The Reiki Cafe 

I was a tad miffed last night. My phone rang and an old Reiki 1 student of mine was on the line. In brief he took Reiki 2 last week with a different teacher and has been left totally confused by the teaching. He wants to come along to our next Reiki Share so that I can show him when and where to use the new symbols he's been given.(Quote - you've just given me more information in 2 mins than I had in 3 hours last week)

On one hand I feel like a doormat and just being used. On the other I feel a certain obligation to the guy as he's eager to know and doesn't seem to have been taught properly. (we also need warm bods at the Share to be able to cover Hall hire costs (this is probably our last - sniff)).

What would you do ?
Run a short class without the attunement, for his new group ?

Put him off so you don't offend his new teacher ?

Give him all he needs no questions, we need more healers ?

Ogre

Dear Ogre,
Give him the information informally and suggest that he come to your next class, if you plan on having one. No reason you cant ask why he chose another teacher. Sometimes its just convenience, cost or the other teacher popped up at the right time in his life. Understanding what students look for & need in a teacher enables one to see from their perspective.
You have the opportunity to demonstrate that Reiki is also about sharing and compassion. Perhaps this is an opportunity for you as much as for him.

peace & joy,
holobon

Ogre,

Hi.

You don't know that the other Teacher will be offended. Don't project your stuff onto others. :)

I might feel a little bit honored that someone would consult me if he\she were confused. If you don't want to be a freebie doormat then ask for a small consultation fee up front (separate from any contributions for joining in the Reiki share). Otherwise? Take the guy under your wing a little longer and enjoy the Teaching.

Cheers,

RC

Hi,

I would help him. He has come to you for a reason :)

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Hi Ogre,

It sounds like you want to help and in a way you must have made that decision inside you - would I be correct in saying that if you do nothing to help this guy, you won't feel comfortable afterwards?

If two minutes of your time is worth more than three hours of what this person's learnt until now (in his words, as you said), then it shouldn't take you long to help fill in the missing pieces for the Reiki 2 level.

Also, in my experience, those (attuned by others) whom I've allowed in my shares have usually spread the word and brought friends to me for attunements and lessons.

I agree with Rainbow - there is a reason for everything, as long as you feel okay with it, go with it.

Hope this helps,

Esin
:-))

I wouldn't be offended that he went to another teacher. Just the way of things. It might have had no reflection upon you whatsoever. And different views can be helpful to students.

As for him coming to you. There is alot of good info easily available online. Maybe point him in the right direction. Or take some time to print it for him if it's not too much of an inconvenience to yourself.

Maybe work with him some at the share if it continues on.

If he needs to be totally retrained then suggest he comes to your next class whenever that is.

I wouldn't say he's in any way your responsibility.But that doesn't mean you can't help him out.

If there does end up being an issue with his other teacher then I would explain to them that he was more comfortable coming to you and say why. If they end up wanting to make it personal that is their problem. Play it cool.

Hi there,
You must help the guy, he was, is and will always be your student at whatever level. Don't leave him not knowing what he is doing, there are enough of those in the world already. Ray
(PS my student are given backup for life FOC)

Something that the others havn't mentioned. I think he/she should be encouraged to check back with the person who taught them Reiki 2 with the questions that they have, otherwise the other teacher may never know that they are not getting their message over so will continue to not teach clearly (If that is what has happened)
By all means take them back under your wing.
Namaste

Rob
Truth is not a property of language because language has not been able to express abstract ideas as efficiently as concrete items

Might be a lesson for you in "letting go". My guess is (and I would feel the SAME WAY), that you might be a bit miffed he chose a different teacher for Level II. I think we would not be human to be a little hurt or whatever. Anyway, put that aside....if he had had Level I and II somewhere else and you had never met him and he asked to come to your share, you realized much was lacking, what would you do? Probably help him along and perhaps gently suggest, when the time is right, that you would love to have him repeat a level with you if he would like. I have had people repeat with me, and it can be helpful.Would not push it. Would just be compassionate. And thank the Universe for what you will learn in this! Hah! Easier said than done, but I think if I were in your shoes, it might be good to be reminded about the ego thing. Maybe he even has friends to bring to your share and help pay the rent! A gift in disguise?
Blessings!
Feather

Otoharo!

You have had very good answers here. I agree with RC.

finality

I feel we have 'as much' to learn from a fresh way of doing things....we are, & indeed must keep learning & open!
put your feelings & ego in your pocket, & help the guy, really you have a 'duty' to do so when asked, as you gave him Reiki #1...
you help him, he helps you, we can never learn to much.....
all the best..
luv Wendy Ann xx

Ach, your all too compassionate ;-)

But yeah, between yesterday and coming back today I'd already decided (in that quiet place in my soul) to help as much as I could.

Thanks All

Take Care

Ogre

Ogre,

As practitioners, we undertake a sacred oath which is unconditional love, therefore, setting free and allowing others freewill...

Trust in your "higher self" :))

Namaste,
Radiance

ogre,

Some really good suggestions here.

Myself, I would help them out but I would also be sure they understood that I wasn't their primary source for information since they did take the class from someone else.

Most people assume that when a student is confussed it is the fault of the teacher. Maybe it isn't a question of whether the other RM got the message across but whether the student asked any questions during the class to clear up their confussion. Responsibility for understanding is a two way street, if I don't know someone has questions I can't answer them.

If it comes to a point that you feel too many demands are being made by this person (taking up more and more time) you can always follow some of the posted suggestions and ask them if they have taken their questions to the RM that taught them, suggest they take one of your classes, or tell them about the cafe or other message boards.

When we teach we have responsibilities but we don't have to allow ourselves to be taken advantage of either (in any part of our life)

Walk in beauty,
Rebecca

Otoharo!

I have remembered something I learned in reiki I, that we are free to take a class from whom ever we want and when we go to shares are free to choose who we want to have hands on us. This freedom goes with reiki.

finality

Ogre,

Maidin mhaith.

You have made a wise choice.

Beannacht leat.

Brian

Dear Ogre,
Some days we are the doormat & some days we are the shoe....but often, its how we choose to look at the situation. I forgot that you might "know" something about your student that we dont that might have prompted you to feel used. Some people do take advantage and are not easy to deal with.

peace & joy,
holobon