Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master
In my lineage of Reiki Masters, we were taught that each of us is assigned a Reiki Spirit Guide at the time of our Reiki I level attunement. This Spirit Guide works with us each time we do Reiki, whether it is for others or for ourselves. S/he assists us in reaching a meditative state, maintaining a clear channel for the Universal Life Force energy, and guiding our hands to the best positions for the needs of the client. The more we use Reiki, the greater connection we will feel with our specially-chosen Guide. When I first heard this, I felt much excitement to have this special Guide!
Some Reiki students may not believe this is possible, or think they are not “special enough” to have their own Guide. Others may believe it wholeheartedly and cannot wait to meet their Guide. Others may have doubts and hope someday they will learn to accept it. There is no right or wrong reaction.
My experience in working with new Reiki students is that their spiritual life history is the biggest influence of how they will react. Some religions, or spiritual belief systems, include beliefs of having individual Spirits with us during our time on earth. For me, having a guardian angel by my side was taught to me at an early age. We even have a daily prayer to recite to our angel. The belief is the guardian angel is assigned to a person at birth, guiding and protecting him throughout his life, staying until the physical body’s death. As a little girl, I accepted this belief, without any doubts, and talked to my guardian angel constantly. She was like a best friend who knew my wishes, my joys and hurts. She understood me totally and helped me through difficult times. So, hearing about a Reiki Guide was a natural progression for me.
Many of us have amazing things happen during Reiki sessions, and often these are manifested by our Reiki Spirit Guide. Here are some examples I have heard from other practitioners. The practitioner knew her hands needed to remain in a somewhat awkward position, but her arms were getting tired; suddenly, she felt her arms being physically supported by her Guide and was able to stay in the position much longer. Another practitioner reported feeling unsure how to respond to her client’s demanding, and accusatory, questions; she took a deep breath, asked for assistance, and a loving response came out of her mouth! She knew the words were not hers. Another story involved working with a toddler with a major medical condition. The practitioner did not know where to place her hands, or how long to work with the little one; she asked for guidance and the Reiki session flowed.
Over the years I have been working with Reiki students, I now find a greater, immediate acceptance of the Reiki Spirit Guide. The awareness of a Spirit World is increasing. There are now many books and websites regarding angels, shamanism, mediums connecting with deceased loved ones, near-death experiences, past life regression, and so on. Often, new Reiki students have already studied, or had actual life experiences, in other spiritual realms. For them, Reiki is yet another way for them to connect to Spirit. For other students, Reiki is their first adventure into this realm, and teachings may seem foreign to them. And, that is okay – each of us had a “first” introduction to the Spirits in our lives.
Whether or not your Reiki lineage includes the belief of an individually-assigned Reiki Spirit Guide, there is one common truth among all Reiki practitioners. We know the Source of Reiki is a Universal Life Force Energy, all-loving and all-knowing. What a beautiful gift we are given!!
Free eBook download: We’ve created an eBook with our best articles on this topic, and offer it for free to all our newsletter subscribers.
Deborah Lloyd is a Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master and certified holistic therapy practitioner, providing Distant Reiki sessions and training in Asheville, NC. Deborah is the author of two books, 22 Messages from the Archangels; and, Believe and it is True: A Story of Healing and Life Lessons. She is also one of the co-authors of Reiki 101: 101 Answers for Your Reiki Questions. Reach Deborah at [email protected] and on Facebook at Deb Lloyd Healing.
Dear Deb,
Thank you for this beautiful and very useful article!
Love and Blessings.
Dear Haripriya,
Thank you for your encouraging words, means so much to me.
Deborah
I believe wholeheartedly in my guides, angels and Divine Light. The hard part is I feel no presence and I have not met any guides. I very rarely feel the energy even in self- reiki. I know it works, I get awesome feedback from people I work with but feel nothing myself. It is a little disconcerting but does not change my beliefs. Why do you think that is?
Kimmi,
What you are describing is common; please know that I practiced Reiki for some time before I felt their presence too. For myself, what helped was taking some spiritual development classes, reading books about others’ experiences, and setting the intention that I would eventually feel their presence. And, it worked.
You are on the right path, and soon you will feel the presence. Please continue with your positive beliefs!
Many blessings to you,
Deborah
Thank you for the input. I will definitely work on that. I am meditation with a mala every day and attempting to get more in touch with my spiritual self.
Kimmi
Kimmi – Daily meditation is certainly the right path!! Prayers and thoughts are with you. Deborah
I feel Exactly the same way Kimmi, I would love an answer to this. I have even prayed before bed that they will come to me in a dream…
I wanted to say Thank You and how grateful for all the great and inspired contributions to Reiki Rays Group. I am eternally grateful to one and all. And a very wondrous New Years to you all and blessings during this closure of one very inspired year of – again – service that we all participate freely with reiki to one and to all. Thank You deeply from my heart to all your hearts! Raven
Raven,
Your expression of gratitude for all the great contributions on this website truly touched my heart. Thank you for taking time to write this!!
Many blessings,
Deborah
Thank u so much for informative post
Simplypreeti,
And, thank you for your comment, truly appreciate it!
Blessings to you,
Deborah
Thank you for your informative article. I have been doing Reiki for 2 years and was never taught about Reiki Guides or very much about Reiki itself. I have read lots of books and love reading the information on this site! I am grateful for my Reiki Guide and all of you that share your time and experience! Thank you again! Aho, Amen and Namaste
Terri,
One of the exciting parts of the Reiki journey is the continual opportunity for learning! Like you, I love reading articles and books about Reiki and other spiritual realities.
Best wishes on your journey,
Deborah
In my lineage of Reiki Masters, we were taught that each of us is assigned a Reiki Spirit Guide at the time of our Reiki I level attunement.
This Spirit Guide works with us each time we do Reiki, whether it is for others or for ourselves. S/he assists us in reaching a meditative state, maintaining a clear channel for the Universal Life Force energy, and guiding our hands to the best positions for the needs of the client.
The more we use Reiki, the greater connection we will feel with our specially-chosen Guide. When I first heard this, I felt much excitement to have this special Guide!
When you were told that Reiki is an energy, what is that energy, is it unclonditionallove/ fathermothersource/ satisfaction/ situation/ vitality/ youth.
or is ti something that……………. and i mean ………….
Hello Manyanstarr,
Different people use different names for Universal Life Force Energy – it may be called the Source, the Great Spirit, the One, the Universe, etc., etc. The most important thing to remember is that it is the Source of Unconditional Love and Healing. It is always present and available to each and every person. With an attunement, we become instruments in bringing the Energy into the lives of loved ones, clients and ourselves.
Many blessings to you,
Deborah
Thank you Deborah for this wonderful writings.
Padmaja
Padmaja,
Many blessings to you,
Deborah
Once again, informative and interesting. I live in Cary, NC…love to meet up with you someday.
Blessings , Christine
Christine,
I appreciate your comments. I would love to meet you too someday – Cary is not far from Asheville and the lovely mountains of western NC.
Peace to you,
Deb
I am a psychic/medium who has always felt a bit different because I haven’t been aware of any spirit guides throughout my life (though I believe everyone has at least one), most especially when I’m doing mediumship work. So many mediums say their spirit guide is who connects them with other spirits in a reading, and this relationship allows them to trust who is coming through and what is being said.
I remember hearing of reiki spirit guides when taking Reiki and while doing a session, I became aware of a tall, skinny, white beam of light. I heard the name John, but prounced Jee-on. I have watched him assist
in sessions, many times working in the head region, doing some type of advanced work, but more often I feel him push my knees in. Evidently, this allows for me to channel the Reiki energy more efficiently and repostures my body so I’m not bending over from my back as much
I feel lucky to finally be aware of a guide and their gift of service.
Thanks,
Debbie G
Debbie,
Thank you for sharing about your Reiki spirit guide. I found the part about him pushing your knees in very interesting. My husband is a massage therapist, as well as a Reiki Master. In his massage training, he was taught to stand with his knees bent in – it helps to preserve his back, and it gives him more flexibility in moving and turning.
Also, my Reiki spirit guide often gives me directions on hand placement. I love their participation and guidance during Reiki sessions!
Blessings to you,
Deborah
Wow, really? I really didnt know about that! Lucky for my guide, I remember more often now. Thank you for sharing that. It’s all so amazing when you think about it. Sometimes I will see deceased loved ones, (whether mine or the clients), assist also. Such a loving gesture. Sometimes I think our spirit guides must be wearing t-shirts that say, “You think parenting is a thankless job, try being a spirit guide”, lol. Being a facilitator of Reiki is an honor, and like I tell my students, we can never have too many healers in the world. Thank you for your article and for validating the purpose of standing with my kness slightly bent. Debbie G.
Debbie,
I love your idea about the t-shirts our spirit guides must wear! I think they have a great sense of humor (they’d have to, to work with us, right?). Sometimes, they have to give us the same message, over and over….until we finally hear it.
Peace to you,
Deborah
Thank you! Just what I needed to read today.
Michelle,
Thank you for your comment – love the synchronicities!!
Blessings to you,
Deborah
Thank you for this article. I find it fascinating, but it also raises a lot of questions for me. Are angels and spirits different? Are spirits the consciousness and energy of deceased humans, or are they something else? I get very strong messages during reiki sessions, even see pictures, but I never see spirits, and I just long to know what exactly they are.
Hello Sharon,
This is my perception of what you are asking. Spirits come in many forms – angels, deceased loved ones, animals, spirit guides – the list goes on. Messages during Reiki sessions also come in many forms, often in the forms that the practitioner resonates with, or relates to. That can also change and evolve over time.
I would suggest you continue reading books, articles, etc., to further your understanding of how Spirit communicates with people on earth. There is always more to learn!
Blessings to you,
Deborah
Blessings and I believe I’m guided <3
Dear Laura,
Yes, you are guided, and it is wonderful that you are aware if this guidance!
Blessings to you,
Deborah
Hello. Thank you for this article. It will help many new Reiki practitioners to feel more confident in their practice.
I am a Reiki master and with each attunement I got a new Reiki guide attached to me. Through dowsing/divination with the pendulum and a numerical chart they help me set up a treatment plan for each client when I ask how many sessions a client needs and duration of each session in minutes. I am very greatful for my guides and angel companions.
So call on your Reiki guides and ascended Reiki masters for any assistance in energy work.
Gina,
Thank you for sharing your unique experience with us. I find it amazing how spirit guides work with each of us in different ways – using the tools and methods that resonate with our personal energies and soul purposes.
Let all of us be open to their support.
Blessings to you,
Deborah
Thank you very much for this interesting article, Deborah! <3
Yvonne,
I appreciate your kind words.
Many blessings,
Deborah
Thank you for the most informative article. It will help many Reiki practitioners including me. Thanks again
Dear Sudha and Marilynn,
Thank you both for your kind words.
Marilynn, there are several ways to learn about your Reiki spirit guide. You may set the intention to be shown who s/he is and then go into a meditative state. If the time is right for you to be introduced, it will happen. But, if it is not the right time, it will happen later. Sometimes, we can become too anxious or worried about this, and that may be an indication the time is not yet right.
My Reiki spirit guide did not show himself to me, until I had practiced for some time. Then, one day during a Reiki session, he came – spontaneously. I think he knew I had grown to be able to accept the third-eye vision!
Simply remain open!
Blessings,
Deborah
Hi Deb – this is the first time I have heard this and I have been attuned to Level 1. How do I know that I have a Spirit Guide and who he/she is??
By the way, this is very informative. Glad I happened upon this in Reiki Rays! Thank you so much.
Thanks for the exclusiva article
Marilynn and Atul,
Your comments are greatly appreciated!
Blessings,
Deborah
Hi Deborah. I loved reading not only your article but also all of the comments from other Reiki practioners/Masters. I am a fairly new Reiki Master and have no doubt that this was the path for me. I do, however, struggle with a question that’s been on my mind for sometime now. I am hopeful that you can help. Shortly after my attunement, I had a strange experience. I was just starting to doze off to sleep when I heard a loud crackling sound. I immediately opened my eyes and sat up in bed. The crackling sound was coming from the area of my third eye. I could actually see sparks and what appeared to be small wires surrounding my third eye. I saw a square box over my third eye. The box was a bright neon green and had, what looked like, a very complex symbol or symbols inside of it. This experience startled and frightened me a little. My immediate reaction was to cover my third eye with the palm of my hand. Upon doing this, the green box, sparks, and symbol disappeared. I now regret covering my third eye during this experience as it’s possible I may have learned something of value had I allowed the experience to play itself out.
After much reading and research on this subject, I still have not been able to find the answers I seek. I have, however, found out that some other Reiki practioners/Masters have had similar experiences, but they, like me have not found the answer to the question which is…what meaning does this experience have?
I would greatly appreciate any help you can give as it is so important for me to have an understanding of this (for lack of a better word) phenomena.
Thank you in advance Deborah for your response.
Namaste and Big Love to You and Yours,
Darlene
Hello Deborah: My name is Elena, two years ago I became Reiki Master one thing its been bothering me . As my teacher did the ceremony, are eyes was close as he did what need to do. I didn’t feel anything or felt any different after all. How do I know he did what he was supposed to do with the Reiki Master symbols.
Thank you
Thank you for this article As I begin each reiki session, I call on my spirit guide to assist me, and I call on the clients spirit guide to assist them in their healing Blessings to you Deborah!