Reiki and Where do we go from here

In the glow of coming back from Long Term Care Medicine 2010, I am beginning to ask myself the question "where do we go from here." And in a "microcosm," living my own "just for today," I am paralleling what is happening widely in Reiki - recogntion and acceptance is occurring, is in fact far more widespread than we realize, and we must think about where we go from here.

For much of the past several months, my partner and I have been planning to do a presentation of "Alternative Methods of Pain Management in End-of-Life Care" at a very evidence based symposium. We have been integrating Traditional Evidence Based Medicine with Reiki in a Hospice environment, but now, along with a third colleague, we were going to talk about this in public, in front of an audience of evidence based physicians. And frankly, neither we, nor the program committee who approved our session, knew what the response would be........

In a way, it is easy to say, "I will not worry just for today," but when one puts one's own professional reputation on the line, and the day is today, and the time is now .....but the time came and passed.

And here is what occurred. We had 33 physicians attend our session, and had an incredible response. Almost everyone voluntarily participated in our Reiki meditation at the end of the session, and the critiques of the session were that we were "too apologetic and too tentative." That same day, I gave another session on a very "Traditional topic," attended by 150 physicians, and the buzz in the hall was about our Reiki session. And in private discussions, the questions were more how we would expand the presentation, rather than if we would be asked back next year.

And that is the question. Where do we go from here. It is a question we will spend the next month meditating on.

Here are some other questions - this particular blog is a lot about questions, because I am less at a point where I can tell everyone else how it should be done, than at a place where I am still learning:

a) Reiki is rapidly gathering evidence based support, so we must now distinguish between "evidence based medicine" and "traditional evidence based medicine." And moreover, the evidence based supports aspects of Reiki including "Simple Touch" (not massage) and "Compassionate Presence" that themselves are gathering evidence based support. In this scenario - Reiki can be presented as a method for learning to focus on Active listening, Simple Touch, and Compassionate Presence - all of which unquestionably help patients and have evidence support.

b) For those of us working at a master level, we believe that we can impact the energy flow, from within the Auric field of the patient, without actually "touching" physically the patient. We also feel that we can "perceive" facets of energy by "scanning," and these techniques has less evidence study.

c) For many of us, we use Reiki in a non-touch related way, Reiki masters write of "flooding a room" with radiant light, and we talk about the power of placing Reiki within "voice." Even here, a parallel art, Music therapy, has strong evidence based support. And many of us combine sound and touch.

d) When we have an impact on energy fields, are we acting as simple channels, and is the Creator or Universal source of Radiant light (or some say "Spirit Guides") acting - or is our intention itself moving energy?

e) It is important to stress that Reiki does not compete with or intend to replace Traditional Medicine. Usui Sensei and Hayashi Sensei and Takata Sensei and Doi Sensei all stress the importance of scientific medicine. Reiki is Complementary. ("Reiki does not oppose modern medical science nor does it replace it.....sickness should be cut from both sides, with Reiki and with medical science")

There are increasing efforts to "organize" Reiki - and no question, there is a possibility that as Reiki becomes more "accepted" there may be an effort to certify it - (and in this regard - I do not refer to certification such as that by Bill Lee Rand and the Center for Reiki, but I mean within organized medicine itself, which tends to take over and control that which becomes mainstream.

Acceptance and certification have benefits and detriments. Reiki performed and described as "Spiritual healing" has elements of constitutional protection within the United States, (though its use may be more limited), and that which becomes "accepted healthcare" becomes more likely to be regulated and certified and controlled.

And I have questions as to whether Usui intended for there to be a Grandmaster, let alone a single path - from history reasonable persons can argue this point.

And so for now, I simply think it best to move forward "one day at a time" - and to share experience and continue to learn. I think there will be many different paths within Reiki, and that multiple traditions can be respected. I think we should take every opportunity to share, every opportunity to help each other and every opportunity to grow.

It has long been a matter of faith for me that acts of Kindness and Compassion join in ripples and spread throughout the world. I am appreciative of everyone who joins in this.

Laurelle Shanti Gaia wrote an excellent article which just came out in Reiki News Spring 2010, "Stepping out of the Reiki Closet." It makes me think of a lot of my own experiences in the past two years. She says "By practicing Reiki without fear, standing in our truth, and coming out of the Reiki closet, we become beacons of light. That light is illuminating the way for many and ultimately assisting humanity in awakening to the promised age of peace."


*I do want to thank those who have joined the Blog, and who have offered comments either publicly or privately. Your sharing is very much appreciated. My stories are not unique, many traditional physicians are open to new ideas. This is a time of much hope.