The Reiki Cafe 

Namaste,

It's been a while since I posted with a question but I'm confused and hope to gather some perspective.

I have been reading a book that I heard recommended as being 'wise' for Reiki practitioners/teachers to read. The book is called Dancing with the Devil: Survival for Healers and Therapists. Written by Reiki Master and experienced energy worker David Ashworth, in essence it deals with the risks that we take as Reiki practitioners when working with Reiki energy and how if we don't protect ourselves sufficiently then we are a beacon and open door that can attract all sorts of 'nasties'. The problem is that it has put a big question mark over Reiki for me and actually made me feel really anxious and fearful, so much so that it saddens me to say that I haven't wanted to 'be' Reiki since. The book isn't written to scaremonger and I'm wondering if others have read it and what their reactions might be? It has definately made me think about how little of this any of us actually know or understand when we learn Reiki and question whether it should be part of everyone's training, but I don't know whether I am just reacting in a fear based way :/

I would be grateful for other's thoughts on this :)

In gratitude
Helen

Helen,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- glad to see you here again at The Cafe :-}}

- so, for all the years you have been doing Reiki, have you ever attracted a bunch of nasties??

- my guess is no (and, I suspect you would have said something if you felt you might have)

>:-}}

- one does not have to write aggressively to scare folks - one simply has to put certain 'hot button' words together in effective ways (devil being one of them, I would say)

- btw, does this Ashworth offer methods of protection that he claims will work and steps to do them?? Or does he sell that informaton?

- I have heard a few others refer to this volume and then report feeling 'uncertain' about Reiki, etc afterwards

- for the most part I would say: "stuff and nonsense" (though, as nasties do exist one is never guarateed to be fully out of the realms of pssibility of encountering some )

- but, in my experience, energy work based on greed or harmful intent is much more like to attract nasties than Reiki where the intent is compassionate action

>:-}}

- with some healthy scepticism, I may have to go to Barnes & Noble one evening and sit down and look thru it a bit

- hope this helps get you back to Reiki

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste:)

Many thanks for your reply and the warm welcome, it's comforting to know that I'm not the only one to have read the book and felt uncertain afterwards :)

With regards to protection yes he does outline different methods and mentions methods of cleansing one's aura etc. under the heading of psychic protection, which offers some comfort I guess :) I think this guy's main calling in his spiritual work is ridding people/places of 'nasties' that have attached themselves. In fairness to him he really just seems to be encouraging all energy workers to be more aware and take care of themselves.

Logically I know that I should view this book as just another perspective; I guess I just allowed myself to become complacent and trust that Reiki comes with it's own built in protection system to the point where I used to do my self treatments last thing at night and fall asleep whilst doing them. I have to say that when I have worked on others I have always taken great care to visualise protection for both the recipient and myself and also to practise cleansing techniques at the beginning and end of the session.

I think there is a lesson to be learnt in this for me. It definately has taken me right out of my comfort zone and I am currently practising my visualisation techniques with regards to protection. I think once I feel that I have perfected my 'suit of armour' then I hope that I will feel confident enough to get back to it :)

Thanks again :)

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Otoharo!

Helen, good to hear your voice again. I have not read the book you mention or anyone's else book except the one that has Takata's stories in it. She never mentioned any of these things.

Nor have I ever had these difficulties.

HOwever, I have shared how I have set myself up for complete clearing during this lifetime so I can return to who I really am. I contract with my soul mate for weekly treatments. I also have asked her to provide the healings of those of my ongoing lives who are impinging upon me. We call these healings as being different from treatment.

This type of reiki is the sort that could bring difficulty to the practitioner. She must know that her body will survive whatever it is that she is healing in me as it appears, we are experiencing, that whereas, as soon as I hand over the exchange, I am instantly healed, she, on the otherhand has extended reiki sessions that take a long time to clear out. We assume that whatever the healing that is going on (which is not me per se but another of the me's in my aura) she takes on while the healing proceeds. As she is still an HEB, she has already cleared herself out completely. She does not complain about this but when the healing sessions end, she is bubbling over with joy. Until the next one hits us again!

finality

Finality,

Namaste :)

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. One of the things that the author mentions in his book is how all practicing Reiki practitioners or indeed energy workers should receive regular Reiki sessions from an experienced practitioner.

Thanks again.

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Helen, thank you for helping us to think and learn.
Firekeeper, as always, your words are so good....feel so right.

Helen,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- I reiterate - if you have not 'attracted' nasties in the past it is highly unlikely that you will do so simply for having read that book (unless your fears are now of sufficient magnitude to be of interest to nasties)

- are your fears really that strong??

- nasties are usually drawn to other nastiness or in some cases vulnerability

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste :)

Thankfully as far as I am aware I have not attracted any 'nasties' up to this point.

I feel anxious and a little uneasy and as such am concentrating on my cleansing and protection techniques. When I feel comfortable again within myself I'll resume :)

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Helen,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- I am sorry that what he writes has shaken you

- even the well intentioned (assuming this book is well intentioned) may not have the insight they assume they do (I am assuming that reactions such as yours were not anticipated by the author)

- however, to publish material knowing it will likely have folks such as yourself reacting badly to it is irresponsible at best - and if published intentionally, it is devisive and subversive of the efforts of Reiki practitioners (and others)

- but, as I said, I will have to have a look at the book myself

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Dear Helen,

Welcome. I read your first post in this thread. If I feel that I have something to respond with I don't read any other posts in the thread until I've posted my bit.

Anyhoo, I had similar trepidations myself along the same lines. Weeks, months after the first attunement I felt like the neg entities were having a real go at me. Since then I've come to wonder if neg entity influence is more since attunement. Or am I just more sensitive/aware of it?

At his point I'm leaning much towards the theory that neg entities aren't any much more active since before I was first attuned. I 'm just more aware of it. It's been going on it would seem.

namaste,
arati

When you make your final decision there will be a leap of faith in one direction of another. Whatever you choose, just make sure to make a decision that comes from a calm and balanced place within.

Also keep in mind that your Reiki passion will zenith, wax and wane..and then do it again as time goes on. If you walk away, your Reiki Path will be waiting for you when and if you return.

Blessings to all!

I took my first Reiki (I & II) classes a couple of weekends ago and in my Reiki Master's teachings we learned that Reiki is an energy being channeled through us by a higher consciousness. If done correctly, we do not use our own energy during a Reiki treatment, but rather are nothing more than a conduit through which the Reiki energy is flowing.

Reiki energy and its healing capacity has nothing but good intentions for both the Practitioner and the person receiving the treatment. With that being the case, when one is channeling Reiki, there should never be a concern for negative interference for either person.

This is not to say, however, that the possibility does not exist if other types of energy work are being incorporated into Reiki...but I know nothing of the subject so won't even go there. ;-)

Did David Ashworth's book deal specificly with Reiki only or did it discuss other types of energy work and the potential for invading nasties?

I hope you find your way back to Reiki. It truly has been a wonderful gift to me and something I enjoying sharing with others, sans the nasties. ;-)

Mandy

oh, arati..... "Also keep in mind that your Reiki passion will zenith, wax and wane..and then do it again as time goes on. If you walk away, your Reiki Path will be waiting for you when and if you return." Such good words...thank you for the reminder....we all need it.

Hi Helen

My name is Kate, I live in Jersey, Channel Islands.

I have been a Reiki healer since August, 2007. It is truly amazing, and I have had some really good results. However, I use a Metatron mat with vajaras from the Shambhala Centre, which my clients lie upon. This mat is filled with magnets which is very benifical for the healing, but it also protects me, whilst I am healing.

If you ask the Universe and Spirit Guides to protect your body and chakras from all negativity, and also ask that they protect your clients body etc from any negativity, then you will be fine. You may, however, take on a clients pain, which has happened to me in the past. It does not last long though and it is also a good idea to put some obsidian crystals in your bra for extra protection. Please make sure that they are well cleansed after each healing.

Believe me, Reiki is wonderful and whilst I am healing I keep asking the Universe to let me be the channel for healthy, positive healing energy, plus I also include the Spirit Guides as well.

Do not be afraid, just enjoy the experience.

My healings normally last for 1 1/2 hours. I can spend between 30 to 45 minutes just on the head and shoulders, depending on where my hands guide me.

I do hope that you will continue with your Reiki and just think of only positive, wonderful thoughts.

Take care and good luck!

Regards
Kate

Arati,

Mamaste :)

Many thanks for your reply. Yes I think you are right when you say that we can become more sensitive or aware of what's out there than before we are attuned to Reiki. I agree too that our Reiki passion does indeed ebb and flow at different times in our life.

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Hi Mandy,

Namaste :)

Many thanks for your reply.

I completely agree that we are indeed a conduit for the Reiki energy and that Reiki is a wonderful healing energy,however, I think it is important to take responsibility ourselves for our own protection and that of the person being treated rather than assume that just because we are channelling Reiki then we are automatically protected.

David Ashworth is a Reiki Master so he deals mostly with the subject of Reiki but also mentions spiritual healing. I think the point he makes is valid that if we are opening ourselves up as a channel(whether that be for Reiki, spiritual healing, meditation etc) then we are open and need to make sure that we are protected and not just assume that protection comes as part of the reiki package so to speak :)

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Hi Carole,

Namaste and many thanks for your reply :)

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Hi Kate,

Namaste and thanks for your reply :)

The Metatron mat sounds very interesting, I have not heard of one before. Can you please explain how it protects you?

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Dear Helen,
I think it's great that you are acknowledging your fears and uncertainties. Backing out of it is always an option if it makes you feel more comfortable. Another option is to learn about other healing techniques.
Peace,
Prosperity

Hi Prosperity,

Namaste :)

Thanks for your reply. I think I see it as just taking a step back and taking stock of everything rather than the option of backing out completely. I have explored other healing modalities in the past, but I just love the simplicity of Reiki. I can't say that I have enjoyed reading the book as it has taken me out of my comfort zone but I think perhaps there was a lesson in it for me and I know with complete certainty that if I teach again then I would feel a responsibility to make sure that students understand the need to protect and cleanse themselves every time and not just assume that the Reiki and guides will take care of it.

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Don't mean to be simple here...but are we just acknowledging something that need not exist....except for our minds??? Now, I'm wondering if this was part of what RC's been trying to teach me???

Hi Ponderings,

Namaste :)

I think I can see what you're getting at. In a sense we do create our own reality; thoughts are after all just another form of energy. On the other hand I have met people in the past who have had 'strange' experiences.Is it all in their mind? I don't know, but I guess I would rather be prepared just in case :)

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Hi Helen,

You need to go to the Shambhala site and click on to Metatron Mats. It will be fully explained there. They do the most amazing healing tools. My Husband is buying me a Shambhala Radiator Star necklace and earings for Christmas, which also defray negativity etc. Can't wait to wear it.

I did a healing the other day, and soon after I caught my friends cold. I know not to heal anyone again with the remains of a cold.

I am sure that you will love the Shambhala site.

Bye for now.

Kate

rainbow said on

>Hi Mandy,
>
>Namaste :)
>
>Many thanks for your reply.
>
>I completely agree that we are indeed a conduit for the Reiki energy and that Reiki is a wonderful healing energy,however, I think it is important to take responsibility ourselves for our own protection and that of the person being treated rather than assume that just because we are channelling Reiki then we are automatically protected.
>
>David Ashworth is a Reiki Master so he deals mostly with the subject of Reiki but also mentions spiritual healing. I think the point he makes is valid that if we are opening ourselves up as a channel(whether that be for Reiki, spiritual healing, meditation etc) then we are open and need to make sure that we are protected and not just assume that protection comes as part of the reiki package so to speak :)
>
>Gentle Blessings
>Helen

Ah, thank you so much for the explanation! I'm completely new to Reiki and energy work in general so the more knowledge I can gain, the better. ;-)

Thanks again and many blessings,

Mandy

Dear Helen,
I think you are wise be learn a bit more about protection as it's strange that it's not taught in
Reiki.
Peace,
Prosperity