It seems a hot topic of discussion "Is Reiki 'the way' or a beginning (or part of) of a healers journey?".
Not that I am right or wrong but let me give my experience in the stages of my journey so far:
1. A natural hot handed clueless and unaware healer that often became subject to the ailments of the person I had compassion for. I had face blindness. Meaning I can not see or remember peoples faces (I understand now that I am seeing other things than the physical and that is the interference). I was overcome and overwhelmed in groups and could not tolerate sports events (I realize now that I am sensitive and intuitive). I seemed to always be in pain with no illness.
2. I was introduced to Reiki and started to study what ever books called to me. At about 2 years into this study...I decided on a teacher and started plans to take her classes (3 or 4 hours away from me).
My daughter got sick and I flew to where she lived and sat at her bedside. The doctors said she had liver and kidney failure from unknown cause and they could give me no hope. My heart and my mind cried out to the source for what ever ability or power I would have after my attunements to heal her. I sat there hour after hour with my hands raised at her calling energy to be channeled on her behalf. Crying out "Please don't deny me. Let me have what I will have in the future, it's nothing to you. You can give me this." When I was too exhausted to sit and hold my hands up; I moved closer to her and put my hands on her legs. She was in a semi conscious state but complained that I was burning her. I told her it was Reiki and to please try to tolerate it.
At 5:30 in the morning, of the second day, she turned pink and became fully conscious. I went to her house and slept. In three months she came to visit and took my trip with me to get my Reiki 1 and 2. We returned to my home, spent a wonderful loving evening together, went to bed and she never woke up. The universe gave me 3 more months with her.
3. After spending 2 years in a black hole, with my work being my only life; I went to get my master/teacher certification and attunement to feel better if I returned to my journey.
4. I was moved to open a permanent makeup school to teach what I know so it won't be lost. I tattoo makeup on women's faces and have some accomplishment in that area. A young woman came to me to learn, to be my apprentice for 9 months. She was also injured by the loss of a daughter.
Despite my objection, I began to heal and be alive again. She is a natural healer...Dah...she was healing me 🙂 We had a master/teacher in several traditions of Reiki come to do a healing on each of us. He also was trained in "Reconnective healing" and had been to study from Eric Pearl. When he put his hand next to my face...colored sparkles came from his right hand and tingle/burned me. I realize now that he "attuned me to the higher or different vibration of "reconnective healing" (though I am sure that was not intended). Eric pearl recived his from the other side. Healing is coming from the other side at an alarming and exciting rate (it helps that healers are not concitered witches and not burned any more). 🙂
I meditate and do healing somewhat in the recommended way from Eric Pearl and my mind, powers and understandings are growing by the minute. So not intending to change or put my spin on Reiki...my healing modality has become personalized from my experience. It has evolved.
I am beginning to feel as though each healing modality we are exposed to or attuned to, is like a class. Each class we take is part of our evolutionary journey. An evolution that if santioned by the universe (meaning it works) can not be judged unworthy.
I am not sure what is next or what to call it? But it is not pure Reiki and I am sorry if I have adulterated it but ....
I teach Usui Reiki Ryoho. I try to stay as close to the teachings and ethos of the founder, Usui-sensei as is possible given the limits of our documentary evidence. I teach students to follow the teachings methodically and accurately with daily practice. This will help them to become proficient and understand the system and the energy more deeply and allow them to develop as individuals and as Reiki practitioners. At some point on their journey, some students will develop their intuition and awareness to such a degree that they will find their own way with their healing and the way they work as healers will develop and naturally change from the basic teachings of Usui Reiki Ryoho. This is part of their path because they are natural healers. For these students, Reiki is the key that unlocks their healing path, which once started, will lead and guide them on their journey to fulfil their healing potential. For other students, Reiki is something they can use, something they can pick up and put down as they wish. Reiki can help them, but it is not essential for them and generally they will stay with the teachings.
So in essence, I believe in teaching and using Usui Reiki Ryoho accurately, but in the knowledge that some students will grow out of the system and into their own healing path.
That is a seriously enlightened attitude. And helpful to my self assessment. Thank you. I feel a little overwhelmed by all this and many psychic accurencances taking place in my life at the moment.
I think that however overwhelming things may become, you will find any help you need will be given just when you need it. When we are doing our 'job' we are never left alone and are guided throughout our lives, whether we notice it or not.
I actually agree with Omega1.
I teach Usui Reiki and stay as close as I can to the way I was trained but for me Reiki was the key that opened may doors and although Reiki is part of who I am and as natural to me as my breath it is not the whole of who I am and what I do.
I see this also in my students. For some Reiki is their spiritual home, perfect for them and where they settle, for others Reiki helps them to find what they need and connect with it.
Reiki always finds you and brings you exactly what you need at any given time.