The heading of this post – Is a money-making Reiki Business ethical – may seem like a ludicrous, provocative question. But I feel it is an interesting issue to ponder, especially in these times of high-speed internet and mass marketing at the touch of a finger.
Few would argue that energy is universal and free. The sun’s rays fill the sky without providing an invoice after doing so : )
So too with reiki energy (which fills the universe, and really, is the basis of all that exists) doesn’t come with a price tag, neither is it affected by inflation or interest rates. Reiki is universal, ubiquitous (present everywhere) and has existed for as long as the cosmos itself has existed.
So, considering that energy exists everywhere and is free of charge, is it ethical for people to charge a fee for passing on that energy?
Let’s look at some interesting points of view…
According to Hyakuten Inamoto, as quoted on Reiki, Medicine and Self Care with Pamela Miles:
“Usui started teaching and giving healing in his dojo. There was no set fee for receiving treatment. People in other areas invited him to come teach and he was on the road many times because he wanted to share this gift with as many people as possible. In a way, perhaps he worked too hard, and passed away in Hiroshima area while traveling.“
We can see that Usui himself chose not to charge for reiki services. But Hyakuten Inamoto does go on to say:
“Money is beyond good or bad, it is neutral. The question is how we use it. It is okay to make a lot of money. If we use money not only for our own interest, but for the good of people, for sharing, then money becomes good money.“
Visit Reiki, Medicine and Self Care with Pamela Miles
According to Richard Ellis from Practical Reiki:
“Many people in the Reiki comminity believe it was Hawayo Takata that instilled the belief that we should always charge for a treatment or class. It is true she charged the equivalent of the cost of a house to become a Reiki master in the 1970’s something in the region of $10,000. But it was Dr Usui himself who recognised whilst helping the beggers on the streets of Kyoto that nothing is valued unless there is some form of exchange for it. Dr Hayashi himself would ask his students to give their time in his clinic in exchange for his teachings.
In the years that I have been involved with the practice of Reiki, I have seen it’s value in real terms fall. I trained to become a Reiki Master nearly 20 years ago. I continue to value and teach what I learn’t and my original investment back then has been returned to me many times over. Today if you shop around you can get a Master attunement through ebay for £10. The choice of where you go to train and what you pay, is a direct reflection of how you value yourself. Your investment is a reflection not only of your own training but also the future of Reiki. The same goes for what you charge, if you don’t value what you are doing then certainly no one else will.“
Richard Ellis provides some interesting food for thought.
Visit Richard Ellis at The Richard Ellis School of Reiki
Tracie Talbott from Crystal Reiki Wellness writes:
“Charging for Reiki is one of those controversial things that each practitioner will have to form their own opinion on. On one side of the argument you have those who feel Reiki should always be given free of charge as it comes from energy that the Universe has provided for us all. On the other, there are those who believe it should never be given away free.
There are three primary reasons that I will charge for Reiki.
The energy exchange. At first, I didn’t really understand this. I have learned though, that when we are ready to receive, to really make space, we must also give. What we put out will come back to us. When someone is unwilling to give, there is little space to receive the full benefit of Reiki.
Establishing worth. When something is given to us freely, we don’t always appreciate it’s true worth. I think when I give away Reiki for free, I am sending the message that it is of little worth or that I, as a practitioner, am of little worth. I think it undervalues the time and effort I have put in to learning and building my skills and my practice.
Encouraging commitment. In my experience, when Reiki is given freely, the recipient often fails to do their part in the healing or learning process. Since they have given nothing, they may feel they have nothing to lose if they do not actually participate. It seems that to get the heart and soul really invested, it sometimes takes a material investment for extra incentive.“
Visit Crystal Reiki Wellness Crystal Reiki Wellness
David Herron writes on The Reiki Page:
“In modern Western Society, the Value of a person, or of a service, is often determined by the money that’s involved. Clearly in the land of spiritual practice, money has no value. But our landlord requires money, as does the grocery store and clothing store. Without money you won’t have a place to live, food to eat, or clothing to wear.
With that in mind let’s explore the boundary between being a Reiki practitioner while having the income and resources to live in the modern world.
Give it away.
Do not charge for healing, but offer it for free to all who ask. Does the sun charge you money to enjoy the sunshine?” This teaching comes from many sources. The primary role model is the lifestyle which Jesus the Christ presented to us. He was a wandering Healer, floating upon the streams of fate, trusting that the Universe will provide for his needs so long as he stays pure in his intent and the performance of the work of Healer.
The theory is that the energy is freely available so how can one charge for it? That the client does the real work, not the healer, so how can one honestly charge for it? That the healers total involvement is that of a channel, and that Reiki works best when the healer is totally out of the way, so how can one honestly charge for it?
Yes the energy is freely available, but does that make any difference?“
Visit The Reiki Page
There are many points of view, as you can see form the thoughts provided above. But one thing is for sure: reiki, money, and free will are certainly here to stay.
In my opinion…
INTENTION
INTENTION
INTENTION
Is everything!
It is up to each individual reiki practitioner to monitor their intentions in relation to every action they undertake, whether it be performing a treatment, advertising / promoting or charging for their services.
We practitioners must all look deep in our souls, and realize that we are passing on a divine gift – universal energy – and conduct ourselves with dignity, integrity, respect, kindness, compassion and love.
Written by Ross Dadds
