Does your state of mind affect the way you give Reiki?

Does the state of your body affect the way you give Reiki?

What do you think?

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I will tell you that when you first learn Reiki the absolute best thing your Reiki teacher can tell you is “no”. Because you are probably already worried enough about where your hands go, whether you are doing it right, whether you look silly, perhaps any one of a bunch of different things.

But, the actual truth is that both those things affect the way you give Reiki. And that is just the plain truth. I also invite people to object and put forward counter arguments, that is the best way we can all clarify our understanding of the Reiki path and hopefully deepen our experience of the wisdom that arises from its practise.

Intention is what drives Reiki.

But, what is it that drives intention? Simple, you. And in-particular your own will power. Emphasis being on power. The more stable and clear your intention, the more stable and clear will the energy of Reiki shine through. The most common metaphor is that of a hose. You are the hose. Your junk food and junk thoughts (self sabotage, gossip, negativity, ill-will..) are like dirt in the hose, blocking it up. The cleaner the hose, the easier the water flows.

It has been suggested, by people like Frank Petter, that Usui (the founder of the Reiki healing system) used to re-attune his students as much as every month. As well as get them to recite the Reiki ideals. Both of these things help wash the pebbles out of the hose.

Hopefully, your Reiki teacher gives you unlimited re-attunements as part of the deal with your Reiki 1, 2 or Masters. I would especially hope this is the case for the particular lineage that still thinks $10,000 means something in the whole master training scheme of things. If not, why not sit down with them and have a chat about whether they think re-attunement is something that supports the ongoing process of Reiki, and whether you can come to some kind of arrangement. Assuming ofcourse they think it does help, ongoing.

What are the Reiki Ideals?

Just for today:
1. I will not use anger
2. I will use kindness
3. I will be full of gratitude
4. I will do my work honestly
5. I will not indulge my worrying mind

source (with some poetic license)

It is not really hard, but, you need to find your center, and that is not so easy.

photo credit: derfel_ie

As a human being our ultimate nature is contentment, peace, clarity and wisdom. But, our relative nature is desire and doubt.

So, if you truly want to be without fear, if you truly want to have confidence and certainty, then you need to be able to see past the relative and find the timeless nature that lies within.

photo credit: newformula

But, how do we go past our relative mind. How do we find the peace and confidence within? Just one way. With genuine, sincere compassion.

By letting our hardships work on us. By allowing ourselves to become maliable, and soft. The moe flexible our mind becomes, the more easily it will let go in Reiki healing and in meditation. And we can see what the space beyond the thoughts looks like. What our heart looks like, rather than just looking at its contents.

If we can do that, we might just see that our heart is the heart of the world.

photo credit: tata_aka_T

What should I do when I am giving some one Reiki? What should I be thinking?

This kind of question is not something that troubles every type of Reiki person. Some people are blessed with very strong natural faith and devotion. An inner certainty about themselves and what they are doing.

I am not one of those people.

People have emphasized to me that you can be “told” things that are helpful for your clients when you give Reiki. And, to be perfectly honest, being “told” that was perhaps one of the most unhelpful things, ever.

Right up there with synchronicity. (It just made me paranoid and waaaay too serious)

You can pick up some really useful stuff for people during Reiki sessions (it is, in fact, a large part of Reiki 2 training), and the basis for Usui’s intuitive based hand position style. But, I think, often, people get very unstable when you start talking like that.

People are desperate for meaning. We are all really hoping that there is some greater meaning to our lives, a higher purpose. And, when people start saying things like they were “told” to tell them something during a treatment, we can place overly sentimental emphasis on that information.

Anyway. The problem, for me at least, is not so much whether schronicity is true or exists, but that people could never tell me “how” to do it. So following are some useful tips on “how” to do it.

1. Allowing.

Understanding the difference between forcing and allowing. If you force yourself to concentrate on an apple, you go out to get the image of the apple with your eye consciousness. Which is very different, although only subtly, from allowing the apple image to come to you. But, do not mistake it for dull passivity.

2. Brightness.

When we are passive we can be bright or dull, mentally. And, usually it is connected to our emotional state. If we are light and happy, we are bright and alert.

3. Not Distracted.

Concentration is the key. But, it is not a forced concentration. It is a concentration that allows your consciousness to be un-distracted. Like an internal commitment to not get distracted (read: overly interested) in what is happening internally with your thoughts and emotions, and externally with your client’s behaviour and reactions.

4. Hovering Awareness.

You want to allow you consciousness to be bright, alert and undistracted. Just hovering, and slightly curious. Without being overly interested (distracted) by what happens. Much the same as sitting meditation.

Last Word
There are a number of ways you can raise with a client things that you have noticed intuitively during a treatment. Personally, I recommend trying your level best to do it in a very earthy and “normal” way. And, try not to be too attached to what you feel or notice. That way, your client has the space to either take responsibility themselves (which really is the only way change and healing will come to fruition), or politely disagree with your perception (very healthy).

I would encourage you to be brave and speak from your heart, honestly and openly, because it might just be very helpful.

Written in response to a comment on a recent post:

I have some thoughts:

1. Do you think reiki is a good idea for people who are emotionally “messed up” like you mentioned in number two? I’ve often thought that it isn’t a good idea for unstable people to delve into the energy practices like kung fu or vajrayana buddhism. But do you think reiki will help heal them?

2. Does reiki heal a person who gives reiki? For example, would someone who gives reiki a lot always be healthy?

Thanks for the comment and questions..

1. Yes, from experience I can definitely say that Reiki helps a great deal with people who are emotionally “messed up”.

I have also heard what you said about people not recommending meditation to some people with severe emotional issues. I think that is probably a good idea, because a lot of “stuff” can bubble to the surface in meditation, because you are increasing your self aware concentration, and the ego usually rebels pretty strongly against that (hence the throwing up of challenging memories and feelings..), in which case gardening or some other more grounding activity may suit better.

But, Reiki is not something that you need to be very good at concentration or letting your mind rest in its natural purity, to receive.

Reiki works just fine whether you are concentrating or not. A lot of people fall asleep during Reiki sessions.

And, in Reiki practise and healing, it is also not essential to have any cathartic experiences of insight and realization about the root of an emotional problem, as in traditional counseling (mind Reiki is not a replacement to traditional therapies).

I came to Reiki in my darkest days. Heavy doubt and negative projections onto the world and people. Suffering strong depression. Basically, all my problems were mental.

Why Reiki worked well for me was that I did not have to do anything. I could just lie down.

I did not (at first) think deeply about my attitude and mental situation. I just knew that somewhere along the way I had lost the ability to be happy, and I felt luke warm, to say the least, about life and the goals society was telling me were of value.

My main, very non scientific explanation is that Reiki just works. I just started to (gradually) feel happier. Technically, what happened was my energy got clean. The smoke, and negative energy washed away. And the channels started to repair and strengthen. Which allowed the natural feeling of contentment to shine more strongly through in my mind.

Now, I am not saying I am perfectly content, but I can tell you I am a LOT happier. And, the deeper I take spiritual practise the more like myself I feel. Authentic, genuine.

Reiki can certainly bring up things. Reiki has clearing symptoms. Like what happens when we say we are “purifying” something in Buddhism. And, if someone is really ready for a change in their energy it can happen just from putting your hands on them.

The thing is that different people react in different ways to Reiki. Because, essentially Reiki is loving energy. Aswell, as healing energy. And, if you are in a really dark place, you may have a very violent reaction to kindness. But, Reiki is a gentle healing energy. Yes, it has strength and spiritual power, but, it is not forceful. (Wrathful)

So, I personally feel that Reiki is excellent for most people. The main problem I think people have with Reiki is that it is not fast enough for them. If you really want to see results with Reiki you need to give yourself a treatment, a couple of times a week, every week, for a year or two. It is very gradual. (Although, not linear)

Anyway. That is probably enough dribble. Ask more questions if you want, in the comments.

2. Yes. It is taught that Reiki heals the person giving and receiving, equally.

I went along to listen to a visiting Reiki person a little while ago. This person is part of one of the “famous” Reiki groups and had a pretty big budget for marketing the talk and drew a good crowd.

The thing that I found interesting about the talk (which was very good by the way..) was the cross section of people that came and the reasons that they seemed to come for.

1. Physical Healing

One clear group were people that were interested in what Reiki could do for them or loved ones in terms of physical healing. I usually consider, when a person comes to our little Reiki clinic with the primary objective of healing some physical health issue, that they are best served by learning Reiki 1. I should say quickly here, that I always think that it is better if people end up studying Reiki 1, rather than just receive Reiki sessions because, Reiki practise and the Reiki path is a self empowering one, and a lot of effort should be made to help people be self reliant, and not develop a dependency on their Reiki group or teacher.

Something that was not said during the talk, which I think is extremely important to make clear to people who are seeking physical healing is that Reiki is not a replacement to traditional healing. There is a tendancy, out of enthusiasm or mis-guided perception to think that Reiki can heal things that traditional medicine cannot. I have heard stories taught during Reiki workshops about how Usui used to heal cancer and how serious health problems can be healed with Reiki. This is something to be wary of promoting.

I think most alternative healing people will agree that there is immense benefit to be gained by using alternative healing recipes and techniques, and that one of those benefits is they work with the causal aspect of the issue rather than purely managing symptoms (now I am not suggesting traditional medicine only deals with symptoms.. but it is certainly a strong focus..), and, that it is a gentle brand of healing and as such should not be rushed and over done.

There is no quick fix in spiritual/alternative healing. To have lasting success, with any modality, it needs to be done consistently, over a long period of time.

2. Mental/Emotional Healing

The next big cross section of the crowd seemed to be very interested in emotional issues. Why do I have so much anger? Why am I always so insecure? I need to heal my… whatever… emotional feeling.

I think this is a very interesting group. And, again a group that needs to be treated with gentle sensitivity. Generally speaking Reiki 2 works beautifully with emotional healing. Joined with daily self treatments. But, it is important to know the limitations and boundaries of our role as a Reiki person, and what we are and are not qualified to counsel someone in. Just to give you an idea about how we do it at our Reiki clinic, but only for sharing the way that works for us, (not to suggest it is the best way..) is we try very hard to create an atmosphere and energy around the healing session and client relationship that re-enforces that we are not trained counselors, that we are just normal family people. We try to make people feel as welcome and safe as we can, and show that we are friendly and warm hearted and happy to listen to people share their stories. But, that if something more serious comes up, they really need to find someone trained to talk about that with. And, then we can recommend a few people, if they want some one good.

3. The Spiritual Seeker

The third, distinct, group that I noticed at the talk were the spiritual seekers. People looking to Reiki for a spiritual connection. And it is out of this group that you will probably find the highest percentage of your Reiki 3 students.

The main issue in group 3, is fundamentalism. Which in Reiki circles, manifests as I have said above as over enthusiasm about what Reiki is able to achieve (generally speaking..) and what kinds of messages you send to your clients/students.

It can also show up as thinking they are on a mission to save the world, a re-incarnated spiritual teacher (or allowing themselves to think they are somewhat “special” because they contemplate their Hara/naval and think about the deeper meanings of life, versus the more “superficial” and “materialistic” people in the world), or just simply so intense that they find it near impossible to act like a “normal” person and have regular everyday activities in their routine.

I am definitely speaking from personal experience on this one! (being a recovering fundamentalist..)

One particular Buddhist teaching that I really loved the first time I read says that you should strive to change on the inside (become more tolerant, more patient, more kind and more loving..) but that you should not change the outside.

I think there is a tendency when we find spiritual things that are so obvious, like Reiki (you can literally feel the energy of the universe), to go a bit over board. Shave our hair off, go live on an ashram, stop seeing all our old friends, whatever.

If we just take it easy. Take it slow. The healing will be lasting..

Conclusion

If you fall in love with the Reiki path, or you find temporary benefit from giving or receiving the energy, you will meet lots of weird and wonderful people along the journey. Each person needs to be met at their level and respected for what is moving them at the time. Reiki 1 is not less important than Reiki 3. How can you say the branches are less important than the tree. Enjoy the journey!

When someone comes up to our place for a reiki treatment I do not really like to talk very much during the session (except to check in with them..) that is just my natural style. Although I may pick up on things during the treatment I think it is better to be quiet during the session.

But, I am all for having a cup of tea afterwards, if there is time, and having a chat.

The Question of Why?

One of the things that comes up at one point or another, directly or indirectly, with almost every person that comes for reiki on a regular basis for a period of time is the idea of “why”.

Why do I feel depressed. Why does my boyfriend not seem interested in commitment. Why do I react this way in that situation. Etc etc.

I remember having long conversations about the relative importance or otherwise of the question of why with my reiki teacher. And I must confess that we disagreed quite strongly.

She, believed very firmly that “why” was the most important question along our spiritual path. That we needed to honor the why within us. And that we could not fully heal without the recognition and catharsis that comes from deep contemplation of the why surrounding issues.

I on the other hand thought, and still think, that the why is useful, but like everything else can be both helpful and not, a strength or a weakness, depending on our state of mind and how each individual approaches it.

We can get obsessed about the reason we feel a certain way, or the cause of a particular habit. We need to use the curiosity within us that produces the need to know things as a tool for growth, but not prostrate ourselves to its energy. Otherwise it can turn into a power thing. A control thing.

Or even a simple matter of distraction. Where we need to constantly seek the high of an insight. A meaningful coincidence. An ah-ha moment. We can get addicted to those aspects of the spiritual path. If we are too infatuated by working out “why”.

But, we can also potentially go in the other direction.. which ultimately I think is what my reiki teacher was arguing internally against. The situation where you have no desire to seek a deeper reality. No wish to penetrate past the superficial status quo of the everyday world.

So, we need a balance.

When asked how we should hold our mind in meditation, the Buddha answered that it should be like the strings of a lute. Not too tight and not too loose.

It Just Works

The thing about Reiki is that it just works. You do not need to understand why it works, or how it works, or even believe that it will work.. for it to actually work. And if you do not believe me, give Reiki to some animals that need healing.

This is one of the aspects that attracts me to reiki. It is one of its great strengths, to me. Over other forms of healing. Like counseling for example. Don’t get me wrong, I love counseling. I nearly became a professional grief counselor. But, there are lots of healing situations where being able to receive without having to do very much is really really helpful. If you think about depression as one example. You have to be well enough to engage in counseling. (Which is where correctly prescribed medication is so helpful.. it relieves some of the symptoms, so the person can actually start talking and healing the underlying causes..)

Reiki heals without care or concern whether you understand the underlying cause. And reiki heals whether you have faith in the healing or not. It is not psychosomatic. It is just naturally occurring healing energy. Like water quenches your thirst. Reiki balances your energy systems and heals body and mind (if you do it for long enough..).

That was my thesis, anyway, when debating with my reiki teacher.

If you do not want things to change in your life you should not practice Reiki.

I was reminded, recently, very clearly, that Reiki is a healing path. It is path that seeks your evolution. It is not a path that seeks to keep things the same, Reiki does not work like that.

Cocoon

It seems in life that we can follow two very distinct paths. One is the path of cocooning. Where we seek safety and to shut out the world. We want to control our life situation. We seek to nest and to maintain our current situation.

Rising Sun

Then there is a path in life that feels more like the rising sun. Where we seek to grow and change and develop. This path is more expansive and inclusive. Perhaps it is accurate to say that the rising sun path is characterized by love, where the cocooning one is shaped by fear. But the truth is that both are the same life force. One is merely more blocked than the other.

Embrace change

The best thing we can do for ourselves is not to be resistive to life and to change. There is an irony in resisting change. Yet we all do it a little. And sometimes it seems almost as if it is easier to fall back into the habit than not.

Faith and Chance

If the world is ruled by faith and chance. Then put your faith in daily practice. Because the unblocking of your life force energy through the healing vibration of Reiki is the best insurance policy for keeping chance on your side.

I talked a bit about the importance of delivering a quality Reiki service the other day in How much should you charge for Reiki. We also talked about how if you strive to exceed your clients expectations that will leave them with a positive outlook on your reiki service and reiki in general.

So, I wanted to offer some tips for HOW you can exceed your clients expectations:

In the beginning there is PREPARATION..

1. Materials

Organizing the tools of your trade is what this tip is all about. Think about, contemplate, the things you might need during your reiki session or workshop. Do you use an overhead projector, are you going to need an extension cord? Do you have all your handouts ready, how many people are coming. This sort of thinking.

2. Environment

This step is twofold.

Step 1 is really concerned with familiarity with your chosen location. How well do you know the space you are going to be giving reiki in? For example if you are hiring a hall or room to give treatments or facilitate workshops you might want to go over there before hand and check it out, make sure you know where the toilets are! If it has tea and coffee facilities, that sort of little stuff. And then also the big stuff, is it going to be warm enough, is there enough space for all your students/clients?

Step 2 is the preparation of the space. If you are giving a treatment then a simple 5 minute clearing before hand of the room might be enough. But, if you are running a workshop (and then further if you are REALLY clever and conduct your workshops under retreat conditions, live in..) you might want to consider spending a lot more time preparing the space. I would recommend a minimum of 5 minutes clearing per one hour spent facilitating reiki activities.

3. Water

Whenever we run train the trainer sessions at my REAL job (tongue firmly in cheek), we ask what people think are the important things in training sessions? And without fail refreshments always ranks right up there.

This is even more the case with spiritual and energy training and sessions. Why water is good and helpful for reiki sessions is a whole post on its own, but quickly it has alot to do with our bodies being made up of over 70% water, with helping flush out toxins and with energy healing being like having run a marathon lying down (on occasion).

4. Room Setup

This could probably have gone in with number 2, Environment. But, it is such a great part of what makes a good reiki session/workshop that I wanted to give its very own number!

Gentle and peaceful is what you want to go for. With a dash of inspiration for good measure.

You can achieve this through the senses of sight, sound and smell.

Gentle music playing while giving reiki treatments, inspiring spiritual images in the healing space. Or cystrals, or water or whatever inspires you. Having things that inspire the practitioner helps them get into their healing space mentally.

But, I also think it is good to go easy. Simple is better. Because, what appeals to you may not appeal to all your clients. If it is too “full-on” then it may become an issue/obstacle for those that are inspired by different things.