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| This Note
is one
of a series
where I give my ideas on aspects of Reiki and/or energy work. The pages
are intended to give some "food for thought" and some are only my
viewpoint. While a number of facts may be included, you should decide
for yourself how much (if any) of the content feels right to you. Recently a prospective student
asked me why my Reiki 1 class content didn't appear to cover the topic
of a 21 day cleanse. I assured him I did discuss this, but not in the
same context. I remember this idea of a cleanse lasting precisely
21 days, coming up in my first Reiki class, also in a certain Master
level
training. In the latter I was assured that the cleanse occured
within
each chakra, one day at a time, and repeated 2 more times (thus
21
days.) I accepted this although I can honestly say I
never really
noticed this kind of internal clockwork after any of my classes; at
least nothing that structured. But in the middle of my 2 day segmented
Reiki 1 class, I was a little tired and wanted to snooze more.
 I suppose I didn't get really curious
until I came across online
comments relating experiences that the cleanse happened in each chakra
for 3 days, before moving onto the next chakra, while others said it
varied between chakras. Then I really sat up and questioned
things
when one of my Reiki 3 students demonstrated in class her ability to
integrate the sudden shift in her energies, right on the spot - no
cleanse needed! However, when I took several sets of
Japanese oriented Reiki training, none of my oriental teachers ever
mentioned this subject. It seems the cleanse is not part of any
traditional Japanese Reiki school. Over the years, I've noticed
that
the possible cleanse rarely seemed to be noticeable for most of my
students, although some do get a strong experience.So what was this all about in Western Reiki, and who started this widely accepted belief? I can't say who the originator was, although Paula Horan did mention this in her 1990 book "Empowerment Through Reiki." She wrote "After the attunement process in each of the three degrees, the student will undergo a 21 day cleanse process. Due to the raised vibratory rate of the physical and etheric bodies, old dense negative energy is forced "to the surface", and released." That did make some sense to me as the body naturally tries to adjust whenever exposed to a new food, beverage, location or atmosphere (I certainly recall many hangovers from my youth, or intestinal problems with new sources of water.) And in doing so it might begin a process releasing toxins, sometimes requiring a bit more rest, or cause a sudden cold or sweating - things like that (even Mrs. Takata mentions this.) The individual might also adjust on the emotional, mental and spiritual level as old pent-up feelings, thoughts and beliefs are released. However, I've found this kind of cycle of change can occur very briefly (if at all); hours or days; or it may take longer, like months. It may be unnoticeable or very pronounced. There appears no way of telling how long it might occur. After my first ReikI Master class I felt the buildup of energy (almost unbearable at times) for 4 months, then it stopped. Also, unless you have already begun to change your lifestyle well before, a process of fasting a few days prior to a Reiki class may not make much of a difference in this area. So I suggest you discern, and allow yourself to experience any energy shifts naturally, without preconceived notions. 
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