The Reiki Cafe 

I have been asked to teach a reiki I class next month. I have all my materials ready and love to teach others about this wonderful energy.

My quandry begins here... When I lay hands on I feel as if what I do is longer textbook reiki. I feel that the energy has moved so far beyond the textbook now that to teach textbook reiki seems constrictive.

I no longer use nor need symbols, I have issues with the consistancy of reiki history, and my psy abilities have grown so much!

My thoughts are to teach the basics as I was taught then explain how my path has been and tell the students that they should not be troubled when their abilities evolve beyond what has been taught to them. I will encourage them to practice, practice, practice and learn about other modalities as well.

My gut says to teach them beyond the basics but I know in my mind that they should be given the same basics everyone gets and let them learn and evolve as they will.

If I were to follow my gut I would be twisting reiki and creating some throw off like many others have done. I am not comfortable with this either.

Sorry for the rambling, just sorting my thoughts as I type, LOL

Have a wonderful evening! and look forward to your opinions and experiences.

Hugs,
Tracey

Hi Tracey
I think that the main question to ask yourself is what are your students coming to be taught?

History.. Well yes that seems to change from minute to minute. I now keep it very simple. just cover it breifly and point them in the way of updated infomation that is well researched and as accurate as it can be (The AETW website history page)

Just recently when I was preparing to teach my Niece, Reikimerlot sent me a loverly email of tips. Personally I think that what she said is probally the most insightfull piece I have seen on teaching Reiki. So much so, that I will be using it when I rewrite my Reiki 3 manual.

This is what she said
___________________________________________________________
Teach your truth, what you now know.
Teach the nuts and bolts of Reiki, hand positions etc.
Teach them to listen to what their hands tell them as the energy is working.
Teach them they are not a healer but a Reiki Practitioner just as they will be a massage practitioner and a reflexology practitioner or whatever else they choose to take.
I do not like to hear people using the term "healer" it smacks of ego and then what if someone does not heal?? It is a practice, an alternative therapy, an energy system of practice.
Remind them they are only the channel for this energy, not the healer. The healing will be done by the recipient if and when they are ready.
Teach them they need to do self Reiki so they will clear out their "pipes" and be the clearest channel they can be.
Teach them to keep their Reiki roped in if they do not have their permission to use this along with the other techniques they will use. We just can't go around nilly willy disturbing other's energy if we are not asked to do so. Intention is so key.
Teach them they do not want a client to go bonkers on the table because Reiki has flowed and brought up some deep seated past trauma's etc.
Teach them responsibility and ethics when doing energy work.
By telling them Reiki is a multiple level energy work, physical, emotional, spiritual etc. and they will need to work through these layers.
The utmost importance is they work on themself first for the 21 days or at least a month and then daily after.
Self healing never stops. Once they learn to do self Reiki on themself and work on their own issues/problems that this will make them a much better practitioner for others.
They will learn more of the spiritual matters as they go along.
Share with them some of your spiritual truths but alert them it is different for each person.
____________________________________________________________

The workshop should really be about your students and not what you can do. I am told that I teach without Ego. That to me is one of the greatest compliments that I have been given as a teacher.

Finally I think it should be kept simple and if you teach any add ons, then tell them that they are add ons and not Reiki. The old KISS thing works (Keep it simple stupid)

I do have a few resources of infomation that may be of use to you. manuals etc. Not only of my own stuff, but other peoples to. If you would like them, all you have to do is ask.

Namaste

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

Dear Tracey,

If your students are coming to you to teach them Reiki, then you should teach them Reiki. Teach the fundamentals, as you know them. I feel every student should be allowed to start at square one, with a solid foundation. How they choose to apply what they learn, and what growth comes as a result of that, is up to them. Should they someday feel as you do and want to explore energy work that is not entirely Reiki, you will be there for them...giving them again what they come to you for.

We can't teach everything at the beginning. Yes, some people find they outgrow the use of the symbols, for example. But to start a new student out by telling them this will perhaps make them feel that should be their goal. They may not fully learn to use symbols...never get to that place where they truly become less necessary. They will be doing what they feel is expected.

All blessings to you, my friend,
Lesley

Otoharo!

I prefer what you state and how you state it to what either of the others say. You say it the way I would say it.

finality

Thanks so much, I printed out your exerpt and will cherish it. I have not taught a class for a bit so I have been revamping things. You and Lesley have helped me to solidify some of my thinking. As for the material, thank you. I have quite a bit myself and will do some sifting. I e-mail you if I find I need something specific.

Hugs,
Tracey

hi Tracy,
IMHO, I would stick with the 'old' ways we were taught, or the whole concept of the Reiki( as was given to us) will be lost... we should not change the 'history' of reiki...
let them learn the old way, symbols also, they will in the end find their own way as you have done....& you will always be there for them, & that's so great!
luv Wendy xxx

I wonder...What you said about teaching reiki in the old way, makes sense, but if you would give the same attunements to the same person just by using your intuition and not the symbols, etc;, would this be ok? This way Your staying true to, the 'old way' and also to yourself. Even though I've been Reiki3 for the last year and a half, and also that I haven't given a workshop or taught Reiki, to another, I've also given thought to what you said about not using the symbols, but just by laying on hands. At the end we're just instruments, and the divine will that lets us be the conduit has the last say, I guess. Be wary of Ego-tripping.
Namaste

I understand that to teach Reiki people must be Master and Master must know what and how to teach. Are you a Master of Reiki?
Namaste: SIMON

Tracey,

Hi,

I take it that when you first began Reiki training you worked with the symbols. It was the basics and a good way to help focus. As you have developed, the symbols have become less necessary for you for focus and to connect to the energy when doing Reiki practices. This does not make the symbols any less important.

So, I would say do the proper basics training with symbols, hand positions, etc. With a good foundation each student will then develop at their own rate which may mean always using the symbols later on (or not) - that is really not important. It is only Ego barking to think so.

:)

Cheers (jimmies on top)

RC

It is good that you have grown and moved beyond the symbols and basic Reiki techniques. But even you started at the beginning. One must crawl before one walks. Start at the beginning.

Good Luck,

Maril

Yes, Simon, My certificate says "Master/Teacher" However we all know that just means we have just started along another path, not that we know everything.

On this site there are those that may not have the same title but have been longer in this field and I seek out and welcome their advice and thoughts. That is what this site is about.

Not comdemning or making snide remarks.

Tracey

After much thought and self searching I re-worked my manual abit but kept it to the orginal info I was started with. I did add in some info that I have learned over the past 4 years but will teach Level One as I was taught.

May God Bless their journey as I have been blessed.

Hugs,
Tracey

Yes,I have come to the same conclusion and will teach as I was taught in the beginning. Their paths will unfold as they are meant to.

Thanks you for chiming in, always good to hear everyone's thoughts.

L & L,
Tracey