Reiki retreat.. get the most out of your time..
Retreat is one of the best ways to deepen your practise of reiki. Here are some key things to consider when taking yourself on a reiki retreat:
# Why are you going?
Always check your motivation. Are you just trying to escape your life for a while. Fine if you are, as long as you are aware of it. Try to bring to mind a deeper motivation that rest and relaxation, though, and you will get a lot more out of your time away.
# Where are you going?
You do not need to spend alot of money or time to put yourself into a healthy retreat space. In the tibetan tantric tradition you are considered on retreat if you keep four sessions in one day. Giving yourself four self treatments in one day would be an excellent way to begin reiki retreat.
# Set boundaries
Important in all areas of your life, is some level of organization. This is what we are talking about here. Spend some time sitting in gassho (kneeling or sitting in half/full lotus position, hands at your heart or on the tops of your thighs).. let the reiki move through you.. and let your intuition guide you as to what is important for you. Most common boundaries include things like: not talking for the period of retreat, or at least keeping communication with other people to a minimum (to aid contemplation and connection to your healing energy), eating only fruit or a combination of fruit and vegetables, eating only one meal during the day, staying within a set space for the duration of your retreat.. it can be anything.. the aim is just to give your mind some boundaries, so you are better able to concentrate of the task at hand. Like a grandparent with a child.
# How long will you do retreat for?
I would suggest it is a really good idea not to set your expectations too high for yourself.. with any kind of spiritual endeavor.. but especially any contemplative exercise like retreat. You want your mind to feel confident it can achieve the goals you set for yourself, and you will do that much better with success. Build up. Start with one day. Four self treatments. Do not jump straight into a ten day reiki retreat. (Although, if you can do it, no worries)
# Do not judge
Do not be surprised if you go through some clearing symptoms if you take yourself on a reiki retreat. Reiki is healing energy, and its intention is to bring you to a path of clarity, self honesty and truth.. spiritual truth. And, most of us, no matter how “together” we already are.. have a few things that while they may feel like today’s treasure, may become tomorrow’s trash. Try to develop the wise acceptance that you might imagine an older person watching children play could have, about your experiences.
# Go by yourself
Although I have said in earlier posts that practicing reiki with a friend is a great idea, which it really is for keeping up our motivation.. when you go on retreat, it is best to try and do it by yourself. Retreat is more about development than anything else. And, perhaps in reiki we should use it as a tool to deepen our connection to reiki, and to connect more deeply with the healing path.
# Mix it up
I said earlier that you would be considered on retreat in the tibetan tantric buddhist tradition if you were keeping four sessions per day. I think this is a good goal (four self treatments) for a reiki person in retreat too. However, it is also good to mix things up, and to add in the other aspects of you reiki practise that inspire you (or do you good).. meditation (sitting as described above) for example, or distant healing, or crystals, taro cards, reading, bush walking, whatever it is for you. I think if you have the intention to take some time away from you regular routine to focus on developing your spiritual side, and your self awareness, then you are on retreat.
# Seek advice
If you have a reiki friend/teacher, or better yet a spiritual guide/teacher, let them know you are planning to go on retreat for a day or whatever, and seek their advice. It is especially good if you can find someone with some experience in similar retreats. Ask them for tips.
# Finally
Drink lots of water. And have fun! (or at least make the most of your time.. because the road to increasing self awareness and self honesty, which is the definition of progression on the spiritual path, is not always exactly fun. )