Keeping Oneself Clear

WORKING WITH OTHERS
Not Taking On Another's Symptoms:

Since Reiki is a channeled form of healing, the practitioner is not using their own energy and because the Reiki energy is guided by the "Higher Power," it is very unlikely that a practitioner will absorb any of the client's negative energy during a Reiki session. In fact, in the early days of Reiki in the West, it was stated that this could not happen. Yet, it has become clear to me and to other Reiki teachers and practitioners I have spoken with that occasionally a practitioner can have the experience of absorbing a portion of the client's pain or other symptoms.

In other cases, a practitioner feels drained after a Reiki session. This experience is rare, but when it does happen, it can be uncomfortable for the practitioner. In some cases, the experience is so pronounced that they consider discontinuing the practice of Reiki. So, although it is not happening to many practitioners, the fact that it is happening to some is reason enough to understand why this sort of thing takes place and learn how to prevent it.

If you or any of your Reiki friends or students have experienced these situations, I suggest that you consider the following solutions. Nothing can happen to us unless we create it for ourselves on some level of our being. Seeking the cause of a situation within oneself opens the door to greater self-understanding and the possibility for deep healing. When a practitioner takes on a client's negative energy during a healing session or feels drained afterwards, it is usually due to something that the practitioner is doing energetically within the self, either consciously or unconsciously, to allow this to happen. There is usually a misunderstanding or a misalignment of energy within the practitioner’s energy field that invites the client's symptoms in. If practitioners have an unbalanced personal interest concerning the client or the Reiki session, either conscious or unconscious, they open themselves to having their energy drained or to taking on the client's symptoms.

Here are a few examples of what could be going on for some: The practitioner may have an unhealthy interest in "curing" the client. Or they may feel that in order to be "OK" as a healer, they must produce specific results. On some level of consciousness, the practitioner is willing to take on the client's pain or illness or give up some personal energy in exchange for being considered an effective healer. A practitioner who is working on a friend or relative may have a specific
outcome they are desperately seeking because of the role that person plays in their life. Thus, a practitioner may also become open to taking on the client's symptoms as a way of helping the client achieve the desired results. Furthermore, a practitioner may have strong feelings of guilt and may feel that they deserve to be punished or restricted in some way. On an unconscious level,they invite the client's negative energy into their energy field as a way of self-punishment, and may also feel drained afterwards.

These tendencies usually arise from unconscious parts of the personality. These unconscious segments are usually attempting to produce a positive result, but in an unhealthy way. It is through the pathway of one's unhealthy personal energy and intentions toward the client that the symptoms of the client travel back into the practitioner's energy field. The practitioner is usually not aware of creating this and feels only the negative symptoms received with no clear explanation.

There are several things that can be done to remedy this situation. As a basis for administering Reiki treatments, it is important for the practitioner to always keep in mind the need to allow the Reiki energy to perform all of the healing work. To do this, one must set one's personal energies aside and get out of the way. Saying a prayer before beginning a treatment can help accomplish this. For example: "I ask that my personal energies be set aside so Reiki can flow in abundance."

Another level of help involves the use of the Usui power symbol and affirmations. Before beginning a treatment, draw the power symbol on the palms of each hand. In addition, draw a large power symbol down the front of your body and small power symbols on each chakra. As you do this, intend that doing so will prevent the client's symptoms from entering your energy field while leaving your own energy intact. Then to yourself, in a very certain and definite manner, repeat an affirmation such as this: "I choose not to take on the client's negative energy." Repeat these words several times before beginning the session.

The above methods are useful and will produce immediate results. However, the most effective way to deal with this problem is for the practitioner to focus on the part or parts of the self that is giving away energy or taking on the client's symptoms and heal that part. This can be done using various Reiki techniques including regular Reiki, the Healing Attunement, and Aura Clearing (Psychic Surgery).

These three methods work best when done both as a self- treatment and by receiving treatment from another practitioner. These are powerful methods especially the third, and are likely to be accompanied by other changes in the practitioner's life involving how one takes care of oneself and relates to others. Once healed, the practitioner will be much stronger and will not have to deal with this problem again.

Source: William Rand


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