The Reiki Cafe 

I was wondering if anyone out there has used reiki as alternative to medicine for treatment of bipolar? I use to be on medication for my bipolar and I was able to eventually go off the meds.I am in a better place.I don't rage anymore.I am so aware of all my behaviors and am able to stop the behavior.That's why I have chose to go further into reiki to continue this way to treat my mental illness.

Otoharo!

I understand this condition. I have some things you might consider.

1) Actually, the illness is not real. In the real world it does not exist. Therefore, it is best to not claim it as yours. Do not say my illness for instance.

2) I know some folks who have gradually lessened the meds and no longer need them.

3) Never underestimate the power of choice. Yes, follow your choice.

finality

Hi,

Are you bipolar 1 or 2?

Rock On!
Roxy

jmartin,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- I am glad you are feeling and doing better

- anyone who chooses to reduce or eliminate their meds against 'medical advice' does so at their own risk, of course

- to the extent that people choose for themselves and such choices do not bring harm to others I am in full suport of individual choice

- if a personal choice creates potential or actual harm for others? Then I would have issue with that choice

- example?? A parent going off behavior management meds and then finding themselves in a violent temper towards the children and\or spouse

- I would also mention that bi-polar is, at least in the eyes of those who make the labels, a specific diagnosis but it is also true that some people are thrown into that category who may not truly be bi-polar and some who are fall thru the cracks

- mental health, including psychiatry, is still very much an art despite attempts to promote a scientific facade based on all the high-tech drugs and use of the medical model (disease model)

- all the high-tech drugs around also have, remember, a lot of 'high-tech' side effects which are, as often as not, why people lower their meds intake or stop altogether - whether this is 'safe' or not

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

well,I'm aware of all the risk of not being on medication.I do appreciate that advice but,I honestly have to say that I never was violent.My anger yes,I raged but in a different since which was only harming myself.I would rather not elaborate on that. But,yes with self discipline and being aware of myself and having a great support base(family) I have been able to go off the meds with the reiki. I am a practitioner so it does help that I know how to use it and treat myself.I keep a close relationship with my reiki master and have continued with my education of bipolar and reiki.It has worked wonders for me.I was just curious if there were any others like me.But,thank you so much for your advice and opinion.

2..I'm more hypo then anything

I get depressed, and feel bad towards myself. Whether reiki has helped or not, I can't say, but doing the work has allowed me to see where the problems stem from, and be more kind towards myself.

I liked hearing your story, it gives me hope.

thank you

cool runnings

I agree with jaguar...what wonderful work you've done and thank you for sharing, jmartin. I have a very good friend, whom I've worked with....at her request for back pain, neck pain, etc.. She, too, has struggled with bipolar dis-ease, just as her daughter and sisters have. We've had some powerful sessions together, but I don't believe that she felt it touched her bipolar symptoms. She is attuned to Reiki, also, but when her depression was at it's worse, she shared that she just couldn't focus or have intent.

I just wanna say thank you for all of your comments and encouragement. Yes,This has worked for me.I am in no way against modern medicine.I just know that with becoming a zombie from medication was being more harmful to my family then the bipolar was. I wasn't there at all. I was emotionally numb and felt nothing. I now feel and am able to cry and have emotions and has given me the strength to get away from the "toxic" people in my life.I am so happy and am more in love with my husband. My children have their mother.Reiki has been a savior for me.Along with it and me I have finally seen hope. I know this may seem silly but I now can do math in my head where before I couldn't do simple math!! I just know that there is another way now to treat the bipolar for myself.It may not be for everyone else.
Thank you all of you for reading and commenting again.It means more to me then you know.

Hi JMartin,

I'm also bipolar 2. I was asking to see if your problem was more with mania than depression. I've found Reiki hasn't done much for me in helping with my depressions. I've never tried using it to control hypomania.

I see by an earlier reply that medication's side effects were really hard on you. Perhaps the reason I stay on medication is that I have no such side effects...and I don't want to risk a relapse. That is to say, I guess, I'm just not motivated.

Rock On!
Roxy

Roxy-
I'm more hypo manic granted but I have dealt with depression too.It's hard!! But,yes the medication was making me beyond drugged. I was taking anti psychotics ,anti depressants, anxiety meds,sleep meds(3 might I note).I just got tired of waking up taking pills to go back to sleep. I had a great doctor despite the meds.He understood my concerns and helped me. I just chose to help myself instead. I have used Reiki to self- treat myself and hopefully in time I can also help others.My husband and children can tell anyone that Reiki has worked for their mom. But,in no way do I suggest to anyone to take my path. I instead give people the advice do you research.There is other ways!! I'm proof bipolar can go into remission. A lot of people don't like to hear that term used with mental illness.But,it can...do your research you'll see my friend.

I find that doing reiki, though not getting rid of any of the stuff that affect us, is a comfort all the same.
miracles do happen, but we're thought to dissassociate from outcome.
This gives us the freedom to be.
I'm glad that reiki has helped you.
Keep up the good work.

Hmm, reiki give us the oppurtunity to help us help ourselves. It gives us the energy to affect our own... whatever.

This doesn't mean that we turn down opportunities to help ourselves, be they self-help books, docters, meditation or any other means.

Maybe, if I were to look at it in another view, reiki helps us if we're willing to put these in our paths when we need at that when.

The precept 'do not worry' springs to mind.
I have to meditate on this one.

ahhhh, jmartin, you've done such hard work....and as jaguar shares....how can we ever know what it takes for one to reach their greatest potential....in your sharing....we come a little closer, I think. Each step....each doubt....makes us try a little harder...just as we enjoy the smallest beauty in nature because it brings us closer to our true being....we must appreciate our trauma....for teaching us so much...just wish that it wasn't so hard....but then, perhaps,
we wouldn't truly appreciate it.....nor learn

pondering...your kind words bring me tears.The support and love I have gotten from all of you tells me I know what I have chose for me was the right decision. Thank you and thank you all!!!

Perhaps you've heard of the new book out about Mother Teresa? Unbelievably, she felt in doubt & "in darkness"....alone, for most of her spiritual working life....and even beyond the veil, she's speaking to us (against her wishes, of course) and helping others.

no,I haven't read it but I knew there was one out.I may have to read that.I try to read alot just for wisdom and knowledge. I'll definitely look into it because I know that's been one of my biggest problems has been at being lonely with all of my spiritual guidance.But,I am working through it.I'm lucky my reiki master and I are really good friends too.So,we can talk.
Y'all(look the southern in me) have really helped me with your guidance and information.

You've helped me, too, jmartin. Thank you. Another good one...or feels good, anyway is "The Joy of Living" by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. I'm rereading it for the third time. Hope I'm not supposed to be in the "Book Club" postings! Ack!!!

ok,I am in true need of some insight...my toxic ex-best friend and yes,I know that's harsh but you must understand.She is what kept me ill for some long.I allowed her to manipulate my mind and made my horrible behavior ok. She never judged me because drinking,partying,sex and drugs were all ok in her book because she is crazy and if you don't like that then blank blank you( should have used quotes for that statement lol). So,yes she wasn't a real good person.My reiki master had met her and saw it too but in time she knew I would come around.Luckily,yes,I said luckily we got to an argument and we ended our friendship.Well,low and behold she calls me this morning while I'm doing my daily routine which doesn't involve negativity.She blew in and I know god is testing me!! Because yes,I spoke to her and yes I listened to her.But,I told her my life is so much better now.I am at peace with my self only lonely when I'm searching for answers that I know I have to find on my own. She only called to tell me I was right about someone else that I warned her about(intuition of people) once you've had a rough life you don't have to have a gift to smell bull a mile away!! My paranoid side popped up immediately because I know this woman.
So,no I don't wanna hang with her.No,mediating on it won't change my mind. I am so much better without her and I can't continue my path with someone like that dragging me down.So,please give me some wisdom and insight to deal with this test...I have come so far to not be dragged back down!!

Otoharo!

Sounds like you have discovered a great for yourself. Just hang in there. Stick to your guns. Some day you will be a teacher for her.

We all learn from others and others learn from us. In Inner Peace Movement we call this journeyman and apprentices. We are all journeymen for our apprentices.

There is always an opportunity to choose differently at each step of our journeys.
finaltiy

wow, jmartin, so much to contain with....I think you've done very well.....and aren't even in need of advice from the rest of us.....but in sharing.....you've not only taught us, but shown other ways to perceive what you're going thru....thank you.....I've never had a best friend who didn't show me....
mirrioring.....how I was perceiving wrong.....or dishing on the very thing that I needed to work on myself....but one knows.....different strokes....for different folks....

your right...I am going to continue on my path and I now realize that through my self healing and "test" I have been put through in the last few days has confirmed my feelings that I am on the right path.