Public Reiki Events
“The Reiki room was pure magic….as usual.
“I know you know this, but I just have to remind you that every year, the Reiki practitioners touch so many lives.
“I asked both groups (120 women) how many had never had Reiki and the majority of hands went up. You are truly doing a HUGE service to these women by introducing them to this amazing healing. I can’t believe that even after all this time and exposure, Reiki is still relatively unknown to these women challenged by cancer.”
These quotes are from the organizer of the annual JCC Spa Day for Women with Breast and Ovarian Cancer in New York City. This is an upliftingly ambitious event that offers 120 women a half-day of pampering; a delicious, healthful meal; a vision of wellness; and the experience that their quality of life matters.
2010 was our fifth year offering Reiki as one of the six wellness treats given to the Spa Day guests. Every year, the day flows even more smoothly. Every year, the experience is more profound. And every year, the women give their Reiki experience rave reviews.
Public Reiki events create community and build public awareness of Reiki, especially if they are well organized. Here are three tips from my 20+ years organizing events:
- Schedule far enough in advance to allow time for outreach and promotion so the community knows about the event
- Plan how you will support both the public and the Reiki practitioners during the event
- Follow-up with the organization that hosts the event, the practitioners, and the public.
If you have given public Reiki events, please leave a comment and tell us about it.
Who in your community could benefit from an experience of Reiki? How will you bring it to them? The 7 Steps to A Successful Public Reiki Event webinar offers detailed coaching that takes you thoughtfully through the process, from choosing and contacting your host partners to follow-up.
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Mothers Daze
Relief for Women with Cancer
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Hi Pamela,
I am enjoying reading you articles very much and find them very helpful and full of insight!
I have hosted several public events as in-store events to promote my practice and educate the public and even give mini reiki session demos to people. I get wonderful responses and seem to have people that are excited about what they have just experienced and many say they will call me. I give out discount coupons for first visits along with my brochure and other info….however, to date no one has ended up on my table. I know to trust and in time they may end up calling but do you have any suggestions??
Thanks so much and I look forward to hearing from you–Susan
Hmmm, Susan, I don’t have a lot to go on here, sounds like you’re doing everything right, which makes me think there may be something about your fees (too low?), or your brochure and language that might not be connecting as well as you could.
When people don’t follow through after a positive experience, it is usually because we didn’t connect all the dots. They feel good about the experience but it seems optional, not necessary. They don’t quite see the value, as in the post “Just Relax. Really, Just?”
Why don’t you review your approach and your brochure/website, and see if there are places where you could be more direct without making claims. Or have your most New Age-averse friend take a look and alert you if there is any place where you are using words that may not resonate with mainstream clients.
The Medical Reiki webinar on July 17 would also help you with strategy and language. And of course we can schedule a private mentoring session if you’re in a hurry to just solve this.
Here’s what struck me as I participated in the JCC Spa Day. It’s sobering to see so starkly how cancer doesn’t discriminate. The women we offered Reiki to were all colors, all ages, all sizes…the room was filled with our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our friends. Being able to offer some sense of peace, some relief, even a new path of healing was a blessing. Sometimes the enormity of suffering can be overwhelming – the numbers of people, the amount of pain – but someone once said “If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.”
LOVE that mosquito analogy, Caren–thanks! It’s right up there with the starfish story.
It’s such a discipline to keep our focus on what we can do–starting, of course, with our daily self-treatment.
Dear Pamela,
I have taken part twice now in something called a ‘Healing Evening’, which has been organised by my Reiki Master. Although she isn’t promoting it solely as a Reiki event, that is in effect what it is as the practitioners who offer healing energy to the people who show up are all Reiki practitioners. It is held twice a month in a little side room off a church hall ( Auckland, New Zealand ) – we bring candles, quilts, cushions, crystals, blankets…and top quality dark organic chocolate to share around afterwards! Those who have come to receive energy can either sit or lie comfortably in the middle of the circle that is formed by the Reiki practitioners. Practitioners themselves can have a turn in the centre if they need to. In three sets of time Reiki is activated ( the group meets for two hours ), and in between there is an opportunity for quiet reflection, feedback, drinks of water etc. One time we had someone who is a sound therapist lead some ‘toning’ with us. There is no charge for this evening, but people are asked to give a ‘koha’ – a Maori word for a contribution – towards the cost of hiring the hall. No-one is turned away however if they cannot afford anything.
So far we have had about six to eight people attending each evening, but are hoping that as word spreads we will be able to reach more. Those who have attended have said how amazed they were at the peace and calm which enveloped them – a couple were a bit wary about what would be involved ( particularly as the venue is in a church hall ) and were all set to walk out if it became too religious, or too “Woo woo” i.e. too New Agey!! I think it would be a good idea if my Reiki Master actually had some leaflets explaining what Reiki is on hand, and will suggest that to her.
From a personal standpoint, I have found it very rewarding and fulfilling to take part in this; it is helping me to develop my sensitivity to nuances of energy, and encouraging me to trust my intuition much more. It is also wonderful to see the expressions on the faces of those who have come looking stressed and/or ill – the pinched look has smoothed, there is even a smile here and there. They might not know what has changed, but know that something has.
Dear Pamela,
It was such an honor to serve so many wonderful women at the JCC Spa Day. The gift of Reiki is such a divine blessing to the lives of so many people, pets and other living beings of light. Likewise, being part of a healing community, in such a lovely setting, was an amazing experience for me. I’m so used to ‘working’… organizing, coordinating, compiling materials, facilitating, gatekeeping, holding the line, being ‘on’ all the time, that for me, Sunday was a day of pure bliss… All I had to do was to show up, not think about anything, simply BE, and offer healing along with other lightworkers of love. I will hold Sunday in my heart for some time to come.
Also, it was my first time providing healing without the benefit of music. Sometimes I use guided meditation, but I never work without music. I realized after you spoke that this is good, and may even be necessary at times. It allows the client to celebrate and ‘sing their song of wellness’. Indeed, a significant part of primary care/self care is to acknowledge and honor our ability to Love ourselves in this way; without any add-ons.
Thank you for a wonderful opportunity to be in, and to share, this extraordinary experience with so many beautiful heart-full people.
And, thank you for being a Gift of Grace to us all!
Namaste!
Thank you Pamela for all the credibility you contribute to Reiki!
I have monthy Reiki Shares, host a monthly Reiki Lovers Meetup group, and offer Introduction to Reiki Workshops on a regular basis. I also particpate in many local Health Fairs, and talk about Reiki to local Women’s groups and Networking groups. I participate in an Integrative Medicine Committee at a local Medical Center, as in addition to being a Reiki Master/Teacher, I am also a P.T. I set up my table and offer mini-Reiki experiences wherever I can, as FEELING Reiki is always the best way to really understand it. Reiki is my life’s work and love!
Hi Pamela, I recently attended a Reiki information day at a hospital here in Dublin. It was organised by Paticia Sheehan, a Reiki Master, on behalf of a charity called Happy Hearts! On that day we gave Reiki to 52 nurses and other staff of the hospital, most of whom had never had Reiki before. Patricia had previously given the Reiki to the patients on the charity day, however she realised that the patients benefit too when the nurses are relaxed and happy from having tried Reiki! She has encouraged many nurses to become attuned to Reiki and several people over the years have come to her for classes, after having a taster at the hospital.
I would like to organise something similar to this at a later date, to bring Reiki to my business community. I really enjoy reading your articles and keeping track of your discussions.
Warm wishes,
Abby
What a wonderful event, Abby! When I present or teach in health care settings or medical schools, I stress that the care of the patient begins with the care of the caregiver. Nurses work so very hard, and when they are Reiki-trained, they are able to support one another in their work day, and also to feel refreshed as they offer even brief Reiki touches as they go about routine patient care.
Yes Pamela it was wonderful, and I’m beginning to really think about how to go about organising something similar myself. One of the points you made during your webinar last Saturday really struck home to me. It is so important that the people at the event who are giving the Reiki are consistent and take a professional attitude, even if the consistency of placing hands goes against their own personal practice. I understand how easy it would be for someone in a group setting who has never had Reiki before to notice that the person next to them was getting an entirely different treatment. That would cause confusion and maybe even put people off coming back for further treatments. I would imagine that it would be difficult to get a group of Reiki practitioners together and tell them to conform, even just for a few hours for the sake of the practice. But you’re absolutely correct in your attitude, that’s why I keep tuning into you! I also loved your idea of the Reiki Chime and I’m even thinking of getting one! Thanks Pamela, I’ll look out for more webinars from you in the future!
Abby
Hi Pamela,
I have been following some of your articles since I am very interested in bringing Reiki into my community hospital. I am currently preparing a report based on scientific facts about Reiki and reported experiences of clients who would love to have a service such as Reiki in their hospital. In September I will be attending our Chamber of Commerce meeting where I plan to approach the CEO of our hospital.
With the help of your articles and advice, I am confident with the report I am putting together. I will most likely consider registering for one of your webinars so that I can make sure this project is a success. I have listened to speeches from our CEO and I believe she will be very open to bringing in Reiki if the community encourages it.
Not only am I trying to reach out to the hospital, but to the youth as well. So far this fall I will have the opportunity to teach Reiki as an alternative class at a private school. This is a great honor that I hope will send a ripple in the water.
Thank you.
Riel, if you want to bring Reiki into a hospital, I encourage you to take the Introduction to Medical Reiki webinar so that you are well prepared with strategies and an understanding of what to say, and what not to say.
I don’t know what you mean by “scientific facts about Reiki,” or what your science background is. I do know that a lay person’s idea of science is usually very different than a doctor’s, and if the initial contact is not made effectively, you will likely not get another chance. And of course I want you to be successful and wish you all the best.
Thank you so much. I will definitely take the webinar. I’m taking this project with great caution to make sure that it’s successful so I will take the opportunity.