Reiki Cocktail

Okay I think its time to lay this question to rest. Twice this week I’ve been asked if it is an accepted Reiki practice that alcohol is not allowed. I’m not really sure where that idea first came from, but I’d like to address it here.

First off, alcohol is allowed. There is nothing at all in the Reiki Rulebook against it… there are, however, several good reasons to avoid it at Reiki time. Such as:

♦ Alcohol impairs your judgment
♦ Alcohol interferes with the spiritual channels
♦ Alcohol dulls your senses
♦ Alcohol has physical effects (difficulty walking, blurred vision, slurred speech, slowed reaction times, etc.)
♦ Alcohol impairs your memory
♦ Alcohol can be addictive

Now none of these may necessarily be related to your Reiki practice. Or perhaps they are. Here in Japan it is quite common to go out after a Reiki Share or Reiki Session and enjoy a few drinks (or more) with dinner. Rumor has it that Dr. Usui enjoyed his o-sake and it was not considered a deterrent to Reiki in any way, shape or form.

Mrs. Takata may have had something against alcohol and that may be where the notion that alcohol is verboten in ones Reiki practice spread from, or perhaps the association Reiki shares with the all-natural or vegetarian movements. In Japan, the only advanced Reiki Master I know who doesn’t imbibe is Rev. Hyakuten Inamoto, but this is purely for religious reasons and has nothing to do with Reiki.

Here in Japan, beer is used quite often in taste tests and energy tests involving Reiki. The effects of Reiki-ing a glass of beer are quite obvious and it is quite enjoyable trying to locate the Reikied glass. It works with coffee and tea as well… but it isn’t as powerful and it isn’t nearly as fun. :wink:

The practice of Reiki, being a semi-hands-on modality can have ethical/moral considerations that might be blurred by the consumption of alcohol, but for goodness sake, lets not go making a mountain out of a molehill. If you enjoy alcohol, please don’t let Reiki stand in the way. As long as your consumption is under control… there is no reason not to… and anyone who says there is might have a few emotional blocks that need work. :-)