The Reiki Cafe 

Hello Everyone,

I have a thought I'd like to get some views on. I hope I'm able to articulate what it is I'm suggesting so if you're scratching your head, ask and I'll keep attempting to clarify.

:-))))))

In regards to spirit guides, etc...

It has become interesting to me how many folks rely on guides to help with their healings, not just in reiki practice, but in any place that someone might journey for healing.

Being raised Catholic, I've been exposed to the Mother Mary and of course, Jesus, the saints, angels, etc. Also having done some bible study (not too much...it hurts my brain) I get a bit confused as to how these entities have grown to the proportion that they have.

The bible does not portray Mary as having such power as she is given today for example...unless... it is the "adoration", etc. over the last 2000 years that she has been given and thus it "ramps" up her energies, causing her to "grow"...it is in essence we who are contributing to her expansion.

Does this make any sense?

I have to smile and think about "The Secret"...what you focus on expands. Hmmmm. Do we empower our guides by focusing on them? (I know they can empower us...)

And if that's the case, ought we not be extremely careful about who we deal with? And the intention we place with them?

Just a random thought...

All blessings,
Mammabear

Dear Mamabear,
I was also raised Catholic and Morman although I consider myself Catholic and the Blessed Virgin Mary is menttioned more or acknowledged more in the Catholic church however still trivialized. It is a mystery. From what I was taught when you focus on a saint, it's their attributes that is to be recognized so as to empower them within yourself. Thanks for your post as it rasises a good point as to how much attention we ought to be giving spirit guides. Spirit guides vs. intuition. The voice of God, Goddess in a form or voice we can relate to. Then again a human could also be border line pyschotic and may need counseling or anti-depressents if they are hearing voices or seeing guides. What a person's environment is at the time is important as well as what we're are going through. To me a prompting is to be noticed and possibly followed through if not too radical. IF A prompting is to put gas in the car then it's a good idea to do it.
Peace,
Prosperity

My Dearest MammaBear,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- for myself? This does not sound much like a 'random' thought

>:-}}

- anywho, one view is that to attribute our energy work to other entities really is nothing more than an attempt to separate ourselves from the responsibility of what we do

- and, spirit guides are not servants to be called at whim to do one's bidding (even if that bidding is Reiki)

>:-}}

- such entities have their own agendas which may not always coincide with ours

- since that is the case, I agree with you that it is important to be very critical (and careful) about what sorts of intention we try to assign to what entities

>:-}}

- and, depending on how much of the 'work' one tries to impart to an entity (spirit guide) when doing Reiki, for example, one gets farther away from Reiki and closer to prayer

- to say one will do distance Reiki and then call on spirit guides to do this is rather false advertising I would say

- one has not asked permission to use spirit guides has one!!

- Reiki and prayer being quite different processes, afterall

- thanks for the thought

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Prosperity,

Namaste...

Thank you for your response.

Yes, I do understand what you say about focusing on a saint/guide intending to empower ourselves with the attributes associated with those saints/guides. I have found this to be helpful in many ways.

But I am wondering, if in addition to that, that there is also a type of "exchange" from us to them. Does our love/devotion/adoration/offerings, etc. not just bring the energy to us, but can in fact, build up the power within that entity/guide?

Can it work this way...or is it perhaps that the more we focus the deeper understanding of that guide that we have that makes it seem more powerful, etc.? Or probably some of both...

:-)))))

I use Mary the Mother of Jesus because she is a good example. She was always placed in high regards by the Catholics, but there is also a great non-Catholic following as well.

People claim her energy is incredible and many seek the love/healing they feel from her. Was this always so? Or are we just discovering the power of her?

I guess my question is one of those...will we ever know questions. LOL But just curious if folks have really thought about the relationship they have with guides. What is really happening there...

...what if guides give us information just to keep themselves "alive"?

Now there's a really random thought!

Some may be very loving and very helpful, I would never dispute that they can have great value. I have enough experiences to know that is true.

But I have also learned to do reiki first, then ask questions after. And I only do if the person I work on would appreciate that done for them.

Which is mostly the case but still...

Thanks again,

Abundant blessings,
Mammabear

good questions, mamabear. I was self-healing after just having read several articles on Takata sensei...and a young woman appeared in my mind's eye.....I realized that it was Takata sensei (as she is now???)....she was smiling and I was smiling....and she was there to help me in my healing process. I hadn't asked her help....If we accept that the energy field involves everyone who has ever been and we are all one....why could we not request and receive another's energy...with their permission? Or receive with their desire to give? Adam, Dreamhealer....got me started thinking this way....and I'm prepared to hear from Firekeeper....for I'm learning so much. Thanks for listening & sharing.

My Dear, Dear Firekeeper,

Namaste...

Very kind of you to respond. Once again you come to my aid.

:-)))))

But now you've gone and opened the door...so I'm stepping in with a bunch of questions.

It's that BearCatwoman curiosity again.

BAGL

Ok, first...this is off where I was going with my random thought but let's get into it. We've had umpteen posts about guides and I have questions.

So I invite you to pull up a chair, grab your favorite beverage and let's chat. (Careful not to spill on the keyboard, of course.)

:-))))))

- "anywho, one view is that to attribute our energy work to other entities really is nothing more than an attempt to separate ourselves from the responsibility of what we do."

I have to tell you, guides can distract me because they often come when I don't even ask. But if I am familiar with the guide and have felt them very "safe" and loving, I'll do ask them if they'd like to help for the person's highest and best good...let them and get back to doing reiki.

I have felt some incredible surges of reiki when they come. Is this irresponsible of me to allow them to help? Could Mammabear have accomplished the same results by herself? I'm sure I could if my mindfulness/intention was more focused at the time.

I'm assuming this is what you are suggesting in your statement? Let me know if I'm wrong.

But when that happens, Firekeeper, it's like a reality check for me. Am I being the most mindful I can be? Are my intentions clear? Was that guide trying to help me in my work as much as he/she was there to help the recipient?

In that scenerio, you can imagine my gratitude and humility. And also my need to practice some more!

Second, (hope I'm not being a pain...)

"and, spirit guides are not servants to be called at whim to do one's bidding (even if that bidding is Reiki)"

As often as I have invited guides to help (btw...I always do this after I've finished administering reiki unless they show up beforehand as mentioned above) I have never once felt like a guide was upset with me for calling upon them. I do ask humbly of course...never demand. And am always very grateful for their help. I am humbled often by what is said to me on behalf of the person I am with. Often what is said is incredibly beautiful and healing.

I suppose there are people who "expect" help...but I hope they don't hold those entities "captive". I would think that would be detrimental to both.

Thirdly, (can you tell it's raining outside I have extra time to type)

:-)))))

VERY interesting you mentioning prayer...I have to say I hadn't really thought of it that way, but it's true. No wonder I feel differently when engaged in that situation vs. doing the reiki. It is different. Makes me think of "conversations with God"...but only "conversations with angels, etc., etc., etc." The energy does seem "higher".

And now I'm going to be very naive and ask...do people ask guides to do their reiki "for them", and not be engaged in the sharing of reiki other than to call in a guide???? Is that what you are suggesting?

If it is, my mouth is on the floor. I should have washed my floors today, had I known.

bagl

Also please check the response I typed for Prosperity. It addresses more the "random thought" I was posting.

bagl

So how did we go all over the place today?

Oh...that was probably me.

bagl

Love chatting as always...

Abundant blessings,
Mammabear

My Dearest MammaBear,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- a lot for an olde coyote to gnaw on

bagl

- but, such a wonderful handful you are

>:-}}

- I'll acquire a wee dram or two and settle down at the key board later this evening

- but for now an additional question: in calling upon guides to 'help' with Reiki or allowing a guide to 'help' with Reiki, how does one differentiate the help from the actual doing of the Reiki (or whatever else it is one might be doing?) How does one know what the the guide is doing? Or not doing? Again, they are not house elves, so to speak.

- and, I feel it important to reiterate that if I ask someone for Reiki I do not expect that the practitioner will involve 'guides' or other helpers without my knowledge and consent - for me it is really that simple

- talk later

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

whoosh....but you folks bite off a lot to chew....or should I say....a lot to drain??? wow....I've not been much of a "thinker" in my life....I'm slow to learn....but ouch, if your words haven't been sending me into a hyperspace of thinking...
I'm honored....thank you, mamabear....firekeeper....

My Dearest MammaBear,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- so, now that the kittens are asleep and the house is quiet and I have a dram or two before bed, let's see

>:-}}

- you said: "I have to tell you, guides can distract me because they often come when I don't even ask."

- yes, they can distract from your mindfulness; and, not all 'asking' is done from the the front of the mind, so to speak

>:-}}

- and, in energy work when things go awry or seem other than we intended, being distracted is our responsibility, afterall

>:-}}

- you said: "Could Mammabear have accomplished the same results by herself? I'm sure I could if my mindfulness/intention was more focused at the time."

- I know that you accept responsibility for your own mindfulness - very Key

- but, I suspect you will never know if you can do it on your own unless you work without this net you seem to feel you need - a net that can be a treacherous web as well!!

>:-}}

- one view is that when someone calls upon Mary, for example, the call is upon the spirit she symbolizes - not her Spirit; not an actual entitiy

- true guides or helpers are entities not simply symbols or ideals of some value or another

- if one calls on Mary, of example, I suspect that one is delving into aspects of their own Shadow to draw on those qualities - in the case of Mary one's Golden Shadow I would presume

>:-}}

- as for guides that show up unasked for?? It happens. This is not a situation of obligation for me, let's say' to ask for or accept any "help" - though from time to time I have accepted blessings or 'empowerments' that are offered (but these are separate from any work I might be doing at the time)

>:-}}

- so, entities can be curious and sometimes simply wish to watch over our progress - to call to them is not necessarily a sign of growth

>:-))

- one of my Maxims: no one else, nothing else can be a bodhisattvah for me!!

- sleep well, dream well, be well

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

My Dear Good Teacher,

Namaste...

Yes, the kittens! Have you decided on names?

Perhaps Larry, Curly and Moe?

bagl

Now it's time for afternoon tea. I had a hectic morning or would have gotten to you sooner.

A bit of a tragedy for one of our workers...a sudden passing of her father; devastating for the woman. He was truly her hero and knight in shining armor. So I had some "stuff" to do.

Now where were we...?

Ah yes, first you caution that guides can distract me from my mindfulness, which we both acknowledge completely.

But...

...but

...but

I get these incredible conversations sometimes. And I'm not sure how I could orchestrate such wisdom that comes from them in my own wee brain without their prompting.

And yes, I know I'm not talking about reiki here.

:-)))))))))

But when it's to help someone in need...

...I feel I should do all I can.

Perhaps I'm already caught in the web?

BearCatSpiderwoman...Yikes!

Or should that be BearCatFlywoman since I'm the one who's caught!

LOL

Do you want me, dear teacher, to instead consider finding the "Mary" within?

The "Jesus" within?

The "angels" within?

That is a lot harder work, you know.

:-)

I would think that would certainly fall in the category of "growing".

:-)

So then, what do I do?

When they come, acknowledge that "part" of me that the entity may represent; thank them for putting me in touch with what I need to do, and perhaps over a time of digging very deep within, I can go solo without their needing to point anything out in particular.

I would think a good gauge for that is...is anyone showing up?

LOL

Some would consider that a decline in "abilities" if no guides would show up.

And many paying people oooohhh and aaaahhh over the mentioning of guides which makes it appealing to call on them, no?

Oh gosh, now we're into ego.

I'm really in trouble now, aren't I?

Well, off to work on my taxes (talk about trouble...) I'm still not finished, been drinking to much tea and chatting with friends.

But what's life without tea and friends...

Abundant blessings you to and your expanded clan,

Mammabear

Ponderings,

Namaste...

bagl

I'm not much of a thinker either...

...my head hurts, too.

LOL

LOL

LOL

Perhaps a reiki share would be in order?

bagl

Firekeeper can bring the beverages.

:-)))))))

We're all just here to help each other Ponderings, at least I hope that's the intention.

Enjoy your day and all the blessings it brings,

Mammabear

My Dearest MammaBear,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- I am honored to be thought of as teacher by you

>:-}}

- you said in part: "Do you want me, dear teacher, to instead consider finding the "Mary" within?"

The "Jesus" within?

The "angels" within?

That is a lot harder work, you know

- yes, that is the work of enlightenment

- and, My dearest BearCatSpiderFlyCoyoteOwlWoman - where else will you find them????

>:-}}

- I feel it is important not to confuse aspects of ourselves that are in the Unconscious and need bringing to the light of day (Shadow and Golden Shadow) and other entities

- part of the matter is not projecting our more easily accessed values onto autonomous entities (guides) that are not contents of our Unconscious

- to liberate and come into balance with aspects of our Unconscious (the spiritual and not so spiritual) is what growth and individuation is all about

- to rely on 'external' entities to do work for which we must be responsible is another matter altogether - this creates the web of which I made mention -

- but, yes, it is also important to 'listen' to guides

- by all means, incorporate what one feels one learns - this is not at all the same as asking (or allowing) them to step in (which is how I read many comments about Reiki guides, etc. from others)

- when I have raised these issues in the past, the responses that have come back suggest my reading of the questions or statements were correct - folks are asking about allowing 'guides' directly into their Reiki or other energy practices

- we cannot grow in our work if someone else does any of it

- and, I would suggest that a true guide (external entity) which has your growth on its interest agenda will not take responsibility for what you must do yourself- bodhisattvahs have pretty much managed the resolution of Ego, afterall

- certainly if I were such an entity I would not

>:-}}

- the kittens are: Males (2): Females (1)

- Tonka (after tonka beans - as he is very full of beans)

- Sherpa (climber in Tibetan) - as he was the first to climb high (within just a few hours of being brought to our house) and then leap off some stairs onto the top of our coat rack (hats piled on the top finial) and cascade down to the floor in an avalanche of hats (unhurt)

- Kali (her name says it all) - bagl

- take care - hope the tax-thing goes well - we are pleased at having IRS refunds in the bank and can forget that chore for another year

>:-}}}}

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste...

BearCatSpiderFlyCoyoteOwlWoman

OMG. I'm such a zoo.

LOL

That explains sooooo much.

LOL

And also honored to be considered Coyote by you!!!!

:-)))))))))))))

Thanks for walking with me awhile through words.

I do believe we are "on the same page". Not that I really thought we were ever "off" but I just needed some clarity.

I have that now so thanks.

Have fun with the kittens. Sound like a great handful!

We're having fun preparing for the upcoming holiday. Egg painting on the agenda Thursday and basket making Saturday...lots of ham and sweet potatoes on Sunday.

Then there's the whole sacred part of the day for me.

:-)

Thanks for the well wishes for the taxes, too. I think we'll fair ok, but not as well as last year. But Papabear reminds me that I say that every year.

:-)

So we'll see where the dust settles today.

Take care, good friend.

All blessings to you and yours,
Mammabear

MammaBear,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- yes, sounds as if we are on many of the same pages of any number of 'books'

- including the 'Encyclopedia of Magical Animals'

bagl

- take care,

Reiki all around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Firekeeper,

Namaste...

Just a quick note.

Last night we had the monthly reiki share at the hospital.

It was mostly practioners this time, which means we all had a go on the table. Very nice.

Anywho, I worked very hard with some of the ideals we tossed around in this post.

And let's just say, I felt things "kicked up a notch".

:-)))))

Thanks again,
Mammabear

MammaBear,

/*\ Namaste :-}}

- well, how splendid is that???

- >:-}}}

- thanks for the feedback; always valuable

- take care,

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

Dear Mamabear,
You are welcome. I happen to like Marge Simpson & I often ask myself "what would Marge do?" joking.. although I have met people who seem perfectly sane if not gifted who regularly talk and see their guides and know their names.
peace,
Prosperity

sounded like wonderful thinking to me.....thank you, Mamabear...Firekeeper. May I ask what bagl stands for? I'd love a Reiki share. You've all definitely been helping me. Thank you.

Ponderings,

Namaste...

BAGL

Bust a gut laughing.

:-)

An oldie, but a goodie.

:-)

Blessings to your Easter holiday, if you celebrate it.

:-)

Abundant blessings,
Mammabear

oh, I like that...."bust a gut laughing". Glorious celebration to you, too, mamabearcoyoteowlwoman...I love your heart.

Dear all...

I have so enjoyed reading this thread - sorry I've come upon it a little late!

I was brought up in a family that was more or less atheist, certainly there was never any mention of god in our house. But my parents were lovely people, specially my mother, which I think maybe goes to prove that you don't need religion in your life to be a good person! ;-)

So I do not rely on any spirit guides, angels, archangels, saints...as they were never part of my culture. However, I do recognise that I'm probably in the minority and, when teaching reiki, always assure my pupils that if they want to call on these entities they are very welcome to, but it is not part of my own teaching.

I have a curious anecdote to tell......I think this is going to be a coffee & bikkies post (Like Mammabear's!) so get comfy... :-))

When I was attuned to Imara Reiki, it was done distantly by a man with whom I'd communicated a lot on the 'net, but had never met. We made a day & a time, and I waited to see what I would feel. Nothing happened at that particular time!

However, a few hours later, when I was in bed & asleep, I was suddenly awakened by a feeling like a laser hitting the back of my neck & tingling that shot all the way down my spine!! I had the mental picture of a man with a goatee beard. The sensation was amazing & left me vibrating for quite a while afterwards - it was almost like kundalini going in the other direction!

The next day, I told him about this, and he said he'd forgotten at the time we'd arranged, and had done it much later....and yes, he had a goatee beard!! Oh! He sent me a pic of himself & it was the face I had visualised! He also said that he had mentally placed a citrine quartz at the third vertebra at the top of my spine!

Umm....have I gone a tad off-topic?? Sorry! <blush> Oh yes..spirit guides! Well, I think we must indeed take the responsiblity for healing on ourselves...perhaps we lack sufficient confidence to believe that we are indeed healers in our own right & feel that 'somebody must be helping us'? We are all healers!!! :-))

Thais, thank you for your wonderful sharing here.....loved every word. Such wonder!!!

Otoharo!

I can't see where I have made any comments either. I do not have the consciousness of any of the guides from religion either. From Lazaris and Urantia I learned that each of us has two angels, Seraphim, one of which is always with us. These are the ones who translate for us what our Higher Self says before we are able to hear him/her on our own, (prior to having our energy at the throat area.) Seraphim are not humans. They were created as they are and do not grow, develop as we do. Our Seraphim accompanies us after we die and remains with us on our adventures.

In Inner Peace Movement, I discovered the guides who accompany me throughout this lifetime. There are seven with me. Some only have one, such as Einstein, as his life purpose was bringing us his experience with energy. These seven are the balls of light seen in my thumbnail picture.

These seven guides had an affinity to me and were knowledgable about my life purpose and was willing to commit to the full term of my present lifetime. I used to ocmmunicate iwht them almost constantly, a running conversation in my mind.

It was Xaris who called me to this area of the country when I left New Mexico. And when I planned my what I called spiritual business, having a deposit in Bellingham on a suitable apartment, I heard her say quite plainly, "You can do all that here"! So I looked around this city, found a place for me and have remained here since.

I met my soul mate, found reiki, and all that followed. Xaris is one of the HEB's who are here to hold the energy of spirit for humans.

By the way, never seek to split your soul, to have a soul mate. Not at all recommended by us who did that.

finaltiy