You’re excellent at guiding others through the ups and downs of life because you had your own pains, struggles, and trials, and managed to handle everything pretty well!
But when life sends our way some challenging situations, as Reiki practitioners and energy healers, should we focus on our own healing journey or support the healing journeys of those who also need our presence?
Below there are some valuable pieces of advice you’d like to consider because… even energy healers get the blues!
Question from Laura Kärppä (Finland) –
“If something big happens in my life, e.g. heartbreak after relationship ends, should I take a break from healing other people and focus on myself? After all, we are all humans.”
Answer from Karla Sanchez, www.sanaholistichealing.com
Hi Laura,
My automatic response to this question is YES! And at the same time, there are so many factors that take place in this answer. On one hand, I would say yes, mainly because you do not want to attempt to hold space for others, when you may not be emotionally or energetically capable of doing so. And on the other hand, I wonder if your healing journey is one that allows you to compartmentalize your own feelings and experiences during a session, in order to be emotionally available and fully present with others.
As a practitioner and clinician, my rule of thumb is to fill my cup before filling others. Yet, there are times I do not have the luxury. Nevertheless, I have acquired a great set of tools during my professional career, that allows me to put my feelings on pause and tend to others’ needs. Although there’s always a risk of countertransference (a client triggering your own unresolved needs and feelings) I believe I have enough experience to catch myself and manage any situation that may arise. Therefore, I would ask, how ready do you feel to keep your issues on the backburner during sessions? How recent was the painful event and how much is it impacting you currently? How do you make sure you’re taking care of yourself in between sessions and in your leisure time? How are you continuing your healing?
As we may hold off on our personal needs due to our professional duties, I highly encourage consistency in your own healing process. Being honest with yourself, taking breaks when needed, saying “no” to maintain emotional boundaries and tending to your needs will be essential in order to be fully capable of healing others
I hope this was helpful, and I hope you find comfort and knowledge in my words.
Sending love,
Karla
Answer from Haripriya Suraj, www.lightworkersonearth.com
If you feel the need to take a break and focus on yourself, it is perfectly alright for you to do so. One cannot pour from an empty cup. However, many people find that offering healing to others helps them with their own healing too. In such cases, they may feel guided to continue offering healing to others. And that’s OK too. The decision to make is very specific to each individual and situation. Trust your intuition and do what feels right to you!
Answer from Samantha Avery, www.samanthaavery.com
Hello Laura, Thanks for your question. Yes! As healers, it is so important to maintain self-care so that we can be balanced when sharing Reiki with others. When experiencing personal transitions and challenges, that’s the time to honour yourself with your self-practice and support of professionals and healers. “Just for today, I respect all living things”
It is also important to note that when you are attuned to Reiki, your energy/vibration is magnified. E.g. A person attuned to level 1 doubles their energy. A person attuned to level 2, doubles their vibration again.
So, if you are treating a person with not as high a vibration as you (we usually seek healers with higher energy than ourselves to raise our vibration to shift the energy) it is possible to project your challenges onto them. Because your energy is greater, the challenge they experience may also be more intense for them.
Trust your intuition, and focus on supporting your own energy during these times.
Answer from Kathleen Johnson, www.universoulheart.net
Hello Laura, and thank you for your thoughtful question. You’re absolutely correct – we are all human, and subject to the trials and tribulations of living in a physical form.
My answer to your question is twofold – it depends on the individual practitioner and their reaction/response to the life event. And secondly, allowing Reiki to guide you through the challenge will often provide the answer as to whether or not to treat others.
As you know, when channeling Reiki for others, the practitioner is also receiving Reiki. In my experience, this has been enormously helpful during personally challenging times. Also, being of service to others is wonderfully beneficial and healing.
However, with that being said, there are times in which our personal and spiritual self-care must be top priority – to the exclusion of most everything else. During those times, it is more appropriate to tend to our own well-being until the crisis has passed.
These are occasions in which Reiki shines as a steadfast ally and guide. Its loving energy and gentle guidance will always be there for you, as long as you allow it. So, when you’re questioning whether you should take a break or continue to work with clients, simply ask Reiki. Then open yourself to the answer. Reiki will lead you to the best decision for you.
I wish you bountiful blessings on your Reiki journey, Laura!
Sincerely,
Kathleen Johnson
Answer from Angie Webster,
angie-webster-healing.teachable.com
Be sure that your focus is always on your own healing work. Even when things are going well for you. To do healing work is to make a commitment to doing your own work first. Then you are able to work with others clearly. And sometimes, that means taking a break from working with others so that your focus can strictly be on your own healing. That is always your priority.
When something difficult happens in our lives, it is very important to give ourselves room to heal, process, and grieve. Every one of us experiences difficulties in life and we each process them in our own ways. Each person has to decide for themselves if they need a break from doing healing work with others, as well as when (or if) they are ready to return.
Answer from Sue Wang, www.connect2self.com
Dear Laura,
Absolutely, please take time for self-care so that you can help others from a sustained, centered place. We need to keep our inner light going so that we can bring it to others. Be gentle with yourself and follow your intuition/gut about how much you can do and how much respite you need. You will know when you are ready to give Reiki again.
That said, when we give Reiki, we relax with the client -see if you feel up for it. Sometimes a way out of a funk is to be grateful and help others who are in need. Check with your intuition, your guides, and Reiki. Get grounded, set the intention, and give yourself a treatment. Ask your heart and solar plexus (personal power) chakras: While I feel less than 100%, would treating this person be for my highest good? Be open to the answers and thank the Reiki for its guidance.
Best wishes on nurturing yourself during this challenging time.
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