Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art

Rating:
Summary: Cogent, Lucid and Wise
Review: I read am absolutely delighted by Diane's book on the Essential Reiki, and am shocked by the disparaging reviews I have read. Diane is a superb writer. Her book is extremely well referenced, and is cogently and intelligently written. It is also heartfelt, clearly evoking in me a powerful sense of the sacredness of this healing mode. I am left wanting to know more, and more than that- wanting to know what Diane knows about energy. Ms. Stein is certainly way ahead of most of the disparaging reviewers, and unfortunately she is suffering mightily as a result of their limited boxed-in linear thinking. I understand she has violated Reiki's exclusivity by sharing her knowledge, and she is certainly not traditional, but those who can get past their sacred cows will see someone who has much to teach. She was clear throughout that one needs the attunement to practice Reiki, and she was clear about when she was adding her own wisdom. I wholeheartedly recommend this fascinating book to those curious to explore the world of energy healing. I could not put it down!

Rating:
Summary: Essential Reiki
Review: I think Diane has made a real statement with her book and publishing the "secret" symbols. She is a strong feminist and I didn't like how she goes to the point of being so female-centrist that she seems to intentionally neglect men. She offers some interesting different ways to use the symbols and has a discussion at the end that talks about how Reiki ties into the history of Buddhism. Not necessarily the best Reiki book I've read but could be a part of a reiki practitioner's library. Most Reiki practitioners claim that the symbols should never be written down. This is nonesense as Mikao Usui himself, the rediscover of Reiki, had a manual that he passed down to his students. Reiki is a healing art, an art of love, of sharing, of helping. Does any Reiki practitioner out there really fear that someone will use the symbols for evil? Maybe they're scared that people will be able to help themselves and won't need them--shouldn't this be our goal? The Reiki Alliance is even trying to patent the word "Reiki" so no one else can use it! MOST REIKI PRACTITIONERS ARE COWARDS, hiding behind "secrets."

Rating:
Summary: Not recommended
Review: I found this book to be informative, maybe too informative. It lacks caution which should be used to the indiviual. I found it to be very irresponsible in the sense that you are suggested to welcome all in the healing. This can be very dangerous and was so in my case. Reiki training in general lacks depth that is need in embarking the spirit world, this book along with it can be a harmful combination. I purchased this book with deep regret and wish the author would be more responsible in what is suggested in her future projects.

Rating:
Summary: Review of Essential Reiki by Diane Stein
Review: This guide is absolutely horrible. Ms. Stein is apparently NOT certified (last I knew). While I share the sentiment that all people should be able to learn this despite cost, openly giving the symbols is not the way to do it -- this sacred practice will only be devalued. The book included a lot of ideas about psychic energy and vibrations and apparently sexual practices that don't have anything to do with Reiki. If I didn't know anything about Reiki and bought this book to learn about it, I would have been completely turned off and apalled by anyone who practiced it. Several points stand out as being very questionable. Will rubbing my testicles increase my power as a healer? I think not. I couldn't even continue reading it when she said that her dog shoots rainbows out of her paws and is helpful during reiki sessions and that her cat comes in during a reiki session and mentally says, "I knew that!" I have read other books on Reiki that at least show more respect for this wonderful practice.

Rating:
Summary: A Disgrace To An Amazing Healing Art
Review: I have been a Reiki Master/Teacher for 8 yrs. I am sickened by the utter lack of respect Diane Stein has for this ancient tradition. She's taken something held sacred by many and turned it into a way for her to make money. I have been told by many who have read this book and never received an attunement or attended a single class that they believe they are doing Reiki. I've experienced the energy coming from these people, and it is not the amazing healing art form known as Reiki. Putting the ancient traditions, even though a lot of what she cites as tradition is VERY incorrect, into print only allows more unskilled and unqualified people to harm those who come to them for assistance. Not only do I NOT recommend this book, I make sure in the "ethics" part of all my classes Diane Stein, and those like her, are shown as a classic example of why people MUST look for credentials when selecting an alternative practitioner.

Rating:
Summary: Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art
Review: I personally loved Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art. One of the reasons why I liked Diane's book is because it is truly a complete guide and can be used for information to many that are not aware of hands-on healing. Plus, it is a great teaching tool for Reiki Masters such as myself. Many classes can be taught by the use of the information, history of Reiki, passing on attunements as well as what to expect as a practitioner and a teacher of Reiki. I can not say enough about the completeness of her book on the subject of Reiki. I also have bought and enjoyed other books she has written.

Rating:
Summary: I Couldn't Finish it........
Review: Some years back I picked up the book... I saw the sacred symbols in print. I couldn't believe it, I put it back on the shelf and have never recommended it. It is written totally from a feminist view.. feminist is fine, however I believe it should be written from a balanced view as it could turn off the male population and they are very important, this is not. A second level cannot attune another person, you can't do it over the phone or absentee. It must be done in person. Reiki taught by a traditional master will NEVER NEVER harm anyone. It will NEVER deplete, always energize. I don't know what she uses when doing 150 "attunements" in a weekend, it wasn't true pure Reiki. It would not make one ill for three weeks. Spaced for a while, should one even be able to do 150 attunements in a weeked, never depleted. Giving Reiki away gives it no value and it has been shown time and time again, when not properly taught and an exchange given that the receiver has no respect for it. It does not have to be a single penny, it can be a dinner, a painted fence, a sewn hole in a pair of pants, it need not be money. It needs to be something with meaning to the giver and the receiver. Then there is value to it. Another thing, a teacher who is interested in teaching Reiki will have an interest in that student, their physical wellbeing, their spiritual wellbeing as it will stir things up, so to speak. A teacher that is here today, takes the money - - or gives for nothing - - is not a teacher, it is only the person that has adjusted your vibration, and not always for the better. With NO guidance other than here is my book, read it. When one is a Reiki Master Teacher you take on the development of that person, you don't just wham,bam,thank you ma'am. There are spiritual responsiblities that must be accounted for. It is not monetary gain, it is not for Ego - see who I am and what I can do, it has spiritual consequences. Ms. Stein does have good things in her book and she should be credited for her devotion to learning Reiki. But really, all one has to do is honestly and earnestly ask a Reiki Teacher and they will teach, money or no. There are many good Reiki books out there, this is not one of them. Oh, as for they symbols, well, they are sacred knowledge and she has no respect for this knowledge. In one place she says, "show them Only when appropriate and only to people with integrity". Yet she publishes them in a book herself.! I will reserve my comments on the symbols. Find a book by Fran Brown or Helen Haberly, you will be better off.

Rating:
Summary: It's Real
Review: I met Diane Stein went she was writing this book. I took a 3 day Reiki class from her, and she definitely is the real thing. The energy she was able to transmit was incredible. She could charge up an entire room. When this book became available I quickly read the whole thing as it was a very complete treatment of what she had taught in the class. It is a great book, however, it is also necessary to become initiated in Reiki through the transmition of energy in order to get started.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing and Life Changing
Review: Reiki has changed my life! Thank you, Diane, for initiating this. So many seem to be offended by Diane's feminist attitude, but the question is - Why are you judging another's point of view? Also, if you can't say something good, why say anything at all? EVERYONE that i know of that read the book, loved it. All my students, all my teachers, and all my fellow spiritual walkers. I thank the person who told me about this book many a time! Don't miss out on the greatest source of information you will find about Reiki. So many other books claim to teach about Reiki, but make it sound like only those who know Reiki are special, and masters are special. Reiki is an inherent gift of mankind. Everyone does have it, and there will be a point when everyone will use it. Love, Peace, Light, and laughter... :)

Rating:
Summary: Good but annoying
Review: I found the book very informative and I was grateful to have an opportunity to study the symbols prior to taking an actual Reiki class. The book is very easy to read, but I found the authors exclusive use of she/her and the feminine gender extremely annoying and unprofessional. The book should have been written in a neutral gender embracing everyone. Ms. Stein obviously has some deep rooted problems revolving around men. It is unfortunate that she felt the need to vent this in her book. Shouldn't a Reiki Master be a little more evolved than that? Maybe the second printing should be renamed "Essential Reiki for Women".