Why Assume Reiki?

[-Ember]

When people ask about energy work, why is Reiki usually assumed? I don't like Reiki, I disagree with much of it, and every time I see a question on it the answer is "go study Reiki"... when I know enough Reiki to know when it Does Not Fit.

So:

Question 1: Alternatives to Reiki for energy work?

Question 2: What do others understand to be the limits of Reiki? What does it work best for.... and when might it not apply?

[Tabbykitty]

Well there are other types of healing energies. The one that I have been attuned to comes from the Language of Light system. < check out : http://www.ascendpress.org/LOLmain.html >

The main thing is that its energies are "magnetic" in nature and are rather gentle in terms of actual feel. As in, when I run the energies I don't feel the prickling sensation I get from an energy like Reiki for instance. Also, running and using these energies tends to make one's auric field less dense and brighter. It can also be used for healing. I experienced it once before when friend did a healing on me. The sensation was like having warm milk poured through your body or something. Also, there is no need for the practicioner to actually touch the healee in the healing sessions. (I find this rather unique) But the effects of healing are evident. It helped me to clear up a cold once.

I noticed.... and this is jus through personal observation, so feel free to say "nay" :D..... practicioners of Reiki (and I know some really nice ones :) ) tend to have denser auric fields. The difference can be seen when you take practicioners of both energies, have them take a krillian/aura photo, the density of the auric field will immediately be very apparent.

I noticed that Reiki energies tend to be more pickly in nature and if you are sensitive to energies, you can actually tell who has done Reiki by just using your hand to feel their personal energy field. if you feel a dense, prickly sensation, it is likely that this person has done or has been attuned to Reiki.

Now, having never yet been healed via the Reiki system, I cant say whether it is good or bad. But since you asked about other systems for energy work, do click on the link to find out more about the Language of Light :) So far, meditations based on this system have been very relaxing for me and I find the benefits are evident in my life.

There are other types of healing energies I suppose, but Im not too sure what they are. I had the opportunity to experience a magickal/spell-based once. < click Share your healing experiences (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=86399) for an account of the healing done >

[arctic splash]

What do you mean when you say you 'disagree' with much of Reiki? I've never found anything to agree or disagree with: it seems that it just is. People like to create rules and guidelines and philosophies about it, and even Usui did it, but IMO those things aren't Reiki. There are so many schools of thought in Reiki, so many traditions and different belief systems that become associated with it -- I personally believe Usui Reiki can no longer be called 'the' Reiki. As for the rules and philosophies, you can take them or leave them. When I place my hand on my chest, I still feel it flow, no matter what I happen to believe about it.

As for alternatives to Reiki, I'm not sure if you're looking for something more geared to self-healing or healing others. There are other modalities which are not exactly Reiki but are passed on via attunement. What I practice is called Shamballa Multi-Dimensional Healing, which is like Reiki, but seems to be gentler and more effective. (The Level 1 attunement is supposed to be equivalent to Level 2 Reiki, and I believe it is).

There's also something called the Melchizedek Method (http://www.melchizedekmethod.com) , which unfortunately has a set price and is quite expensive (so I haven't given it a chance yet). I received my past-life regression with someone who used it during my session. What interested me most was this as part of the description for Level 1: "Encoding the five sacred key languages of Egyptian, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Tibetan & Chinese through the pineal gland."

A lot of psychic healing involves visualisations (either visualising something in yourself or your client). There's also Quantum Touch (see same-titled book) which is a simple method of running energy through the body and out the hands and can be used with or without Reiki. Crystals, massage, shiatsu, polarity, acupressure.

I really can't think of a situation for which I think it would be unbeneficial to use Reiki. The limits? You can't heal if you resist it. That's about it. I think the potential of Reiki is what we can imagine, and to speak of its limits is... well, limiting.

[Sage Rainsong]

well there is good old fashioned, hands on healing that is often done in spiritualist churches, if you don't truck with the whole multi dementional overly complicated (just my opinon) forms healing. Also there are various forms of shamanic healing (more my style). There is psychic healing and healing through spells. Also if you need healing you can do an ancestral altar and ask them for healing. Reiki isn't for everyone and not everyone likes it. The same thing is true about football. If you want more info pm me and Ill find some resources for you.

[arctic splash]

Overly complicated? How so?

I fail to see how something as simple as laying on hands can be considered complicated. You can make it complicated, sure, but it doesn't have to be.

I'm thinking you must be referring to something else.

[Dawa Lhamo]

Overly complicated? How so?

I fail to see how something as simple as laying on hands can be considered complicated. You can make it complicated, sure, but it doesn't have to be.

I'm thinking you must be referring to something else.Well, to an outsider, Reiki seems complicated. You have attunements that you need to get, special symbols, etc... It may be true that the actual practice is simple, but getting there seems to be a bit complex. Even more complicated seem to be some of the other systems you mentioned, like Shamballa Multi-Dimensional Healing (just the name sounds complex ^_^ ) and the Melchizedek Method... Honestly, "Encoding the five sacred key languages of Egyptian, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Tibetan & Chinese through the pineal gland." sounds interesting, but it sounds extremely complicated as well. ^_^ I've read a number of different things about "reformatting your DNA into 12 strands" (which, given the simple perfection of the double-helix, and the way that the molecules bond, seems silly) or "7 masters/light rays/levels of enlightenment" (honestly, what does that mean?) or "reintegrating your Pleiadian Christ-self into your ancient Egyptian Buddhahood" (not an actual example, but I've seen stuff just like it)... I mean, I'm not saying they're not legit (who am I to say they're not), but a lot of these systems seem to be introducing several levels of complication that, frankly, can be off-putting to some. I'll grant that Reiki, as I've encountered it, seems to be less complicated than a number of other systems, but still to an outsider it has the image of complication. ^_^

JMHO, YMMV...

Tashi delek!
Dawa Lhamo

[Sage Rainsong]

I wasn't personally atacking you moonstone nor was I refering to reiki I am a level 2 initiate myself. I probably explained myself worng There are a lot of systems out there that just plain annoy me. Take eternal light for example. It has like 15 attunements to different' rays. The book is called beyond reiki for example. Or color kehiko (I totally spelled that wrong) They all have these wild claims and they claim that they are so much better than reiki. Many people in the new age community do this kind of thing. Oh I am from the ninth ray of atlantis and a reincarnated alien shaman, stuff. I guess that it was more of a personal rant. Sorry about that. On the other hand I don't believe that reiki is right for everyone and alternatives should be know about.

[arctic splash]

Don't worry, I didn't consider it a personal attack. I thought you were saying that they are complicated to practice, which just confused me, because if my head hurts, I place my hands there -- what could be less complicated than that? You seem to be saying that they can be filled with complex theories including aliens and channeling which many people can't wrap their heads around. That's totally true.

In Shamballa there is some of that but it's also non-dogmatic and I'm totally free to ignore what doesn't work for me. There are no rules, so it's all about intuition. I think Shamballa *does* include energy beyond reiki, not because it supposedly originates in Atlantis, or because it claims to, but because of my own experience, and especially that of my teacher (who took 2 levels of Reiki before taking Level 1 Shamballa) and others I've talked to.

Unfortunately people who know nothing about Reiki will probably find it complicated. The most complicated thing about it, though, is trying to understand what it is, and how it works, and especially how attunements work. I don't think anybody knows that for sure. When you learn to just trust it and just do it, I think it's simple.

[Xentor]

I'm using my own personal ways to heal. I've heard about Reiki, but don't use it. I never found the need to dive into it. I also don't know enough about Reiki to put it down. And since I am lazy, I'm going to keep using what I have been using for decades untill I have a reason to change that.

[Wildman55]

Assuming you've worked with energy before, you needn't follow any particular method of energy work/healing at all. All you need to do is use your energy in your own way and will the person to be healed...when you start following your own rules rather than someone else's, you'll find yourself much more capable than you ever were under a specific belief system. Try it! Trust yourself; you have all the tools you need to do as you wish with energy.

[arctic splash]

Yay, well said!

[KEishin]

Pretty much exactly my position.

My Reiki master takes the stance that if you don't get told what you "can't do" you won't have any limits on your abilities. After all, the energy is simply channeled through you - its your guides/spirits/deities that decide how it is to be applied.

Even before my attunements I could manipulate helaing energy decently well. It just took more out of me than it does now (as it was coming FROM me, not THROUGH me). I could give exmaples but I'll refrain. :lol:

[arctic splash]

It just took more out of me than it does now (as it was coming FROM me, not THROUGH me).

If anyone is having a problem with that, various types of breathwork could be a solution.

[misschief]

When people ask about energy work, why is Reiki usually assumed? I don't like Reiki, I disagree with much of it, and every time I see a question on it the answer is "go study Reiki"... when I know enough Reiki to know when it Does Not Fit.

So:

Question 1: Alternatives to Reiki for energy work?

Question 2: What do others understand to be the limits of Reiki? What does it work best for.... and when might it not apply?i've been working on reiki for a long time. i don't use it though, it's just not practical for me, and my old way is better for me *shrug* that's really all i can say.

[-Ember]

To answer what it is I dislike... I have problems with much of the philosophy which (particularly when concerning metaphysical theory) is reflected in the technique.

A particular example: "After all, the energy is simply channeled through you - its your guides/spirits/deities that decide how it is to be applied." When that is a basic assumption to most Reiki practioners that I've met (and the ones for whom it wasn't were not "good" practioners) I'm not going to expect to find much on how an individual can control/direct energy.

Anyone have an answer for my other question? Why is it, on nearly every board I've played on, that if there is a reiki section and someone asks any question on energy it gets moved there? It seems no better than moving any questions about paganism in general to a "wicca" section, something most of those moving these posts would object to. And yet they move this to an area where most of the answers are going to be reiki-based because it is a reiki forum. If it were just Reiki answerers, it wouldn't be nearly as annoying as feeling like things are set up to discourage any other answers.

I followed another post here, I wouldn't have come here just to look. And this is where, to me, non-reiki interesting posts on energy usage get moved? :G

[Nacken]

When people ask about energy work, why is Reiki usually assumed? I don't like Reiki, I disagree with much of it, and every time I see a question on it the answer is "go study Reiki"... when I know enough Reiki to know when it Does Not Fit.

So:

Question 1: Alternatives to Reiki for energy work?

Question 2: What do others understand to be the limits of Reiki? What does it work best for.... and when might it not apply?

Hi Ember
I can understand that you disagree with some of the ideas in reiki. I do as well. I find that they tend to be dogmatic and less than kind if you disagree with them generally speaking. Personally, I believe that qigong/ chi kung is the most complete well rounded art that I have come across. There are many other forms of energy work, but most are variations on reiki and seem to have similar dogma. Some have been mentioned here, but this isn't a complete list.
Here is a link to a list of some others http://home.acceleration.net/clark/COOL938/Email.Essays/Flavors.html

There are lots of limits to reiki. It seems to work more at an emotional/spiritual level than a physical. In other words, it probably won't cure cancer or a broken arm, although it may speed the healing. If you are intersted in chatting more PM me.

[KEishin]

Actually Reiki CAN heal cancer or a broken limb, though in the case of the latter, it's not a good thing to do. Why? Becuase it will often speed up the healing enough that the bone may heal crooked.

Reiki, as I've found it heals on whatever level the wound is at. For some that's spiritual, some emotional, and yet others physical.

My 0.02

[arctic splash]

A particular example: "After all, the energy is simply channeled through you - its your guides/spirits/deities that decide how it is to be applied." When that is a basic assumption to most Reiki practioners that I've met (and the ones for whom it wasn't were not "good" practioners) I'm not going to expect to find much on how an individual can control/direct energy.

It's a shame that people would claim that, if they hold these views, other views are not equally valid. I believe there are guides that can help, but I believe I can direct the energy in my own way and with my intention. If someone chooses not to believe in guides, fine! Why should they? Also I know plenty of Reiki classes that are purely practical and include no reference to guides at all. There are plenty of hospitals offering courses like that.

My opinion on technique: do what you want. If you don't like a philosophy, don't follow it. It's really not dogmatic unless you choose to follow dogma. The first rule, IMO, is that there are no rules. I feel free to believe whatever I want and whatever it is practical for me to believe. All I know is that the energy flows and it does good. Everything else is speculation.


Anyone have an answer for my other question? Why is it, on nearly every board I've played on, that if there is a reiki section and someone asks any question on energy it gets moved there?

I never thought of this as exclusively a Reiki forum. This forum is called Healing and Reiki, and includes other healing modalities and discussion. Maybe just calling it "Healing Arts" without putting Reiki on a pedestal would be better though... and then, maybe that wouldn't change anything. Maybe the answers are Reiki-based, not because it's a Reiki forum, but because it's the most popular healing modality and more of us have experience with it?

I don't know, but I hate to see other modalities excluded. I love learning about qigong and I'd love to hear from polarity practitioners, too.

[ShamanFeather]

I agree with Keishin.

I am a Reiki Master but I am also a La Ho Chi practitioner and Angelic Touch. I will probably not learn any other systems of healing but I do do energy manipulation which I use for generally other things other then healing or if I am pulling out stuck things from people. Connecting to the source and using my guides are quite useful for a lot of things. Not all energy is Reiki but multiple systems are useful. Tonight I sprained my ankle incredibly bad at this moment I cant really feel my foot, but anyway the swelling has went down after my fiance who I attuned to La Ho Chi began working on it as soon as possible and it visibly went down during that process. Traditional systems definately have their place and I think in times especialy where one is very connected to an outcome it is really useful to have a system that just lets you be there with the highest good intent and let it flow instead of letting logic trip you up and let divine perfection take its course. Its comforting at times to know you can let this type of energy take its course in your life when you are not sure which way to go or to even what is the highest good. I can tell the difference when I do daily sessions on me. It can feel very very good.

[Xentor]

Anyone have an answer for my other question? Why is it, on nearly every board I've played on, that if there is a reiki section and someone asks any question on energy it gets moved there?

I have no answer. I can only assume that those moving those threads, have no clear visual of what energy work is. Not all energy work is Reiki.

Even in this forum, where we bundle Reiki with other kinds of spiritual healing, not all kinds of healing discussions are moved here, and not all kinds of energy discussions either.

If for any reason, you find a thread is in the wrong forum, feel free to contact me or any other admin.

[Nacken]

Actually Reiki CAN heal cancer or a broken limb, though in the case of the latter, it's not a good thing to do. Why? Becuase it will often speed up the healing enough that the bone may heal crooked.

Reiki, as I've found it heals on whatever level the wound is at. For some that's spiritual, some emotional, and yet others physical.

My 0.02

When I see a broken limb healed by reiki then I will believe you. Sorry n offence meant but that is just a myth that is given out in some classes and books.

[arctic splash]

I know someone who's broken arm was healed much more quickly than expected with the use of Reiki. The doctor, thinking it was broken weeks rather than days before, was astounded how quickly it healed.

I have no reason to believe it wouldn't heal a broken arm. That's the thing about expectations and limitations. Why limit yourself more by expecting less?