Different Points of View in Reiki

Unfortunately, in my home country, many issues have become politicized, even the coronavirus pandemic. The recommendation to wear a face mask, to protect others and yourself, may be determined by whether you believe the scientists or certain governmental officials. People seek guidance from experts in many fields.

A similar dynamic can happen in the Reiki field, as well as other energy healing modalities. Frequently, a Reiki client or student will tell me that a previous Reiki practitioner told them the opposite of something I’d just said. Sometimes, they seem dismayed that two “experts” can have a differing point of view.

Here are a few examples from my own practice

• A Reiki client asked me if she should abstain from coffee or other caffeine drinks at least 24 hours before a session, as her previous practitioner had that stipulation.
• A Reiki student challenged my belief that we must be careful not to promise a physical cure, for any condition.
• I’ve also been confronted with specific Scriptural quotes and other religious beliefs that seem to discredit Reiki healings.

The longer we practice Reiki and the more clients and students we experience, we should expect these kinds of questions and comments. The positive side is there is no one dogmatic version of Reiki. Reiki is a practice that evolves in many ways, in many different cultures, with tens of thousands of practitioners. Each of us will share our personal experiences with Reiki – both as a giver and a receiver. This means, there are many questions with no one “right” answer, or “wrong” answer.

You can begin your answer with a phrase such as, “my experience has been….,” or “I was taught to do it this way….,” or, “that is an interesting way to look at that, let me think some more about it….” This last option has several advantages – you can review your manuals, online sources, or contact your Reiki Master, before you give a reply to a client. If you choose this option, please be sure to get back to your client or student, whether it is later in the day, or a few days later.

It has been my experience that many of these small details will not make a difference. In other words, Reiki energies will be effective – whether or not a client had coffee during breakfast, or his belief is not the same as yours. Reiki has a Divine Wisdom that is greater than any kind of restriction we may think is important.

Also, the intention of the Reiki practitioner is a vitally important aspect of all Reiki practice. This personal intention can have a significant impact – although the Divine Source knows best what the receiver truly needs. The best intention may be that the healing energies go to the highest good of the client.

Let us not forget that through our own journeys of Reiki healing we have grown in our own authentic wisdom and power. Sometimes, the information a client was given by another practitioner was a message received for that client on a specific day. Spirit may have been telling her to decrease to sleep more hours every night, and too much caffeine was preventing this from happening.

In other words, we need to be careful in how we respond to someone’s questions and comments. We should not be derogatory or negative about another practitioner. However, if something may be potentially harmful to a client, you must address it (without making disparaging remarks about another practitioner) it is possible the client misunderstood something, too. Ask for guidance in these situations, and it will be given to you. May you always work within the highest good for your clients and students!

Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master

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Deborah Lloyd is a Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master and certified holistic therapy practitioner, providing Distant Reiki sessions and training in Asheville, NC. Deborah is the author of two books, 22 Messages from the Archangels; and, Believe and it is True: A Story of Healing and Life Lessons. She is also one of the co-authors of Reiki 101: 101 Answers for Your Reiki Questions. Reach Deborah at [email protected] and on Facebook at Deb Lloyd Healing.