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Some in the Reiki community sub-scribe to the idea that Reiki is Reikiand once you’ve taken a Reiki class

and received an attunement, you are con-nected to the Universal Life Energy andyour Reiki will be as effective as anyoneelse’s. However, as students give sessionsto others, take additional classes, andreceive treatments from practitionersassociated with a variety of schools andlineages, an awareness begins to developthat Reiki can come in many vibrations,strengths, and levels of effectiveness.These variations can include feelings of

density or strength, warmth or heat, vari-ous degrees of gentleness, relaxation,peace, kindness, compassion, love, joy,and so forth, and can also include subtleaffects that seem to extend beyond one’sawareness, but heal deeply.

Appreciation for the expanded poten-tial of Reiki energy is also noted when onetakes advanced levels of training andexperiences an increase in effectiveness,as well as a broader range of application.This is apparent with Reiki II, ART andMaster, and especially with Karuna Reiki®,in which the student is attuned to eightsession symbols, each of which activates adifferent healing vibration and creates itsown unique healing effect.

higher and more effective levels of Reikienergy are becoming increasingly avail-able to us.

If we are to make the best use of theimproved Reiki energies that are avail-able, in addition to taking advanced train-ing, healing ourselves, and meditating onReiki, there is a necessary and importantaspect relating to the enhancement of ourReiki energies that must be considered. Inorder to make use of these higher healingenergies, the physical body must be capa-ble of holding and channeling these fre-quencies. If the body is in a lower state of

vibration, it will not be able to do this.The physical body must have a higherdegree of purification and be in a state ofnatural balance if we are to interface withthe subtle nature of higher consciousnessthat is an important part of making use ofadvanced healing energy.

Reiki is Rei guiding ki. Rei is the wis-dom or intelligence that tells the ki whatto do; the more precise, aware and subtlethe guidance, the more miraculous thehealing. This is similar to the creation ofartwork. The more talented, experiencedand inspired the artist, the more beautifuland valued will be the work of art that isproduced. If we are to channel the morerefined states of Reiki energy necessary to

In addition, as more people practiceReiki together, the stronger aggregate fieldof the increased number of Reiki practi-tioners creates a stronger flow of Reiki foreveryone. This has been experienced bythose at Reiki share groups who experi-ence their Reiki being stronger in the pres-ence of other practitioners. This effect alsoworks on a planetary scale; as more peopleon the planet learn and practice Reiki,everyone’s Reiki is becoming stronger!

Serious Reiki practitioners who havechosen Reiki as their spiritual path havebeen using Reiki to work on their own

healing for ever-longer periods of time, thuscontinually increasing the quality of theirhealth and spiritual balance, in some casesto a remarkable degree. Many of these samepractitioners, through the use of prayer,Reiki meditation, and other exercises, havealso been actively working to increase thequality and effectiveness of their Reikienergy. This has produced new experiencesfor some, including higher states of con-sciousness and subtler, more refined healingenergies. Often when they teach, they passon these improvements to their studentsduring the attunement process.

Based on these examples, it’s appar-ent that not only is Reiki available in avariety of frequencies, but also that ever

Enhance your Reiki Energywith a Healthier Diet

B Y W I L L I A M L E E R A N D

Following these dietary recommendations will improve the quality of your Reiki energy and allow you

to treat more people while remaining centered and relaxed. It will also improve your teaching ability

by helping you to remain calm and focused throughout the day, prevent you from feeling drained after

giving attunements or at the end of class, and make it easier for you to teach larger classes.

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produce miraculous healing, our bodiesmust be capable of resonating with thesehigher states.

Another analogy is fiber optic cables.These cables are waveguides for coherentlight beams used in the Internet and com-munications industries. They transmit highfrequency signals that contain informationincluding voice, graphics and video. Theyare able to transmit a tremendous amountof information, but in order to work proper-ly, the fiber optic cable must be very clearand pure and the outer surface must be verysmooth and uniform throughout theirlength. Otherwise, the signal is distortedand weakened, or blocked altogether. Interms of channeling Reiki, our nervous sys-tems are analogous to fiber optic cables. Inorder to channel the higher frequencies ofReiki energy, the nervous system must be inits most natural state, be pure, and in a con-dition of balance. If the functioning of thenervous system and other important organsystems in the body is distorted by stimu-lants or other drugs, or blocked by toxins, orif our vibration is lowered by the kind offood we eat, then the body will be unable tohold the more refined frequencies of Reiki,and the nervous system will be unable tochannel them. And while some Reiki willflow, it will be the lower vibrations thatcome through that do not possess thegreater healing potential that is possible.

In this article I’ll be focusing on dietand describing some of the foods thatlower and distort the vibrational nature ofthe body, thus preventing the higherpotential of Reiki from flowing through.These adverse affects also pertain to medi-tation, or any practice for which the goal isto develop higher states of consciousness.

SugarThis food substance includes regular

refined table sugar, which is also calledsucrose, fructose, dextrose, maltose. Honeyalso contains sugar. The main adverse affectof sugar comes from its high glycemic index1

(GI), which can range from about 50 towell over 100, depending on the type ofsugar. The GI is an indication of how quick-ly a food causes an increase in, and how

fed a diet high in sucrose produced signifi-cantly fewer T-cells and had larger tumorsthan those not fed sucrose.(7) In anotherstudy conducted in 1964, the affects of sugaron white blood cells were studied. Whiteblood cells, also called leukocytes, defendthe body against infectious disease and for-eign materials. Their job is to surround anddestroy pathogens, including bacteria,fungi, parasites and other undesirableorganisms or material in the blood stream.In the study it was found that if a personeats no sugar for 12 hours, each leukocytedestroyed an average of 14 pathogens. Butafter eating the amount of sugar in a medi-um piece of cheesecake, the leukocytes wereso weakened each could only destroy 1pathogen. The researcher, observing theeffect of sugar on leukocytes through amicroscope states: “a leukocyte cell takenfrom a blood sample with higher than nor-mal blood sugar showed to be of an alteredform, and with an increased amount of fatvacuoles in the cell, resulting in a slower,sluggish action toward foreign objects.”(5)

The chart below shows to what extentvarious amounts of sugar compromise theimmune system.

A weakened immune system will makeyou more vulnerable to illness anddecrease your vitality. It can also affectyour aura, making you more susceptible topsychic and psychological challenges. Ifyou want to remain healthy and strong,both physically and spiritually, it’s impor-tant not to eat sugar.

InfertilityAccording to the authors of The Fertil-

ity Diet, the consumption of sugar, simplecarbohydrates and high GI foods decreasefertility. Women in the highest glycemic-load category were 92% more likely tohave had ovulatory infertility thanwomen in the lowest category, afteraccounting for age, smoking, the amountof animal and vegetable protein, andother factors. Eating whole grains, beans,vegetables and whole fruits, all of whichare good sources of slowly digesting carbo-hydrates, can improve ovulation and thechances of getting pregnant.(3)

long it maintains, blood glucose levels.Foods with a high GI cause a rapid increasein blood glucose followed by a rapiddecrease, whereas, foods with a low GIcause a gradual increase in blood glucosethat is sustained over time. When one eatsfoods that contain sugar and/or have a highGI, they cause a seesaw affect that wreakshavoc with the body’s ability to maintainstability. In addition to stressing the pan-creas and causing problems for diabetics andthose with hypoglycemia, scientific studiesindicate the presence of sugar in the dietcan cause cognitive dysfunction, fertilityproblems, and immune system suppression.

Cognitive ProblemsThere are a number of studies that

show the consumption of foods contain-ing a high amount of refined sugar cancause a temporary decrease in importantaspects of mental function. In one suchstudy 64 children aged 6-11 years weregiven a breakfast of All-bran, a low GIcereal with 5.5 g of sugar per serving andCoco Pops, a high GI cereal with 12.8 gof sugar per serving on alternate morn-ings after an all night fast. They weretested for memory and attention prior tobreakfast and three times after breakfast.This study indicated that both attentionand memory performance were signifi-cantly lowered throughout the morningafter the children had consumed theCoco Pops cereal in comparison to theAll Bran cereal.(4)

The brain needs glucose to function.Low GI foods containing small amountsor no refined sugar provide the brainwith a steady supply of glucose for a sus-tained period of time. Eating low GIfoods with little or no sugar will helpmaintain a high level of mental functionthroughout the day.

Immune System SuppressionSeveral studies show that sugar also has

an adverse affect on the immune system. Inone study, mice infected with tumors and

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1 See http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm for

a description and a GI chart of foods.

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Sugar is a food substance that can com-promise your health and be the cause of,or contribute to, both clinical and sub-clinical illness. By causing unnaturalswings in blood glucose level, it can createphysical, emotional, mental and spiritualinstability, and prevent you from beingable to hold and channel higher frequen-cy Reiki energy. Reducing or eliminatingsugar from your diet is one of the mostimportant changes you can make toimprove the quality of your Reiki energy,both for giving treatments and for givingattunements and teaching.

When intending to eliminate sugar, it’sfar easier to stop completely than to reduceyour intake gradually. The use of sugar isaddictive for many people, but if you com-pletely eliminate it from your diet for threedays, the sugar residue in your body will beremoved from your system, and you’ll findyour desire for sugar greatly reduced, mak-ing it very easy to continue avoiding it.The use of a chromium supplement willalso reduce the desire for sugar.

I do not recommend any of the artifi-cial sugar substitutes such as saccharin,

aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfamepotassium, sorbitolorxylitol, as these donot occur in nature and the body doesn’tknow how to deal with them in a healthyway. I have found stevia and agave nectarto be healthy, and they do not interferewith the flow of higher frequency Reikienergy. Stevia is especially noteworthy inthat it has no calories, acts to stabilizeblood sugar, regulate the pancreas, is a car-diotonic, reduces acidity, and may helpfight bacteria. It is especially good for dia-betes, hypoglycemia, candidiasis and obe-sity. It can be used to sweeten tea, yogurt,

chemicals that are necessary for thetransmission of higher quality Reiki.These imbalances cause some people tofeel nervous and jittery and even causeheart palpitations, especially with higherdoses. While a person may feel “high”from the drinks, the “high” is takingplace in only one part of the nervous sys-tem and the overall effect is to lowerone’s vibration. Note that as soon as caf-feine or any drug enters the body, thewisdom of the body recognizes it as anundesirable substance and immediatelybegins to remove it through the liver andkidneys. These drinks create distortionsin the natural balance of one’s systemand short-circuit one’s ability to channelhigher frequency Reiki energy.

MeatThis food group includes beef, pork,

chicken and turkey, or any other kind ofmammalian flesh. This type of food isheavy and requires a lot of energy todigest. When raised in captivity the ani-mals are not in their natural healthy stateand tend to be sluggish and lack vitalityand can often be filled with distress. Thesevibrations are imbued into their bodiesand energy fields and can have this sameeffect on those who eat them. These ani-mals are evolved enough to have a basicconsciousness that is close in vibration tosome of the lower levels of human con-sciousness, and when it comes time forslaughter, the animal can become filledwith anger and fear. This releases adrena-lin into the blood stream that carries thesenegative emotions with it. The chemicalmessengers of anger and fear, along withtheir psychic counterparts, remain in themeat and tend to create and/or enhancethese emotions in those who consumethem. In addition, the spirit of the animalcan remain connected to the meat andbecome entangled with the eater. There isalso the problem of pesticide residues, hor-mones, antibiotics and other drugs used inthe industrial production process that arein the meat. These chemicals createimbalances in one’s system, distorting thefunctioning of many of the organs and cre-

cereal, and for baking. Some people detectan aftertaste, but this can be just a matterof finding the right brand, or just gettingused to it.

ChocolateThis confection contains three chemi-

cals that create problems for Reiki practi-tioners: Theobromine, phenylethylamineand sugar. Theobromine is a member of thecaffeine family (described below). It affectsthe neurotransmitters in the nervous system,creating an imbalance that results in a stim-ulating or mood enhancing effect for somepeople. Phenylethylamine increases atten-tion and activity and can have an antide-pressant affect as well. It works by increasingthe levels of dopamine in the brain and alsocauses other brain chemistry changes. Sugarcan cause a rapid elevation of glucose in thebrain, followed by a plunge, thus tending toadversely affect brain chemistry. While itmay appear that chocolate makes people feelgood, this is not a natural effect and is theresult of creating imbalances in the nervoussystem that limit one’s ability to channelhigher quality Reiki energy.

Caffeinated BeveragesThis group includes coffee, caffeinat-

ed tea, guarana, yerba mate, etc. Thesebeverages contain caffeine or, in the caseof yerba mate, xanthine, a drug similar tocaffeine. Their consumption can causetemporary alertness and memoryimprovement along with a lift in moodand an increase in energy. Positiveeffects certainly, but they are created bycausing a distortion in the way the nerv-ous system functions. The imbalancesthey create have an overall effect ofdraining the nerve cells of important

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How Sugar Weakens White Blood Cell’s Ability to Destroy Bacteria

Grams Sugar Amount of Sugar in... Number of Bacteria Destroyed0 None 1424 1 Scoop of Ice Cream 1048 1 Soft Drink 5.572 Half a Malted Drink 296 1 Piece Cheesecake 1

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ating a toxic burden the body must workto release. Meat lowers one’s vibration,distorts the functioning of the body, andplaces an unnecessary burden on one’s sys-tem, thus impeding one’s ability to chan-nel higher Reiki energy.

Fish in limited quantities can be a sub-stitute for meat, as fish is lighter in vibra-tion, easier to digest, and doesn’t carrythe same psychic burden. In addition, fishcontain omega oils that create feelings ofrelaxation and are healthy for the cardio-vascular system. However, some level ofmercury is present in most fish. Mercury isa neurotoxin that damages brain cells.Because of this, it’s important to avoidfish high in mercury, which include:Atlantic halibut, king mackerel, oysters(Gulf Coast), pike, sea bass, shark, sword-fish, tilefish (golden snapper), tuna(steaks and canned albacore). Fish low inmercury include anchovies, Arctic char,crawfish, Pacific flounder, herring, kingcrab, sand dabs, scallops, Pacific sole,tilapia, wild Alaska and Pacific salmon,farmed catfish, clams, striped bass andsturgeon. Eating one or two servings offish per week from the lower mercury sec-tion can be acceptable as long as one alsouses supplements to help release the mer-cury from one’s system. See the section onheavy metals below.

White FlourFoods made with refined flour are

denatured (robbed of natural nutrients)and contain fewer vitamins than wholegrain products. This is because two of themost nutrient-laden parts—the bran andthe germ—are taken out. (Enriched whiteflour products aren’t as nutritious becausethe added vitamins aren’t natural andaren’t absorbed by the body as well asthose that are naturally present in food.)The germ contains important vitaminsincluding Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Thi-amin, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Zinc,along with protein. B vitamins are neces-sary for digestion, and if they are missingfrom the food you eat, the body must drawon its store of vitamins to digest the food,thus depleting the body of the B vitamins

span, slows reaction time, causes slurredspeech and clumsiness, impairs judgment,and can give a feeling of false confidence.Being toxic, it places a burden on theliver. Continued use can result in cirrhosisof the liver and liver failure. It also weak-ens brain cells by damaging dendrites, thebranched ends of nerve cells that bringmessages into the cell. Significant blood-alcohol content can result in drunkennessand continued use can lead to addiction.Alcohol consumption can open one tonegative spirits that are attracted by the“high” one experiences and “feed” on it.They can encourage one to drink moreand tend to gather around bars and night-clubs where they prey on the unsuspect-ing, lowering their vibration even moreand causing serious problems with theaura. The consumption of even smallamounts of alcohol creates imbalances inone’s energy field, endocrine and nervoussystems that adversely affect one’s abilityto channel higher quality Reiki energy.

Heavy MetalsThese include mercury, lead, cadmium,

arsenic and others that are present in ourenvironment and in some foods. They arethe product of industrial pollution and, insome cases, can come from natural process-es such as volcanic eruptions. Mercury alsocomes from dental fillings, which are halfmercury. It has been recognized for a longtime within the alternative communitythat mercury dental fillings are a serioushealth risk2 and this idea is beginning to beaccepted by the FDA. The solution is to betested to see if you have a high mercurylevel in your body and if so, have the mer-cury fillings replaced with composites—making sure the material chosen by thedentist is right for your body.

Heavy metals pose an especially serioushealth risk. In the case of mercury and lead,which are neurotoxins, they can damagebrain cells and lower IQ, especially in thefetus and young children. They are also aserious concern for adults. In addition tocausing neurological problems, they cancreate depression and decrease one’s emo-tional responsiveness. In addition to caus-

it needs for other processes. The missing bran and germ is one rea-

son white flour is white, but it is also whitebecause it is bleached. The chemicals usedare oxide of nitrogen, chlorine, chloride,nitrosyl and benzoyl peroxide mixed withvarious chemical salts. Residues of thesechemicals are left in the flour and aredetrimental to health. In addition, thebran contains fiber, which helps maintainregularity and also helps absorb choles-terol from the bowel, thus lowering cho-lesterol levels.

White flour products have a high GI of70 or more, which means they are con-verted to sugar and absorbed quickly intothe blood stream, having a similar effect assugar. The consumption of white flourproducts depletes the body of needednutrients, causes rapid swings in one’sblood sugar level, thus destabilizing healthand causing all the problems already men-tioned about sugar, including making youmore vulnerable to illness, reducing yourvitality, and decreasing your attentionspan and memory. (Note: consuming fastfoods that contain mostly white flour andrefined sugar is a formula for instantweight gain. These foods are converted toblood sugar quickly. As they enter theblood stream they signal the pancreas toflood the blood stream with insulin, whichimmediately converts the blood sugar intofat, which is stored in the body.)

White flour products lower your vibra-tion; decrease the strength and stability ofyour energy field, and sabotage your abili-ty to channel high-frequency Reiki ener-gy. It is much better to eat whole grainfoods, which contain the nutrition yourbody needs and help maintain a state ofvitality and balance.

AlcoholConsumed as a beverage, alcohol is a

psychoactive drug that acts as a depres-sant. It can induce a feeling of relaxationand euphoria in which one feels “high.” Itacts to reduce one’s awareness of bothphysical and emotional pain and toremove concern and worry, or feelings ofresponsibility. It also reduces attention

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ing health problems, heavy metals can alsolimit the flow of Reiki and prevent onefrom experiencing higher emotional andspiritual states of consciousness.

I recommend that all adults be tested forheavy metal contamination. This can bedone by most alternative or integrativemedical clinics. If heavy metals are present,they can be removed by a variety of meth-ods. Two of the more powerful and effectivemethods of removal are DMSA taken oral-ly and EDTA taken intravenously. (DMSAand EDTA must be prescribed by a physi-cian.) There are also more gradual methodsof treatment involving natural supplementsthat can be taken on a maintenance basis,or if fish is a regular part of your diet. Theseinclude modified citrus pectin, aminoacids, chlorella and homeopathic remedies.

ConclusionSo far I’ve mentioned what foods and

substances to avoid in your diet, and I’msure at this point you’re wondering whatfoods I recommend. There are severalchoices. One is a diet of fish and vegeta-bles. Another choice is a vegan diet or araw food diet. All of these diets will pro-mote a natural balance in your system andhelp attract higher frequency Reiki ener-gy. I’ll be explaining these diets in greaterdetail in a future article.

The foods and substances listed aboveare the most important ones to avoid interms of improving the quality of yourReiki energy. By keeping them out of yourdiet, you’ll allow the body to assume it’smost natural and balanced state, which isnecessary for optimum health. While someReiki energy will flow regardless of one’sdiet or physical state, maintaining balanceand a natural state in one’s nervous systemis key to attracting, maintaining and chan-neling higher frequency Reiki energy.

As you start your program of change,it’s important to go slowly, making onechange at a time and allowing it to settlein until it feels like a normal part of yourlife. With this success as a foundation, goon to make other changes, so that gradu-ally, over time, your diet is modified tomatch the recommendations. You’ll be

Leukocytic Phagacytosis. Southern Cal-ifornia Dental Association, 32(9):349-351.

6. Mahoney, C.R., H.A. Taylor, R. BKanarek, and P. Samuel 2005. Effect ofbreakfast composition on cognitiveprocesses in elementary school chil-dren. Physiology and Behavior, 85, 635-645.

7. Nutter R. L., D. S. Gridley, et al. 1983.Modification of a transplantable colontumor and immune responses in micefed different sources of protein, fat andcarbohydrate. Cancer Letters. Feb;18(1):49-62.

8. For additional information regardingthe effects of sugar on your health, see:http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxifica-tion-diet/sugar.htm

surprised at how easy it is when you goslowly and continue steadily over time.Also, remember to use your Reiki, espe-cially the Mental/Emotional symbol, tohelp change your eating habits.

By following these recommendations,you’ll be rewarded with an overall improve-ment in how you feel, including bettersleep, improved energy and vitality, and afeeling of lightness and mental clarity. Inaddition, the quality of your Reiki energywill improve, resulting in better treatmentsfor yourself and others. You’ll also experi-ence improvements in the quality of yourmeditation and inner experiences as a morerefined space develops within you, openingyou to higher vistas of subtle consciousnessthat can be miraculous to experience.There is unlimited potential residing with-in you ready to awaken. There is no need towait. Take action to claim your higher pur-pose now. 1—If you’d like to contact William about thisarticle, please email him at william@reiki.orgReferences1. Benton, D., M. P. Ruffin, T. Lassel, S.

Nabb, M.Messaoudi, S. Vinoy, et al.2003. The delivery rate of dietary carbo-hydrates affects cognitive performancein both rats and humans. Psychophar-macology, 166, 86-90.

2. Benton, D., and J. Sargent 1992. Break-fast, blood glucose and memory. Bio-logical Psychology, 33, 207-210.

3. Chavarro, Jorge E., M.D., Walter C.Willett, M.D., and Patrick J. Skerrett2008. The Fertility Diet. New York:McGraw-Hill.

4. Ingwersen, J., M. A. Defeyter, D. O.Kennedy, K. A. Wesnes, A. B. Scholey2007. A low glycaemic index breakfastcereal preferentially prevents children’scognitive performance from decliningthroughout the morning. Appetite, 49,240-244.

5. Kijak, E.,G. Foust, R.R. Steinman 1964.Relationship of Blood Sugar Level and

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