Stopping Mind Chatter During Reiki

Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master

One of my memories during the first days of Reiki practice was trying not to be distracted by my mind’s chatter during a session. It was so easy to be distracted by my thoughts – Was Reiki energy coming through my hands? Are my hands in the correct position, and am I staying in each position long enough? Is the music too loud, or too soft? Sometimes, I had thoughts about my day, or what I needed to do after the session.

It took lots of practice to shut off all these thoughts and simply live in the present moment, with the experience of giving Reiki. I know my experience is not unusual, as this is a question I often receive during Reiki II, and higher, trainings. All of us live busy lives, and placing ourselves in a quiet, meditative state can be a challenge.

Develop your personal method of removing yourself from your busy-ness into quietness and use the same method every time. Repeating the same routine before each session creates an imprint in your mind. Eventually, the path to a meditative state is practically automatic. This method includes drawing the symbols in the same way; stating the same, or similar, intentions; asking for guidance during the session.

There will be times when a distraction occurs. Sometimes, it may be an external distraction, such as a fire truck, with blaring sirens, passing by. Or, it may be an internal distraction – your mind chatter kicks in with a current problem or an incomplete task. Each practitioner needs to find their own way to get back to the place of quiet and peacefulness.

Here are some ideas that others have shared with me, or I have discovered to be effective for my practice:

• Draw the symbols again, in your third eye vision.
• Saw the word Reiki, or a calming phrase, three times.
• Take three deep breaths.
• Acknowledge the thought and release it; visualize it floating away.
• Ask your Reiki Spirit Guide, another Spirit Guide, or the angels, to assist you back to the quiet place.
• Return to the present moment; focus briefly on your soft music, burning candles, or other items in the room to “bring you back” to the session.

After each session where you have experienced some challenges in staying present, it may be helpful to journal about the thoughts you had. Determine if the thoughts were related to any fears, or judgments, you experienced during the session. For example, thoughts expressing a lack of confidence in your ability to be a channel for Reiki healing would be an area for exploratory journal writing. Or, your worries about a personal relationship in your life may be calling for some introspective work.

It is important not to judge these moments of mind chatter – it will happen to all of us. What we can strive for is to lessen the number of times it happens, and find the best method to return to the quiet space.

Let us not forget that being a Reiki practitioner presents many opportunities for healing our own lives. We should pay attention to our “distractions,” as these may be signs for areas of needed healing. Rather than judging our moments of mind chatter as a negative thing, we can view it as an opportunity for growth and healing. Another gift of Reiki practice!

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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 [email protected] and on Facebook at Deb Lloyd Healing.