When I first got my Reiki certification, I have to admit — I was a total skeptic. I remember sitting in that first class thinking, “This isn’t real. This can’t actually work.” I felt a little silly and definitely unsure about what I was getting myself into. My reiki master told me to “trust the process” and something inside me nudged me to stay open, and I’m so glad I did, because what came next completely changed my perspective on energy healing.
My First Personal Reiki Experience
After my first certification, the first person I practiced Reiki on was myself, along with my partner. It was mostly experimental, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much. Then something strange happened during my second certification session, which I took virtually. As I sat with my hands open on my knees, palms facing up, eyes closed, I suddenly felt an intense heat. My Reiki master was guiding me through the symbols, and though we weren’t physically in the same room, I felt the heat of her fingers tracing the symbols on my palms. I couldn’t believe it. It was like a door to something I didn’t understand yet had just been cracked open.
Healing My Partner’s Hip Pain
Not long after, my partner experienced debilitating pain in his right hip. He was bed-ridden for an entire day and had no idea what was causing it. That day, I decided to try Reiki on him. I gently placed my hands over the area, and to my surprise, it was so sensitive that even light pressure felt too much.
The next morning, I casually asked him, “How’s your hip feeling?” He looked at me, wide-eyed, and said, “Oh my gosh, I forgot! I couldn’t even walk yesterday, but this morning I woke up and it’s like nothing ever happened!” That’s when I truly started to believe in the power of Reiki.
Feeling His Tightness in My Chest
Another moment that confirmed my belief happened more recently. Every night, as we lay in bed, I quietly give us both Reiki. One night, I had my hands on his back as he curled up next to me, and I started feeling a tightness in my own chest. It felt strange, like it wasn’t my own discomfort. I asked him, “How are your allergies? Is your chest feeling tight?” He confirmed, saying it was still bothering him a bit and still felt slight tightness.
I could feel what he was feeling, as though his pain or tightness was echoing through me. That’s one of the gifts I’ve uncovered with Reiki — I can tap into and experience what others feel. It’s an incredible connection that Reiki facilitates, and every time I feel it, I’m amazed all over again.
The Science Behind Energy: Water and Intent
These experiences got me thinking more about how energy flows, not just through people but through everything in the world around us. One scientific study that profoundly impacted my belief in Reiki was conducted by Dr. Masaru Emoto. He explored how the molecular structure of water changes depending on the energy and intent directed toward it. In his experiments, water exposed to positive words like “love” and “gratitude” formed beautiful, symmetrical crystals. In contrast, water that was exposed to negative words like “hate” formed chaotic, disorganized structures.
Considering that the human body is made up of around 60% water, the implications of this research are fascinating. It suggests that the energy, thoughts, and words we direct toward ourselves and others have a tangible impact on our physical and emotional state.
Reiki is not limited, but endless & bountiful
One of my friends had a similar experience when she was working on her partner’s shoulder pain. She laid her hands on the spot and focused all her energy and intention on taking that pain away. The next day, her partner woke up pain-free, but my friend felt intense pain in her own shoulder as if she had absorbed his discomfort.
My friend and I actually referred to a key scene to help her understand how she could protect her own energy while helping her partner. We talked about how Uncle Iroh teaches Zuko to redirect lightning, allowing it to flow through him without holding onto it. This concept was key in showing her that, as a Reiki practitioner, she too should allow energy to pass through her without absorbing it.
Trusting in Reiki
My journey with Reiki started in skepticism, but with each experience, I’ve come to see the undeniable beauty and power of energy healing. The science behind the power of words and energy on water reinforces what I now believe — energy is a real, powerful force that shapes our experiences.
It is such a simple and fundamental concept when you really think about it. At our core, we’re all made of energy — it’s the very essence of what allows us to exist in physical form. Reiki is not some complex or mystical theory; it’s actually a simple, sweet understanding of how energy flows through us and the world around us.
Whether you’re skeptical, curious, or fully on board, I encourage you to stay open to the possibility of Reiki’s power. You might just be surprised, as I was.
