How do I know if I should take Reiki?

As a spiritual business owner and Reiki Master Teacher of 10 years, I am often asked the question if taking Reiki is the right decision for someone to make. Truly of course, I can’t answer that question because the answer lies within you! However, I can help to guide and demystify what Reiki is all about and hopefully this info can help you discern if this is the next right step for you along your spiritual journey. Generally speaking, if this question has come to mind and you are reading this article- then yes, you are probably being led to take Reiki because it would benefit you (and those around you)!

WHAT IS REIKI AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

Reiki is often defined in its literal translation: “Universal Life Force Energy”. However, I like to define it as love, prayer and intention all wrapped up into one. I regularly describe a Reiki treatment to others as a supercharged nap + meditation, like a car wash for your energy field. Reiki is an amazing modality to bring into your life. It’ll ground you, offer you clarity and keep your energy light and clear.

MY REIKI JOURNEY

When I was first practicing massage nearly 25 years ago, I was told by energy sensitive clients that I was channeling energy. They said that their sessions with me felt like I was giving them Reiki. I didn’t have any experience with Reiki, so I couldn’t say. I just knew I felt energy and emotions while I worked on them, and I naturally helped to shift them. Later on down the road in 2008, I had my spiritual awakening and took many classes in Theta Healing. This modality opened me WAY up to my intuitive healing abilities, and I wanted to bridge that gap of massage and deep esoteric work for my clients. Learning Reiki felt like a good idea, so in 2010 I sought it out without ever having received a session. I just figured Reiki was somehow spiritual and people had at least heard of it! I took the class not knowing how much of an impact it would have on me, let alone that I’d eventually be teaching it to others!

IS ANY EXPERIENCE REQUIRED?

Enrolling in Reiki 1 doesn’t require anything from you, you don’t even need any experience with Reiki in order to take this class. What you do require, though, is an open mind and a willingness to learn. Perhaps you, too, find that you are sensitive to energy, identify as an empath and have always (or more recently) been drawn to healing work. Having a belief in the possibility that we can shift energy and an awareness of or trust in the divine is certainly helpful- although it’s not required. Doing this work will definitely strengthen that connection, this much I can assure you.

Taking Reiki 1 can be a life altering experience for many. It basically gives us permission to tap into our inner magic. To trust in and rely on our intuition to guide us. It opens us up to the subtle energy realms. It really is the most natural thing ever.

WHAT DO I LEARN IN REIKI 1?

In Reiki 1, we go over the history of this ancient modality (which was “re-discovered” back just around 100 years ago by Mikao Usui), we discuss the story of Usui, we learn about the chakras, the different ways our intuition communicates with us, we speak about being a sensitive person in a harsh world and ways to protect our energies to avoid burnout and depletion. We also go through an attunement, which is what brings the Reiki into your physical vehicle and allows you to channel Reiki from here on. One of the best parts of class is when you get the chance to exchange with fellow classmates, everyone gets the chance to give and to receive. This is when all the learning from the day becomes REAL. We then realize just how natural it is to tune into and channel energy in this way. Your intuition and energy sensing often become amplified post-attunement and it can be pretty wild and awe inspiring.

WHAT WOULD I DO WITH REIKI?

Integrating Reiki into your life is simple and fun. Taking Reiki can “just” be a tool for keeping oneself calm, having better sleep, helping yourself or others with pain, stress, and anxiety, never mind strengthening your connection with Spirit! It’s a wonderful boost for meditation and offers you a great way to start and end your days with peace and calm. The more you call on your innate healing abilities via Reiki, the louder your intuition will grow, and the more you will gain the confidence to trust in yourself. You don’t need to have ambitions of becoming a Reiki practitioner with a shingle hanging outside your door. You don’t even have to have any desire to practice on anyone outside of yourself. It can open up so much for those on a spiritual journey. It’s a great tool that you can’t mess up, there’s no “dark side” to it and you can’t overdo it!

REIKI IS CALLING, WILL YOU LISTEN?

I’ve been practicing Reiki since 2010 and teaching it since 2014. I’ve taught Reiki 1 to about 200 students in that time! It’s amazing, empowering work. I’ve witnessed gifts turn on instantly, I’ve experienced miracles firsthand many times over, I’ve witnessed lives change for the better. It really is awesome work and I know the world will be a better place if more people were regularly on the receiving end of Reiki. Reiki lets the light in. I hope that this article has ignited a spark in you. The world could use more love and healing and you taking Reiki can help to achieve just that!

Owner of Moon Magic Spiritual Wellness Center in Hillsdale NJ, Karen Foote, has been focused on healing work since she was introduced to massage therapy at the age of 16. Her career began with massage therapy back in 2000, and by 2002 she stepped into her role as an entrepreneur with her first business doing massage. Over the years her massage focus shifted into energy work and esoteric studies. She incorporates the metaphysical into her bodywork practice and loves assisting those on a spiritual journey, both as a practitioner and as a teacher. She offers 1:1 healing bodywork sessions along with intuitive readings, group classes, including sound healing meditations and Reiki Certification Classes. In 2021, she began the "Spiritual Seekers Podcast, Stories of a Spiritual Healer". Karen lives in Westwood NJ with her two teenagers and husband of over 20 years.

The Wind was Calling Me

Back many years ago I realized I had a connection to the wind. I could connect with it and it'd respond. I thought it was just something normal, until I asked my friend matter of factly "you know how when you need a breeze, the wind will blow?" and she just was like "....um....no?" 

Well, I'd forgotten about this. At least it wasn't in the front of my mind as a way that I connect with the elements. The last few days (weeks?) I've been getting the nudge to start waking up at 5am to meditate. Back when I was really developing my intuitive senses, I’d heard again and again how others development grew rapidly once they made a commitment to a meditation practice. That that’s where the real power comes from- when we get still and allow the inner voices/voices of guides, etc. to be heard. So about 5 years ago or so I was very good about rising early and I learned that I LOVED that magical time of day. I would meditate nearly every morning and it really impacted me.

Life can get in the way, we make excuses, we get lazy. I advise people to get into a meditation practice, but then don’t follow my own advice. I meditate here and there for sure, and I consider my Reiki work a direct plug in to Universal healing and love energy, so I’m vibing pretty high normally—however, that intentional meditation time has been lacking lately. For the past few days I’d naturally wake up at 4:50 or 5am and think “hey- here ya go! See, you’re waking up, go meditate!” And I’d roll over and resist… try to negotiate with myself, “well maybe if I lay here with the intention of connecting it can count?” and I know it’s a lie, but it’s one I tell to myself. With the school year beginning in a few days I wanted to be lazy and put it off until at least next week when I HAVE to wake up early anyway.

This morning the wind called me… insisting I get on it. I woke up just a few minutes before 5am to a big blast of wind blowing in my face. I lowered my curtain and check the time. I literally laughed… thought “oh, wind! You’re waking me up so I go and finally start up my regular meditations again!” and right on cue, the wind blew even stronger, making my wind chimes outside get even louder. I gave up resisting and came downstairs to step back into that old familiar ritual of my early morning magic. The click click click of the gas stove, light a piece of sage and palo santo, then put on the kettle to heat some water. Settling in to get quiet with myself. 30 minutes easily slipped by and I was back to that familiar buzz of energy coursing through my body after I’m able to quiet the mind. Why do we resist this connection? It’s so funny how we are. I am glad to be back. Early morning Septembers have such a refreshing energy behind them. I hope you are able to connect and appreciate them too. 😊 Here’s hoping laziness and resistance don’t get the best of us!