Reiki Peace Order

Training vs. Ordination

2011-09-15T08:49:00.003-04:00

Just a note on the preceding discussions about teaching the three levels of Reiki: this is not the same process that I recommend for ordination to the Reiki Peace Order. Monastic training should focus heavily on meditative and spiritual practice, ethics (ethics, ethics, ethics) and the discussions should focus more on the Postulant's sense of call and practice rather than professional development.

Reiki Level Three

2011-09-15T08:36:00.002-04:00

I've been swamped by all the things that demand my attention and have not had the time to address my thoughts on Level Three training. I will be doing so very soon.

I will reiterate that the approach I'm outlining is strictly my own and even I employ it with a great deal of flexibility.

In preparation for Level Three training a student should have logged at least 100 hours of treatment time, have done some serious exploration of Reiki beyond Level One and Two classes, and have a clear sense of what it means to him/her to attain the next level of attunements.

In Level Three, I give the student (who by this time I consider to be a colleague more than a student) instruction on the symbols and the methods (traditional and non-traditional) for passing attunements. Before I provide the Level Three attunement the student must be able to articulate her understanding of Reiki and its uses. He must be able to demonstrate knowledge about spiritual healing beyond classroom training by discussion of his personal experience with the healing process and treatment. She must provide written outlines for all levels of Reiki training and be able to talk in concrete and practical terms how she would conduct classes including fee schedules. I may also have the person teach a class or lead a workshop.

When I am satisfied that the person is prepared to teach with integrity, I provide the Level Three attunement. The person will then demonstrate the attunement process by attuning me and two or three other people of her choosing.

At this point I provide certificate and blessing and send the new Teacher out to follow her path.

Reiki Clinical Study

2011-07-10T18:20:00.002-04:00

Just a note: The recent issue of "Kindred Spirit" magazine (a UK publication) included a brief article about a clinical trial testing the use of Reiki in the treatment of psoriasis. The conclusion was that Reiki has a significant benefit. Interestingly, it is the full-body treatment that provides effective support.

Reiki Level II

2011-06-26T22:22:00.003-04:00

I consider Level II to be the most important from a spiritual perspective. It is at this level that students begin to delve into notions of the relativity of time and space. They begin to explore the radical unity of all beings. Distance and time as constraints on healing are abandoned.

In terms of information, there is very little to teach at this level. The symbols can be taught and memorized in a half-day session with next day follow-up to reinforce the information.

What can't be taught or experienced in a short training is the work of distance healing. Certainly there are students who come into training with well-formed understandings of distance healing but for most it is a new concept. The teacher needs to be sure to support the student fully and give her plenty of time and opportunity to practice this skill.

Here is my suggestion for Level II training:

Prerequisites: Level I training in place for at least 21 days and a minimum of 10 documented treatment sessions not including self-treatments.

Day one: Begins with meditation and self-treatment. Morning is a review of Level I information. This can be in the form of a "test" or simply and in-depth discussion of level I. A Reiki Share rounds out the morning. The afternoon session begins with meditation followed by learning the Level II symbols and attunements. The afternoon ends with some exercises in visualization of symbols and processing the experience. Students are given a homework requirement to spend at least 20 minutes at home meditating on the symbols in order to experience them more fully.

Day Two Begin with meditation and a review of the Symbols. During the review students should be given an opportunity to talk about their experiences with the symbols during homework time. The morning is completed with an introduction to the concept of distance healing. The afternoon begins with a meditation in which the students are guided through a process of making connection across distance using the Level II symbols. A fuller discussion of distance healing follows and students are given a chance to use several methods for doing distance healing. The afternoon ends with a self-treatment session. Students will be assigned to perform at least one distance healing session prior to the next session. The treatment will be for someone they know. It will be set up and the student will follow up with the client after the treatment is completed.

Day Three: Begin with meditation and a review of symbols and distance healing. Students will then be given the opportunity to share their homework experience. The afternoon will begin with meditation followed by a Reiki Share. The rest of the afternoon will be devoted to performing distance healing on individuals and on the earth and the whole human world. Students will take at least two days before the finals session during which they will perform at least two distance healings per day.

Final Session: Meditation, review and discussion of healing sessions. A Reiki Blessing will be given and certificates presented. Followed by a party to celebrate.

Again, this is my personal take on training. I offer it as an alternative perspective to the fast-track training most Reiki students receive. Feel free to offer feedback.

Peace.

Reiki Level I

2011-05-17T21:26:00.002-04:00

Reiki Level I instruction is, I think, the most important. It provides a foundational understanding of the origins, ethics and practice of Usui Reiki. There should be a pretty large chunk of information provided to the student and some means of helping the student really absorb that information. Good information at the beginning gives the student a solid foundation. The following posts are just my personal take on training. These ideas are not carved in stone. Feel free comment and share your own approach.

Here's my idea of a good Reiki Level I curriculum outline:

Day One:

Start the day with instruction on sitting and following the breath. Instruction should be given to the group of students together. This means no stragglers and strict starting times. After instruction the students should be led in meditation for intervals of fifteen minutes during the morning.

Between meditation sessions I would provide instruction on the Three Pillars of Reiki - Gassho, the Five Principles and explanation of Reiki and its transmission.

Afternoon session would begin with meditation followed by the History of Usui Reiki including but not limited to Takata's Reiki story. The student would then be instructed in self treatment and given an attunement using either traditional or non-traditional rites.

The student will leave with a Reiki Blessing and instruction to treat herself before the next session.

Day Two:

Opening meditation and self-treatment. Morning instruction would include a serious conversation about ethics and boundaries. This conversation should be in-depth and students should be provided with several printed examples of professional codes of ethics.

Afternoon begins with meditation and instruction on treating another person. This includes a review of hand placements, opening and closing rituals and an introduction to following the flow of Reiki to determine where to treat.

The day closes with a completion of attunements. The student leaves with a Reiki Blessing and instructions to do self-treatment before the next session.

Day Three:

Begin with meditation and self-treatment. the morning should be a review of everything to that point. Don't be afraid to give the students a written test, not so that they can pass or fail but so they can know what they've retained and get a firmer grasp on the information.

Afternoon is devoted to meditation and treating others. The group can be divided in half and groups can trade off giving treatments. The day will end with a presentation of Certificates and an opportunity to process.

Follow-up: The teacher should provide each student with her contact information and schedule a check-in within a couple of weeks. The check-in can be by telephone. It is also advisable to set up one group meet-up to share experiences and ask questions. I would schedule this meeting about three weeks after the class. Each student would have had a personal check-in and have had plenty of time to do some treatments on family members and friends.

Personally, I teach Level I as a tool for personal use. Before setting up a professional Reiki practice, I think a student should have completed Level II and have done and documented at least 40 hours of treatments. That's pretty stringent but I think it gives the student the time to plan her business and gain confidence in her abilities.

Level II training next.

Reiki Training

2011-04-17T14:50:00.002-04:00

Recently, I have been giving much thought to the American approach to Reiki training. I admit that it disturbs me to some degree. People who want to learn Reiki as a tool for self-improvement and to give treatments to family and friends are served well enough by one-day and weekend trainings for each level. But for people who want to become skilled practitioners and teachers, a more in-depth and responsible training program may better serve the student. Becoming a spiritual healer should be a serious pursuit. Over the next couple of weeks I will post what I think is a suitable and reasonable approach to training Reiki practitioners. I hope you will all enjoy and respond with your thoughts. Peace.

The Second Principle

2011-02-01T23:04:00.003-05:00

I was discussing the precepts of the order with a good friend. She took slight issue issue with the second precept: "Just for today I will not be worried and fearful: I will trust in the goodness of the universe." She felt that there is true evil in the world and that the universe does not hold only good. We need to exercise the discernment to know the difference.

Is the universe all good? I think in the larger sense, yes. But in the sense in which we live our daily lives, she is correct. There are people and beings who live in darkness. Who are bent on doing ill to others. Sometimes they just don't understand. Sometimes they do understand and take great delight in causing harm and suffering. Sometimes they are deluded and believe that the harm they do is for the greater good.

This serves as reminder to me to be, as Jesus said, "wise and serpents and gentle as doves." It takes great skill to meet evil with compassion in a meaningful way. I recently read a skilled meditation teacher discussing the need to make those who do harm stop - forcefully. He wasn't advocating war or even violence but simply putting out the idea that we must not ignore evil, ignore the harm to others and the suffering of innocents. It is incumbent upon to to say stop. To use our skill to bring an end to the evil. If we see evil and just shake our heads and say"tsk, tsk, what a shame. I'll send some healing energy" are we not like the person who meets a man without a coat on a cold day and, instead of giving him a coat, stretch out our hands and say "be warm and go in peace"? We have done nothing. The man freezes to death when it was in our power to help him.

Of course, none of this really addresses the question, "what is evil?" That's a whole other discussion. Keep in mind as you recite the second precept, that you are trusting in the "good" in the universe not in the "evil." And you are responsible for doing the "good" in the universe as well.

Little Messages from Mary

2010-12-23T21:56:00.003-05:00

I have been channelling short messages from Our Lady for quite awhile. I have decided to start a blog to put them out where others might read them and find some inspiration. Enjoy! Comment. Peace to you all.

New Blog

2010-12-19T23:07:00.003-05:00

I am beginning a new blog that is related to this one. Part of my practice is to do Eucharistic Adoration several times a week. In the process I start with a recitation of my precepts and vows, invoke Reiki energy and then follow my breath for 108 breaths (using a Japa Mala to keep track). After I complete following the breath I say Rosary.

The Virgin Mary is most always spiritually visible next to the reliquary. I spend time at the end of each session open to whatever she may have to say to me. I will be posting some of those messages on a new blog called "Little Messages from Mary." I hope you will find it uplifting and useful.

I will post a link when it is ready to view.

Peace

Brightest Blessings

2010-12-15T11:06:00.001-05:00

If you visit this blog, please share it with your Reiki friends and colleagues. I am pondering the possibility of making the contents of the blog into a book.

Back on the web

2010-12-09T20:39:00.001-05:00

I just couldn't leave the blog deleted. It's back. Read and enjoy and post comments. Light and love.

Brother Mark

Dicsourses on the Principles - Principle Five

2010-08-15T13:57:00.003-04:00

Just for today I will be kind to all beings. I vow to practice that all beings may find peace, healing and liberation from suffering.

This is the pinnacle of Reiki practice. We allow ourselves to be conscious vessels and conduits of universal light and love in order to transform and liberate all beings. We are one with all things. In Buddhism this is called interdependent co-arising. Christian holy texts say that in God we live and move and have our being. There is no distinction between you and I. All is all.

When you engage in compassionate meditation by sending out Reiki, you are effecting the liberation of all beings. When, through practice, you fully realize your union with all beings, you will no longer desire to harm. Feelings of enmity will cease. Infinite light and love will pervade your practice and flow into the awareness of all beings. Practice that all beings may find liberation. Practice. Practice. Practice.

Light and Love to the earth and all her beings; to all spirits light and dark, above and below; to all beings of the ten directions and all beings of the seven worlds. May we all realize peace, healing and liberation.

Discourses on the Five Principles - Principle Four

2010-04-13T09:51:00.004-04:00

Just for today I will do my work honestly. On the face of it this seems pretty straightforward. I have work to do- occupation, homework, yard work - and I am going to do it the best I can. This understanding of the fourth principle is important. Our attention to the mundane tasks that adorn our days can become the foundation of practice and provide an expanded understanding of our connection to all beings. It also offers opportunity for compassionate action. Today, do your labors attentively. Be present. Breathe and work. Work and pay attention. As the old Zen saying goes, "Before enlightenment. Chop wood, Carry water."

This principle also offer us the chance to look more broadly at the issue of personal integrity. It tells us to engage in daily reflection on our actions, not with the intent of judging ourselves but with the intent of shedding delusions and illusions. Who are we in the incarnation? What is our purpose? Do we really live in a manner that fosters peace and compassion in the world? Take the time to cultivate a mindful awareness of your daily life. Be aware, be honest, live with intergrity.

Just for today, I will do my work honestly. I vow to live with integrity in all my relations.

Discourses on the Five Principles - Principle Three

2010-01-22T09:39:00.004-05:00

Just for today give thanks. Sounds easy right? The practice of gratitude eludes me so much of the time. I find myself wanting life to be different. I find myself wanting things I do not have. I find myself yearning for something that I cannot even articulate. I crave. I am bound by desire. In this state of attachment I cannot find the space for gratitude. I fail to be thankful for the abundance all around me because I'm blinded by my grasping mind. I suffer.

In the past year I had a couple of very clear lessons on gratitude. First, I was working a job I did not like. I was isolated, the daily tasks were boring, and the pay left something to be desired. I spent my days wanting something different. I spent my days focused on what made me miserable. My body suffered. I ached, was exhausted from the tedium. I was unaware of gratitude. It wasn't that I refused to be thankful, I was so wrapped up in my suffering that gratitude did not even hit the radar screen.

I don't remember what prompted a change. (Probably my husband) I decided - chose - to be grateful for my job. I chose to see what brought me joy in the job. I chose to give thanks even for the things that I did not like about the job. I became truly grateful. I ached less and had a little more energy. I was more productive. Gratitude undid my attachment to my grasping mind and allowed me to be present. A week or so after beginning to be truly grateful for my job, it ended. Abruptly.

A similar thing happened a few months later. I had been driving the same car for about 5 years. It was a great car. Old but ran really well and keeping it on the road cost far less than making car payments. I wanted something else though. I wanted a new car. A "fun" car. A more fuel efficient car. A whatever...... I was not grateful for the car I had.

Again, I don't know what prompted the change, but I became truly grateful for the car. I realized all those good things I said about the car were true. I started giving thanks from my heart for the car. For the reliability and the rust. I became more at ease with the present moment and circumstances and had joy in driving my car. About a week later my car was totaled in an accident. No one was injured but the car was not salvageable. Gratitude, it seemed, had brought another big loss.

Then it hit me! It sometimes takes me awhile to understand things. Gratitude is not a happy pill or a cure-all for things we don't like. It is not a means of making the impermanent permanent. Gratitude is the practice of being in life as it is at every moment. Gratitude releases us from the grasping mind and allows us to relax in our life as it is. Whether employed or unemployed, whether the car runs or doesn't, whether we are well or ill. Whatever our state of being may be, gratitude allows us to fully live it in every moment without creating more suffering for ourselves. Gratitude allows us to stop grasping at mental fantasies and frees us to take actions needed to engage life as it is and cultivate more joy. Gratitude empowers us to live!

Just for today I am thankful. I vow to celebrate all things as blessing.

Discourses on the 5 Principles - Principle Two (extended version)

2009-12-10T09:24:00.002-05:00

I have of late been put to the test on the second principle - Just for today, do not worry. Seems I do nothing but worry these days.

What is worry? I see worry as the constant nagging anxiety over the things of life. Usually worry involves things that may happen not things that are happening. Alot of people worry about impending apocalypse. I tend to worry about more mundane things like car accidents, running out of money, living a pointless life. None of these worries are imminent. They are fantasies. With them I draw misery to myself.

There's a difference between concern over circumstances that present challenges and worry. We can pay attention to circumstances that actually need to be addressed - getting the car inspected, balancing the check book, giving thanks for the opportunity to live the embodied life as a vehicle for lovingkindness. Taking care of daily business is being responsible, it gives us opportunity to live with integrity and compassion.

Worry is a different thing. Worry is fruitless attachment to our petty fears. Worry is constant chatter in the little mind about those fears. Worry colors all our waking moments and seeps into our dreamtime.

The antidote to worry is trust. Trust in the goodness of the universe. There are two ways (at least) of looking at the universe. One, the view most often foisted on us by "science", is that the universe if a hostile place always threatening our fragile existence. From dwarf stars to viral outbreaks, we are presented with a world that's unfriendly and cruel. I never watch "nature" shows on TV. These shows always explain the cycles of life and death in terms of cruelty and violence. There is not an attempt to understand the larger cycles of creation, destruction and rebirth. There is no celebration of life.

We can also look at the universe and see a vast dance of creation and transition. Nothing is ever lost. Neither the planets or galaxies nor you and me. It is all, including us, in a constant state of transformation into different forms. We are constantly being birthed in a new existence. The universe facilitates and supports the natural transformation of all beings in the beings they will become. We can truly trust the goodness of this process.

Worry is a lack of trust in the process. Worry is an clinging to what we are now. Trust is the celebration of what we are becoming. I must remind myself these days to celebrate. To give thanks. To trust.

Just for today, I will not worry. I vow to trust in the goodness of the universe.

Peace

Discourses on the 5 Principles: Principle Two

2009-12-08T22:37:00.006-05:00

The Three Attainments

2009-06-28T21:21:00.002-04:00

The Monk of the Order shall strive for the three attainments. These are rooted in simplicity. The three attainments are:

Simplicity of Mind - while a monk may be well-read in various theologies and sacred teachings, she must strive towards simplicity of mind through daily meditation and contemplation. Avoid clinging to complicated theological and doctrinal concepts, rather focus the mind on the unconditional love of creation and engage it through mindfulness and single-pointed meditation. Through Simplicity of Mind, all theologies and doctrines are seen through and the monk experiences divine union.

Simplicity of Heart - while the monk is expected to maintain and engage in a clear ethical and moral life (according to the dictates of his conscience and in keeping with his precepts and vows), he is to avoid harsh judgements and self-righteousness through simplicity of heart. In all things lovingkindness, gentleness, peace, patience and humility.

Simplicity of Action - all action should arise from simplicity of mind and heart. All action should arise from the monk's mediation upon and commitment to lovingkindness and unconditional love.

These are the three attainments.

A Message from Our Lady

2009-06-02T22:17:00.002-04:00

This is an excerpt from a longer message from Our Lady. I initially thought that the message was very personal but as I re-read it I realized that Her words are for everyone. I may post the entire piece on my page at www.spreadpeace.org (look under members for Brother Mark):

"Tell all beings that they are light and love. Nothing else. All is delusion except light and love. When my children understand, when they remember that they are light and love, peace will be manifest, lovingkindness and compassion will be manifest.

Do all for Love, little ones. Do all for Love. Reiki is a realization of the light and love of creation. Reiki is the residual presence of God's Spirit. It is the latent life of all creation. "Reiki" is simply a word for the Light and Love that is God's action/active force sustaining and upholding creation... enjoin all peoples to love one another. To be kind to one another.

Usui was (and is) my beloved monk and priest. You do well to keep his lineage alive for a little while.

Be love my beautiful children. Be Kindness. Be Joy. Be at peace. All is well."

A Message from Our Lady

2009-04-25T21:27:00.003-04:00

Blessings all. I was awakened a few days ago with an urgent call to channel Our Lady. I wanted to share a small part of what she said,

"I am your soul and heart. I am the Light and Love of all creation. Hear me. The way of joy lies open to you. Abundance is all around you. This is true. Abundance of all things is yours now. No lack exists. No lack persists."

As we recite and practice the Five principles, remember that we can lay aside all worry and fear because the creation is designed to support us in every way. Just for today, do not worry. Trust in the goodness of the universe.

Peace

Discourses on the 5 Principles: First Principle

2009-04-14T16:44:00.003-04:00

Blessings everyone. I am finally getting around to posting my own discourses on the Five Principles. These will be brief, my take on them and open to your comments and responses.

Just for today, do not be angry.

I must admit, anger has been a close companion for many many years. Not that I intentionally cultivated anger or sought it out, it's just that circumstances in life left me walking hand-in-hand with a boat-load of anger. Here's something I've learned. Anger leads to resentment. Resentment is anger that we have become attached to. We nurture it. Feed it. Keep the bonds strong. Even when we don't intend to.

So what's the solution? For me, prayer and forgiveness. Prayer meaning a continual seeking of the presence of the divine through regular spiritual practice. Forgiveness is the conscious commitment to love and compassion. Has someone wronged me? I love them and engage in compassionate response. Not that I sweep things under the rug. I tell the person, "I feel wronged and it hurts me" and then I love. I pray for them to be well and have a beautiful life. I engage them respectfully when we interact. And I foster my connection with the divine light and love that infuses all beings.

Just for today, I will not be angry. I vow to cultivate peace in my life and in the world around me.

Bright blessings

A Response to GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING REIKI AS AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY by the United States Conference of Bishops

2009-04-01T22:34:00.004-04:00

After reading through the document a couple of times I am not surprised that it seems designed to support a viewpoint arrived at before any “study” was undertaken. There are several problems with the information in the GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING REIKI AS AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY promulgated by the United States Conference of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church.

First, contrary to the Bishops’ assertion, Reiki is widely accepted in the western medical community as an complemenatry therapy. Many hospitals not only have training for staff but maintain volunteer programs for area reiki practitioners to offer sessions to patients. There have been studies conducted on the efficacy of Reiki and other hands-on healing practices. No study shows any adverse effects from receiving Reiki and the majority of studies show positive effects, particularly in providing the recipient with a profound sense of relaxation and peace and the physiological benefits that accompany it.

Secondly, the philosophical/scientific basis for reiki is not “superstition.” Eastern medicine has been used sucessfully for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of ailments. The underlying concepts of ki, chi, prana, etc. have been tested over and over again in highly developed and sophisticated cultures. Eastern medicine was healing people when western medicine was all leeching and bloodletting. This is not to say that eastern medicine is without its problems or shortcomings, but it is effective and proven. Usui’s Reiki is rooted in the eastern understanding of health and health science. By harping on the term “Universal Life Force” the Bishops obscure (perhaps deliberately) the meaning and application of “ki” in understanding and creating better health.

Furthermore, Reiki was not “invented” by Usui. His techniques are firmly grounded in the longstanding Japanese traditions of teate and tenohira - established “palm healing” techniques. He did not discover the techniques “reading buddhist texts.” As far as scholars have been able to determine, Usui was a Buddhist and perhaps a Buddhist lay-priest in a “Pure-Land” sect. But, as his memorial points out, he was widely read in many religious traditions and metaphysical practices.

I could go on but suffice it to say that the Bishops did a sloppy job in their research because they simply wanted to, as is the want of the Roman Church, dismiss and denigrate what they cannot control.

It would have been more fruitful for them to discuss and affirm in as far as possible, the 5 Principles that Usui espoused and that were the backbone of his teaching. The Principles are fundametal ethical guidelines that resonate clearly with many of the world’s wisdom traditions, including Christianity. They could also have made connections to Usui’s insistence that students meditate, that they engage in spiritual practice as a primary component of practice.

So let me be blunt, the Bishops’ statement is bloated with ignorance and patently offensive to people of faith who are rational, ethical and of good will.

Primordial Lineage

2009-03-25T07:26:00.001-04:00

Attached is a link to an article on the issue of lineage. The author talks about Primordial Lineage. I found it interesting and useful. Let us know what you think.

http://www.shibumireiki.org/index.php/blog/article/primordial_lineage

Discourses on Principles

2009-02-27T17:26:00.007-05:00

One of the requirements for taking precepts and vows in the Reiki Peace Order is writing short discourses on the Five Principles of Reiki as given through Mikao Usui. The principles are timely and are the ethical basis of Reiki Practice. They are sound guides for living life. They one of the three pillars of the Order. Over the next few days I will be posting my own discourses. My Original discourses are lengthy so I'm rewriting them to meet the standard set out in the Rule - that is one page or less.

Teachings on Practice - Part Seven

2008-10-15T13:51:00.005-04:00

VII.

the full river,
a single piece of ice,
the scent of jasmine
rising from the cup, and yet,
Still we bicker and war

Teachings on Practice - Part Six

2008-09-13T10:38:00.004-04:00

VI. A conversation between student and teacher

Student: What may I teach to liberate all beings from suffering?

Teacher: You may teach this dharma.

Student: What is that dharma?

Teacher: The Way of Peace dharma is this. Sit, hands folded, say vows, observe mind. Read pure uplifting words. Touch the earth in gentleness. Read peaceful, kind words. Touch the earth in gentleness. Touch other beings in lovingkindness.

Never return anger for anger.
Never return mistrust for betrayal.
Give thanks to all beings.
Give no cause for resentment, cause no harm.
Be loving and kind to all beings.

Sit, hands folded, say vows, observe mind. Do kindness all day. Do not war with your own soul.

Sit, hands folded, say vows, observe mind. Give thanks. Honor your own soul and your purpose in this existence. Do no harm.

Sit, hands folded, say vows, observe mind. Give thanks. In this manner will all being learn the Dharma of Peace and find liberation from suffering.

Sit, hands folded, say vows, observe mind. Give thanks. In this there can be no attachment.

Way of Peace Dharma. Teach this.