I have a student who has been learning with me for close to a year. She started with no previous knowledge of Reiki, and learned Kundalini Reiki with me, followed by working on her intuitive development in many areas through Intuitive Development Coaching. She’s shared her successes as she became more aware of the sensations of energy, her guidance, angels, and confidence in her abilities to work with Reiki. It’s been beautiful to be a part of and witness to the many ways in which she has discovered these abilities and connections. It’s changed her life for the better and helped her see her path more clearly. She has been learning with me via distance. We’ve never met in person, although we have spoken on the phone a couple of times. Last week, she told me this story:
Recently, she decided to attend a Reiki circle in her local area. Gathered with other Reiki practitioners, they were all getting ready to start the flow of the energy. She watched them draw symbols in the air and on themselves. She sat quietly, intending that the energy begin. Kundalini Reiki does not use symbols. She felt the other practitioners looking at her sideways. She overheard one say to the other, “Where did she get her training?” The other responded “Oh, she phoned it in over the internet.” How snarky. My student left shortly thereafter.
I’m unhappy about the attitude of some Reiki practitioners about distance learning. Let’s face it – Reiki energy is not limited by distance any more than love is. Learning Reiki is like learning any subject – the depth and ease of your learning is partially your effort, and partially your teacher’s ability to teach you well. I teach locally and I teach by distance. In each case, I give my students close individual support and guidance. I am invested in his or her learning. I care about my student’s experiences learning and working with the Reiki energy. My local students do not receive more because they are with me in person. I take my role as teacher seriously, and my students’ success, confidence with their Reiki practice, and genuine love for energy work are testament to both the effectiveness of their practice and confidence in my teaching methods. I’m truly proud of my work and stand behind it.
So when one of my distance students is treated with disrespect by others who practice Reiki, I am disturbed. This is not what BEing Reiki is about. My student is comfortable and confident with the way she practices Reiki. Her energy is strong. I doubt that anyone experiencing Reiki from her would be able to tell the difference between Reiki from her and Reiki from one who learned in a local class, (provided the one who learned locally had a good teacher).
I think that the politics of those who would judge distance learning against local, or Usui Reiki against other methods, is unnecessary and negative. How about we all focus on our common goals – offering healing energy to those who need it, balancing ourselves, and trying to make the world a better place through our work? Seriously, there is enough to deal with from those who don’t understand or accept that Reiki helps. We don’t need to be passing judgment on each other within our Reiki circle.
Peace.