Reiki I – A New Beginning

Article by Patti Deschaine

As I prepare for the Reiki I class I will teach this week, I think back to my own experience of becoming acquainted with Reiki. Those of you who are familiar with me know I first came across Reiki as a method to assist my wonderful elder dog, Carmen, when she was diagnosed with lymphoma. I remember desperately searching for something, anything that would help her feel better. As I combed through solutions on line, I came across an audio interview with Kathleen Prasad, whose specialty is Reiki animal healing. I loved her gentle style and got excited about Reiki as a solution for Carmen. Before I even became attuned, I remember trying to become quiet and asking the energy to flow. To my surprise, I felt a tingling sensation and warmth in my hands. Excited by this, I began my quest to become attuned.

Though I came across several local Reiki teachers, getting scheduled for class was not a straight forward matter. Some teachers struggled with finding a location for the classes, or at least, that’s what they said. I suspect that might have been an excuse. Especially since I offered my home up as a location. Intuition tells me they felt inadequate to the task, which I think is a shame. If you have been attuned as a teacher, you absolutely have a wonderful gift to bestow on others.

Look around you, the need for Reiki in this chaotic world is glaringly apparent. The world and its people are in crisis. We have a solution that helps bring balance, light and love where there is darkness and despair. An attunement is a relatively simple gift that we have to share. Though I get the “there are other people better qualified to teach” mindset and the general lack of confidence, I struggle to fully understand the reluctance to share it. We all are nervous to teach. Spirit says walk through the discomfort and do something good, do something of value.

In any case, I did find a Reiki Master who was willing and able to host a class. The class was two days and very in depth in the Japanese traditions. It was a great class, but could have been done in one day, the second day being pretty repetitive. However, I was extremely pleased with the increase in strength in the flow of Reiki in my hands following my attunement. Often in the days following, I awoke to the day with warm energy pouring from my hands. Slowly and gently, over time, this energy released years of blocked, stagnant energy and gave me the fresh start I sought.

I have used the comparison before of a bucket of dirty water. Turning on the tap releases clean water into the bucket and, little by little, the water becomes clean. To me this is a perfect analogy of how Reiki clears our energy centers and breathes fresh life into tired cells. Becoming clear with Reiki is an experience like no other. Not only does the body clear and respond, the mind opens and you begin to see things in a different light. It is the single most healing and restorative experience I have ever known. During that first week I experienced flu like symptoms and I almost never fall ill normally. However, the clearing I enjoyed afterward was very much worth the discomfort. Don’t worry. Not everyone reacts this way. I was just particularly in need of cleansing.

My Reiki teacher recommended waiting 21 days before my Reiki II attunement to allow for the self-healing to process. Directly after that, I scheduled my Reiki II class.

In case you are wondering what happened with Carmen, Reiki produced remarkable results. Literally at death’s door, she went on to go into remission and had a wonderful nine more months with me before passing peacefully. Not bad for a fifteen year old!

If you are considering a Reiki class, I would urge you to follow through as soon as you can. Reiki is an extremely effective way to bring health to body, mind and spirit. Gently and over time, it will bring pure, universal energy through the aura and into the physical body to restore balance and clear away the blocked energy that causes illness and discomfort. Once attuned you will have a lifelong gift to give to yourself, your animals, your plants and share with your friends.

I wish you love and healing as you start your journey.

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Patti Deschaine is a traditionally trained Usui Reiki Master, Lightarian Reiki Master, and owner of Maja Energy Works and Reiki Healing. She resides and practices in Wilmington, NC. She enjoys all types of Reiki and particularly loves using Reiki on animals. Patti can be found at MajaEnergyWorks.