Reiki Cocktail
Okay I think its time to lay this question to rest. Twice this week I’ve been asked if it is an accepted Reiki practice that alcohol is not allowed. I’m not really sure where that idea first came from, but I’d like to address it here.
First off, alcohol is allowed. There is nothing at all in the Reiki Rulebook against it… there are, however, several good reasons to avoid it at Reiki time. Such as:
- ♦ Alcohol impairs your judgment
- ♦ Alcohol interferes with the spiritual channels
- ♦ Alcohol dulls your senses
- ♦ Alcohol has physical effects (difficulty walking, blurred vision, slurred speech, slowed reaction times, etc.)
- ♦ Alcohol impairs your memory
- ♦ Alcohol can be addictive
Now none of these may necessarily be related to your Reiki practice. Or perhaps they are. Here in Japan it is quite common to go out after a Reiki Share or Reiki Session and enjoy a few drinks (or more) with dinner. Rumor has it that Dr. Usui enjoyed his o-sake and it was not considered a deterrent to Reiki in any way, shape or form.
Mrs. Takata may have had something against alcohol and that may be where the notion that alcohol is verboten in ones Reiki practice spread from, or perhaps the association Reiki shares with the all-natural or vegetarian movements. In Japan, the only advanced Reiki Master I know who doesn’t imbibe is Rev. Hyakuten Inamoto, but this is purely for religious reasons and has nothing to do with Reiki.
Here in Japan, beer is used quite often in taste tests and energy tests involving Reiki. The effects of Reiki-ing a glass of beer are quite obvious and it is quite enjoyable trying to locate the Reikied glass. It works with coffee and tea as well… but it isn’t as powerful and it isn’t nearly as fun. 
The practice of Reiki, being a semi-hands-on modality can have ethical/moral considerations that might be blurred by the consumption of alcohol, but for goodness sake, lets not go making a mountain out of a molehill. If you enjoy alcohol, please don’t let Reiki stand in the way. As long as your consumption is under control… there is no reason not to… and anyone who says there is might have a few emotional blocks that need work. 
For further explanation or discussion, your thoughts are most welcome and highly encouraged, please feel free to comment below!!!
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anything in moderation works well
Well we’ll have to agree to disagree. After your list of what alcohol does to you, you’d think that would be enough to convince you not to drink and do Reiki. Would you want
your massage therapist or acupuncturist to be drinking before they work on you?
I don’t think so.
JMHO
I don’t think Duane is telling people to drink and do reiki. What he is saying is that alcohol use is not forbidden, so if at the end of the day a reiki practitioner wants a glass of wine it’s ok.
Hi Lynda!
Exactly my point! Seems there are quite a few Reiki Teachers telling their students that in Reiki, alcohol is completely forbidden, which has more to do with someone trying to push their own moral values on the students than it has to do with Reiki.
I’m not telling Reiki Practitioners to go out and drink, what I am saying is there is absolutely nothing in the Reiki rulebook against it… and teaching that alcohol is forbidden is just NOT Reiki.
Some people say that alcohol actually heightens their senses, making energy work (whether on themselves or others) more effective. I think I would have to go with effectiveness over forced moral values.
So I believe Sue is correct, alcohol (or anything else) is only bad when used in excess.
I also agree with Sue that I definitely wouldn’t you want my massage therapist or acupuncturist to be drinking before they work on me… same with my surgeon!
~light & love~
Duane