The Reiki Cafe 

I'm fairly new to reiki, though somewhat experienced with other self-empowerment(not the word I'm looking for, but I can't find the word) methods, such as magick, energy work, chakra-raising, etc. I'm wondering what exactly occurs, both on the physical plane, and chakra/energy-wise, during an attunement? Everywhere I go, attunements seem as hush-hush as boyscout Order-of-the-Arrow initiations. So here I'm asking straight out, what happens, and can it effect different potential energy attunements that another path could create? Also, does it have any effect on energy or psychic blocks?

Thanks in advance,
Abraxas

Abraxas,

Namaste.

Reiki is energy work :-}} - reiki being the name given to the particular practice of working with universal life force by Usui sensei.

Attunement procedures are now detailed on various websites for the ever growing number of "reiki" practice styles.

If you have experienced chakra energy through pranic exercises or some other work, then reiki will be no surprise to you.

An attunement, when done completely, involves opening the auric field at the crown and beginning the symbol ritual from there. A full opening and a fully receptive student will likely report energy shooting straight to the feet - no pains, no deviations of flow due to blocks, etc.

I find reiki and kundalini yoga quite compatible, actually.

Hope this helps.

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Thank you! It does help somewhat, but the energy work I do is more western in origin. Witch/druidic energy use often only makes use of the crown and root areas, and those mostly only due to the eastern influence, as they are optional. The energy work I do is much more direct than most western trad usages, most of which leave all energy-use to the subconscious. As such, I almost fear that my use, neither western nor eastern, could even hamper my learning in one side by the effects of "attunements"... I personally have done chakra meditations, and I'm still wonder the scien/mystic/practicional level of an attunement. What does the symbol specifically have to do with the attunement? How is it "attuned" to the chakras; is it etherically branded? What is the effect that causes pranic energy to flow through blocks? I know my questions are really really really strange, and maybe even stupid, but I have a really unique mind and hunt for answers that most may take for granted...

abraxas,

Namaste.

Pardon my skepticism - there is nothing "subconscious" about the intent in any magical practice. However, the subconscious can influence energy work. Oh yes.

The spiritual and magical practices of the druids were certainly more complete than isolating crown and root. None of the Elements and their corresponding chakra centers were ignored.

If you don't mind, what exactly is your training?

I am having trouble discerning from what tradition you are speaking.

Otherwise, it sounds to me as if you are asking for some "scientific" explanations. If so, there are books written from that perspective. I cannot quote a title at the moment but if you wish I can check my shelves for the titles and authors.

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Merry Meet Abraxas,
In higher magick practices you do more chakra work. There is a book call Modern Magick by Michael Kraig that deals with higher magick work. I understand the as above and so below, but there is also dealing with the vehicle that is the conduit for this connection. Magick goes further than you might think. Perhaps you are just looking for the next level of your practice. Look into that book. You might find some help there.
Merry Part,
Joanna
P.S.
Oh, this book will also let you know why the attunment process is so hush, hush.

Joanna,

Namaste.

Yes, Kraig. Also any of the formal compendia of the practices of The Golden Dawn; or The Magus; The Seal of Solomon.

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

I'm using this as a double-reply, due to the fact that the posts are similar. Basically, I personally believe that it's somewhat wrong to directly cross eastern and western practices, (at least in the sense of learning chakras in western magicks, etc) and I have been taught, by several traditions: druidic, wiccan, in addition to other, more blurrily aligned, traditions, and they all say that the direct energy transfer done in spellwork is by far too much for a human to concentrate on, while still concentrating directly on the magick... Specifically, they teach that the energy of the self is controlled, and directed, by the higher-self, or the subconscious. I have seen some books that claimed the the magick should be directed intentionally, but in general, most state otherwise...

Not sure why I'm going on about that, since I always direct energy directly, since I've done so before I knew what I was doing...

abraxas,

Namaste.

I cannot agree with you that the Higher Self is the Unconscious or subconscious -

I would like to hear your thoughts here - perhaps our referents are different.

This leads to the issue of the Collective Unconscious - is this then the "higher self" of humanity? I don't think so.

My reading of classic works of kabbala, hermeticism ,etc suggest that Intention is most integral - though not the only factor.

Direct energy directly? I still don't know quite what you are trying to describe. Would you describe "indirectly"?

:-}}

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

> I cannot agree with you that the Higher Self is the > >Unconscious or subconscious -

Okay...I'm speaking here of a belief that is strongly attuned to "fae" or "fey" wicca, (which doesn't directly have to do -with- the fae for some reason...

But the branch believes in three selves, somewhat jungian. There's the thinking, the lower(animal) an higher(divine)...The fae wiccans don't universally believe the higher self is a collective, though some do... Many believe "work" consists of something rhythmic or "livening" to rouse the lower self, which is mostly animalistic, and that the lower self speaks to the higher self, and finally that the higher self sends the "divine" energy as needed

>This leads to the issue of the Collective Unconscious - is >this then the "higher self" of humanity? I don't think so.

I personally do not believe the collective unconscious is actually a higher self. Though in a way it could be seen as that, because the divine "that is" can be seen to exist completely, and partially, in all people. The divine selves don't actually "collect", at least not directly.

>My reading of classic works of kabbala, hermeticism ,etc >suggest that Intention is most integral - though not the >only factor.

You're well-read! I feel far out of my league now *blushes*...but some forms of wicca, and neodruidism (though I tend to avoid the latter for many reasons) use subconsciously directed energy in spellwork, using the energy directly only in exercises, and occasionally in circle-drawing, spell completion (by willing all the spell's energy, which was not consciously positioned, to do its job)...

>Direct energy directly? I still don't know quite what you >are trying to describe. Would you describe "indirectly"?

HOOOOORRRRIBlE grammar on my part, I'm sorry.
Directly - "open chakras, feel energy flow, consciously guide energy, fully form energy, then release energy, all consciously" <--this is what I do often, though I rarely see in practice done...

Indirectly - "start reading 'spell' in chant or monotone, maybe music, feel a slight "high" (the energy flowing), then finish spell, and have the whole feeling vanish upon the statement "so mote it be" " <--this is what I have seen and heard most people do...

does this help explain where I"m coming from?

Abraxas,

Sat Nam.

Yes, different branches of the Wiccan and wider pagan community (I was priested several years ago) have slightly different beliefs about self, higher self, etc. However, the underlying (and overlying) processes of magical work are pretty much the same in any tradition regardless of words, etc., in my estimation -

- create a sacred space - cleanse, invoke, bless, execute the work, close the work, release the helpers, bless the workers, and soforth.

As long as 'will' is involved, unless one is a most advanced Adept, the process is largely "conscious" - to do work in a trance state is "conscious" at a different level (the mental body may be interacting on a different plane) - but this is not, in my estimation, a matter of the "unconscious" - which is largely dealt with symbolically - the unconscious is not 'literal' as is the waking state - or even some trance states.

From the Jungian perspective, dreams are the door to the unconscious - though some say that certain masters of meditation can get there - to the unconscious.

Hope this helps.

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste.

Excuse me for butting in on this thread :)), but spell work and magic immediately seem to suggest links to the occult and start alarm bells ringing ...I have always assumed wiccan to be kind of white witches and paganism as a deep connection to Mother Earth and nature.

Am I wrong in my assumptions?....I mean no offence to anyone with this question, it's just that I would never link Reiki in any shape or form to the occult, but it seems that many wiccans and pagans are also Reiki Practitioners.

Please could you clarify?

Many thanks
Love,Light and Blessings
Helen.

Helen,

Namaste.

Quite alright.

Occult means secret; arcane; mysterious; concealed. Nothing more (unless we add more).

At one point Reiki would fit this description - keeping the symbols "secret" and the knowledge mysterious.

However, there are those that have placed rather heavy and unfriendly meanings to the word "occult" - some who equate satanic with occult; and satanic cults can be "occult" too.

The Mason's - their secret knowledge and rituals can be said to be occult. Are they "evil"??

White Witches do white magic. Grey Witches do white and grey magic; Black Witches do all three, in case of doubt.

Any Magical knowledge, tradition, and practice by its very "secrecy" and mystery is occult.

The secret practices of shamans can be called occult too.

Hope this helps,

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste.

Many thanks for clarifying this.

I had always considered anything to do with the occult to be associated with evil and intent to do harm.

Perhaps this might in some part explain why the christian church is often opposed to Reiki....having been sort of brought up in the christian faith, anything to do with occult was seen as Satanic and/or black magic and in no way to be dabbled with.

Are these things secret because they are considered to be sacred, or is it just part of human nature to shroud things in mystery I wonder?

Love,Light and Blessings
Helen.

Helen,

Namaste.

Yes. And it was only in the latter half of the 20th century that the Catholic Mass was begun to be given in English -

- had been recited in Latin all those centuries - talk about occult. :-}}}

Yet doing "evil" can also be quite a matter of "national policy" - Hitler comes to mind. Not exactly secret there.

Sadly, the strong enmity that still exists in many quarters among the major monotheistic faiths does not, to me, speak well for the practice of the principles espoused in the respective doctrines.

Discrimination and persecution on such a large scale are matters of collective Karma - in my estimation.

Also, such minority spiritual groups as Wiccans or other neo-pagans are disliked by just about everyone who is monotheistic. Interestingly, the Hindus, the oldest organized spiritual tradition who also are pantheonic, seem to be left well enough alone, for the most part, and do not have to "hide" as do many pagan groups still. There are only a handful of states in the USA where Wicca is an accepted "religion" and Wiccans are free to worship publicly if they wish and establish "churches" which have the same rights and protections under the law as Baptists or Presbytarians or Jews, etc.

To me, overall, a sad state of affairs.

So now I will ritually burn my soap box. :-}}

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste.

There is much to be said for 'knowledge replaces fear'.

It seems that what is not understood fully is feared and often condemned.

Those of us practising Reiki would probably have been burnt at the stake a few hundred years ago :))

The traditional religions seem to be losing popularity these days,at least in this country anyway. Perhaps more and more people are keen to find their own sense of the Creator and Source.

I for one have found that Reiki and participating in the different forums has really challenged my beliefs and made me re-think my ideas about religion etc.

Love,Light and Blessings
Helen.

Helen,

Namaste.

It also seems true, at times, that gaining knowledge threatens those who felt they had some "lock" on it or who wanted certain things to be kept "secret" -

Someone once suggested that - to stand in the light is almost always right.

- This light also refers to what is made "public" when the power resides in keeping something private.

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste.

Yes, I understand what you mean.

There is also a saying 'knowledge is power'. I prefer to think that knowledge brings understanding, rather than power, as power to me suggests control.

Love,Light ands Blessings
Helen.

Helen,

Namaste.

Power. Ah yes.

For me it is the use to which power is put that is crucial.

Power for healing.

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper