My Exploration of Energy and Reiki
About 10 years ago, I was painfully aware of how unhappy I was. Sure, there were moments of my life I enjoyed, but overall I constantly felt this sense of wanting more. I could identify areas that weren’t working but wasn’t really sure what I wanted instead or if I’d ever have the courage to do anything about it.
I set out on this journey to learn how to meditate. I’d been hearing a lot about it and thought it was the answer I was looking for. I thought if I could only learn to meditate, life would be awesome. I would be able to live in a state of peace and happiness for the rest of my life, not too much to ask for, right?
That exploration led me to yoga, which opened my eyes to a whole new world of energy and light. I learned about chakras. I learned about intuition, energy healing, Ayurveda, breathwork and more. All this wonderful information just kept popping up before my eyes and I was there, ready to take it all in.
Early in the process, some shared the idea of Reiki with me. Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing which can be used on yourself and on others. It involves using your hands I decided to check it out and signed up for a Reiki 1 & 2 class here in the area. I really loved every minute of it. The exploration of energy, of self, of others…the connection to each other, to the Universe, to our higher self. The ability to create a sense of ease and comfort was amazing. It was a magical day.
I went home and began sharing the gift of Reiki on myself regularly and on others who were wanting/needing it. For about 3 years, I volunteered through a Distance Healing Network where I would get a person’s name and other information who had requested healing and I would send healing to them for the week and I volunteered through our local cancer resources center to provide free services to those with cancer for several years as well. They were both beautiful ways to give back.
I also began to explore other therapies. I kept hearing about the “latest and greatest” techniques out there and wondered if they really were better. Being the learner that I am, I had to find out for myself so I started taking other classes as well. A few of those have stuck with me over the years because they resonated with me and I love them, including Usui Reiki.
Because of this, I decided to get my Master level and also repeat 1 & 2 with a different instructor, just to see how someone else would share. There were differences in teaching styles but the loving energy of Reiki was consistent. Reiki is such a great tool to use anywhere, any time and with anything. It always calms my energy. It helps me stay grounded and centered throughout my day and sleep well at night.
I believe any therapeutic technique can be powerful for someone. What makes it powerful is how well it resonates with the giver and the receiver as well as the intention behind it’s use. One of the principles of Reiki is to do no harm and Reiki energy is definitely one that can do no harm. Reiki is a perfect introduction to energy healing and it’s also a great addition to other techniques you may currently use. For most of us, one tool is not enough. There are times that one may feel more “right” than another…much like an artist chooses their brushes or paper or paints. It’s exactly the same thing.
In the end, I discovered that the perfection is not in finding this utopia-type life with only positive all the time. The perfection is in the process and finding the right tools to create more moments of peace and joy to offset the mucky things that do crop up now and again. If you’ve been looking for something to ease your journey…to remove blocks and open opportunities…to reduce stress…Reiki is perfect. Join us now for a magical journey.
Ahhhh…so good to be among like-minded folks…wish you lived closer, then I’d have you as a Reiki teacher at The Owl’s Lantern! I’m thrilled for you that you’re following your path and that your path is affirming your choices!
Michele – This sounds wonderful. I love energy healing and have been doing quite a bit of reading about it. Over the years, I have taught gentle flow yoga and yoga to kids. This would be a great compliment. Hopefully you will offer this class again as I am ready to start an intensive online art course for six weeks. Joy and light, kathy
It is just a fabulous thing to work with!And great for kids too! I have also taught yoga, mostly gentle but did a brief class at a Boys and Girls Club as part of my volunteering for my certification. It was a lot of fun. I will be offering it again 🙂 Enjoy your art class. It sounds fun!
Michele, I have also been doing Reiki, off and on. It has helped me in many ways. However, I need to do it regularly. We are all searching for peace, which resides inside us. I can easily relate with what you wrote. Thanks for sharing your experience.
It is a wonderful technique. I’m glad you are enjoying it. Yes, we are all just seeking peace:)
Hi Michele,
It sounds like a great course. I have a lot on my plate right now but I might take one later on. I will be curious to see how it goes!
It is, Amy! I am so excited to be doing it!!
Michele, We have some very similar interests. Wishing you the BEST on this marvelous journey!
We do, Janet! I love finding people on a similar path and am so glad we ended up sharing this side with each other.
It seems my path is leading me more and more in the direction of energy work, Michele. Yoga and meditation saved my sanity and helped me connect with myself since my college days. EFT, qi gong, each one different and yet connected. When I read about your Reiki class I knew that was the next step for me in this journey.
‘When the student is ready, the teacher will come.’ xo
I’m so glad you will be joining us, Susan. This will be an amazing journey!
I love Reiki, it’s been the most beautiful gift I have given myself ever to take the years of studies I have done with different teachers. My family has all taken Reiki to certain extents. It changes lives in my opinion. It helped me cope on so many levels with my own life and still continues to do so. It has transformed me. It is profound but subtle. Reiki is such a loving and gentle energy. Love what you will be doing Michele. I wish you the very best. And I am thrilled for each of the students that you will have. I love hearing when people are deciding to open up and take Reiki. What a Blessing in their life.
It is a beautiful gift we can give ourselves first and then share with others. I have to remind myself to use it sometimes but I always use it before I go to sleep and that’s why I think I fall asleep so quickly and generally sleep well throughout the night.
I’ve been hearing a lot about this lately but would like to know more about it. Especially how do you this over a distance? Is it mediation related?
Always open to add some peace into my life!
Hi Sue, Your ears must have been ringing because I was just thinking about you (email to follow). I think you could compare it to meditation. It’s a lot about setting intention and I find that whether someone is in front of me or I’m doing it at a distance, the experience is the same. There are a few different techniques that can be used to do it at a distance and these are covered more specifically in level 2 but its all about connecting energetically, like tonight while I’m thinking about you, you’re here commenting on my blog…somehow we were connected:) Reiki is a great way to strengthen, if it’s there already for someone, or develop a connection to how energy feels. I just love it!
I have heard a lot about energy healing and the magic it work but I have never given a shot. Reiki sounds like a perfect one. I will have to join you some day on this magical journey.