Two essays about Reiki
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Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki & Shamanic Healing LLC, is a Reiki Master Teacher, animal healer/communicator, shamanic practitioner and author of "Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki & Shamanism." She lives in Seattle, WA where she teaches Reiki and shamanic classes and offers private consultations for both humans and animals.
Cookie Cutter Practitioners?
Lately I have been pondering the reasons for the growing popularity of alternative healthcare, and the repercussions of that growth. I have had personal experiences with traditional medicine that have left me feeling as though I were a piece of flesh rather than a complex feeling being. Just yesterday Rob and I were called out on an emergency visit to a client who had experienced severe physical and emotional trauma as a result of her experiences at a birth center and whose cat was also experiencing severe shock as a result of the turbulent emotional environment.
When I first saw this client pre-delivery she was the picture of glowing, madonna-like health. She was doing everything possible to keep herself in an optimum state of emotional and physical health and she was radiant. A week after delivery she was distraught, energetically detached from her body, in pain and without sleep since the birth. While the labor had been difficult, the element that haunted her still was the lack of compassion that was shown her during and after the birth, both at the birth center and the hospital she voluntarily went to later (she and her baby had to go to different hospitals, and she ended up in a cancer ward next to a dying patient). Her concerns were belittled by some of the staff at the hospital as birth blues, but whether that is true or not is immaterial—someone in that much pain and anguish is owed a gentle touch, emotional support and someone to listen and hold space so that emotions can be released and healing can begin. Rob and I did energy work on her which had an immediate effect, but I know that the emotional support we offered conveyed through touch and listening was equally effective. When we left, mother, father, child and cats were sleeping peacefully, and are doing well.
I have growing concern over both our traditional AND our alternative healers today. My recent visit to a hospital for myself for the first time in many years drew my attention sharply to the awful energy present in the emergency ward (it needed a good cleansing and some feng shui). While most of the people I spoke with while there were courteous and took time to explain things they had no willingness to address the things they did not understand or to consider alternatives. If the patient checks out on all the major tests, despite still having symptoms, the doctor has then fulfilled his medical duties and is secure from a malpractice suit. Whatever has happened to the family doctor of old who dispensed warmth along with medicine? Why does our society accept a level of care that only encompasses one part of the human being?
The wheel is turning. Statistics show that many are now turning to alternative care in search of answers and a level of care unavailable in today's traditional environment. Healthcare is listening, since economics ultimately rule, and some alternative care is being provided through insurance, mostly bodywork such as chiropractic and massage, although acupuncture is gaining in popularity. My concern is the effect that this growing popularity is having on energy workers. As more and more people take training in these areas (and since demand governs supply) there are more teachers of different methods than ever before, which is creating certain problems that we all ultimately must deal with. I will use Reiki as an example since it has become very popular in the last two years.
When I became a Reiki Master several years ago it was a respected title. Few undertook the training without serious application and desire. Now Reiki Masters are a dime a dozen. Like many other Reiki Masters I believe in charging reasonable rates so that many people are able to afford training. What I do have a problem with is the lack of care some teachers are taking with their students. While those who know me know that I am not considered "traditional" I do honor the tradition in Reiki of training a student in one level at a time, rather than the popular teaching of Level I, II, and III in one weekend. I train one level at a time for good reason—it is too confusing for the student, both mentally and spiritually. Many people who take training all at once become so confused that they never practice, and ultimately, if they have not become too discouraged, go back to retrain in Reiki one level at a time. From a spiritual and emotional standpoint all-at-once training cheats the individual of the experience and experiences that takes place between levels. Finally, too many students turned out in cookie cutter form are unable to receive answers, practice and support available to those who take level-by-level training. I have been contacted too many times now by prospective students who need help in correcting bad training—the most recent received a total of 3 hours training in a Level I class, 2 hours of which was devoted to training in numerology and astrology rather than Reiki!
I caution everyone who seeks instruction in anything—have a care with your energetic body as well as your physical. People seem to demonstrate greater research skills in finding a responsible, skilled person for their car than for themselves. Care and compassion for yourself is just as important as care and compassion for others.
Bat the Cat
Originally I had a different plan for this month's column, but recent events changed my mind. I'd like to tell you about Bat, aka Bat the Cat, and Batkin.
Bat and his four litter mates entered my household in Worcester over two years ago. They were two weeks old when I first saw them and all black. They became members of the Reiki community shortly thereafter when, at the behest of Spirit, their first attunements were witnessed by those attending my monthly Reiki share.
Bat stood out in the crowd for his wonderful disposition and accident-prone nature. He fractured his leg and stumped around in a cast for several weeks. I came home one night to find him, cast-encased front leg extended upwards, with the venetian blind cord wrapped around his leg. After worrying about gangrene and loss of same leg he appeared to have only sustained some bruising and perhaps gained more wisdom.
When the move to Seattle became definite I realized I had to find homes for some of my cats, Bat included. After much thought I placed him with good friends, a couple in Paxton with two dogs (Bat loved my large dog Cerne and would wrap his paws around his head and lick him), another cat, and a countrified setting for his athletic abilities. Most cats make good housepets, others need more scope—Bat was one of them. So contrary to my usual placements he was encouraged to be an indoor/outdoor cat.
I visited him back East this past Christmas and he slept on the bed with me. We had a wonderful time together. Last week my friend called me and heart brokenly informed me that Bat had been shot—a .22 slug had shattered his rear leg and the vet was suggesting amputation for New Year's Eve. I felt as though my heart were breaking thinking of Bat's glossy panther grace. The Reiki community rallied and sent energy to him, myself included. We were so sure that his leg would be saved, and so was the new specialty vet. But it was not to be. The cartilage and nerve damage was so extensive they had to amputate the leg.
I received news that the operation was underway as I was heading out the door to an appointment. As I walked I cried and sent energy to Bat and the surgery, trying desperately to keep in mind that sometimes the highest healing good is not immediately apparent. I had what many would call a crisis of faith, in myself as well as the universe—how was it that so many of us had not been able to influence events to go the way we wanted?
Several hours later I received news of Bat and reassurance from the universe. The vet reported that 45 minutes after major surgery Bat was completely out of anesthesia and looking for food. She said she had never seen anything like it, and added that he was some cat! I said a prayer of gratitude to the energy for him and for the lesson that reminds me that a healer's purpose is to channel energy for the highest good—and in this case it appears to have been Bat's swift recovery.
So, I wait to learn what else may result, and perhaps I will never know. For now I will focus on giving thanks for my continued friendship with Bat the Cat and my most fervent wish that this is an isolated incident.
Rose can be contacted via her web site, which is here: www.reikishamanic.com
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