In this article I would like to look at the innate connection between Reiki and Meditation as well as how these two disciples can be used together to support and enhance each other. Reiki and Meditation are both spiritual practices and as such a spiritual inclination is needed for their mastery. Without this key element there is no point in trying, as it is not something that can be picked up along the way.

The main point to bear in mind when incorporating meditation into your Reiki practice is that, like Reiki itself, meditation is a discipline… and no discipline can ever be mastered without effort. Reiki Masters who receive Reiki training but never put the time into disciplining it are really not Reiki Masters at all.

The original Reiki training involved months, if not years of dedication in order to master it, and so Reiki Master certificates being handed out over the Internet in return for a quick payment may be valid, but the practitioner still needs to put in the work in order to make it effective. This is where discipline comes in.

There are many meditation training systems to choose from, and those endeavoring to learn meditation are encouraged to try several different styles until they find the one that resonates with them. All meditation systems are not created equally, some are rather severe while others are more lenient, so it is important to find the right one for you, otherwise the practice will be very difficult to maintain.

Zen Meditation revolves around the ability to control your thoughts and the ultimate goal is to stop thinking all together. This state of non-thought opens your mind to a new dimension of reality and for some it comes quite easily while others have to work for it… some harder than others. Typical Japanese Zen Meditation centers around training the mind to focus on one thought at a time. Traditionally, Zen koans are often used which are quite abstract and basically unanswerable questions that allow the mind to expand. As you meditate on these paradoxes, your mind will wander… you just need to remember to bring it back to the puzzle at hand whenever your thoughts stray, and in this way you learn to discipline your mind.

In a Reiki Mediation the same principle is followed. That is, you choose something to focus on (which is generally one of the Reiki Precepts (a discussion of which can be found here) one of the Reiki Symbols (a discussion of which can be found here) or some specific application of Reiki (such as an intended distance healing)). Again, just as in Zen Meditation, whenever your mind wanders… you just need to bring it back to the Reiki principle you are focusing on (or whatever the focus of the mediation is) in order to discipline your mind and deepen your Reiki practice at the same time.

This may seem daunting at first and you might be thinking that it is all just too much… I know, I was there before and felt the same way and for many years that alone kept me from even attempting such an endeavor. Finally, I found the system that was right for me and it was all downhill after that. The rewards are substantial, and if you really want it you will get it… any obstacles you encounter along the way are just tests given by the universe in order to prove that this is something you really want. Once you convince the universe that you are sincere and that you are not going to give up… it will concede, but as mentioned above, a spiritual inclination is needed… and luckily… that is all you really do need to get started.

Duane Flowers, PhD, is a Reiki Master who has been living in Japan and studying Reiki for over 12 years. He has studied and worked with some of the top Reiki teachers and experts in the world and continues to devote time every day to furthering the understanding and practice of Reiki healing. Duane’s new Reiki blog is located at https://totalreikimastery.net where all comments and questions about Reiki are truly welcome. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Duane_Flowers