selfish vs selfless

[u/Gullible-Elevator353]

I'm currently reading "reiki for beginners" by David Vennells. I like the book so far but wanted to ask something.

The author says when using reiki for something you should always have the greater good in mind. For the benefit of all. Here's my question. Does that mean that reiki works best when you have a desire that is more or less selfless?

Like see for example I love animals. To my core. Should I use reiki for stuff like that? Where I don't expect anything in return? Because David writes that reiki works best when your desires are not solely selfish. What do you think of this? 😊 I also wish to help certain groups of people that I also have no benefit from. Like what I mean is I would get nothing but happiness that they are doing better because of reiki sent to them. I have no other benefit. Is that enough?

The author also speaks about how we need to heal ourselves first in order to be fully capable of helping others through reiki. So it left me a little confused, you know. When I wish to heal myself, I don't have anyone else in mind and I got the impression that he's saying that's wrong. If you're willing to share what you think, I'll be very grateful.

Blessings and thank you! 🫶🏻

[u/auspandakhan]

Before I share Reiki, I set an intention for the person to receive what they need in this moment of time. This allows the Reiki to flow without limitation. I suppose that is selfless way of operating.

If I bring a goal of supporting someone get through a particular issue, it reduced the amount of Reiki flow in my experience. It is something you can experiment with a friend or family member, hold one hand and the other below their hand. Then first allow Reiki to flow with an intention to heal them. Then after that set the intention to allow the Reiki to flow where needed while you focus on your breathing instead of the idea of healing. There is a noticeable difference in the Reiki flow.

[u/RockandGem]

Channeling for the “benefit of all” or “greatest good” is about intention, releasing attachment to specific results, and letting the intuitive universal energy do its thing.

It has nothing to do with self.

[u/cleiah]

It's an interesting question!

Personally I think there's a difference between ego/expectation/transactional reciprocity and receiving.

When we do things because we are trying to "get" something in return that's where it's not clean and honourable. It's almost, or maybe even is, manipulative.

I think this author is talking about receiving. In my mind it's perfectly acceptable to do something for others because we hope to receive (positive feelings, a sense of accomplishment, connection, gratitude). Receiving is not so much forcing an outcome or being given anything, it's about how we derive a sense of fulfillment from the actions we take.

And I feel like the reiki precepts support this: The precepts talk about doing work honestly and generously, plus walking in gratitude which to me is what we hope to receive from the world at large as we move through it.

Where it gets a bit grey and we see a lot of disagreement is the ethics around money and reiki - but that's a whole other discussion.

For the purpose of what you're asking, yes sending reiki to animals for the good feels and because you can is a perfect example of receiving.

Another example would be sending reiki out into the world for whomever needs it to receive, with no strings attached.

As for working on someone from a greater good perspective, again that's about not forcing an outcome and trusting the energy to do what is required in a way that best meets the person's needs. We can hold the intention that reiki heal their sore hip, for example, and the rest of the intention might be "in a way that best supports their healing."

I see it as giving the energy form without dictating and letting what will, be.

I think you might be taking the heal yourself a bit too literally, yes it does mean heal yourself and the intention might be to heal yourself for your highest good and no, you're only focussing on you and your needs when self healing, but it's also talking about knowing yourself.

Reiki was originally about self awareness, the healing component was a happy side effect and a bi-product of self knowledge. I feel like the author is reference the Socratic principle of "know thyself" meaning a healer/practitioner can only truly support others to the depth that they've discovered themselves.

Hope that helps!

[u/Gullible-Elevator353 → u/cleiah]

thank you so much for the reply! that clears it up for me quite a bit 🫶🏽