Does Reiki still work if I don’t feel anything?

Often, when I check in with people after their level one attunement, it is not uncommon for them to say that while they are trying to practice on themselves, they don’t feel very much so wonder if the Reiki is working.

I still remember my level one attunement as I had been encouraged to attend by my Reiki Master with whom I was undertaking intuitive life coaching using Reiki. I didn’t feel much during the attunement itself and just concluded that I probably wasn’t good enough to connect with the energy and feel anything. This very much reflected my poor relationship with myself at that time; I had low self worth, didn’t think I was good enough and didn’t really accept, approve, or even like myself very much at the time - there was certainly no self love. In fact I was my own worst enemy, often getting frustrated and angry at myself, and always feeling as if I was stupid and at fault.

So of course it goes without saying really, that inevitably I wasn't going to connect initially with the Reiki energy, not because the attunement hadn’t worked, but because of my lack of confidence and the unfamiliarity of working with something so ethereal as Reiki energy. And yet here I am, many years later, working professionally with Reiki and attuning others. If I had been told that back then I wouldn’t have believed it, but that’s the thing with Reiki, we never know where it may take us.

I don’t really remember practising on myself that much, albeit I did attend a weekly Reiki and meditation session with a group of Reiki attuned people and I seem to remember that as well as meditating, we were encouraged to give Reiki to ourselves too. I did however continue to receive regular Reiki from my Reiki Master, as I have always felt incredible benefit receiving from others and being able to try rest into the experience. Receiving Reiki has always made me feel infinitely better. I don’t think I can ever say that I’ve regretted receiving Reiki.

With time, my Reiki Master encouraged me to deepen my Reiki experience with the level two attunement and while I certainly had no intention on working with other people in a professional manner, I guess the Reiki was working its magic on me in some way, despite the regular self-practice, so I signed up. It was this attunement that truly changed things for me. Whether it helped that I had been practising yoga daily for 18 months by then, or the fact that I had been seeing a nutritionist for a similar amount of time and was eating well and shifting vibration, or maybe all of this, but I became a lot more aware of feeling something.

It was such a lovely feeling that I was desperate to share it with others and started practising on friends, colleagues and family as often as I could. I also started a daily self-practice. Sometimes I still didn’t feel anything, but I had greater trust by then, that despite not feeling anything, I knew I was channelling Reiki to myself and that having its own intelligence, it would do whatever needed to be done.

It’s the same now. I give myself Reiki every morning and evening and whatever opportunity I may have in-between and sometimes I feel something and sometimes I don’t. Sometimes my hands burn hot and sometimes they are totally normal. But I know that Reiki is never channelled in vain and I enjoy the moments of breath awareness and just being, even if there is no direct sensation.

Sometimes it is the same with family members, in that when our energy fields are merged together, it can be difficult to feel the other person’s energy and this can also be disheartening to people when they first begin to channel Reiki. As for feeling or sensing auras, well for many this feels impossible, and for those who have arrived eager to become Reiki practitioners, it can be incredibly disappointing to realise that there is maybe more to it than they thought.

But here’s the thing about Reiki. It;’s not a career option in the traditional sense, it is a calling, and we may not know when we set out on our Reiki path exactly where it is going to take us. Often those who begin quietly, dubiously, not quite sure what’s drawn them to it, or encouraged to it by a friend of family member, or even a Reiki Master, sometimes they can be the ones who find themselves drawn to sharing it with others, not because they intended to, but because something inside them is prodding them and something outside themselves is nudging them in that direction too.

So my message really, is practise. Like yoga, Reiki is a spiritual practice, and it is only through practise that we experience the fruits that these modalities offer. Sure, we can read about the benefits in a book and acquire some knowledge, but to truly know, to truly embody the essence of Reiki, we need to get our hands on ourself and on others if we feel so drawn. And even though we may not initially feel anything, we don’t give up, just keep practising.

All we have to do is literally lay our hands with the intention of channelling Reiki. It is the intention that acts like a key to begin the car - it initiates the flow of Reiki. It really is that simple. Just pop your hands somewhere on your body (or someone else’s body with their permission (ask the universe if it someone or something which can’t speak for itself such as a baby or animal)) and the intention to channel Reiki, that’s it, easy!

Being unwell is a great time to practice. I have always been amazed how quickly I have healed when I am sick, with the help of Reiki. With any upset tummy, it is incredible how quickly Reiki goes to work. Mind you it is the same with any healing. I healed myself relatively speedily from various surgeries such as C-section and hernia without the need for pain relief, just using Reiki and various medicinal potions and ointments. This is really empowering and does give one the faith to always turn to Reiki first.

I also personally find it hugely helpful to receive Reiki from a trusted practitioner. I have a Reiki Master I work with and I think this is really important, as it is easy to overlook our shadows and get in our own way. By seeing someone else and receiving their intuitive feedback and guidance can be really helpful in supporting us on our path. Sometimes it is just really beneficial to be able to talk to someone else who is also on a similar path and may see the world similarly and can offer insight when we have gotten ourselves stuck.

But even though I receive from others, I give to myself as well as giving to others - and don’t forget as you give so you receive, as we are the channels through which Reiki flows. I also incorporate Reiki into my daily life in others ways, through clearing my space, protecting myself and my children, infusing my food, through enliven my bath water, through ritual and holding space.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions or concerns about giving Reiki to yourself or to others. Also look out for our Reiki in service and Reiki in practice sessions to help give you the opportunity to practice with other like minded people and alleviate concerns about not doing it right or not being good enough. More of the than not, this is just our self depreciating ego at work.

You are good enough. You do have a connection. Something brought you to Reiki and so trust in that. And the more you start to feel the benefits, the more you will be able to trust in the connection you have with Reiki and the more your faith will deepen and you will benefit. Before you know it, you’ll notice your life changing in ways you didn’t even know was possible and just because you trusted more in the ethereal energy of Reiki.

Happy practising!

Love Emma x