Preparing like Janet Baker!

Some time ago I watched a documentary about singer Dame Janet Baker.  I was struck by the preparation she put into her singing.  I believe her focus and dedication to preparing her music is one of the things that made her such a great singer.  I have found that preparation is valuable in Reiki practice too.

 I’ve not always been good at preparation, perhaps because I didn’t really understand its importance.  I am regularly try to do more than there is time for, so often haven’t allowed enough time for preparation.  When I wanted to learn Reiki, I was impatient to get started.  Part of the preparation for learning Reiki is to have the money available, to show a commitment to the Reiki teaching.  This I had put aside, but the Reiki master I wanted to learn with wasn’t teaching a class for months.  I was willing to wait because I was so keen to learn with her.  This was also preparation as I surrendered the timing that was my teacher’s (and perhaps Reiki's), not mine!

 Being an enthusiastic student, I took my 2^nd degree just three months after 1^st degree.  I have often seen this eagerness in students in those first months and have observed that those who wait until after three months have has passed, enjoy a deeper experience of the 2^nd degree class.  Practicing for longer is good preparation for what this next stage of learning offers.  I have seen how students connect with and understand the concepts and practice more quickly because it resonates with their experience, rather than just ideas they have heard.  I sometimes feel a little envious of their preparation!  In effect I had to do the preparation afterwards, which meant it was a couple of years before I really began to develop my 2^nd degree practice.

In those early years of my Reiki practice, I also began offering treatments in a complementary health clinic.  I was doing team treatments with a more experienced practitioner and thought I was ready to ‘go public’.  Again, my eagerness to give Reiki treatments outweighed the recognition of my unpreparedness: I didn’t know what I didn’t know!  I learned a lot through those treatments but ultimately the public practice did not take off and now I think that was because I wasn’t properly prepared.  I learned even more about how much more I needed to learn by participating in discussions about the qualities expected of a Reiki practitioner working with the public through The Reiki Association and Reiki Council.

The current situation has forced a pause in teaching classes and in-person treatments which can be seen as an opportunity to prepare.  Like Dame Janet Baker we have the opportunity to just practice, or to deepen our knowledge and understanding through other explorations.  Those who are keen to learn Reiki can practise by receiving treatment.  Those waiting to progress to 2nd degree can prepare by self-treatment practice and treating family and friends in their bubble.  Practitioners who are eager to begin or return to hands on treatment practice once this is safe, can deepen their understanding through similar practice, or by learning more about some of the theoretical aspects such as what society expects of practitioners in terms of legal requirements, appropriate presentation and preparation of the treatment space - something that has had to be updated in response to the coronavirus.

I have learned about the importance of allowing time to prepare, so this enforced pause has been in some ways a blessing.  30 years on I am still learning and preparing for the year ahead - whatever it may bring.

Preparation

As the New Year begins many people think about the year ahead: a time of preparation for what is to come.

I was once a Brownie with the motto "Be Prepared" but didn't learn this lesson in my early life!  I frequently found myself rushing because I hadn't prepared.  Last year I heard a comment about the importance of preparation from Ben Haggard, a wise teacher in the Reiki community.  It resonated with me, so I began to pay more attention to how I prepare in life.

I realised that what causes me to rush out of the door or arrive late is that I'm often   This, I realised, is a cause of unhealthy stress, so I began to make timely preparations.
preparing at the last minute: for example going to a Reiki Share and only getting the blankets and pillows just before I'm due to drive away!

Last year I also had a lot of preparation for my new Practitioner course.  Most of the 10 sessions I was teaching for the first time, so I had to ensure I had plenty of time to do the research and prepare myself, including self treatment or sending Reiki to the session.

My daily self treatment is a way of preparing for each day.  It also supports my health, ensuring I'm prepared for serving my clients and students, especially when they are finding things difficult.  Due to Reiki self treatment preparation I know my immune system is in good shape, so if a client calls to say they have a cold I don't need to put them off, but can give them the treatment they need.

Regular Reiki treatments also help build mental resilience, in preparation for life's more difficult challenges.  Everyone experiences shocks and unexpected happenings that can be distressing - such as my car's radiator blowing up on the way to a Reiki Share in November!  On that occasion I found that although I was scared I had the resilience to deal with the situation without further stress.  This was a small challenge and I know of many people who have found that Reiki preparation has helped them in the face of much bigger challenges, such as a major health diagnosis or loss of a loved one.

In Usui Shikui Ryoho Reiki the way we teach also encourages preparation:

the time of the course, over 4 part days, ensures the student is fully prepared for each initiation.  I also know from many years of teaching that students sometimes take years to be ready to learn Reiki, a time of preparation that I respect.  The suggested time gap between 1st degree and 2nd degree is also a time of preparation for the student, ensuring they have had time to practice and get to know how Reiki feels before taking the next step.  The same is true as people set out on the road to Reiki Mastery, a preparation that may take years.

So like the gardeners who are using this quiet time of the year to prepare the land for the growing season ahead, I am taking some quiet time to prepare for the coming year.  I am planing more teaching to assist you in your growth on your Reiki journey.  I don't mind waiting for  you to join me because I know that preparation can take time.