Pete has always been on the lookout for methods of self-care that help with life’s little triggers. While at the University of California, Santa Barbara, he found himself away from home for the first time. Anxiety and depression found their way into his world. He went the usual route with a psychologist, behavioral therapy, and medicine. After graduating and returning to the Bay Area, he found that while the major symptoms had been quelled, he still felt ‘off’ and anxious. Something was missing. He continued with many modalities (and still has them as part of his self-care “toolkit”) like exercise, acupuncture, chiropractic, deep tissue massage, and meditation. Friends suggested many different directions to get to the root cause such as tarot cards, palm readings, auras, and energy work. He said, “Man, that stuff is super woo-woo. I work for a major healthcare network with doctors and nurses. That’s how we heal people.”
As he went down the self-help rabbit hole, he found information that pointed to Reiki. Reviews talked about how anxious and stressed people were finding calm and relief. Something in him clicked and said, “That’s what I want!” A local search pointed him to Britt. After several Reiki sessions with her, and receiving his training in Reiki level 1 and 2 with her, he learned that Reiki in and of itself doesn’t have to be like that. Reiki is first and foremost a stress relief and relaxation technique. Yes, a Reiki Practitioner channels the universal life force energy, but this isn’t a lot different than prayer or meditation. It isn’t something that the practitioner must be “chosen” to do or be “special”. It is something anyone can learn how to do for themselves and their families. Nothing woo-woo about that.
When people tell Pete they are skeptical about Reiki, he suggests they give it a try. After all, there is nothing to lose. At the very most, they will have the opportunity to have a lovely rest. Pete also tells them that many people say that an hour of Reiki has the same relaxation effects as a good night’s sleep. And who doesn’t like that feeling? When it comes to the energy aspect, Pete reminds them that energy IS all through the body. How do the heartbeat (EKG) and brain waves (EEG) get measured? It’s using energy within that area of the body!
Last, Pete lets those interested but are on the fence know that many more hospitals around the world are welcoming Reiki, especially nurses providing Hospice care. Chujiro Hayashi, one of the early teachers of Reiki, was a Japanese Naval medical doctor. Pete would never presume to judge other practitioners for how they choose to practice but wants to reassure anyone interested that Reiki isn’t all that “woo-woo” and not to be afraid! There is room for ALL belief systems.
