When my son was 3, we went a way for a short break to France and in the middle of the night on a Sunday he woke up with terrible earache. I phoned down to the front desk to request a doctor but they said they wouldn’t be able to reach one until the morning. So, all night I tried my best to cuddle a very distressed toddler. When I came home, I was determined to learn some sort of skill to carry with me so that I wasn’t caught out like that again. I investigated homeopathy but that took years of training plus you needed to carry small pills around with you and they don’t travel well.
A friend of mine who was already into crystals had been interested in learning Reiki but hadn’t wanted to do it on her own. It only required one weekend and no particular equipment so it seemed the perfect answer. We turned up to a house in South East London to meet about 12 very interesting people carrying our vegetarian dish we’d been asked to bring along to share. The process was to be 4 initiations carried out by the Reiki master. After my first attunement, I felt nothing and I was really disappointed. Some others in the group were visibly changed and I wondered if maybe I wasn’t the right person for this. But as I discovered everyone is on a different place on their journey and therefore react to Reiki uniquely. That was 30 years ago and as Reiki is with you for life, I always have it with me.
I learnt Reiki Level 1 and 2 because I wanted to share it with my family but the universal energy that I channel is available to everyone who wants and needs it. To reach out and touch someone who is distressed is a natural impulse but we can reach out to ourselves as well. The therapeutic value of touch is widely accepted. Take the time to relax and sense where in your body you would feel comfortable laying your hands. For many people it is over their heart and upper chest area but for me I feel comfortable laying my hands on my thighs as that’s where they naturally fall. Everyone is unique and you should be guided by your own inner impulses.
Once you are comfortable ask, “if it be for the highest good” in your mind, to invite in, the universal healing energy. Remember, it is not you creating the energy but you are channelling the universal energy that is all around us, through you. Whilst relaxing you can think positive affirmations, again these can be specific to your needs. To receive the best response, these affirmations need to be framed in a positive way, so not, “I will feel no pain” as both no and pain are negative words but “I am at ease” or “I am healthy”. Practicing this regularly will help you feel revitalised and more comfortable in your own body. If you find that you enjoy this, you may feel inspired to learn Reiki yourself and share it with others.
Tina K