Or not. The process repeatedly stalled. No explanation. No support option. The usual fixes accomplished nothing. I persisted. A week-and-a-half and 5 emails later, my donation was accepted.

Yes, donation. I was giving money. Should be easy, right?

But it wasn’t. My good intention seemed obstructed at every turn. Each failed solution brought the Precepts to mind. Today only, do not anger.

Annoyance laced my bewilderment, until an epiphany made me flush. How fortunate I am to have the desire to help, and resources to share.

With thankfulness, work diligently.

In a perfect world, perhaps it would be easy to do good, but this is the world we’ve got. Some actions flow with unbelievable ease, synchronicity, and serendipity.

Other good intentions are harder to manifest. They require commitment and hard work, for an uncertain result.

Related reading: Reiki Precepts, Manhattan Reiki, Today Only

Reiki Precepts and Effort is a post from: reikiinmedicine.org

PollDaddy lists the number of votes rather than the number of voters. Many readers didn’t notice this detail, and some expressed dismay at what seemed to be a low percentage of practitioners giving themselves daily Reiki treatments. But the stats were meaningless.

Which brings us to Round Two. How many Reiki practitioners give themselves daily treatment? Let’s find out.

Please respond to this very short poll and share it widely. All practitioners from all lineages, at any level of practice are asked to vote.

Can we collectively bring in over 1000 votes? The more votes we get, the more meaningful the poll is.

Once you’ve voted, click here to comment why you do or don’t practice daily self-Reiki.

INTRODUCTION to MEDICAL REIKI WEBINAR Have you been waiting for online training to help you bring Reiki into hospitals and other health care settings? Wait no more.

The Introduction to Medical Reiki Webinar will give you skills and strategies to get you started in health care. Let’s get Reiki where it is needed, and raise the professionalism of our practice. Click here to learn more.

Reiki Self-Treatment Poll is a post from: reikiinmedicine.org

My not-in-the-least-bit secret goal is to stir things up, to get Reiki practitioners thinking about what we do, looking more deeply into what we’re taking for granted, and considering how we can communicate our practice more effectively, so that Reiki practice is seen as a viable option in health care and by the mainstream public, and the response has been nothing short of thrilling. Toward a More Plausible Model of Reiki has over 100 comments and they’re still coming in. What Is Reiki? What to Do? and Recipe for Reiki Credibility are still getting tweets.

I hope you will continue to make Reiki Central a community resource where thoughtful Reiki practitioners can respectfully discuss the hard questions, and pool our diverse perspectives, experience, and wisdom to move the field–each of us–forward.

Could I trouble you take a minute to do something for me? I want to know how better to serve you, and only you can tell me. Please click here to post a comment letting me know what topics or specific questions you would like to see addressed on Reiki Central in the coming year.

And please celebrate this milestone with me. This Saturday, May 1, at noon Eastern time, we’ll meet on your computer screen for a free question and discussion webinar. If you mention in your comment that you’re available, we’ll send you the connection details.

To our health and our great well-being, with many, many thanks to all!

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY GIFT TO ALL: Click here to access the webinar recording, and come back to comment below.

Reiki Blog Birthday is a post from: reikiinmedicine.org

The best scenario for learning to practice Reiki is an in-person class with a qualified, responsive Reiki master who is also a skilled teacher, and who offers students on-going support. A group class is a richer experience than going solo. Interacting directly with people in the same room, both the teacher and other students, enlivens the learning experience in ways even the most sophisticated technology cannot replace.

Here are some points to consider when choosing a Reiki class and Reiki master:

• The teacher’s Reiki competence–
  Does she practice daily self-treatment? What was her Reiki training? What is her Reiki lineage? Was she a Reiki professional offering treatment to the public before becoming a Reiki master? What teaching experience does she have? What avenues has she created to offer students continuing support? It takes time to become a skilled Reiki master/teacher–and I mean years.
• The quality of the teacher’s presence–
  Is she welcoming, non-judgmental, even-tempered, professional, and anything else you feel is important in a teacher? Does she have clear boundaries? Does she communicate clearly?
• Your rapport with the teacher–
  This is an important relationship, so contemplate your values. If you are choosing between a teacher you like vs. one with more experience or a bigger reputation, I’d go with the one you like, especially if she will continue to be accessible to you, as long as she is qualified and committed to her students.
• First degree-only class–
  Give yourself the benefit of taking a class that is devoted to basic hands-on practice, with a focus on daily Reiki self-treatment. The class should include the four First degree initiations; protocols for self-treatment and informally offering Reiki to others (this is not professional training);  an accurate overview of the history of the practice, starting with Mikao Usui; and ample in-class practice time. The goal is for you to feel comfortable continuing your daily self-treatment at home by the time the class ends.
• Time–
  Ten hours or so is a reasonable amount of time for a small group class. It’s preferable for the class to be spread out over two or more days, so you have the opportunity to practice at home and bring your questions to the next session.
• Accessibility of the location–
  Is it necessary for the class to be easily accessible, or is it possible for you to travel to study with a Reiki master you feel drawn to?
• Fee–
  Did your mom ever tell you (as mine did), “You get what you pay for”? Low fees may indicate low confidence, little experience, or lack of grounding. You want a teacher who appreciates Reiki’s value in the world. After all, you live in the world, don’t you? This is a one-time investment that brings dividends for life; it makes sense to be  generous to yourself.

What if you don’t find any appealing Reiki masters in your area, and you are unable to travel? There are still options. Is it feasible for you to organize a class and invite a Reiki master to travel to your area?

At what point might you choose to learn from a qualified, attentive Reiki master who is accessible only through technology? Each prospective student has to ask herself, what is the best learning opportunity for me?

Keep in mind that, should you leave your First degree class feeling unsatisfied for any reason, you can still practice daily self-treatment, and consider the possibility of taking another First degree class at some point. I know many people who have taken more than one First degree class and found it enriching.

Your First degree class will give you everything you need to practice daily hands-on self-treatment ,and to share treatment informally with others for the rest of your life, and that’s all most people need. So don’t feel pressured in any way to take Second degree (distant treatment). But if you want to learn distant treatment, give yourself the benefit of practicing daily hands-on self-treatment for a minimum of 3-6 months before signing up for a Second degree class.

I am a member of The Reiki Alliance, a global organization of Reiki masters who are committed to continuing Hawayo Takata’s standards of slow, thorough training. If you are looking for a teacher, I suggest you start there, but I still encourage you to go through the list of considerations above.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the teacher, her ability to carry the lineage and share the initiations, and to create a healthy relationship with her students.

RELATED POST: Recipe for Reiki Credibility

Reiki Classes: What’s Right for You? is a post from: reikiinmedicine.org