Comments on: Toward a More Plausible Reiki Model

By: Pamela Miles

Pamela Miles — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:06:03 +0000

Thank you for words of wisdom, Jason.

It seems to be human nature to reach for external validation, facts, certainty, but there are times when we have to rely on ourselves and on what we know to be useful to us, and just keep on keepin’ on.

Practice. Observe. Contemplate. Repeat.

By: jason

jason — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:10:03 +0000

Thank you for reminding me of this, Pamela. I really needed to read it. I love my personal daily practice, but I find that I struggle–often!–with thoughts like “What’s going on here? Why does the simple act of placing my hands on my body make me feel like something’s happening? Did the attunements “really” do something to me? What IS Reiki anyway?”

I forget that sometimes I don’t need to know the answers. Or at least know the “intellectual” answers Sometimes I just need to trust the wisdom of the experience.

By: Pamela Miles

Pamela Miles — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 06:40:09 +0000

Catherine, I prefer to stay out of the realm of belief, and I don’t understand initiations to be a transfer of energy. I also wonder what you mean by “all initiations are equal.” So I guess I’m not much help here.

When I look around at the natural world, I see great variation. All the leaves on a plant, for example, are not exactly the same, and although different plants grow better in different conditions, many will grow even in less than optimum settings. Perhaps this is relevant to your question.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:14:29 +0000

Hi Pamela,

Do you believe that all initiations are equal or can the transfer of energy be affected by the Master’s preparation or lack of it? the energy field or state of mind of the Master at the time of Initiation. Also some recipients say they don’t experience anything and therefore doubt it.

By: Jenn F.

Jenn F. — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 20:16:57 +0000

Wow! What a thought provoking discussion! I am a Level 2 Practitioner at this time. I will be taking my ART/Master course in April 2011. My understanding, as it has most recently evolved, is this. Whether Reiki is from within or without is a moot point. They are one in the same. We are all part of a greater system. Just as electrons are part of an atom and planets are part of a solar system, we are part of humanity which is somewhere in between these, but a part of The Whole. Asking if Reiki pours in or springs forth from us is like asking if we are alive because the heart pumps or if the heart pumps because we are alive. One does not happen without the other. Its all perspective, which is essentially an illusion we create for ourselves based on our human experience. No explanation is right or wrong, yet they are both right and wrong. As humans, most of us will not comprehend the true meaning under normal circumstances. All we can do is make others comfortable enough to allow us to guide them to the beginning of their own understanding of Reiki through treatment. The words we use will be given to us as appropriate to the person and the situation just as the treatment works as appropriate to the person and the situation. For the most part, when I “treat” people, I feel that more than anything, I am providing a reference point for healing. I am showing the connection to the person so that he/she can recognize it if he/she chooses. I am conveying what the words cannot. I am not causing the healing. The person heals because he/she is ready to do so. This is as far as my words go at the moment. My intention is that as I contemplate this blessing that is Reiki and continue to use it daily, my understanding will grow continuously and therefore allow me to heal and help others heal in a more profound way.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:47:22 +0000

I enjoyed this post immensely. Yes, I have yearned for a plausible explanation of Reiki. I agree with the idea of Reiki stimulating the system, helping it reorganize itself so it could function more efficiently. It is already in place. We get in it’s way. I think that mindfulness and body awareness ( and other factors) help promote this reorganization. We are so up in our heads in this fast paced world, Reiki Treatments offer an opportunity to slow down and in slowing down we may be entering the present for the first time in a long time. there is alot of power in the presnt moment. Thank you for this post and discussion.

By: Pamela Miles

Pamela Miles — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 22:19:39 +0000

My words of wisdom are always the same, Elizabeth: practice, observe, contemplate, repeat. Nothing ripens our understanding like contemplated daily hands-on self-treatment over time, and usually longer than practitioners want to give it.

There are many resources on this site which can help you, but ultimately you have to decide for yourself what is real for you. There is no shortcut and I encourage my students to let the questions stay open, rather than filling the space with a story.

So much of what is commonly said about Reiki lacks depth and subtlety. This may be frustrating to practitioners, but the fact remains that while we can easily learn to practice Reiki, it’s not so easily understood or communicated. We have to have a committed practice for a long time and be content to sit in not knowing.

By: Elizabeth Marker

Elizabeth Marker — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 21:38:55 +0000

“Namaste”
Pamela,
I’m an Usui Reiki Practioner.
I was taught that Reiki is a simple method of natural healing whereby the Reiki Practitioner channels the ULFE to balance the mind, body, spirit. That this balance allows the body to heal itself and be in a state of wellness. It is not a religion or creed. Also that the ULFE is channeled through the practitioner to the client by means of hand positions Takata invisioned. That the ULFE is intelligent energy and goes where it is needed. That the ULFE is the source, not the practitioner’s energy.
So some of the discussions on where the energy comes from are quite confussing…(No ill will intended or directed, only Gratitude for the discussions shared)

I do know that Reiki has been such a blessing for me in my life! I have many health issues that had become quite severe, Fibromyalgia, I.B.S. ect… It had gotten to the point that I was on very strong pain meds, muscle relaxers, ect, just to get through the day. I ended up having to quit my job. Then I discovered Reiki & My world has been forever changed!! I very rarely take any meds. and my symptoms are very much undercontrol. Even the way I think & act have made an awesome transformation! I am so excited & want to share this awesome gift! I have even set up a room in my home for clients. But I have a huge dilemma…

My dilemma is that I have moved to a very small town where people have never heard of Reiki and are (for lack of a better discription) Very Religious and are not opened to the understanding of ULFE… So trying to explain Reiki is like speaking another language. I am treated as if I practice witchcraft or vodo. If it can not be explained in Biblical terminology, it is considered to be of the Devil. Exactly where the energy is coming from is a very importaint issue here and things can not be (as one person put it) Vague. I’m kind of at a loss for an explaination of Reiki and how it works without subscribing it to a certain Religion, which I know is not the case.

Any words of wisdom or advise would be Greatly Appreciated!
In Light & Love, Elizabeth

By: Marianne Streich

Marianne Streich — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:52:09 +0000

Pamela, thanks for pointing out something I may need to clarify in the next edition. The “intention” referred to in my definition of Reiki is the intention of the practitioner to allow himself/herself to be an instrument (channel) of healing grace, not an intention for the session.

I do have the client establish an intention prior to the session for several reasons, one of which is that I think it is easier for our guides to work with us if they know the desired outcome. However, I agree that we do not want to limit the possibilities; therefore, my prayer prior to a session always includes this statement: “We ask for the healing of all that is ready to be healed in ______, whether that is physical, mental, emotional or spiritual.” I then ask for the healing that the client has specifically stated they desire. I consciously release all attachment to outcome, knowing that all healing that takes place is in the hands of the client and the Higher Power. I’m simply the conduit connecting the two in a powerful way.

Marianne Streich
Reiki Master Teacher
Seattle, WA
Author of Reiki: A Guide for the Practice of Levels I and II
Editor Reiki News Magazine

By: Pamela Miles

Pamela Miles — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:31:42 +0000

Beautifully stated, Marianne–”Reiki is profoundly simple and a profound mystery.”

And I agree that science and spirituality are not mutually exclusive–and so does His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who has asked Richard Davison to research meditation, with valuable results.

However, I disagree with your perspective on intention. In fact, it seems that intention is entirely unnecessary for Reiki healing to occur, and may even complicate the situation if the practitioner has limited intention. The Reiki connection clearly activates without the practitioner’s intention.