Q: I'm interested in learning Reiki and was wondering what you think about online courses. Is it acceptable in the Reiki community to be trained online?
A: What I think about online courses and how they're viewed by the general Reiki community (my impression and experience) are separate things.
Here's something that isn't shared often or vocalized about the Reiki community: For a group of spiritual practitioners there's a lot of fear. Fear over legitimacy, fear about the range of possibility that might be correct, and fear of the unknown.
The subject of online courses triggers many of these fears. What if anyone can learn online and
_ Communication is a tricky thing. You know that all too well if you’ve ever asked for a raise, broken up with a romantic partner, expressed anger with your parents as an adult or confronted someone who’s been disrespectful to you. Getting your point across so that you are clear, kind and rational can be tough and even tougher still is how to go about doing that. Reiki is a powerful tool that can help you navigate the minefield of connecting in so many ways.
We all get that background noise in our heads: self-doubt, worry about what might take place and lingering anger over what happened before. None of that encourages us to be present, does it? It’s a distraction. Reiki soothes emotions, smoothing over the rough edges so we’re able to attend to what is actually happening right in front of us or at least to be able to breathe through it all.
Reiki also aids in detaching from outcomes. If you're anything like me...
_ On Facebook I often see friends’ posts telling everyone that they’re ill or injured and a common response from others is immediately to say that they’re sending Reiki. I often wonder, but what if that person doesn’t want it? Does an unsolicited offering make it seem equivalent to a prayer?
Once you become a Reiki practitioner after completing Level II you gain the ability to send Reiki through space and time and it can be very tempting to begin flinging it here and there at people. But even at Level I the lure to give Reiki to everyone you come across can be strong. We benevolently rush in the name of healing and love to spread the energy to everyone. Please reconsider.
Check your agenda. Why do you want to give people Reiki? Is it because you want them to feel good, you want them to see the truth, you want them to heal, you want…? If so, you’re making it all about you and Reiki is never about the giver. It’s always about the recipient.
I get why people do this. We all seek approval, love and connection and by sending Reiki...
Occupy Wall Street defines itself as a “leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that we are the 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.” In response, MoveOn.org has proclaimed November 5th “Make Wall Street Pay” day.
As I watched MoveOn.org's video (here) my desire for change in our country’s systems grew, but I felt unmotivated and disconnected to the their style of communication. It may be fuel for someone, but energetically, it turns me off.
Using language and tactics that breed fear, hate and name-calling keeps negativity alive. As a voice for peace and healing, I feel called to give what I can in my own ways... but I sure would love for you to join me.
I propose that we Reiki the 1%
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