Is Reiki a Noun or a Verb (Where - Part 2)

When we use the term, Reiki, we refer to both method (verb) and also to the spiritual energy or life force that connects us all.

There is no question that life experience impacts how we view Reiki. For some, Reiki may be a path to personal healing and growth; for others it may be a full time endeavor, providing full Reiki treatments; for me, my experiences are impacted by being a Hospice doctor and having worked in end-of-life situations for over 30 years.

What is important to understand is that when I can save a person's life, i will fight as hard as I can to do that. Whether we call physicians skills "traditional medicine" (as most of us who practice in hospitals day by day think of ourselves), or "conventional medicine" (as some complementary folks label us, connecting our wisdom skills to deeper and more ancient human roots) - we use scientific based skills to help people whenever we can.

For those of us who are "truly integrated" - we may also use Reiki energy at the same time to augment subtle energy changes and create balance within our patients. Interestingly, in talking with physicians who are completely integrated - this does not "exhaust them" as some have suggested, connection to Reiki energy is a source of strength and prevention of burn out.

The other day, I visited an "old friend" in the ICU. I think of many of many patients in this way - of course - we honor the professional boundaries of our professions, but, in a spiritual way, we know we are all connected. It is not that it is too time consuming or exhausting to do a full Reiki treatment in situations of transition, rather, it is that it is inappropriate and unnecessary in these moments.

My goals in end-of-life are not to balance all the chakras or clear meridians, and certainly note to create attachments, but simply to assist in a spiritual way with the transition of the "consciousness" of the person.

In this way, transition becomes for patients, and families, not always a moment to be feared, but rather a part of living. And we continue to care in an integrated way for those we cannot cure.

In bringing Reiki Masters and Reiki students into my program, however much Reiki training and experience they have had, they need to complete a nationally certified volunteer course to be able to volunteer in Hospice.

There is some confusion, since, in some of the most funded prestigious academic hospital centers in the country, "Palliative" programs appear that are similar to Hospice. In fact, within organized medicine, the training for young physicians in Hospice and Palliative Medicine would be the same. But the organization and funding of these programs are different outside of hospitals, and even more so outside of hospitals that are not academic and funded through grant processes. Palliative programs or hospital based programs are not driven by exactly the same rules that are exacted upon Hospices. Hiring full time Reiki professionals is feasable within academic or grant funded programs, but for the time being, volunteers are often needed in Hospices or non academic centers.

Physicians and Nurses who are fully integrated and what I call "bi-lingual" have a special potential role to serve as "bridges" between Reiki professionals and physicians who know nothing about Reiki (but may trust us as colleagues).

I had an interesting lesson recently, having a Reiki Master wanting to work in my program. As I watched the person work, it was obvious to me that there was caring and talent and superb training. There was some difference in how we had been taught, and as well, because for me, the connection to the Reiki is more important than the specific method, some of what appeared to be my short cuts troubled this person. We talked and the bottom line for me was that I really wanted the skill and experience and talent to be facilitated in helping patients. Those of us who connect to the same energy, the same life force, need to avoid all elements of conflict in asserting one tradition as having more accuracy and integrity than another. A physician who works in Hospice must live and work within a spirit of humility.

It is hard to discuss what current tradition is closest to Usui Sensei. We know the importance of the Five basic precepts or admonitions, we know these are basic and common to us all; and we know the importance of our hands; and we know the importance of commitment to self-treatment. But if Reiki is a verb, if the specific method or lineage is most important, which one is correct?

It has been my goal to share energy and learn and read continuously about Reiki, and I cannot see any evidence that either the Gakkai or Hayashi Sensei used exactly the same techniques as Usui Sensei. Certainly Takata Sensei for good reason modified what she was taught, and many of her students modified what they were taught.

So for me - what I seem to seek, is to be Open and Grounded, and allow the energy to come to me. And when I discern other Reiki students (for all Reiki practitioners are Reiki students forever at heart) connecting to the energy or spirit, then I can know that whatever path they took is valid, I will know this on feeling the energy.

So then if the essential element of Reiki is the spirit and the energy, is it a noun? Two wise colleagues weighed in on this for me recently, one a very esteemed religious leader, and one a Reiki Master of many years experience. My RM friend pointed out that the energy is active in the world, spiritual energy is a verb was the point this friend made. And my friend who is a "conventional" spiritual leader reminded me of the meeting of Moses and the burning bush. Faced with this great light Moses asked for a name, and God responded in the Hebrew "Eh-Yeh Asher Eh-Yeh" - or roughly "I Shall Be that which I shall Be." The spirit that connects the world, exists, and is active. Reiki is a verb. And we are at our best when we are most humble, most open, and most grounded.

For all those who choose to share the journey, and help others in end-of-life, whatever method you have learned, thank you for helping. There is truly only so much those of us who are integrated into both methods can do - we, those physicians and nurses who are integrated, need your help, and need to offer to serve as your bridges when you want to volunteer.