Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master
As a grandmother, one of my favorite things is to make the ouchy’s of my grandchildren feel better. Rather than reaching for a band-aid, I can simply place my hands on a scraped knee or elbow. And, soon it feels better again. Am I doing more than fixing an ouchy? Let’s give this some thought….
There are many lessons for children that can be imparted through the use of Reiki. One lesson may be that our first action when a minor injury occurs is not to run to the medicine cabinet for a quick fix. There are healthier, less toxic remedies that are just as effective, or more effective, than a medical aid.
Another lesson lies in the calming factor. An initial reaction of the child is typically to feel scared or panicked. Not only does Reiki take away the pain, but it also helps in calming the child. Simply approaching the situation in a quiet, calm manner aids the child to stop crying and know that it will soon feel better. It is a wonderful opportunity for the adult to use physical touch, while giving verbal reassurance. Encouraging the child to take three deep breaths is another practice that is helpful while giving Reiki. A hug after the brief Reiki treatment is always an added bonus!
Because the Reiki giver seems to have it all under control, the child will soon realize his own ability in controlling his emotions when something “bad” occurs. Too often, the adults react in a similar manner to the child’s, when a child gets hurt. (Even in more critical situations, such as a major cut or a possible bone fracture, the best thing a parent can do is stay calm and provide a safe atmosphere for the child. Usually, parents are given this blessing; they are able to set aside their emotions for the moment and obtain needed medical treatment for the child.) For the everyday scrapes and cuts, the parents’ ability to stay calm and focused is a lesson for a child to learn.
Over time, children will start to ask how Reiki works and why the giver’s hands feel so nice and warm. This is a perfect opportunity to teach children about the Universal Life Force and how the Divine energies are always available to provide healing and comfort to us. We can teach children they are never alone. Simply asking for Divine intervention is a gift we can give to the next generation. We help them to remember what is already instilled in their souls.
A sense of confidence can grow within the child through these seemingly minor, common events. They learn they too can place their hands on the parts of them that hurt – be it a scraped knee, or a heavy heart. They learn to express their emotions in healthy ways.
Giving Reiki to a child is certainly a special blessing. Whenever an opportunity presents itself, let us always consider the many ways we can assist a child in his/her growth.
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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.
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