Hello all, I have just read through the thread, and will post a proper comment with thoughts and ideas - and the research mentioned - but atm i just want to hint that there might not be any contradiction in Pandora and Wayne´s stance...
On Chris [Tinkeysmom] issue I would like to suggest, before presenting the options of the research modalities, that when 'losing' the ability of Reiki, go back to basics...
Meaning:
To generate the Spirit/Reiki force, it is important to get yourself into the 'right' mode so to speak... As has been hinted at in the above posts, if your body is stressed, in pain etc, your mind worrying, thinking, etc, you will most likely notice your breathing patterns also have changed to the condition of you mental and physical state.
So the physical and mental state can affect your reiki flow and your experience of the phenomenon.
Now to get into a better state to do your practice, will usually help.

First step is to gain control of your breath - as you will find trying to relax your body and mind will be very difficult if the breath is not adjusted.
Breath deep and calmly into your stomach - hara - now there are many different breathing practises, choose one that works for you, now no hyperventilating as that does not help, but rather slow and deep breaths. (easy example: count to 4 in 2 pause and 4 out)
Now after a few minutes when the breath flows deeply, naturally and relaxed on its own without your conscious help, it is time to focus on the body.
Step Two; relax your body, go through it bit by bit, give every part of your body inside and out loving care, and put your body into a relaxed state. Or you can tense the muscles for a count of 4 and relax them for a count of 4 until you can consciously let go of the tension in the body and feel calm and relaxed (or whatever relaxing method you find to work for yourself)
Now that you have gained a positive state in body and breath/spirit it is time to deal with the 'monkey' mind...
Step Three; will be a lot easier now that you have calmed and relaxed your breath and body.
Let go of the thoughts, empty your mind, by not paying any attention to the thoughts that come and go - do not try to stop them as that will enforce them...(if you give attention to your thoughts it will lend the thoughts strength, so ignore them, let them pass on their own.) You may use meditation techniques - but not 'visualisations' (waterfall, landscape visualisations ect.) as they are more active imagination, and our goal is not to activate but to let go of our thoughts. But one point focus, candle light meditation ect will work as your attention is not on the thoughts but on the object observed mentally or physically and thus the thoughts will bit by bit loose their dominance.

Now that you have gotten yourself back on track, it will usually be much easier to get the reiki flow going, and pick up on the experiences and insights it may offer.

have to get the kids to school, but will write up more on the topics mentioned and the cancer study upon my return.
Tinkeysmom: I hope there is something in this post that might help you in you....

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