In the past, Reiki has been seen as esoteric, “New Age,” or strange. In recent years, though, this beneficial practice has received more attention and acceptance among the general public. It has also become more popular, with workshops offered more widely. In some cases, this has led to people claiming to provide Reiki training who are not genuine in their own practice.
The Basics of Reiki
Reiki began in the early part of the twentieth century when Dr. Mikao Usui, a spiritual seeker from Japan, had a revelatory experience that showed him how to channel and work with this universal energy. He began to train others in this practice. Eventually one of his students, Hawayo Takata, brought the practice to America.
Anyone can practice Reiki. It can be taught in a workshop over a weekend or even in an afternoon. A Master level Reiki practitioner must perform an attunement to open channels for the movement of this universal energy, and usually provides some instruction regarding hand positions to work with others. These hand positions correspond to the chakras, and help move the Reiki energy to the place in the body where it is needed.
Genuine Reiki Practice
Some people believe that a teacher should never charge for a Reiki attunement. Others believe that the price should be quite high to ensure the person receiving the attunement is serious about using Reiki in the proper way. None of these is necessarily the “right” way to provide attunements. The most important thing to remember about Reiki is that it always works for the good of all.
Genuine Reiki practice means using Reiki to help others. A practitioner should never attempt to use Reiki for their own gain, and it cannot be used to hurt another person. Reiki, which literally means “universal energy,” always works for universal good. Even if you as a practitioner do not know exactly how or where Reiki should be channeled, it will find its way to where it needs to be for the best possible outcome.
Genuine Reiki practice can also lead to lifestyle changes. After an attunement, you might find yourself responding to others with more understanding and patience. Your eating habits might change–you might find you no longer like the taste of meat or artificial sweeteners. You might discover that you are more relaxed and accepting toward everything around you. This is part of how Reiki heals on a spiritual and even a physical level.
Many Reiki practitioners recommend that a newly attuned student work only on herself for about three months. This helps the student get used to the way Reiki feels, and to experience some of its effects for herself. It leads to more confidence in using Reiki and more trust in allowing it to flow where it chooses. Being able to let go, trust, and let Reiki flow as it will is the basis of all genuine Reiki practice.