posted February 15, 2003 02:27 AM         

Ok let's see,
YES! That's the same energy you feel with Reiki. Energy is energy - it's all the same, no matter what school of thought you use to get in touch with it.
And while it is said that it is necessary to be initiated by a Reiki master for your chakras to be opened so the energy can flow freely, from your posts it doesn't sound like you have a problem with energy blockages, so I would go out and buy a book that lets me know about the different positions and get cracking.

You really do sound like you have a connection with these energy forces so don't let the unavailability of a Reiki Master get in the way of something that powerful. The minute you have an opportunity to get yourself initiated, grab it - but I would definitely say continue on your own till then. Be your own G-U-R-U, and when you are ready, your teacher will appear.

posted May 13, 2003 05:20 PM         

Funny, I've been thinking more and more lately about studying Reiki, myself. Hmmm. I have a pal in NYC who is second level, and who's invited me to visit to meet her teacher. Also, discovered that there's a Reiki teaching/therapy centre two blocks from me, AND that (hey stella! --> ) you can take online Reiki courses for certification. In theory anyway, the energy and work should be the same even if it's long distance, although I'd like aquamoon's and any other Reiki practitioner and master's opinion on that...

Finally, would you believe where I found one offer of a long-distance online Reiki course? On eBay!

posted May 14, 2003 09:18 AM         

In my opinion, because people vibrate at different energy levels, I don't think an online course would work for everyone.
For someone like Stella, who connects so beautifully with her own energy, yup, I think it might help move things along - because finally everything boils down to energy vibrating at different frequencies, and the finer you're tuned to this energy, the less difference distance and time make to how powerfully you feel it. Does that make sense or am I rambling?

Anyway, I'm going to be conservative here and say do the long distance course only if the other kind isn't available, and the moment it is, go for it. There's no beating the feeling of being in a room full of people in the state of calm that Reiki puts you in. The effect of all that positivity is just darn special.

So have you decided when you're going to start? Tell us when you do.

posted August 05, 2003 09:43 PM         

Although I've posted elsewhere that yes, I took the plunge and received my Reiki Level I certification, I just wanted to revive this thread to provide that update.

Over the years, I'd had a couple experiences where I'd used my hands to focus over people in order to balance their chakras, and two claimed I'd healed their stomach upset... so although I never considered myself a true healer, with those experiences in mind, plus the exposure to Reiki I've had since last year, I went for it. I figured that at the very least, I might be able to augment whatever natural healing gift I had, learn a few hand positions, how to give a session, etc. etc.

Well, what a revelation. As posted elsewhere on Lindaland, I can feel the energy vibrating in my body, my hands are hot (!), and I can see results in my plants, and in the persons I've given it to so far. I'm not a religious person by any means, but it is an honour, and humbling, to feel this connected to divine energy.

What is also especially great is that you can use Reiki energy to heal yourself, too. In fact, this is encouraged. Pets and plantlife also respond well to it, and you can even give Reiki to your aquarium.

I agree with SunShyne (the KnowFlake formerly known as "aquamoon" ) that for someone who has their energy centres open and flowing, like stella polaris, that perhaps an initiation by Reiki Master isn't necessary to do this kind of work. However, the experience is not the same! Off and on all through my course, I sensed the energy in the room, emanating, I assume, from the Reiki master -- I felt it in my stomach, strong sensations that were neither nausea nor pain. And while I knew before, and still beleive, that the energy can be transmitted long-distance, there is something particular and important about being able to have contact -- vocal, physical, a presence -- that makes the experience all the more concrete.

(well anyway that certainly applies to me, as I have a busy TaurusMerc, that likes 'concrete'!)

But lack of a local teacher shouldn't impede anyone who wants to learn. Do it however you can!

Anyway, I'm very happy and totally "sold" on Reiki -- it brings a lot of energy, joy and calm, and I'm looking forward to developing more opportunies to share it with others.

The only caveat to becoming a Level I practitioner, is that a 3-4 week self-detox phase follows th efirst initiation. You may experience some symptoms, so it's a good idea to choose your initiation period wisely. Mind you, I've felt a great energy during this bug I've had -- that's the Reiki, giving again.

That's my report.

posted August 05, 2003 10:49 PM         

quote:

---

Q: I have been reading about reiki and the whole process of attunement and there is something I just do not understand: this founder of reiki, how was he "attuned"? nobody attuned him, so can you "attune" yourself, in that case?

A: What we call an 'Attunement', whether it is to Reiki or any other energy, power, or spiritual force, is essentially something you receive - most commonly from another living being - i.e. someone who is already attuned to that energy, power, or spiritual force.

To use an I.T. analogy, its a bit like having someone who possesses a very specific program which enables them to interact with an energy/power/force, download a copy of that program into your being.

Alternatively, if you have a deep understanding, and a stout heart, you can attempt to 'write your own program' as it were, by intentionally going in search of an 'attunement experience' - whether it is in the sense of a Native American undertaking a Vision-Quest, or, as Mikao Usui did (re-discoverer of Reiki), by undertaking shugyo : the severe meditative, ascetic & spiritual disciplines derived from Mikkyo (Japanese Esoteric Buddhist) and Shinto practice. [It is also the quite likely, that Usui-Sensei, whilst undertaking the various Mikkyo/Shinto disciplines, had received other 'attunements'- such as the kaji, from Mikkyo Priests.]

The intentional search is usually considered a potentially (psychologically) dangerous route, but if successful, is said to result in a far more personal & intensely spiritual experience.

[There are, admittedly, some rare cases of what is referred to as 'spontaneous attunement' or 'spontaneous initiation' in which an individual becomes 'attuned' to an energy, power, or spiritual force quite unintentionally and for no perceivable reason]

You will also often hear people talking about 'self-attunement', but generally the people in question have already been 'attuned' in one or more different energetic disciplines, and are really talking about 're-attunement'.

---

posted August 06, 2003 05:34 AM           

Its just a simple matter of reaching out to them and focusing some concentration. The only drawback is i have a tendancy to pick up a bit of the ailment - IE - if someone has a headache, ill get a bit of headache!

My hands also become very warm, usually. What i do certainly isnt reiki though - because it completely knocks me out!