Like most humans I craved feeling part of a 'tribe',
but in early life, at school and university, felt like an outsider. As a result I would keep myself apart, either
by not participating or by acting a role.
Subconsciously, this feeling of separateness made me unhappy.
Learning Reiki began a healing of
this sad disconnection, bringing a deeper understanding of what being in
community means and how it nourishes me.
I now value and benefit from participating in community in many forms:
my students, the UK and international Reiki groups and other communities such
as my choirs. This understanding has
come through the Aspect of Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki known as Mystic Order.
In my early years in Reiki, participating
in Reiki gatherings was uncomfortable and a struggle. However in 1994 I attended a gathering with Phyllis
Furumoto as special guest. I was
interested in the opportunity to learn more about Reiki from her, so overcame
my resistance to be present. She described
the 9 Elements and 4 Aspects of Usui Shiki Ryoho. I recognised the way I had
learned Reiki in the Elements and also understood 3 of the Aspects: Healing
Practice, Personal Development and Spiritual Discipline. The fourth Aspect was a mystery: Mystic
Order.
Phyllis
describes Mystic Order as: "A group of people who
share a common practice that brings them in relation to reality beyond the
realm of the five senses is considered a mystic order. Though the practice of
Reiki employs the sense of touch, the quality of that touch can take us into
the realm of union and communion with self, others, and the essence of life.
Students experience directly through practice the interconnectedness of being
and awaken to the experience of a much greater reality beyond what is known."
The 'reality beyond the 5 senses'
is something familiar to me from life in Reiki. It led me to explore the 'greater
reality beyond what is known', particularly through my involvement with The
Reiki Association. It was often
difficult: like many aspects of Reiki
it's the challenge that creates growth!
Feelings I had experienced in communities since childhood became more
conscious: not feeling a part of the whole, not being acknowledged or valued
and wanting to escape before I was pushed out.
This brought up some of my negative views about myself which was often
painful, causing me to hide behind a 'role', such as being the Administrator.
However
Reiki helped me to stay in connection, in spite of the difficulty, which brought
me to experience and understand the benefits of being in community. I learned that being part of a caring
community is something I need; that to experience the connectedness with a
greater whole that goes beyond the senses - even though challenging - nourishes
something fundamental in me as a human being.
