Article by Ashwita Goel, Reiki Master
After learning Reiki, a lot of people find that others approach them for help; sometimes even total strangers just walk up and start sharing their deepest secrets. Recently I was asked a question that I thought might be relevant to a lot of you –
Why does everyone who feels low come and confide in me their deepest fears and secrets? What can I do to help them?
This is something empaths experience all the time, and many Reiki healers start experiencing this too soon after they start regular self-healing. Generally, people can sense it when someone has higher energy levels than they do, and tend to naturally gravitate towards such people for help. Empaths and sensitive people often have weak boundaries and are easy to steal energy from, and this gives many people an added incentive to turn to such people for help.
So, what is happening is not unusual. Sane, normal people who listen when people talk are nearing extinction. And alongside this, if you are calm and non-judgmental and others perceive you as someone who has their life sorted a little more than they do, then it is only natural that they will turn to you for help.
Image by Sonnenstrahl
Here are a few things to bear in mind when people turn to you for help.
- Understand that this is normal. These people may have no one else to talk to. You may be the only person they’ve come across that bothers to actually listen.
- All you really need to do is truly listen, with all your attention and love. Do not try to fix them or their problem, just be there for them.
- It is very important that you do not get into the role of a saviour – this is a very easy trap to fall into. Chances are that because of your balanced upbringing, you have a calmer and more balanced perspective of life, and a probably more intelligent one as well, when compared to them. So it is very tempting for them to ask – and for you to give – advice. Do not. By doing this, you get involved energetically and karmically, and also prevent them from learning how to think for themselves. Try to help them think the way you think, try to show them perspectives instead of telling them what to do. Every once in a while people will still make the wrong choices – let them, and just wait in the sidelines until they come to you for help again.
- It is very important to learn that not everyone wants/ needs your help, and only help people if they ask for help. And if someone asks for help but rejects advice immediately, it is a clear sign that you are trespassing – they only want you to listen, even if they repeat the story 5 times- just listen patiently, they just need to release their pain.
Bear in Mind…
You are not obliged to help anyone. So if you find yourself drained and tired after people speak to you, it means that you are not able to handle this, and need it to stop.
It is very important to not get attached to their problems. If you find that listening to their pain is causing you to get upset and worried, and if you want people to stop bringing their problems to you then you should start using a shield to protect your aura – use the clockwise power symbol on all sides and request it to make your energy field invisible. I know some ascetics who keep their aura under lock and key because they don’t want to be bothered by normal people trying to suck their energy. But if you’re comfortable with it then it’s fine, because I feel ultimately both gain since even without a conscious intent Reiki flows through both when you’re reaching out to someone.
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Having learned Meditation as a child, Ashwita incorporated Reiki into her life during her early teens. After a decade of witnessing the magic Reiki, she felt compelled to take up Reiki professionally, and ended her corporate career in 2007, taking up Reiki full-time. She eventually incorporated EFT, hypnotherapy and past life therapy into her work. Apart from her healing work, she teaches Reiki and meditation, and her book ‘Healing Through Reiki’ is available on Amazon. She holds regular full moon and new moon meditations at @AshwitaGoel. Her website is www.reiki-bangalore.com and her blog www.ashwita.com
Very good reminder for every reiki practicioner, thank you
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