The Benefits of Distance Reiki
When I received Reiki for the first time, it was in the Reiki master’s office. I left my work early and drove to her office, before driving home. I was a bit skeptical about Reiki, but it was an add-on to the life-coaching services that I had signed up for. The session was life-changing. I drove home in DC-area rush hour traffic with this profound understanding that the traffic, cars and buildings - the world - that I was looking at and experiencing was not real, but a projection. There was a reality behind the projection. The effect lasted about twenty-four hours and filled me with such peace and relief, like I was onto something big…like I said - life-changing. Years later, in my Vedic studies, I would understand that concept of maya, the delusion and perceptions that keep us bound to the endless cycle of death and rebirth until we wake up from the “dream".
Years later, after I left my job, I had another in-person Reiki session with a different Reiki master, this time as part of a massage package. Again, I was filled with deep peace and a sense that it was time to move away from pushing myself so hard, a pattern of chronic stress that was wearing me down. Again, I had to get in my car and drive home in traffic while processing these very deep sensations and insights.
During the pandemic, I had learned to both give and receive lots of Reiki via distance, in addition to in-person. In the distance sessions that I received, I felt more connected and grounded, more relaxed. I could literally tell when the practitioner began sending Reiki, because, like clock-work, it felt like my lower legs were plugged into an outlet. The current or thrum of energy was so distinct, try as I might, I could not “help” the practitioner by trying to focus on where I thought I needed the Reiki. Instead, I was carried away on a river of serenity and brought back to the present when the thrumming current of energy stopped. At the end of the session, the practitioner and I would debrief (or not), and then I would lie or sit there on my bed or in a comfy chair and digest what I had experienced, maybe even journal a bit. No driving needed.
You see where I am going here?
I want to push aside any misconceptions that sending or receiving Reiki over distance is in any way inferior to what you may receive in person. Nor is it in any way “easier” for the practitioner. Whether you are in-person or at a distance from the practitioner is a moot point.
Reiki is sent on a different plane. And the core of its effectiveness is thought or intention.
Sending Reiki over distance requires more concentration and focus on my part, because my client’s physical body isn’t in front of me. However, in many ways, I am able to be more physically relaxed because I don’t have to be concerned with inadvertently touching the client, controlling the temperature of the room, making sure the cats and dog behave or the client isn’t allergic to pets, etc. My 100% focus is on the intention of sending the Reiki in love and compassion and listening to the signals that I feel in my hands and in my intuition.
The Benefits of Distance Reiki
As both a sender and receiver of distance Reiki, I feel confident in sharing the benefits that I have personally experienced:
The client and practitioner don’t have to live in the same city. A good percentage of my clients live in other parts of the state or country. Some don’t have a Reiki practitioner in their area or they prefer to work with me. They experience the same sensations as those who receive in-person Reiki. And my Reiki master lives far enough away that it makes more sense for me to receive Reiki via distance.
You don’t have someone “in your space”. Some people are sensitive to or self-conscious about others being in their personal space and have difficulty settling down. This discomfort can come from a variety of reasons and should not be a limiting factor in access to Reiki and other wellness practices.
There is no commuting or traffic. If you live in the DC area, like some of my clients, that is a big deal. It can feel like it defeats the purpose or creates resistance to self-care if the effects of an appointment are worn away by the stress of traffic. I used to drive to a client’s home, and traffic almost tripled the time needed for the appointment and added to the stress of getting there on time and home.
You can be relaxed and comfortable on your own bed or chair in your favorite space. That favorite space can be anywhere, not just your house. Be creative (and safe).
You can process the session in the manner that your system most needs without having to immediately get up and leave. People with fatigue or chronic sympathetic nervous system (SNS) stimulation often fall asleep during a Reiki session and benefit from the deep rest that follows when the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) comes on line during the session. It is disorienting for them to have to wake up, re-engage and then drive.
You can receive Reiki while on vacation, especially after you have driven or flown long distances. High-speed travel disrupts our energy balance, making us less grounded and more airy, which affects our digestion and ability to sleep. I try to book a session after I arrive at my destination when I drive long-distances.
You can receive Reiki in the middle of a work day without having to pad in a travel cushion.
I am sure there are other benefits. These are the ones that I have personally experienced and appreciated, especially the flexibility to work with my Reiki Master who doesn’t live in my town and to rest after a session.
Why In-person Reiki may be a better fit
Distance Reiki isn’t for everyone. Some people like the physical presence of another human being in the room. For others, there is a comfort in the gentle touch or warmth of the practitioner’s hands on their head or feet. Others may enjoy getting out of the house or away from their home environment, which is the source of some of their stress. And, sometimes, people want to make sure that the practitioner is actually there, that they are getting “their money’s worth”. In these cases, an in-person session may be more appropriate.
The choice is yours
In either case, it is important to find a Reiki practitioner with whom you feel a rapport and whose experience and training instills confidence, trust and a sense of safety and confidentiality. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about training and credentials and share any concerns you have before booking a session. Your ability to feel safe and at ease is a big part of the equation for finding balance.
