbalance in the body; reiki connects the spirit with the physical wellness. He explained that reiki pronounced as "Ray Key", it the spiritually guided (Rei) life force energy (Ki) which is channeled through the healer and received by the body of the recipient as gentle supportive healing energy. He also cautioned that reiki is not based on religion. Agnihotra, he states, starts from purifYing the environment and there by helping man to live a holistic life of goodness. Telang, a nuclear scientist and a management consultant believes that the ultimate cure for the crisisin human life-stress, anxiety, uncertainty, pain and fear can be taken care of by reiki; and Agnihotra can save humanity from the fear of the doom's day - devastating natural calamities, caused by the phenomenon of global warming that basically results from the imbalance man has created in the elements of nature through mindless progress in science and technology. "It is time to 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 a well-established spiritual healing practice through out the world. He is currently a reiki master; he started teaching reiki in 1997.He believes that reiki has become part of human life -it gives bliss and happiness. He reminded that reiki is a holistic system encompassing the mental, emotional and spiritual aura. Agnihotra on the other, is an ancient Vedic practice corroborated in the Atharva Veda in detail. Agnihora teaches man to maintain atmospheric balance. According to the practice individuals need to perform havan or yagna during the time of sunrise and sunset in copper, gold or earthen pyramid by lighting a small fire and putting rice or "supari" in to the flame. Gajanan Maharaj rediscovered the ancient art form. It stands for the enrichment of the environment. According to Telang, both reiki and Agnihotra are effective in influencing the collective conscious and beneficial in working out the physical, mental and spiritual restructuring. By following reiki and agnihotra people have been cured of drug addiction, trauma, mental retardation, stress and depression. With more and more faith in these two oriental practices, "people have come to experience healing and recuperation," he emphasized in his talk. During his visit to Chicago Telang has conducted classes extensively at Manav Seva Mandir, Norteastern Illinois University and Metropolitan Asian Family Center. He also spoke in detail at Skoki public library to make people realize the benefits of living a life connected with the supreme cosmic energy that keeps lifegoing in the universe. He is impressed with the response he gets from the students at NEIU. He has initiated 73 peope to reiki in Chicago 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; it is a mission for us. We are teaching people how to get bliss and happiness in their lives" said Telang. Reiki Vidya Mission works in close association with the Maharastra and Gujarat police forces, organizes workshops at old-age homes, orphanages and destitute homes. The mission also imparts people lesionson parenting and maintaining healthy familial relationships and on conflict resolution. All their programs are free. "We do not advertise. I always believe that the mission is bigger than me. We start with the idea that goodness still prevails;people are loosing their faith in themselves and we need to go beyond ourselves" said Telang. Being a scientist and a spiritual thinker it helps Telang to be extremely articulate about his ideas. So far 20,000 students have trained under him and he believes that once we are aware that divinity is with in us, many of the crises that man face today would be resolved. Suhasini Govindan, a scholar of physics and a reiki master trained under Telang who accompanied him during his recent Chicago visit says,"I joined the reiki classes out of curiosity. There have been a lot of changes in my life. I'm trying to reach out to as many students as I can to help them heal mentally and spiritually". ",,-~,;~.,). 'f- .•. ' .; .'1.- desiTALK, June 15,2007 II Designers Jewelry designer Payal Pittie hits the big time with Oprah's order Para! & Lauren. (File photo) By K. Sharma In the highly competitive market of designer jewelry it is hard to find a break and leave one's mark. Thankfully, for Hyderabad born Art Institute of Chicago grad Payal Pittie, the big time came as Oprah Winfray's stylist ordered a few pieces of her jewelry. Already this classicallytrained designer has been selling her trend-setting items in London, Singapore, Miami and Montana. She is known for her elegantly organic and wearable jewelry made out of diamond and precious gemstones and purest metals. She is twenty-six and her pieces turquoise diamond drop earrings and diamond and black pearl bracelet have been a hit at Mira Couture since she has stated selling there one year ago.