What Does it Take to Have a GOOD Reiki Session? with Reiki Women Podcast

Transcript

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Hello, friends. Welcome back to Reiki Women Podcast. This is Michaela Dastar with Heartscapes Reiki. And with me today, as always, is my beautiful cohort, Bronwen Logan from Reiki with Bronwen and Carrie Varela from the Reiki Healing Society. So we are circling around today to another topic that is, um, really kind of covers Two sides of the spectrum. Both sides of the experience of a Reiki session. So we wanna talk with Reiki practitioners and with potential Reiki clients about how we can support people in having a good experience in their Reiki session. And so as we're having this conversation, I just really invite you to think about. You know, the roles that you have played inside of a Reiki session, perhaps who are a practitioner, you have offered Reiki, perhaps you are, um, studying and endeavoring to offer Reiki sessions to people in the future, perhaps that you have received Reiki sessions or would like to in the future from wherever you are in that, uh, relationship to a Reiki session, just invite you to think about what Do you need in order to have a good experience inside of that session? That's the question that we're pondering today. And I'm sure there will be many things to learn, including on each of our behalf. I look forward to learning how the two of you, uh, support people and having good sessions and perhaps what you need when you go to a Reiki practitioner in order to have a good experience. So I am going to pitch it over to you, Bronwen, to get us started. Thank you, Michaela. I had a little bit of Reiki yesterday, actually, and um, God, it's so gorgeous. I just, someone said before you sort of get used to it. I, I don't know if you ever do get used to it. Every, every time I think I've ever had a Reiki treatment, it's just, it, it's, how to even describe that feeling of just letting go into that space. And it's spectacular. I really love it. And, um, I hope to always be able, that my clients will also experience that, um, it's almost like a sense of magic, isn't it? When we just really tap back into this space of, um, I don't know, it's like a truthfulness inside of us. things fall away. And, uh, I had a client on the weekend who actually said, and I think that's quite normal for people like, I just don't know how to describe that. And I think that's very true. You know, how do you describe it? But that's not what we're talking about right now. We are talking about how to get the most out of it. Right. So, I think for me, there's one word and that word is open. So what I want for my clients is that they can feel open enough to allow healing to happen. So that's where I want to be with them and that's where I want to help them with that. So, um, if you have a new client, someone comes for the very first time, I mean, it's sort of weird, isn't it? You know, you hop up on a table, you lie down, this stranger is there sort of telling you things, whether you understand it or not, maybe you don't know anything about energy work at all. And And you feel a bit nervous or, you know, a bit, um, I don't know, maybe excited, whatever the feeling is, and how does that, how does the practitioner help you to translate that into being open and by open, I mean it. Relaxing. So not being nervous. Yeah. Um, not having expectation, uh, being able to completely trust that you're going to be safe and comfortable. Um, and that whatever happens to you, um, It's not someone doing something to you. So you don't have to be fearful of someone's ulterior motives or plan for you or anything like that, that it's actually that you can understand for yourself that you at some level are in control of this experience. And. That control, I'm not talking about mental control, I'm talking about this, this, uh, this idea of how we're made up, that we're made up of, of body, so physical, mental, yes, but also then that, um, that spiritual, uh, part of us as well, and how these elements, uh, all work together. They're totally interconnected. They're not separate. And that they're always looking for a way to find balance. And when we have a Reiki treatment, for me, that balance is, um, what I want the body to, to have the opportunity to re find, to, to move back into. So, um, This is not necessarily a conscious experience. So it's not like the client lies there and goes, okay, so I'm going to make the spirit do this. And my body do this and my mind do this. It's not like that at all. In fact, the best thing that we could ever possibly do is get out of the way and be open. So if we're open, that just means that we're not holding onto anything that's going to stop those three elements finding their balance. Uh, I think I'm going to stop there because I'm sure you guys got heaps to add to that. So go for it, Carrie. I love that you can like sum up everything with one word, Bronwen, that's really beautiful. And I think openness really is the, uh, such a key. element, right? It's, it's, um, so important. And even when we're kind of just curious about Reiki, or if it's our first time, a lot of times that openness is actually takes time to drop into. Um, because for me myself, uh, you know, even years after you know, Reiki's been in my life for over a decade, a decade and a half, you know, that like, it's so easy to just contract around our suffering and around those places in our life where we're, we are really struggling or to just. You don't feel and hold loving space or, um, you know, whatever it is, is in their intention to heal or transform and, um, what I love about Reiki, um, but what I love about Reiki is that it is so flexible, you know, it's, it's, it's so surprising, you know, somebody can come in and say, well, I have gone through a breakup, but my left elbow really hurts. So then I also, you know. I've been suffering from anxiety, you know, and the list can go really on and on. It can be circumstances in your life. It can be physical issues. It can be mental and emotional struggles. And yet Reiki is so versatile and flexible that it can work with all, all of those things. But, you know, I think when we kind of load it down with expectation, as I mean you were talking about too, then that also really is part of the things that get in the way of, of the practice and. I recall a long while ago, somebody came to Receiver a key treatment for me and he had mentioned about how he had this really powerful transformative healing session energy work session a while back and really he had it in his mind that like that he needed to reach that or there was no other point in doing this session with me and I was like, okay, well, I'm sorry. I don't know. I mean, I can't. You know, uh, you know, open your crown chakra for you. I can't like force an experience to you, but that's what's so lovely and beautiful about Reiki is that when we just allow ourselves to meet ourselves. Where we're at in that given moment, that's really when the magic can happen when we can let, let all of those expectations go and just be in that organic moment. Um, and I feel like I'm diverging a little bit off topic, but when, when I'm in a Reiki session, and when I've received Reiki, and I think when my clients have experienced those transformative moments. Experiences with right within Reiki. You'll notice that one of those precursors is that, you know, you were able to let go and relax into the experience and not try to force anything mentally or, um, you know, in the process. Oh, I got a direct energy into my left knee. And, you know, if you're thinking like that, it just. You're not going to get a whole lot out of the session, um, and you're going to feel like you need to control this, your experience, um, which is a little bit different than putting yourself in the driver's seat of your experience, which is also important as well. And I think, uh, a good Reiki practitioner can help you do that. Um, So just other things that I think are helpful to get the most out of your Reiki session. Um, you know, first of all, if I'm working with a client for the first time, I like to spend extra time with them. So, you know, at least, maybe at least try to set it up for another extra 15 minutes with them. Kind of depends on how long this session we have scheduled. But if it's a 60 minute session, I like to spend 75 minutes with them if I, if I can. Um, because I want to tell you a little bit about Reiki. I, like, want to give you a little background on what Reiki is, my own experiences of Reiki, but my, my personal point of view and perspective gives time people to sign a waiver and kind of set up, you know, some boundaries and expectations of each. For the treatment. Um, and I think that, uh, one thing that's really brought me a lot, I think, has been really supportive for my clients and for myself. is to, um, encourage my new clients to come and, uh, and do as, um, at least three Reiki sessions with me. Um, so I do a package on my sessions of three, so you can purchase an individual session, which I totally do that. And sometimes new clients just want to do one session. I totally understand that. Um, but I do tend to encourage people to book three sessions because people It just allows one to kind of deepen their experience of Reiki. And, um, so much of what you were talking about, Bronwen, and so on point is this, like, you come in for a Reiki session for the first time and maybe you've experienced one from somebody else or never experienced one before. It's like, you just don't know what to expect, you know? And so there's just so, there's just so much of that unknown. And maybe there's a curiosity there. what you don't know what to expect and so it is kind of hard to relax and um, to be in the moment and to um, you know, feel uh, connected to the Reiki practitioner and then also of course like in a deeper level getting that connection to Reiki and and to your spirit um, you know that that whole process takes some time to develop that trust and that um, experience of Reiki. And so, um, yeah, that's why I encourage more sessions, I think, uh, at least initially. And, um, and what I found is that, you know, when people come to me a little bit more regularly, they really are able to drop in more deeply into the experience of receiving Reiki and tend to have more, um, powerful treatments or, I mean, powerful is kind of an overwhelming word because. What I want them to experience is just a deeper sense of balance, um, a greater clarity, um, around what's bothering them, um, to feel more in their body, to feel more centered and present and strong and capable to address those areas of their life that, you know, are particularly challenging for them. So I think that that just comes with trust and time. And, um, You know, I also feel like there's a tendency to be pretty self judgmental, maybe, I don't know, in the world of energy, people are like, oh, don't, you know, I don't know, I don't know how my energy is, you know, because, you know, just, Either curious about that or, um, feel a little bit, um, yeah, I don't know, unsure of themselves. And so I think that also what I really like to do and set people up with is just this container to know that they're, I'm not judging them. I'm not judging their energy as good or bad or anything. I am just holding space for them to relax and realign. And that whatever they're feeling, Feeling in that moment, whatever they're experiencing or witnessing inside of themselves that, that they can do that. And I'm, I'm not trying to psychically read them or try to figure them out or to, um, uh, you know, certainly just not judging them, you know, not judging them for having feelings and thoughts and emotions and energy that needs to let go of. That's exactly what I'm there to help them facilitate into that release. So. I'm sure Michaela, you have so many thoughts to share on this topic, so let's, yeah, thank you. I love what's already come forward and, you know, really kind of thinking around this question from the perspective of the, the different roles that one could have inside of a Reiki session. So I wanted to respond a little bit on the side of, you know, what we, as Reiki practitioners, Can do how, what our mindset can be, um, and therefore our actions to help our clients have the best session possible. And then what can we, as, uh, receivers of Reiki sessions of clients, um, you know, how might we also, um, participate in making sure that our session is as quick as possible? And I love Bronwen that you started us with openness as part of the goal, like where we want everybody involved in that transaction and that experience to, to achieve a sense of openness. And you mentioned some of the characteristics that that, that that requires, or some of the characteristics that would entail trust, safety, connection, um, you know, relaxation. Um, you know, these are all qualities that help us to sink into a state of openness. And. And remain there for the, for the duration of the session and hopefully for a good amount of time after the session. Um, so the question then is like, how do we get ourselves and other folks to that place of feeling trust, feeling safe, feeling connected, and therefore feeling open. And Kerry, you, you definitely named a few important pieces of that. Um, I love that you talked about expectations. I think both of you talked about that. Um, the, the expectations that we have and that Our clients have and how we can kind of set up, um, expectations that support openness, um, versus, um, you know, expectations that might take us into a different direction. So when I think about, um, this question, I think, I think the, the, the place I've spent the most amount of time contemplating this question of how to. Uh, achieve, uh, you know, the best possible Reiki session, um, is through the, the lens of the work I've done on, on being trauma informed in our Reiki practice, because really, that's kind of what that is about. How can we create a, um, system, uh, a container for our Reiki sessions that is made up of our own mindsets? Um, and then therefore the practices, um, and procedures that we put into place in our sessions, um, some which will happen routinely every time, you know, things that really can and should be done every time for everybody who comes through our door and then places where we can be flexible and we can really, um, pay attention to what a particular person needs, um, in order to, to get what they need out of the session. And that really begins with information, right? What information does a person need in order to feel that sense of trust, feel that they're safe, um, feel connected with the person and therefore be able to feel open? Uh, that amount of information is going to vary widely, right, from person to person. But there's a few things that I always share with everybody, um, and both of you have alluded to some of it. Uh, firstly, that the. The person with the authority of the experience of the Reiki session is the person receiving the Reiki session. They are the authority on their own experience. Um, therefore, you know, they are empowered to, um, to make requests, to ask questions, to make adjustments, to make changes during the session, um, and to, you know, end the session if they need to. I always affirm that, that, that, you know, the person who is coming for their session, um, you know, is in control of it in, in a lot of ways. And I love that juxtaposition, Bronwen, that you spoke to of like having that, that control that comes from inner authority, from inner power that we each inherently have versus the control of trying to like mentally be in control of the experience, right? There's almost a paradox there of like that feeling of empowered. control over my experience, allowing for my mind to relax and to recede and to let go. And people are going to need different things, right? To achieve that, that level of, um, feeling their own power so that they can relax. Um, certainly, Carrie, you mentioned they need to know what our particular perspective is on Reiki, how we approach a session, what's going to happen in the session, to the degree that they want to know. I certainly have clients who are like, don't tell me, I don't need to know, just let's just go. But usually people want to know some level of like, what's going to happen, right? What can I expect? And in particular, I'm talking about people who are relatively new, but even someone who's just new to you, uh, who has experienced Reiki and other and other ways. Um, so beginning there with that affirming that they, uh, that their inherent power is with you. What is kind of holding the container of the session that my perspective, um, and I know we share this perspective, at least to a certain degree, is that, you know, any healing or balancing or coming into wholeness that a person will experience is coming from them that their system knows exactly what they need and is fully capable of bringing that about. It is, in fact, working. Towards that sense of balance, um, already and that what I'm there to do is hold a space for that process to continue to happen and to be maximized and to, you know, kind of create a space where that process can happen unencumbered. So, you know, whatever messaging, um, Is right for each of us to share with the person that affirms their authority in the room that they are, you know, the expert of their own experience, um, and that therefore they, uh, get to make decisions and to collaborate with us in, in what happens that our mindset about the experiences that they, that their system knows exactly what it means that we're there to support. Um, I like that you said, um, you know, the affirming that we're not. We're not controlling something. We're not changing something about them. We're being with them in a way that supports the healing that they're already doing. Um, you know, from their logistical information about, um, flexibility that they can experience. One of the things that's so lovely about Reiki is it's so flexible, you know, unlike, um, Something like massage or acupuncture, acupressure, um, chiropractics, you know, where there, where there are things that, you know, we need them to do, right? We need them to be in particular positions. We're going to need to manipulate their body in a particular way in order to get the outcome. Reiki, we don't really need them to be in any particular position to support them, right? There may be positions we prefer that might feel easier for us. So that might allow us to, to feel like we're being more thorough or that we're more comfortable, but truly we can begin with how would you be most comfortable? What does your body want in this moment? Do you want to be seated? Do you want to be lying down in what position? And that that can change at any time during the session. That that's not an interruption, that that's part of the collaboration and it's amazing how often sharing that type of information with people, how often I've, I've observed and then had them give feedback that that helped them to relax, to kind of let their nervous system calm down, to feel more engaged in the system. And to, um, feel more hopeful about the potential outcomes when they were, you know, when they hear that the perspective that we're working inside of is that their system absolutely knows what it needs. And. Is going to get support in that. So all of that is to say the information that we provide, particularly the beginning of a session is essential. And the experience that they that they're going to have related to that, as you said, is expectations, right? How do we set their expectation for what is possible? And that is something that I would also share with folks who are coming for a session is to, um, know what your desired outcome is. Which could be, I just want to have the experience, right? I just want to relax and do it. I just want to see what this is. That is a totally wonderful goal to have. But, you know, to have a certain sense of what you do expect out of the session and to share that with your person. And then on the other side, if somebody shares an expectation with you that you feel is maybe not well aligned with what you know that you can provide, to be honest about that, right? So to have that level of honesty, uh, that allows you to set your expectations in a place that are aligned with each other. And, you know, if we think about it again through a trauma informed lens, this absolutely includes, you know, us being really clear about what our capacities are. And what they aren't, what our expertise is and what it isn't, you know, what we are, are trained and capable of, um, addressing and what we are not and having resources that we can share with them, um, when their expectation kind of moves outside of our expertise, being able to connect them. With other folks who can meet them wherever that expectation is. Again, all of that provides that sense of safety and openness and trust. When we're just super honest and clear and we get our expectations set in the front end, again, the amount that people will need that that level of information is gonna vary. But I think if we can really have some sense of shared expectation, we're gonna be much better off. from there. You know, I mean, I could go on and on about information, but I'm gonna stop right there. But I did just want to also name, you know, then of course the physical container, right? That we, that we hold, um, which includes, uh, you know, obviously, the accommodations for them to get comfortable, you know, having as many different types of props available, um, you know, having different types of temperature controls available, different types of music or no music available, um, any other, you know, things that, that a practitioner likes to use. But always coming back to flexibility and choice, allowing the person to choose what they want or don't want and to consent to what they do or don't want, including and especially touch, right? That's always part of that information that is always asked in the beginning and that I always share with every client, even if they're a repeat client, that Reiki can be shared equally well with or without touch. And it is up to what that person would feel most supported by in a given moment. Um, And so, you know, one of the things that I advise people to think about in terms of their physical space and any other types of, um, you know, extra products or experiences that they might want to bring into their Reiki session, things like, you know, using crystals or sound or scents, you know, scented oils, um, you know, movement, any other, anything else, um, that one might want to bring into their, uh, session. To, um, make those things available and to, again, allow people to choose. and consent to whether or not they receive those things. Um, we can never know what's going to feel supportive or feel unsupportive or even triggering or frightening to a person or just medically unsound, you know, particularly if you're thinking about scent. Um, you know, my mother is very extremely chemically sensitive. If a person just brought scent into a session without her consent, it would make her immediately ill. So, you know, the mindset there is that there are things that we might personally, as a practitioner and as a receiver of sessions, find supportive and lovely and wonderful that we want to share, but not necessarily everybody is going to find those things to be supportive. And so, you know, at its essence, right, sharing Reiki is, you know, Right. And anything else that we bring into that space is optional and it's flexible. And the more that we allow people to make choices, the better their outcome is going to be. Similarly, on the receiver side, if there's something particular that you want to experience, that you want your practitioner to include, uh, you want clarity on whether or not the practitioner works in that way. For example, I often have people asking me, do I provide, you know, psychic information or readings along with my Reiki sessions, and I don't. And so I really appreciate when people ask me that, right? Because then again, I can be clear and set those expectations. There are other things that I can fold into a session very skillfully, um, that aren't necessarily part of the baseline session, but that are options. So those kinds of conversations can really set us up for success, um, on either side of that equation. And I could say more, but I'm going to pause right there and, uh, just see what else has come up for the two of you. Wow. That was amazing, Michaela. What a summing up. Fantastic. Um, yeah. So much great information there, right? Fantastic. Um, Yeah, I was just thinking what a great job we have, right? It really is just a, such a wonderful thing to be, um, to be able to be a part of. It's very special. Oh, look, I wrote down a few things, just little points. I, one thing I didn't mention was that, um, I guess, um, I didn't say how I actually started a treatment. And, uh, Carrie, you were saying about telling people about, you know, what it is that you do. And I do that too. And you know how I do it. I, um, will often start by, I just say, I, I just sort of, more or less straight away, get them up onto the table. And, um, I placed my hands at their head and I start talking to them. This is, you know, I just, I only, and I said, look, I'm only going to talk for a couple of minutes, then I'll be quiet, but, you know, just, uh, just. That I'm already moving into that space and I'm already getting them familiar with that space and that's the way I like to do it and I enjoy doing it that way. Um, so there's sort of like this very natural organic movement into the actual treatment. I do explain, um, you know, where I'm going to start, where I'm going to end that I, and, and that at the end, you know, I give a little massage on the feet or whatever, so that they're not sitting there thinking, once again, while they're lying there, what's going to happen? You know, how will I know if she's finished? And I explain that sometimes, yes, the hands will be on the body or off the body, and you know, we can have a discussion about that if necessary. That I don't touch any private parts of the body is something I always say. And I, and I sometimes can really feel people just visibly relax when you say that, because you name it. Right. And they just know, Oh, thank goodness. I don't even have to think about that. Right. Um, I put a blanket on the person, a light blanket. Um, so they're really very protected and Um, um, and comfortable, and I have a heated table, also something which I love, uh, which, you know, helps people's bodies physically to relax and let go. Um, and then I asked them. Going back to that openness thing, I say to them, uh, to just repeat, I don't think I said this. No, just to repeat out loud, um, this little saying, which I wrote, and it's, I'm open to receive whatever it is that I might need at this exact moment in time, and I'll get them to repeat that. And then I'll say, so that means that you, uh, that. Um, you know, it's up to you as to what you get out of this experience. And for me, that is sort of like a bit of a key for them to help them latch into that idea that, Oh, I, I'm the person who's, who's in control, like we've all just been talking about, you know, so I'm the person who's going to allow things to happen or not to happen. And, uh, I think that's a really helpful, um, uh, place to be. Uh, when I actually describe it, I often will describe it as me being in a meditative space. So I go into a meditative space and that, um, I share that with them and that they feel that, and together we, we, we share that meditative space together, um, to give them some sort of context of, of what this is. And it's almost like I, I, I really love the idea of someone being there supporting me to meditate. Because a lot of people think it's really difficult to meditate. Well, and probably, you know, actually it is, I think for, for many people, it's just that, um, for most of us, I think, because it's, uh, it's something, there's something that we learn. And so it's lovely to have, um, someone there actually being there for you and, and, and holding that for you. And, uh, and, and you can. you can have the experience of that. So it could be something that could bring you in your own life into discovering more about meditation and finding that moving into that space, um, yourself without someone else. So it's, it could be a good start for someone to do that. Um, When we were talking about positions and you were just both saying how flexible it is and, and I, I do, I absolutely love that about this. And, you know, if someone's in a hospital, you could, uh, you know, and they've got plaster from head to toe, you can still do Reiki, you know, um, you can still do Reiki. You can just hold a person's hand. You can, uh, you know, whatever is required, you can be there and, and, and be there for someone, which is just such a beautiful thing. Um, and I guess it all comes down to, um, that we don't take away from a client. And I think that's what people need to keep in mind. Don't take from them. Don't take their power. Don't take what it's, it, we, we want to allow this person to have the best possible experience of, of understanding what it means to heal yourself. And we're there to support you with that. Um, I think that's it. Yeah, I love all of this. Um, yeah, I mean, I think, you know, other than what, what I feel like it hasn't, we haven't touched base into a little bit. It's just, it's also just letting Reiki do, you know, and trusting and letting the results of the session, really. Um, be released to Reiki, like, not like forcing it and I, I had a session this morning and I, you know, it just really struck me really poignantly today. It was like, get out of your own way. How do you get out of your own way? How do you do that? You know, and, um, That's just, you know, it's, it's the dance, it's the art of, uh, of Reiki is, um, you know, showing up for somebody and, and being willing to just sit there and listen and, and, um, hold space for them as you were talking about, and, um, Mikaela and Bronwen, um, and, and witness for them. that, that the power of their intention, you know, if they have an intention for the session, just sitting with them and, and really trusting that that that's, that's it for them. That's, that's their truth. That's really what they want to achieve out of the session. And an intention is, is a lot different than an expectation. It's, it's, it is this willingness to say, this is where I need help. This is where I'm seeking. Um, you know, healing and transformation, um, and as a practitioner, um, not trying to do it for them, which is really hard sometimes too, right? It's like, oh, okay, oh, wait, you need balance in this area of your life. Okay, well, I'll give you five billion different things that help me find balance or do this or do that. Um, and I think that that's why I probably I don't want to speak for all of you, but, um, you know, as a collective, um, this podcast to talk a lot about how. you know, sometimes doing, combining Reiki as a psychic reading, it is trying to do the work for them. And, and there's a difference between naming that truth. It's really feels like palpably there in the session. This is the truth for them. Um, and it's not to discount also the, the gift of intuitive mediumship and, and psychic reading. I have friends who have that gift and their insight and wisdom is so invaluable. So, um, welcome when it's welcome, right? When we set up that proper, uh, expectation and container to work with our clients to really share with them like this, this is my scope of practice. This is what I have in my heart to share. I know for me a lot of times in my Reiki sessions is like a guided meditation really will come through and on inventation I'm feeling that Reiki move in a certain direction or move in a certain way and I really want to name that for the clients so that they can drop into the experience that This a collective experience that we're both having. Um, I might've mentioned this before on other podcasts, but just that, you know, if you come to anything with, with healing in mind and openness for healing, it will be there. And I think of that with like a counseling session, you know, maybe some, and a counseling session. I really want to talk about this certain aspect of your life, but when you get there, you know, it's also depends on your counselor and, and just the flow of the conversation. And even if you get to that kind of topic that you might want to address or are curious to address, um, but sometimes that doesn't even happen, right? But that there's still nonetheless so much insight and so much, um, awareness that can come when. When two people come together, um, in order to provide that light and illumination, um, for someone, when really seeking that and, and trust somebody else to help us. Access that information both inside of ourselves, but also to receive their wisdom and guidance. Um, but, but you know, besides that, it's also just like really holding if, if, if this, if the session gets too chatty, it, it doesn't allow for that beautiful energy of reiki to shine through. And for us to relax into that space, we really can let go. And in that moment of letting go, whoa, like something happens or you, you have this profound experience of the energy that's moving through you. And, um, there's really not words to describe those experiences. They're really. Yeah, beyond words. And I think that's what people are truly seeking in a Reiki session, um, whether they're aware of it or not, but that's what they're really seeking. And the other day I had a session too, and I just was reminded, um, I love how you said it, Bronwen, just how lovely what we do is, but just how soothing and comforting it is to have somebody's hands on you. And there's no, um, I don't know. That's what, what I really, like, I just. Melt into the The practice of receiving reiki is just like, oh my gosh, this person's hands on me. And even as they move maybe down my body or whatever, there's just this beautiful release that's happening can feel a shift from where their hands were or as to where that they are now. And um, you know, I think at the heart of what I. I feel like I'm transmitting and, um, receiving in a Reiki session is just feeling more connected to the pulse of life. And, and so there's this deep, like, inner, um, nourishment that's happening, uh, that's in, in a realm of awareness that's way beyond my mind and even my body. It's like, I'm feeling so fully recharged and, um, I can't do that for anyone. Like, as a Reiki practitioner, I can't do that, but I can. I know that Reiki can't do that. Um, and so as much as I can getting out of my own way, so that, so that, that kind of benefit can, can, can occur for people. I love this thread, this like through line that often comes out in our conversations, um, of, uh, really honoring and acknowledging that each person. is empowered in their own experience, right? And that part of creating that container of trust and safety and openness does include, um, encouraging them to trust themselves by us trusting the client, right? To, to trust their own knowing and their own way of, of getting there, right? And that what we're there to do is to help facilitate that experience. Experience of their own inner. Um, capacity, whether that is in a session where there, you know, in a completely relaxed and passive state or one where there is a more dynamic interaction where somebody might be sharing what they're experiencing and asking for support or advice, or, you know, you know, having things come up in this session that they want addressed. Um, and in those kinds of experiences in particular, um, another, a, Tool practice that has been really powerful for me to help me get out of my own way and to be in a state of trust and to be in a state of authenticity about what my gifts are and what they aren't, um, is a practice that a teacher of mine used to call artful inquiry. What are the questions that we can ask them that can help them to follow the threads of their own knowing, rather than being the ones to. Try to go in and address and fix what's happening. And, you know, it's, it's a subtle thing and it's taken me a long time to really feel comfortable in it. Uh, but, you know, being able to, um, not be on either end of the extremes of either being. You know, completely passive, you know, for example, if we're always just like, well, what do you think? Like, Oh, the person's reporting something. Well, what do you think? Well, what do you think? You know, always pitching it back to them without, you know, kind of holding any authority in that conversation versus the, the extreme opposite, which is where I, you know, I've, I've disclosed this on the podcast. You know, for the first few years of my practice, I very much thought that I was supposed to diagnose and treat and go in and do surgery on whatever it was that they were asking for a very early. proactive, very doing kind of perspective on what my job was supposed to be. And not only did that put a lot of pressure on me, um, but it also was very disempowering for them. And what I have found, you know, that, that kind of open, spacious place in the middle of those two. extreme opposites is this space where my expertise is in holding the container. You know, I, my expertise is in creating that space of surrender and openness. And when they feel like they're running up against some kind of barrier or boundary that they want to have shifted, that they have identified that I know the questions to ask and the ways to hold them and support them in order for them to work through it. Um, You know, an example that came to mind, Carrie, when you were talking was a client I was working with recently who reported having, um, a sensation of there being like energy trapped in her torso as if it was like a pinball, like bouncing all over the place. And basically was like, what do I do about this? Or, you know, can you fix that? Can you make it stop doing that? And, you know, in that moment, like I had this moment, this memory of like past me would have been like, okay, oh, no, what am I supposed to do about trapped energy? Okay, let me do this and this and this. And instead it was like, I don't know what she needs in this moment. To shift this sensation of there being a pinball zipping around in her body, but her body knows, right? So let me go into a space where I can help her get grounded and then from that place Let me ask her, you know What what is your body telling you about the pathway for this energy? And she sat with that and she said it's supposed to come out the side of my body I would never have come up with that answer. I can just tell you right now. I would not have ever come up with The energy is supposed to zip out her side body, right? But that was the answer, right? Okay, great. So from there I can hold space for that to happen. She can use her intention and her focus to do what her body just told her was necessary. And I know how to be with her in that process and it was incredibly effective. So I've just, you know, I'm, I'm just appreciating again, this through line of, um, Each of us knows what we need, even if we don't know consciously, we probably don't, but there's something in us that knows, and our job as a Reiki practitioner, in order to facilitate the best possible experience for our clients, which is our question today, includes being absolutely trusting that that is true, that they know what they need, and then knowing how to hold that space, that container, and that's not something that we can like, Tell you a bullet pointed list in this podcast of like, here's how you do that. Right. But I think more, uh, available and perhaps valuable that we can share in this podcast is to be aware that that is your role. Your role is to facilitate the experience. to hold the space, to be present, to ask good questions or to say nothing at all, um, and to trust in your own sense of groundedness, your own sense of spaciousness, your own sense of connection, to be really, really in touch with those things so that you can hold that space for them, because that's really where their system is trying to get to. And, um, you know, I think, I think as we've each said today, it's so much about how we are as individuals, more so than what we do. And even so, what we do as far as opening up that session really matters. And I think we've touched on a lot of really important pieces of what that can look like. Yeah. Anything else come up? Yeah, just a few little things. I just thought, um, you know, the thing is that we all want to help. That's why we're doing it. Right. So, you know, how we do that is obviously going to be different for everybody as well. Like, One thing that we didn't mention was listening. And I think, you know, really, um, I find, well, before, before a treatment, you know, I'm, I will ask why a client is here. And I think we've sort of touched on that a bit, but, you know, ask why they're here and it's not because I'm going to do anything about that. but they're heard for whatever it is, this, whatever it is that's going on for them, they're heard. And that's a really beautiful thing to be heard. And then also after a treatment to, um, to give time and space for, that someone might want to talk. We're not counsellors. And I've always suggested, you know, having basic counselling, unless we are counsellors, but, you know, have basic counselling skills. And, you know, um, Michaela, you know, you talked about how you would talk to someone and, and Carrie talking to people, you know, you'd spoken about that as well. And I think, um, you know, I, from, it's going to be different. We're all going to be different how we do that because we're all going to have different skills and abilities. Um, I, I mean, I love to listen to people after treatment. Often people will really open up about themselves and feel good about that. And, uh, you know, really release something that they've been wanting to release. Sometimes they don't, sometimes they, they, they feel it, but they don't have to talk about it. And they shouldn't be pushed to do that either. You know, one thing I have always said is that, um, you know, um, that you can't make a mistake. Well, you can make a mistake, but the energy can't make a mistake, right? And we can make mistakes. And so we need to be very aware of our humanness and our, you know, the things we've talked about today, sometimes our need to over involve ourselves or whatever it is for our own self interest. security, worries, fears that we might have inside of us. And so we're also always learning when we do this, because we're learning about ourselves. And I think Carrie, you talked about, you know, getting out of out of the way, you know, um, learning to do that is incredibly difficult. And, uh, it's so powerful if we can learn that because we can bring it into so many aspects of our life outside of just a Reiki treatment. Uh, there was something else about that. Oh, I know. I was just thinking that for a client as well. I had a client the other day who said, um, you know, Oh, I'm, I'm really, they hadn't had a treatment. a Reiki treatment before, but they laid down on the table and they said, I have to tell you, I'm really bad at this sort of thing. See, and this is where we get in our way. So it's not just the practitioner. It can also be the client, you know, having some ideas about they can't be healed or that they don't know how to heal or whatever it is. Right. So helping people, understand that, um, but you know, clients that they, they can't make a mistake either, you know, energetically that they, that they, that they know. And, uh, I think, you know, we have so many wonderful ways within what we've just spoken about today to help people and to help ourselves. It's really very powerful without actually getting in the way. Yeah, absolutely. Anything, final words for you, Kerry? Yeah, I mean, I, I think, you know, the, the one, uh, kind of as a tag onto that is, you know, there is some discourse within the Reiki community. It's like, you know, Reiki can do no harm and, you know, your mental emotional state isn't that important as a Reiki practitioner. I, I, I've come to learn that it's, it is really important. So, you know, if you come into a session, mentally agitated, frustrated, angry. Whatever. Emotionally volatile. You know, it's your, our capacity to hold space sometimes, you know, we have to at least widen it enough to hold space for ourselves in those moments. And, um, but I think that that's part of getting out of your own way is, is setting aside your own stuff and just being there without having any expectations for yourself out of the session. Um, and then also, you know, It's not, I mean, I think I'm always concerned about, Oh, I want this client to have a positive experience. I want them to read book and all of that, but it's like, you got to get out of that mindset too, because really, we only have that time with them. And even if they are regular returning client, that's wonderful. Um, but we still have to show up and give them the best session that we can give in that moment. And that's what's. We'll bring them back, you know, as a returning, uh, customer to us. And, um, and, uh, for those who receive Reiki, just again, remember just to let go of, of, of, of self consciousness of just feeling self conscious about the whole experience, if you can really surrender that and just relax into being held energetically, I think you'll have an incredible Reiki session. I really appreciate those points, Carrie, and I mean, and that's, that's one of the reasons that we always emphasize the, the importance of making the distinction between Reiki as a phenomenon in the world and the system of Reiki, a series of practices enacted by people with other people. And the idea that. One, the phenomenon, Reiki, energy, can do no harm and, you know, can, can do, you know, can be, you know, all the things we need it to be. But people enacting things with other people, like my kids down the hall enacting some. shenanigans that y'all can probably hear right now. Um, we can cause harm, right? We can make mistakes, as you said, Bronwen. Um, and if we, you know, if we kind of lean on, well, Reiki can cause harm, therefore I can cause no harm. You know, first of all, that's, it's lazy and it's unsafe, right? It's, it's unsafe. Um, and so it's, you know, it is important that we pay attention, you know, to our mindsets and, and, you know, the idea of what is actually happening, you know, if, if we believe that all that we need to. You know, share Reiki as an attunement and some hand positions, then yeah, sure. It doesn't matter where my mindset is going. It doesn't matter if I'm distracted or anxious or, you know, whatever. I think most Reiki practitioners would say that certainly we don't want to be doing a Reiki session if we're agitated or upset or whatever. But, you know, I have definitely heard folks say, you know, if we're spacing out, if we're not paying attention, that doesn't matter because we've used our symbols and we've, you know, Set our mantras and we've turned on Reiki. And so Reiki is just going to flow. We don't have to be involved. And I, and I really want to just encourage all of us to really think about empowerment in the act of Reiki, both, you know, the empowerment of everybody involved and that with empowerment comes self responsibility and the responsibility to be in our practice and to remain engaged. You know, in our own state of groundedness and openness and connection and focus, um, when we are in that, that space with our clients so that we don't cause harm and we can listen and we can create that space for them. Um, So super important themes that I know circle through this podcast all the time. And it's because they just really are that important. So friends, we really appreciate y'all listening to this conversation. We would love to hear from you. Um, what do you need in a Reiki session in order to have your best experience? to feel safe, to feel open. Um, for those of you who are practitioners, what do you do? What, what is your practices for ensuring the best possible experience for your clients? And if any of you do want to learn more about how you can make your practice a trauma informed practice. I do have a self pace course for practitioners that, um, walks through that topic in great detail. We'll put a link to that in the show. Description. So until next time, thank you so much for being with you, with you, thank you for being with you, and thank you for being with us as we are with us. There's a little, uh, there's a little, uh, weirdness for you at the end. Thanks so much for being with us. Until next time. We love you. Goodbye.