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Am I Doing Reiki Wrong? What if I don’t experience anything

A lot of people worry about not feeling anything during Reiki. We often get asked the question: ‘Am I doing Reiki wrong?’ But the truth is people experience Reiki in different ways, and not everyone will see or feel sensations during a session. This article delves into the diverse ways people experience Reiki, reassuring those who may not feel anything during a session that their journey is valid and unique.

“Reiki is a deeply personal and transformative experience, and the reactions to it are as diverse as the individuals who practice it.”-Garry Malone

The Spectrum of Reiki Experiences

There are a very wide range of sensations individuals may encounter during a Reiki session. Let’s cover a few common reactions:

Physical Sensations: Some may feel a gentle warmth spreading through their body, while others may experience tingling sensations or subtle shifts in energy.
Emotional Releases: Emotional releases, such as tears or feelings of peace and serenity, are also common. Reiki has the profound ability to stir up emotions that have been buried deep within the subconscious mind. During a session, individuals may experience emotional releases such as tears, laughter, or feelings of profound peace and contentment. These emotional responses are a natural part of the healing process and can provide catharsis and relief from pent-up emotions. By allowing themselves to fully experience and express these emotions, individuals can facilitate greater healing and emotional well-being.
Deep Relaxation and Calm: Sometimes people just come away feeling more relaxed, less anxious and less stressed. Certainly, one of the most common reactions to Reiki is a deep sense of relaxation and calm. As the energy flows through the body, individuals often feel a profound sense of peace wash over them, releasing tension and stress stored within the muscles and mind. This deep state of relaxation allows individuals to enter a state of heightened awareness and receptivity, enabling them to access deeper levels of healing and self-discovery.
Heightened Awareness and Intuition: Beyond physical sensations, Reiki has the capacity to awaken dormant aspects of the self, including intuition and inner wisdom. Recipients may experience heightened awareness and intuitive insights during Reiki sessions, guiding them on their path towards greater self-awareness and personal growth.
By acknowledging the spectrum of experiences, individuals can understand that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to experience Reiki.

The Absence of Sensations During Reiki: What if I don’t feel anything during Reiki?

Whilst some people might experience physical sensations or emotional releases, it’s also common for individuals to not perceive any specific sensations during or after a session. However many individuals worry that their lack of perceptible sensations means they’re not receiving the full benefits of Reiki or that they’re somehow doing it wrong.

However it is important to remember that energy is subtle, and sometimes things are happening on deeper levels that may not necessary manifest as an noticeable external reaction.

Perhaps a few days or weeks later you may feel calmer or less reactive to something that really bothered you before. Or you notice a general improvement in your overall sense of well-being and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. These subtle shifts may not be immediately apparent during or immediately after a Reiki session, but they are indicators of the profound impact that Reiki energy can have on the body, mind, and spirit over time.

You have to trust that the energy is still flowing and working within you, even if you don’t perceive it in a tangible way.

“Reiki energy operates beyond the realm of physical perception, working on subtle energetic levels to restore balance and promote healing from within. Just as we trust in the unseen forces of gravity, we must also trust in the unseen but palpable power of Reiki to facilitate deep healing and transformation.”-Garry Malone

Navigating Personal Experiences

Every individual’s journey with Reiki is unique, shaped by their own energy, experiences, and receptivity. By embracing the diversity of experiences, individuals can let go of comparisons and expectations, allowing themselves to fully immerse in their own Reiki journey. Every experience of Reiki is valid and valuable, regardless of how it aligns with others’ experiences.

Entering into a new practice like Reiki can indeed trigger feelings of self-doubt and worry about one’s capabilities. These apprehensions often stem from the ego, the part of our psyche that seeks validation, control, and self-preservation. The ego can manifest as internal dialogue questioning our worthiness or competence, creating barriers that hinder our progress.

However, it’s crucial to recognize that these doubts are merely the ego’s attempt to maintain its dominance and protect itself from change or vulnerability. When we allow the ego to dictate our thoughts and actions, it can impede our ability to fully embrace new experiences and grow spiritually.

To overcome this obstacle, it’s essential to cultivate a mindset of trust and surrender. Trust in the process of learning and development, trusting in the guidance of teachers, mentors, or the universal energy that flows through Reiki practice. Surrendering involves letting go of the need for absolute certainty or control, and instead, allowing oneself to be open to the possibilities and lessons that arise.

By acknowledging and setting aside the ego’s influence, we can create space for genuine learning and connection with the practice of Reiki. Embracing humility and openness allows us to approach Reiki with authenticity and receptivity, ultimately deepening our understanding and enhancing our abilities as practitioners. As we release the grip of the ego, we can access the full potential of Reiki’s healing energy, both for ourselves and others.

“In essence, the true essence of Reiki lies not in the immediate gratification of perceptible sensations, but in the subtle and profound shifts that unfold over time. Whether felt or unfelt, the healing energy of Reiki permeates every aspect of our being, guiding us on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation.”-Garry Malone

What if my client is worried about not feeling anything during Reiki?

When recipients report minimal sensations or no immediate reaction to a Reiki session, its quite normal for self-doubts to creep in as a Reiki Practitioner, and even worry you have done something wrong. But we must accept as Practitioners that we are not in control of the outcome of the session. It is our job to facilitate the healing space and allow the recipients to draw the energy they need, and if they don’t report feeling much during a session, its not because you have done something wrong, or they haven’t received Reiki, its just a common reaction many experience when working with this subtle energy technique.

Just as the roots of a tree grow deep beneath the surface before its growth becomes visible above ground, Reiki energy may be working on deeper levels of the recipient’s being, beyond immediate perception.

Instead of fixating on the lack of sensation, encourage your client to remain open and receptive to the subtle shifts and changes that may unfold in the days and weeks following the session. Remind them that healing is a holistic and multifaceted process that extends beyond the confines of a single session, and the benefits of Reiki may reveal themselves gradually over time.

In addition, reassure your client that their experience, whether marked by noticeable sensations or not, is valid and valuable. Encourage them to trust in the innate intelligence of their body and the healing power of Reiki to support them on their journey towards greater well-being and wholeness.

Ultimately, by embracing a mindset of trust, patience, and openness, both practitioners and clients can cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for the profound and transformative nature of Reiki energy healing.

What our Community had to say:

” My sister, who is a reiki master for a few good years now, says that she doesn’t feel nor see anything while receiving or giving reiki, except experiencing the physical complains her patients can have… but even at a distance, the reiki sessions she gives are incredibly efficient. And now she knows that, she doesn’t worry about it anymore.” – Fabienne
“Every person is uniquely different you will have your own sense of how you feel the Reiki energy. Reiki is experiential!” – Rosemarie M
“I would always be concerned whenever my hands wouldn’t feel warm that I didn’t do something correctly when giving the Reiki. But I’ve learned now to trust that Reiki is doing it’s thing, whether my hands are warm or not. The same applies to the recipient, I know that they received Reiki, whether they felt something or didn’t.” – John B
“Sometimes I feel hot, sometimes I feel needles, sometimes nothing. But I know, this energy through my hands…” – Paola
“Sometimes when I speak with clients after a session I tell them what I felt and ask if they experienced anything. I’ve had several people say “no”, then they go on to say “I fell asleep” or “no I just felt warmth all over” or “no I just saw some colors”. Those are all experiences! I think people want or expect a major reaction, especially if it’s their first time or they aren’t that familiar with reiki.” – Denise RM
“As someone who has had little experience of giving the Reiki I’ve been attuned to.. I’m slowly learning to trust the Reiki energy to go where, & do what is needed. 🙏💖💫” – Helen O
“My last client, when I finished, said she didn’t feel anything, having had reiki a week or less earlier from someone else I thought this could affect it but instead I asked her where her thoughts went? It was to childhood feelings that repeated throughout her life in various relationships. We talked about how to heal this. I also reminded her that she said she felt the energy right away but had forgotten. Sometimes I think they are being guided to go inward when this happens, instead of putting their intention outwards for healing.” – Laura G
“Some practitioners never feel anything yet their clients are very satisfied with the outcome of their session and come back. Some clients never feel anything yet they are equally happy in the end by the results and the changes they notice in their life. As practitioners, we are merely a conduit, we guide Reiki to our clients. What we feel or not doesn’t matter at all. What they feel or not during the session doesn’t matter at all. What matters is the results that our clients experience. Some of my clients prefer booking their session late in the evening, when they’re sleeping. They know they don’t feel the energy during the session but they feel rejuvenated when they wake up. As you deepen your practice and fully trust Reiki, your relationship with the energy, its quality, what you might feel or see, your clairs… may eventually develop. But it’s not essential to your practice. Reiki knows what it has to do and what it has to heal.”
“As A first degree student I had these same worries, however my master was very clear in getting me to focus on my own experience and how I was being impacted personally , even after 12 years I still don’t get colours ,voices, vision etc. but I have confidence in the gentle energy buzz in my fingers as I treat self or other, and the positive long-term results I notice. Trust your journey, it will always be different to everyone else’s.”

Conclusion

In the realm of Reiki, there is no one-size-fits-all experience. Sensations may vary widely, from profound physical and emotional responses to subtle shifts that may go unnoticed. By acknowledging and embracing the diversity of experiences, individuals can cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for the intricate workings of energy healing. Remember, your journey with Reiki is uniquely yours, and every moment, whether filled with sensations or seemingly void of them, contributes to your personal growth and transformation. Trust in the process, and allow yourself to surrender to the flow of energy.

Rather than fixating on the absence of tangible sensations, surrender to the flow of Reiki energy. By releasing expectations and allowing the energy to work its magic in its own time and way, practitioners and recipients alike can open themselves to profound healing experiences that transcend physical perception.

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