The Reiki Cafe 

I was at Barnes and Noble the other day and they had a book of "shamanism for Idiots". I have to admit that I was a bit disgusted that such a spititual matter could be put into such a format.

Anyone seen "Reiki for Idiots"?

In my opinion, just another Fast Food way to learn something fast, not necessarily well.

Blessings,
Tracey

tracey,

hi,

Hav I seen Reiki for idiots?? OOOhhhhhhh, what a loaded question.

LOL.

Um, um, hem, haw, err......no comment.

LOL, lol, LOL

Cheers,

RC

Dear Tracey,
Sure & who do ya want taking you on a trip to the Underworld, a shaman who reads a book for dummies? Geez, shamanism made easy...wonder how long it will take before there's a Shaman Apprentice show or maybe Shaman Island? No disrespect meant, but popularity is the kiss of death in this society...nothing else ruins a good thing quicker....

peace & joy,
holobon

OK, I'M AN 'AUSSIE'.....
"BLOODY DISGUSTING" TO SAY THE LEAST!!.........do they have a 'LEARN TO BE A DOCTOR FOR DUMMIES'???, LEARN TO BE A DENTIST??? etc...etc...etc....
what is the almighty $$$$$$$$$$ capable of bringing down???
the $$$$$$$ hungry human species is beyond belief sometimes... arhhhhhhhhh...
luv wendy ann xxx

Actually I think the idea is awesome.The idea of these books is to help someone with no understanding be able to grasp what it is about. For instance "Shamanism for Dummies" is not about making shamanism quick fast and easy. Same with Reiki. It's about giving people a basic idea of what the particular book is about. For instance Windows for Dummies helps people to learn about Windows but does not bestow upon them Microsoft Certifications.

I used to laugh at the idea too until I found out that "Wicca for Dummies" is actually very useful according to some Wiccans I know.

The Dummeis and Idiot's Guide folks put these books out for a great number of topics. It's not meant to cheapen the topic only to help others understand the topic. In the case of something like Wicca, Reiki or Shamanism. Imagine you are having a conversation with someone who is brand new and interested in these spiritual practices. They have no idea what you are talking about and it all goes over their head. It's not about them being idiot's or dummies. Perhaps they simply don't understand how you are explaining it.

These guides assist someone in putting the ideas forth without going over one's head.

Think about the number of people who have posted threads asking how to explain Reiki to another. Well the Idiot's guide might be awesome for these folks.

I don't think it's so much about simplification as it is about making it easier to understand. It uses wording and terms that are easier for the general populace to understand.

As far as someone reading the Idiot's guide and practicing Reiki. Well that type of person tends to find a way regardless. Should we then say that all Reiki books are bad and perpetuate the same as you are conerned the Idiot's guide will?

For someone totally new seeking to get a general idea of the philosophies this is awesome. both Idiot's and Dummies are well known for getting the point across and putting things in a way the layperson will understand.

Ehehehehehe berrrryyy funny.

Dear Tracey,

Actually I think this is a good thing. The "Dummies" and "Idiots" books are available in a variety of popular topics. To think that the concept Shamanism is becoming popular enough to make it the topic of one of these books is wonderful. Think of the people who may begin their own path. Think of the accessibility when something that many consider "beyond them" is broken down into an easy to understand format.

Personally, I say the more the merrier! Lets get more lightworkers, more spiritually-minded, more healers out into the world. Yes, some will capitalize on it for a profit and some will take the "easiest is best" route. But, when you look at the potential for good...well, I just love that!

Lesley

yes Lesley you are right,
I hadn't thought of it in this light...to pick up a book that explains things so easy 'is good'..if they then want to go further, that's 'WONDERFUL'.... thank-you for putting this across, luv, Wendy Ann xxx

Dave,
You and Lesley have great points. I do worry though, about those who experiment or dabble with little information and get themselves into trouble. Yes, they will get in trouble no matter what, LOL but still I worry.

At a fair this summer I had a 15 year old boy come up to me and started asking me all kinds of questions. As we got talking he told me of his Wiccan work. He had no mentors, only what he had read. I asked him about grounding and protections and he had no clue. I sent him away with a free bottle of sage spray and a boat load of info. He came back the next day and bought some other things from me as he appreciated the advice.

It is young ones like this I worry about most. Heaven knows I got myself into some trouble dabbling when I was a teen! Got the wits scared out of me a couple of times (yes, it took more than once!) for me to realize I was over my head.

Astral travel being one of the ways I got messed up. I was successful (details upon request, LOL) but did not know much about getting "back". I came back separated and needed a friend to ground me. That was my first experience with a spirit guide as well. When I came out of the meditation there was a wonderful robed guide in my door way and stayed with me until I was OK.

Much love to all and some awesome responses,
Tracey

Well I for one started much like that 15 year old boy you mentioned.

Solitary practice is quite valid.

Based on my experience I think by the time you can realllly do damage to yourself or others you also have a much bigger knowledge base.

I dabbled for a decade before I got serious and am happy to report I didn't hurt anybody or myself and i didn't extinguish the sun ( Necronomicon joke there).

Actually the majority of folks I have met have been solitary in terms of more paganism oriented workings. Really New Age in general.

Whether poor or good the most instructed group I have found is in Reiki.

I think the reality of energy work is most of the real "juicy" tidbits are well kept or something one has to learn for themselves. What really advances someone can't be given by another.

There are times where a question would come up and someone more knwoledgable may have helped me to understand more quickly, so real specifics come to mind in sharing this tho.
But when we consider that spirituality is really in a way about blazing one's own path and finding out what we as individuals believe in a way going solitary is a bonus because you're not mucked up by everything every teacher has to share with you.

We may hurt ourselves or another unintentionally or even intentionally but it's all about the learning process and our own growth and evolution.

For myself had I not gone solitary there is a great deal in my life I would have missed out on. Not to mention i'd have never really discovered what I consider to be a big aspect of myself.

Hi Dave,
I read the Necromicon when I was 16 so I got the joke, LOL. Perhaps for Wiccan the path is different for learning, I can say that i honestly don't know much about it. It was not a way I wanted to go. So your words are good to ponder. As for Reiki, I am greatful for having teachers and friends to turn to with a question but yes, you are right that self work is meat and bones of it. Is it the same for Wiccan or other such disciplines?

Acknowledging my lack of knowledge here, I was not aware that Wiccan had concentrations of self healing like reiki does. Can you set me straight here?

Love and light,
Tracey

Well my view is that spirituality/religion is not for one person to tell another but for one to evolve and discover and learn on their own. It comes down to the illusion of everything. Another may have some truth and thus should be listened to and respected but we cannot allow their view to be our path because then we are living their path not our own.

I mentioned Wicca specifically because of the content of this thread about a particular book series.And my conversations with others who specifically follow this path and what their outlook on it was being of that faith. But yes Wicca does have techniques for healing one's self and another. Also these healing techniques came in the form of herbal medicines as well as energy work. If we think about it for a sec. Any technique that helps us to cultivate ourselves in accordance with Spirit is then healing in some context of the word even if it doesn't immediately come to mind.

The thing about modern paganism in general is this.Many of it's teachings be it Wicca,Druidism ,Shamanism, Voodoun etc.have been changed or lost over time due to the nature of verbal communication and the reliance on another's memory to be perfect. We know that this is the case. what we do now regardless of which specific pagan tradition is recreate the ancient lore passed down as best we can. But we know this too is inherently flawed. Soemone may say part of being Wiccan is such and such and the view of Wicca on a subject is suc and such. Sometimes this is the historical case. More often than not it's an interpretation based on what we do know.

Like how the Bible has been translated but when encountered in the oldest version we have we can see how some of the passages "can" be interpretted differently. Christianty interprets one way that is what makes it Christian. But when we examine the information from an outside perspective such as my more ecclectic nature oriented view we can then see how some passages can be seen in an entirely different light.

Sooo when we go to a teacher for such things as Wicca it's like going to a priest,preacher,minister. We get THIER understanding of it. Be this church doctrine or even at times what they were taught even if it contradicts the standard accepted interpretation.

So much time has passed we cannot go back to the human sources. We go on as best we can. With paths such as Wicca one often communes with the Goddess. And the Goddess answers and teaches just as others may have guardian angels or God answer and teach.

What is passed on from human to human is inevitably flawed now. So the only real true source is the God/Goddess, God in the christian sense, Great Spirit etc. The unvierse or Source to simply it all. So while other may have some bits of truth the best teachers are still those of Spirit such as totems or guides or angels or ancestors and Source. When we go to them we may all end up with conflicting info BUT we have the info that WE as individuals need at the time even if it is not spiritual truth.

As for paganism in general in the modern age, welll there is no real unity. Paganism itself is a hugely broad term so there are many more specific paths within it. In the case of shamanism different tribes may have a different outlook or practices. Wicca as a philosophy can be applied to different pantheons including greek and roman even if it was orignally more of a british isles spiritual path.

So as there is no real unifying body everything is ubject to personal specualtion. One Wiccan will tell you one thing, another may tell you the first was an idiot and they "know". but they may be clueless and the first source of info was right or niether may have any clue.

As there is no unfiying body it can be difficult to find a teacher or anyone to share your path with. Many pagans are not in touch with others at all they don't know who to meet or where to go so they are on their own. and in reallllly small towns they may be the only but in most places there are probably others scattered around the general vacinity, who are unaware another is even present. and again others may keep it so personal they are not comfortable doing rituals and such with anyone else.

In terms of spiritual development we have to ask ourselves if sticking to any preset organized path is what Spirit really is. For instance when someone decides to be Wiccan it is because they feel that is the truth. There is no guarantee that IS Universal Truth.

I am rambling a bit and hitting the vodka so if more clarrification is needed lemme know and i'll help as best as I can.

tracey,

Hi,

So, in my earlier Post I spoke too soon.

LOL

Think of the people who will call themselves Shamans because they have read a book or two?? Sounds an auful lot like folks who, on the basis of a few distance attunements, call themselves Reiki Masters.

As Madeye Moody would say: constant vigilance!

:)

Cheers,

RC

Dave,

Hi,

At this point I will settle for sardonic chuckles

LOL

Cheers,

RC

holobon,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- I rememeber when Sun Bear, a rather reknowned medicine man and shaman, died - there were many who could not believe he died from cancer (karmicaly, a disease of 'Heart Centre')

- suggests to me that there are kisses of death...and, kisses of death

- but, all that aside??

- I stand with you on this one

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Hi,
I work in a bookstore and the 'Dummies" and "Idiots" books are great on all manner of topics. The name, unfortunately, tends to put some people off. Another really good Reiki book is in the "Everything" series - it is a really comprehensive book on all aspects of Reiki - the current controversies, history, what to expect when learning Reiki, how to choose a good teacher etc etc. I have recommended it several times to people looking for a good all-round book. The book I take exception to is the 'Teach Yourself' series - yes, there is a Teach Yourself Reiki book - and in verrrry small print it does point out that an attunement is necessary, but gives the impression that the book contains everything you need to learn and practice Reiki by yourself - not so good. I think it is great that there is a choice of books on subjects such as Reiki.
Love, Light & Reiki Rainbows
Namaste
Eaglestar