Peace, Mammabear.
I sent distance Reiki today, and while I did, I asked the Reiki about intention, and the seemingly contradictory idea of stepping back and removing oneself from the results. The answer I believe I received was: 1)Express intent, in order for the energy to be told where to go. 2)Step back, in order to let the energy, thus directed, go and do its thing.
Keep the energy flowing as long as it needs to.
For me, at this stage in my brief Reiki life, the answer sufficed to clear things up a bit.
Happy to share. Hope it is helpful.
Peace.
Alice