Questions for a Reiki healer

[donq]

As our new friend is also a Reiki healer, I think I should raise the following questions for the benefit of (myself and) anyone who might read it.

I used to read a lot about this stuff (and even tried it myself and it really worked!) but my interest was focused more on something else, the talking cure (or hypnosis.)

Let me give you a brief history about this, in case some of you might want to know a little more about it.

Thousand years ago, there were Chinese Qigong ("life energy cultivation"; Qi or chi means "life energy") and Indian Prana (energy)/Kundalini ("circular, annular") which became Pranic healing later.

There were also “Faith healing” or “spiritual healing” (also a long distant healing) which became The laying on of hands, Energy medicine (energy therapy, energy healing) and Therapeutic touch etc. (I could not recall some other names. It has something to do with the poles in human body, kind of earth's magnetic: north and south pole). Ah, yes, and psychic surgery, too.

Anyway, as for Reiki (the Japanese word “Rei” means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and “Ki” is derived from Chinese word Qi or "life force energy", it was developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui.

Ok, enough (or maybe too much?) about my overture. Let’s begin the questions, shall we?

1. Is this ability an (unique) individual gift? Or a natural ability that anyone can develop it later?
(I know that every time I feel some pain somewhere on my body, the very first thing I always do is to reach my hand to that very spot and feel better somehow.)
2. What inspired you to choose this kind of healing and/or to become a healer this way?
3. How long does it take to develop this ability before becoming a Reiki healer? (And how many levels are there?)
4. Which case do you can help? (or any kind of illness?)
5. Does Reiki really cure the disease/illness or just help relieving patient/client’s pain? Other drug is needed, too? (for a patient, not you. lol).
6. Does your hand (s) really touch the patient? Or just almost touched?
7. How long does it take for each session? More than 1 hour? And how many sessions are needed for each illness? Say, in a mild case.
8. Is there any side effect (physical and/or mental/spiritual) on you after a healing session? Does it drain your energy and has to recharge it again, somehow?
9. Does it help a spiritual part of a patient, too? Or just physical part (illness)? For example, he/she might be cured about his/her illness after healing session (s) but does it help them to develop their spiritual part because of that, too? I mean, their chakras will be better because of your help? If that is the case, then our spiritual development could be better by the helping of someone’s else (but not by ourselves)?

Thanks so much advance for your answers.

P.S. I’ll come back to read it later.

[sparklekaz]

Hi Monty,

I always enjoy talking about Reiki, as it is a subject close to my heart.

I had been practicing energy healing for some time before becoming attuned to reiki. I had discovered I could feel energy with my hands, while doing a dowsing and self awareness workshop. So for some time afterwards due to the isolation of where I lived (rural Wales) I found to develop further I had to do this alone. So I read up on various different ways of focusing on, and connecting with the universal source of healing energy, which is all around us.It was an amazing time of self discovery and awe at the natural power of the energetic world. But, I felt there was something missing. I sensed there was much more to it than just tapping into an energy source. Discovering Reiki and it's spiritual ethos was what I had been looking for. For me Reiki, through it's joining with other reiki healers and the reiki source, was suddenly finding myself part of, 'for want of a better word' soul family. It was a kinship and joining with something far greater than myself. I am a Christian and believe in God, and for me Reiki was an extension of that; If that makes sense.

So now to your questions:

1. Is this ability an (unique) individual gift? Or a natural ability that anyone can develop it later?
(I know that every time I feel some pain somewhere on my body, the very first thing I always do is to reach my hand to that very spot and feel better somehow.)

I believe we all have the ability to channel healing energy, Monty. As you have said, instinctively your hand goes to the place where you feel discomfort. Just as a mother touches and kisses the pain away from her child. Or a friend reaches out to hold a hand or touch a shoulder to give comfort. Some would say, and I am one of those people. That simply listening, giving your full attention and compassion to the troubles of another, is a healing act.

2. What inspired you to choose this kind of healing and/or to become a healer this way?

I have been drawn to healing since I was a small child. From an early age, I had a extreme sensitivity to the moods and emotions of others. Later on in life I came to realize that this was empathy. More then being sympathetic, as some might say. For how else can a 6 year old child shake with nerves and feel the anxieties of her parents. Know immediately that something was very wrong and sense that more was happening then was being said. I knew at 7 that my father was cheating on my mother. I knew when people were lying. I would take into myself things no child of that age should have to know and feel. The overiding feeling for me was even then, that I could help, or make it better. A sense of responsibility that somehow the fact I could know and sense these things, mean't I could and should help. I was so young, but I felt this in a very mature way that looking back, was at odds with my age. If that makes sense. Anyway, the answer is for me I was drawn to helping healing others, always. I was drawn to reiki, having developed naturally, looking for something that would bring together the desire to heal with a spiritual philosophy that felt right for me. Reiki fulfilled that need.

3. How long does it take to develop this ability before becoming a Reiki healer? (And how many levels are there?)

There are four levels of Reiki. Putting it simply. Reiki 1 is about self healing. Reiki 2 attunement allows you to heal others, and to practice distance healing. Reiki 3 is the Master attunement. This will allow you to do all of the above as well as being able to attune others. Reiki 4 is Reiki Master/Teacher. Some believe that Reiki 3 and 4 are the same thing. But I believe that both attuning others and teaching others about reiki. require a seperate training structure. But it all depends on how the Reiki Master wishes to do it. They may combine it or do it seperately. As for the time it takes, generally speaking each level should be done over at least a two day period. 6 hours per day. I know some have done it at college, so it may happen as part of a therapeutic course. It all depends on how the Reiki Master wishes to do it.

Ideally there should be at least 21 days between Reiki 1 and 2. The reason is to allow the new healer to adjust to the changes in their energy field that the attunements creates. It also allows for the self healing to work, which may bring to the surface issues for the healer to work through as part of their spiritual growth. To become a better channel, a clearer conduit for the healing energy to pass through. To move from reiki 2 which is the reiki practicioner level to reiki 3 Master level. Is up to the individual and the reiki master who may specify a minumum time limit at least to gain the experience required to become a good reiki master. Not just healing experience, but I also believe life experience and spiritual growth. Personally I believe this is imperative. I waited 7 years before doing my master level attunement. Today, people can do it within three months of taking reiki 1, some will even do all levels together. Which I feel says more about using reiki as a way of generating an income rather then as a spiritual practice to help others. But that is just my opinion.

4. Which case do you can help? (or any kind of illness?)

A reiki practicioner acts as a conduit for the reiki energy. We believe that the energy has consciousness. It 'knows' exactly what the patient or recipient needs on all levels. Mind, body and spirit. We do not have to actively tell the energy where to go. So there is no need for the healer to use their own intuition or sense to direct it. Though I believe many reiki healers, do develop these diagnostic skills naturally the more they practice reiki. As channels for the energy, as we heal other's we also receive healing. Many people have said that after becoming attuned to reiki, they found existing intuitive abilities enhanced, and for those who had none prior to their attunements, they find that they go on to develop them. Having said that though, it is not a foregone conclusion and not everyone does. So do not feel as if something is not right if you do not. We develop as we are mean't to. I believe, all reiki does is act as a catalyst, bringing out what is already there lying dormant within us.

5. Does Reiki really cure the disease/illness or just help relieving patient/client’s pain? Other drug is needed, too? (for a patient, not you. lol).

A good Reiki healer will never make promises. They will tell people honestly, that there are no guarantees with reiki or any other spiritual healing modality. But I will say that reiki cannot do any harm and in 90 percent of cases will bring some relief and alleviate symptoms. There have been cases of outright cures of course. But it is hard to pinpoint what brings that about. As Reiki works on the mind, body and spirit. It works on a karmic level. Sometimes healing isn't about being cured of a physical illness. But of a healing of the mind, emotion and spirit. To help people come to terms with what is happening and to prepare them for the next stage of their spiritual journey. Whatever that may be.

Many modern day illnesses are stress related. If the reiki gets to the source of their stress, unhappiness. Heals the emotional pain. Often the physical symptoms will just disappear. Ultimately, reiki will only do what is best for that person's highest good. Sometimes an illness is there for a purpose. It might be a karmic one. An illness maybe as a result of someone abusing themselves physically and mentally for years. A consequence of addiction. Reiki can act as a catalyst for self change. All healing ultimately has to come from the individual as much as it comes through the aid of the healer. After all, if someone continues to behave or act as they had always done, which is what has made them unwell. No amount of healing will help, unless they themselves are willing to change. To stop doing whatever it is they have been doing to themselves to make themselves ill.

6. Does your hand (s) really touch the patient? Or just almost touched?

When I first started doing Reiki, I never touched, I hovered two or three inches away from the body. I found this most affective for me as I worked by channeling the energy into the auric field. This is what I felt most powerfully. Now I do it both ways. I do whatever feels natural to me. The answer is, either way is good. It's a useful point to make that not everyone feels comfortable being touched by a stranger. In these instances, hovering rather than touching is more appropriate.

7. How long does it take for each session? More than 1 hour? And how many sessions are needed for each illness? Say, in a mild case.

The first session I would say can take up to an hour or an hour and half. I like to explain to people who have never had reiki before, what it is and what it does. I explain the different kinds of sensations they may experience and invite them to ask me questions about it. I also ask a few health questions, as some physical conditions can be affected by reiki. For example: Blood pressure, blood sugar levels (diabetes), Cancer, pregnancy. Having these conditions does not prevent that person receiving reiki. It is simply so that the healer can take it into consideration when channeling. i.e. to stay away from certain areas or to make sure that they take care of the person after the reiki is finished. If someone has low blood pressure, reiki can make it lower. So they would get up slowly. Have a drink of water and sit quietly before moving. With blood sugar, we would ask them to check it before and after receiving reiki. That way if they need to have a snack or take their medication they can do. A normal reiki session can take anything between 40 to 60 minutes. I don't tend to set a time, I just go with the flow. It lasts as long as it lasts.

8. Is there any side effect (physical and/or mental/spiritual) on you after a healing session? Does it drain your energy and has to recharge it again, somehow?

Are you asking if it affects the healer, or the recipient of healing? It should not affect the healer, unless they are using up their own personal energy rather then channeling the reiki energy properly. This can happen sometimes with new or inexperienced reiki healers. For myself I often come away feeling refreshed, energized and very calm afterwards. Because as I channel the healing, so I also receive healing. For the person receiving the healing, they can sometimes feel tired and emotional. I always tell them to drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest for at least the next couple of days. Sometimes reiki can draw things to the surface. It's nothing to worry about and shows things are working deeply on an energetic level. I am always available to offer support and advice to those I give healing too. Sometimes a healer will experience what is called 'mirroring'. This is where the healer 'feels' the emotions or physical symptoms of the person they are healing. When this happens it can be disconcerting, especially if it is a new experience for the healer. It is nothing to worry about. Indeed, it is a powerful affirmation that you are well connected to the energy of the recipient. If this occurs, stay calm, acknowledge the sensations, and then ask that the feelings be released, dispersed. I visualize it travelling down my body into my legs and feet and then safely into the earth.

9. Does it help a spiritual part of a patient, too? Or just physical part (illness)? For example, he/she might be cured about his/her illness after healing session (s) but does it help them to develop their spiritual part because of that, too? I mean, their chakras will be better because of your help? If that is the case, then our spiritual development could be better by the helping of someone’s else (but not by ourselves)?

I am a great believer in the old adages, 'what will be will be', 'everything happens for a reason', and 'we are all exactly, where we are mean't to be'. I believe we are drawn to people who will help us. I believe in syncronicity. I believe we are guided and encouraged on our spiritual path by the unseen. Or by our own higher self, which makes it's presence felt, by nudging us forward in the right direction. Be it through the books we read, the programmes we watch. The people we meet in a variety of different ways. Including the internet. How else would we all come together like this in one place. And yet we are spread out all over the world. The ways in which we choose to educate ourselves or to learn new skills. I do believe we are all responsible for our own growth and development. It is clearly there, in the choices we make. So to choose to receive healing from someone else, is still 'us' taking control of our lives and making a choice, to help ourselves along our spiritual path.

Well those are my answers Monty.. I hope I haven't rambled on too much. lol I am really looking foward to hearing other people's answers.

Love and light
Kaz

[donq]

Wow! Wow! Wow! (three times)
Two thumbs up! Very crystal clear!
Great post, Karen.
Thank from the bottom of my heart.


Let me quote from some of your words:

“as we heal other's we also receive healing”

“all reiki does is act as a catalyst, bringing out what is already there lying dormant within us.”

“As Reiki works on the mind, body and spirit. It works on a karmic level. Sometimes healing isn't about being cured of a physical illness. But of a healing of the mind, emotion and spirit.”

“Many modern day illnesses are stress related. If the reiki gets to the source of their stress, unhappiness. Heals the emotional pain. Illness maybe as a result of someone abusing themselves physically and mentally for years. A consequence of addiction. Reiki can act as a catalyst for self change.”

“All healing ultimately has to come from the individual as much as it comes through the aid of the healer.”

“Are you asking if it affects the healer, or the recipient of healing? It should not affect the healer, unless they are using up their own personal energy rather then channeling the Reiki energy properly.”

“Because as I channel the healing, so I also receive healing.”

“Sometimes a healer will experience what is called 'mirroring'. This is where the healer 'feels' the emotions or physical symptoms of the person they are healing.”

“I believe we are drawn to people who will help us. I believe in synchronicity”

P.S. I also believe in transference, countertransference and synchronicity. You are really a Jungian psychoanalyst AND spiritual healer, indeed.

[donq]

Hi Karen,

I would like to write something to show my gratitude for your post.

When I was around 25 years old, after I had practiced awareness (mindfulness) for 4-5 years, I felt many times that my hands were so hot (frankly speak, my whole body was because of my high sensitive awareness.) That was why I read a lot about this, too. To make the long short here, I knew about hand on healing, acupuncture (and acupressure) massage therapy etc. but never tried any of them seriously.
Anyway, once I visited my brother’s house and saw my nephew suffering from his back pain. He already went to see a doctor and got some pill to take but that did not help him much. I decided to do something to help him as there was nothing to lose.
I just told him very briefly that I was going to massage him. And after I put my hand on his back around 10 minutes, all of his pain was gone. He told me that, “Uncle M., there was an electric current in your hand came to my back and it cured me!”

With hindsight, I analyzed the situation as the following:

1. I was his uncle and he trusted me that I wanted to help. Besides, anything was better than the pain he was getting.

2. On the physical level, I knew some acupressure points on human body. For example, if I pressed on some point (on my hand, between my thumb and index finger or on the point below my knee-above my calf, it did help relieving my migraine pain) so I knew how to massage, more or less, to help relieving a back pain.

3. On psychological level, it had something to do about rapport. He felt grateful that I did care and really tried to help him. And that somehow made he felt good. He chose the "role" to show his gratitude toward me (the same as any patient feels toward their doctors.)
Whether his pain was still the same or not, but he really felt better because his mind felt better. It was the mechanism of psychosomatic healing (mind-body as a whole.)

4. On spiritual level, he knew that I went to a forest temple and was a kind of religious man. Though he never heard about hand on healing but he could project that I did something more than an ordinary massage. Beside, my hand was really hot (I knew about this before.) So, placebo effect worked. (placebo effect has varied shades of meaning, not just only about a sugar pill.) And all of these factors “triggered” his self-healing. For example if my hand was not hot, if he didn't trust me, if he didn’t know about my forest temple etc. the result might be different.

Ok, this is just the way to say thank to you, Karen.

P.S. I know Reiki is real. I just never tried to develop it seriously. 

[donq]

Hi Karen,

I just came across a few things and I had to pause my urgent task and come here to share it (could not resist myself. lol)
Yes, synchronicity always works this way; one meaningful (coincidence) thing brought to another one, on and on.
I’ve got that a lot in my life.

The play The Cocktail Party by T. S. Eliot (first published in 1940).

EDWARD: I wonder
if you have understood a word of what I have been saying.
REILLY: You must have patience with me, Mr. Chamberlayne:
I learn a good deal by merely observing you,
And letting you talk as long as you please,
And taking note of what you do not say.
EDWARD: I once experienced the extreme of physical pain,
And now I know there is suffering worse than that.
It is surprising, if one had time to be surprised:
I am not afraid of the death of the body,
But this death is terrifying. The death of the spirit—
Can you understand what I suffer?
REILLY: I understand what you mean.
EDWARD: I can no longer act for myself.
Coming to see you—that's the last decision
I was capable of making, I am in your hands.
I cannot take any further responsibility.
REILLY: Many patients come in that belief.
EDWARD: And now will you send me to the sanatorium?
REILLY: You have nothing else to tell me?
EDWARD: What else can I tell you?
You didn't want to hear about my early history.
REILLY: No, I did not want to hear about your early history.
EDWARD: And so will you send me to the sanatorium?
I can't go home again. And at my club
They won't let you keep a room for more than seven days;
I haven't the courage to go to a hotel,
And besides, I need more shirts—you can get my wife
To have my things sent on: whatever I shall need.
But of course you mustn't tell her where I am.
Is it far to go?
REILLY: You might say, a long journey.
But before I treat a patient like yourself
I need to know a great deal more about him,
Than the patient himself can always tell me.
Indeed, it is often the case that my patients
Are only pieces of a total situation
Which I have to explore. The single patient
Who is ill by himself, is rather the exception.

(The following part is off topic here.

I have recently had another patient
Whose situation is much the same as your own.
You must accept a rather unusual procedure:
I propose to introduce you to the other patient.
EDWARD: What do you mean? Who is this other patient?
I consider this very unprofessional conduct—
I will not discuss my case before another patient.
REILLY: On the contrary. That is the only way
In which it can be discussed
(LAVINIA is shown in by the NURSE-SECRETARY)
But here is the other patient.
LAVINIA: Well, Sir Henry!
I said I would come to talk about my husband:
I didn't say I was prepared to meet him.
EDWARD: And I did not expect to meet you, Lavinia,
I call this a very dishonorable trick.
REILLY: Honesty before honor, Mr. Chamberlayne.
Sit down, please, both of you.

…………………….]


P.S. As for another “meaningful things” I’ve just found, I’m going to post it on another thread.