Recently I gave a seminar in Berlin and had four(!) generations of the same family with me. Of course, the three-month-old baby did not participate in the sense of reflectively absorbing what was said. It was ‘only’ initiated. Only’ is good, since in Reiki everything revolves around the gift of initiation. What does this anecdote of the four generations tell us?
The beauty of Reiki is its simplicity.
Perhaps the presence of the little girl reminds us how childlike the practice of Reiki is, for the bébé has as much reiki ‘power’ in her little hands as an adult (and – importantly! – as a Reiki 2 graduate or Reiki Master).
Also, one wonders about the extent of the initiation. The extent of initiation beyond activating the reiki in the hands is both mystery and taboo. By ‘taboo’ I mean that in the Reiki world, although there is a sense that there is something ‘more’ going on, it is easier to talk about reiki‘s effects than to deal with the elusive ‘more’ of initiation. Also I will not go into it further here except with the following question.
Is the story with the four generations symbolic of a new ‘Reiki consciousness’?
Is it possible that Reiki as a whole is on the threshold of a new phase of development? Some indications point to this.
I think that in the last 100 years we have cultivated a rather ‘Reiki centered’ view: we have focused on ourselves, on Reiki’s direct benefits. There is nothing inherently wrong with that, on the contrary. The thought that many millions of people are contributing to world peace with their Reiki practice is comforting and reassuring, especially in light of the current war situation.
Beyond the direct benefits, haven’t we also cultivated what I call ‘Reiki consciousness’? An understanding of self-responsibility and simultaneous acceptance that I am part of the whole and also responsible for it. People with this awareness – which for heaven’s sake is not an exclusive characteristic of only us Reikians! – are aware of and committed to the importance of intrinsic motivation, compassion and holistic unfoldment.
In the new era, Reiki will no longer be in the foreground, but so will this awareness. This will be increasingly carried out into society. Our Reiki practice is in the background the support and source of strength to keep this ‘consciousness’ and to represent it actively in the family, community, politics, economy and church – in all matters of our being together.
Peaceful collaboration for the highest good of all as a basic prerequisite for all activities.
The intentional and active incorporation of the values that make up ‘Reiki Consciousness’, so that they are explicitly sought in the profession and in the world, is the next phase of Reiki’s development.
I am aware that these lines sound woolly, half-baked. Nevertheless, I want to address it here, because I am dying to hear from you readers what you have experienced and think about it.
René (at kontakt@reiki-international.ch)
PS Reiki is written this way when -teaching and- practice is meant and reiki is written this way when it refers specifically to the energetic phenomenon “from the origin of life” (quote ProReiki).
This awareness you point to here was in the foreground for Usui-sensei and for those he taught Reiki 100 years ago in Japan. it is in fact, part of the waters the Japanese swim in, I would say. Maybe this is why it got lost in translation – it didn’t need to be spoken of, and what was not spoken of was not translated. Perhaps Western Reiki is growing up and coming full circle. That would be wonderful.
Dear Elyssa, Thank you for your comment.
I am aware of Usui-sensei’s teachings, the Kanto quake and his eternally valid ‘secret’ to invite happiness. Amazing, isn’t it, to have achieved so much in the four years he was with Reiki. And what fruitful years that followed in Japan! Only for Reiki to practically disappear by the mid of the 20th century. Thank god for the renaissance brought forth by Reiki’s successful unfolding out of Hawaii also re-kindling the Reiki in Japan again.
Clumsily, I admit, I am alluding in my article that our view might now expand, i.e. take into consideration that Reiki might be at the threshold of a new paradigm all together – only possible, because we stand “on the shoulders of those giants who have gone before us”. Yes, Usui sensei, may have already had this vision. Of course. But have we already started to proactively translate it into reality? In my musings I am suggesting that we have not, that we have been rather introvert with our view focused on Reiki / reiki. I am suggesting that in a new area a more extrovert, new role for Reiki and its practitioners opens.
I guess, I am saying that we need no longer look back into the past but to look forward in our current times with a globalized world. How about a world in which Reiki people use that which I called ‘Reiki consciousness’ to get involved in political, social endeavours? (Not with Reiki treatments/teachings.) Directly and proactively.
René