Ending a Reiki Session

Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master

There are many articles and tips on how to prepare your Reiki practice room, welcoming a new Reiki client, and beginning the Reiki session. It is much more difficult, however, to find advice on ending the Reiki session. Yet, we know intuitively the ending is just as important as we send the client out of our practice space, back into his busy world.

There are certain practices that we should always do. We should always send the client off with clearly-stated (in the silence of our hearts) intentions. These intentions focus on whatever is needed for the client’s highest good. We can ask the Reiki energies to continue to work with the client, in a safe manner.

Safety for the client is essential. As we know, Reiki can often take the clients to a different level of consciousness. It is incumbent on us practitioners to help the client to become regrounded, and there are many methods to achieve this.

Some simple practices may include the following techniques:

• giving Reiki to the soles of the feet, with the intention of regrounding;
• asking the client to sit up on the massage table for a few minutes before standing up;
• asking questions and giving feedback about the session;
• offering a glass of water, and/or small snack;
• cautioning the client to drive mindfully and safely.
• it is also helpful to remind the client to drink more water in the next 24 hours, and to get more rest.

The Reiki practitioner should also be prepared to answer all questions the client may have. Likewise, the practitioner should also be comfortable in not having all the answers! There have been times when a client wants specific information – i.e., will I ever lose 40 pounds? Will cancer go away? Will the grief lessen over time? Because Reiki does not promise we always get what we want, the practitioner needs to be comfortable in saying this. We need to be careful in not promising 100% improvement or cure rate. Staying honest, and living in our integrity, is vital in energy work.

We need to develop the communication skills to express the truth about Reiki – it always heals in some manner, but not always in the way we want. The Universe sees the big picture, and the Universe knows we still have more lessons to learn, or goals to accomplish. Or, it may be our soul’s purpose to live with a chronic situation. As always, our replies to such expectations are given in an empathetic and loving manner.

There are many opportunities to give loving, and honest, affirmations to our clients. Just the fact they have made the effort, scheduled the time, and paid for a session to pursue healing and spiritual growth reflects a beautiful intention. We can always reflect this commitment back to them.

Last, but not least, each session must end with some words of gratitude. Several rituals that I have included in my practice are silent prayers of thanksgiving when I am finishing the session with my hands on the soles of the client’s feet; thanking the client for opening up to the gifts of Reiki and scheduling the session; after the client leaves, holding the payment in my hands, sending gratitude for the opportunity of giving Reiki and being remunerated for it. I ask for Reiki blessings for the client, and for continued opportunities in my practice.

You may have already developed “ending” practices, or you may realize this is an area where you would like to become more intentional. Ask for spiritual guidance on how to send your clients off with the highest blessings, and you will develop practices for the highest good of your clients.

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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 deb@deblloydhealing.com and on Facebook at Deb Lloyd Healing.