I guess what I really need to do is clear my life out a bit, and concentrate on what I want from this, and maybe find me a weekend and some cash to pursue this further.
I dont want to make a living out of it (not just yet anyway) but I do think I need a bit more peace and calm in my life.
So how do I now go about finding a teacher thats accredited in some way, where do i find testimonials and that type of thing.
This is all very new to me, and I don't want to end up disappointed.
Many thanks for all the comments so far.
Well, you've had some interesting responses so far, but as a complete newbie, they may be a little confusing, so let's see if I can put things in simple terms for you.
Firstly, there are many 'forms' of reiki out there. Historically (abridged version :D), Reiki comes from Japan and was introduced to the world by a man called Mikao Usui (also referred to as Dr Usui or Usui sensei) in the early 1900's. One of Usui's students who became a Reiki Master (I don't personally like using the term Master, but for ease we'll use it here) passed on the teachings of Reiki to a lady called Mrs. Hawayo Takata from Hawaii in the 1930's. She then introduced Reiki to the West, but to make it more acceptable to Western culture, she changed a few things and left out some understandings of things that may have seemed a bit "spooky" or "unexplainable", and she also charged people a lot of money to learn it. Once in the West, various people have learnt reiki, the prices have become more reasonable to learn it, but unfortunately a lot more corruption of the teachings have taken place in some lineages, to the point that other cultural beliefs are introduced, such as angels (new age), chakras (from india), or even the seemingly bizarre like "dolphin reiki" which is apparently channelled from dolphins (so really shouldn't be called Reiki as it doesn't really originate from the Japanese Usui lineage).
In more recent years however, a lot of research has taken place by some people in the West to try and get back to the roots of traditional Japanese Reiki, and some have been to Japan to learn Reiki over there, as well as some Japanese teachers coming to the West to teach.
In terms of learning Reiki then...
It's ok to learn Westernised Reiki if the lineage can be shown to go back to Usui, though you should ask the Master to be clear if teachings are "add-ons" such as the chakras etc. The Master should be able to tell you their lineage if you ask.
It's certainly ok to learn something like Jikiden Reiki which is very closely connected to traditional Japanese techniques and the original teachings of Usui.
There are also some westernised Reiki forms that are close to the original Japanese teachings (i.e. haven't been corrupted that much). Don't necessary base it on the name though as some have called themselves "traditional" when in fact they aren't necessarily. If you're not sure, you can always ask on these forums, and there are plenty of experienced people who can advise you.
In terms of course structure for Reiki, a typical westernised Reiki form will take the structure of being in 3 levels... simply known as Reiki I, Reiki II and Reiki III. Reiki I is typically taught to allow you to work with Reiki on yourself and family/friends. Reiki II furthers the teachings to include the 3 Reiki symbols and is required if you are going to practice Reiki on the general public i.e become a practitioner. Reiki III is the Master/Teacher level, and is required if you are going to teach Reiki to others. Some westernised lineages have split Reiki III into a Reiki IIIa and Reiki IIIb so that the first is to become a "Master" and the latter is to become a "Teacher". Personally I just see this as a money making scheme, as there's no need for Reiki III to be split. Going back to Reiki I and Reiki II, you may find some teachers will teach this together as one course, and others will insist upon giving time between the levels. In my opinion there's nothing wrong with doing Reiki I and II together, providing the course is not just some 1 day thing that doesn't give you the understanding or practice and teacher guidance you need. When I learnt Reiki (westernised version) I did level 1 in one weekend and then level 2 several months later over another weekend, after lots of practice etc. And each time the course was done with other people... which I think is a good thing as it helps you to learn together. Since that time, I've done Reiki III, as well as other therapies and have also learnt Jikiden Reiki which really was different to the Westernised version, but was simple in it's traditional methods. Now you've indicated you're not interested in becoming a practitioner, but I think it's good to have knowledge about the different things up-front so you can try and make an informed decision.
There's no official regulator for Reiki, so it will take some research on your own part. There are a couple of Reiki organisations (such as the Reiki Federation) that expect certain standards as a practitioner, but for personal use, you won't need to join, however their website may provide some useful information.
As others have mentioned, there are other 'healing techniques' you could learn, as well as the 'philosophical' understandings that can give a different perspective for personal growth, and if you want to know more about those techniques etc. please do feel free to ask.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Library is cheaper!
New to this forum, but just felt that I'd say, I had a similar experience occur twenty years ago, my husband and family found it difficult to deal with too... I too found it freaky but was reassured that it was 'just my natural healing coming through!' and like you found it all a bit difficult at first. At the time we were going to Relate and it was my councellor I told, she happened to be a healer and so was able to help me through it more and suggested a few books to read up on it all.
I wouldn't spend a fortune out, be patient, find out slowly more whats happening, I was given the name of a few books to read, and found they were helpful ... you will find if you go to the library that they have a lot on it, no need to spend yer money, we all need the pennies nowadays and it only causes probs, if we go off on a tangent and spend out when the family are needing it too.
I'd suggest having a look in bookshops for something that you get drawn too, then search abe books they have cheap second hand books.
Do email me if you want more reassurance as I remeber all too well how scary it was for me, but the sooner you just relax and accept it and learn more how to do things, the easier your life will become, good luck ... hope you soon feel more at ease with it all... it happened twenty years ago for me but I still get surprised and fascinated by it all! personally if it does your partners head in then try and just work on yourself ... my partner didn't like it at all, even though I had it happen unexpectedly like you .. and I'm afraid I got the boot ha! Ahh well... I am happy so no hard feelings... but some cannot support even their partners with this type of thing, hope it all goes well for you, rest up when you need too, else the tiredness may overwhelm you... find that book and it will explain how to protect your energies and stay strong, 🙂 things do start to fall into place automatically when the time is right, try to just trust ok... and see and chat to the one who gave you Reiki but it may mean you look at her books... I knew someone who did Reiki courses but personally there was no way I could flash out for them, so I have just found my own way and do what I call natural healing... just see how you feel but don't panic and spend a fortune out... take care, from Tina
Unexplained
I`m also new to the site. I practise Reiki by choice. It works extremely well. I have a beautiful female guide who imposes intent into me when a subject needs something extra.
For your situation, I would sugest you have an attunement to level one. There is certainly something egging you to heal, it may be spirit as was my case, but if your intended to do it, do it. 🙂
I know this is an old post but I wanted to comment. As a natural healer born with hot hands (my mom used to hold me by the wrist) I have to say Reiki is a small part of energy healing. Period...sorry...get over it...it's true. It's a small part of the evolution taking place in the world.
All through mankinds history there have been healers. All of them without atunements and certifications. The source sometimes chooses you, not the other way around. Some of us were healers in a previous life and just had to wake up.
Reiki is not the only way to go for a natural healer. When in touch with a higher vibration we can be "attuned" to that higher vibration...reawakened to it. And groups or modalities do not have a patent on attunements.
I lost something when I got my Reiki atunements, but also gained something. I do not believe it is the end path for me. It is not the only path in energy healing and or enlightenment. Reconnective healing is my next step. I will know whether or not it is true when I get there. But so far my hands have been talking to my like a compass every time I move in that direction they activate.
Please be aware that every time you make fun of something new...you open the door for karma to send it right back at you.
Reiki is not a religion. Please don't treat it like one.
I know this is an old post but I wanted to comment. As a natural healer born with hot hands (my mom used to hold me by the wrist) I have to say Reiki is a small part of energy healing. Period...sorry...get over it...it's true. It's a small part of the evolution taking place in the world.
All through mankinds history there have been healers. All of them without atunements and certifications. The source sometimes chooses you, not the other way around. Some of us were healers in a previous life and just had to wake up.
Reiki is not the only way to go for a natural healer. When in touch with a higher vibration we can be "attuned" to that higher vibration...reawakened to it. And groups or modalities do not have a patent on attunements.
I lost something when I got my Reiki atunements, but also gained something. I do not believe it is the end path for me. It is not the only path in energy healing and or enlightenment. Reconnective healing is my next step. I will know whether or not it is true when I get there. But so far my hands have been talking to my like a compass every time I move in that direction they activate.
Please be aware that every time you make fun of something new...you open the door for karma to send it right back at you.
Reiki is not a religion. Please don't treat it like one.
Reiki is very spiritual. After all what Usui taught his first students was spiritual development - the hands on healing came later.
I believe each person with potential is called to the healing modality that works best for them. I know I am a lot more comfortable with reiki than I would be with e.g. spiritual healing as it is recognised in the spiritualist movement. My scientific brain can work with the reiki concepts as there is a certain logic to them .
But I do know that being a healer of any sort demands great integrity, and the reiki principles outline the integrity that is needed to be a good healer. I agree healing is not something to be undertaken lightly - but I don't believe the 'party trick' comment was really taking it lightly. If he didn't want to know he would not have posted such a long and quite serious post. Humour can be a defence - and I can imagine suddenly discovering you can generate heat through your hands could be quite disturbing.
I should have been more specific. My comments were actually aimed more at the responses to him than to him. The solution to every thing is not "get a Reiki attunement". There are hundreds of books to read, cds, dvds and seminars to attend... before settling on a path.
I respect his experience and his response to it.