When I was around 12 years old, I began to wonder "why am I here?" After trying to find this answer by myself, I realized that I was missing something. I turned to the Bible, Tao Te Ching, Cannon of Reason and Virtue, Meditation books, and anything else that crossed my path of interest. I spent a great deal of time at the library, needless to say :-). Throughout all of my research and learning, I uncovered an interest I never knew existed... an interest in helping others. I meditated to find my purpose in life, and was given a choice of possible roads to take... I chose the road of Helping Others. Now that I had my purpose unveiled, I needed a direction in which to proceed... so I meditated on how to proceed. I was presented with many, many options. I asked for guidance on which option to take, and was directed to keep learning. So I delved back into the library stacks, delving more deeply into everything I could find on helping others. I looked at meditations, visualizations, prayer, healing modalities, medical professions, and tons more. After I had completed what I thought was a thorough investigation, I meditated on which path I would take. I was drawn to the energy healing modalities. This was kind of a stretch for me, and I was beginning to see this. Being so shy and meditative... always a bit withdrawn... this was my first real step into making myself "a part" of the world. I studied books on meditative energy techniques, visualization for health, Chi Kung, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Healing Touch, "Psychic Healing", and more. I found a book that was extraordinarily well written, and decided that anyone else who picked up this book (it was from the library) would be interesting to talk with, so I placed a note inside asking the reader to contact me. About 2 weeks later a wonderful Woman called me and we talked about many different topics, and she mentioned to me that she practiced Reiki - she described it as an extremely easy way of helping others with health problems, much easier than the other ways that I had mentioned to her. This was the first I had heard of Reiki, so I decided to try and find information on it. I could find no books anywhere on the subject (this was around 1990 or so). I happened to have free internet access, so decided to search the internet for "Reiki". I found very few sites, but just enough to peak my interest. I called my new friend and asked where she had learned Reiki, soon afterward, I was on the phone with my soon to be Teacher. I asked many questions, and had to save up for the $75 fee for Level 1... but it was well worth the wait. In 1996 I began my Reiki "Journey"... I was a Level 1 Reiki Practitioner. I went on to the 2nd Degree in 1997, and the 3rd Degree/Teacher in 1998. After completing the Teacher training, I continued my training with Karuna® Reiki, and Advanced Mastership. I am now (1999) 20 years old, a Reiki Teacher, Karuna® Reiki Teacher, Student of Sinclair Community College, Student of Wright State University, and majoring in Management Information Systems (at WSU). I enjoy Teaching very much, the best part of it is meeting with so many like-minded people ...