Good question. Is that you asking or me? Because it could be either. There are times when I find myself doubting it, and I know plenty of other practitioners who feel the same from time to time too.
The trouble is that we are very subject to our conditioning, and we've been so used to looking at things from a very rational perspective. For most of my life, up until recently, that was me too. The people who ask me this question are no doubt using their reason to try to understand it, and there are countless scientists, who through their very rational experiences and approaches really struggle with this sort of thing. Many people who ask me about it want to see some proof, or empirical evidence; they feel that if scientists can tell them it's ok, then it's ok.
But I have recently come across a number of scientists who are able to use their vision and imagination, and have learnt to see and explain things differently. That's really all it takes; a change of perspective. But of course, having been taught to see things rationally all our lives, sometimes that takes a little while. Sometimes we need that quantum leap of insight and experience to show us, and unlock that amazing part of us that lives in a different world.
But back to the question........ If it's me that's doing the asking, then for every time I doubt, there are at least 10 times more that I absolutely know that it does work. Now, this knowing isn't something that goes on in my head. That's actually where the doubt lives. It's the mind that is rational, and too much thinking is destructive. The knowing is something that I feel in every part of me - it lives in a different place and inhabits every fibre of my being. If you take the time to stop and reflect for a while, I'm sure that you'll be able to find beliefs that are very personal to you; things you know you know, but might struggle to rationalise, explain, or put into words.
I also know through the evidence of my experiences with Reiki. I have spent time with many animals who have very obviously been healed in some way. (But possibly in a way I might struggle to explain satisfactorily to a scientist!!) When I think of the animals at Animals in Distress I have helped, and the often very quick results seen - whether physical or emotional (and frequently both, as they're very strongly linked). The cats I go to look after who have turned from very scared, frightened cats into cats who have grown in confidence. Helping to take away pain and discomfort from dogs with arthritis - and seeing the change in their whole being. And also opening up my intuition once again so that I can communicate intuitively with animals - which is also key to helping them to heal.
And even my own knees!! Yes, one of the great benefits of Reiki is being able to treat yourself. And you don't argue with your own evidence!
If it's you asking the question......... Well, if you're asking it may be that it's not for you. Having an open enquiring mind is great, but looking for hard evidence means that you may be disappointed. Reiki is never forced on anyone. All good Reiki practitioners will happily provide information as to what Reiki is and how it works, and if that resonates with you, you'll probably be asking for a treatment. Because you've asked, you're open to the healing energy and will let it flow into you, to wherever it needs to go, and to do whatever it needs to do. If you're doubtful you'll be blocking any energy that might be able to help you.
So how does an animal ask me for Reiki? Same thing really, it's never forced on them. The great thing about animals is that they don't spend all their time thinking like we do. They feel more, they're very in tune with what's going on around them, and they live in the moment. This means no wondering what Reiki is, whether it might work or not....... They sense the energy, and intuitively know that it may be able to help them. They may even have found a subtle way to direct you to a Reiki practitioner.
When I start to treat an animal I always ask, and I always explain. I never force myself on them, and generally start by holding my hands out close to them so that they can sense it. For some it's a little intense, and don't want to come too close, but others come and rub themselves in my hands straightaway. It's an amazing thing to be in a room of animals, just hold my hands out and watch what happens. Everything goes quiet, and I can feel the energy stilling. The animals just sit there with their eyes closed, looking like they're drinking it in. They might settle into a comfortable position, and I'll often see yawning – a good sign.
It's taken me time to learn how best to treat animals. Having learnt my Reiki with Chris Parkes, I then went on to study intuitive animal communication with James French, who is also an animal Reiki practitioner. I've talked about my journey to this point in previous posts, and have been especially grateful to James for sharing his Trust Technique with me. I have read lots of books about animal communication, animal healing and animal Reiki – all written by expert practitioners with many years' experience. Each time my learning has deepened, as I reflect on an approach or practice that's new to me. Through the wonders of the internet, I have become good friends with some people who work with animals at an energetic level as I do. But the best teachers of all have been the animals themselves. I suffered a few bites and scratches before I learnt that it's sometimes too intense for some animals – so I don't treat directly, I let the Reiki flow and they come to me if they want to physically place themselves in my hands. They soon get to know the feeling, although there are many animals who still prefer to receive the energy at a distance.
I'll finish this post with a very recent experience. Rod and Stewart are about 6 months old and recently became residents at Animals in Distress. As they were brothers they were placed in the same pen, but it became clear there were difficulties. Stewart was painfully shy and always hid himself away. One day he attacked his brother so badly that stitches were needed, so it was obvious the problems were more than just shyness. Rod was patched up by the vet, and on his return was given his own pen. I visited both cats the same day and it was apparent that both cats had been extremely traumatised by the experience, and whatever had caused it.
Rod was very shocked, and also sad. He really couldn't understand what had happened, nor why. He missed his brother. Stewart continued to hide under the cushion of his bed. I visited frequently to administer Reiki to both boys. Rod recovered more quickly – both physically and emotionally, and seemed to understand that he needed to be on his own. He was very friendly and affectionate, and his energy was good. Stewart though was still hiding – until this week! On Monday I visited again, and went to see Stewart, still under his cushion. I lifted it gently, and gave him a couple of treats. I then sat down on a little stool, a little way from him and started to send him Reiki. I could see the cushion move as he ate his treats. After a while his little ears and eyes popped up, but when he saw me, disappeared again. I must have been sitting very quietly!
After about 20 minutes I left his pen, and thanked him (as I always do for all the cats) for letting me into his home. I was a couple of pens away, and as I looked to my left I could see little Stewart at the front of his pen. So when I had finished with all the cats I went and sat just outside his pen door, and watched him through the mesh. I popped a couple of treats through, and he got brave, picked them up, and ran back with them. But he was starting to get more comfortable with me there, and I could see his confidence was growing. The energy coming from him felt especially happy and buoyant. By then he was rubbing himself on the mesh itself, and allowed me to scratch him through it. I thought I'd open the door and prop it with my foot to see what happened. Bit by bit he moved toward the open door, then through it. Suddenly he was under my leg, rubbing his back on me! I held my hands out and he thrust his face into one of them and absolutely loved having his ears scratched. Next thing he was on my lap, on his back, in ecstasy! What a change, and how wonderful. He's still a little anxious with people, and they have to approach him gently. But now he's loving human contact, and winning everyone over. I'd worried before that it might be difficult to ever find him a home, but not now!
I love my happy endings, and it's great for me to know that Reiki has helped another living being to enjoy their life. I'm sure I'd still have a scientist or two saying that this isn't proof, but do you know what? I know it works, and so does Stewart (and Rod, and all the others). And that's good enough for us.
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