Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The Weight of the Word

In my other professional life, I write content and rules for games. Board games, mostly - social party games involving cards, questions, and friendly competition. I learned through having this kind of job that every word is important. Words for cards, questions and rules must be chosen carefully in order to be clear about how to play the game, and the meaning of each question. I really notice when I come across a game with poorly written rules or cards.

When I was in graduate school, I used to take Biblical text study courses. Studying Torah (Bible) is another very detailed word-based discipline. Every word is thought to be significant, and we would often debate why one word may have been chosen over another, and read about what the great Rabbinic commentators' thoughts were about these choices. Detailed text study gave me a profound respect for the process of choosing words carefully.

When I learned Reiki, I became fascinated with the studies of Masaro Emotu. He determined that words have energy. Positive energy and negative energy are emitted by spoken and written words. The words absorb the intention in which they are spoken or written and emit that energy to others, water, or where the words are directed. Emotu's experiments with water are truly inspiring. Some of them involved writing the word "Peace" on a piece of paper and affixing it to a container of water, and writing the words "You Fool" on another piece of paper affixed to a different container of water. The water came from the same original source. After a few hours, droplets of the water were quickly frozen and examined under a microscope. The water with the word "Peace" had grown beautiful detailed crystals. The water with the words "You Fool" had disjointed, chaotic pieces of broken crystals, and a muddy appearance. Other words were also used, such as "Hope," "Thank You," "Despair," and "War," with similar and predictable results. You can learn more about Emotu's various experiments with water here. What moves me the most is considering the implications that this experiment shows of how our word choices can affect others. Our bodies, the air we breathe, and our environment are all permeated with water. If energy, whether via words, music, or Reiki, make profound and measurable changes to that water, consider how that concept could become a means of making a positive change. Our words, thoughts, and intentions are at work improving the quality of water that is within others and the world, bringing about healing, beauty, and love. We are so much more powerful than we realize!

I regularly give healings with and teach a method of Reiki called Kundalini Reiki. I absolutely love this Reiki for its powerful and direct way to connect with the energy. It involves no symbols; needs no hand positions. You intend for the energy to affect an issue, person, or goal, and it flows. For me, it works instantly, and it seems to do the same for my students. When I'm teaching Kundalini Reiki, I use a manual. I did not write this manual, but found it after exhaustive research on the Internet. It's not the one I was given when I learned Kundalini Reiki. Let me explain.

Kundalini Reiki is a variant of the "original" Reiki, Usui Reiki Ryoho. It was channeled and developed by Ole Gabrielsen, and English is his second language. As well, he wrote the manual for someone who was already familiar with Reiki, probably Usui Reiki, someone who understands the basic concepts of calling in (or activating) energy, distance healing, and what energy healing is about. Therefore, these things are not covered much in the manual. I was fine learning from the manual provided, as I already was at Master/Teacher level of Usui Reiki when I took up Kundalini Reiki. However, I was interested in finding a more explanatory and better organized manual when I decided to teach this method of Reiki. I began my research.

I found another manual that had the addition of a Table of Contents, and some revised explanations for some of the healings, while retaining most of the original content. This was the best one I found and it was the one I started using for teaching. It's still not as explanatory as I would like.

The more experience I have teaching Kundalini Reiki, the more I find myself writing longer and longer emails to supplement this manual when I send the manual to my students. This is because even this manual is not very well written. Some of the explanations are incomplete, the wording is unclear, and I've found that it can be downright confusing in many places! As their teacher, I like to give my students the best chance for understanding what they will learn. My deep love and respect for this Reiki system drives me to keep teaching it, despite the challenges of working with the manual and trying to explain via email what it should say instead of what it does say. Even so, it's frustrating at times!

I know that I need to, and will, write a new and improved Kundalini Reiki manual. I owe it to my students, and I know that they, in turn, will find it useful when they want to teach Kundalini Reiki to others. When I do, I will mindfully select each and every word. I know that words have weight, energy, connotations, and divulge important information. I also know that the manual I write will be passed along to future generations of Reiki students who can benefit from learning this amazing Reiki modality by having a manual that is worthy of the method. I also think that a manual needs to respect the person reading it, meeting that person where he is and taking him to a place of deep and complete understanding of the method. It's a challenging task, and necessary.

Completing a new Kundalini Reiki manual is on my short list of priorities.

Meanwhile, I will continue to offer as complete guidance as I am capable of, and I appreciate my students' willingness to see the value in the method beyond the quality of the materials currently available. My individual attention and complete email support are key components of my teaching methods.

Blessings.

8 comments:

Frank Dickinson said...

Alice,

The testament to your ability to connect and teach with your students is found in your commitment to guiding them along the Kundalini Reiki path. You do this well. Very well.

As one of your students, I have seen first hand your dedication to the teaching process - despite a (yep, I'll say it) horrible manual.

Words do have tremendous weight and importance. I have found all I need and more in the words of your emails and chats.

You, my friend, are a Wordsmith. You use them well.

This blog is a shining example of that truth.

Blessings,
Frank

Alice Langholt said...

Frank,

Your words are well chosen and moving as well. Thank you kindly for sharing them here. I'm blessed to have you as a student. You are most dedicated, positive, and a shining example of how Reiki can affect one's life for the better.

Love and light,
Alice

Anonymous said...

Alice,

As a new student of yours, I find that your support and guidance outweighs the manual you sent. I always know that if I have a question, you will quickly respond with the information that I need and usually with a bit of extra love and care! I am hoping that one day that you do write a new manual though and I get to use it hopefully in my teaching of Kundalini Reiki!
XO Deana(Mangala)

Alice Langholt said...

Deana,

Thank you so much for your comment! I strive to show everyone I teach the beauty of this method. The manual does not do it justice! Thank you for trusting me with your guidance and for your love and appreciation as well!
Blessings,
Alice

Anonymous said...

Dear "weight of the word". My understanding of the who that I am understands the who that I am about to become. I commence my learning in Usui Ryoho Reiki Level 1 in July this year. The gods are aligning me perfectly for this experience.

After reading this post; fortuned by a sweet "tweet"; I resonate with having exercised this type of form that which you talk of "kundalini reiki". It really made me smile because "yes" I have been intentionally activating my energy with an acute awareness; achieving remarkable outcomes.

Finally this awakening; for me, aligns itself with a manual art.

The words came by my screen at a time whereby this information was supposed to fuse with me and I can only be thankfull for it.

Hope you don't mind - I have copied and tracked back from my website.

living inner greater higher truth
Sharon♥

Alice Langholt said...

Sharon,

Thank you for commenting. I wish you continued enlightenment as your upcoming Reiki studies help you align your natural healing abilities with the freedom and structure of Reiki at the right time for you.

Appreciate the trackback too!

Blessings,
Alice

Anonymous said...

Excellent post!!! I love this. It is so true. There is this one country where they shout and yell at the trees, and then the tree dies, they do this because they don't have the means to chop them down I was hoping, but they do shout at the trees and it kills the trees. Just as what you were saying about what words can do with the water (I have seen the water studies and found them facinating in the past) imagine what shouting at people can do. I know when I'm being yelled at by someone I care for, it hurts me and does effect my physical well being. Negative words can make a person die over time, I believe it.
Sat Nam, `(-_-)'
Piper

Alice Langholt said...

I'm so pleased to announce the publication of the long awaited book Practical Reiki! It's a new manual and a resource on Reiki that's unlike any other. Writing the new manual for Kundalini Reiki became a project that has been so much more. I'm very proud and thrilled with the reviews and hope that more people will learn from what I have to offer. http://practicalreiki.org

Blessings to all.
Alice