Reiki & Me

I am a very physical person. I like to be able to touch and hold things. The more I have involved myself in the concepts of the mystic and the occult, the more I run into the idea that the physical world is an illusion and time does not exist, and the more I am challenged to leave my comfort zone behind. I like to have physical confirmation of what I am doing, or what is happening.

Early this past January, around 14 weeks ago, I took level 1 Reiki** initiation/attunement in a one-on-one session with a Reiki master, over a two day period.

I had first heard of Reiki roughly 20, 25 years ago, and thought “…someday.” When my expanding circle of friends & acquaintances included a variety of Reiki practitioners, from level 1 up to master, I decided ‘someday’ had arrived.

Level 1 was an enjoyable and intense training experience, and I was eager to practice the technique. I did self-reiki daily as recommended by my teacher, and enjoyed it, but I wanted to share with others. He also suggested reiki-ing at least 25 to 30 other people before going for level 2 training. So I found two situations where I was able to offer free reiki a few times a month.

And after a few sessions, I felt nothing. Some reiki practitioners feel their palms heating up… or their hands tingling, as they do the work. Nothing. I felt exactly the same. I felt a little like I was going through the motions, although that phrase is a little harsh. I continued to reiki people, following the patterns I was taught. But I complained to my master. (Maybe whined would be a better term…) And he told me “just do it…don’t expect to feel anything, don’t look for others to praise or debunk you…don’t be caught up in the phenomena…”

Ooookaaaaay. He nailed me. My application of reiki was working. A fair number of people I reiki-d said they felt it or it helped or they enjoyed it. Some even said my palms felt very warm to hot when I was doing it (though when I immediately checked, they felt normal to me… damn!)

So… even at this stage in my studies and journey, I still struggle at times with simply letting go, having faith and trusting. I still want ego stroking, (and I think we all want some ego-stroking sometimes) but sometimes you just have to let go of that stuff and let the energy flow where it wants to go. Or as my teacher said “don’t work it with the mind… just be in your heart.”

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** FYI—Reiki is a spiritual practice developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui, which since has been adapted by various teachers of varying traditions. It uses a technique commonly called palm healing or hands-on healing as a form of complementary therapy… Through the use of this technique, practitioners believe that they are transferring universal energy (i.e., reiki) in the form of ki through the palms, which allows for self-healing and a state of equilibrium.

—Edited, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

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SPECIAL NOTE
This coming Sunday, April 22, 2012, from Noon to 6pm, I will be co-hosting another of the ongoing Practical Mysticism Expos here in NYC at One on One Casting, 34 West 27th Street, 11th Floor, NY NY. There will be three lectures, a seance/message circle, a discussion group and available readings from astrologers, psychics, tarot card readers and mediums.

And I will be offering free 15 minute reiki sessions when I am not lecturing as time and availability permits.

For more info, see www.practicalmysticismexpo.com or join our meetup group at www.meetup.com/Practical-Mysticism-Expo/