The Reiki Cafe 

Hi all,

Namaste :)

I was giving a Reiki treatment last night and kept seeing an Eagle. At one point during the treatment I was shown a feather being placed over the area of the body I was treating. I also heard chanting throughout the session. I have sometimes 'glimpsed' things (mostly colours), but these images and the chanting were very strong impressions. I tried to just acknowledge what I saw and stay focused and mindful of the Reiki. I have to add also that there have been many other occasions when I have 'seen' nothing and just simply been part of the flow of Reiki, which is just as wonderful :) Hence as lovely as it is when it happens, I don't believe it is necessary to the flow of Reiki whether we see or hear anything.

So again in the interests of sharing, I would love to hear what others experience during the giving of Reiki if anyone would like to share? And if anyone knows why eagles may be significant please do tell! :)

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Helen,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- from a shamanic persepective, when such visitors put in an appearance it is often as messenger or perhaps as 'helper' (though ususally helpers will give some sign about that)

- in the case you describe here the feather may have been a gift or perhaps a 'tool' - feathers being used, in any number of traditions, to disperse the smoke during smudging or for sweeping the body' aura (though ususally these would be real feathers)

>:-}}

- so, I would venture that waht you 'saw' was a message of some sort

>:-}}

- that it was an eagle might reflect some connection you have with a tradition where eagles have an honored place - something to research, perhaps, or meditate upon

>:-}}

- hope this helps

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste :)

thanks for your reply :) From the investigation I have done today so far, the Eagle was a revered bird in the native american tradition. I have also read that they sometimes used feathers as part of their healing rituals, by blowing the breath through cupped hands placed over the feather. The chanting that I heard sounded like a Native American chant too :)

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Otoharo!

I have often had glimpses into scenes related to the client who I was treating. It is their stuff, not mine in my experience.

finaltiy

Hi Finality,

Namaste :)

Thanks for your reply.

Yes I know what you mean, that makes a lot of sense too.

Gentle Blessings
Helen

finality,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- so, how do you discern what is 'their stuff' and what might be 'your stuff'??

>:-}}

- the distinctions may be quite important

>:-}}

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

I'd heard somewhat that the eagle represented spirit. Apart from that I'm no help whatsoever. Years back when I was just a kid, I dreamt of an eagle following me. I wasn't scared in the dream, but threw stones at it and to drive it went away. If I'd accepted the eagle instead of trying to drive it away, where would my spiritual journey have taken me? Just remembering the dream, I think I was trying to protect my siblings, since we were all running away from it.

So maybe the message you got was to concentrate reiki on the spiritual rather than the physical? I know that reiki goes where its needed, but with intent, it may go to 'that' place envisioned?

" I have often had glimpses into scenes related to the client who I was treating. It is their stuff, not mine in my experience."

I tend to agree with finality....that when this occurs...it's from the client....since, a Reiki therapist, intends for healing to occur to the highest good of that individual...and Reiki energy allows for that individual's healing to be enhanced....whatever happens...comes from within....so it has seemed to me.

Otoharo!

Firekeeper, I enter a space in which I am out of the way. There is reiki. I hold only that.

finality

finality,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- you said: "I have often had glimpses into scenes related to the client who I was treating. It is their stuff, not mine in my experience."

- then you said: "I enter a space in which I am out of the way. There is reiki. I hold only that."

- if one only holds Reiki then, I would offer, one would not 'glimpse' other scenes

- one view is that once one glimpses another 'scene', as you put it, one has in fact allowed that scene to enter one's space in some manner (and at the same time provided an opening for one's own stuff to enter the scene)

- so, the question is: "is the scene one glimpses the other person's 'stuff' or is it some projection of one's own stuff onto the other person?"

- projection is, of course, largely an unconscious process

- >:-}}

- even the most mindful and insightful practitioners do not know the full contents of their Unconscious

>:-}}

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Hi ponderings,

Namaste :)

Thanks for your reply. I have had occasions when I have known that I am seeing 'stuff' that is related specifically to the client. In this case I am not so sure because it happened directly at the point when I asked my Reiki guide for assistance;it was then that I clearly saw an Eagle and a feather placed over the area I was working on.

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Hi Jaguar,

Namaste :)

Thanks for your reply.

I can accept too that in this particular case Reiki may be far more beneficial on a spiritual level than on a physical level.

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Otoharo!

Firekeeper, when I am with reiki, that is all that I hold. There will be glumpses of the client's stuff but I do not pursue it as I know it is not mine. However, if the client mentions these things, I have a idea where they are coming from.

finality

I think that is one of the coolest things I have heard. I have never had such an experience. I have had people feel extra hands on them, and I thought was neat knowing the guides were with us. I guess now I have a question. Is it common for these kind of visions to occur? Am I missing a part of Reiki? Secondly, I love to read the wisdoms on this board. Thank you all for sharing Nevr2late

Hi Nevr2late,

Namaste :)

Please don't think that you are missing out on any part of Reiki by not experiencing 'seeing things'. The absolute beauty of Reiki is it's pure simplicity; it requires nothing more than your intent to give and the recipient's intent to receive :) Having people feel extra hands on them whilst you are giving Reiki is wonderful :)I have been involved with Reiki for about 7 years now and for me these things have only been very occasional, which is why I am so in awe when it happens :)

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Namaste...

Not sure if this is relevant, but just recently I did a session where certain words came to me while finishing up on the person's heart chakra.

I told the recipient what the words were because they were directly related to a specific intention we set before the session started.

Interesting thing was, as soon as the words left my lips, I realized they were as much for me as they were for her.

:-))))))

Perhaps since we all share a lot of the same human issues we can also benefit from 'messages' in one way or another.

Kind of like I benefit from someone randomly stating to watch both ways before I cross the street, even though it was someone else who was hit by a car.

??????

Peace,

Abundant blessings,
Mammabear

MammaBear,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- yes, having set an Intention before beginning adds that variable and really alters the potential for intermingling the personal energies of practitoner and Recipient

>:-}}

- straight up Reiki, in my view at least, is without Intention (other than getting the energy to the recipient)

>:-}}

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste...

Agreed, but to elaborate...

:-)

...the intention set was by the recipient to help her more clearly understand the root of her suffering.

She was attempting to utilize the energy to help with that.

My intention was to help provide the energy in which she would use for that purpose.

So now you're opening another interesting point. Or you have once again sparked further curiosity?

BAGL

So was this more than Reiki at work? Let's explore some thoughts together.

:-)

If a practitioner is focused on the flow of the energy, then they will eventually begin to feel where the energy is flowing, what parts of the body the energy seems to want to go to...like water in a stream flowing where it is natural for it to go.

Agreed?

OK...

In what manner a practitioner becomes aware of this flow seems to be as varied as the practitioners themselves, but with some commonalities like warming of hands, tingling, cooling.

But, there are also other ways that folks percieve where it needs to go that are a bit more metaphysical like seeing auras, colors, seeing moving pictures in their minds eye...

Why then can't perception come (especially if a person is more of an auditory personality) in the form of inner dialog? Words...

Could not hearing certain words actually shift a person's energy? Is this not what Reiki energy does? A bit of shifting, etc.

Hmmmm...

I also wonder, if some practitioners who perhaps from a lack of confidence in themselves (as an incredible being), instead of claiming this inner wisdom, pass this onto some "guide"?

Quite a bit to chew on for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

BAGL

I'm going back to my book and tea but would love to hear your thoughts on all this...as usual.

:-)

Enjoy what's left of your weekend.

:-)

Abundant blessings,
Mammabear

MammaBear,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- you said: If a practitioner is focused on the flow of the energy, then they will eventually begin to feel where the energy is flowing, what parts of the body the energy seems to want to go to...like water in a stream flowing where it is natural for it to go.

- if the practitioner allows him\herself to focus on the energy as it is being used by the body (not where he\she thinks it wants to go) then the practitioner may compromise mindfulness on simply getting the energy there

- in Reiki it is not the practitioner who decides where energy is needed - to feel one knows where energy is needed is practitioner Ego and intruding personal energy

>:-}}

- you again raise the spectre of energy that knows where it is needed - you know my views on this - ULE responds to intention of the recipient - it does not know where to go -hence recipient mindfulness is at least as important to learn as practtioner mindfulness

- words? whose words? Again, I throw out the issue of projection - this is not to say that all perception of what is going on with others is projection - far from it - but I have the distinct impression that projection is too easily dismissed by many - again, largely Ego talking - personal energy (issues) talking

- as for what Reiki does? Many people have many notions - but often it seems the same notions are not applied equally to others and themselves

- how can someone say they do Reiki successfully (whatever that actually is) for someone else yet turn around and 'complain' that their self-reiki "isn't working"????

- I hope this progesses the discussion a bit - I smell dinner wafting up to my study so I think it is time for a wee dram and some vittles

>:-}}

- take care, good and valued friend,

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste...

I trust Bearwoman's cooking was as satisfying to the taste as it was to the smell.

:-))))))))))))))

Ok now...

I know we're in sync on this...but somehow I'm feeling off beat.

BAGL

Perhaps my choice of words were poor when I said “the energy seems to want to go to.” That does imply literally as if there is decision being made on the part of the energy.

I feel “tagged”. LOL

As far as the ‘words’…

When something like this occurs, I make the statement, “I don’t know if this is about you or about me” …then tell the person what else I sensed, heard, or saw. Usually we’ll talk about it and come to some conclusion, as I did in that session I mentioned.

Is this Reiki? I would expect it to be more of a heightened sense of awareness “picking up stuff”.

Has my mindfulness been compromised…a wee bit, but then it’s back to business. To say I can focus on sending Reiki without noticing anything else going on for about 60 minutes, would be really pushing it.

:-)

But hearing a barking dog, or realizing your arm is aching, or needing to scratch your nose are all distractions from mindfulness. Is it harmful?

I guess it depends how I would respond. If I just note it, adjust, and get back to work…I would think things would be fine.

If I curse the dog, go take a couple of Percocet for my arm, or do something gross with my nose…I would think that not so good.

(Hardy chuckle.) :-)

You asked, - how can someone say they do Reiki successfully (whatever that actually is) for someone else yet turn around and 'complain' that their self-reiki "isn't working"????

Curious question… one we may have to be content in not knowing the answer to, my friend, at least not today.

:-)

In conclusion, I think that practicing Reiki opens all kinds of doors. Acknowledge the doors and what's inside, but don't confuse that with Reiki energy.

Did I say that good?

BAGL

Now that was ego.

BAGL

A bit chilly here. Single digit wind chill this a.m. up to a balmy 14F now. And no sign of our long awaited snow. (Sad face)

Blessings to your week, Firekeeper...
Mammabear

My Dearest MammaBear,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- I cannot ever recall my palate being disappointed when my nose was pleased

>:-}}

- amazing how choice of words will affect communication

bagl

- in my Reiki 2 group one of the things we each did was keep a diary of experiences - including stuff like 'hearing' or 'seeing' during Reiki, meditations, atunements, etc

- then we would compare our independent notes (indepeendent because no one spoke of their expereinces prior to sharing of notes - so no 'leading the witness, etc was possible

- the one really amazing thing that 3 or 4 of us all had written down (without consulting anyone else) was 'hearing' some chanting coming from behind some heavy oak doors - each of us had this perception during a particular group meditation and distance Reiki exercise

- our theories about the source of the 'chanting' varied a good deal but there was no denying it was not any one person's imagination - or projection

- and that really is a key factor, at least in my view - so not a bad practice for Reiki shares, etc - have each write down any 'interesting stuff' and then compare notes afterwards

- yes, one cannot block out all other sensory input - dogs barking, etc - you are correct that to note and then let go is least likley to compromise your mindfulness

- what is curious about my question?

-it was addressed prinmarily to those who take the position the ULE knows where to go. If that were the case, how can Reiki treaments whether for self or others not be as anticipated? If I do Reiki for myself and do not get the reults I want, reducing some pain or stiffness, why not?? If the ULE knew what to do and where to go one might think that I would have a better report

- and, to say that perhaps we do not know the answer could be accurate - it can also be that we are avoiding asking pithier questions

- it is the questions that matter, afterall

- Sunny, warm and breezy here right now - some needed rain in the forecast for the next couple of days

- take care, my best to the clan

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper and Mammabear,

Namaste to you both :)

With regards to self treatments, I actually find mindfulness far more difficult than when treating another. When self treating the Reiki relaxes me and I find my awareness drifting off, to the point where I sometimes fall asleep. I find that I have to keep pulling my focus and attention back, but I guess at least if any personal energy does get mixed in through lapses of mindfulness at least it's my own personal energy :)

Mammabear I like what you said about simply acknowledging what's behind the doors. If we can simply observe without allowing ourselves to get involved then it is my hope that mindfulness can be maintained and Reiki will continue to flow untainted :)

Firekeeper when I began treating my mother in law someone said that to prevent energy going to the cancer one should set the intent prior to the treatment that Reiki should flow everywhere except to the tumour(s). This caused me some conflict since I have reached a point in practicing Reiki where my intention is simply to channel Reiki for the recipient and let them intend where it should go. Surely for me to set any intention is to allow 'me' and what I might think is best to get in the way ? So after much reflection I decided to go with how I feel which is not to set any intention other than allow Reiki to flow. I have found this challenging as it seems to me a matter of mind against heart if that makes sense :)

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Rainbow,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- I have no hard facts to support the idea of 'not sending ULE directly to a tumor' - I have no idea who openned that can of worms

>:-}}

- but, if in working with someone you wish to suggest to that person that their intention should stay away from focusing the energy directly at a tumor you may, of course, so counsel

- but I feel it is important to let the receipient form those sort of intentions

>:-}}

- but for myself, I have no hard facts that would lead me to counsel in that manner (to keep the energy away from a tumor)

- if at all, I might be more likely to suggest to a recipient that he\she visualize the energy shrinking a tumor

- but, such 'suggestions' are frought with the dangers of undue expectations on the part of recipients - so I am only likely to make such suggestions in cases where I know the person pretty well and can counsel about 'expectations' and cancer

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste :)

Thank you, this has given me a whole new perspective on the subject of intention as I had been looking at it from the practitioners angle rather than the recipient :)

I will discuss with the recipient what we have discussed here and see what she thinks.

Thanks again, I learn so much from you all here and I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue to learn and grow. :)

Gentle Blessings
Helen