Opening, Surrendering, Giving Thanks

Article by Angie Webster

It can become very easy to think of Reiki as a method of “fixing” things that are broken. It is such a wonderful tool to help us when we injure ourselves or when we are ill. It can help soothe us when we are feeling anxious, sad or angry. It can ease our pain. It can calm and heal difficult situations in amazing ways that we could never have imagined. When we look at these things, we can easily see that Reiki is a wonderful way to help ourselves when there is a problem!

The difficulty can be that we learn to think in terms of seeing things only from the aspect of problems and problem solving. When we do this, we begin to look more at what we want to remove from a situation than what we want to bring to it. We see the darkness, but seldom do we see the light. Over time, this leaves a void in our hearts, our minds and our lives. When we approach life and our use of healing energy in terms of what we can bring to the situation, we bring an entirely different energy!

In the past year, I had reached a point in my own healing process where it felt as if I had gone as far as I could go. Yet I could feel that there was something more that I hadn’t understood. I kept exploring this, through meditation, doing self-Reiki, having Reiki sessions with others, journaling and other healing work. Always, my approach was that I needed to “get rid of” something or “let go” of something. I felt as if something wasn’t quite right and I needed to fix it. I was trying to force myself into a mold of where I thought I was supposed to be and how I thought I was supposed to feel.

As I continued my process, I came to the realization that the only thing I really needed to let go of was these thought patterns! I was doing war with myself! And instead of allowing the healing energy to flow, I was actually focusing my attention and energy on the very things I didn’t want more of. Every time I began a self-Reiki treatment by thinking about all the things I felt were “wrong” with me, I placed focus on those things within my own mind, which limited what I was open to receiving from the healing. This is particularly true since I begin my day with self-Reiki, so I was actually starting my day by thinking of negative things! Not a very helpful intention for the day!

I recognized that it would be so much more helpful to focus on the things I would like to see in my life instead, and magnify those. Now I set my intention for the day before I even begin self Reiki. I ask that I be open to the energies of joy, peace, clarity and love so that they pour through me and into the world around me. I ask that I recognize all the ways I am supported by the Universe and that I remain open to them. Then I begin self-Reiki with an open heart, pure gratitude and complete surrender.

I am trying to learn to live my life this way. The more I do this, the more I feel Spirit guiding me and opening paths for me. The paths were probably there all along, but I didn’t see them. It is very possible that I appear less and less like a so-called “normal” person the more I follow my inner guidance, which is strange since I thought that was all I wanted all those years I was sick. It turns out, what I really wanted was peace, clarity and understanding. That doesn’t come from outside approval or neatly fitting in a box. I comes from within. I am remembering how to simply surrender and offer thanks, without asking that anything be fixed.

If you find yourself looking at life or your healing from the angle of what needs to be fixed, try starting a practice of sending your love and gratitude to the Universe each morning and evening–just to offer appreciation and love, not because you want something. I like to do this by going outside and looking at the stars and the moon at night, and the sun and the blue sky in the morning. Appreciation always begins to open the door for more light to pour in.

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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.