The "man-hating feminist" is a popular phrase that accompanies Stein's book when it's discussed in the forums. Based on what I've read, she will only teach women Reiki... a boundary not unlike some female massage therapists have with men 😉
Is one referring to my website Miss LightBody?! (Sounds like a name from a Bond film when you pop a Miss in front of it ;)).
I do treat male clients, just not in their own homes when I am on my own... The amount of calls I have had asking for dodgy massages attests to my reasons why, whilst it's horrible to tar all men with the same brush and the liklihood of any harm coming to me may be unlikely, I am not about to take the chance. Anyway.. very off topic.. sorry!
I am amazed by your capacity to study two degrees simultaneously btw! (Also off topic.. god when will I learn?)
I was knowingly a bit naughty when describing Steine as a "man-hating" feminist. many of my own students, especially female ones, that have been that negative about her. This is because of some of the stuff she writes about. She thinks that almost every woman have been raped by the way she writes. Whatever we believe in life, there isn't room for extremists!!
As both a Reiki & Qigong teacher, I think her system is arse about face. As a positive side of her work, she did contribute towards the breaking up the Reiki spiritual pyramid selling scheme, but on the negative side, I think it encouraged the DIY approach to Reiki and giving Reiki a bad name. Suddenly we could all become MASTERS. Even today after many years of healing experience, I still refer to myself as either a Reiki teacher or Reiki practitioner, depending on what hat I'm wearing that moment. But if I talk to someone about Reiki, they ask me if I'm a master. So whether we like it or not, the master title is going to be around for a bit longer :p
The problem is, as soon as you print info in a book, some people treat it as gospel. One of the challeages(sp) we have in life is to use effective filtering, cutting out the info that is useful from the info that takes us up the wrong path. But then making mistakes isn't a bad thing if we learn from them of course.
RP
I was knowingly a bit naughty when describing Steine as a "man-hating" feminist. many of my own students, especially female ones, that have been that negative about her. This is because of some of the stuff she writes about. She thinks that almost every woman have been raped by the way she writes. Whatever we believe in life, there isn't room for extremists!!
Well, it's certainly politer than some things I read on AHR back in the day... I recall one person ranting on about Reiki Wars and even calling Takata a charlatan. And then there was Roger (that's another reference to AHR conversations).... but outside of the newsgroup I don't believe they were published.
As both a Reiki & Qigong teacher, I think her system is arse about face. As a positive side of her work, she did contribute towards the breaking up the Reiki spiritual pyramid selling scheme, but on the negative side, I think it encouraged the DIY approach to Reiki and giving Reiki a bad name. Suddenly we could all become MASTERS.
What I find interesting is that she can be considered the pivotal point marking the change in beliefs and practices of the time as you describe. I find it interesting because only about four or five years prior to Stein's book, Kathleen Milner ( [url]Tera Mai - Where Real Healings Happen.[/url] ) was performing Reiki attunements through video cassettes and, to the best of my knowledge at this time, was the first to put the Reiki symbols into books that were sold through retail bookstores. While William Rand had some 20-pages of a Reiki manual material stapled together that included printed versions of the symbols, Milner had her books and videos ( opening the way to the $60,000 lawsuit initiated by Rand ).
While Milner was probably the first to put the Reiki symbols into commercial print in the states, Stein gets the credit for being the pivotal point in changing the community... I must wonder whether or not that's because Milner's system is closed.
It's an interesting stream of thought to explore.
Even today after many years of healing experience, I still refer to myself as either a Reiki teacher or Reiki practitioner, depending on what hat I'm wearing that moment. But if I talk to someone about Reiki, they ask me if I'm a master. So whether we like it or not, the master title is going to be around for a bit longer :p
There does seem to be a cultural stereotype that is associated with the word "Master". When I was teaching, every so often someone would attend a trial class and "challenge" my "spiritual greatness" as a Reiki "Master". In hindsight, I really don't know what was more amusing -- the challenge, or how the regulars laughed about it and made fun of the person after they left. :011:
The problem is, as soon as you print info in a book, some people treat it as gospel. One of the challenges(sp) we have in life is to use effective filtering, cutting out the info that is useful from the info that takes us up the wrong path. But then making mistakes isn't a bad thing if we learn from them of course.
I think it was in the 1970's that Noam Chomsky said that 70% of the American people just want to sit on their couch in the evening and watch television... today that statistic is undoubtedly higher, but I think that the same concept causing that situation applies to those who read a book and do as you say.
From a perspective of energy and energy-work, some times a person just needs a time of stability with a certain energy to help them integrate beneficial aspects of that energy into their life. For some, I feel that time is less than others, and I feel that for others, that time is more than others. I think that is because everyone learns at the pace that is right for them, and that all of our paces are slightly different.
I feel that from the perspective of someone who reads a book and uses the information in it, and the experiences gained from it, to discover new things, who looks onto someone who believes in a book for decades that is not interested in considering information and techniques from other books, that the person who holds fast to their one book will seem to unfortunate and possibly as a problem.
I feel that from the perspective of someone who reads a book and takes the time they need to focus on studying the information it contains, and takes their time integrating the experiences they gain from practicing its concepts, who looks onto someone who is not dedicating the same amount of time in their study and application and appears to constantly jump from one book to the next will seem to be unfortunate and possibly as a problem.
Which one is the real problem? Well, if it is to be looked upon as a problem, then I think the problem is that they are both right.
Personally, while that dynamic may seem to be uncomfortable because it means that there are "differences" between us, I think that it also helps propel us to new understandings. Each group can easily look at the other and say "this is what you are doing wrong, and write about this is how we are doing it better". Once it's in writing, it may get read, get noticed, and then kids come along and can't believe how stupid these adults are and then use the good stuff both groups have written about and then to proceed to repeat the same cycle.
Suddenly we could all become MASTERS. Even today after many years of healing experience, I still refer to myself as either a Reiki teacher or Reiki practitioner, depending on what hat I'm wearing that moment. But if I talk to someone about Reiki, they ask me if I'm a master. So whether we like it or not, the master title is going to be around for a bit longer :p
Sounds familiar. The conversation sometimes goes along these lines when I meet new people in the complementary therapy field...
...
Them: So, what complementary therapies do you do?
Me: I do.. (whatever)... and I practice Reiki.
Them: Oh, Reiki! I'm a Reiki Master myself.
Me: Really (:rolleyes:) who did you do your teaching with?
Them: My friend attuned me the other weekend. I hadn't come across Reiki before, but she said it was really nice and I should try it.
Me: Oh, so you haven't actually trained in Reiki then?
etc.
etc...
People do seem very keen to point out that they are a Reiki "Master", but very rarely do I come across those with the knowledge, experience or even the skills to really be able to say that they have Mastered Reiki. Seems to be more of an ego lable people like to gain.
Personally, I may be attuned to Reiki and have received teachings to pass on Reiki to others, but I chose not to label myself as a Master. I prefer to just say that I practice Reiki.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Personally, I may be attuned to Reiki and have received teachings to pass on Reiki to others, but I chose not to label myself as a Master. I prefer to just say that I practice Reiki.
Hi Giles,
Yes I think I am likely to follow suit. Master just sounds so... masterful :D. I shall stick with reiki teacher/practitioner methinks. I am booked in with my reiki MASTER on 5th October, so shall obviously be churning out certificates and making my millions by the 6th :D.
Hallelujah!
Hi Giles,
Yes I think I am likely to follow suit. Master just sounds so... masterful :D. I shall stick with reiki teacher/practitioner methinks. I am booked in with my reiki MASTER on 5th October, so shall obviously be churning out certificates and making my millions by the 6th :D.
Hallelujah!
And don't forget to sell your distant attunement on e-bay, with "print yourself" certificates. 😉
All Love and Reiki Hugs
And don't forget to sell your distant attunement on e-bay, with "print yourself" certificates. 😉
I wonder, do people who are actually called to practice Reiki go to eBay to find it?
I know that content from William Rands, Rick Rivards, and James Deacons websites gets copied all the time and pasted into a PDF that is then sold on e-Bay... but I have to wonder if it isn't just people who are buying e-Bay products to resell them that are actually buying those books/attunements (did that makes sense?).
I wonder, do people who are actually called to practice Reiki go to eBay to find it?
I guess there must be some who do... not me though, wouldn't even consider it myself.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Lots of interesting food for thought from everyone 🙂
Delighted I would have suggested 'my lady' to you but you have already found someone you feel comfortable with. I think you are drawn to whoever is right to you at the time. You sound as if you are ready for it :045: