In an online forum, Reiki practitioners were discussing how best to describe Reiki to people with different belief systems. While Reiki is a spiritual practice, it’s not a religion and doesn’t undermine the teachings of any religion. I suggested that perhaps some scientific facts about Reiki would come in handy when trying to communicate to worried or skeptical people. For many in the group, though, scientific facts could never really define or explain the workings of the universe or the human mind.
I’ve been doing more reading than usual about dog training recently. I have to admit that although I’m a fan of clicker training, my mind starts to wander when the talk becomes too highly technical in terms of technique. Part of this is because my mind doesn’t work that way. But also, for me, training is as much of an art as it is a science. For me, too much technical stuff overshadows the essence of the living, breathing dog. I guess I could say that I agree with the Reiki practitioners – both about Reiki and about dogs. Science is a wonderful tool but it doesn’t really define the working of the universe, or of any creature’s mind.
Don’t read about dog training. Reading about dog training, even really good dog training, is like reading about dancing or roses or opera. Loses 99% of its essence in print.
Beth…if you could suggest one of the top books or articles explaining “how-to-do” reiki, what would it be for a beginner or somehow with limited experience? Maybe you can reply through your blog so everybody can benefit from the answer. Knowing energy points, meridian lines, etc would help. I guess I always called it working with energy, but Reiki is more of a professional word that many nurses are using now with their patients.
Reiki is a subtle, vibrational practice that promotes balance through light touch. Many practitioners of many different modalities, only one of which is Reiki, use energy in healing.
Reiki training is done in person with a Reiki Master/Teacher (although the title that has come to be used is Master, we usually acknowledge that it takes a lifetime to truly master anything, therefore we refer to ourselves as teachers) who helps students to get in touch with or reawaken the energy that is within themselves. An entire system for living is also included in traditional Japanese Reiki training which involves five elements, only of which is hands on healing.
Because of the energetic nature and ritual involved, there are no real ‘how to’ books on Reiki and the training is passed on from teacher to student. Some excellent books about Reiki are any by Bronwen and Frans Stiene of the International House of Reiki located in Sydney, Australia (Your Reiki Treatment, The Reiki Sourcebook, The Japanese Art of Reiki) and also Pamela Miles, a pioneer who has worked for decades in bringing Reiki into hospital settings (Reiki, a Comprehensive Guide)
Keep in mind though, that Reiki is only one modality that uses energy so if you can’t find a Reiki Master/Teacher near you (don’t go through the Internet) you have other options. If you know someone who works with energy, ask if they can help guide you.
An excellent book that explores different types of healing for animals, including working witrh energy is Hands On Healing for Pets by Margrit Coates . Although it deals with animals, the methods can be applied to humans and plants as well.
Good Luck and keep me posted on your adventure with energy.
To clarify my last post, the last line in paragraph 2 should read: An entire system for living is also included in traditional Japanese Reiki training which involves five elements, only ONE of which is hands on healing.
Also, you CAN find a Reiki Master/Teacher by searching on the Internet for one. But learning Reiki in any way other than in person (for instance long distance via the internet) is not something I would ever recommend. You really need human to human interaction.