Does the age of a Reiki practitioner make a difference when it comes to channeling Reiki?
A few months ago, a Facebook acquaintance messaged me saying her past energy healing sessions have always been conducted by Reiki practitioners well into their 60s. She did not come across as trying to discredit any particular generation of Reiki healers. It was merely an observation she made based on her personal experience.
According to the recent Reiki Rays Survey (Autumn 2016), most Reiki Rays readers are around 41-55 years old when Reiki becomes part of their lives. I first experienced a Reiki healing session in my late 20s. I then began studying Reiki to become a holistic practitioner a few years after that first session.
When I first received my Reiki I attunement, it was at a workshop that I attended with my 24-year old classmate from yoga teacher training. Although she only recently graduated from graduate school, she had already experienced the life comparable to that of a Gen X and Baby Boomer. Ever met someone with an “old soul”? That was Annabelle! Thus, Annabelle’s age was not indicative of her understanding of life or wisdom beyond her years.
As the recent Reiki Rays Survey points out, “learning Reiki is not dependent on the intellectual capacity, meditation skills or anything. It’s all about you being or desiring to become aligned with your Higher Self and step on your evolution path.” At the same time, I sometimes hesitate to consider myself a Reiki Master to anyone, particularly in front of older Reiki gurus who have much more wisdom and experience. But that is just my mental blocks.
Studying and practicing the healing art form of Reiki is a lifelong process. In the same light, the “Master” title seems to carry the implication that I’ve reached that stage of enlightenment. Now it would be the understatement of year to say such a thing at this stage in my spiritual journey! Just ask my best friend about the last time I had a meltdown…not very zen-like!
Reiki Master or not, if I were to seek an energy healer or anytype of holistic practitioner, it may be an individual’s personal preference to seek an older individual as age may signify more experience. But at the same time, we as a Reiki community may becoming an “age blind” society. It’s really about who the individual feels called to. My first paying client was in her late 40s and a Reiki Master herself.
Nevertheless, as more and more individuals begin their journey with Reiki, I find a lot of fellow millennials prefer holistic practitioners who they are able to resonate with, regardless of age. Growing up with the instant gratification of social media and non-stop lifestyle, many seem to relate more to other fellow millennials. Whether an individual prefers to receive healing from older generations may be the case (but something he or she probably would not openly admit in front of me!)
As Reiki continues to be covered in mainstream media, to include Oprah and Vanity Fair, more individuals across the world are starting their spiritual journey with Reiki and other forms of holistic healing regardless of the generation. As a millennial Reiki Master, practicing Reiki has done wonders for my sense of peace and balance in our world of “go-go-go”. I only wish I came to learn about Reiki in my teens!
Regardless of age, it’s simply nice to know more and more individuals across all generations are starting their lifelong journey of studying the wonderful healing art form! My hope is that more millennials come to Reiki to be able to achieve more peace and balance in their busy lifestyle.
Article by Eve Sengkeo
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Eve Sengkeo loves helping others achieve mind, body and spiritual wellness. As a Reiki Master, she inspires people through writing about her setbacks, comebacks, and all the lessons learned in between.
I experienced my introduction to Reiki in my 20’s, became a Reiki Practitioner of Levels I & II in my early 30’s and Reiki Master in the Usui Tradition in my 30’s. I’ve never even considered Reiki being associated with any age, sex, religions or any other categorical statistic. I’ve had friends of all ages who are Attuned to Reiki. Interesting article. Thanks for sharing. (My Reiki Master Teacher was only in her early 40’s lol
Thank you for sharing your background and journey with Reiki! Glad this article resonated with you=)
Very refreshing article. I have completed my reiki 1 and very recently reiki 2 and I have only just turned 17. Reiki has had a wonderful impact on my life, but I certainly experienced some difficulty in people being uncomfortable with someone so young performing a reiki session on them (they didn’t care after their session though :D) Much love xx
Age is just a number surely, right! If you’re reiki attuned and you use reiki with the intent it should be used does it matter how young or old the practitioner is? I was first attuned to reiki at 38 some years ago now 🙂
I’m in my 60s and I didn’t think it was a problem being whatever age a person is as imlovw Reiki and it’s been a beneficial to me and very helpful and I’m glad I have learnt as I’m 67years old and I love my Reiki ????
Dear Eve; Thank you for writing and sharing your experience. Master is the highest level in Reiki. There is no higher level regardless of age, experience, knowledge or where one might be on their own personal spiritual journey. In the English language “Master” connotes something beyond or greater than most. In other languages master simply means teacher. Please do not hesitate to refer to yourself, or introduce yourself as Reiki Master. Your ability to teach is evident in your article. — Namaste