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So you’ve decided to take your first Reiki Level I class – and now it’s time to find a teacher. What are the qualities and qualifications that one would seek in a Reiki Teacher? And how would you find one?
I’m sure most people would certainly prefer someone kind and knowledgeable, someone who is an able, thorough and caring teacher. But what about clarity of teaching — and being truly organized? Reiki is a very spiritual subject to teach and though one might have initial perceptions of a Reiki Master being metaphysically-oriented and perhaps less practical, a Reiki teacher absolutely needs to be organized. Having a complete outline, curriculum, and comprehensive manual are all essential for teaching. Don’t assume that every teacher comes equipped with all this, for I will tell you that is not the case.
So do your homework and check out any teacher before committing to a class. You can check professional Reiki organizations, including the local ones, but a personal referral (if possible) is a great way to go. Also, it is always easy to find one through the internet. But to find out more about a person’s experience and methods, DO call them and give them an “informal interview.” I welcome emails and calls from potential students and give them as much time as necessary for answering their questions.
Length and years of experience is not necessarily an indicator of how competent and enlightened a teacher may be. It is more important to determine if the teacher sounds genuine, passionate about what they do, and has a regular schedule of classes. If a potential teacher holds a regular Healing Circle, it is a great idea to attend at least once (attendance should be for donation or a minimal charge) to see if that teacher resonates with you and if you are comfortable with them.
Additionally, something quite important is the support provided by a teacher. Your Reiki journey begins the day you take your first class, but that is just the start! Most conscientious Reiki teachers are willing to offer follow-up assistance after class is over. One thing I do make clear to my students is that they can depend upon me for answering any questions that may arise after class. I encourage my students to email me or call me, and feel free to share any Reiki experience they wish.
It is also important to have ample time for table work. Practicing on the table with both genuine hands-on (and hands-off) healing is a must so the new student is fully comfortable with giving a complete Reiki treatment session to another.
Length of class can also vary – from 2 hours to 2 days. Many First Degree classes are either one full day or two half days. If you have a teacher who asks for high tuition fees and only offers a one or two hour class in total — be wary. A full day class should likely provide a solid foundation. To further one’s learning, all one need do is practice self-Reiki as well as practice on anyone who is open to a lovely and radiant Reiki session!
I’ve had several Reiki Master Teachers over the years and I try to take those qualities and methods of teaching that I particularly liked and enjoyed, and incorporate them into my own teaching methods. Remember, teachers are always learning themselves. I was definitely nervous teaching my first class (which consisted of family and friends) but the more I teach, the more I enjoy passing along the special gift of Reiki. As I tell all my students, learning Reiki truly began a beneficial transformation in my own life. And I really enjoy observing my students delight in being initiated into the gentle, yet powerful brilliance of the energy!
I recently received an email from a potential student, with a link to a video showing a demonstration of Animal Reiki. Though it was through a Reiki Center that works with shelter animals, the method shown looked more like the way we do Reiki for people. The Practitioner was demonstrating Reiki only in a hands-on way. And then she added, “We can also do scanning.” (body scanning or Byosen scanning which is a way to scan for blockages in the energetic field.) She proceeded to wave her hands wildly over the dog’s hind quarters.
I was a little surprised by this demonstration, as the method I learned — and now teach — is clearly different. We always begin with a hands-off approach. “The Animal Reiki Code of Ethics” was developed by Kathleen Prasad and it guides us to consider animals as partners in the healing process. Sitting near an animal, gaining the permission and trust of the animal, are key factors as one begins to offer healing energy. Many animals, especially shelter dogs, may be wary of being touched by a stranger, even a well-meaning one. Scanning is something best only used for people Reiki. To move one’s hands above an animal may constitute a threatening gesture to some fearful 4-legged ones.
Sitting nearby in a non-threatening, eyes-gently-averted, palms-up-on-one’s-lap position is an ideal way to begin a Reiki session with an animal they have never met, or one they don’t know well. (Of course, if the recipient of Reiki is one’s own pet, be ready for your own furkid to quickly sense the energy and want some up close and personal hands-on attention.)
When you begin offering hands-off, it is up to the animal to decide if they actually want to move closer. He/she will usually clearly indicate if they want a hands-on session, so you won’t have to guess whether or not they are open to it. Just watch the animal for cues as to how they would like to receive Reiki, and know that each animal is unique in how they choose to participate in a treatment. Remember to be open and flexible, and release all expectations of outcome — and this will help the treatment be more effective!
“Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves that allows us to get on with our lives instead of being trapped in the past by resentment.” ~Rick Warren
Forgiveness is a complex emotion and something we all relate to in different ways. But who, reading this, does NOT have someone to deeply forgive? Everyone has faced anguish, hurt and despair, as a result of another’s actions. If we feel wronged, then we need to work through the anger of our personal storm and make our way back into the sunlight of forgiveness. That is certainly a challenging task. Sometimes, a prolonged hurtful experience becomes so ingrained within our psyche that we have an immensely difficult time climbing out of the painful emotional abyss that we have retreated to within ourselves.
But the key is recognizing that we all have the ability to forgive. That old expression “forgive and forget” comes to mind. But it is not a simple task to do both, and I think both those actions can be separated out. You can certainly forgive without forgetting. And I’m not saying to condone something horrible that someone has done to you in the past.
If we’ve gone through emotional turmoil with another person, we are unlikely to be able to forget the emotions attached to our experience. If we have the open-mindedness to look at some of these experiences as life lessons (because I truly believe they all are in some manner) then it’s okay to remember those things learned from past turbulent times or relationships. They serve to remind us of our strength and our perseverance.
The real significant action here is the forgiveness part. That is the gift we give ourselves, the healing of our spirit which helps us embrace a sense of peace and move ahead with the process and course of our life.
Each of us experiences hurt in a very unique way, and thus, forgiving those who have hurt us will be a unique process. The very first step is to make the decision to forgive. After all, many people seem to relish hanging on to their anger toward others — it serves to give them an unhealthy sense of purpose. They get some strange satisfaction of recounting all the wrongs that have been done by so and so. But people of this particular mindset do not ever seem happy.
And other people are just waiting — waiting for some form of admission of guilt or wrongdoing from the person who hurt them — an admission or repentance that will never be forthcoming.
So if you can see yourself in either of these mindsets, it is essential to decide to move ahead and release the anger in your heart. Coming to that point of WANTING to forgive is a process. But once you are there — that is half the journey along the positive path. Forgiveness is GOOD for us.
Forgiveness can happen on any of three levels — emotional, intellectual or spiritual — or all three. Sometimes we only forgive on an intellectual level and have that conversation with ourselves: “Okay, I do want to forgive so and so. I’m ready. It’s time to let go of all this pain as it is impacting my life in such a negative way. ” So you can intellectualize it and are basically able to let much of the pain and resentment go — but not quite all.
Sometimes your heart does not match up and simply is left out of the process. That may be because you are still comfortable in a negative sort of way, of holding on to the last vestiges of victim thinking. Know that if your heart is not part of this process, there will be no peaceful release and you will not be able you to move on with your life in a whole and healthy way. It is believed that holding on to such strong and negative feelings can manifest as physical stress and ill health. So of course, you WANT to let them go.
Therefore, you may have to additionally be prepared to let go of your pain and hostility on that heartfelt, emotion-based level. You have truly pardoned the person when you think about the individual who has wronged you, and are able to feel a sense of real calmness and acceptance in your heart — not acceptance of wrongdoing, but acceptance of being at the place where you are HEALED. That is where you aspire to be. A place where you can move ahead into the integrity of who you really are, and a life that is meaningful and loving, not filled with hatred and resentment.
And what about the spiritual side of forgiveness? One can often consider forgiveness a pure process of spiritual pardon. That it is not only humanly desired, but perhaps Divinely guided or encouraged. If you can embrace forgiveness on this level, it can be profoundly healing. And it helps us feel we have an ally in our quest to forgive — that we are not alone.
All aspects of forgiveness require inner work. That may include self-evaluation, soul-searching, counseling, support groups, prayer, meditation and a variety of other techniques. The path of forgiveness is up to you, but is worth pursuing. So set your intention, do the inner work and welcome light-filled healing into your life…
Affirmations:
- I embrace the act of forgiveness to assist with my own personal healing.
- I release anger and resentment, and welcome love and healing into my life.
- I am patient and steadfast on my path to forgiveness, as I know it is a process that can take time and effort.
Sometimes a little book can have a very profound and powerful influence. I just finished reading The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. Though written in 1994, the book is filled with timeless wisdom and guidance about how to live one’s life with success, empowerment and kindness toward others.
One particular concept that stood out, as something a little newer to my thinking, is called “defenselessness.” Now that isn’t a negative concept, but a very powerfully positive one. This asks us to let go of the need to convince others of our point of view. It also asks us to take complete responsibility for our own life.
“If you just relinquish the need to defend your point of view, you will in that relinquishment, gain access to enormous amounts of energy that have been previously wasted.” – Chopra
When you act defensively and place blame on others — you create resistance. And as your resistance increases, your life is filled with greater frustration and negativity. Chopra uses the analogy of being a flexible reed that bends and adapts during a storm and so survives, as opposed to a rigid, unbending tree that might snap during the storm.
So stop fighting and resisting — stop defending. Take your pride and ego out of the equation. Do you really feel the need to try to prove you are “right” all the time?
Letting go of this defending mindset can be a lifelong process. However, if you can achieve that and bring your authentic attention to the present moment — and simply relax into it gently and with acceptance — think of how much more meaningful and how much more joyful you will be. Chopra suggests if you “embrace the present and become one with it and merge with it, you will experience a fire, a glow, a sparkle of ecstasy…”
Affirmations:
- I focus my energy on taking full responsibility for my life.
- I am empowered by the understanding that I am the creator or my life story.
- I release the need to defend my point of view, and embrace the peace that comes with being in the simple joy of the moment.
With all the global change, unrest both man made and as a result of natural disasters, there has been much attention to tragedy, war, and disaster. As humans of curiosity and concern, we are of course drawn to the media coverage of this. Sometimes we are glued to the news broadcasts, both on TV and over the internet. And the internet has expanded our knowledge with almost instantaneous dissemination of global events, such as the tsunami in Japan. Who could not be moved by that initial and shocking video of the wall of water washing away vehicles, houses and life?
As we watch any of these events, we can be consumed by a multitude of mixed feelings ranging from jarring emotional impact to extreme anger and anything in-between. Our reactions are all very personal as our hearts get involved and stirred by these events.
However, in the course of our connection of consciousness, can we remember to bring ourselves back to that fundamental level of love that exists deep within us? For focusing fear, shock, disgust, anger toward a situation does nothing positive for the situation and certainly nothing positive for one’s own psyche. And all that negative emotion does is serve to create increased negative emotion.
It is essential to remember to not just hang on to a sense of profound love, but to make sure that it remains strong and stable in one’s heart. Arising from that, let your love first flow grandly and profusely within yourself — and then let it flow out toward others. We should share our love not just with family, friends and those close to us — but with the world, especially areas of need. Sharing can take the form of prayer, meditation, holistic healing of any kind, of just sending positive energy. You do not have to engage in any complicated ritual — just let your own personal, unique light shine out — feel it radiate. And do so with pure and positive intention.
The more of us who do this, the better it can be… Envision all our lights of love shining, focused on global healing, focused on regenerating this beautiful planet that sustains us. Imagine the Earth as vibrant, green and healthy — glowing with brilliance, surrounded by love and light…
Affirmations:
- I keep a sense of love and peace strong in my heart.
- I let my profound love flow out to those around me and to all life on planet Earth.
- I re-awaken all the love within — for it is the powerful emotion of rebirth and enlightenment.
I just received an email from a student-friend of mine who is encouraging one of her clients to learn Reiki, and she is recommending me as a teacher. Though I thanked her for the referral, I wrote back explaining that learning Reiki must come from within one’s own heart. Reiki is not something to be be nudged upon someone, even gently. And we’ve all heard that expression, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” So you will always find a teacher or a mentor when the timing is right.
Reiki is a journey — a radiant, beautiful one that brings healing and enlightenment into our lives. But it is a unique path for each of us. How far we each wish to go is a very personal decision.
One’s initial decision to study Reiki and take a Level I class is clearly a significant step. It is one’s commitment to say “I accept healing — I am open to releasing blockages and negativity.” It is a decision to step into the rays of sunlight and brilliance of self-healing.
Level I (sometimes called Shoden) is one’s first introduction to the modality. It is a level of awakening — opening to the grace and empowerment of the energy. One learns the history and all the basics that comprise the foundation of this system, as well as receiving the first attunement (initiation) to the awareness of the energy and being able to be a conduit. The major focus is on self-healing. For if we are not in balance and harmony within ourselves, it is not so easy to offer healing to others.
Though a student leaves a Level I class as an “official” certified Reiki practitioner, that is just the beginning…
So many possibilities open to you if you so choose to embrace the continuation of this path of light. For many, Level I is a complete accomplishment in itself and after incorporating Reiki into your life, you may be completely satisfied remaining at this level. For others, there may come a moment of motivation, a passionate decision to continue on to the next Level (II). This is called Okuden in classic Japanese teachings. This builds upon and expands one’s understanding and immersion in the energy. The most significant aspect is learning the three sacred symbols, which are very empowering. This also confers the ability (or awakens the ability) to send Reiki over the distance. Imagine how amazing this concept is when one first learns!
Completing both these levels is often quite fulfilling and enlightening, and I suspect that many practitioners choose to remain at this stage. In fact, some teachers incorporate both Levels I and II into a 2-3 day seminar series and offer them together. (Personally, I prefer to teach them separately, with a little bit of time in between.)
The other steps one can take, if so motivated from the heart, are to go to A.R.T level (Advanced Reiki Training) and then Master (more about that at another time.)
Basically, follow your inner guidance and if Reiki feels like it is right for you, then take your first class. And if you are a Level I and are motivated and eager to continue on, then it is time for Level II. Keep in mind that Reiki is always beneficial and moving up through the levels can only be empowering, joyful, fascinating and oh-so-healing…
Do you experience a sense of prosperity and abundance? Do you have a healthy flow of money to pay your bills and provide for extras? Everybody likes to talk about financial abundance because that is something we all aspire to — unless we are sitting in a monastery somewhere or have taken a vow of poverty. For the rest of us — bring on the bucks!
I have learned that having a prosperity consciousness is the best foundation for attracting money into your life. “The Secret” tantalized us with riches. It advised that you just need to think about money and it will suddenly appear — doesn’t that sound like magical thinking?
Most of us have volatile or tenuous relationships with money — we’re not sure if we can hold on to it, or not sure if we can bring more into our lives. According to the Law of Attraction we must focus on money in a loving and positive way and never, ever, ever think about LACK.
If you let yourself get caught up thinking or complaining about the lack of money — you’re headed in the wrong direction. Law of Attraction (or your subconscious mind) will only keep hearing “lack of money, lack of money, lack of money.” And it will respond to you — obligingly bringing you a further lack of money! So it is so essential to keep all negative-not-having-enough-money thoughts from creeping into your consciousness. LOA (Law of Attraction) purists theorize that our subconscious mind needs to keep happy with feelings of abundance, rejoicing about having as much as pleases us — even if that is not truly the case. Yet.
So what do all the success teachers advise? Train yourself to think of money in a joyful way. Learn to leave behind the poverty consciousness you might have grown up with. My mother was an obsessive coupon saver/user — that aspect of her is a big part of my memory of her attitude about money. There is nothing wrong with clipping coupons for savings, especially during harsh times — but my mother took it to an extreme. And I believe that defined her mindset of feeling “poor.” Both my parents were lack-focused individuals and took great pains to complain about our continued insufficiency of funds. And of course, what happened?
I used to often be guilty of making statements like, “Well, I just don’t have enough money for that….” So I’ve completely ceased that negative head talk about money. I have finally slipped into that lovely, radiant vibration of feeling abundance and just lead my life expecting to have enough for my needs and then some, thus developing a much more harmonious relationship with money. And you know what — amazingly, the money flows much more prosperously…
Recently, I received an email containing some very uplifting and fun advice. Diana L., a friend of a friend, had consulted Audrey Hanson, an angelic channel, about how to attract prosperity. With Diana’s permission, I am sharing this with you. This is the guidance, according to the angelic realm:
1. “For 15 minutes a day, daydream about all the stacks of money in the house.” I have been doing that, playfully, as a game, seeing a big stack of hundred dollar bills by the front door, for example. Having a blast! They said, “Allow yourself to get excited about it, because excitement is simply acknowledgment of the truth. And it also injects joy, which really causes things to flow much more rapidly.”
2. Write down what you want to experience, as though it’s already done, for example, “Thank you God that all our bills are always paid on time, up front, effortlessly. Thank you that we always have money for anything we want or need, from necessities to luxuries to gifts to travel.” I had SO much fun writing this out! I got DETAILED and it felt GOOD! “
This advice sounds amazingly similar to Law of Attraction theory. So get detailed about what you envision in terms of the stacks of money in your own home, or abundance as you vividly imagine and feel it — and see what happens!
Affirmations:
- I have more than enough money to cover all my expenses and plenty for more fun and entertainment.
- The Universe is joyfully conspiring to bring me all the riches I desire.
- It is easy for me to magnetically attract financial abundance.
We are all seeking a sense of peacefulness, fulfillment, balance and harmony. But to get where we want to be it is key to determine those facets that have to be balanced and achieved in our own life in order to bring us closer to how we want to be truly feeling and living. A piece of this is the conscious recognition of which choices and paths we wish to follow. Sometimes that next step in our lives is very clear. But often times, our figurative horizon is a blur of pretty clutter and we’re not sure how to allocate both time and energy in order to best formulate our important goals and take steps toward achieving them.
Some of this comes down to the ability to effectively prioritize and manage one’s time.
For me personally, this concept is an ongoing challenge. I still cling to that fanciful idea that there is some magical equation of dividing up the blocks of time that will render perfect order and serenity to my life. But I haven’t quite found it. Prioritizing has taken so many different perspectives for me. I’ve given some thought to a few different “forms” it can take:
1) Personal Prioritizing – figuring out one’s overall set of goals specifically for yourself, as opposed to goals interrelated to those of your family, spouse, partner, children, etc. Try to clarify your goals regarding job/career/business; spiritual pursuits; social pursuits; pure relaxation and free time; volunteer work, and whatever else is significant. This comes down really tuning in to your inner guidance and determining what is right for YOU. For me, the business priorities include further classes in holistic healing, building more of an online network, as well as growing my healing practice. That is my personal prioritizing, as compared to the joint planning my husband and I are doing in terms of selling our house and buying a new one. Yet, there needs to be time for everything related to the sale of the house too. So obviously, there needs to be a meshing of one’s personal goals and one’s family or joint goals.
2) Passionate Prioritizing – What are you truly passionate about? Sometimes your prioritizing has to focus on what’s on fire in your heart and spirit, that burning desire that motivates you toward whatever — a business venture, learning a new skill, etc. It’s important to heed the voice of this motivating spark as this gives meaning and energetic fuel to your days, spurring you to learn, create, inspire, achieve and get it done. This is feel-good prioritizing!
3) Practical Prioritizing – That’s when the little voice of reason steps in. For example, while you pursue the fantastic entrepreneurial opportunity, you might choose to work part time in the corporate world, or at the retail store, etc. until your business venture truly takes off and brings in the income that’s needed to live on. Or perhaps you first need to first take a class/seminar or do some research, etc. before plunging into a brand new idea, so you have a real inkling of how to follow through effectively.
4) Purposeful Prioritizing – This is where you write it all down. Commit your goals to paper — or as a list in your word-processing program. Start formulating a clear plan of how you wish to divide up your time. Time management and planning skills are key here.
One tip that is extremely helpful to me for daily prioritizing is Jack Canfield’s Rule of Five (from his book “The Success Principles”.) Write down the five most essential things you wish to accomplish each day — tasks that are do-able, not ones that are so insurmountable that you are afraid to tackle them.
I do this the night before and use an electronic “sticky” note on my computer desktop. This list of five goes a long way towards setting quick and clear goals, which is at least a step in the right direction of managing one’s overall time. As you accomplish each goal, check it off or cross it out and you will feel a surge of achievement. And if you don’t accomplish all five, don’t berate yourself — you can always shift it over to the next day. Even getting one or two things done is a step forward.
So, what are your priorities? I challenge you to organize them, focus positive motivational energy on them — and breathe life into the true goals and plans of your heart!
Affirmations:
- I set clear priorities for my future and take focused steps each day toward their achievement.
- I set my intention to manage my time in a balanced, joyful, productive way.
- I choose to focus my rapt attention and energy on those goals that I am truly passionate about.
I was at the kitchen counter, preparing a salad for dinner, and my son was joining my husband and me for dinner that evening. As I was in the throes of slicing, peeling and chopping, I found my mind running a mile a minute, jumping ahead to a million unfinished tasks — not just for dinner, but for my business, for an upcoming vacation (care for all our pets, etc) for other family matters. My head was overflowing with To-Do lists.
My thoughts felt jumbled, and I could feel my heart knotting and twisting in my chest with a sense of unrest. “Slow down.” I heard a little, yet strong voice speaking in my head. “Pay attention to what you’re doing right now.”
I often write about living in the moment and how it is so essential to having a sense of harmony in one’s life. But there I was, blatantly guilty of fragmented, ultra-busy thought projections about the future. And the feeling of unease and tension was physically manifesting as that tightness in my chest.
I used to enjoy cooking and meal prep much more when I was younger, but find I am not as patient now. However, I do happen to enjoy making salads. It took that little insistent voice of my inner guidance to smack me back into the grasp of the present moment. It was like I figuratively came back to earth, as the surreal and stressful flow of my thoughts stilled. I inhaled a very deep, cleansing breath and exhaled a whoosh of toxic tension as I breathed out.
“You like making a salad,” the voice reminded me, “and it’s healthy, and you like to make it look visually pleasing.” Once I was able to focus again, I clearly felt my heart center calm down and relax.
The fragmented moments that I experienced at the kitchen counter are “counter-productive” (pun intended) to one’s overall well-being. Research has shown that living in the moment enhances one’s sense of joy and balance, and certainly beats the anxiety of a discordant mind-all-over-the-place-with-worry type of existence. Common sense tells us this as well. Which way would YOU rather feel?
Try to monitor your balance of thoughts. If you catch yourself in too many situations of being mentally elsewhere in a tense way, you may want to try to do the inner work to bring yourself into the empowering place of “the now.”
One quick way to decompress and center yourself is to do what I did — take a few slow, deep breaths. Bring your attention fully to your breath, even a few moments can be beneficial. If you resonate with the idea of grounding, imagine that, like a great and sturdy tree, you have roots growing out of the base of your spine and the soles of your feet, roots that extend all the way down into the Earth’s core, connecting you securely to powerful Earth energy. Think stability and balance.
Be open to listening to your inner guidance system (we all do have one.) And if you, too, hear that clear voice advising you to slow down — take heed, because it will definitely be for your own benefit. Connect to the energy of each moment and experience each second as real, vital and tangible. You will be more peaceful and happier for it!
Affirmations:
- I appreciate the vitality and beauty of each moment.
- I feel centered, balanced and at peace with the world that surrounds me.
- Slowing down my thoughts and breathing deeply, helps me focus on the present moment.
We are all taught about what is known as the “wisdom” of Reiki — or, as I tell my own students, the phrase “Reiki has its own wisdom — it goes where it needs to go.” This is actually the beauty of this holistic modality in that the Practitioner does not need to direct or manipulate the energy in any specific way.
The Practitioner simply calls upon the Universal Life Force Energy (ULFE) When one is open as a clear and receptive channel, the ULFE flows in, through, and out to the intended recipient. So in its infinite intelligence and knowing, Reiki will automatically go to the place in the recipient’s energetic field that most needs healing. For instance, even if one is offering Reiki at a client’s head, if it is the digestive system that is most in need of healing, the energy will concentrate itself there.
Illness and body imbalance are a result of blockages in one’s energy system — a disruption in the flow of healthy ki in and around the physical body. Of course, these are energetic blockages, not visible to the eye. Reiki can help remove these blockages, in order to return the recipient to a state of balance and well-being.
However, the one slight dichotomy, especially for new Practitioners, concerns the classic standard hand positions. The question arises: why do we need a preset protocol of hand positions if Reiki has its own wisdom?
Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki, is believed to have practiced Reiki in a more intuitive way himself. The standard hand positions were supposedly developed and taught by Mrs.Takata, perhaps to “westernize” or standardize the practice of Reiki. Even though we consider them standardized, there are variations among Reiki teachers.
For newer students, learning the hand positions can help instill confidence. After all, it may be easier to initially follow a preset group of hand positions, as opposed to figure out intuitively where one might want to offer healing. That whole concept can be a bit daunting to a beginner.
In terms of the recipient/client on the table, he/she would most likely appreciate receiving a full body treatment. This is especially true of a first-time client, and many seem to prefer having a head-to-toe-to-back session.
Of course, I could just do a body scan (Byosen scanning) to help find potential blockages, or find a specific area in need of Reiki — and then just do Reiki in that particular area. And sometimes I do begin this way. But I believe a client will not be completely pleased if they are only aware of me doing Reiki at their stomach area. It is part of the human experience to want and enjoy a full body treatment.
However, I do teach scanning to my students and I encourage them to use their intuitive guidance as to how to best offer the healing energy, because so much of Reiki is based on this intuitive sense. It is usually most effective if we just trust in the wisdom of Reiki to work for the highest good, and release expectations about specific outcomes. The infinite intelligence of the Universe will provide the healing that is appropriate for each individual!
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