What’s it like being a Reiki master? Well, this is the first post in a series of posts I will write on the topic of life as a Reiki master. Today, I’m going to outline some of the guidelines I use to help me keep my energy up, so that I can be available as a clean and clear channel for others. Not all Reiki masters will follow or agree with these rules, they are just personal to me, and over time, I’ve found that sticking to these rules works for me. If you’re a Reiki practitioner, or are thinking of getting attuned to Reiki, please feel free to leave a comment. Thanks!
It wasn’t long after I first started getting into Reiki that I knew I would eventually take the master level training. Even with my level 2, I was already seeing the profound shifts that were taking place in my internal world reflected back in my outer world. As I became more and more attuned to Reiki energy, I also became more sensitive and less tolerant of harsh or negative energy. I knew that for me, becoming a Reiki master would not just be another certificate on the wall…it would be a commitment to a way of life.
For me, it is important to be a clean and clear channel for Reiki energy. This means first keeping up with my own self-care. It’s a commitment I take very seriously. Keeping clean and clear energy while living in a city in the modern world is not easy, but it can be done.
I will list some of the rules I adhere to that help me keep my energy up. These are just rules I made for myself, based on my own experience. Not all Reiki masters will agree with these rules, in fact I know some Reiki masters who would disagree with having rules of any kind!
Rule Number One: No more getting drunk!
It’s ok to have a glass or two at dinner, but those days of staying out until 2am drinking and partying? Those days are over. Moreover, I keep away from intoxicants in general. Maybe I will post some more about the spiritual effects of intoxicants in a future post. Suffice it to say, it ain’t good.
Rule Number Two: Don’t eat your friends!
Ok, look…I didn’t become a vegetarian for animal rights reasons. I became a vegetarian because my parents raised me that way. HOWEVER, I now choose to remain a vegetarian for many reasons, one of which is definitely animal rights. Animals have consciousness and they are suffering on a mass scale due to the current methods used to produce meat for food. When you consume anything digestible, it then actually becomes part of you. The old saying “you are what you eat” is not just a catchy phrase, it’s the real down to earth truth. You ARE what you eat, and if you’re eating the remnants of a distressed, diseased, frightened animal then your energy will reflect that; there is no escaping this reality and it’s gross.
What about ethically raised meat, you might be asking (defensively, perhaps?). Is there a place for organic, ethically raised meat at the dinner table? Well, you know what, there are a lot of factors involved. I do have an opinion on the issue, which I will save for a future post and link back to it here.
Rule Number Three: Don’t have sex, like, ever.
Ok, that might be a bit of an hyperbole, but seriously, the energy exchange that happens during sexual intercourse is not to be underestimated.
Rule Number Four: Be mindful
I practice meditation. It helps me keep my mind clear and my thoughts in check. My basic daily practice is a 20 minute Transcendental Meditation silent mantra sitting meditation. Ya, of course sometimes I don’t get to it, but on those days, I still make time to check in with myself using other mindfulness techniques like mindful breathing, mindful walking, mindful eating. Anything can be a practice of mindfulness, and actually, every moment of life is an opportunity to practice mindfulness. Meditating is like brushing your teeth, only for your mind. It’s ok to miss it for one day, but it’s really just better for everyone if you don’t.
Rule Number Five: Follow the 5 Principles of Reiki
Actually, this post was originally going to be about following the 5 principles of Reiki, and then I realized that maybe some context would be helpful. In the context of taking care of my own physical, metal, emotional, and spiritual health (by following the 4 rules above), I also strive to live by the 5 principles of Reiki. Consciously incorporating these ideals into my life has been a much bigger challenge than I ever anticipated. The bottom line is, you can’t hide from Reiki. It is an all-powerful natural force and once you are attuned to it, it is going to flow like a river through your life. You can choose to use the 5 principles as a raft and paddle along with the flow of the river, or you can abandon the raft and try to swim against the flow. Well, if you’ve ever been in a boat on a river, you’ll know what I’m trying to say here! And if you haven’t been in a boat on a river, then, well, you should try it sometime cuz it’s fun!
Namaste 😀