Creating your own healing modality is a bit of a bumpy ride. Exciting yes… also nerve-wracking at times.
When you learn a modality from someone else, you can ask questions to your teacher/mentors and even your colleagues. There could even be a professional association that has your back and a bunch of social media or student practice groups set up that you can join to feel part of the community.
When you create your own modality, you are on your own (that is, unless you are co-creating it with someone). If by yourself, you don’t have an authority to give you guidance.
In fact, you don’t even have someone who could tell you what you’re doing wrong. Because it hasn’t been fully crystallised yet… YOU are the person who works that out.
Everything out. The scope, the limitations, what’s needed to overcome challenges. What is the correct way to use the technique, what is the incorrect way. Who it’s best for.
Everything.
This is why it can be nerve-wracking at times.
But it’s also extremely fulfilling.
If you have that creative streak and perhaps even a little rebellion to step outside the norm, then this journey will satisfy your Soul.
But one worry that could come up for healers who want to create their own style or modality is that there will be a backlash.
When you learn a modality from someone else, you can ask questions to your teacher/mentors and even your colleagues. There could even be a professional association that has your back and a bunch of social media or student practice groups set up that you can join to feel part of the community.
When you create your own modality, you are on your own (that is, unless you are co-creating it with someone). If by yourself, you don’t have an authority to give you guidance.
In fact, you don’t even have someone who could tell you what you’re doing wrong. Because it hasn’t been fully crystallised yet… YOU are the person who works that out.
Everything out. The scope, the limitations, what’s needed to overcome challenges. What is the correct way to use the technique, what is the incorrect way. Who it’s best for.
Everything.
This is why it can be nerve-wracking at times.
But it’s also extremely fulfilling.
If you have that creative streak and perhaps even a little rebellion to step outside the norm, then this journey will satisfy your Soul.
But one worry that could come up for healers who want to create their own style or modality is that there will be a backlash.
Someone will think their style isn’t different enough (aka copying), their teachers won’t like it, or it won’t be as good in comparison to others.
Response About Comparison
Who are we to judge?
It’s like judging a painting or book or baby before it’s even been birthed.
There is beauty in diversity – imagine missing out on a new variation just because we were afraid to be judged or criticised.
Sometimes it takes a few iterations to get a gold nugget.
Gary Craig’s Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) was a simplified version of Thought Field Therapy (TFT) which incorporated muscle testing. A lot of the piecing together had been done by Dr Roger Callahan.
But Gary Craig wanted to make it easier & more available – so he simplified and standardised the process. Who would’ve thought that modality would explode in popularity the way it did? It was so much ‘simpler’ in comparison.
If you create a modality, then it will have its own unique signature and flavour. Just like you & me and all the other people on this earth. We are all different, comparing each of us is just a way to devalue each individual who is actually a walking miracle.
Each modality is the same.
It has its own unique purpose, gift and thread to share in the overall healing landscape.
Response About Teachers/Colleagues Disapproval
Note that Usui Reiki is not the first Reiki ever to be in existence!
Was your teacher’s modality birthed by itself? Or was it formed through an inspiration of one or more healing (or even spiritual) technique from a previous generation?
Each accepted modality has probably come across disapproval from others at some point in its journey.
And so what?
There is beauty in diversity.
And likewise, there is beauty in tradition.
Many of the Japanese branch of Reiki heavily follows Usui’s original Reiki as best as they can. Upholding the tradition is beautiful too – there’s no right or wrong in either staying traditional or branching out into diversity.
The key is to align to your truth and where you work best as a healer.
And to stay as true as you can to the thread or essence that wishes to be formed through you.
Response About Copying
And yes, copying.
Well, you and others know when something is out-right ‘copied’, versus just being inspired by someone else. You’re allowed to be inspired by others. It may have similarities, sure, but it’s not a copy.
The Impressionist art movement was started in France, not by one person, but by 4 young artists who shared a love of their version of art (& wanted to rebel the art restrictions of those times). They met at cafés to discuss and inspire one another. They didn’t ‘copy’ each other’s paintings.
Sure, Monet & Renoir were the most famous (Manet gets a special mention), but it doesn’t mean the other artists who adopted the technique were any less. They all contributed to the movement as a whole.
And yes, there have been some Reiki disputes.
The disputes were not that a new style was developed (although those dedicated to more traditional prefer traditional). The disputes were that it was a direct ‘copy’ or stolen.
The problem isn’t about going diverse… it’s going diverse and CLAIMING that it’s the original. Being truthful from the start and knowing where your style sits in the overall picture cuts through all the BS around ‘copying’.
If you haven’t done your research, of course you’re going to be nervous under the surface.
And others copying you?
Well, once it’s created, it’s created. It’ll be pretty obvious if it’s copied after that.
If in fact, it is a copy, you are welcome to do what you like about that.
BUT know that if you’re the creator, and they poured no creative energy into forming their version, then the likelihood is that they cannot share or teach it with the same understanding.
And my thoughts are, if they can teach or share my creations better than me, then good on them.
But I doubt it.
Extra tips
Some extra tips:
Creating your own healing style or modality is no different to creating your own art style/movement.
It’s just created to work ‘through’ people rather than for people to observe.
Follow your creative flow – if the muse is calling you.
Don’t let your fears of the future hold you back.
Take the next step. Everything else will work itself out.
Response About Comparison
Who are we to judge?
It’s like judging a painting or book or baby before it’s even been birthed.
There is beauty in diversity – imagine missing out on a new variation just because we were afraid to be judged or criticised.
Sometimes it takes a few iterations to get a gold nugget.
Gary Craig’s Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) was a simplified version of Thought Field Therapy (TFT) which incorporated muscle testing. A lot of the piecing together had been done by Dr Roger Callahan.
But Gary Craig wanted to make it easier & more available – so he simplified and standardised the process. Who would’ve thought that modality would explode in popularity the way it did? It was so much ‘simpler’ in comparison.
If you create a modality, then it will have its own unique signature and flavour. Just like you & me and all the other people on this earth. We are all different, comparing each of us is just a way to devalue each individual who is actually a walking miracle.
Each modality is the same.
It has its own unique purpose, gift and thread to share in the overall healing landscape.
Response About Teachers/Colleagues Disapproval
Note that Usui Reiki is not the first Reiki ever to be in existence!
Was your teacher’s modality birthed by itself? Or was it formed through an inspiration of one or more healing (or even spiritual) technique from a previous generation?
Each accepted modality has probably come across disapproval from others at some point in its journey.
And so what?
There is beauty in diversity.
And likewise, there is beauty in tradition.
Many of the Japanese branch of Reiki heavily follows Usui’s original Reiki as best as they can. Upholding the tradition is beautiful too – there’s no right or wrong in either staying traditional or branching out into diversity.
The key is to align to your truth and where you work best as a healer.
And to stay as true as you can to the thread or essence that wishes to be formed through you.
Response About Copying
And yes, copying.
Well, you and others know when something is out-right ‘copied’, versus just being inspired by someone else. You’re allowed to be inspired by others. It may have similarities, sure, but it’s not a copy.
The Impressionist art movement was started in France, not by one person, but by 4 young artists who shared a love of their version of art (& wanted to rebel the art restrictions of those times). They met at cafés to discuss and inspire one another. They didn’t ‘copy’ each other’s paintings.
Sure, Monet & Renoir were the most famous (Manet gets a special mention), but it doesn’t mean the other artists who adopted the technique were any less. They all contributed to the movement as a whole.
And yes, there have been some Reiki disputes.
The disputes were not that a new style was developed (although those dedicated to more traditional prefer traditional). The disputes were that it was a direct ‘copy’ or stolen.
The problem isn’t about going diverse… it’s going diverse and CLAIMING that it’s the original. Being truthful from the start and knowing where your style sits in the overall picture cuts through all the BS around ‘copying’.
If you haven’t done your research, of course you’re going to be nervous under the surface.
And others copying you?
Well, once it’s created, it’s created. It’ll be pretty obvious if it’s copied after that.
If in fact, it is a copy, you are welcome to do what you like about that.
BUT know that if you’re the creator, and they poured no creative energy into forming their version, then the likelihood is that they cannot share or teach it with the same understanding.
And my thoughts are, if they can teach or share my creations better than me, then good on them.
But I doubt it.
Extra tips
Some extra tips:
- Never ever share your idea until you’ve formed it enough and are ready to release it into the world. Honour the essence of your idea. Choose wisely who you share it with in the early stages if it’s still fragile.
- Find ways to solidify it when bringing it into the world, including having witnesses and putting it on paper (including electronic) somehow. Include dates.
Creating your own healing style or modality is no different to creating your own art style/movement.
It’s just created to work ‘through’ people rather than for people to observe.
Follow your creative flow – if the muse is calling you.
Don’t let your fears of the future hold you back.
Take the next step. Everything else will work itself out.
And if you’re a little bit (or a lot) stumped on how to get the creative juices flowing… and bring your healing modality into reality...
My online program Healer Heart Awakening supports you through the process, without having to worry about copying or criticism.
Check out more details here.
My online program Healer Heart Awakening supports you through the process, without having to worry about copying or criticism.
Check out more details here.
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