I discovered Reiki in 2020…or as I like to say, Reiki discovered me. I was coming out of an illness experience that left me diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia at the end of 2019. I needed something, but I didn’t know what it was until it appeared in front of me. A friend of mine gave me the name of a practitioner, and I thought, why not? So I contacted her and my life began to take a surprising turn.

The first thing we identified was the need to clear fear from my system. I still remember hearing her tell me that living without fear would be different. I didn’t believe her at first, either. Fear is a frequency I had been sensitive to my whole life. I didn’t think I could live without it. That first year, I met with my practitioner and we worked together to create intentions for a life without fear. We cleared out a lot of stuff. I still find myself setting the intention, at times, to release all energy associated with fear. This year, I’ve added a new intention to release all energy associated with shame as well.

When I decided to become a practitioner, it was like I was being handed a sacred invitation, and I was eager to accept it, but I didn’t know anything about Reiki. Somehow, I knew that I could trust it and that this was going to change my life. I was at a point where I was ready for something new and different, and I was ready to give myself to the world in a new and different way. So I accepted humbly, graciously, excitedly, anxiously, and set off in the direction of completing all three levels of Reiki training. I could see my determination shining through, energizing me for this period of learning I was heading into. I could also see a deep sense of inadequacy. I couldn’t yet see that I was already equipped to do this work in the world.

I didn’t know anything about what my practice would look like, how it would work, or how I would be guided, so I began to experiment. I am grateful for those courageous souls who have been willing to allow me to practice with them as a new practitioner. I wanted to set sail for the entrepreneurial way of life right away, but it only took a few moon cycles earlier in the year for me to see that this was not going to be something that would take off right away. I’ve been trusting this guidance that has helped me set a slower, more manageable pace as I continue to offer this powerful healing modality to those I am connected to at this time.

As I learn the art of Reiki, it is transforming me, showing me areas that are in need of healing for myself as I practice the art of healing with others. There is this profound wisdom of balance that I do my best to listen to and live out: the balance of self-care and care for others. I do not know yet how the rest of this year will unfold, but I know that I am a different woman than I was two years ago when this journey began. As I continue to focus on becoming an instrument of healing for others, I trust that Reiki will show me the way, step by step.