from Chapter 6

Traditional Intuitive Reiki Techniques

Intuitive Reiki in Basic Practice: Hands-On
“When you are working on a client at the bodywork table, even though you are newly attuned to Reiki and just starting to practice, you may find that your intuition brings something to mind that may be helpful or healing for the client.” The small circle of Reiki I students listen attentively, their heads angled, their eyes alert.

“Reiki transforms you into a channel of healing and expands your perception of subtle energy, so that you can notice changes in the sensations in your hands and be guided by them to give the client a thorough treatment. That expansion in your perception also makes it more likely that you will receive intuitive impressions that may be of value to the client. This won’t happen every time you treat a client, but it will happen occasionally--and you need to be prepared for when it does.

“It might take a while to learn to sort out the daydreams and the stray thoughts from the true intuitive impressions, but eventually, you’ll be able to do it. Sometimes, though, it’s easy. You will be completely focused on the flow of the Reiki energy into your hands, meditative, watching swirls of light behind your closed eyes--and all of sudden, something will pop into your mind: an image of a baseball player sliding into a base, a line of melody from an old song. You’ll think, ‘Now where did that come from?’ When you describe the impression to your client, the client will be able to identify it.

“But please remember that you can give a Reiki treatment that is truly healing to the client on many levels without receiving any intuitive impressions at all. There is nothing wrong with the treatment--or with you--if no impressions occur.

“How can we tell what impressions are appropriate to share?” one student asks shyly. “Or maybe that’s not the right question--maybe I should ask instead what kinds of impressions are inappropriate to share?”

“Those are both good questions. First of all, understand that intuitive impressions arise in our minds as we do Reiki to assist in bringing healing. When we dream, the subconscious mind won’t release anything to consciousness which is not ready to be healed on some level. So it is with Reiki: when we treat a client, it is as if we dream the client’s dream. The intuitive impressions we receive present issues that are ready to be healed by the client on some level.

“However, the client may or may not be open to discussing these issues. For example, if I am treating a new client who is experiencing Reiki for the first time, unless I feel strongly prompted to do so, I will not share any intuitive impressions that come up. I will let them go, without comment.

“If I am treating a regular client, who is familiar with the depth of healing that Reiki can provide, I am likely to ask at the beginning of the treatment, ‘Would you like me to tell you about any intuitive impressions that come into my mind during or after the treatment?’ Then I will honor the client’s request, simply describing what my perceptions are as I go along or summarizing them, as well as I can remember, at the treatment’s end.

“If I am treating another practitioner who is comfortable with intuitive Reiki, I will ask permission to describe whatever impressions arise as soon as they occur, for this encourages a flow of information. This is good practice for me and often a great help to the client.”

I pause, considering what I am about to say. “There are times when I do not share intuitive impressions, because it seems inappropriate to do so. For example, if I am working on a cancer patient, and I have an impression that the disease has spread, I will remind myself that I may be receiving an impression about a future possibility, rather than something which has already occurred. Since I am not a doctor, I cannot, by law, diagnose, prescribe, or make a prognosis. What I can do is say to the client that I have noticed that there is an intense flow of energy in my hands over an area where I did not expect it to occur. Although that might be due to the acceleration of some perfectly normal bodily function--say, digestion--perhaps it would be wise to let the doctor know and ask for additional tests.

“Or, if I am not comfortable mentioning my impression to the client, I might simply go to Spirit in prayer as I do the treatment and ask for guidance for myself: am I being given this impression so that I will be encouraged to do more Reiki on this client? Often, the answer is yes. Then I find a way to treat the client with hands-on Reiki on a more regular basis.”

The students look somber at this news.

“But I must say that this dilemma occurs very rarely. Usually, my impressions are much more commonplace. I see a lot of glasses and pitchers of water and oranges and bananas. So I describe the image to my clients and ask a question: ‘Does this mean anything to you?’ Or, if I feel a bit more confident about the reason this image is being presented, I may frame a suggestion: ‘Are you getting enough water? Do you think you might need more vitamin C?’ Sometimes, they say yes, and sometimes no. What I have found is that it is always best to let the client interpret any impressions that arise for themselves.”

With Reiki practice as their foundation, I know that, in time, the students will understand that intuition connects us to Source. Intuition teaches us, guards us, and guides us. Intuition gives us ‘spiritual perception,’ according to philosophers of old. We simply need to be willing to accept and use the gift.