Part One: My Journey to Holy Fire® Reiki Master Training in Glastonbury, England
“Sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin long before we pack our bags.”
For those of you who have been following my monthly blogs over the past few years, you know that I believe in being a lifelong student. Whether it’s mindfulness meditation, sound healing, breathwork, Reiki, or integrative health coaching, I am continually seeking opportunities to deepen my own understanding—not only for my own personal growth, but so I can better serve others.
Every meaningful training has added another layer to my journey. Some have taken me to extraordinary teachers, while others have introduced me to beautiful places that became part of the learning itself.
This past June, that journey took me to one of England’s most fascinating and spiritually significant places—Glastonbury—where I had the privilege of studying Holy Fire® Reiki Master Training with William Lee Rand during the Summer Solstice weekend.
Looking back, it truly feels as though the stars aligned.
The Journey Began in Sedona
Although my Holy Fire® Reiki Master training officially began in June 2026, the journey actually started nearly a year earlier.
In September 2025, I attended the 30th Annual International Reiki Retreat in Sedona, Arizona, led by William Lee Rand and his teaching team.
Having already completed Reiki I and Reiki II, I was eager to continue expanding my understanding of Reiki. The retreat exceeded every expectation. Learning directly from William and his colleagues opened my eyes to the depth, beauty, and evolving nature of Holy Fire® Reiki. I left Sedona inspired—not only by what I had learned, but by the realization that there was still so much more to discover.
While I was there, I found myself browsing the International Center for Reiki Training’s website, curious about what other programs William offered.
I noticed that he teaches Reiki Master classes in spiritually significant locations throughout the world.
Then one particular training immediately caught my attention.
A Holy Fire® Reiki Master class was scheduled for June 2026 in Glastonbury, England.
Not only was it taking place in one of the world’s most spiritually significant destinations, but it also happened to coincide with the Summer Solstice—and my birthday weekend.
I have always loved traveling, exploring new cultures, learning from gifted teachers, and celebrating life’s milestones in meaningful ways.
Everything about this opportunity felt right.
Sometimes life quietly places something in front of you and you simply know you’re supposed to say yes.
Without hesitation…
I registered.
A Journey Through England
Rather than flying directly to Glastonbury, I decided to turn the experience into an adventure through the English countryside, which started prior to my arrival in Glastonbury.
Driving on the left side of the road certainly kept me alert, but every mile was worth it.
My journey took me through rolling green hills, charming villages, magnificent gardens, ancient castles, Roman ruins, and picturesque towns that looked as though they belonged in a storybook.
Along the way I visited Stonehenge, Bath, Castle Combe, Wells Cathedral, The Newt in Somerset, and several other remarkable places, each offering its own unique history and beauty.
Travel has always been one of my greatest teachers.
It reminds me to slow down, remain curious, embrace the unexpected, and appreciate cultures and perspectives different from my own.
Looking back now, those five days were about much more than sightseeing.
Without realizing it, I was preparing myself.
The slower pace, the beauty of the countryside, and the quiet moments of reflection created the perfect transition before beginning an experience that I knew would be both personally and professionally meaningful.
By the time I arrived in Glastonbury, I felt grounded, present, and completely ready for whatever the weekend had in store.
Arriving in Glastonbury
There was something undeniably special about arriving in Glastonbury.
Steeped in history, legend, and spirituality, Glastonbury has long been associated with King Arthur, Avalon, Glastonbury Tor, the Chalice Well, and centuries of pilgrimage. Whether viewed through a historical, cultural, or spiritual lens, it is a place that naturally invites reflection.
Adding to the magic of the weekend was the timing.
People from around the world had gathered to celebrate the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. The town was alive with music, celebration, creativity, and an unmistakable sense of community. Everywhere I looked, there was a feeling of joy, openness, and connection.
As if that weren’t enough…
It also happened to be my birthday weekend.
I honestly couldn’t have imagined a more meaningful place to celebrate.
Our Holy Fire® Reiki Master training began on June 20th, and from the very first morning I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. Our class was made up of wonderful people from different backgrounds and countries, each of us brought together by a shared desire to deepen our Reiki practice, continue our own healing journey, and learn how to better serve others.
Then came an unexpected gift.
On the evening of June 21st, after our second day of training, our class gathered for a group dinner. By happy coincidence, June 21st was also my birthday.
I couldn’t have imagined a more meaningful way to celebrate than to be surrounded by such a warm and inspiring group of like-minded people—seekers, healers, and lifelong learners—from around the world. Sharing stories, laughter, and conversation with people who shared the same commitment to healing and personal growth made it an unforgettable birthday.
It was one of those rare moments when you pause, look around the table, and simply feel grateful. Spending my birthday in Glastonbury during the Summer Solstice, surrounded by remarkable new friends and immersed in a learning experience that meant so much to me, is a memory I will always cherish
It was one of those rare moments in life when you pause and realize exactly how fortunate you are.
Learning from William Lee Rand
One of the greatest privileges of this experience was learning directly from William Lee Rand, founder of the International Center for Reiki Training (ICRT) and the founder of Holy Fire® Reiki. As one of the world’s most respected Reiki teachers, he has devoted his life to advancing Reiki education and sharing its healing principles with students across the globe.
Beyond his decades of teaching experience, what impressed me most was his humility, authenticity, and willingness to openly share his own life’s journey.
Rather than simply teaching techniques, William invited us to understand the deeper purpose behind Reiki. Throughout the weekend, he shared stories that illustrated not only his own personal growth but also his lifelong commitment to helping create greater peace and healing in the world.
One story, in particular, stayed with me long after the training ended.
William shared the remarkable journey he undertook to place one of the World Peace Crystal Grids at the South Pole.
For those unfamiliar with the project, the World Peace Crystal Grid Project is an international initiative dedicated to promoting peace, compassion, healing, and higher consciousness throughout the world. Crystal grids have been placed in sacred and geographically significant locations across the globe, each one created and dedicated with the intention of radiating peace and serving as a reminder that lasting peace begins within each of us.
As William described the expedition, I found myself completely captivated.
He spoke about the long journey south through Punta Arenas, Chile, weather delays, aborted flights, camping in Antarctica, the harsh conditions, and the extraordinary kindness of the people he encountered along the way.
What could easily have been told simply as an adventure story became something much deeper.
It was a story about purpose.
About perseverance.
About remaining committed to something larger than yourself despite the obstacles.
I found myself deeply admiring his steadfast determination to complete what he believed was an important mission.
It reminded me that meaningful work rarely follows a straight path. Sometimes there are delays, disappointments, unexpected detours, and challenges we never anticipated. Yet when we remain connected to our purpose, those obstacles become part of the journey rather than reasons to stop.
His story resonated with me on a personal level because his journey began in Punta Arenas, the very city where I had begun my own expedition to Antarctica several years earlier. Traveling by expedition ship through the waters of Antarctica was one of the most extraordinary adventures of my life, and it gave me an appreciation for both the beauty and the remoteness of that part of the world.
While I’m not sure I have the bandwidth—or perhaps the fortitude! —to camp on the Antarctic ice and continue on to the South Pole, I deeply admired William’s perseverance, sense of purpose, and unwavering commitment to completing his mission.
Listening to him reminded me that sometimes the greatest journeys aren’t measured by the miles we travel.
They’re measured by the intention behind them.
More Than a Destination
As I reflected on everything that had brought me to Glastonbury, I realized this trip was about so much more than earning another certification.
Yes, I was there to become a Holy Fire® Reiki Master.
But I was also there to continue my own journey of growth.
One of the things I value most is remaining a student.
No matter how much we learn, there is always another teacher to learn from.
Another perspective to consider.
Another experience waiting to deepen our understanding.
That has been true throughout my journey—from becoming an Integrative Health Coach, to completing the two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, to studying sound healing, breathwork, and Reiki.
Each experience has built upon the last.
Each has shaped not only the practitioner I’ve become, but the person I’m continuing to become.
I often tell clients that healing isn’t a destination.
It’s an ongoing practice.
This journey reminded me that the same is true of learning.
Looking Ahead
As inspiring as my journey to Glastonbury had already been, I had no idea how profoundly the next three days would affect me.
The guided meditations…
The Holy Fire® Experiences…
The Ignitions…
The personal reflections…
Each invited me to look inward in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
I arrived in Glastonbury excited to learn.
I left with something much greater.
A renewed appreciation that healing is not about becoming someone different.
It’s about gently releasing what no longer serves us so we can become more fully who we already are.
That realization would become one of the greatest gifts of the weekend.
And it deserves a story of its own.
Coming Next Month...
Part Two: Inside Holy Fire® Reiki Master Training
In next month’s blog, I’ll take you inside the three-day Holy Fire® Reiki Master training itself.
I’ll share the teachings that touched me most deeply, the guided healing experiences, the Ignitions, and the personal insights that reminded me that healing is not a destination, but a lifelong journey of becoming.
Stay tuned!
