The Wollaston Conference Centre Perth, was an ideal venue for the 2003 National Reiki Conference, situated in an isolated and beautiful environ, providing peaceful surrounds and a labyrinth for contemplation.

For those in attendance who had participated in the 2001 Conference, the developing maturity of the Australian Reiki community was evident. No longer were we considering the question of `Do we wish to be a united community in all of our diversity?' but rather "We are a rich and diverse community. We are united in our vision to preserve the spiritual and personal practice. We do accept the responsibility of establishing standards for the professional practice of Reiki. What next steps do we need to take?"

Every aspect of the conference proceedings seemed to have `come of age'. Three years of project development and the vision, backed by information, community feedback and community processing; now had a solid foundation.

An efficient and accommodating Conference Planning Team ensured the thousand details were seamlessly attended to. Brisbane delegate, Eleanor Anderson with a passion for community and a sense for understanding the healing processes of groups in action, enthusiastically took on the role of "Friendship Officer", offering support and a listening ear.

The delegation was as diverse as the Reiki practices it represented. We numbered 41 in total, half as many again as at the inaugural conference in Sydney , 2001. We came from local, interstate and international locations. Some were familiar with the Project's history. Others were drawn to participate for the first time, by the welcoming theme 'Richness in Diversity' .

Held over 4 days, August 7-10, 2003 , the conference incorporated time for self-Reiki, meditation and group Reiki sharing. Honouring our folk art tradition in this way supported the process of the groups, assisted the integration of information, and empowered us in reaching consensus on the inevitably difficult questions that arose on the final day.

We began our journey together, gathering at breakfast to meet and share experiences. Day one of the conference was frequently referred to as 'Information download':

Presentations on a number of topics were given to bring delegates up to date with the project's progress and initiatives in the wider communities.

For some, the notion of the practice of Reiki as an 'industry' was new and confronting. Yet, we cannot deny the mounting evidence that Reiki is now being classified as a Complementary Therapy and subject to the same scrutiny as other better known therapies.

Sharron Mackison and Wendy Watson presented to the delegation an overview of the `Government moves to regulate Complementary Therapies'. Sharron and Wendy were key researchers and writers of URPA's response to the 2002 NSW Health Discussion Paper. Their presentation informed the conference delegation of critical developments and added weight to our reasons for gathering together and establishing professional standards.

One of the conference themes; `Global connections' came to life as we heard of similar journeys being undertaken worldwide. It is encouraging to know that the Australian Reiki community is not alone in this journey.

The Reiki community - both in Australia and globally - have responded to the call to explore what it means to be a professional practitioner of Reiki, and there is a growing recognition of the need for professional practice that preserves the spiritual and personal practice of Reiki.

Conference guest speaker, Kate Jones Administrator for The Reiki Association travelled from the UK to share the association's journey with the issue of public practice. Kate's wonderful story telling talents were enjoyed by all. We learned that the UK has been exploring `public', (as opposed to `professional' practice) for a number of years.

The same questions are being asked about what kind of qualities and abilities are required of practitioners and teachers who offer their services to the public. What we heard though, differed in one aspect to the Australian situation: Our UK Reiki friends enjoy a much more relaxed relationship with health and governmental agencies and there is no government inquiry into Reiki as a complementary therapy, ripe for regulation.

Wonderful opportunities exist within the international Reiki community for connections and sharing of ideas. Two URPA members who had attended conferences abroad; Lynette Kirkman Cataldo 2002, USA Conference on Public Practice and AnnE Wiseman who had attended the 2003 Bristol, UK Conference on Public Practice shared their impressions of both conferences with the Perth delegation.

Different perspective's emerged between how Australia and abroad evaluate the setting of standards for professional practice. In Australia national consultation is pivotal to the entire process of establishing and maintaining standards for a professional practice of Reiki. The emphasis on `national consultation', being a means to create a result that ensures the entire Reiki community has an opportunity to have a voice right from the beginning.

AnnE Wiseman gave an extensive presentation that included an initial draft of a national standards framework drawn from the collated and synthesised outcomes of the 1 st series of the nationwide Discussion Groups. Conference delegates had the opportunity to workshop these standards and felt empowered to be playing a significant role in the expression of guiding principles and standards that will inform competencies for professional practice.

Eileen Chapman generously gave an impromptu presentation on RAPMA's practitioner competencies as an example of what might be required.

Several delegates questioned whether it was their path to become a professional Reiki practitioner. The conference had proved a vehicle for every participant to `get clear' on what was true for each one of us.

Tracey Wilkinson from the International Institute of Reiki Training gave a short presentation on a Complementary Therapy program that has been integral to the support and health care offered to cancer patients at the Sir Charles Gairdner teaching hospital.

We identified how the Reiki Community Journey has been reflected through the nationwide Discussion Groups and how the initial topic 'How do we preserve the richness of Reiki while establishing standards for Professional practice?' has evolved to a point of recognition that 'Establishing standards for the Professional practice of Reiki will preserve the richness of Reiki as a spiritual discipline and personal practice.'

With the final hours of the conference upon us, delegates were beginning to wind down and yet there was still much to discuss. Delegates were asked to endorse agreements made by representatives at the inaugural Reiki Organisation meeting held prior to the conference.

• To establish a * national Reiki advisory council to invite organisations** and individuals*, who have developed significant contributions, to inform the development of a national standards framework for the Reiki Industry. The advisory council/panel will consult with the Usui Reiki Practitioner Alliance (URPA).
  
  * Reiki Practitioner Advisory Panel is a name that will reflect the role of this group.
  
  **This may include Registered Training Organisations, synthesised feedback from URPA hosted discussion groups, consumers, employer groups, Reiki organisations, and other stakeholders.
  
• That, subject to expert advice, URPA will inform the relevant government bodies of the process and actions outlined in proposal #1.

Some participants felt pressured, their sense of closure seemingly thrown asunder. Still, we persevered, sending Reiki and forming a circle. These final hours were blessed with strong winds and rain, considered to be auspicious in the Indian culture when groups met for special gatherings. The cleansing was apparent and the closing circle filled us with a sense of awe.

We had reached oneness and were being rewarded for our perseverance through the challenges we faced together, pioneering a new chapter in the history of Reiki. Clearly the energetic imprint of what we experienced together will impact on the entire Reiki community.

The Conference proved to be a great opportunity for delegates to share their passion, ideas and concerns. Many had only ever worked in isolation, a common theme for Reiki practitioners and found that being exposed to a large group who are equally passionate about their practice of Reiki acted as a catalyst for growing and learning beyond their expectations.

Milestones were reached that have highlighted the next steps for this national community project. Over the course of the four days, participants developed trust for the consultation process and as a group gained the richness of being in community

The conference theme 'Richness in Diversity' was an experience running through our veins and hearts.

Brisbane is to be the host city for the 3 rd National Reiki Conference 12 th & 13 th October 2006 with Conference Workshops 14 th & 15 th October 2006 .

Inquiries for the 2006 Conference, please contact:

URPA Office email urpa@gil.com.au