Reiki is a Spiritual Journey
By: Elaine G Hamilton
Tags: Enlightenment, Spirituality, Reiki

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

My teacher said that Reiki was a path to enlightenment. I didn’t realise then what a profound gift this comment was, I simply accepted what he said and I assumed that with enough practice; I would enlighten. Along the way I have found that what I thought enlightenment was (big fireworks of bliss on a cloud of angelic music), and what it actually is (knowing my true nature), is very different. But the fact remains, Reiki is a spiritual journey, should you choose to take it. In my lineage this is central to our teaching, Reiki teachers are attracted to this lineage because of its sacred spirituality.

This spirituality has nothing to do with rules, regulations or philosophical structures, but more to do with your true spirit. We each know we have an essence, a part of us that is unchanging as we age. If you remember back to your earliest memories, was your essence not identical to what it is now? We may get older, have experiences, change opinions, but our essence never changes. This is the spirit I am talking about. The spiritual journey is simply traveling back to our essence, and bringing it to the forefront rather than keeping it hidden in the background.

When we Reiki ourselves, we see this essence. We come face to face with it, naturally and easily — it simply becomes more obvious and present. In the beginning we are presented with our busy minds, but if we stick with the hand positions, the time resting, and just keep with it — eventually, after 10,15 maybe 20 minutes, the mind naturally settles and the body moves into a deep state of peace. For most of us when we get to this place we are very content and may even think Reiki is “doing this” for us. I would suggest when you get to this place of peace you recognise that this is actually your true nature — balanced, peaceful, calm. When the mind rests and relaxes, what you are left with is your essence.

Where is your focus? Are you looking for your essence? It’s there, in your practice. Next time you do your Reiki self-healing notice the quiet part of you that is always there, the same essence from your childhood, always present, always with you, eternal. Don’t try to do anything with it, just notice. The noticing then grows into a deeper awareness, a trust in yourself. When life gets challenging and you have that trust that you can find and abide in your inner peace and calm, then the anxiety and stress cannot take such a strong hold. Anxiety builds when we feel we may not be able to cope. But when you rest in your Reiki practice and have a daily meeting with your true essence, you build a deep trust. Then whatever life throws at you, however challenging and disruptive, you still feel anchored and safe in yourself.

This is the true meaning of enlightenment — enlightening to yourself and who you are. A deep and eternal awareness that grows every time you consciously connect. This connection needs to be made consciously — it is already present unconsciously (and a fat lot of good that does for you when you’re freaking out). The conscious connection is key — a daily dose of Reiki and observing. When you get to that quiet, peaceful place noticing “ah, this is my true nature, the deep well of being that feels OK” And it does feel OK, in fact more than ok. All is well, all is love and peace. And from this knowing, you face the world and your challenges.

If you do this you will notice a deep resilience begins to develop. You trust you can cope, you can face whatever comes, you can do what is needed. And so you drop fear, you drop anxiety and stress. You develop courage. This is the real spiritual awakening, when you move in your power and dare to speak your truth. When you are OK with being you, and you just do that — do what feels right, be who you feel right being, express yourself freely. Then the freedom and peace you feel inside when you do your Reiki self-treatment starts to show up more and more in all areas of your life until you feel 100% congruent. This is the ultimate freedom, to move about in this world just being you.

It all begins with returning your focus inwards, being alert during your Reiki practice. Don’t just daydream or fall asleep. Feel and observe the peace, and realise that this is the real you, your essence, and your birth right.

Wishing you so much love and peace in your Reiki journey!