From the age of 5 Julie experienced several insights which brought the
awareness that there was something more to life than the superficial humdrum
existence that she saw everyone living. There was something behind that
life which was far more fascinating to her.

These feelings eventually pushed Julie to travel to over 40 countries and
'follow her heart' around the globe. Looking and searching for some thing, or
some place, which would bring meaning and 'fill the gap'.

In 1997 Julie found Reiki on the shores of Lamu Island, Kenya.
As with many others, Reiki helped to turn the spiritual light on. It was as
if it was already known and was simply being remembered.

As soon as Julie arrived in New Zealand, in March 2000, it finally felt like
the perfect and only place to live.

Reiki Master teacher training began in Queenstown a few months later for more
personal growth, but it wasn't until three years later, in February 2003, that
Julie found the reason for her love of New Zealand, her teacher Elysha.

Elysha showed Julie how to disregard the false and directly enter the place
of trueness, moment by moment.

After meeting Elysha, Julie realized that she still had no real idea of the rich
beauty and depth of the experience of the Divine and how deliciously attractive
it is. All other spiritual practices were then dropped, including Reiki.

Through living Elysha's teaching for 8 months Julie stabilised in the
Oneness / Awakened state of self realization. She was liberated and had come home.

Then the journey of true self discovery began. Honestly seeing the Self for
exactly what it is, discovering what a tangled mess it is, and learning to
leave it all alone and just let it be as it is.

Elysha's teaching is not a 'means to an end' teaching, it is an end in itself. It
cuts straight through to the ultimate truth to the point where body and spirit
are One.

For the next 4 years Julie continued with this and in December 2007 a change
occurred which brought an insight that made this teaching far more simple. It was
then that Julie's Self dissolved into the no-self state.

Now the roles have reversed and Julie has the privilege of being able to help Elysha.

Julie spends between 4 and 6 hours per day at The Elysium Ashram sitting with
Elysha and the community of practitioners which has formed there.

Julie is not a writer or a teacher. When asked, sharing her understanding and
bringing simple clarity and ease is a natural move. She is also fully available
to give support and encouragement.

Julie Sarah Powell

All proceeds donated to
The Elysium Ashram