Reiki has been used for various purposes like developing character traits, increasing confidence, warding off negative energies, etc. However, modern psychology tells us that most fears and insecurities stem from childhood. So it’s natural to wonder if Reiki can heal childhood trauma so that you can live a fearless life.
Reiki can heal childhood trauma by helping you release the emotions associated with it. When combined with hypnosis techniques, Reiki allows you to access theta levels of consciousness and reprogram the subconscious mind. It helps you bring those childhood issues into consciousness and let them go.
Read on to learn about how our past traumas affect our lives and how Reiki can help us overcome them. You’ll also learn about other Reiki benefits and how to prepare for your first Reiki session.
The Inner Child
We have occasionally heard that we should stop acting like a child. It turns out that it’s natural for us to respond childishly to certain situations. Psychology tells us that all of us have a child within ourselves. It’s the compound of all our good and bad experiences before puberty.
The problem is that almost all of us have experienced some trauma, neglect, or pain. This is true regardless of how happy and cheerful we may imagine our childhood. We’re not just talking about major traumas like a family breakup, sexual abuse, and other tragic events. This also applies to the seemingly small negative events in our childhood.
For example, a boy may have wanted to participate in an art competition. However, his parents refused to take him because they believed he should focus on his studies instead. The boy never got to express his disappointment, and he still holds on to that moment when the person he trusted the most to support him failed him.
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Unknowingly, this is the reason he can’t seem to trust anyone, not even himself. At times, it may cause a strain on his relationship with his parents as an adult. This wounded inner child dictates his emotions in many situations and forces him to act a certain way.
In childhood, wounds are formed when we experience emotional injuries, no matter how minor. These wounds need to be healed to live a satisfying life. When we don’t address these issues, we carry them around as we grow up. As a result, they cause harmful behaviors like self-harm, passive-aggressive behavior, and self-defeat.
Low self-esteem, commitment and intimacy issues, and fear of trusting others and oneself are common signs of unresolved childhood issues. These problems can be eradicated by bringing childhood traumas into the light of consciousness and releasing them.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki is an alternative therapy that originated in Japan in the late 1800s or early 1900s. The word “Reiki” consists of two other words: Rei (“higher power”) and Ki (“life energy”).
It is commonly known as energy healing because it involves the transfer of universal energy from the practitioner’s palms to the patient. Energy healing has been around for centuries, but it has gained popularity in the United States over the last few decades.
Reiki is sometimes looked down upon because there’s not much scientific evidence that supports it. However, those who receive Reiki claim that it works. Reiki is said to have various physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Here are some of them:
- It relieves anxiety, pain, and fatigue.
- It helps you deal with depression.
- It improves mood and increases positive emotions.
- It helps you relax and can treat headaches, insomnia, and nausea.
One of the best things about Reiki is that it has no adverse effects; it is entirely safe. People can also learn to do Reiki themselves.
It’s not taught in the usual way; instead, the healing energy is transferred from the teacher to the student through attunement. You can read more about Reiki attunement here: What Is Reiki Attunement?
How Does Reiki Help Childhood Trauma?
Reiki works on the assumption that a life force pervades the world. A Reiki practitioner is a channel through which this universal healing energy is transferred into your mind and body. It helps you relax and let go of fear and anxiety.
Once you’re in the theta state, your healer may guide you to bring into consciousness the negative emotions associated with childhood trauma. You can then let them go and feel lighter.
Reiki also releases low-vibration energy blocks and encourages positive energy to flow in its place, promoting healing. Emotions that go trapped as cellular memory are gently released.
By enhancing your being in this way, Reiki promotes inner peace, calm, and stability. Since the universal energy knows what’s best for you, it may also heal your body and mind in other ways to help you recover from childhood trauma.
And now, the big question: How many sessions will it take to start seeing progress? And here’s the boring answer: it depends.
You may not have an instant reaction, but you may gradually begin to notice the differences in your daily life. Or you may burst into tears in the middle of your session. Your healer is the best person to look for guidance in this matter.
Lastly, remember that Reiki is not a replacement for medical treatment or psychotherapy. Visiting a friendly psychiatrist can help tremendously with your healing. It would be best to ask your therapist before receiving Reiki so that you can better track its effectiveness.
What to Expect From a Reiki Session
A typical Reiki session may last anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes. When you first meet your healer, they will probably give you a short introduction to Reiki practice and how it can benefit you. You should discuss your intention (that you want to heal childhood trauma), your symptoms (how it is bothering you), and your expectations.
The session starts with the patient lying down comfortably. Music can be played, or the treatment can be silent, depending on your preference. You’re fully clothed during the session, and the practitioner may cover you with a blanket.
The practitioner will then start moving their hands around your body. Or they may take a hands-free approach and keep their hands above your body. They may place their hands on different parts of your body, like arms, legs, torso, stomach, head, and face.
Everyone experiences Reiki differently. Some people report having sensations like tingling or heat, while others see visualizations like colors or images. You may have memories of your trauma pop up on your own.
If that happens, acknowledge them and gently let go of them. The key is to allow all experiences to pass without clinging to them. Your experiences may change as you receive Reiki regularly or as the session continues.
Final Thoughts
Everybody has been through some traumatic experience, whether major or minor. Psychiatric therapy is the primary way to heal these issues. However, alternative therapies like Reiki can also facilitate the process.
Reiki is a Japanese technique used for relaxation and healing. It can help you get into a deeper state of mind and bring those issues to the surface. Once they come up in your consciousness, you can let them go and allow the universal energy to heal you.
Since you have nothing to lose except an hour of your time and a little bit of money, I’d suggest giving reiki a try.