Reiki people are often shocked, Pamela, to realize Hawayo Takata didn’t give us a very good translation of the Japanese kanji for Reiki.
Takata brought Reiki to the U.S. (with the full support of her Japanese Reiki master), and was devoted to Reiki practice, so how did that happen?
Easily. But it’s not that Takata failed us; our language failed us.
The English language just doesn’t have an equivalent word or phrase for Reiki, because it refers to something not valued, or even recognized, in our culture.
Language develops in any culture to express the ways and values of that particular culture.
Un-American, in a good way
What Reiki represents isn’t a cultural value in either the U.S, or in other English-speaking countries, or in European countries.
Hawayo Takata did the best she could — thank you! — and that’s why we’re able to have this conversation.
If you think about it, how can anyone understand something that isn’t part of their culture?
Well, it takes commitment and an openess to learn. And in this case, it takes practice.
Let’s continue this conversation in January. If you missed the first two installments, you can catch up here and here.
Meanwhile, you might contemplate this: if rather than “universal life force energy,” the Reiki kanji points to something more like Oneness, how might that change your understanding of Reiki practice, and how you talk about it?
Free I Love MySelf Reiki Global Practice Sessions
I’ve been leading free guided I Love MySelf Reiki Practice sessions online that are open to everyone, whether or not you have Reiki training.
You can register here, and then please share the invite. All your people are welcome, even those you’ve felt shy to discuss Reiki with.
The free self practice sessions are a great way to lift the pressure off you while introducing family and friends to Reiki practice.
Talking about Reiki is so much harder than practicing Reiki. I’ve had decades of experience doing both, so you can shift the burden to me. Just keep in mind these are practice sessions, not a proper Reiki training.
If you’re wondering how to choose a training that’s a good fit for you, read my short article 5 Things You Must Know about Reiki.
And of course I’d love to train you — or help you fill in the gaps, if you’ve taken a training that didn’t feel complete, or didn’t inspire you to self practice daily.
Daily, as in every day. That’s how you get the most benefit from your practice.
Please consider the comprehensive, traditional First Degree Reiki trainings I offer online in live, interactive, small groups.
Or join us in Mexico.
This article is the 3rd in a series that starts here.
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