Is Meditation Important?

Article by Angie Webster

Meditation is not often taught as an important factor in modern Reiki practice. However, it was part of the original method of Reiki and was very important to the way that practitioners developed in their practice. Meditation also played a critical role in Mikao Usui’s growth and development. He had practiced meditation and Qigong, a form of moving meditation, for most of his life prior to Reiki. Also, recall that he was in a deep meditation retreat when he received the understanding and vision of Reiki, along with the symbols.

It is unlikely that we would have the Reiki system had Usui not practiced meditation. He understood its value and its role in helping us to transform our consciousness, clear our energy, and form an inner connection with the Divine Consciousness. He knew that these things are all important for spiritual growth and for personal healing. And these are the basis for all healing. Usui’s system of Reiki is a method for bringing the greatest possible health and quality of life to those who choose to practice it. While we can use it as a simple method of hands on healing to treat ourselves and others, it has the capacity to be far more than that, if we look more deeply.

Including meditation allows us to deepen our practice beyond the initial understanding of Reiki as simply a series of hand placements. It also helps us to gain greater health and clarity. Meditation is a lifelong practice and it will literally change the way you think and live. The benefits are noticeable within a very short period of time, often beginning in as little as 2 weeks. Having a meditation practice will also give you better focus and clarity during Reiki sessions.

There are many forms of meditation, so find one that you enjoy. You needn’t feel tied to doing one that doesn’t suit you. You can even work with more than one form of meditation. Meditation is training and exercise for the mind and the spirit. Like exercise, the form of meditation that you choose should feel challenging but enjoyable. If it is something that you despise or that you have to force yourself to do, you won’t continue for long. Find a course, book, or meditation teacher that can guide you to a style that is comfortable for you.

Some Reiki practitioners feel that they are stuck or that they are not receiving the benefits of Reiki that they thought they would. Often, they say that they don’t have time to practice. Yet, if you don’t make time to practice the method of Reiki, there is little benefit you can hope to gain from it. Even a little practice is better than none at all. The same is true for the meditation aspect of Reiki practice. You will benefit from practicing just daily self-Reiki or just daily meditation, but you will gain the most benefit by practicing both daily.

Of course, you have to start where you are. If it seems impossible to you to find the time to practice even self-Reiki, don’t begin by trying to practice 30 minutes of meditation and 30 minutes of self-Reiki each day. You will quickly feel overwhelmed and stop. Instead, begin with something that feels workable to you. Perhaps you can manage 10-15 minutes a day. You can either divide the time between self-Reiki and meditation each day, or you can alternate days of meditation and self-Reiki in the beginning.

If you feel that it suits you to increase the time you spend on your meditation practice once you have done it awhile, then do so gradually. Don’t try to add huge blocks of time all at once. It is better to practice for a shorter period twice a day than to burn out trying to meditate for extended periods all out once.

Over time, you will probably find that these practices come to make such a difference in your life that they become part of your regular routine. They will be non-negotiable, just like eating or sleeping. You will even find that the time to devote to you practice seems to magically appear.

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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.