The Reiki Cafe 

Reiki and money...the eternal question. I have engaged in a number of conversations with others practitioners about charging for rieki.

I am conflicted about "the price of reiki". To me and my well being, it is invaluable. I try to live my life in a way that honors all and gives back to the universe. I could never put a price on what reiki has given me.

Now the money part. I do not make my living from my reiki clinic. I am employed elsewhere as a full time teacher. I do not depend on the proceeds of rieki for survival. Thus the question. I often feel "not OK" about charging for reiki. I feel that it is a gift that I like to give to those in need and of course I feel so great during and after a treatment.

I have done several things in the past. I have charged and then donated the $ to a favorite charity. I have not charged at all. I have asked for a candle for my clinic...etc

I know many people make their living from the proceeds of reiki and I do not want to undermine their work by not charging. I also realize that many people put more value on something they have paid for...etc

Ok is there a question in here somewhere??? Yes ....but I don't know how to make my question clear. I guess I would like to hear from people about the issue fo payment etc.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

July

"be guided by angels and do good work"

July,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- if I have not already done so??

- Welcome to The Cafe. :-}}

I am glad for your voice and light.

>:-}}

- one view is that reiki is priceless

>:-}}

- on the open market, however, some will charge whatever the market will bear (keeping the P.T. Barnum maxim in mind) -

- that can be, of course, a lot of bull

>:-}}

- but who can predict the open market anyway.

bagl

- barter is sometimes a great way to exchange for reiki services

Reiki alla round,

all blessings,

firekeeper

Dear July,

Always an excellent topic for discussion...

It's something I've thought about a lot myself, and my current model is that of charging for my time (by the hour)
and not by degree.

I also appreciate the barter concept, and the PT Barnum reference. ;-)

I have never refused treatment or attunement because someone doesn't have money to pay either full or sliding fee. ('Course, I think allopathic medicine should be administered in that way, too.) Conversely, there are some people who couldn't possibly ever have enough money for me to teach them.

Donation is another way to go, although I had an interesting time observing my own reactions when someone donated zip for a card reading... ;-)

Thanks again for the topic.

Regards,

goldenisis

Goldenisis,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- yep, "donations welcome" does not translate "donations required"

>:-}}

- though sometimes a little fine print ("some sort of donation anticipated") couldn't hoit

bagl

reiki all around,

all blessings,

Firekeeper

Welcome to the cafe!

Yes, the eternal dilemma...

to charge or not to charge...that is the question. :-)

Might I add some more Shakespeare???

To thine own self be true!

You said, "...I often feel "not OK" about charging for reiki..."

So why is that? Do you have any preconceptions either way based on previous reiki experiences? Is it a conviction of the heart or any easy way to ignore your own self-worth? Either thought can lead a person to choose not to charge for reiki. And just because you work another job doesn't mean you don't deserve abundance in your spare time. If you choose to offer reiki treatments and/or training without charge because you have come to the conviction that this is the right thing for you, then you go girl. However, if you are conflicted because of any other reason, then examine your reasons before you decide which way to go. Everything that happens in life is an opportunity for us to see a part of ourselves. We can choose to accept it as part of us or change. You choose.

Blessings of peace of mind to you,

Herbmom

July,

Hello. Many of us if not all go through this situation. I personally charge a little. This is more for my time then the actual treatment. Some think I don't charge enough others think it is resonable. It all depends on the practitioner and what they feel is the right thing to do. I also agree with all the other responses to this post.

To me it all comes down to what the practitoner feels is the right thing to do, everyone is different.

crystalgirl

Namaste,
In my experience charging is situational.
I sometimes don't charge because I simply 'must' give treatments sometimes.
generally however I do, to accept reiki one must be gratefull, in this day and age money is a symbol of this, it also is a way of removing personal ego from the act (I have been paid so there is no feeling of 'giving'), bartering is certainly another way to do this.
Mostly I can say 'Gratitude, gratitude , gratitude'. I have found that when I give some things for free (psychic readings for instant) people take it for granted. they do not gain from this situation.
However there are many ways to come to the path (of insight), some will come to free Reki, but some will come to paid Reki.
I met a man recently who had become a Reiki Master' in a donation only reiki grpoup. He had gone to the attunements and boasted 'I just put 50pence in the box at the end', he then laughed. He also told me he had stopped practicing after a few months.
Although I am SURE there must be those who are eternally grateful, and gain a huge amount through free Reiki, it is exactly this attitude which brought about the concept of Reiki bartering in the first place.
I would also like to comment on the 'Guru/ teacher - devotee/ student) relationship which exists in non-western countries. This relationship has many flaws, but it also leads to the student spending time helping, learning humilty, and going through a process of surrender and love, not for the Teacher but for Reiki, the teacher is able to guide more freely also.
If we think of the ancient teachings of any art (Tai Chi, Meditation, martial arts etc) the student would travel far, live with the teacher, learn, help out around the house, and leave as a close freaind. the teachers each had their own methods, and the students migth well have gained from this. In this day and age, the patience and reverence for the arts have disapeared, tenage boys who abuse their bodies with drugs line up to join some black belt course, they do not bow, they do not care where each move came from. They learn in months not years.
Money helps people stop to think. If we do not charge we must at least try to create an atmosphere of gratitude and learning for those who come to us.
Love and light
Sutia

Dear July,
A good topic for discussion.... I tend to follow, no, I always follow my heart and intuition on this. I charge a reasonable fee which at times seems too little, and at times seems just right... I have my fee written down, but I also say that anyone can come regardless of ability to pay. At times, I am strongly led to tell someone the treatment is a gift, especially if I ask them if they would like Reiki. In fact, whenever I ask someone if they would like a Reiki treatment, it is always in the form of a gift.This usually works out, and I feel that I am taken care of somehow... usually the person gifts me with food, a small personal item...or other kindnesses. I often do exchanges with other energy practitioners, but we charge for family members. Sometimes people insist on paying more than I charge...and that is OK, too. I guess being rigid does not work for me...but my sense is that I need to be open to receiving gifts... It might be my own personal lesson.
Thanks for the topic,
Love,
Feather

-When I offer someone Reiki it is a gift. When someonoe calls me to schedule a Reiki appointment there is a fee.

-I am currently working on completing my Reiki Master training. I have paid much more for this than the going rate at our local community college. There was no question who I was taking my Master level from. Reiki training is so much more than just the attunements. My Master invests time in each of her students to make sure that we understand the changes that are happening within us. It is required that we assist in at least 3 level I and 3 level II classes. Our class of six meets regularly to discuss questions and concerns. My RM makes herself available to discuss issues, feelings, treatments, etc. This is a nine month program and I can't praise it enough. There is a bond with my RM and fellow students that will last into time eternal! I have had the Master attunements, does that make me a Master?....More like a Master in training:-)

Blessings,

Reikilady

Dear Sutia,

I appreciate your point about guru/teacher-devotee/student.

But another perspective on fees...

I've spent some good money on classes from which I took some interesting information, but do not pracice per se. A friend took paid classes in Reiki, including his master's, to broaden his learning, but never taught, and has another practice he uses regularly instead. I paid nothing for my current system, but use it more than I've ever used Reiki.

Warm regards,

goldenisis

Hello,

I guess this question is still something I need to answer for myself. . . since I haven't been here at the Cafe for quite some time and here is MY everlasting question staring me in the face!!!!!

One thought it brings to MY mind is myself questioning MY ability, still questioning how others view Reiki. . . is it real? Do they think it is real? Do they think they are paying for something that is similar to the fountain of youth "magic elixir" off the travelling gypsy wagon?

So far I have had one call to do reiki for a sick horse [not the owner who called me] I went & did one session and the horse is improving. The gal has said she will pay me which is cool since she called me. However I offered the owner to return for free and she never asked me to come back. Hence planting another seed of doubt of how people view reiki [how they see ME]

I have offered to do reiki a few times and do not expect payment when I offer! I'm with you on writing down your fees and being able to hand them to someone or read them off the paper, I think that would tend to help.

Well, Blessings to you all! I'll try to visit more often too!
Deb

I charge to teach and I charge to heal because my time and skills are offered. If someone cannot pay-I ask them to use the Reiki as a gift and pass it on. I too am a full time teacher[high school and community college]and sometimes I have a student who has no way to pay for training. I let the Universe take care of it. I was told Carolyn Myss was on TV doing a book signing the other night and was quoted as saying that she was a business woman and not ashamed of that. I believe(and I suggest that she does too)that our self-worth is reflected in receiving for what we give. Soooo...what is your time and energy worth? If I can't put a value in dollars on that, then I don't feel I'm really in touch with my own needs,including paying the mortgage and the heating bill. Honour yourself. Accept payment as seems appropriate. Be fair, be ethical, be realistic.

I charge to teach and I charge to heal because my time and skills are offered. If someone cannot pay-I ask them to use the Reiki as a gift and pass it on. I too am a full time teacher[high school and community college]and sometimes I have a student who has no way to pay for training. I let the Universe take care of it. I was told Carolyn Myss was on TV doing a book signing the other night and was quoted as saying that she was a business woman and not ashamed of that. I believe(and I suggest that she does too)that our self-worth is reflected in receiving for what we give. Soooo...what is your time and energy worth? If I can't put a value in dollars on that, then I don't feel I'm really in touch with my own needs,including paying the mortgage and the heating bill. Honour yourself. Accept payment as seems appropriate. Be fair, be ethical, be realistic.