The Reiki Cafe 

Hi guys,

I'm toying with the idea of getting a small tattoo.
Not fully decided yet though. I'd like to get the Reiki Kanji, but not sure where.

Any thoughts?
Evie

Eviemay,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- some might say the palms of the hands

- I might suggest anywhere along the Meridians that connect the hands to the Heart Centre (so, potentially one on each side of the body along the meridian on each side - do not need to be in the same location on each side)

>:-}}

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Dear FK,
on palms? interesting. I wonder if that would affect a person's karma due to additional lines or scars on hands.
peace,
Prosperity

prosperity,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- every thought, feeling, action, reaction we generate has effects (on others, ourselves, or both) - and as such accrue karma - so getting a tattoo will accrue karma

>:-}}

- since the tattoo process invloves altering the body in a somewhat painful manner - whether the effects of altering one part of the body would accrue Karma different from altering another part of the body?? I couldn't say for certain but might guess there might be at least some subtle differences

>:-}}

- for myself?? no tattoos or tatthrees

bagl

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Nor me _ I'm not really into blood sports.
My wife has a thing about tattoos, but, as my son so rightly says, "it's a good job tattoos hurt or Mum would be covered in them"
rofl, rofl,rofl.
Seriously, though, Eviemay, is the purpose of your tattoo to assist in the flow of energy in some way or to affirm your commitment to reiki or, dare I ask, purely for adornment? If the latter, that is a matter of personal choice. If either of the others, I would agree with firekeeper and also, if you wish people to be aware of the tattoo, somewhere visible. I realize that, in our climate, that leaves a VERY limited choice of locations !!!!
I am sure that, whatever you decide, it will be right for you.
Blessed Be,
Brian

My cousin and i are born on the same day, she is getting a tattoo and offered to get me one as well.
I have in the past considered getting one of the Reiki Kanji as a symbol of my commitment to Reiki.
Though the idea of going to the doctor when I'm old and wrinkly with a tattoo on my body usually sways me against getting one. LOL
I had been thinking along the lines with Firekeeper with regards to Tattoo being along those meridians. I don't think I could have them on the palms of my hands though.
Interesting thought on Tattoos affecting karma.

I'll let you all know if I go for it; But i think it's more of a passing idol curiousity to be honest!

Speaking purely from a tattoo angle. I would not suggest anyone gets them on their palms unless they enjoy the idea of not using their hands for a week or two.

Do you really want to get a tatoo? Don't do that! Tatoos are tacky. Best to stay "au naturel'.

A'im

Well,
I chickened out again. It's the whole permanence of a mark on my body that puts me off. A Reiki symbol would be the only one I would even begin to consider.
Then I wonder, What happens it the artist doesn't get it right or makes a mistake.

No, I think I will continue " au naturel", at least till my next big birthday roll round. ;o)

I have 7 of them :/

actually the way it is done they basically use a black pen and wax paper so you see the design before it gets put on you. Then they place the wax paper on you and the ink goes onto your skin.

After that it's a matter of them basically tracing over the design. Outline first then they fill in the spots.

Remember tattooists are artists. Chances are when you go into the parlor they have art books and anatomy books lying around. They are quite serious about their work.

Yes some aren't all that great. But most of em are at least decent and the reiki symbols are NOT complicated as they are all solid. They often have experience in doing kanji and chinese characters and it's common to see the pictures of them on the wall as something you can pick out. Though admittedly you'll probably be the first to have Reiki symbols done.

To ease your worry of the quality be a good consumer. Go to a few different tattoo places. Ask to see their portfolios so you see pictures of their personal work on someone's skin. If you see folks with well done tattoos ask them where they got it done. Even if not local ask if they have any local reccomendations.

When in the shop ask if they have a particular artist who does really good blackwork. They are like anyone else. They often excel at certain things. Some are good at solid black ( not difficult since it's all one solid color but some folks are just better at it), some are better with color some are better at shading or blending.

Explain to them that you are considering a specific spiritual tattoo, and that it's very important to you that it gets done correctly and that you are hesitant about getting a tattoo and see if they will let you watch. Very often less discussion than that is needed to get to see the show.

And never listen to what one shop says about another. No matter which one you are in they are the best in the area and everyone else sucks. So disregard that.

Also take a look around the actual work area. Look at their sanitation grade just like a restaurant. Look to see if it's all nasty and such ( the areas currently being used anyways. some other areas may have clutter). Look for gloves and fresh needles. A bonus is that some folks even take classes from the health department to learn about specific infections that may come about with their profession and learn how to be more careful to prevent such things.

Real life tat parlors are very rarely the old biker filled beer guzzling drug hangouts filled with smoke that looks kinda like a dirty bar like you see on TV.

and ignore comments from unknowledgable folks who think tattoos are tacky. they are much more populat with folks of all ages nowadays and are considered quite "cool" by most folks even if they'd never get one. And also keep in mind that tattooing is an ancient form of artowrk expressed on the body supported by many civilizations dating back to early tribal customs. Last time i checked a full irizumi body suit ( yakuza style full body tats) from a traditional master of the art in japan cost about $25,000 - $45,000. Tacky pffft. Some people just have no respect for the choices of others. A good reason I don't care for most people. Yes, that's a bit of a personal jab for a very obvious individual not so far from here in this thread.

eviemay,
Have you thought about mehendi? It is not permanent and some of the traditional designs are beautiful. Using that technique you could have anything "tattooed" anywhere.

Blessed Be,
Brian

eviemay,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- make a mistake? get out the tattoo eraser (there are now laser techniques to remove tattoo but I think even the laser process will leave a little scaring - and the process is not cheap

>:-}}

- I also vote for au natural

>:-}}

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Dave,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- yes, one of my pet peeves is people who dish it out but can't take a dose of the same

>:-}}

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Eviemay,

Hi.

Have you chosen properly for yourself? Only you know that. I, for one, do not find tattoos attractive, sexy, or the like. Are some creative and artisitic? Sure. But I guess I am not into even 'colourful' scaring of the body as a form of "elective surgery".

lol

Cheers (try a bit of Indian Mehndi instead),

RC

Otoharo!

I personally, do not like to see the human body vilafied in any way. It is so beautiful in itself.

finality

I'm not sure the actual price. I would imagine it varies depending on where you get it done. But if i'm not mistaken the price has dropped significantly from what it used to be. And yes it does leave some scarring.

Well calling it scarring I think is a bit off. In the case where the needle length is a lil longer it can raise the skin. However, it is possible to do it without the height of the skin changing. Mine are a combo of both just based on how the particular artist chose to do their work on me.

And also if i'm not mistaken tattoos do go away ...after death anyways. But the body does push the ink out over time which is why older tats aren't as strong colored. Even a healed one is lighter than a healing one. But really it's about like a skinned knee across the area.

Mind you , it's okay if someone doesn't care for them. It's a matter of personal choice like so many things. I felt the particular comment was a bit on the rude side hence my statement in the other post. It was insulting to me for obvious reasons, and I feel it was a bit rude to say to someone who obviously likes the idea of them even though

For myself, I'd probably be covered from head to toe if I had the money for it. And well a job where it would be accepted. As it stands now a long sleeve shirt with collar and pants and none of mine are visible.Even in short sleeves and shorts only half of em are visible.

Dear Eviemay,
Not sure if your question was about getting a tattoo, the location or the use of the Kanji :)
Im not into tattoos myself but I have seen some beautiful ones that were works of art. Have also seen some that would have earned an "F" in Art 101. Honestly, when I see someone with a badly executed tattoo it does not leave a positive impression. Maybe Ive seen too many of those prison movies featuring the knuckle tattoos & the tear drops! This is something I would pay extra to have done right if I was so inclined. The advice by Conflag re researching the tattoo parlor would be wise to follow.
Since this is your first I'd suggest placing it where it is hidden by your clothes. If you decide you like it you can always be bolder if there is a next time. There are folks that regret getting them down the line & pay to have them removed.

peace & joy,
holobon

Can I see a show of hands that have piercings in and on their body? Is it not a "body decoration" as tats are?

Did you know that a piercing is harder to get rid of than a tat? And they have a higher rate of infection than a tat?

So those who speak about scarring the body but wear earrings, studs, belly rings and god knows what else in their body...think again of what you did to your body.

Just my two cents worth.

LOL alot of the crappier ones are back porch jobs not done by professionals. Here in Abilene alot of folks have those that look like poo. I have seen some good work. But alot of it is people that had their drunk redneck friends do tattoos.

It can be done with something as simple as a guitar string.
But you can always tell the quality difference.Some use makeshift tattoo guns and such.

Dear Conflagration,
What I left out of my post was that the lousy tats look like the poor guy or gal passed out & their drunken friends experimented on them. I left that out as I didnt want to offend. So reading your post cracked me up. My close friend's daughter has several & none of them are good. She says she had them done in a legitimate tattoo place. I dunno about that, have my doubts.......

peace & joy,
holobon

angelhair,

Hi.

Yes, piercings are damaging to the body as well. I don't do those either. lol And I also do not find multiple ear studs, nose piercings, lip piercings, nipple piercings or anywhere else piercings particularly attractive or sexy or whatever..........

But that is just me. My wife has the standard one pierce on each ear and seems quite content with those (but that is just her I suppose)

lol

Cheers (I am not a pin cushion)

:)

RC

Dave,

Hi.

Not the first time I have been called "off". lol And probably not the last either. lol, lol

Of course a tattoo is a personal choice (unless someone in some manner coerced you into the tattoo). Self-immolation is also a personal choice for whatever reasons......

lol

Cheers (only accidental marring of the skin please)

RC

Peircings are fine, so long as they are on other people!!
I love the look of a peirced belly button or tongue. But under no circumstances would I get it done myself! Thethought of infection or it catching on something is too much. Ewh!

I like the idea suggested about getting the Indian Mehndi done. Kinda like trying on a tattoo to see if it's really for me in a way.

Where would I get that, or someone who can do it?