Discussion
(This is an expert from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)
I have strong beliefs of my own about the power of Reiki. In my own journey, I have found it is not as easy as the modern new age systems say. Nevertheless, I do not think it needs to be as strict as the traditional Japanese masters insist. This universal energy does not need categories, names, and masters. It is universal energy, by any name. I think Reiki can only be beneficial to both the patient and the practitioner if there is a mutual pure state of mind. The patient must believe in energy healing to some extent. Likewise, the practitioner cannot doubt his or her own ability.
Some modern teachers say that Reiki can be performed while watching TV, but I strongly disagree. I think Reiki can be done anywhere, but not with any state of mind. If the practitioner is concentrating their attention on an action packed scene in a movie, then they are allowing natural Ki to flow into the patient with a bit of that action. If the thoughts the practitioner is thinking are negative, even if they have nothing to do with the patient, the patient will be affected negatively by these thoughts. It is not that Ki will not flow, but negative energy can also enter the patient’s body if the practitioner is not making an effort to maintain a pure state of mind. Without a pure state of mind, the healing energy of Reiki may have side effects.
The patient is not the only one who risks side effects. The practitioner can be left feeling drained. When I was learning how to do Reiki, I didn’t always keep a pure state of mind. Sometimes, when my mind would stray, I would leave the session feeling drained or I would have sore hands. Once, when trying to heal an injured left hip, I left the session with soreness in my own left hip, yet the patient felt much better. These side effects did not last long, but when such discomforts can be avoided, why not avoid them? The state of mind and intent are the most important aspects of Reiki. Still, they are the most difficult aspects to achieve. The key to achieving these aspects is the cultivation of Ki, meditation, concentration, and care. So be careful. Do not abuse or take the power of Reiki for granite.
On
the other hand, the worshiping of a master is not what Reiki is really
about. It is something I never did. I received a very informal attunement
by a friend and walked away feeling wonderful, but not enlightened. As
I practiced cultivating Ki and meditating many times a day, Reiki taught
me about Ki. As I developed Ki, the Ki taught me about Reiki. I feel like
I learned all I know without reading a book, taking a class, or following
a master. Nevertheless, I devoted my life to the practice of Reiki for
a long time. I lived with Ki flowing through me. Reiki energy flowed through
my mind, heart, soul, and body. It still flows through me. You do not
have to follow any master’s system of Reiki. Just follow your own
heart, because that is what a master does. Usui Mikao did not receive
attunements from a master because there were no Reiki masters in his time.
True masters do not follow teachers but the art itself. Finding a teacher
will certainly speed up the learning process, however. Teachers are fantastic
guides to help a student, but the real learning will come from Reiki.
The Ki in Reiki is the only true master.
There is a middle way to Reiki. Between the easy, fast food version and
the strict traditional version, lies you. Create your own unique path.
Do it with the utmost devotion, sincerity, and love. If your state of
mind is striving for perfection, Reiki will teach you.
If Reiki is used properly, I believe it could heal the world. It has powers of healing that far surpass the physical realm. The mind, the heart, and the soul can be healed by Reiki. In fact, I believe that Reiki does not actually heal the physical body at all. Instead, it heals the energetic, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. So the physical body follows. There is an energetic body to every physical injury. Therefore, when you change the energetic body with the intent to heal, then the physical injury dissipates. Just like a person cannot live without Ki, an injury cannot exist without negative energy. Reiki forces the negative energy out of the injury, and healing energy from the universe fills the void, healing the pain. Physical pain can be healed energetically because the energy of the pain is what keeps the physical pain alive. Some physical problems cannot be cured with physical remedies. Therefore, energy is the only cure. For this reason, energy healing, by any name, is the ultimate medicine for the pains of the world.
If every person could use Reiki as a way of life, not just a way to heal the physical body, then the entire world could heal and change for the better. Today the Earth is physically suffering. Nevertheless, the universal mentality of the Earth is growing stronger. People are beginning to rediscover the mysteries of the universe and learning to use these powers to help the Earth, rather than continue to destroy it. Reiki could help enlighten humanity by inspiring charity and love. This way of life starts with you and me, but could spread throughout the globe. Be Reiki. Let Ki flow through you and into the world around you constantly. Together we can heal each other and the Earth. Together we can make this world whole, being One.