The dictionary defines an urban myth as ‘a story told as if it actually happened’, a story told in such a way that the listener accepts it as a matter of fact, and as we all know repeat something often enough and people will begin to accept it as if it were true, even a lie told often enough can assume the appearance of fact. Social myths can be amusing but those associated with Reiki if allowed to go unchecked have the potential to create fear and confusion, damage credibility and even dissuade people from experiencing its life enhancing effects, yet urban myths are nothing new, throughout history myths and mankind have always walked hand in hand.
There are several myths established as part of Reiki folklore and when they become part of our Reiki teaching practice they can achieve almost legendary status gaining credibility by means of association. One of the most well established Reiki myths is that you should never give Reiki either directly or indirectly through distant healing to anyone who has broken a bone. It’s said that Reiki can speed up the healing process to such an extent that the bone can begin to heal before a doctor has chance to set it properly. To the inexperienced Reiki practitioner this may sound plausible but there are two very good reasons why this myth is fantasy rather than fact. Firstly a break can take anywhere between six to twelve weeks before the bone completely knits together, healing takes time and although Reiki can assist the healing process, there is no known medical or experiential evidence to support the idea that Reiki can or ever has healed a broken bone in such a way as to lead to abnormality or deformity.
Secondly, and most importantly to me, we are taught that Reiki works only for the person’s higher good and it will only go where it’s needed so we must ask ourselves why would an energy of unconditional love create deformity and pain. Either the principle is wrong or the myth is, and as Reiki practitioners and teachers we must decide which is true and then act accordingly.
Another common myth closely associated to the first example is that you should never send distant healing to anyone who is under an anaesthetic going through any form of surgery as it may counter act the effect of the anaesthetic. Again there is no evidence to support this or any of these myths but that is the very nature of a myth, they require neither evidence nor proof to exist and the more fanciful they appear the more credence they achieve. I was taught that you should never give Reiki to anyone with a pacemaker fitted as Reiki can stop the pacemaker working properly and possibly trigger a heart attack. The first pacemaker wasn’t fitted in the UK until 1958 and as such it is impossible for that particular myth to have existed before that date, so we must ask ourselves when was this piece of Reiki lore introduced, by whom, and more importantly why?
Early in my Reiki career I was told in no uncertain terms by a Reiki Teacher that I should never give Reiki to anyone who was sitting with their legs crossed as this will stop the energy flowing. Really! To me Reiki is an expression of unconditional love and a part of the creative energy that at the last count included a million or so galaxies so I can’t quite get my head around the ‘fact’ that simply crossing our legs renders this creative force powerless.
I’ve been told by teachers and practitioners alike that you shouldn’t give Reiki to anyone who is diabetic as it could disrupt their blood sugar levels; again this instruction was given as gospel yet never once supported by research based evidence, I was simply expected to accept it without questioning its validity. My own experience as a Reiki teacher has proven this particular myth along with many others to be unfounded and unsubstantiated. Of all the Reiki myths the most misleading is that Reiki is a miracle cure all that heals everyone it touches. It isn’t and it won’t because it doesn’t have the authority to do so. If it was able to do so it would go against the spiritual laws of unconditional love and free will which along with other spiritual laws provide the structure and framework to creation. By the nature of its existence it must adhere to the universal laws that were instrumental in its creation; the created can never be greater than its creator, exist beyond its grace and control or act arbitrarily outside of its laws.
A fundamental precept of Reiki is ‘the only person we can heal is ourselves’ and with these eight simple words comes the implication and confirmation that the healing process can’t take place in our absence or be forced upon us. As hard as it may seem not everyone who is ill knowingly wants to be made well; some have claimed their illness as their own because it gives a sense purpose and identity, and as such Reiki cannot and will not heal that person against their will. What Reiki can do is help provide them with the opportunity to learn and grow, to become receptive to the physical and spiritual help available to them and in doing so they can if they so wish, develop in mind body and spirit, eventually reaching the point where they begin to play an active part in their own healing process.
This is truth demonstrated and the true purpose of Reiki, working to the persons higher good and ultimately their realisation that all healing ultimately comes through knowledge and understanding. What is perceived as a miracle is nothing more than an event that exists outside the limits of our current knowledge and understanding. Once we expand that knowledge and understanding what we once perceived as a miracle becomes a skill, a spirit based technology to be used time and time again to improve the quality of life, and heal illness and disease.
We have numerous myths in the form of rules regulations and rituals about not wearing jewellery or watches when giving Reiki, keeping ourselves pure by not drinking tea, coffee, or alcohol and only giving Reiki to those who can afford it or those who we judge to be deserving of it. Every time we come across any of these instructions we should hold them up to the light of scrutiny and test their substance, credibility, and truth, for we must be careful not to confuse the spiritual integrity of Reiki and its principles with the man made dogma that evolves over time with any discipline. We should always ask ourselves if these stories are based on a human belief or a spiritual truth. If they resonate with you then be true to yourself whatever that may be, if not let them go and continue on your personal journey of discovery. The myth may remain constant but the same can’t be said about our knowledge and understanding.
There was once a global myth that the earth was flat and if you sailed into the horizon you would fall off the edge of the world and into oblivion. Every time this myth was repeated it gained credibility until only those who were brave enough dared to challenge those beliefs and fears, and in doing so expanded our physical and spiritual horizons and helped bring us out of the dark ages of superstition and mythology and into the dawning light of knowledge and understanding.
Article by Phillip Hawkins
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A Reiki practitioner since 1999, Phillip started teaching Reiki in 2000 and using those skills and abilities he has spent the majority of the last seventeen years working with a wide range of social and educational needs including Autism and ADHD. Working with addicts dependent on alcohol and drugs, people whose lives were extremely violent and abusive, and others who had to deal with severe mental health issues. This has enabled him to work extensively in the private sector, schools, colleges, education and care in the community, the prison service and psychiatric units.
In 2016, Phillip decided to semi-retire from full-time employment to concentrate on developing his career as a published author and the setting up of his Reiki personal development programme at the Chilton Community College.
I agree with these views. I also remember my teacher saying that one of the myths was that you should always take your shoes off when giving or receiving Reiki: but she said that if we practice distance healing with symbols, the energy goes through all kinds of surfaces like walls, etc. So if we were in a situation where we cannot remove our shoes, the energy would still do its job. I had algo heard that we shouldn’t wear watches while practicing Reiki because the watch would stop. I did not believe this, until I became a practitioner and since I started using the symbols, I was using a lot of Reiki techniques and sending distance Reiki, sometimes while at work or on the bus, so I was wearing my new watch, which suddenly stopped working! I had to have it fixed twice and stopped wearing it because I’m always using Reiki in different ways. What is the connection between watches and Reiki?
I do not wear watches since the age of 15.
The last time a friend of mine lent me his watch for the time of an exam (2h)
In 2h I saw the watch work very fast (in 2h it has traveled 2 days forward)
It is when I discovered my magnetism ‘gift’
I believe the quartz vibration rate is increased or becomes chaotic when we channel energy.
Of course it has to be studied with all the ‘scientific method’ (given the fact we probably deal with quantic mechanisms, the observer may influence the experience)
Hi Ronfladonf
I think this effect is well documented but I don’t think it has anything to do with Reiki as such. I think it has more to do with the persons own energy field and the way it affects the watch. If every Reiki practitioner had the same experience then we could say it may be a Reiki effect, but since this doesn’t happen with everyone there has to be another reason. Energy works for me.
I wholly agree with you
Well…I’d certainly like to meet up with this fella…and show him a thing or 2 about the Traditional Art of ‘Reiki’ always the student…LM 🙂 If any earthly man thinks that he has the ability to master the Great Master of Creation he is off his head, yet this attitude is what this destruction of our spiritual selves and who…or what/ that we connect with is ‘ALL THAT IS’ …is the mastering of that belief, CONNECTING to All That Is…making sure the Lights are on…and knowing where the fault lies if they are not and fixing them 🙂 As you heal so you will be healed yourself…Thats the difference with the true Traditional Masters…of Energy Transmission. As a Traditional recognised Master Teacher of the Ancient Arts of Australian Aboriginal & Tibetan Healing Techniques of ‘The Universal Energy of All that Is’ that is there for us all as our God given right of this Creation, justifying your exsistence…I say show me who you are…and your guiding principals…:) I welcome your opinion. LM
Hi Lori, thanks for taking the time to read the article and post your comments. I have to be honest I’m confused with your comments and I’m trying to see how they relate to the article. I would ask you to read the article again as at no time do I claim to be anything other than the writer of the article sharing some of my own experiences. If we can keep an open mind and try to seperate the dogma from spiritual and remove the myths and misconceptions that are all man made, what we have left is Reiki in its purest form free from the cosmetics and add on’s.
Reiki does not require our approval or acknowledgement for it to exist; our failure to accept it merely restricts its effects on our life and has no bearing on its existence, and as such it requires neither symbols, techniques nor mantras for it to work. Our attention and intention merely works with what already exists in the form of Reiki energy and the physical reality that exists we wish to introduce Reiki into to create a new outcome/result/experience, hopefully free from the limitation of our own expectation or conditions in relation to what we want to happen. One of the greatest handicaps we place upon ourselves is the belief in the ‘Reiki must do’s’ and that their use in some way improves the quality or the quantity of the Reiki a person receives. If we accept that Reiki is a creative consciousness expressed as unconditional love then we must also accept that it’s infinite in its presence, power and jurisdiction and can’t be strained or enhanced by our actions.
If I can ask you to read some of my other articles you may be able to get a better understanding of who I am and the principles by which I try to live my life. As for my Reiki pedegree I have trained as a traditional Reiki Master and through my teachers can trace my lineage back to Dr Usui. I don’t use the title Master and prefer the title of teacher as I feel we are all students and as such a work in progress regardless of the titles or baggage we carry.
Regards
Phillip
Interesting
While we are talking about myths about reiki: the greatest myth I’ve met about it : to practice and understand it, one must attend an attunement given by their master. To be sure of this we have introduced the lineage thing.
I feel that reiki practice can be developed and understood almost alone (of course if one wants to be recognized as a skilled reiki person, they have to prove thelselves).
I feel that this attunement thing had been introduced for the same reason that the myth were a reiki healing session must be paid to be effective…
Sorry about my English-speaking (I’m french)
Ronfladonf
Thank you for taking the time to read my the article and posting your comments. I agree with some of what you say in relation to developing ones own knowledge and understanding.As a Reiki teacher I believe that its important to teach the student how to think without telling them what to think, spoon feeding the student leads to dependency and lazyness and the expectation that the answers will be given to them without any effort on their part. It also stops them from using their own imagination in the development of their own skills and abilities.
We do need teachers, educators and mentors to introduce the student to the field of study and to help them realise their own potential but the student must take responsibility for their own learning.
We must also remember that what we call Reiki is a collection of guidelines and must do’s that in some case bears little resemblence to Dr Usui’s original teachings, they are evolving and will continue to do so but Reiki manuals are not Reiki. They are just attempts at defining the infinite. Reiki must be experienced by the individual on a subjective level to understand its true meaning as personal development is totally unique each must find their own way breaking new ground and old beliefs in equal measure. Repetition simply reinforces the established and we must have the courage to challenge the status quo and dare to ask ‘the manual says this…… but what will happen if I try this…
All mastery of any chosen skill requires the student to learn the basics, practice and then the desire and commitment to push the boundries of their skills and abilities and the accepted knowledge and understanding. This is how we learn and how mankind has evolved from the dark ages…. and Reiki can not be held up as so sacred that normal rules of progress don’t apply. If there is a creator and we are part of his/her/their creation then we must hold within us that spiritual spark and its down to each and every one of us to find it in our own way… no one can do that for us.
Regards
Phillip
I thought that until I was attuned and felt for a better word, fully charged
Great article, and one I will show all my students. Succinctly put, clears up a while heap of ego driven dogma. Thankyou
Hi Elissa
Thank you so much for taking the time to read the article and your kind comments. Pleased you enjoyed it and I hope your students find it of value.
Regards
Phillip
“Either something is ‘wrong’ with the principle or the myth?” We are still stuck in judgement, rooted in belief and reiki is not about what we believe it simple IS
What I’m trying to suggest is perhaps we let go of how we expect reiki to work and let it do the job, stop trying to limit it with our human understanding and not judge the outcome which is perhaps how these ‘don’ts” came about???
I agree a lot with the points discussed in the article. The journey with Reiki is one of self-discovery. As a starter on this journey some guidelines are provided – but as one goes on this journey – with an open mind – with the understanding that Reiki is Higher Wisdom – then let it guide us ! As I have gone on this journey since 1998 – and used it in a myriad of situations and myriad of ways – I have always felt that Reiki guides one towards how best to use it, where to send it (rather it automatically flows towards where it is needed) and the methodology (if that is the right word ?) ……. because ultimately it is higher wisdom ! Reiki guides me ! and I have experienced amazing ways in which it works for the HIGHEST GOOD of all the concerned people ! People get caught up in the guidelines only( and treat them as the Ultimate Truth) and never outgrow them ……… they feel that the send Reiki …….. NO ……… no one sends reiki ……….. one is only a channel for that energy to flow ……… be guided by it …….. do not try to guide it ……. it just does not work that way …….. because Reiki is Higher Wisdom ……… by getting attuned to Reiki we just have got connected to that source of Higher Wisdom (just like when one tunes into a radio channel) ………. Reiki is always there ………. on attunement I get tuned in to it ……… and it flows thro me ……. and reiki works for our highest good ! Taken in that spirit one is awed by the MAGIC of the workings of Reiki ! Thank u for sharing this article for the highest good of all !
Hi Poonam
So pleased you enjoyed the article and could relate to the points made. Thank you for your kind and generous comments.
Regards
Phillip
Hi
If we keep believing in the myths, what if someone on the roadside need a reiki treatment? What if there is an emergency and you want to pass reiki to the person or situation on the spot?
Do we all have to remove shoes, watches, leather belts, ornaments, jewellery? I think…NO.
Poonam rightly said that we are just the channels through which reiki can be passed to the receiver. And that can be done anywhere and everywhere.
Thanks:)
Hi Amruta
I agree…we are channels and in healing ourselves we remove the debris from our lives that may restrict the flow of Reiki. Debris comes in many forms…from misguided life choices to misconceptions and limiting beliefs.
Regards
Phillip
Very interesting article. One of the things that I was taught by my reiki master was that you will receive the healing that is needed and that you can cope with. The rest of the myths is a case of applying common sense when filtering out myths. I trained with my first and second degree with a woman who was diabetic and she had to monitor her blood sugars as they had alter during the training sessions (she passed out twice). After both degrees(6 months apart) her blood sugars had alter so she had to reduce her insulin intake. So when healing anyone with diabetes I ask them as a precaution to monitor their sugars over the next few days. The same thing happened to my nephew who had a healing from me it alter his sugars so he had to reduce insulin intake.
I have been told never use Reiki with someone with cancer. And heard it many times about energy work. That cancer is a living thing and healing energy could make it grow. It only stands to reason that some could buy IN To This. My feelings on this say nope…why? Because as a practitioner I’m addressing the person. The cancer even though it’s alive is a result of or symptom of imbalances. And with some people it is or has become part of their earthly walk.
Sara
There is so much confusing information posted about Reiki, its origins who did and said what and in many ways this continues through the myths such as the one you have mentioned, which is rarely if ever backed up with substantiated evidence.
We have to be careful that we don’t allow our own fears and insecurities creep into our Reiki teachings and practice and if in doubt revert back to the Reiki principles.
Regards
Phillip
Hi Philips,
The article is interesting and i can relate all called “myths” to my learning curve.
I am not very extensive practitioner but hade Level 2 completed a year ago but i shall be open that i dont practice regularly.
But there is one thing; I drink lot of tea, lot of smoking but still feel reiki does work.
How do you see it.
Take Care
Amirr
Reiki is Reiki and isn’t dependant on our actions or our belief for its existance or its ability to work. The more we use Reiki the stronger will be the effects that we experience. Smoking and caffine are unhealthy but so are stress and anxiety so my advice is if you can cut down or stop altogether you will be much fitter and healthier, and its important that you don’t place the responsibility for your health on Reiki.
Its your life and you have to live it, make your choices and then deal with the consequences, your freewill is sacrosanct and Reiki can’t override it. If you are going to do something like smoking or drinking large amounts of tea I suggest you enjoy it until it no longer is a pleasure which may happen if you increase your Reiki practice, when unhealthy habits fall away of their own will.
Pleased you enjoyed the article
Regards
Phillip
Great article! Thank you for posting here!
Hi Pam
Pleased you enjoyed it, thank you.
Regards
Phillip
Hi great article Phillip!
I would like to ask some advice if I may?
I’m currently in the process of opening up my home for reiki sessions to the public could you advise me whether to have a client form for them to fill out stating any medical conditions or medicines they maybe taking? I too was taught not to reiki on someone who has cancer, broken bones, dental work or someone who needs anethstesia (forgive me if I spelt that wrong) 🙂 also to be wary of people with epilepsy as my teacher did have a slight attack whilst I was giving her a treatment. So many different opinions from so many people it really does confuse me. I want to go into my practice covering all bases but would love the advice from yourself or others as to the correct way to advise my clients also.
Thanks Amanda 🙂
Hi Amanda
Firstly apply common sense at all times. Ensure you have the appropriate insurance cover and that your home is free from possible risks to accidental injury. Don’t assume that because Reiki is considered spiritual that it will automatically attract spiritual people to you. We look to make all sorts of connections in life in order to make sense of life. We tend to do this with Reiki as well even when it flies in the face of common sense and logic.
Anything that happens after the Reiki treatment will in some peoples minds be attributed to the effect of Reiki be it good or bad, we have the ability to look for things and find them even when they don’t exist. What you are trying to do is great but keep your feet firmly on the ground at all times and if you have rose tinted glasses through which you tend to view the world, I suggest you get rid of them.
As far as I’m aware there is no documented evidence that Reiki has had an adverse effect on cancer, broken bones, under anesthetic, dental work or any medical procedure or condition. This comes from a place of fear and a mind set that says to itself ‘I better put this clause in to cover myself just in case’ but you do have a legal responsibility and duty of care to take all reasonable action to ensure their safety whilst in your home. This should include keeping treatment notes and documents showing the advice you have given them prior to any treatment. The best bit of advice you can give anyone is that if they need professional help to get it and to not look at Reiki as an easy option or an alternative to medical treatment.
The internet is awash with documentation that you can download and use in setting up what will be your business and talk to people who have gone through the same process as they will know the best way to go about it based on experience, but at all times ask yourself does this feel right to me and for me. My answer is about grounded reality and I always think of an ancient arabic saying which goes ‘Trust in God but tie up your own Camel’
Go for it and give it all you have got and If I can ever help in any way please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Regards
Phillip
Thankyou so much for all your advice Phillip 🙂 I have taken all the legal steps you mentioned above and I’m pleased to say I have my very first client booked in for this Wednesday so I’m rather excited. I’m just going to go with the flow not over expecting or putting myself under too much pressure and hopefully give my client a lovely relaxing experience 🙂
Hi Amanda
Thats great news, please let me know how things are going. All the best for the future.
Phillip
Thank you so much for writing this article. I feel the same as you Reiki can do no harm and works for our greatest good. Can i ask you, what do you think of the notion of people having to pay you for Reiki. I feel that i want to give people the opportunity to receive Reiki. I am starting my own Reiki rooms i want to offer the first session free to let people experience Reiki and hopefully return to me for future sessions. What is your thinking on this Phillip? Once again thank you for this wonderful article
Hi Michelle
Again this is another Reiki ‘must do’. When I started teaching I followed this must do but now I don’t. What I have found is that some of the people who need the help the most don’t have the money to pay for it and so I now make a judgement based on the persons circumstances and my intuition.
I do believe that what people work for they appreciate more due to the fact that they feel they have earned it so Its important that the student takes responsibility for their own learning and they are not just spoon fed the information. You have to learn to trust your own judgement and do what you think is right. I have always made sure that I was never dependent on the income from Reiki for my living so that gave me a greater flexibility to help people in the way I wanted to without having the pressure to get clients in so that I could cover overheads and pay my bills.
There is nothing wrong with Reiki being a business but it is easy to lose sight of what you are trying to achieve and why especially if money becomes your motivation. Again there is nothing wrong with money, wealth and prosperity… they provide you with freedom and choice if not necessarily happiness and a sense of achievement and fulfilment. Money is an energy form so the normal rules apply to its use…its there to be used but its only worth the happiness and good it creates or brings.
Trust your own judgement and go with what you feel is right. If you set a price structure great…you have to be happy with what you are doing and you set the value on the service you are providing so don’t devalue yourself or what you do… but be flexible and creative in what and how you charge for the Reiki you provide…one off payment…payment plans….. Reiki in exchange for work carried out for you…..a token or nominal fee.
If it helps think of it that people aren’t paying for Reiki…they are paying for your time, experience and the life lessons you have learnt. I believe that knowledge and understanding can’t be owned and is there to be shared so that we all can develop and grow. To say that a person can’t be taught Reiki because they can’t afford to pay for it, and so must continue to suffer physically, mentally and emotionally until they have saved enough to pay for their training is perverse and in direct oposition to the principles and values of Reiki…….but thats just my view and you must do whats right for you.
Whatever you decide make sure you have it in writing and that you and your clients are happy with the agreement.
Trust yourself and apply common sense at all times. Spirituality is a wonderful thing but it must contain an element of grounded reality at all times. Let me know how you get on and if I can help in any way.
Phillip
Hi Phillip
Such a wonderful article. I am a Reiki channel since 1999. Reiki is a part of my life. There is no area in my life in which Reiki does not play a major part. Reiki just IS. I do get a lot of questions such as can we do Reiki for this or that , or is it to be done like this, like that etc etc. It troubles me that people seem to concentrate more on the do’s and dont’s and the methods and the myths than in just letting Reiki be. I loved the article and intend passing it on each and every time someone needs a clarification, as this is how I would have written it had I been a writer. Thankyou once again.
Hi Suchitra
Thank you for your kind comments and for taking the time to read the article. Please feel free to use any of my work as an aid to your own development or when working with others. All I ask is that you acknowledge the source of the material.
Why can’t you write it?….if you can recognise its value then those values and truths must already be a part of you waiting for you to express them in your own way….be that the written word or truth demonstrated by your actions. The technicalities of writing can be learnt like any skill but to give voice to your heart and soul…..that takes something else that we can only find within one self.
As a Reiki teacher, as a writer and as a psychic medium and empath I can tell you that you have that ability and its about time that you discovered it….and begin to express it.
Let me know if I can help you in any way…it would be a pleasure and a privilege
Regards
Phillip
Thankyou so much Phillip for your kind and encouraging words. I shall definitely give it some serious thought. Thankyou once again.
Hi Philip, I enjoyed reading this article a lot because all reading is increasing my knowledge, and I am like a sponge at tho moment LOL. I understand and I respect all censures regarding reiki, and I strongly believe that if a practioner have such beliefs, than is better to follow them because I think – but this is only what I personally belief – reiki energy flow is also influenced by our beliefs, by our fears, by our will power. Such beliefs are maybe a barrier on healing, so is better to avoid it.
Sometimes some beliefs might create a barrier for us.
I have a question: why people over 75 – 80 years of age cannot benefit of reiki symbols? This is another mislead interpretation of reiki?
Once again, thank you for this great article 🙂
Hi Nina
Thank you for your feedback and kind comments, I’m pleased you enjoyed the article. People over 75-80 not being able to benefit from the use of Reiki symbols? I have to say this is the first time I have heard this myth…and that’s what it is a myth. The use of symbols is underwritten by the use of our attention…what we focus on..and our intention….what we intend to do about it. This is just another example of people making things up as they go along without thinking it through.
How about if we take this negative and develop it….to say that the use and benefit of symbols could be limited by race, colour and creed, gender or religion. Or God forbid..restricted by position of authority. Start an idea rolling and as it gathers momentum it will also gather some credibility and people who buy into it for no other reason than its easier to accept than to think.
The name Reiki is just that. Its a label that we have given it but when you stick a label on something you can make the mistake of looking no further than the packaging and overlook the content that underpins it. Its energy……that’s all it is because that’s all there is. It’s a universal energy that expresses itself through and by knowledge and understanding. Understanding without knowledge is limiting….knowledge without understanding can be dangerous. Its universal…..free to everyone to access it, if they wish to do so regardless of age, gender colour creed or religion.
Different is good….different is necessary for our development but what works for one may not work for another, this is why sooner or later we must all start to find our own path….. breaking new ground and old beliefs in equal measure. The secret is to try and enjoy your journey…just be selective of how much baggage you choose to take with you……but you can always put it down when you no longer need to carry it. Enjoyment is one of the great lessons in life and Reiki is far to important to take seriously. Have fun on your journey…… that in itself is part of the healing process.
Hope this helps.
Oh I soooo love this article Philips… Thank you for opening eyes against these myths.. It was much needed..
Hi Rinku
Glad you liked it and it was of a help to you. Reiki can be a wonderful thing but its important that we think about what we are doing and why. Tradition has its place but we shouldn’t just accept everything we are told or taught without taking due care and consideration about the consequences of our actions. We are educators first and foremost and that includes taking the time to educate ourselves so that we can then help others help themselves.
Thanks for your kind comments.
Wonderful article Phillip.reiki works wonderfully with intention only our inside blocks made these myths.
I have heard that we should not do healing with crossed legs.. Is it true?
Anupriya
Firstly thank you for taking the time to read my article and post your question. Although I do answer this question in the article I am more than happy to revisit to provide further clarification.
For a moment let’s put the name Reiki to one side. It’s a label that has only been in use to describe healing energy for a very short period of time. The energy we work with and channel is infinite and as such can’t be measured contained or restricted. Neither can we add to it or deminish it in any way by our actions. Only our negative ego would entertain such an idea because it likes to feel important, in control and the centre of our personal universe.
If this energy is universal by name and definition then it must be applicable to all situations and conditions. It has a consciousness way beyond our current level of knowledge and understanding, another thing our negative ego doesn’t like, this is why the energy we facilitate goes where its needed and not where we think it should go to. In the truest meaning of the word we are not healers, we do not create this healing energy it created us and the universe we are a part of.
Who or what you think the creator or source of this energy is isn’t anywhere near as important as recognising its existance and the way it works with us through our attention (what we focus on) and our intention (what we wish to achieve). Once you begin to fully understand this relationship you will see that the only limitations that exist are those we create in our own mind which then determines what we believe and the actions that grow out of those beliefs.
This healing energy is at our finger tips when ever we need to call on it. It does not matter where you are, what position you are in, or what position the person is in that you are trying to help. Please use common sense and think about these myths and misconceptions, learn to think for yourself. I work with this energy everyday in all kinds of situations. I provide treatments in a controlled and calm environment. I also provide what I call energy first aid when I am out and about throughout the day and whilst I am at work. I would never dream to say to this infinite energy ‘OK I am willing to let you work with me but you must conform to the way I think you should work’……That is a conversation that our negative ego would have us believe that it has the power and the authority to do.
You can put your arms, legs and body in any position you want and it will still work. I can’t put this any clearer than this. Hope it helps
One of the best article I read. Thank you for clearing all my doubts at one go.
Hi Vanita
Glad you like the article, pleased to be of help.
Regards
Phillip
Dear Philip,
Thank you for debunking so many myths. I learnt the first degree Reiki 4 years ago. But I had many questions regarding why Reiki cannot be given while wearing Jewelry. I don’t mean overly chunky stuff, but minimal everyday work wear like ear studs and finger rings..
I wanted to ask my teacher the same, but she seemed to be very stern about certain replies.
I’d appreciate if you could guide me on it here and also let me know if I could off n on email you on any doubts regd my Reiki practice.
I’m not a psychic, but I’m very Intuitive about people I connect to.
That’s why your the first person i am reaching out to despite having read several blogs on reiki.i Never felt the vibe Inviting enough.
I’d only feel more humbled, if you allow me to email you on any thing I’d like clarity on, In the spiritual realm.
I’d be grateful if you do, but Ile also understand if you dont..
Thank you.