Wanderings' Wanderings

There was a discussion on a board I am a part of somewhere else, in another galaxy maybe, which had a discussion about the varied amounts people charge for their Reiki services.

Now, I’ve always taken the route of the Massage Therapists and used them as  a sort of guide for how much I should be charging, so my prices fairly reflect that scope.  But teaching someone to be a practitioner is a whole other bailiwick that no one can seem to agree upon.

I have to admit, I was one of those who paid an enormous sum (a one and 5 zeros), AND spent 3 years training under the one who attuned me.  I could not afford it at the time and suffered a great deal as a result of spending all my savings. Was that the right thing for that master to do?  By her tradition it was and so I respected the process, but just because I had to pay that amount doesn’t mean I will ever come close to charging that amount to anyone!!!!!

Today, I am not a wealthy man, nor am I particularly hurting. So I suppose for me it all depends on the individual.  I’ve taught someone for as much as $150.00 (for the master level) and for as little as a Thank You (for the same level).

We talk about exchange as if we all had the same concept of what it means, but I get the distinct impression many of us are thinking very differently along those lines.

For instance, we all teach there needs to be an exchange, but we too receive Reiki when we share it with others, so there is already a natural exchange happening. I once received a healing while focusing on my client. I didn’t feel right about charging for the session so I didn’t since I had also received healing. My client still tipped me, but must the exchange be monetary, or can it be something all together different?

To say cash is the only type of exchange closes so many doors to so many people, and that somehow just doesn’t sit well with me. I’ve received monetary exchanges, food (I love chicken), massages, doctor visits, car washes, and yes, even hugs.

If someone out there is saying they are only in this field for money, then I for one would seriously have to question the intent of the practitioner. Is the practitioner out for your client’s highest good, or out for their pocketbook? This is where ethics is so desperately needed in our industry. One of the things I say every morning is that I will earn my living honestly. I take that to heart.

$10,000.00… I guess if someone is willing to pay such an amount for such a thing, then that is really on them. I for one will never do so, but I guess some people still do.  Heck I did so there must be others.

If nothing else we should at least respect each others traditions and if a tradition tells someone to charge that much money, then so be it, but for me it’s about the healing, not about the money!

One last thing, My wife and I were once at a healing arts fair and we were asked about how much we charged to teach.  We spoke honestly and spoke about the healing and the such when all of a sudden a woman came out of no where and screamed that it was because of people like my wife and I that the Reiki community was going to the dogs.  I stared at her for a moment and asked her how many clients she has seen in her lifetime.  She said none, she only teaches Reiki and needed to come out of retirement because the industry is going to hell due to people like my wife and I.  For that teacher, it was all about the money.   The healing factor in Reiki had never even been a consideration for her.  The fact it helped people transform their lives was never an issue for her.  It was about becoming rich!

To this day I still feel sorry for that person and I send her loving energy.

For those of you entering the Reiki community, ask yourselves, why are you here?  What has brought you to Reiki and why?  What are your goals, and what are your ethical principles?  How will you BE an example of Reiki to the community, and how will you BE an example of Reiki in your own life?

For those of you already in the Reiki community, let me ask you the following, when tradition begins to interfere with true healing should we still adhere to tradition?  Is it about the money, or about the client’s best interest?  When teaching someone, are you more interested in the check, the green stuff, or who the student is as a healer?

We talk about Celebrating Reiki for people’s highest goods, yet then the almighty dollar takes over and superimposes it’s divine will over health and happiness.  Why are you Reiki?  And if it is about the almighty dollar, then isn’t your services centered on your own needs and not that of your client’s?

I strongly suggest people sit down and reflect on their need to be Reiki.  Draw up your own ethical standards, which should follow closely with other standards.  Examine everything you do, and let the Reiki energy help guide you to true healing, and towards helping empower others to heal as well.

A practitioner should never, never, never control a client or a student!  It’s about the lives we touch, not about our own egos!

I may have angered some out there in the community with these words, but remember, these are just my opinions.  I do not control Reiki so do what you want!  I will make my own choices regarding with whom I associate, or with whom I will not associate.

For everyone else,  Peace…

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