Paul’s Expereince

The session started off with some breathing exercises to clear the mind. A relaxing light music was playing while I sat back and cleared my mind. Joe started off with grounding me so that I felt protected. He wanted me to imagine that my feet were roots attached to the ground. The more my mind wanted to tug me away, the more the roots would hold. I could feel my imagination growing these roots from the bottoms of my feet deep into the earth below me. I felt like I was solidly planted with the earth and nothing was going to move me.

He then encouraged me to imagine a basket in front of me that I could fill with anything that was bothering me. I have been through some trauma in my life, so those baskets filled quickly. Feelings, people, instances, places, and the past trauma all filled them. I needed to imagine another basket, as I was filling my first one up fast. Joe gave me time to get them filled as much as possible.

The next step was to imagine a fiery furnace with a tunnel that fell to the center of the earth. Molten lava and heat would incinerate anything that touched it. He encouraged me to throw those baskets into the chute. I could feel claws trying to pull me down the chute and I could see the blaze far below. Because Joe had me fully planted with my feet into the earth, I was held in place. There was no fear of me falling into the fire and abyss below. I watched as the baskets, plummeted to the molten surface below. I could see the embers burning. I closed the chute, mentally, before anything could escape. I was still planted firmly with my roots and I was safe.

We then did some deep breathing which helped me to feel calm and settled before getting on the table. He explained where he would be doing hand placements to ensure I was fully comfortable. Establishing that trust ahead of time made me feel comfortable, as I was not surprised when I felt a hand on my foot. He was very caring to ensure I felt as relaxed as possible.

I gently closed my eyes and readied myself for the session. Joe was not touching me, but I could feel the heat of his hands moving the air around my body. I didn’t know what to expect. I found myself falling deeper and deeper into a relaxed state. The first thing I experienced was a tall tree appearing in front of me. It was not a regular tree. It was filled with labels (almost magnets) on each was a word. Insecurity. Depression. Anxiety. Deception. Anger. Fear. The labels were slowly falling off the tree and I could see them disappearing before my eyes. It’s like they were falling off like leaves in Fall until the tree was nearly empty.

I could feel energy moving as he gently placed his hands. I felt like I had liquid flowing through my body. With each hand placement, the more the liquid started to drain. All of those labels I have been living with for years were being slowly liquified and had melted away. They were now flowing from the top of my head down to my heels. Joe slowly pushed the negativity out of my body. I was to the point where I almost became impatient wanting it all to be gone right away, but I allowed myself to trust the process. It was amazing to feel his control of the energy through each process until he reached my feet. Being that he totally grounded me with roots into the earth, I still felt very grounded as the negative energy expelled out of my feet. I knew I was safe, as those roots were strong.

Joe asked me if there was any other part I felt I needed more work. I explained that my head, neck and shoulders is where I harbor all my tension.

As Joe placed his hands under my head and cradled me in place, I saw a near black room in my mind. As I walked forward in the room I could see a person in fetal position, rocking, face down and hidden. It took me a minute to realize I was watching myself. I was a child again, rocking, and protecting myself by making myself as small as possible. As I tried to talk to this image, I was astounded to see a bright light open in the distance. I could see three bright glowing figures approach. The closer they got to the rocking vision, I felt a feeling of warmth come over my whole body. My grandmother that I lost years ago, and two of my best friends from Indiana who passed away were there. They didn’t say anything, yet I could hear what they were saying to me. I was encouraged to leave this child with them and he will be protected. I watched as they all touched him and prompted me to go. They told me things were going to be ok. I started to cry. I am sure Joe saw my reaction, but he allowed me to just release that energy by continuing the Reiki healing. I felt like I was leaving myself behind and it scared me. I didn’t want to let go of that kid rocking on the floor. He is the only Paul I have ever known. After some reassurance from the three, I walked away a newer, stronger Paul. It was almost as if a rebirth had happened.

Joe brought me up slowly and allowed me to let it all sink in. I felt like I went on a journey of self-discovery. I left that old Paul behind to be cared for by three people I loved dearly when they were alive. I realize that I have three guardian angels looking after me. It took me some time to stop crying. Joe was there to listen and ensure that I was alright before the session ended.

People can be skeptical of Reiki and its healing energy, but this was beyond anything I could have imagined it would be. I encourage anyone feeling angst, anxiety, depression, deep sorrow, or anger to get Reiki. Today I feel so much lighter. My feelings of anxiety are gone. I feel refreshed and ready to start my new journey without fear.