Now here is where I come in……
Way back in April 2005, in true Reiki fashion, following a very unusual chain of events I found myself being a passive
observer at the latest RRWG (Reiki Regulatory Working Group meeting in London (N.B. when I say passive observer I do mean
that I was actually there, but not actively participating, just reporting back as a representative of an organisation that
was invited to attend!). There were representatives there from a number of interested
parties including The UK Reiki Federation; The Reiki Association (TRA); The UK Reiki Alliance; Reiki Alliance International;
Reiki Healers and Teachers Society; The Tera-Mai ™ Reiki and Seichem Association
(T M); BCMA and FIH, IPTI, FHT, RCN Complementary Forum (I’m sorry if I have missed anyone out!), these people
forming the working party.
On a personal note I was very pleased to see that the underlying theme throughout the whole meeting was that of keeping
the essence and uniqueness of Reiki and its basic principles with regards to the Reiki Attunements and lineage (i.e. no remoteness
of distance attunements over the internet etc.) Considering the diversity within
the Reiki community it was interesting to see the different groups working together towards with a common aim that being the
goal of a basic common format for all groups to use as a the National Standards for Reiki, encompassing any Governmental requirements
“for the protection of the patient”, the Governments main concern in all of this.
In other words, working together towards Voluntary Self Regulation.
My main concern is not the RRWG but the apparent lack of understanding by the majority of Reiki practitioners that
I have come into contact with regarding Voluntary Self Regulation. It is my belief
that many think that it won’t affect them in any way and many have no knowledge of the RRWG or idea about the great
debates going on about CAM in general. I think a big stumbling block is going
to be bringing this to the attention of the Reiki student who often has little, or no contact, with their Reiki Master for
one reason or another. However it is not only the Reiki student who is not aware
of the current situation, many Masters are also in this situation. This is going
to be a big challenge for RRWG as I see it. In order to make UK Reiki practitioners
aware of the proposed Voluntary Self Regulation procedures RRWG held road shows across the country during the Autumn of 2006.
(The
Department Of Health have given a sum of money to FIH to enable the working groups to progress through Voluntary Self Regulation
and the setting up of Regulatory Bodies by 2007. A programme of work has been devised to help facilitate this process, through
work programmes.)
Following this meeting with the RRWG it was my understanding that the Voluntary Self Regulation wish is that
Reiki will continue to be Reiki, but, with the involvement of Skills for Health and the Reiki National Occupational Standards
that are currently being agreed, Reiki, along with a number of other CAM therapies, will become a part of an Integrated Health
system, the Government’s view of the new way forward in Health
Like
I have mentioned above the R.R.W.G have held a number of workshops across the country and this was your chance to have your
say. If you missed these then please go to their web site as there is a document there with all the information and
you still have time to voice your opinion.
I
now represent The Open Reiki Group on the RRWG so have first hand knowledge of the way things are going. It's hard work,
but very enjoyable and it does ensure that the information of VSR is passed among my students.
