Article by Angie Webster
Lots of people believe that once they are attuned to Reiki they will never be sick for very long again. They think they will be able to heal themselves from any illness they previously struggled with, no matter how long it went on. I thought this as well. The truth is, many people who are led to Reiki have a long history of being ill or of dealing with repeated loss or abuse in their life. I think perhaps some of them are guided to Reiki to help them learn to heal these patterns of illness and dysfunction.
But part of the learning process with Reiki is to learn that healing does not mean the same as cure. And healing rarely happens overnight and it almost never happens the way our logical minds plan for it. Healing is a messy process and it is not passive. Receiving Reiki is passive, but the healing itself is never passive. Inner work is done and shifts take place in the life of the person being healed. This is often a very uncomfortable process. And it can look and feel an awful lot like being very, very sick.
I often think of this the same way as I think of spring cleaning. You clean out a closet, a cabinet, a drawer or even a crowed, cluttered and messy room, filled with junk. When you do this, you have to pull all that junk out. It makes a huge mess all over your house. It looks terrible for a while and you may wonder what you got yourself into. It takes careful sorting through all the clutter and wiping all the dust out from the rooms, closets, and drawers of your house before you finally have a lovely, fresh smelling and tidy home again. It’s well worth the work when you keep at it. If you stop in the middle or become disgusted and shove it all back in the closet, then you are left with the same mess you started with or worse.
I think the attunement process can often trigger a very long term healing crisis for some of us. It’s a process and it comes in cycles. Particularly when we have had many years of illness or dysfunction in our lives, we must allow time for these layers to peel away. It took many years for them to build up and our system has stored many memories of the traumas associated with these things. All of these must be cleared out. Letting go of these and forming new patterns can be very painful, even though it sounds as though it should be a joyful thing.
To change our lives, we must allow room for things to be shaken up, just like our house during spring cleaning. The Universe will bring into our lives just what we need, and when we open to it, we don’t resist the changes or the lessons they bring. It doesn’t mean there will not be discomfort, but remember births almost always bring a healthy level of discomfort with them!
If you have had more upheaval or illness in your life since becoming attuned, try taking a new look at the possibilities surrounding why that may be. Allow yourself to grieve each layer of the old life that lifts away from you. Understand the fear that comes with facing new things, even things you wish for. Ask for guidance from the Universe and your angels and guides. Ask for peace and don’t forget to keep doing self Reiki every day!
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Angie Webster made a significant contribution to the Reiki community, with a particular focus on Animal Reiki, which she had a deep affection for. As a knowledgeable Reiki Master Teacher and Author, she conducted online courses on energy healing, herbalism, flower essences, and personal growth.
She is the author of “Animal Reiki: How it Heals, Teaches & Reconnects Us with Nature” and “Reiki from A to Z”. Currently, Angie has decided to retire from her professional life to devote more time to her health, family, and the little joys of life.
Thank you very much! The timing of your article is perfectly synchronistic. I needed this information exactly. Blessings!
I think you’ve been reading my mind! Thank you for this article. I needed the reminder. . .
Thank you for this article. A very good analogy to help understand the process.
Great article. Recently I attuned a new Reiki Master and we discussed in detail that more than likely a shift may occur. During her training, this gorgeous new Master also attuned me for practice. We have both been through a massive shift in our personal lives since. Even me, who has been attuned before. I think this article is essential for all new masters to know, so they can pass on to their students what may occur after any attunement. Thanks for sharing. Love, light and harmony. Tammy x
Thank you I’ve just recently become a reiki master & this resonates with me x
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You so much for this article, just what I needed to here, I felt like a magnet I thought I was getting all the negative fron the people , but it’s me peeling off
Such an inspiring piece. Thank you for sharing this. These are things we unconsciously know and when it happens it can get confusing to understand. It’s all about time and trusting that events are taking place for our best interest by going along with the positive changes being founded on the path to healing. All the best to all.
Such a truth based insight and guidance I never had come accross ever bfore..true very very rite reiki takes lot of time to alighn normality in ones life for bringing peace n contentment in every part of life.
B blessed
Thank you for writing this. I have been through many upheavals this past year, and none of it made sense until I looked into the rear view mirror. This info has given me the perspective I need to see “past the end of my own nose,” so to speak. please continue to write as you feel led. I believe we all look forward to what you channel in.
Again, thank you.
I have gone through many changes and releases. I was very emotional and sad at times. My past experiences were surfacing within a three month period and seemed endless. After a while, I noticed that many of the tramas that previously haunted me were no longer an issue after I worked through each of them. I also envisioned them leaving my body permanently and that definitely helped. Although it was tough, I am more peaceful and I’m grateful to be the person I am today. Reiki changed gaymy life.
Meant “changed my life”. Darn phone!
I have also found that when we attune others we go thru shifts as well. Life seems to accelerate, and our unhealed stuff comes to the surface. I give reiki classes every month of (10 students or more), level 3 only once a year no more than 5 students. and wow sometimes it rocks my world … but I always land in a better place. It is a process of our own evolution, we have to keep working on ourselves clearing our soul contracts, core wounds and more. It is a double edges sword because the more we evolve the more energy we can h old and students we can initiate, but each time my practice changes to a different kind of clientele – fascinating really. I stated out by helping those with MS and fibromialgia, it shifted to those with addictions, then shifted to those diagnosed with “incurable diseases, and now I seem to attract mostly other healers and coaches. It is never a crisis, rather a step up the evolutionary ladder into higher resonance.
Thank you for this article for me as a Reiki Teacher it reflects a number points I include in my own teaching of Reiki Students and also my Reiki clients. I try to ensure that those who come to me for healing understand that if a state of being or dysfunction has been present over a long period of time then it is unlikely to be released from the system in one or two Reiki sessions. In fact there is much misunderstanding about the difference between curing and healing and I always cover this in both my teaching and healing. I found this article explained the subject so well.
Thank you so much for this article! Really helps understand the process and what to expect.
Thank u for the information. Often I feel sad and depressed even after constant and continuous self healing for health issues and other personal problems . Then I used to doubt this May be due to processing of healing . Ur article has confirmed and cleared my doubt. Every day I do reiki for myself and others and Used to appeal to reiki to give me determination and perseverance ,patience to withstand the delay in fulfilment of my wishes and wants. The timely message of ur article gives me hope and joy. Thank u.
This article is great!
Thank you
Yes, yes, yes!!! Love this 🙂 ❤️
Thank u so much. I’ve been going through this since my reiki 2 in November. I’m really struggling. my mood swings r awful. As well as self healing I’ve been sending reiki 2 my medication, food and drinks. Think because I’m having so much it’s bringing all this emotion outn i can’t c an end 2 it at the moment. Any help u can give me would be appreciated x
I am sending a copy of the sheep image of to my grand daughter who is absolutely in love with sheep. She was about three months and made it very know that she loved animals but sheep always makes her crazy with excitement.
I appreciated your article because it is something I know but affirmation gives strength.
I recently spoke up to a friend that works hard to avoid her pain but crashes regularly. I reluctantly mentored to her that we really don’t get to skip the pain and difficulty associated with growth. I did so out of caring but was reluctant because it was just my opinion.
Thank you for explaining it so beautifully !
Thank you all for all your kind words. I am glad you all found my article helpful.
Definitely agree, I always tell others it’s past healing, it brings all your shit to the surface in order to confront heal and let it go, before I started Reiki I did a lot of white light healing in mediation on myself, and it has not only helped heal me from physical aliaments, but the cause of them too, and it has bought change to all those around our family xxx
Yes,it is deeply cleansing and healing in so many areas. Thanks for sharing!
Thank yo for sharing that!
Because of my huge increase in physical pain after my Reiki 2, I have almost gotten up on Reiki. I’m terrified to dig out ask the old crap, as I fear I will lose my mind.
Anna, I understand. It can be overwhelming when the pain re-surfaces, and even increases, as it heals. There is no need for you to dig it up, though. You can do your self-Reiki each day, which will help the pain that has surfaced to ease and heal, over time. If there is trauma that is surfacing that is too much for you to process alone, then it is always beneficial to seek a counselor that you resonate with to help you while you process it. Reiki can help in this process, too. Don’t give up! It may be a cliche, but it truly is darkest before the dawn.
Oops given up.
I don’t think I can do this.
It’s a wonderful article and very beautifully explained with crystal clarity . Plz keep writing and sharing the beauty of reiki . Regards and gratitude .
Thanks for the article. After Reiki Level 3 attunement a couple of years ago my physical maladies seemed to amplify. This continued for several months… it seemed like never-ending. However, after that I have been blessed with great health (at my age of 64) and vitality. This past year I was chosen by God to participate in a spiritual bond as a teacher. I was blessed with gifts, abilities and opportunities I didn’t have before such as enhanced intuition, more patience, higher musical proficiency, high energy sensitivity, etc. I have felt the presence of God like never before. In the end, it’s all worthwhile. When you are helping humanity, it’s all worthwhile because that’s why we’re here. Don’t give up! Thank you so much!
Thank you for that, Jorge! How beautiful!
After having practiced chiropractic on animals for a few years, I felt drawn to do more energy work. My chiropractic slowly got more and more subtle and refined, often barely toughing the animal under my hands. So i took a Cranial Sacral Therapy education for animals which really spiced up my energetic level. At the same time my health slowly deteriorated and for the last year and a half I have been cleaning out old deep levels of stress and anxiety. I am totally convinced that as I progress in the level of energetic work, the universe says: “You want to go that way? Ok… We just have to get rid of all of that old stuff that is really blocking your view and talent from unfolding itself.”
During the last year I have discovered an amazing gift of being able to perform my treatments at a distance. Remote healing simply popped up in my head one day with totally clear pictures of what I had to do with a dog that had some issues with withdrawing itself from the world. So i asked the owner if I could try it out and she called me the next day – “You have given me my old dog back”.
There is still a long way for me to go, but reading this article just confirms what I have believed was the case all along – If you accept the job as a healer, the universe will give you a ride you wouldn’t dream of. And your article just gives me the courage to carry on. Thank You so much 🙂
Thank you for sharing that wonderful story from your experiences with energy healing! It is amazing how the Universe will guide us when we open up to the energy available to us!
this article is very practcal and ultimate truth. thank you
You’re welcome!
Thank You! I am so grateful to have all of you helping us out. Namaste!
You’re welcome! Blessings!
Gives me a lot of hope. Thank you. God Bless you 🙂
Glad to hear it!
Thanks Angie for such an insight. I have been having this doubt for many months. if we are giving chakra healing do we also have to give reiki using hand positions tot he same person/ourself . Is one not enough? thanks
How does the daily self healing have to be practiced? 21, 30 or 90 days?
An hour or half or just the ill places?
It happenes the same if I give Reiki to others? Will their condition get worse?
I have so many questions and roo many contradictory answers…I have just been attuned level 1. Thank you! Hope you receive this message 🙂
Hi Luiza, It is a good idea to make a commitment to practice daily self Reiki every day after you have been attuned. There is no specific time period that you do this practice and then you are finished, as it is meant to become a lifelong practice. However, the hope is that you will begin by committing to the practice for a minimum of 3 weeks to one month. If you are newly attuned, it might be good practice to through each of the hand positions so that you remember them and you become used to the energy working with these energy centers. It also allows Reiki the opportunity to work with your healing most fully. Don’t worry about the length of time very much. Instead, do the treatment for the length of time that fits with your schedule. Work with the way your hands and your energy feel in each hand position rather than watching the clock for a specified amount of time to pass.
Doing Reiki for others is not the same as doing self-Reiki. You will not make someone’s condition worse by doing Reiki on them while you are having a healing crisis yourself, though you may find that you feel too ungrounded or drained to do a Reiki session for someone else. You really need to focus on your own healing more than treating others in the beginning. This is especially true in the first weeks after an attunement. It is fine to get some practice working with family and friends, but make your own self-Reiki sessions the priority.
Can you tell me if it’s the same with angelic Reiki?
Great article
Healing and cure are quite different, cures are what traditional medicine does! Unless the original course is addressed the problem is likely to return.
Healing works on a broader level, healing the mind, body spirit, and also the energy body. This normaly cures as well.
A deep connection is needed by the healer to heal the original hurt, to address this on an energy level weather from this life time or past life is important. This kind of deep healing is needed to heal most ailments.
A beatiful thing. Julie.
Thank you Angie for a little perspective on the subject. I had a first time client who had never had Reiki and was curious. To my surprise she called the next day to explain after she left in a calm space, she got into a screaming match with a receptionist at her dentist office over a bill. Claiming over the next few days she became very ill and was experiencing a healing crisis. Uncharted territory for me personally. About a month later we had a conversation that shed some light on her personal past life experiences that were pretty traumatic. This allowed me to have better insight to why she had a healing crisis! Thank you, Chris
Thank you for a very insightful article.
Hi Angie oh my gosh I had my fourth attunement last night , for a few weeks I haven’t felt well at all headache funny tummy ,waking up a few times a night so tired , I had a coronavirus test it was negative , so was wondering what was wrong with me , this all makes sense now thankyou kindly this article just came at the right time bless you .peace love & joy 😂❤
Thanks for the great share. I was wondering if attunement can be given for generic individual healing or is it only done to attune someone to a particular Reiki level?