The Reiki Cafe 

Buck has been asking several questions regarding attunements by people like William Rand and Kathleen Milner just recently, this got me to thinking (dangerous I know LOL)

I know that when he was active with Reiki, that Vinny was a regular poster here, that and his excellent manuals means that over the years he must have influenced many of us in the way we practice.

For myself things like Mindfulness (the message that Peter ( Firekeeper) still mentions a lot) and simplicity have really become the way that I have gone. The separation between what is an add on to Reiki and what was there from early days was also something that Vinny pointed out a lot. These days some of the other well know names have also started to mention this, but Vinny was there years ago.

What about his Reiki-Do writings (the art of being REiki) If you have read them, how have they influenced you?

So if you really think about, how have his words and ideas influenced and do they still influence you today?

For those that are not aware of Vinny and what he wrote, URLs can be given to his manuals.

For me Vinnys writing, both on this forum and on his webistes have probably been some of the most important stuff ever written about Reiki. What do you think?

Namaste

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

Rob,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- to my knowledge (which is always open for enhancement) Vinny was one of the earliest to use an internet website to codify information he had gathered as an historian and integrate that with what he had learned from discussions with early contributors to The Cafe and his own take on energy work, Reiki in particular

- as one who conversed with him many times, I am pleased to reminisce that I introduced him to a work that dealt with a Buddhist approach to psychotherapy and mindfulness (as Vinny is\was a practicing psychologist) - I include 'was' as it has been several years since anyone has heard from him - I do, of course, hope he is alive and well and happy)

- so, the long and short of it is that I did and do greatly value the work that Vinny did to make many aspects of Reiki and Reiki history free to those seeking

- in this vein I would also thank James (fascin8or) for the historical codification he has done over the years at his website

>:-}}

- I will also say that Vinny and I had our respectful disagreements as well - especially when it came to distance attunements - also about learning Reiki without the benefit of a teacher and hands-on practices

- thanks, Rob, for remembering Vinny

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Hi Firekeeper.

Yes so true that James should also be mentioned in the greater scheme of influencing people. James is more than an historian.

Back to Vinny. I seem to remember that some of his ideas at the time didn't go down to well. I know from my own experience that when I first saw his writings I questioned where this guy was coming from lol, but like many things, if you think about it, it all makes sense.

Thank for your reminiscing, it does help to know how people got to where they are/were.
Namaste

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

Rob,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- as I always say, sometimes: Reminiscences can be fuel for growth and moving ahead

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Hi Rob,

Namaste :)

I remember Vinny contributing here in the beginning. I loved his humour :) I remember what has always stuck in my mind is him once saying that Reiki is not something that you do, you simply need to 'be Reiki'. I am not very good at putting into words his exact words but that was the gist of it :)

I also still refer to his manuals from time to time. I try to keep my Reiki practice simple. A Great Reiki Teacher and compassionate man and I have to say I miss his presence.

Gentle Blessings
Helen

Otharo!

Apparently, I came after Vinny. but I also say, we do not DO reiki we BE reiki. the energy of doing is counter to being, feeling, knowing.

finaltiy

Apart from being influenced by someone who was influenced by him , I would have to vote not much at all in my case. I wasn't too familiar with his work but have seen bits and pieces from time to time.

James on the other hand I would say has been more of an influence for my person, by means of conversation on forums. Though I have gone through a fair bit of his website.

For me I am more easily influenced when what is offered seems to be more in line with my own thinking. Many times it's the way he phrased something that then could later help me to communicate my own views. Food for though on undeveloped views and such.

For that matter Peter here has helped me to reflect alot on my own views.

However, I do remember Vinny's pressence (it wasn't til closer to his time of mysterious departure that i knew him as a bigger figure in the Reiki community)when i first came to this forum around 6-7 years or so ago.

I am curious if anyone has ever found out what happened to him. I haven't been very active in Reiki forums at all in probably close to a year and just remember folks saying " Hey, anyone know what happened to Vinny?"

But there have been folks who through their postings have been equally influential without the vast repositories of information stored on their well known sites. I already mentioned Peter. But Finality and especially you, Mr. Rob and of course Craig ( Reiki-4-All buddy for those who don't know the name). Actually i'd say that Rob and Craig were the ones who opened me up to what James had to say in the form of " You should really check out this information,Dave."

Dear Mr. Rob,

I remember Vinny, too. And his humor. He is missed.

As for his influence on me? When I first became interested in Reiki, the first thing I read was that dratted Diane Stein book, along with others. It was on Vinny's site, that I discovered that so much, er, uh, -stuff, I had read was not Reiki at all. Reiki Pure and Simple really lived up to its name. It gave me a much better perspective on what Reiki really is.

Rock On!
Roxy

Rob,

Hi,

I arrived here maybe 8 months before Vinny's last registered login. I can't say we interacted a great deal but I can say that my recollection of the tone or energy or terseness of some (certainly not all) of his posts suggested, to me at least, some unhappiness or perhaps disillusionment with Reiki. Not that he ever confided such in me, yet............

However, I feel I would have liked to have known him longer and more fully (as fully as anyone can know another from a website or Forum).

Cheers,

RC

Beautiful Easter to you, Rob. Reiki Plain and Simple was one of the first websites that I ever read....trying to learn more about Reiki thru the Internet. And even after studying other sites....I kept returning to Vinnie's....for it's comfort, rightness, keeping it "plain & simple"....not muddled up with politics.
I liked that he felt it was meant for everyone even while teaching the beginnings and directions that Reiki was taking. I've not known him personally nor spoke to him....but he definitely made a difference for me concerning growing with and being Reiki. Thank you for asking.

Firekeeper
How very true.
Infact this reminiscing over the last week or so fro me has made me look back at his work and reread certain things with a newer perception.

Namaste

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

Hi Helen
Yes the Be Reiki thing is perhaps one of the most profound and important things ever written about Reiki.
I give all of student a copy of the BEing Reiki writings as well as other seekers of knowledge, if they are interested.
To say that with many it does totally change their perceptions of Reiki and how it is practised is an understatement, coupled with the Japanese techniques manual that I put together with James help (and also freely distributed) it has re affirmed for many their interest and faith in the practice of Reiki.

Namaste

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

Hi Dave
Well in your absence LOL I know I have moved on a lot from where I was a year ago with Reiki and yes most of it is down to the little clues that James leaves scattered around.
Things like Reiki not being an energy, but being a method for accessing the energy.
The re-examination of where the energy comes from based on something that has been in open view for ages, but James highlighted and many other little things.
This thinking coupled with Vinnies thoughts and then looked at at tried has given many a new insight for myself.

Strangely enough quite a bit of what Craig and myself were saying 2 to 3 years ago (which was based slightly on what Vinny was saying way further back) is now being hailed by some as the way forward. Frank Arjava Petter has simplified his practice. The Stienes are making the very big distinction between what is New age add ons and what isn't.
Although what part we played in that thought is not known and probably not connected at all LOL, but people are now feeling brave enough to put those distinctions into print (Craig and myself having taken a battering for saying a lot of it LOL)(mind you they are probaly a little more diplomatic in the way they put it over LOL)

I think that what is happening is that within the Reiki community that there is a general move towards simplifying. It started with Vinny.

Namaste

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

I believe he did make a profound difference in the way Reiki is learned and now taught (although my recent fuss has been focused on two individuals in particular, I am researching modern Reiki History and that involves Amador, too.)

I seem to recall arguing with him about the subject of performing attunements in the nude...

oooooooooo la la, stephen!!!

Hi Rob, I wasn't familiar with Vinny Amador before your post. Just wanted to thank you for bringing up his work. For others not familiar with his work that would like to read it: I googled his name + reiki and was brought to the Reiki-do website.

LOL Rob. I've never been the follower of anyone or anything in totality. So don't worry about corrupting me. : )~ Actually I have let alot of the technicalities fall by the wayside so to speak. Trying to get back to basics myself. Am essentially retraining myself from the ground up.

So of course anything you have to contribute is going to be helpful ( just as soon as i cut apart every lil word, flip it upside down, kick it to the curb then go back for the pieces i didn't mean to kick to the curb).

I have a wonderment that the reason Vinny dropped of the forums was not because of disillusionment of reiki but with the practice what you preach methods of others on the site.
I think I heard the name of Vinny some time back on this site but didn't follow it up. So I'm not so much influenced as curious. I have a feeling that he's on his way back.

cool runnings vinny wherever or whenever you are.

Hi Jaguar

There is many a folk who walks away from Reiki, or rather the mixing with other Reiki folk, not because of dissalusionment with Reiki per see, but with because of other of other Reiki folk and the way Reiki can at times seem to be heading as a modality.

I am not sure anyone here really knows why Vinny disappeared, or if they do they are not telling. It would be good to see him return thou.

Namaste

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

Rob, that's kind of why I slipped out for a bit. Needed to step out of the mess and have some time to reflect on things. But i've been practicing Reiki same as always.

Sometimes, people get so caught up in the day to day, and the muddle of always on my mind, that to step away to 'find' where one is at and how is the best thing to do.
For me, though I am reiki, I sometimes associate myself as reiki which is a bit egocentric. Pride goes before a fall and I'm very aware of that.

"cool runnings vinny wherever or whenever you are"

Love your words, jaquar!

I was under the perception that he was being bombarded for his beliefs....somewhat like Diane Stein. Almost hate mail and such....some folks live in such fear....and no one needs to
be rained on like that....I wouldn't blame anyone for stepping away. I felt like he gave and gave....until he was being hurt for it....but that's just me.

ponderings,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- Vincent never mentioned harrassment to me either at the Boards or privately (though I would not really have expected him to do so)

- if he was being harrassed and therefore pulled away from various Forae, why would he leave his manuals and his name out on the internet??

- if, out of need, I wished to limit or eliminate any public display of my connections with Reiki, I would not leave behind such stuff as a website with my name on it

- but, perhaps that is just me

>:-}}

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Good questions, Firekeeper. I think he left so many gifts for us, because it was his desire to share Reiki in the best way that he possibly could....from his heart...what was his truth....leaving us a legacy just as Dr. Usui and Mrs. Takata and all the other wonderful Reiki teachers wanting to help us along our pathways. Gifts that others could never destroy nor lessen...even while they might have disagreed or had their own fears.
I don't believe he wishes to limit....but to expand...without the human hassles.

"(though I would not really have expected him to do so)"
as he is as private as thee....two wonderful human spirits...here to help in so many ways. Thank you, Firekeeper.

ponderings,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- speaking for myself, and I will venture for Vincent as well, you are most kind

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper