THE NEED TO BE RE-ATTUNED AND RE-TAKE SOME CLASSES WHEN YOU WORK WITH A NEW TEACHER

Many people ask to be trained in the higher levels of Reiki who have been initially trained by someone else and are are surprised to hear that they need to be re-attuned and retake any previous training before that can happen. One of the main reasons is that in my lineage (the way I trace my connection back to the creator of Reiki Dr. Mikao Usui through my teachers) in both of my lineages (I took Reiki from two different teachers) we give 5 Reiki symbols at Level II, 2 more at Level IIIa (Master Practitioner), and 1 more at Level IIIb (Master Teacher.

A lot of the students from other other teachers wanting to move up a level or two in training but were initially only given 3 Reiki symbols at Level II and 1 at the Master Level (some not offering the separate Reiki Master Levels like we do). Because we give and use these other symbols we attune people differently using these symbols thus creating the need for the re-attuned in order for them to train under me or anyone else in my lineage.

Another reason one would need to re-take the training (audit the classes they've already taken and be re-attuned) is because each teacher does things just a little bit differently according to who taught them and how. I've also had many students tell me their teachers only gave them a few poorly xeroxed copies of pages out of a book as a manual and no diagrams of hand positions for either self-treating, treating others, or proper explanations of how to send distant Reiki. I've also recently heard of a teacher who does not even give certificates for each level of training, something that would be a definite deal breaker for me. You should be given a certificate of completion of training for each level of Reiki you take.

These kinds of teaching practices tarnish the reputation of Reiki and it's practitioners. Teachers like this are only in it for a fast buck and have been either poorly trained or not trained at all possibly just read a few books and poked around a bit on the internet, therefore we have no way of knowing if the student was even properly attuned.

It is very important to find an accredited and experienced teacher to train with. Word of mouth is probably your best source of finding one, but there are many ways you can tell if the person you are thinking of taking your training with is really accredited, trustworthy, and knows what they're doing. I'll be talking about that in my next post!

Why Reiki Doesn't Work Sometimes

There are several reasons why Reiki doesn't work sometimes - yes, there are times when the magic just doesn't happen.

l) The expectations of the client are just too high.

A practitioner should never claim that Reiki can make miracles. If a client comes to you thinking they will be instantly cured of what ails them and they aren't here's why. Reiki doesn't work that way. Multiple applications are required, probably some life style changes or emotional and attitude changes need to be met like stop smoking, drinking, leave job or relationship that is not working for you anymore, etc. Other healing modalities may need to be happening simultaneously like massage, Acupuncture, Herbs, Psychotherapy, Medication, Chiropractic, etc.

2) The client is closed off, unreceptive, super skeptical.

I've seen this happen many times, people will come to you for treatment claiming they want to get well, to heal, to feel good, but when they get on the table, there is just not much going on. They are literally blocking the energy. They don't trust the practitioner, they don't trust Reiki and they don't really want to make the changes necessary to heal their life and circumstances.

3) Not doing or having adequate practice:

Just like everything else, practice makes perfect. If you are new to Reiki, don't do self-treating on yourself daily, and work on very few Reiki others, then the Reiki you channel will reflect that the more Reiki you do on yourself or others and the more levels of training you go up in Reiki, the more energy you will feel coming out of yours hands because you will be a purer channel for the energy. This is one of the main reasons why I am very against a Level One or Level Two practitioner doing Reiki on the public and charging for it. They are not channeling the full flow of the Reiki energy that their system can handle (you only do that at the Master Level) and lack experience.

4) Too attached to the outcome:

Have you ever heard the phrase - it's about the journey, not the destination"? Healing brings many revelations and lessons with it, it's said thta your greatest pain/challenge is your greatest fuel for reinvention. When you want a specific outcome and you don't get it, then you're disappointed. Garth Brooks wrote the song "Thank God for Unanswered Prayers." The outcome you think you want may not be in your best interests and the lessons from whatever you have going on in your life will not be learned. Life is all about learning lessons for your soul growth, the evolution of your soul.

THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN DURING A REIKI SESSION YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

Many of you may already be aware of the myriad of sensations and affects that one may experience while having a Reiki session, so this article is for those who don’t or who have experienced what I will describing and didn't know what was going on.

To begin with, the person having a session is called the RECEIVER and the Reiki person is called the PRACTITIONER. The Receiver may feel tingling, swirling, pulsing or fizzing sensations and/or heat in their hands/fingers or feet, or in other parts of their body, other then where the practitioner is working.

The things I’d like to talk about today though are twitches and jerks, sometimes even convulsive movements of the body. These again can be in the area where the practitioners hands are on the body, or in other areas of the body.

Twitching and jerking movements represent tension being released from the muscles in whatever area they occur. Just like any affect you my have during a Reiki session, not everyone is going to experience this.

Convulsive movements of the body (a very rare occurrence), either in one area or the whole body (yes that can happen) is a whole different matter. After doing a little research, I have come to understand that this can be somewhat dangerous, and if your receiver begins to do this, it is advisable for the you to back off.

In massage therapy, they use the phrase “issues in the tissues” and I feel that can be applied here. Some of the possibilities are that deep trauma or shame is being taped into, or possible old suppressed memories. Several of the practitioners I've talked to, including myself, were guided to stop working in the area they were in, remove their hands from the area and maybe even back away from the client for a short amount of time, and continue the session elsewhere, or stop the session altogether, depending on the severity of the convulsive movements.

This is new information for me. I will be conducting further research on it!

YOU JUST CAN’T MAKE A MISTAKE IN REIKI!

One of the things I love most about Reiki is you just can’t get it wrong!   I studied two other healing modalities several years ago.  One of them was riddled with rules – do this wrong and this bad thing could happen, do that wrong and that bad thing could happen, and yes, you could kill someone if you did this one thing wrong or didn't do this one thing the way you were supposed to.  Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!  Also they were both incredible complicated and involved and left you open to taking on the negative energy or worse of the person you were working on.  Ah, not working for me sorry.

If you are not familiar with Reiki, we talk a lot about the divine beings who work with us when we channel Reiki – Angels, Archangels, Guardian Angels, Spirit Guides , Ascended Masters (Jesus, Mary, Kwan Yin, Buddha, St. Germain, Sai Baba, Saints, etc.), and other divine beings.  Those of us who are intuitive and are Reiki (some more so than others) see them, hear them, or feel them when we are giving someone a Reiki session or working on ourselves (a very big part of Reiki is to be treating yourself with Reiki everyday for your own healing). 

Here’s the kicker – if you make a mistake, like drawing a symbol wrong or don’t pay attention to the guidance you are getting from your team of divine beings that are working with you, they will correct whatever part of the symbol you've drawn  or visualized incorrectly,for you!  If you didn't listen to their guidance and move your hand to this or that place of put it just so, they will take care of it. They will also put in a symbol/s where it’s needed if you doubted your guidance and didn't do it.  I love that!!!!!!!!!

Some of the symbols are long and complicated and some of them are easy peasy, so just knowing that they “got your back” takes a lot of pressure off us Reiki practitioners!

When a Reiki Master Teacher attunes someone to Reiki (performs a sacred ceremony on them that connects them to the energy that is Reiki so that they can channel it for themselves or others) we use many Reiki symbols.  Again your team will come in and correct any symbols you didn't draw or visualize correctly or put one in if you forgot one – which, believe me as a Reiki Master Teacher of many years, this does happen, it’s a complicated procedure. 

I call that a “win win” for all!

WHAT IS REIKI SLUMBER?

In the Reiki world, it is typical, almost expected, for someone having a Reiki session to fall asleep or go in and out of some kind of a sleep like state. We call this “ Reiki Slumber.” However, this sleep state is not to be confused with the kind of sleep one typically gets at night. Some call it a liminal or meditative state, or an altered state, and others say it is similar to the state one is in when under hypnosis.

In my Reiki business, my clients tell me that they are quite aware of where I am as I am working on them, and they can hear the music that is playing, or the traffic noises outside. However, they appear to me to be out cold, many even snore.

During this “sleep state”, some people have reported seeing visions including those of past lives, seeing colors, hearing spiritual guidance, having a feeling of deep peace, feeling incredible refreshed and rejuvenated for weeks, feeling like they are floating in a pool of warm water, having out of body experiences, or having shamanic journey like experiences. Each time someone has a Reiki session and goes into this state, it is always different from the last time, just like no two Reiki sessions are the same, either on the same person or individual to individual.

A well known Reiki Master Teacher I know reports having her spirit guides tell her that when we are in this state very deeply, our soul steps aside so that the Spirit Guides, Angels and other Divine Beings that are working with the Reiki Practitioner and the client come in and to do deep healing work. In addition, Karuna Reiki ® is said to heal on a very deep cellular level and I find that more of my clients slip into this state faster and easier when I am performing Karuna Reiki ® sessions as opposed to Traditional Usui Reiki sessions.

We also know that our bodies have a natural healing process that can only be activated when we are totally at rest, relaxed and calm -why do you think that your doctor will always tell you to get lots of rest? Reiki takes you to that very deeply relaxed state so this natural healing process can be activated and enhances it. Another reason why it is a very good thing when our clients are willing to go into this place of deep relaxation and rest. It is also a well known fact that if you are anxious or fearful, or if you have trust issues about Reiki or the practitioner you are less likely to be able to enter this state.

Reiki slumber is just one of a multitude of benefits of having a Reiki session.

TAKING SALT BATHS TO REMOVE NEGATIVE ENERGY FROM YOUR ENERGY/BIO FIELD AND PHYSICAL BODY IS A MUST!!!!!!!!

Taking a salt bath on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis is a must for anyone who is doing any kind of body or energy work period, but for also a good thing for the general public to be doing too! Whether you are aware of it or not, as you go about your daily life you are picking up negative energy - in the grocery store, in the Mall, working on a client, talking on the phone to someone negative, watching the news or lower vibrational shows like Cop/Detective shows, or any show that has violence in it, Reality shows, and violent video games, just to name a few!

And you are generating negative energy in your energy field when you think negative thoughts or interact with someone in a negative situation like with a co-worker, store clerk, relative, partner, etc.

However, there is a science to taking a salt bath - you just don't dump a bunch of salt in your bath water and jump in!  First there is the selection of the salt.  You can use plain old Morton salt (without Iodine) which is the least expensive way to go, or you can use Sea Salt, Kosher Salt or Himalayan Salt (the most expensive way to go).   You can also put a few drops of essential oil/s into your bath. Typically oils used for this are Lavender, Rose, or Geranium, or you could use blends like Peace & Calming, Grounding, White Angelica, Sacred Mountain, etc., (from Young Living Oils).  You might want to read up on the oils and their properties so you can make a better educated decision on what would be appropriate for you for each bath.

To start with, fill up your tub with hot water (too hot and you won't be able to get into it though!).  Then add a cup (or two handfuls) of your chosen salt, and a cup of baking soda (which nullifies the effects of the chlorine in the water).  Now add a few drops of your chosen oil/s and if you wish, and/or flower petals if you chose to add those too, and stir the water around with your hand so the salt is dispersed, and then get in.  I like to add a bath pillow at the top of the tub for comfort in lying back also.

Sit in the water and soak a bit.  You could read a book at this time, or close your eyes and listen to some soothing music.  You could have placed scented candles around the tub (if you have the kind of tub) and or some crystals, and you can draw some Reiki symbols over the water if you want also. 

Now you need to cover all the chakras with the salty water in order to make it worth your while. To do this you'll have to maneuver yourself in such a way that you can get your head under the water, but first pinch your nose shut and close yours eyes.  When your head is under the water, swish it back and forth 3 times, allowing the water to cover your crown, third eye, and throat chakra.  Come back up, take a breath and dive again. Do this 3 times.   Sit and soak in the water until it begins to cool off (about 10-15 minutes).  Then pull the plug and imagine that all the negative energy is going down the drain as the water drains out. Next stand up carefully and take a warm shower to remove any salt residue from your body. If you don't have a tub, you can take a salt shower.  Make a paste out of the salt by putting some in your hand and adding a little water and then scrub your whole body with it, making additional paste as needed.  Shower it all off at the end. Epsom Salts Baths are good too but the benefits of an Epsom Salts Bath is totally different  from a salt bath.  More on that next time! ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEARING YOUR HEALING SPACE

I can't stress highly enough the importance of keeping whatever space you are doing healing work in clear, meaning free of any impurities,negative energy, or dark energies or forces. A Reiki friend recently advised me that just opening a window and pulling up the shade to let the light and fresh air into my healing space was highly beneficial. I was amazed to feel a noticeable shift in the amount of Reiki flowing during sessions that I performed afterwards. Seriously! I experienced a greater flow of energy after I began doing just this simple thing . Also I changed up what symbols I used and how I used them in my healing space before and after a session, Reiki Share or class to clear the space In addition I like to play the tape "Etheric Enhancement," from Billy Topa Tate', my first Reiki Master Teacher in Evanston, IL of the Mystical Sciences Institute, in my healing space before and after every session or class I do in it. In my Reiki Level II Manual, I give my students a method to clear the space using just the Reiki Power Symbol. I recommend using the CCW Power Symbol. There is a some controversy in the Reiki world as to which one is the Power Symbol (CCW OR CW). Mrs. Takata taught that the Power Symbol drawn CCW is the one that amps up or focuses the power of Reiki, but my second Reiki Master Teacher taught that it was the CW one that did that, and that the CCW one pulled negativity out of the area where it was being used. I've experimented with both and am still not sure, so I decided to stick with Mrs. Takata's advise, after all she was taught by Hayashi, who was taught by Usui. To clear a room using the Reiki Power Symbol, stand in front of one corner of the room and begin drawing it in the air in front of you, saying it's name (mantra) 3 times at the appropriate place (when drawing the spirals), while visualizing it in your mind, all at the same time. Work around the room CCW and draw the symbol into all the corners of the room, and then on all the walls of the room. Next draw it on the ceiling and then on the floor. I like to draw draw it VERY big! Then stand in the center of the room, bring your arms up to shoulder height and take them out to your sides, palms up and connect to Reiki. Next intend that Reiki is flowing out of your hands as white light and filling up the entire room/area with white light, intending that the white light transforms or removes any impurities, negative energies, or dark energies or forces into love and send that love out into the world. Stand there this way, running the energy until you feel complete with the process. If you are not Reiki you cannot perform this technique - only those who have been connected to Reiki in a sacred ceremony we call an attunement can utilize the symbols, sorry. You can, however, purchase the Etheric Enhancement CD and use that - very effective, and open those blinds/curtains and the windows!