Regarding healing; I was Reiki attuned several years ago. I don't claim to be at all clear about what went on during the "attunement", (which was a day course) but I know I can do it now. As far as I understand these things, the healing does not come from "me", (and it doesn't feel as if it does), it goes through me, or rather my hands. I am a Reiki channel and anyone can be one. I can channel Universal Energy. (Some people describe this as chi or even God.)
This came about when I went to a charity coffee morning where a lady was giving taster sessions of reflexology. She immediately asked me if I was a healer of any kind; I said no but I could do with being seeing as I have so much illness and chronic pain among my close family. She became very animated and all but insisted I call a collegue of hers who does Reiki attunement. She said I would be able to help my family members, in particular DH who has psoriatic arthritis and is always in some kind of pain, sometimes acutely. It took me a few months but eventually I rang the woman and my best friend and I went and had the attunement (as it is best performed in pairs apparently.) We paid a (small) donation towards being attuned as neither my friend or I are very well off. Reiki Masters (attuners) often charge something because they are doing this day in and day out most of the time so have to be able to live on something.
Both of us have used Reiki very successfully ever since. I came straight home that day and 'treated' my mum who was suffering from sinisitus. She was humouring me.. but she could not believe how much better she felt afterwards. My children, when suffering from some ache or pain, or when actually unwell, come and ask for 'a Reiki'.. they seem to feel and be able to describe the healing sensation very clearly, especially my daughter (who was 8 yesterday.)
The biggest benefits have been for DH. He is SO not a bloke who worries himself over spiritual matters.. he is a real 'plodder' bless him, who focuses only on day-to-day matters although to his credit he does not automatically dismiss anything for which he cannot immediately understand or relate to. He used to LIVE on Co-proxamol (when they were still readily available! ) but these days, his supply of painkillers (co-codamols now) are mostly sitting in the cupboard untouched. He only uses them on very bad days or during a proper arthritis flare up. I treat him in short sharp bursts as we rarely have time for a proper 40 minute treatment (recommended time) and he is ALWAYS in less pain afterwards, sometimes none. You can see the tension drain out of him. Sometimes my friend and I treat him together and he gets quicker and stronger relief from the pain.
All we do is lay our hands on the person. Depending on the person/situation/problem, heat soon floods into my hands and I move them about (reposition them) as I feel necessary until the heat goes away. It isn't the same as the heat you get from any hand contact, in fact, often it's not even skin-to-skin, you can do it through clothes or even without quite touching the body. It still works.
I benefit too from it. In fact Reiki healers are supposed to self treat regularly even if they are not 'suffering' from anything in particular. When I remember to (usually before falling asleep at night) I always feel better/less stressed and anxious. I also helped myself a lot when I was suffering from a mild asthma attack a year or so ago.
Apparently Reiki will always do something positive for the person being treated, even if if it 'only' making them feel better emotionally. My husband doesn't doubt what Reiki does for him at all.. he asks for it often.. he just doesn't concern himself over how is works!
Just wondering if you would dismiss this 'story' as complete rubbish as well UnQuiet dad? Genunely interested in your views.