Reiki is a Japanese word which is divided into its constituent parts—rei, meaning “divine spirit,” and ki, meaning “life energy.” It is a ge
ntle method of hands-on healing that taps into the energy referred to as Ki in Japan, chi in China, and prana in India. Reiki was developed in the early 1900’s by Mikao Usui in Japan. It is an art that is passed from Master to student. The term “Reiki” is used to describe both the energy and the Usui system of using it.
I always tell my client that all they need to do is rest and savor the Reiki experience. This helps my clients, especially my new clients, to treat themselves to an breakout from all their worries. Some people fall asleep and even snore during a session.
However, allowing yourself to completely relax and enjoy doesn’t mean that you should be oblivious to what the practitioner’s hands are telling you as you receive the energy. Be aware, and you will receive valuable information about yourself, and provide yourself with a deeper, richer, and more fulfilling Reiki experience.
As the practitioner moves across your body, pay attention to how his/her hands change in temperature and vibration. Are the practitioner’s hands vibrating more over a specific area? Are you receiving more cold to one area? More heat? Sometimes what you feel is not what the practitioner feels.
I once gave my husband Reiki after he had some dental surgery. The dentist had told him to put ice on the area, and I became concerned, because I was feeling tremendous heat in my hands as I sent energy to that location. When I asked Bob what he was feeling, he said that my hands felt like ice to him. That reminded me that Reiki always provides what is needed.
I started giving my clients a chart that explains each major chakra centre and what it corresponds to on a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual level. If they are aware of the connections, then they are more able to help themselves, and get consultation and assistance from the relevant professionals as needed.
For example, the 7th chakra, also called the “Crown” chakra, corresponds to various parts of the brain, the right eye, the ears, and the pituitary and pineal glands. On an emotional level, it corresponds to feelings of happiness and calm. At the mental level, the Crown chakra influences creativity, productivity, control of fear, and memory retention. At the spiritual level, it expands universal awareness and consciousness, and increases spirituality.
If you, as a client, are aware of this, then you can ascertain for yourself where your blockages might be, and what areas of your body, mind, or spirit need (or needed, since the Reiki balances these centres) attention. It will also allow you to discuss your own impressions with those of the practitioner to really make the most of what the practitioner’s hands are saying.
Another benefit to being mindful during a Reiki treatment is that you might be able to sense any “helpers” that participate in the session. If it ever feels like there is an extra pair of hands assisting in the session, it could be the practitioner’s Reiki guides, or it could be a departed loved one (either the practitioner’s or your own) assisting.
If you do experience that, make a note of where those “extra hands” are. That is meaningful. Let the practitioner know what you felt (or are feeling—it’s okay to bring it up during the session). This too is beneficial to your personal growth and development, and helps you to have a more rewarding experience.
Finally, be mindful of what your senses are telling you during the session. Do you receive images (or a dream, if you fall asleep) that provide meaningful messages to you? What do you hear? What do you feel, emotionally? It is okay to cry during a session. It is okay to release anger or pain. If you suddenly sneeze or yawn, those also are a release.
I had one client* see swans on a river, and then a little girl, who handed her what she thought was a daisy. The little girl said, “for you, mommy”. The swan as a spirit animal is powerfully symbolic, and was very meaningful to my client. The little girl was possibly the child she is carrying.
As you can see, Reiki can be much more than just a way to relax. It can provide you with a rich and powerful experience in personal growth and physical, mental, and spiritual enhancement. Whatever you experience, I encourage you to discuss it with your Reiki practitioner, who is there to listen to you and provide guidance. If you have any concerns or questions about anything at all that you experience during your session, your practitioner can help attend to them.