When I received my first Reiki treatment over a decade ago, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was in a state of anxiety fueled by a stressful job along with chronic belly pain, for which the doctors had yet to determine a root cause. I was open to the experience of energy healing. Still, I must admit, my expectations were pretty low.

The Reiki healer who gave me my first Reiki healing session (and eventually became my first Reiki teacher) explained the basics of how Reiki healing worked. She described herself as a channel for the Universal Healing Energy that is Reiki. She pointed out that Reiki healing is safe, non-invasive, and gentle. She encouraged me to lie on the massage table and accept the healing energy into my being. As I relaxed under her confident and gentle touch, I felt myself take my first deep breath in a long time. The hour-long treatment seemed to fly by in just a few minutes, and I felt refreshed and renewed by the close of the session.

After that first treatment, I felt more relaxed than I had in years. I experienced a release of tension in my stomach muscles. From this relaxed state, I began to experience a series of events that improved my life. I attribute these changes to my Reiki healing sessions, which led me to become a Reiki Master-Teacher.

Over the past decade, while focused on developing my Reiki skills, I have personally observed the fantastic results of Reiki healing. Commonly experienced tangible benefits of Reiki include stress reduction; relaxation; pain relief; the alleviation of anxiety and depression; help with preventative care; improvement in overall well-being; and the strengthening of the mind, body, and spirit connection. During a Reiki healing session, as the Universal Healing Energy infuses into your being, energetic blockages that may have resulted from trauma and illness are dissolved, and your personal vibration is raised, which may become a catalyst for personal growth. This energetic shift may result in changes to lifestyle as unhealthy habits and negative thought patterns transmute into more positive ones. Additionally, I noticed that my Reiki clients experienced additional changes not often mentioned as benefits of Reiki healing. Below, I explore these potential beneficial "side effects" of opening yourself to the Universal Healing Energy of Reiki.

1. Access to New Perspectives. Reiki healing promotes relaxation and energetic balance, which sets the stage for seeing life differently. You may realize that different choices and paths are available to you, leading toward healthier, happier outcomes. Cycles of negative self-talk and limiting beliefs may be broken, enabling you to be receptive to new experiences and ideas, enriching your life in numerous ways. A shift in perspective provides unique opportunities for healing and personal growth as biases and judgments are eliminated. These changes may lead to a deeper understanding of challenging situations, new insights, expanded compassion for others, stronger personal relationships, and increased happiness.
   
   
2. Enhanced Curiosity. Increased curiosity may also be an unexpected side effect of Reiki healing. Children are naturally curious, always asking questions to understand the "why" of things. As adults, we often lose our natural curiosity as we become focused on day-to-day concerns and responsibilities. By discovering (or rediscovering) our curious nature, we open ourselves up to new experiences, learning opportunities, greater advancement potential at work, expansion of our worldview, increased empathy for others, and enhanced problem-solving skills.
   
   
3. Enhanced Imagination. As Reiki healing relaxes the body and mind, your imagination may become more active. Engaging with your imagination through visualizations or daydreams isn’t a waste of time. Instead, embrace the powerful ability of the mind to assist with your personal development by creating mental pictures that envision your long-term dreams. By picturing yourself in a perfect state of health and happiness, you are more able to realize these goals.
   
   
4. Strengthened Intuition. Your intuition is your "gut response." Although we are all born intuitive, we can become disconnected from our intuition when we ignore our intuitive "hits." Fortunately, actively listening to these subtle signals can restore our connection to our intuition. Individuals connected to their intuition may receive guidance and insights regarding their path toward greater health and happiness.
   
   
5. Developing Psychic Senses. Our psychic senses mimic our physical senses, but conventional standards cannot explain the origin of the information. As energetic blockages are removed, and intuition is strengthened by Reiki healing, you may begin to access information through your psychic senses. The types of psychic senses that may start to develop are listed below:
   • Clairvoyance is the ability to "see" through a "second sight," which may be perceived as inner visions received by your mind's eye. Alternatively, it may be external and observed through your physical eyes.
   • Clairaudience is the ability to "hear" with your physical ears as inaudible sounds from outside yourself. Additionally, you may experience clairaudience as "inner hearing."
   • Claircognizance is the ability to "know" by experiencing a download of information directly into your brain without any standard method of receiving the information.
   • Clairempathy is the ability to experience the feelings of another as if those emotions are your own.
   • Clairsentience is the ability to feel the energetic vibration of another person, object, or place.
   • Clairalience is the ability to sense the smell of something not present in your physical environment.
   • Clairgustance is the ability to sense the taste of something not in your mouth.
   • Clairtangency is the ability to receive previously unknown information by touching a person or object.
     
     
6. Enhanced Creativity. Because Reiki healing assists with removing energetic blockages, creativity may be enhanced as an ancillary benefit to receiving Reiki. Creativity may help with innovative problem-solving, broadening perspectives, and promoting self-expression.
   
   
7. Boosted Energy Levels. The Universal Healing Energy of Reiki assists with revitalization and rejuvenation, replenishing energy levels. The benefits of increasing your personal energy are limitless but may include increased productivity, improved relationships, and better quality of sleep.
   
   
8. Increased Presence. When we are present, we live in the "now." We aren’t dwelling on past events or stressing about an uncertain future. Since two of the benefits of Reiki healing are the reduction of anxiety, often associated with worrying about future events, and depression, often associated with dwelling on the past, a side-effect of Reiki is being completely conscious of the present moment. The benefits of being present are innumerable, but a few examples are increased ability to focus and concentrate, enhanced listening skills, improved relationships, and increased enjoyment in life.
   
   
9. Increased Personal Empowerment. Reiki assists with obtaining an overall energetic balance. This energetic balance can be maintained by establishing personal boundaries. Reiki can empower us to protect these boundaries by confidently saying "no" to activities and relationships that drain our energy and don't align with our goals of greater health and happiness. Reiki can also empower us to enthusiastically say "yes" to activities and relationships that bring us happiness, joy, and positive energy.

Are you interested in experiencing the amazing and powerful healing of Reiki for yourself? Schedule an appointment with a local Reiki practitioner today. Are you curious about taking the next step by becoming a Reiki practitioner? Contact a Reiki Master-Teacher about attending a Reiki Level One training class. Already a Reiki practitioner, deepen your understanding of Reiki by purchasing my new book, Everyday Reiki.