RUBY MAYO -- Working

-- Story by Torus Tammer; photo by xxxxxx

SHE IS

A Huntington Beach healer

USING ENERGY

Huntington Beach resident Ruby Mayo, 65, has been a conduit for the

Japanese healing art known as Reiki for 16 years. Reiki, which in

Japanese means “universal life force energy,” is a technique that uses

the laying on of hands to help heal people, Mayo said.

Practitioners move their hands over a person’s body until they find

the problem area, which is usually chronic in nature. The area is then

treated with a heat that emanates from the hands, Mayo said.

“Reiki is a spiritual energy that works by awaking your spirit,” Mayo

said. “It’s like bringing light into a dark room and illuminating it.”

For instance, an individual may have energy blocks causing chronic

pain in the back, which is caused by emotional distress, Mayo said. Reiki

treats the emotional cause with the intention of clearing up the body’s

pain.

IN THE BEGINNING

Mayo discovered Reiki 16 years ago, after beginning a spiritual

search. In her early 40s, while working as an office manager, Mayo began

learning transcendental meditation as an antidote to life’s stresses.

This led her down the path of self-discovery, which wound up

delivering her to the doorstep of Reiki master Kate Huson-Law.

Mayo said the attraction to Huson-Law’s demeanor was the key to her

fascination with the healing art.

“Her serenity and gentleness attracted me to Reiki,” Mayo said. “So I

began the learning process by taking teaching from Kate.”

Though Mayo was a Christian before she discovered Reiki, she said she

does not belong to any organized religion now.

THE THIRD DEGREE

There are three degrees needed to become what is known as a Reiki

master. Mayo received her first and second degrees under the tutelage of

Huson-Law. She achieved her third from Reiki master Paula Horan, who is

also a published author.

From that point on, Mayo said her passion and belief in what she had

learned largely dictated the direction her life took.

PRACTICING WHAT SHE PREACHES

Mayo said she has taken what she learned about Reiki and has shared it

in such places as Canada and South America.

“I have dedicated my life to [Reiki], and it has been very fulfilling

for me,” Mayo said. “It’s been an awakening to what life is about and has

truly enabled me to discover balance and harmony.”

BRINGING BALANCE TO SURF CITY

Mayo has two sons and a daughter. In 1994, Mayo brought her method of

Reiki to Huntington Beach, where she moved to help her daughter, who was

ill.

She loved Surf City so much she never left.

Though she does get paid for her practice, Mayo often gives free

treatment to individuals who need it and can’t afford the treatments.

“I never turn anyone away that has a need for what I do,” she said.

“The process usually takes an hour, and there’s no need to take your

clothes off.”