We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Frans Stiene a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Frans, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

There are a few things which stands out about my parents, they showed me how to be kind to others. Always helping others no matter what. My mum also showed me how to not hold onto the past and being present with what we are doing right now. She is 88 at the moment and still takes things with a light heart and lots of laughter. Not taking things too seriously and holding on to what others have said or what had happened in her life has been a wonderful teaching. This has helped me in my own line of work too plus of course in my own life. We hold onto so much from the past that we have difficulty living in this present moment because it has been weighed down with all the past stuff we hold onto.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been teaching the system of Reiki full time since 1999, holding retreats and course in many different countries, like Italy, Netherlands, Japan, Australia, France, UK, USA, Canada, you name it. Since 2012 I am training with a Japanese priest who helps me to explore the more inner Japanese teachings of the system of Reiki. Due to this I have also written a few Reiki books; The Inner Heart of Reiki, Reiki Insights, and The Way of Reiki.

My way of teaching is therefore rooted in the more traditional Japanese teachings of the system of Reiki, of course we do not have to become Japanese but the methods are simple and yet so profound. This knowledge and the way I explain these ancient teachings in a modern language has made it that I can teach internationally.

I do not advertise so all the people who come to the courses and retreats are through word of mouth, my books or social media.

What I personally find very important is that as a teacher we walk our walk in our daily lives. Of course when we meditate on our meditation pillow we can feel calm and light but if we cannot take this into our daily life then what is the real use of it. Therefore no matter what kind of spiritual practice we are doing right now we have to bring it into our daily life, in all we do. This is also what I teach a lot and what people love about my teachings.

For me it is not about becoming something or someone special rather we become kind human beings again, filled with love and kindness.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

To succeed we need to keep practicing what we are teaching so that our students and clients can feel the difference within you. I always say that you are your own business card.

This is of course not so easy but one of the most important elements. Through these kind of internal practices which we do for ourselves the way we teach and explain things to our students become clearer and more direct.

As all of these practices are about realizing our inner light of kindness and because of that embodiment we stay light within our teaching and business.

The more we shine our own light the more people we attract.

This kind of self practice also makes student come and return to your classes and retreats, as they can see a change, growth within you, they know it will be possible to change and grow as well.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I love reading books by traditional Zen teachers and Buddhist teachers. Through reading and integrating what they teach and explain I feel I have become more open and relaxed in my own entrepreneurial thinking. I know many small business owners and they often get so stressed and worried, which is understandable, but the effect of it that they are helping their clientele in a stressful and worried way and that in itself it not really beneficial. Your clients come to you to relax, unwinded and be served with love and kindness and not with stress and worry. I used to go to this hairdresser and each time he was chatting to me about his stress and his worry for his business because he didn’t have many clients. So after a while I didn’t go either to him anymore because you go to the hairdresser to be looked after and not being bombarded by stress and fear. This is why I love these teachings by Zen and Buddhist masters because they are about letting go of our stress and worry and when we let go of our stress and worry we can stay more open and kind which of course will have an effect on your business as a whole.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ihreiki.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stienefrans/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frans.stiene/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frans-stiene-45a61b10/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@InternationalHouseofReiki/videos

Image Credits

Photos are all taken by me, Frans Stiene