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©Shelia Howe

Recently I was asked in regards to an Ebay listing for a long distance Reiki Healing session “I am new to everything mystical… can i do this?”

Anyone can learn to do Reiki. There are several Reiki Master Teachers throughout the world. The best thing to do is go for some one-on-one sessions and see if you “click” with the teacher. It is a wonderful way to further your spiritual, emotional and mental growth helping you to release blocks that hold you in old patterns.

When you are new to everything mystical, it is wise to keep an open mind while you try new and different things. Be sure to follow your intuition and know that if something doesn’t ‘feel’ right, then don’t continue. You don’t have to believe in everything, but it is good to believe in the possibility of everything!

Many Blessings,

Shelia

What exactly can Reiki do?

I don’t feel I can explain exactly all that it can do, but I do know this….

Reiki works on the emotional, mental, spiritual and physical levels. It works directly with the Chakra’s or Energy Centers of the body, as well as the Aura. Reiki is great for helping one release blocks many brought about by stuffing emotions most of our lives. Think about a time that you felt like crying, but instead you held your breath and held your tears back. Think about how that made you feel sick with an upset stomach perhaps or resulted in anger and negative feelings. Then think about a time that you allowed yourself to cry and feel that emotion which caused it. You usually will feel much better after that passes than if you where to deny the emotion. By stuffing these emotions, they stay with us and eventually will lead to physical ailments and disease.

When we allow oursevles to feel and release these emotions, it brings about a balance in our body and this then contributes to a better connection to our higher selves and inner guidance system.

The Reiki Energy is very beneficial to use any time you may feel stressed out, or overwhelmed, it can be very relaxing and help you to focus. I use it on myself, children, animals, plants and often my computer, vehicle and other machines. I do Reiki  each time I pray, create, exercise and meditate. Oftentimes I send Reiki with prayer to loved ones far away, or to past situations/relationships that need healing, or future events.

Will I cry during a session?

Everyone has a different experience with Reiki. During sessions, I have had clients cry, laugh, fall asleep, relax, cough, have visions, feel the presence of angels and past loved ones, and have to use the bathroom. Many times people will start to hold their breath when they feel the energy start to move. It is important at that moment to take note of what you are feeling, you don’t have to analyze it, but acknowledging where it originates will help you to process it later. And breathe!

The key is to keep breathing. Many times if your throat tightens up as if you are going to cry, deep breathing will help you to let it go and lessen the effects of any other release you could have.

How does Long Distance Healing work?

Hmmm… How to explain this one. Basically it’s pretty simple; it is similar to prayer. We all know that there are studies out there about the positive effects that prayer has on ones’ healing. Well, sending Reiki is very similar. Usually I would include a meditation and while visualizing the person and or their ailments, I pray and use the Reiki symbol for long distance healing that is taught during the 2nd attunement. There are several visualization techniques that are very effective. Although it is not necessary, it is always good to let the person know in advance when you will be sending the energy so they can allow for some quiet time to relax and reflect on being receptive. I would suggest getting feedback… always follow up!

What is under your Reiki Table?

When doing any kind of energy work, you are usually dealing with some negatives. You don’t want to take the chance of any negative energy being left to float around just waiting for someone to walk by and pick it up. So I usually will put something symbolic under the table. I use a bowl of salt which attracts the energy and holds it. I then use my intention and Reiki symbols to transform it to positive healing energy and ask that it be returned to the universe before disposing of it.

©Shelia Howe

You may be a very sensitive person (or a sponge) absorbing other peoples emotions. It is called an empathic. Many of us tend to pick up other peoples emotions and then have a hard time discerning what our true feelings are. If this is you, it is very important for you to do some daily exercises in order to protect your energy system which can become weakened if you are not careful.

Go outside. This alone is very cleansing and healing, but for an extra kicker add this visualization; Take a deep breath and close your eyes. Feel the wind or breeze blow through you as if you where a screen door. Now say to yourself “I release what is not mine”. Keep saying this and alternate with deep breathing. When you breathe out, feel the little particles ‘Cling-ons’ I like to call them- float away. Fill yourself up with love and light.

You can also imagine a bubble around you that nothing negative can penetrate. You may picture a light filled -Teflon like- non-stick skin being applied with your lotion. Get creative with it and experiment.

What is the difference between a reading with cards and without?

All readers are different, and every reading you get will be done with different techniques. The cards are basically a tool. They use images to help communicate with your subconscious mind. This is very similar to our dreams which speak to us with images which are really messages from our higher selves. So when I do a reading with the cards, you will shuffle the cards, the cards pick up your energy and convey messages through the pictures. I then interpret the cards taking into consideration first and foremost any psychic impressions, insights and feelings that pop out, then I look at at several things in the cards…. numerology, symbology, astrology, as well as the basic meanings of each card.

By not using the cards, one is relying entirely on their impressions/ psychic/ intuitive. It is good to give feedback during either type of reading to let the reader know that it is “ringing a bell” this can often open a floodgate of more information. If you feel the reader is way off, and are not happy with your reading, you should really sit back and examine that, are you sure this isn’t something you aren’t willing to accept about yourself or your loved ones? After examining you still feel genuinely uncomfortable or not happy with the readers’ abilities, please let them know… everyone has an off day, and most good readers would not take your money if you are not satisfied.

When getting a reading, it is best to have a specific issue or question in mind so you can narrow it down quickly to maximize your time.

©Shelia Howe

© Shelia Howe SassMama Arts

May be reprinted with permission.