Healing with body energy
Reiki Assists Cancer Recovery
Reiki
Complements Traditional Medicine
The Reiki Counselor
Reiki and Pregnancy
Distance Healing
Walking
the Labyrinth with Reiki
Why is an Attunement to Reiki Energy Necessary?
Stress
and Disease
Lesson
Plans for Reiki One Class
Lesson
Plans for Reiki Two Class
Healing for the Highest Good
Our
Changing World...All in Divine Order
Dr. Usui’s Three Pillars of Reiki
Traveling
with Reiki Angels
(This page was last modified: December 17, 2002
)
Healing with body
energy
Dyana Bagby
Herald-Citizen Staff
Cookeville, TN 38501
With soothing music playing in the background, Beth Stapor cups
her hands slightly above her daughter's face and concentrates silently.
She is doing Reiki (pronounced ray-kee), which, when translated
literally means: rei spiritually, or universally, guided; ki life
force energy.
"Like the North and South Poles that have energy flowing
between them, it is the same with our bodies," Stapor, 48, explains. "Energy
systems flow around us and when that energy is depleted, that's when we become out of
balance, or off-center."
Our energy can be depleted for a number of reasons loss of a
job or divorce, injuries sustained in a car accident, cancer, or even the anxiety caused
from moving to a new city, Stapor says.
And with Reiki, the technique of tapping into the universal
energy that surrounds us all, that depleted energy can be restored to bring relief from
emotional stress and even relief from physical pain, she states.
"Reiki can bring balance and energy it's a technique
for stress reduction and relaxation that allows everyone to tap into an unlimited supply
of 'life force energy' to improve health and enhance the quality of life," she adds.
But, she stresses, Reiki is only a complement to medical care
it is not an alternative.
"I never recommend anyone give up medical treatment, but
Reiki can assist it."
But, what is Reiki really?
Hard to define simply, it is using the God-consciousness called
Rei that guides the life force called Ki, she said.
Ki is the same as the Chi in Chinese and is used
by martial artists in their physical training and mental development; it is also used in
meditative breathing exercises and is the nonphysical energy used by all healers. Ki is
present all around us and can be accumulated and guided by the mind, Stapor says.
Those who practice Reiki have the option of either touching the
person or not Reiki is not the same as a massage, but is more of a gentle touch on
certain parts of the body that affect certain systems, such as circulatory and respiratory
systems.
You've heard of your aura that energy field around you that
projects the emotional state and being you are in? Think of Reiki as a massage of that
aura using the positive energy of the world it can knock out any kinks and knots in
your own energy and bring peace to your body and mind.
Stapor herself learned about Reiki through a healing in 1994
after becoming seriously ill.
For seven months, she said, she went through a variety of
medical tests but still suffered from depression, fatigue and impaired vision.
"Nobody could figure out what was wrong with me. I was
tested for lupus, lyme's disease, multiple sclerosis and the doctors couldn't determine
why I was so ill."
During a visit to her chiropractor, she found a book on Reiki,
read it, and decided to try it.
"I could feel my energy shifting and it was so powerful it
broke my watch," she says of that first Reiki session. "And within a period of
24 hours I went practically from dying to total wellness. If the experience hadn't been
that drastic, I probably wouldn't have believed it and also realized that some emotional
stuff going on in my life was causing my illness."
A certified counselor and licensed professional counselor in
Tennessee, Stapor worked as a counselor at Tennessee Tech University for six years and has
also worked as an alcohol and drug counselor as well as an art teacher and preschool
teacher.
But her love for Reiki has put her on another career path.
Through studies and workshops and training, she is now a Reiki Master and has an office in
downtown Cookeville on Broad St. just north of, and across the street from, the
Courthouse, where she combines counseling with Reiki.
The ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but
rather is transferred to the student by the Reiki Master. Its use is not dependent on
one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and, therefore, is available to
everyone, she explains.
"A Reiki 'master' is really just a teacher," she
says. "People often think healing equals a cure, but it could also be relief from,
say, difficulty in a relationship or even backaches and headaches caused by stress."
Stapor charges $30 for an hour session, or four sessions for
$100, and also teaches and holds a Reiki healing group at her office on the third Tuesday
of every month.
This is not a "New Age" practice, Stapor says
Reiki has been around for hundreds of years and she believes that as people more and more
look to be responsible for themselves and their own health, they are seeking ways for
self-healing.
Reiki is not a religion, she also stresses, but it does abide
by the belief that we as living beings are a mind-body-spirit unity and that it is
necessary to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others, Stapor says.
How you think and feel affects your physical well-being, and
vice-versa the mind and the body and the spirit are all connected and must all be cared
for, she says.
And which brings up the most important aspect of Reiki you
must be open to it or it will not work.
"Skeptics are a road block. You have to want to heal. I'm
just here for the energy to flow through me into whomever is open to it."
Published Wednesday, August 26, 1998 12:11 PM CDT
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During the past several months I have had the privilege to work
with three remarkable people. Each of these people has been presented with one of
life’s most feared diseases, cancer. They are indeed an inspiration in how they have
faced the challenge. I have asked them to write in their own words their journey through
cancer recovery and the part they felt that Reiki energy has played in their progress.
I first met David in November of 1998. He had had a
cancerous tumor removed from his neck and was beginning radiation treatment. Here is his
story:
"At age 69, I relocated to Cookeville, Tennessee from
Wisconsin. In August of 1998, I was recently divorced, had sold my home, and had moved to
Tennessee. In September, I started having a stiff neck, it became progressively worse
causing the muscle to bulge out. I went to a Chiropractor who told me he thought I had a
tumor and referred me to my medical doctor, who in turn referred me to a surgeon. I was
diagnosed with cancer of the lymph glands of my neck. I went through 2 surgeries having a
radical neck reduction. I was then prescribed 30 radiation treatments for my face and
neck. During this period of time I became acquainted with Beth Stapor. She gave me Reiki
treatments. The people at the radiation center were so amazed at my attitude and how will
I was surviving and enduring the radiation treatments. During December, Beth had to leave
town for 2 weeks. During her absence I did not receive any Reiki treatments and I went to
ground zero. The pain was excruciating to the point I could no longer function and I had
to stop receiving the radiation treatments. As soon as Beth returned, she began extensive
Reiki treatments on me. During the first week I returned to my old self, physically,
spiritually, and emotionally. During this period of time I realized the wonderful
blessings and gift that Beth was able to give me through Reiki. I completed the 30
radiation treatments and began a course of heavy-duty chemotherapy. The Oncologist was
very surprised at my blood counts during chemotherapy, as they stayed so high and
consistent. I feel what has been taking place in my life has been a joy to me even with
all the pain. I’m more spiritually aware and more grateful of my surroundings than
ever before. I feel in a great part I owe this to the Reiki treatments received from
Beth."
The second person I worked with was Elizabeth McDonald, who has
been a friend for over 10 years. Here is her story:
"Prior to January of this year, I held a public relations
position and was a part-time law student. In January, I was diagnosed with breast cancer
and had two surgeries. In February, I had another surgery and began six months of
chemotherapy. During that time, I also participated in Reiki sessions with Beth Stapor
once a week. For three and a half months, I continued my law school classes, walked five
days a week, and saw Beth once a week. My blood counts were so stable that the nurse who
administered the chemotherapy commented on several occasions that my blood counts were
higher than hers were. Except for the one week that followed each chemotherapy treatment,
my energy level remained high. Sometime around the fourth month of chemotherapy, Beth was
out of town for three weeks. During that time, my red blood cell count dropped and my
energy level dropped considerably. It took three epogen shots and almost two months for my
energy level to recover. I just had my last chemotherapy treatment. I continue to see Beth
and expect to be able to return to my normal activities by the time school starts on
August 28, 1999. During this past seven months, I have spent time praying and know that
many people have prayed for me. I have also had the love and support of my family and
friends. While I do not have any hard date about Reiki, I know that I looked forward to my
sessions with Beth and my body responded positively to the Reiki sessions. I have been
told that low
blood counts are expected during chemotherapy and I think it is
notable that my blood counts remained strong until I missed three weeks of my Reiki
sessions with Beth. I feel blessed to have received love and care from Beth, not only
though the Reiki energy, but also from her friendship."
The third person I have been working with is Earl Hutchinson.
Earl’s wife is a close friend of mine and a student of Reiki. When he was going in
for his surgery I offered to come and give him Reiki before and after surgery. That was
February 9th, 1999. Here is his story:
"My six month bout with prostate cancer brought me my
first experience with Reiki. Although important factors in the successful treatment of
this cancer were my excellent health and the ever present health care and love of my wife,
Olivia, I cannot discount the importance of the Reiki treatment of Reiki Master Beth
Simmons Stapor. Beth pledged Reiki treatments after every surgery (5 total) and at least
once a week during the recovery period. So far that is almost 50 one-hour treatments. With
the removal of the prostate, the colon was nicked and the surgery lengthened to four and
one half-hours. Beth greeted my awakening with Reiki and a soothing presence. I
experienced no nausea or vomiting from the general anesthesia administered (a reaction
expected by the doctors) and no itching or other reaction usually accompanying the spinal
epidural block. Although morphine was on hand for pain if I felt it necessary, I never
felt so uncomfortable that I switched it on. My fear of the pain that would accompany
coughing never materialized. This, despite the fact that I had 33 clamps in the incision
which extended from the naval to the pelvic bone. The doctors and nurses in attendance
were amazed at my lack of the usual symptoms accompanying this serious surgical operation.
My temperature and vital signs stayed normal. What made this operation even more
incredible for the medical doctors and nurses was that I am 72 years old.
With the removal of the catheter on July 9th, I
expected a period of incontinence, which is experienced by an overwhelming majority of
prostate cancer patients. This can go on for several weeks to forever. With the exception
of a couple of times in the first week, I have had no incontinence, almost unheard of in
my situation. I have completed my final surgery, which had returned me to the shape I was
in prior to February, minus the cancer. I am certain that my healthy lifestyle, and the
care of my wife were major factors in carrying through this six month ordeal, but the
importance of Reiki, I believe cannot be underestimated. It played an important role in
helping to maintain my vital signs, eliminate pain, nausea and vomiting, keeping
incontinence from occurring, and finally battling the inevitable depression that
accompanies such a roller-coaster ride through this illness.
As you can see, these are remarkable people. It has been a
blessing to have the opportunity to work with each of them and to see how Reiki has
complemented traditional medicine for healing in their lives.
Click, to return to Articles Titles
By: Beth Simmons Stapor, Ph.D. Reiki Master
As Reiki (spiritually guided life force energy) is becoming
more known, people are often looking for a way to define its place in relation to
traditional medical treatment. In the past I have looked at Reiki as an alternative
healing technique. Several events in the past 3 months have led me to rethink my
definition. I now am describing Reiki’s place with traditional medicine as
complimentary. I have seen first hand on three occasions how Reiki has assisted
traditional treatment to work for the highest good for the "patient".
I recently was invited to do a presentation about Reiki to an
assisted living nursing home, Morningside. The residents of Morningside that I worked with
range in age from mid fifties to ninety-two years old. Each of the residents has
individual health challenges. All deal with the fact that they can no longer take care of
themselves at home. Reiki assisted in this situation from a psychological viewpoint. After
receiving Reiki, the program director noted that each person had a much more positive
attitude toward her living situation. One resident, who was known to always be
complaining, left her Reiki session saying how good she felt and that she loved everyone
there. Another resident commented that after the Reiki session she felt like she could
fight all the battles of her life. In this situation Reiki is assisting the residents to
be more at peace living at Morningside. I am going back once a month to give half hour
Reiki sessions. The residents continue to show a more positive outlook after each session.
The second situation involves using Reiki to assist in
radiation treatments. David had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his neck in
October. He began radiation treatments in November. The doctors initially gave him six
months to live. When I began to treat David his energy level was very low, he was feeling
defeated by his body and life. I had him come for sessions three times a week, directly
after his radiation treatments. As time went on, his energy level became stronger and his
body much more balanced. I had to be away from town for two weeks in the middle of the
cycle of radiation. When I returned, David told me he had to stop the radiation sessions
while I was gone. He said that without the Reiki after the treatments, he had a lack of
energy and was developing side effects to the radiation treatments. We began regular Reiki
sessions, and within a few days he was able to return to radiation and complete the cycle.
His doctors are amazed at the speed of his healing and lack of side effects to the
radiation treatments. David tells them it is because of the Reiki that he has such a high
level of energy. In his most recent visit to the doctor, David was told that his life
expectancy had been greatly improved by his attitude and treatments he had been receiving.
The final situation involves using Reiki to assist before and
after surgery. E.H. was having prostate cancer surgery. He admits to having a low
threshold for pain. I arrived at the hospital the morning of his surgery and began to give
him Reiki. I worked with him for 1-½ hours prior to surgery. He remained calm and
relaxed. He easily entered surgery. I was in him room when he returned from the recovery
room. Complications during his surgery turned a 2-½ hour procedure into a 5-hour surgery.
I gave him Reiki for about 2 hours. He had no side effects from the anesthesia, and was
alert and coherently holding a conversation with me the entire time. I continued to go
every day to give him 1-2 hours of Reiki. According to the medical staff, expected
complications from this type of surgery include itching, vomiting, pain, and an elevated
temperature. E.H. had none of these symptoms. Most everyone who walks in his room comments
on how wonderful he looks. He continues to improve daily, has not had to deal with pain,
and does not hesitate to tell anyone who walks in the room the that the reason he has done
so well is the Reiki. It has been a team effort, the hospital staff have been providing
excellent care and the Reiki has complimented that care every step of the way.
I constantly feel blessed that I have been called to assist
people in having a better quality of life. I know that a force much greater than I is
there guiding me every step of the way. My hope is that the medical community will
continue to become open to complimentary techniques of healing, for when we work together
we create a place of healing for the highest good of the "patient".
Reiki Master Beth Simmons Stapor can be reached at
931-979-4178.
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As Reiki becomes known in the mainstream of health care, more and more professionals
are combining Reiki training with their academic backgrounds for better care of their
clients. Reiki is being seen more and more as a complement to "traditional"
forms of health care. I am known in the academic/counseling arena as Dr. Beth Stapor. I am
a psychologist (Ph.D.), Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC). My vocation and passion is Reiki. I have been working as a Reiki
Practitioner for over 5 years, teaching as a Reiki Master for over 3 years, and am a
Senior Licensed Teacher with the International Center for Reiki Training.
Over the past year, I have had more and more students taking my classes whose
backgrounds are in the counseling profession. I have found that combining Reiki with
counseling or counseling with Reiki has very positive results. From the perspective of a
counselor, Reiki helps me by providing a counseling office that welcomes the client with
positive energy. My training in Reiki makes me more attuned to the client’s problem
areas. I know that each chakra system focuses on certain key issues that can help a client
heal. I teach in my Reiki class simple key words for each chakra that guide a client to go
within himself or herself and tune into what they need to know for their healing. The key
words are:
Root Chakra: survival and grounding; Sacral Chakra: sexuality issues and creativity;
Solar Plexus: ego, self-esteem, and personal power (coming from the strength within
yourself to say I will or I choose this for me); Heart: feelings and emotions; Throat:
communication, being able to say what you need to say; Brow: intuition and perception (how
do you look at the different situations in your life); Crown Chakra: spirituality, your
connection to your higher power. I am observant of the client’s body language, which
can give clues to chakras that are out of balance. For example, the client who has their
arms crossed in front of their stomach might indicate the need to protect themselves from
life or the client who coughs, or clears their throat a lot might indicate there is
something that is choking them in their life or something they are not saying.
My intuitive self, that has developed as a result of my Reiki training, often helps me
pick up on the underlying causes of client problem areas or often questions spontaneously
come to me to ask the client that facilitate their bringing to mind information they need
for their healing. I find that I am more nurturing, less judgmental, and more empowering
of my clients than I was as a non-reiki trained counselor.
From the perspective of a Reiki Practitioner, the counseling background is a real
asset. It is not ethical for a Reiki Practitioner to diagnose medical conditions or to
provide counseling to a client unless they are licensed to do so in their state of
residence. When a client is involved in emotional healing during a session the Reiki
Practitioner can provide a safe place for the feelings and emotions to come forward. They
can use the simple key words for each chakra to ask the client questions for their inner
knowing. Sample questions for each chakra might be: Root: Is there some place in your life
where you are struggling with survival such as your job or relationship? Is there
something in your life that is blocking you from moving forward? Sacral: Is something
blocking your creativity? Are there areas in your life where you are having problems with
sexual issues? Solar Plexus: Are there areas in your life where you feel that you have a
low self-esteem? Do you have trouble standing up for yourself? Heart: Looking at love of
self and others, what feelings or emotions are blocking your healing. Throat: Is there
something that you need to be saying that you are unable to say? Are you having difficulty
trusting in your life?
Brow: Could there be another way of looking your situation? Crown: How connected do you
feel to your spiritual source and the universe?
It is important to remember that unless you are licensed as a counselor, you can be a
tour guide by asking questions, but you should always refer to a professional if you think
your client needs psychological counseling. If you are a trained counseling professional,
it can be a real blessing to your clients. As you do Reiki on them and they bring up
issues, emotions, and feelings, you are able to use your counseling training to assist
them as you would in a personal counseling session with the gift of the Reiki energy
helping them to heal.
My clients benefit from my training both as a counselor and as a Reiki Practitioner. I
know that I am much more in tune with my client’s needs as a Reiki Practitioner.
There is hardly a Reiki session that I am involved in that does not in some way include
using my counseling training. When I have a client in my office specifically for personal
counseling, I know that my training as a Reiki Professional provides a nurturing place of
unconditional acceptance which facilitates their progress to dealing with the issues they
came into counseling to heal.
It is my hope that more and more counselors, psychologists, and social workers will
have Reiki training. There is not a week that goes by that I am not amazed at how clients
are able to heal through the combination
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Last Clearing: Tuesday, December 17, 2002
