Nalin Nirula Reiki grandmaster

A degree holder in hotel administration and also a Reiki Grandmaster? Scion of the Nirula family, which is synonymous with the reputed fast food chain? Difficult to connect all these? Well actually, Mr Nalin Nirula has had a chequered career. Guided by an intense inner calling, more than twenty years ago, young Nalin, a graduate from Cornell University, New York, USA, took up a formal system of religiosity for self -development and self-awareness. After years of serious studies, hard work and rigorous practice which comprised the major religions and philosophies and the existing esoteric cults, he attained the level of the fourth grandmaster of Reiki, which is hailed as a form of alternative medicine. Since 1995 Nalin has been earnestly pursuing his mission to teach and lecture in the esoteric arts with a view to positively empower people and spread the healing touch.


In the simplest of terms, what is Reiki all about?

Reiki is a Japanese term for universal life forces. It involves the inexhaustible life force that each individual is capable of harnessing in order to improve his/her quality of life.

Origin of Reiki, the diverse cultural influences: Chinese, Japanese etc.
Reiki in fact is some kind of a universal creed, which culls positive points from all major religions of the world. The earliest reference to what is Reiki can be found in the Atharva Veda. This ancient Hindu process of tapping cosmic life force ( prana) was revived in Japan about 150 years ago and given the name REIKI.

Basic principles
Reiki is based on the principles encapsulated in two verses of the Lotus Sutras from the teachings of Gautama Buddha and the mantra: Nam myoho renge kyo, which roughly translates as :I devote my life to the mystic law of cause and effect (karma) that is woven into the warp and woof of the universe's existence.

The drawbacks of this Art /science if any?

You see, Reiki needs to be practised with utmost accuracy. The smallest faux pas may render the entire process ineffective and might even cause harm to the individual.

What personal qualities are required to be a successful teacher and a successful student of Reiki?

As a teacher you need to cultivate a sense of inner spiritual calling, in order to be good at propagating/radiating the Reiki energy; while as a student you need an attitude of a receptivity to maximise your benefits from the infusion of the universal and inexhaustible cosmic energy directed to you through the Reiki process.

Why has Reiki remained an eclectic, esoteric art instead of a popular one?

Reiki is a process one turns to when one is ready for spiritual gain. A good number of ordinary people take time to grasp the principles that can transform their lives. Once they are able to imbibe it in letter and spirit, they may reap enormous benefits.

Why is Reiki (both training and application) so expensive?

The basic costs vary from country to country, depending greatly on the general economic factors. You must bear in mind that the process of Reiki involves an intensive initiation process inclusive of an orientation programme and regular follow-up sessions. To bring about adjustments Viewed from this perspective the monetary charges are really very reasonable. The practitioner also needs to meet his infrastructural costs.

Let me add, that one basic principle of Reiki is that there must be a give and take between the practitioner of Reiki and the beneficiary or receiver. An individual can receive nothing for free. However no genuine Reiki practitioner will ever turn away a seeker just because he or she is unable to afford the charges.

What is the actual method of administering Reiki?

• To begin with one needs to get connected to energy through initiation by the master. An individual needs to get empowered, which cannot be achieved through books or from the surroundings .A pupil or a novice will need to work seriously and sincerely on a daily basis .The Reiki master will place his cupped hands on various areas of a seeker's body in order to download the cosmic energy and remove blockages, if any, in the process.

A seeker must chant the following:

• Just for today I will respect my parents elders and teachers
• Just for today I will do all my work honestly. What is within my capacity, Iwill discharge sincerely and to the best of my efforts.
• Just for today I will not be angry with anyone.
• Just for today I will give something to a fellow human being. (In other words, if anybody gives an individual some benefit or some service or even in kind, he/she ought to reciprocate. This is not a donation, but a gift of love, because donation brings in an element of arrogance).

All in all, to be really effective Reiki should affect an individuals' mind, body, ideas, temperament and so forth, in a proper manner. Also, Reiki cannot be tied down within the parameters of time, place and circumstances. The Reiki master if he so we wills, can practice Reiki on an individual with his/her physical proximity. In short, it is a constant continuous, ongoing process

How can a seeker distinguish between a genuine Reiki course and he dubious ones?

This is an important question. One needs to be really careful, as there are scores of Reiki masters going around. Adhere to these crucial points:

• Each master's antecedents need to be verified.
• Personally talk to the Reiki master. You will be able to gauge his authenticity.
• Check out with the students past or present, whether or not they have been benefited, two years down the line, after undergoing the course.
• Also check out the state of affairs of the Reiki master. If he/she seems to be in a bad shape and apparently not reaping the benefits of Reiki, look elsewhere.

Can Reiki be classified as a religious/spirtual creed?

Reiki is a not a religious cult or sect. But yes it is highly spiritual in the sense that it imbibes the quintessence of all major religions of the world, be it Buddhism, Hinduism or Christianity, to name few. It upholds the lofty ideals of peace, harmony, honesty, modesty and humility, self-discipline and so forth.

How can Reiki benefit the students of all categories?

As we are all aware, the students undergo tremendous mental pressure, stress and strain before during and after the exams. Even otherwise, the youth often undergo various types of emotional and interpersonal problems. It would be advisable for them to consult a Reiki master, who in his turn, will talk to them, identify the issues and thereafter get down to actual healing- cum-counselling process. Besides cupping of hands, other accessories e.g. mantras (hymns) yantras(devices/tool) are utilized. The seeker is taught (and helped) to heal himself/herself without depending on anyone. An individual's participation is a must. It renders the process more effective. However Reiki is efficacious even if he/she is not participating.

Summing up, what are the prime advantages of Reiki?

Reiki can help you to actualize your goals tremendously. In can enhance your success in each and every area of you life. This is a tool that you could use for everything: be it fostering good relationships, improving your career, enhance your knowledge and skills, ameliorate your health, usher in financial well- being and so forth. Reiki will open the doors for you so that godly energy can flow in and revitalise you. It will help you to re-discover yourself and write your own destiny. It is a thus unique and extraordinary experience.

Potentials of Reiki as a full -fledged career option?

Reiki may not have the feasibility of being adopted as a full-fledged career option per se, but it can be utilised to supplement nay enhance most of the career options that are in vogue today.

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(As told to Ruchira Ghosh)