Too passive? The Active Principal. Practical Magick.

[Celtaur]

Do you think Reiki is too passive?

I'm considering the "feeling" I have when doing things like visualization, meditation, reiki... and it's a very passive feeling, very receptive. I think for many it can be almost a feeling similar to low energy, depression.

Bringing in the active principal I think could be helpful and is necessary for many.

We see in the world how people are caught up in doing, and being active a lot, and maybe it's necessary to expel the energy and let that force run through us. Like channeling mars energy or jupiter, the active energetic principle.

Maybe Reiki is too Yin, quiet, serene? I know some people prefer massage over reiki because it's more touch oriented, grounding, more presence - more in the body and less in the mind. Like Yoga, is a very active form of meditation.

I think this may be why ritual is important for people practicing magic. It's theatrical, it's visual, it's sensory, it's proactive and directed will.

Maybe it's better suited to many to be chanelling that active principle. However I think there needs to be a balance and that's likely what I'm getting at here. I know I've felt low energy when being too receptive and will need to find ways to still incorporate the work of such things as reiki but make it more interesting and active to keep me interested and willing to participate in the process.

This is why I think I'm going to find myself having an affinity to sekhem (although what I've read online it does seem fluffy in a way, and I don't like fluffy... I guess that's what bugs me, passive, fluffy practices, they just don't do it for me). Maybe I should start incorporating my own ideas.

Sun, Mars, Jupiter blended with a bit of Venus, Mercury energy... I have an affinity to the planets and enjoy astrology so, it could be a good direction for me to start working in. Hmmm... well a bit of a ramble, but nice to think about.

[brifae]

Well you may have to be attuned to it why you dont feel it.
i know when I do the chokurei I feel the power on in my palms.
It also requires a inner psychic sense to use energy work.
I am interested in Sekhem, the solar healer and vicious feline. Practitioners do egyptian reiki as I've heard it discribed.
The energy is more projective, not receptive. You will feel a bit for yourself. More it is a feeling of flowing, but that does not tire you towards another person, or yourself if your hands are positioned on your own body, which is more difficult.
The person must make themselves receptive, or opening signs on the chakras are drawn to transmit this energy or programming.
It is funny you like jupiter, its "4" is the most commonly used astrological sign for abundance, success, fertility, luck in reiki.

[bsbray]

You are right, "maybe."

Maybe someone is also too active and needs to be more passive. It could go many ways.

Does anyone think balancing one's self in the still, neutral center of all things is the wrong way to go?

[Gemcat]

That low energy "feeling" you have is something that is best used in moderation. Yes, put to use. There is a certain way to channel that energy. Personally, when I use active energy in situations when there is a lot of active energy, there needs to be some low energy used. This low energy that we meditate on so much needs to be used with others that might have the Sun, Mars, or Jupiter planets in their charts, yet has low energy needing to be shared.

[brifae]

Interesting gemcat, I have an abundance of random phrenic energy, but am tired, so I find the lower level energy more soothing and energizing.
when i transmit energy, it feels like there is a block, or a book hovering over the surface of my hand, and that energy flows out, and a little will flow inwards, but it is definatley projective in reiki, and methods must be used to make the person receptive, the energy will flow as long as it is needed, then a sense will come when you dont feel the tension, and another area of the body or chakra is then used to balance/cleanse/heal, or a dusting motion is used to sweep off the uneeded or negative energy.

[Haruth]

What am I doing?!? You well know where I came from to Reiki...

Do you think Reiki is too passive?
...
Bringing in the active principal I think could be helpful and is necessary for many.
...
Maybe Reiki is too Yin, quiet, serene? I know some people prefer massage over reiki because it's more touch oriented, grounding, more presence - more in the body and less in the mind.
...

I have come to a place where I believe that Reiki is what it is. And what it is, it is for the highest purpose which best serves the recipient. For some, yin; for others, yang.

I'm wondering if the "excessive" passivity that you feel is more a reflection of those attracted to your personal energy to receive their Reiki treatments? An "active" treatment would act counter to a system requiring a more "fluid" transition through it.

Not wishing to suggest that my clients are guinea pigs for my inept fumblings in the field, I have been "blessed" with one particular massage client who swings from a relative high, to a really substantial low - depending on the levels of stress which have been experienced the preceding week / whether he has come to me after doing an activity which he enjoys and allows him to slough off the accumulated stress before arriving.

What I have noticed with him, though not necessarily with others who tend to present in a similar state each treatment, is that on his "high" days, the Reiki flows in a much more passive manner. On his low days, it can feel like a high voltage current. In this sense, I feel that the energy presented by the client, defines the form and flow of the Reiki: almost as if there is some ideal balance within the receiver's field which the Reiki "achieves" by applying the sense which is lacking. With the treatment over, he usually leaves in a more balanced, relaxed but alert state.

Admittedly, the bulk of the change may be attributed to the effect of the massage, rather than anything that the Reiki is doing - but the observed difference may be worth consideration.

And I have to confess, that other than this one individual, most clients attracted to my personal energy for treatment seem to be "active" receivers - so without that one client, my concern would be that Reiki might not be passive enough! :-)

[Celtaur]

I'm wondering if the "excessive" passivity that you feel is more a reflection of those attracted to your personal energy to receive their Reiki treatments? An "active" treatment would act counter to a system requiring a more "fluid" transition through it.

I mainly do reiki solitary right now and I think the passivity I speak of is not so much about the energy, but the relatively low level of movement, waiting, subtler work of practicing reiki. It's a receptive practice, where the energy flows through, and generally is supposed to be none directed by the will, but rather by accepting and trusting that a higher force is doing the work needed. I find it very visual, very imagination/magick oriented, whereas say massage or acupuncture are very earth oriented, practical applications that are more concrete you know... like reiki is higher chakra, subtler work as the others are more lower chakra, earth rooted, manual.

[Haruth]

I mainly do reiki solitary right now and I think the passivity I speak of is not so much about the energy, but the relatively low level of movement, waiting, subtler work of practicing reiki.

Oops. Yes, I see what you mean.

It is certainly something I found frustrating at the Level 1. It seemed almost as if I was just lying there with hands in funny positions hoping that the neighbours weren't peeking through the curtains... I found it incredibly difficult to sense anything when working on myself.

You've given me an idea to try it out again - see if I sense anything different now. (Embarrassingly never thought to continue the self healings after I took the level 2... )

[smegal]

Yes i agree and in my point of view Maybe someone is also too active and needs to be more passive. It could go many ways.
Does anyone think balancing one's self in the still, neutral center of all things is the wrong way to go?