Welcome back to Returning Home: The Podcast! I have taken a little hiatus while I had some big life events happening: getting married, bringing home a new puppy, and opening an in-person office/healing space! There has been a lot to celebrate in the 3D world. It feels good to be back on the show with you.
In this latest episode of Returning Home: The Podcast, I invite you to learn more about Reiki, which is my spiritual home. I explain a bit about the history of Reiki and how it got to the West from Japan, what the power of Reiki offers to you, and my own personal path for getting to Reiki (spoiler alert- I once thought all religion/spirituality was really corny!).
The reasons you should listen to this episode are:
You want to understand more about what Reiki is.
You are on a spiritual journey and you don't feel like you have a spiritual home as of yet.
Hear about my path to this approach to spirituality.
Resources:
Listen to previous episodes of Returning Home: The Podcast
Episode 15: Be The Change: Positivity As a Practice
Sign up for my upcoming Reiki Mini Retreat (happening Saturday, August 19 2023 from 10am-12pm) here
Connect with me on IG: @elisekindya
Visit my website to learn more about my offerings: www.elisekindya.com
Episode Highlights:
[02:27] The History of Reiki
The Original Reiki Ideals by Mikao Usui
The approach of Reiki is kindness and appreciation of life
Reiki means "universal life force energy"
Reiki was founded and discovered in Japan
1914- Matiji Kawakami used Reiki in his therapy practice
1922- Mikao Usui received Reiki while meditating on Karuma Yama
1930s- Usui asked Hayashi Sensei to take over for him
1930s-1940s- Master Takata brought Reiki to the West through Hawaii
Levels of Reiki: 1, 2, 3 and Master level
William Lee Rand wrote many training manuals on Reiki that are used today
[06:35] Zooming out and seeing spirituality in general
How spirituality runs through everything
Universal force of love that transcends time, space and human made understanding of time and space
Reiki runs through everything and can't be tied down or stopped
It helps to perceive this force to strengthen it, but it is working whether we focus on it or not
Much like the universal laws of the universe and gravity- it works whether we recognize it or not
Reiki is Source - The Divine, God/Goddess
Reality is created in our minds, so we can decide to recognize it and let it help
It can only help, it cannot hurt anyone
How a Reiki session works- the practitioner tapping into this source/subtle energy realms and being a channel of it to you as the client
[10:30] My Journey To Reiki
The days I am offering Reiki are really good days, it feels good and I know it is working on a heart, spirit and soul level
I was raised Christian
Maybe other trauma survivors can relate- becoming athetist or agnostic to rebel against organized religion
I did not agree with how religion was presented and forced onto me as a child and teenager
I was always drawn to tarot and other mystical practices but didn't practice due to gatekeeping
Slowly but surely, I opened to other approaches to life and spirit there were
[13:01] On the move- discovering Reiki in Richmond
Nature is a huge part of life in Richmond which seemed to open me more to spirit and Reiki
Living in NY and NJ, nature isn't a big part of life or my upbringing and I felt really disconnected from anything important
Having trauma in life cuts us off to positive experiences
Life felt more hopeful about life in Richmond due to an abundance of nature all around and easily accessible
[15:52] How Social Work Opened me to Spirit
The Social Work Framework of biopsychosocialspiritual helped me open up more to the idea of spirituality
In my training as a trauma-informed therapist, it was important to build resilience by doing inner work and have inner resources
Started a mindfulness practice and then being in that community, Reiki was a clear next step
Health and healing always takes place in my mind - as a therapist, mental health is key
Mindfulness and yoga helped me tune into my body
[18:45] If You're Seeking, Reiki Might Help
Reiki felt like a natural place to expand into my spirituality
It wasn't on my radar at first
In 2016 or 2017, going to Yogaville was eye opening- they describe each religion as a path to get to the same place: God
As a rebel, I liked that I didn't have to choose to practice a specific religion
There is no "church of Reiki"
You get to experience spirit in your own unique way
Reiki deals with subtle energy that is outside of conscious awareness
Spiritual but not religious #sbnr
[23:01] Reiki in my Life Now
Reiki is a communal experience
Reiki events, shares, and mini-retreats
Combining the other training I have as an LCSW with this spiritual aspect is something different I offer my clients
A Reiki session with me is a little different than with other practitioners
Reiki is an empowering approach to spirituality- your power comes from within you and not from an outside source
[26:01] Reiki as Empowerment
As someone who had choice taken away, Reiki is a refuge
I am a rebel and want to forge my own path
Reiki is amazing to me because it helped me find a way to be spiritual in my own way and not fit in a mold to do it
[28:52] Sobriety Strengthened My Connection to Reiki
Being a clear channel in this way is important to me
We keep going deeper into our healing
Spoiler alert- there is no end to peeling our healing onion
Being a human is a lot of work!
Reiki offers me a way to be a human and feel happy, empowered and in more control of my life
It gave me the gift of being more in touch with this side of myself
There is always more to learn, love, heal and grow into
[30:47] Reiki Mini-retreat!
In person in Richmond on Saturday August 19, 10am-12pm
If you want to experience Reiki with me in person, email me for a discount code!
Group Reiki as well as 1-1 hands on experience, journaling, and more!
Visit www.elisekindya.com to book in person 1-1 sessions with me
