A reader asks about self-care. Will you answer?
We received a letter to the editor from Jen, a level 2 Reiki practitioner that addressed the subject of self treatment. Her letter touched on some key points, like having difficulty finding information about self treatment and the fact that her teacher didn't touch much on that subject when attuning students.
Beyond that, the writer described her attempts at self treatment as challenging. She fears that Reiki will cause her pain, based on past experience. She writes: "I have it in my mind that if i do reiki i will experience pain. i have done it on my stomach before only to have it cause me diarrhea. I have done it on my head, only to get a headache."
While she has no problem working on other people, she's upset because, a.) she needs some healing herself but can't afford a treatment, and b.) she's developed a fear that she's created a self-fulfilling prophecy; that treating herself with Reiki "might create side affects i dont want. i have been sick a lot the past year and dont want another bed ridden experience."
The letter continues: "i do minor reiki on myself a little every day but try not to over do it. if you can tell me or give me some advice about how reiki can flow better, or not hurt me than id appreciate that...if you can help me understand that would be great."
We'd love to help Jen out. If you have any words of Reiki wisdom to share about self treatment, where to find more information about it, the effects of a Reiki treatment and Jen's self fulfilling prophecy, please add them in the comments box below. We'll be recapping what we've received and possibly adding to it in next week's Personal practice Monday feature.
Thank you!
5 Comments:
Hi Jen,
This is Em from reikivista.blogspot.com
There are so many things going on potentially. I would think that Reiki is not the cause of any symptoms, but rather you need to clear your channel so to speak and work on clearing your chakras. The newest Reiki Journal has a nice 10 chakra illustration that can get you started. I am curious if you experience these symptoms if you receive Reiki either in person from someone else or from Reiki sent through distance healing either from yourself (sine you are a level 2) or from someone else. Perhaps your teacher or someone from the Reiki community would be willing to do a free trade of Reiki with you to experiment? Maybe you could tolerate distance healing better? Since you can send it to yourself past, present or future, you might experiment with those modalities and with time. I'd be so curious to know if you sent it to the past when you experienced the headache or stomach ache and then tried hands-on in the present if that would not help. I'm just learning Gendai Reiki (my background is traditional western Reiki) and some of those exercises may be helpful to you. Best of luck!
Hi Jen,
I am also a Level II Usui Reiki practitioner. In my experience, there is no such thing as "overdoing" it - you will only take in as much Reiki as you need, no more - no less. Like Yoga or any other discipline, practice is of the utmost importance. In this case, self-treatment is the CORE of our practice, the very thing that keeps the channel open. Please remember that the root of the word "practitioner" IS "practice". Any increase in symptoms would seem to be Reiki addressing a possibly chronic situation and should subside with continued, regular self-treatment. I would encourage you to make a commitment to carrying out a daily routine of self practice for 21 days (received this idea from Reiki Master / Teacher Pamela Miles) and check back in with us after that.
Here's a link to her blog describing a good basis for doing just that: http://reikiinmedicine.org/daily-practice/how-to-practice-reiki-self-treatment/
You can follow her hand placement suggestions or a use protocol of your own choosing as long as you do it regularly and consistently. I feel that you will see tangible results dusing the 21 days and that you will choose to continue indefinitely.
In Light and Love,
Charlie Mayer
Eight Winds Reiki
www.reikichicagonorthshore.com
Hi. I am Jen the healer who needs help. I appreciate so much the article and the replies so far.
As far as distant treatment goes, sometimes it works just fine other times it seems to do nothing.
as far as the 21 day reiki thing goes, thats the point. Im worried if I do it, I will end up in bed sick or something. Ive already spent a year, most of it lying down due to candida albicans. It might be worth a shot in small amounts.
my problem is one of you says that reiki will only give you what you need, but ive found that not to be true. I did used to do reiki in 2006 every day after my attunements and didnt feel pain at the time but i had less stress then. I love the fact people have took this seriously and want to help. thank you. contact me anytime.
Jen,
"Just for today, release all worry." I believe that if you work through it (practice consistently even if you have some temporary discomfort), that it will soon subside. As for worrying about negative effects, any worry is like a prayer or meditation on / for something negative. If your intent is to receive the balancing, healing effects of Reiki, that is what you will get. If, however you are fearful of a different outcome, your intent will be drawn to THAT. We need to "unkink the hose" so to speak, in order to allow the energy to flow. Daily self care is the quickest and most effective way to do just that. Release your fear and worry and PLEASE find a way to practice daily, if even for a few minutes. I truly feel that you will see a positive change in a short time.
Charlie Mayer
Eight Winds Reiki
www.reikichicagonorthshore.com
Thanks again for the replies. I still need help though it seems. Last week I tried doing reiki on myself for a long time and it didnt have horrible side effects. i did get a headache though but other than that, i was fine. ive had severe congestion in my nasal passages and cant breathe for two weeks now, and i have tried doing reiki on it and it does not help a whole lot. maybe there is a block, but ill keep trying. anyone know what chakra it is that controls sinuses? i cant remember if its the crown or the third eye..
Post a Comment
<< Home