My Reiki Journey: From Scepticism to Mastery

Reiki was something I never expected to be part of my life. Twenty-five years ago, I had my first encounter with a palm reader through work. At the time, I thought palm reading was a gift, something special and unattainable. Now, after all this time, I understand that it’s actually a learned skill, just like many things in the spiritual realm. That palm reader ended up referring me to have a psychic reiki session, and that’s where my initial reiki experience began—though it didn’t go quite as planned.

During that session, I was incredibly timid, too shy to admit to the practitioner that I was freezing cold and uncomfortable. I vaguely remember her even asking if I was cold, and I said no, not wanting to inconvenience her. Silly, I know, especially since I was the paying customer! Looking back, it’s a good reminder that I now understand the importance of speaking up for my needs during sessions. Needless to say, I didn’t get much benefit from that reiki experience.

Fast forward to the end of 2022—reiki found its way back into my life. My chiropractor suggested I give it another try, and this time, I approached it with a more open mind. I ended up doing five weekly sessions, and something truly started shifting inside me. I had been holding so much emotional energy in my heart space for years, and the walls I built were thick. I wasn’t sure if or how reiki would work, or if what I was feeling was simply due to the lack of human contact in my life. I thought maybe just paying to be held and nurtured was what I needed.

But it wasn’t just that. Slowly, those emotional walls I had built around my heart began to soften. I felt something in me start to heal. The reiki was working, helping to break down barriers I hadn’t even fully realised were still there. By the end of those five sessions, I felt lighter, more open, and strong enough to take a break from the sessions.

Learning Reiki: Still Sceptical but Curious

So, when my practitioner suggested I learn reiki myself, I was intrigued, though still sceptical. I had been so impressed with how reiki had made me feel, but could I really do this for others?

In the training, my teacher drew symbols on my back and hands, passing on the energy. We practised on each other, and my teacher said she could feel the energy flowing from my hands. But I wasn’t convinced—at least, not yet. It wasn’t until we had to give ourselves reiki for 21 consecutive days that I started to believe it.

On day nine, I felt it. The energy was flowing from my hands, going into my body. I could feel myself turning the energy on and off. From that point on, it only got stronger.

I believe in my reiki practitioner so much that I refer everyone to her to learn. She has truly been an incredible guide on my healing journey, and I trust her completely to help others experience the same transformative power of reiki.

Experiments and Proof

Once I’d felt the energy, I wanted to test it further. I tried an experiment with aluminium foil balanced on a pin. When I raised my hands above it, & turned on my reiki, the foil spun. My sons, sceptical as they are, said it was just heat causing the movement. But when they tried to replicate the results (With much larger hands!), nothing happened. That’s when I knew there was more to reiki than simple body heat.

Distance Reiki: A True Test

After quite a few sessions and more confidence in my abilities, I decided to test distance reiki—something I was still sceptical about. I set up an experiment, teaching my tester basic muscle testing techniques. I told them I would send reiki to one person but wouldn’t say who. I wrote down my intention and sent the energy, focusing on the correct symbols and codes.

Afterwards, the results were clear: the person I sent reiki to had perfectly aligned chakras, while the other person’s results remained unchanged. That was the proof I needed—distance reiki worked.

From Scepticism to Sharing

Looking back on my journey, it’s incredible to see how far I’ve come. From being a shy sceptic in my first reiki session to becoming a practitioner myself, I’ve learned so much about energy and healing. Reiki has helped me break down emotional walls, heal, and find strength within myself—and now I get to share that gift with others.

Whether it's realigning chakras or offering comfort, I’ve seen how reiki transforms lives, just like it transformed mine.

The History of Reiki and How the Energy Works

Reiki originated in Japan in the early 20th century and was founded by Mikao Usui. Usui reportedly discovered this healing method after a 21-day spiritual retreat on Mount Kurama, where he experienced enlightenment and an understanding of how to channel universal life force energy. This energy, known as "ki" in Japanese, is the foundation of Reiki healing. Usui went on to develop a system of attunements, symbols, and hand placements that enable practitioners to harness and direct this healing energy for themselves and others. His teachings have since spread globally, evolving into a widespread spiritual and healing practice.

In terms of how Reiki energy works, it is believed that everything in the universe is made up of energy, and Reiki taps into this universal life force to promote healing. Practitioners act as channels, allowing this energy to flow through them and into the recipient, clearing blockages and restoring balance on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. However, for Reiki to work effectively, it requires more than just hand movements or physical warmth. Reiki symbols act as a kind of "backdoor code" that, when activated with focus and intention, allow the practitioner to connect with and direct the universal energy.

If anyone claims they can "turn on" their Reiki simply by warming up their hands, they’re not truly offering Reiki. The energy sharing process requires more than that—it demands an intentional focus, the use of proper symbols, and the alignment of one’s energy with universal forces. Without these elements, the practitioner is merely creating warmth, not channelling Reiki energy.

Universal Energy Across Cultures: Different Names, Same Life Force

There are various practices around the world that tap into the concept of universal energy, similar to what Reiki refers to as "ki." In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this energy is called "qi" or "chi," and is believed to flow through meridians in the body, central to practices like acupuncture and qigong. In Indian traditions, the same life force is known as "prana," which is harnessed in yoga, pranayama (breath control), and Ayurvedic medicine to balance the mind, body, and spirit. Similarly, in ancient Hawaiian traditions, this energy is referred to as "mana," and it is used in healing practices and to cultivate spiritual power. Though these practices have different names and techniques, they all work with the concept of an invisible, vital force that supports health and well-being.

This is a great way to tap into your energy, and I truly believe it helped me connect more easily with spirit when I did my mediumship training. -Ang