Hi Tana, I finished the Reiki book (Healing Reiki by Eleanor McKenzie) in about a week. I thought it was well written, informative, and easy to read. (this is the book I often give to Reiki I students), It also seemed to really honor the sacredness of Reiki and address the issues of training masters very fairly.
I have lots of questions that have come up while reading the book and practicing.
1. Attunements
Why and how do attunements work?
Attunements are not completely understood by anyone. They are in a way like a major Reiki Treatment where the chakra are opened and cleared. We work with the crown, throat, heart and hands. This alignment and the sacred breath to the heart chakra assist the body to heal itself in all ways. As we become more centered and clear we become better able to channel this energy gift we are given.
Why we are not naturally attuned? Are we born that way and then lose it?
I believe all people can and do at some level work with energy even when they don’t consciously realize it. Example: when we get a head ache our hand goes to our head, sometimes even rubbing the pain away. However, the Reiki Attunement is different. You will come to recognize this yourself with practice.
Once were attuned are we always attuned? Do we ever need attune-ups (hee hee, I love that word)?
Good question … once we are attuned it is for life, you don’t lose it. However there are times when I think it would be wise to consider re-attunements. For example: With a serious illness because it is healing in itself, after a major emotional trauma or if someone was attuned by someone who was not really a Master or poorly trained. Some Reiki Masters encourage folks to practice attunements on each other. That is something I’m not comfortable with at this time. I won’t recommend something I wouldn’t do myself. I personally would be choosy who I’d let do or practice attunements on me.
Are some people easier to attune than others. Is the process the same for everyone?
Yes, in my experience some are easier. Some folks seem to take to this like re-remembering. Anyone can be attuned to use Reiki themselves as long as they can hold a thought in their mind, a visual. Yet anyone can be attuned for a healing, even those in coma or in another state. Doing attunements for healing is an important aspect to learn if one is to be a serious healer. Many people will never teach but will want to use Reiki to the fullest for healing.
2. Channeling Reiki
Can someone that hasn't been attuned channel Reiki?
No …. There are many forms that ‘energy’ work takes but Reiki is specific and one must have the attunement first.
Does your ability to channel Reiki get stronger with practice or as you move through the degrees? Does it get stronger with practice? Are there ways to make it stronger?
Yes, it does get stronger with each degree. There are many ways to also assist yourself to be giving the best Reiki possible. Heal yourself! Giving yourself daily Reiki and doing exchanges where you receive Reiki Full Body Treatments. Practice meditation faithfully. Eat well and avoid toxins: smoking, alcohol, drugs and toxic foods. Be conscious of the relationships and situations you put yourself into. How we live, what we think and believe all have effect on us and our ability to channel the Reiki energy. I’ve met Reiki Masters who boast about smoking for instance and how because they are a Reiki Master it doesn’t affect them. Well, in my opinion it does and it can be easy to kid ourselves.
Has anyone ever used Reiki for "bad" (revenge, maliciousness, etc.)? What happened?
Reiki itself is unconditional love and can not be used for harm. However, learning to work with energies is a broad subject and there certainly are ways that people can and do use things they have learned to control or misdirect energy. I carefully screen students to discourage those that might be interested in POWER AND CONTROL, or anyone working with the ‘dark’ arts. Also I’ll not take students who have a strong use of alcohol or drugs. I would do a Reiki I to assist them in detoxing but wouldn’t go beyond that until I felt they were ready spiritually to continue.
If Reiki goes where it is needed then why do we need to do full body treatments? Why not just one part of the body?
Reiki is smart energy and it will flow where needed. But it works even better when we cover the major organs, adrenal glands and chakras. As you move on in Reiki you will also learn to work in the energy field surrounding the body.
It seems like the flow is stronger in my right arm. Any ideas why?
I’ve a feeling that this is just the way you sense it for now and is not really true. Your Reiki will flow from both hands.
How comes sometimes it doesn't feel like anything is happening?
Sometimes it is subtle … feelings of heat, tingling, cold spots, drags, voids …. They all are common and can be used to sense what is needed for session. You will learn to know when your Reiki is flowing and when it isn’t. Almost all people find that it is much more difficult to feel when doing Reiki on yourself. It is much easier when doing on someone else. Also if you are not focused on the Reiki you may not be as aware.
When I give treatments I don't stay in one place very long. I tried using the clock and 3 minutes seemed like an eternity. Am I just being impatient?
Could be a bit of impatience here … relax, yes relax and just feel the flow. Take your time and learn to flow from one position to another. I might stay in one place for 10+ minutes and another for only 2 minutes. This again takes time and practice to trust when to move to another location.
3. Masters Training
How long do you take to train a Master?
I believe most masters should take a year to study and apprentice with the Master they choose. There is a lot more to this than … wham … here is your attunement, a few handouts and have a good life. Choosing a master that you feel very comfortable with, that will respect you and work with you, support you in your growth process is vital. That is why a one year mentorship goes with my Master program. I still communicate with my Masters and have the utmost of respect for them. They give me advice and feedback whenever I contact her.
Do you limit the number of students in a class?
It’s not a numbers thing for me. I do not commit myself to train someone unless I feel they are ready … both in their knowledge of Reiki but also are they ready to take on the responsibly and commitment needed. That commitment is to themselves, to me and to the people they intend to work with. Some training is a one on one. Other times it is a small group process, it depends on who and the situation
How do you select/accept people to train?
By meeting with them and discussing why they wish to continue their training. What do they want out of it. What type of commitment do they intend to put into it - time and energy, etc. Sometimes I have them write a letter of intent which helps them to clarify their thought process. I’ve turned down several that have come to me and had an interview because they either did not want to make the commitment necessary (just wanted the certificate bottom line) and / or were on power or money trips.
Folks need to have a good attitude and a giving heart. They also need to be ready to work on their own personal issues and heal themselves. Also are they willing to study and practice? Reiki is a life style, not just something we do once in a while.
How long do you recommend between level II and masters training?
That really is a personal issue … for example: Someone who is already a healer, meditation and works with energy can move along faster than someone who is just starting out. Each situation needs to be looked at individually. Another thing is not so much time as Spiritual Maturity. Also how many Reiki treatments have they given and RECEIVED? No pat answer here.
4. Miscellaneous
What are your thoughts for insurance for Reiki practitioners?
If you have a clinic or intend to work in hospitals, clinics, etc then it is a must. If you are sharing with friends and family then probably not needed. There are places to get it and I’m putting together a file of information for those that want it. Also how concerned are you, if you are worrying about liability then consider getting it. In this sue happy country we are in it is something to think over. I've never heard of a Reiki Practitioner being sued however that doesn't mean it can't happen. In Reiki II I give folks release forms to use and we talk about legal issues.
Reiki II we talk about that. Reiki I students shouldn’t be out working for pay anyway, or at least that’s my opinion. Reiki II, Advanced Reiki Healers and Masters should decided themselves how they feel about insurance.
Does everyone who takes a class get a certificate?
I used to give certificates like everyone else. If they showed up to class they got a certificate. I’ve become uncomfortable with this as many people think they understand Reiki when all they did was show up. So now each class level has some requirements for completion. I will work with someone as long as they need it to help them finish each class. That way when they are done they feel good about themselves and able to use the Reiki in a good way for themselves and others.
