His mother, Rosaria, had received regular Reiki treatments for general health as well as emotional and life issues. Rosaria's mother then paid for her to do a Reiki training workshop.

Already interested, after observing the result of Reiki treatments and self treatments on his mother, Julian then received his first treatment from Rosaria. He fell in love with Reiki and had a passionate desire to receive the initiations and training.

Julian has a brother, and currently his mother lives on a pension. There is not a lot of money. Rosaria said he had saved $50 from his pocket money and from amounts received from relatives for birthday and Christmas presents. Julian is a keen basketball player and had been saving up for a basketball ring.

He was now adamant that the savings should pay for his Reiki. His mother knows and honours the energy exchange 'element' of money in the Usui system - that it represents commitment and value.

"Eileen" she said, "what can we do? I can't afford to pay the full amount and he wants it so much."

We talked about how in our society money has replaced bartering for the way in which we exchange our energy. Perhaps Julian could do chores for his mother or neighbours to earn the Reiki?

That night, Rosaria and Julian discussed the proposal and decided that for one month he would, each day, perform certain chores over and above his normal home responsibilities.

"But Mum, how does this work? You can't afford to pay."

"It's OK Julian. It's not the money. It's your commitment."

"Oh, I see. It's like God sees me doing it (the chores) and so God gives me the Reiki?"

At exactly 8.00 am the following morning (Rosaria had told him it was not polite to ring earlier) a husky young voice said...

"Eileen, it's Julian. I've talked to my Mum and I'm going to give you $50 for a deposit, and then every day for a month I'm going to sweep the kitchen floor, set the table, and do ALL the dishes."

PAUSE

"Is that good enough?" he asked.

Overwhelmed by the palpable vibration of commitment reaching out for Reiki, it was all I could do to say "Julian, that sounds excellent."

At the end of the month he rang to arrange for his Reiki training.

Julian now gives Reiki to himself and his dog. "She (the dog) really feels it. She likes it. I gave some Reiki to Mum for a few days when she was sick and it really helped."

Julian never had to be reminded of his chores to earn the Reiki. And recently, he shared that earning the Reiki training "made it feel more precious."

He said "It feels like I earned it. It feels good and makes me feel warm inside."