Here's an excerpt from one of the chapters of the book I wrote a while back. The name of the book is:
Reiki, Yoga, Meditation & Yagyas:New Age Practices
Techniques for living in the new millennium
by Marc Edwards
Copyright © 2005 Marc Edwards
available from the publisher, Xlibris, a strategic partner of Random House Ventures.
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Chapter Six
Reiki
Reiki came to my attention by word of mouth. Yogini LaVerne Maxwell mentioned it during a conversation, however, I had never heard of it. “Reiki? What in the world is Reiki?” LaVerne explained that it had been around for years. I pulled out some of my old Yoga Journals but, could find no reference for this term. There were advertisements for tables which are used by massagers and Reiki practitioners here and there. A second review of the back issues of Yoga Journal did produce one ad about Reiki, other than that, Reiki wasn’t well advertised during the 1980s.
Rather than rushing out to the stores and buying books, I decided to surf the net. Type “Reiki” in any search engine and you’ll find long lists of sites to visit. After exploring several sites, I noticed an ad for a Reiki book in a recent mail order catalog. I decided to buy it to get a better understanding about healing techniques. The book was Diane Stein’s “Reiki: The Essential Healing Touch.” Upon completing it, I thought to myself, “I don’t know if I’m cut out for Reiki. The steps to becoming a Reiki Master are too complicated.” I was unaware of the controversy surrounding Ms. Stein until I studied with my first teacher, Ms. Louisiana Zinn, a Traditional Reiki Master. She talked about Diane and her book during the class. My intuition is always right. It never would have lead me to Diane Stein for no apparent reason. I continued studying with Ms. Zinn learning Reiki 1 & Reiki 2. Why not? She’s an excellent teacher. Given my insatiable curiosity, I knew that I was going to study with some of the other Reiki groups.
During the attunements for Reiki 1, Ms. Zinn had soft New Age music playing in the background while she performed the attunements on myself and three other students. I can recall seeing geometric images similar to the painting she had on her wall facing the class. A series of triangles entered my inner vision forming patterns. I recognized the images as what’s called a mandala. These images are sometimes used on yantras. Buddhists use mandalas to help guide their meditations.
I realized that mandalas are cognized on the level of consciousness, meaning, altered states or in deep meditation. The triangles were floating in space, shimmering, glowing brightly giving off a violet-purple color. These figures were three dimensional, perhaps more. I could see this traditional pattern having patterns within patterns, stretching as far as the eye could see. This vision lasted only for a few seconds yet it did provide insight into an unfamiliar subject. When I see a mandala, I give it the same respect as other religious symbols: the cross, the Star of David, and others.
By now, Reiki had integrated itself into my life permanently. I searched the net for more information, consumed with the fiery spirit of a man possessed. Search engines provided links for The International Center for Reiki Training. I loved the site and would print the articles to read later. It was the anecdotal stories from real people that prompted a strong desire to keep studying. Ordinary people without any medical training were actually able to heal themselves from serious life threatening illnesses and diseases. William Lee Rand’s “The Reiki Newsletter” is currently being published on glossy paper in magazine format. If you have more than a passing interest in healing, you’ll want to visit his web site and get a subscription. Most of the back issues are still available. The new title of his publication is called “The Reiki News Magazine.”
Ms. Laurelle Shanti Gaia, the former Editor-in-Chief of the Reiki News deserves a lion share of the credit for my continued involvement with this healing modality. She was very helpful and suggested that I keep taking classes. After reading Diane Stein’s book, I’ve already expressed how it made me have doubts about moving on to the master level (Reiki III).
About five years ago, I followed link after link and found a Reiki site which outlined the steps to perform an attunement. A young lady had turned it into such an elaborate ritual that if you used her method, you’d be lucky to finish sometime before Christmas. Mercifully, Mr. Rand’s attunement procedures are far more reasonable. Anyone can learn to attune others to Reiki. The world is in such desperate need of healing energies, it requires all hands on deck. Learning Reiki is one of the best things that I’ve ever done. I knew I was learning it for a reason, although the reason didn’t become apparent until months later. I’ll discuss this at length in Chapter Seven. The Reiki News provides an updated listing of their teachers on staff. After communicating with Ms. Gaia, I decided it would do no harm to register for the next Reiki Master level with the closest teacher in New York City.
A few days before the class began, I received a phone call from Carlos Gonzalez. He was very pleasant over the phone. By the time our conversation ended, I was even more excited about taking the class. I could hardly wait to receive the attunements. When the day for class arrived, I got up early and took a cab to Carlos’ home. The driver got me there in a flash. I did not expect to arrive so soon. Since my arrival was earlier than anticipated, I stood outside of his house killing time.
By accident, my hand brushed against the property. Immediately, I felt a strong sensation of energy running through the ground. Thinking that this was my imagination, I touched the bricks again. The results were the same as before - a strong current, almost like electricity was running throughout the soil. Later after class ended, Carlos’s wife, Ana mentioned that she was aware I had touched the property. Talk about being psychic, wow, that’s something else. Carlos and Ana Gonzalez are outstanding Reiki teachers. I look forward to seeing them again some day.
Once I entered Carlos home, we waited for a few more students to arrive. After the class was full, there were several individuals eager to take the Advanced Reiki Training. This is a required course before taking the Reiki Master Class or Reiki III. Students who learn Reiki come from all demographics. Don’t expect to see spaced out starry eyed New Agers when attend a Reiki Workshop. You may be pleasantly surprised to hear that the person sitting next to you may be in the medical profession. Reiki is slowly making progress into the medical mainstream. Hospitals are allowing Reiki practitioners to help heal patients. Let’s briefly talk about what Reiki is, then I’ll continue the discussion about my experiences during the Advanced Reiki Training & Reiki Master Classes.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese relaxation technique. When Reiki practitioners place their hands on a patient or client, it can feel like soft waves of energy with a relaxing quality. Reiki is capable of healing almost any known ailment to mankind. Not everyone who receives a Reiki treatment will be cured. Why? Sometimes, the individual may have a karmic disease. If this is the case, the person will never be cured. On the other hand, if the disease isn’t karmic in nature, the odds are in that person’s favor for a full recovery. For extreme cases, these individuals should have yagyas performed to break the karmic pattern.
Chapter 12 will discuss the benefits of yagyas, homams and pujas. Reiki is composed of two words: Rei and ki. Rei means universal. William Rand defines it as, Higher Power or God’s Wisdom. We can conclude that when we use Reiki, we are using a universal energy which resides everywhere. Think of Star Wars and the concept of the “Force.” Obi Wan’s explanation of the Force sounds very much like a description of Reiki. Ki means life force energy. Ki corresponds to the Chinese term “chi.” In India, the same word is called “prana.” Other cultures define the term similarly, however, each ethnic group uses a word derived from their own culture which best describes the phenomenon.
You will learn a great deal more by studying with any of the Reiki organizations worldwide. I happened to have studied with Ms. Louisiana Zinn, a Traditional Reiki Master in New York City and with Carlos & Ana Gonzalez from The International Center for Reiki Training. William Lee Rand, the founder of this group uses a nontraditional approach to teaching Reiki. I find that there is no difference in the energy. You can learn Reiki from a Traditional Reiki Master or a nontraditional Reiki Master. The glaring difference I have to mention is that you can expect to pay more money if you’re learning from Traditional Reiki Masters. The fees for learning Reiki from The International Center for Reiki Training are affordable for most working individuals.
Reiki is remarkably easy to learn. Our human bodies have the equipment already hardwired inside. Your teacher, usually a Reiki Master, opens channels in the body by an “attunement.” He or she has been attuned by their Reiki Master, who in turn was attuned by their teacher, also a Reiki Master, thus, Reiki Traditions are born. Usui Reiki is a common style which most students learn. If you study with William Rand’s organization, this is the style you’ll learn first. After completing the Reiki Master level, wait one year and study Karuna Reiki®. Karuna is said to be derived from another Reiki style. To learn the background of Karuna and many other Reiki styles, visit “Light & Adonea” on the web.
This is the most comprehensive site on the net about Reiki. Once you get there, click on the link for “Reiki Branches/Schools” and read the contents. You’ll also want to read “Reiki Organization” and “Reiki FAQs by Adonea.” These are required reading for any Reiki practitioner. The FAQs contains wisdom that reflects the voice of experience. I wold also recommend reading the “Advanced Reiki Techniques.” This will make sense for students who have completed the Reiki Master or Reiki III level. The range and scope of the knowledge is that of an encyclopedia. Don’t try to read all of the materials in one day. Bookmark the links and visit this site often. All of the links for the groups discussed throughout this book can found in Chapter Fifteen.
After receiving a Reiki attunement, students have access to an unlimited supply of healing energies. Reiki comes from the Higher Power, so, you don’t have worry about using too much. The Higher Power will never run out of energy. Unlike other healing modalities, a Reiki practitioner doesn’t use their own personal energy or chi. Reiki flows into our bodies and passes through the hands to the client. Place your hands on any part of your body and watch the energy begin to flow. Take your hands off and the energy stops. Neat isn’t it? We can use Reiki on ourselves for self healing. Reiki isn’t dependent upon what we believe, think or feel. The energy is always available and only requires activation by our intent. When we want Reiki to be active, we simply intend that it flow through our hands.
Skeptics will be amazed to find that after an attunement, Reiki can be immediately applied to themselves or any one else in need of healing energies. Experienced Reiki practitioners will find that one day, Reiki will stay on permanently. Those doing healing work or who are actively teaching, performing frequent attunements, will discover Reiki flowing from their hands continuously also. Here’s another fact: Reiki can do no harm. No matter what the health problem is, Reiki will not make it worse. Reiki treatments are very gentle on the nervous system. Most people experience deep relaxation during the session, some may even fall asleep while Reiki is being directed towards their bodies.
I strongly advise readers to visit William Lee Rand’s website.http://www.reiki.org Teachers on staff hold classes throughout the United States and in foreign countries. Check the schedule to see when and where. If you don’t see a teacher for your area, contact the center via email. Pick up a copy of the newly revised “Reiki News Magazine” and read the explanations about “What Reiki is, Who Can Learn it” plus many other topics. William’s web site includes articles from past issues of the Reiki News. Read them all.
ART & Reiki Master Class
The Advanced Reiki Training class lasts for only a day. I enjoyed my classmates’ company as we continued learning the intricacies of Reiki. Carlos gave the instructions carefully at the right pace, subsequently, no one had any problems understanding the materials. Ana provided insightful comments which helped to enhance Carlos remarks. They work well together teaching in tandem. Time is provided to try the techniques on each other. This is the best part of attending a Reiki workshop. When it was my turn to receive Reiki, I notice a slight improvement in my health after this brief session ended.
During the attunement for ART, I had a fleeting vision of an unknown city. I couldn’t tell if it was in the past or the future. Some of my classmates had visions of Native Americans Indians. Native Americans have a long tradition of working with the forces of Nature and recognizing Man’s relationship with the Higher Power. Carlos and Ana confirmed that there has been an increase in the number of Reiki students having visions of Native American Indians.
Our collective enthusiasm was so high that everyone registered for next month’s Reiki Master (Reiki III) class. We had one student, a senior citizen from India during the weekend course. The attunements for the Reiki Master level are much stronger than the ones at Reiki 1 & 2. A wealth of knowledge is taught on both days. At the end of the first day, I was disappointed because I didn’t think I had done a good job digesting the information. I said to myself, “Marc, you’re blowing it. Get with the program and do a better job tomorrow, or else!” The next day everyone was razor sharp as we went through the various attunements. A classmate privately expressed similar sentiments. You are expected to be able to perform attunements for your students. I’m not at liberty to go into the specifics. You’ll learn that once you register with William Rand’s group or with a different Reiki organization of your choice.
I was glad to have the opportunity to perform the attunements on Carlos and Ana. They were pleased with my efforts. Ana commented that she could see colors while I was going through the procedure. What a coincidence, I see colors during my meditations. Healing energies are at their highest when there are two or more healers in the same room or are coordinating their efforts towards a specific goal. Maharishi has always said that when meditators meditate in group settings, the effect is greater than if a meditator were to meditate alone. The same principle applies to Reiki.
Finally, it was time for the class to end. Blissful feeling pervaded the room as we said goodbye. I should mention that everyone in my class had the ability to see auras. As I watched them leave, I was glad that I had successfully completed the course. Carlos kept passing on knowledge after the classroom had emptied. Narcita, one of my classmates, and I had to wait for the next bus to make our train connections. That didn’t faze Carlos, he was very generous with his time, answering our questions. Given our huge appetite to learn everything about Reiki, Carlos was more than happy to share a few tips. The minutes went by quickly. Finally, Ana told Carlos to stop. She could see the bus approaching. Narcita and I thanked them profusely and left to catch our bus.
The moment I arrived home, visually, the environment appeared different. I decided to get a glass of water. While holding the glass in my hand, I could feel energy from the water as it was being poured. Plain bottled water felt like club soda. The sensation emanating from it resembled the sizzling from cooking food in a frying pan. Going outside on the lawn, I touched a tree in the yard. Instantly, I could feel its energy, pulsating, vibrating while it raced up and down the tree on the inside. Enlightenment is said to be lived with heightened sensory perceptions. Higher consciousness is the result of daily meditations and a steady yoga practice. When I use the term Enlightenment, I’m referring to Unity Consciousness, Brahman Consciousness and beyond.
A classmate shared his observations about Reiki. He said that Reiki is similar to a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. During the early days after learning Reiki 1 & 2, I’d take a break from my activities on the weekends. I would place my hands on my chest, arms or legs and enjoy Reiki for hours. The energy felt so good, you have to experience it first hand in order to know how it feels. Gradually, the urge to study a different Reiki style emerged. From reading the Reiki News, Karuna Reiki sparked my imagination. Visits to various Reiki sites resulted in a chance meeting with my next teacher, Reiki Master Ismail L. Ishaq. Ph.D. He had sent an email asking a question about Reiki. He appreciated my honesty when I replied that I have a meditator’s perspective as opposed to that of a long term Reiki practitioner. We began communicating and have remained in touch ever since. There are no accidents in the universe. Chance encounters or coincidences are occurrences which are meant to happen. Fate, destiny, accident, and coincidence are variations of the same theme. I believe that Ismail and I were destined to meet in this lifetime.
This brings us to an interesting fork in the road. Most Reiki Masters tend to think in terms of healing, whereas, meditators think in terms of higher consciousness and/or Enlightenment. From numerous talks with Reiki practitioners, I’m convinced that Reiki Masters should take better care of themselves. Adding Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi/Qigong, Meditation, and careful attention to their diet would make a difference. These practices will help them to see that Enlightenment is about unlimited possibilities.
Continuing talks with Reiki Master Ismail L. Ishaq. Ph.D., led to my learning Karuna Reiki and subtler nuances about healing energy. The attunements for Lightarian Reiki™ has helped to give more depth to my healing sessions. He performed the attunements for Lightarian Reiki™, Lightarian Clearing™ and Healing. We would synchronize our times for our respective time zones. While he was actually performing the attunements, I would be at home quietly receiving the energies. The funny thing about Reiki is that the attunements can take place without them actually being done. On one occasion, Ismail was unable to do the attunement. It may have been for Karuna or Lightarian, I can’t remember which. I sat patiently waiting for the attunement to happen and it did. Ismail sent an email the next day apologizing for not being able to follow through. He was surprised when I told him the attunement did in fact take place. Richard Rivard of the Reiki Threshold tells a similar story at his web site.
Attunements for Karuna Reiki were done first, followed by Lightarian. Lightarian Reiki is an extension of Usui and Karuna Reiki. You have to learn these Reiki styles in sequence, that is, Usui, Karuna than Lightarian. For more details, visit the Lightarian Institute on the web. http://www.lightarian.com
Since Ismail lives overseas, this provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with the Karuna Attunements. Ismail performed them while I was asleep. No problem, those attunements went very well. It makes no difference whether I’m awake or asleep, I’m sensitive to receive attunements either way.
Some Reiki styles have their own set of symbols. Since I haven’t studied them all, I can only speak for Usui, Karuna, and Reiki Tummo®, the most powerful tool in my Reiki toolbox. The symbols of Karuna have specific functions. Meditating on them was one of the most blissful experiences I’ve ever had. Each symbol has its own personality. You could say that each Reiki style has its own flavor like ice cream. Some people prefer vanilla while others prefer chocolate.
After the Karuna attunements, I decided to focus on the symbols, one at a time. This exercise began around 11 PM (EST) since I had gotten home rather late. I finished around 3 AM (EST). Obviously, I didn’t plan to stay up all night. As I focused on a Karuna symbol, I was enjoying the bliss so much that I wasn’t aware of time. The bliss would change as I shifted my focus to a new symbol. The entire session lasted about 90 minutes, subjectively speaking. Our subjective impressions of time doesn’t always correlate with time in the real world. I brought the exercise to a close and rested for a few hours before going to work. When Reiki feels that good, you don’t want it to stop, not even for a second. by Marc Edwards |
