My Reiki Journey

My Reiki journey began in the year 2000 at the turn of the millennium when we lived with the expectations of new beginnings and with the hopes and dreams that a new century might bring. Little did I know that my life would slowly begin to alter its direction, to gently morph into something that would grip me so profoundly that it would change me forever.

I was first introduced to Reiki whilst learning to be a massage therapist in Cardiff.  This was the first sign that I had something in me that wanted and needed to heal. I think that I unconsciously realised that I wanted to rise above what I now know was my culturally created self, and to give this same gift to others.  At this point, I had no idea that I would become a healer and teacher and, naively, I meticulously learnt the many massage hand movements and strokes that would eventually awaken the latent energy within me that would lead me to Reiki and away from massage therapy. At the first mention of the word Reiki I was smitten.

My first Reiki experience of healing others was quite disappointing in that not much happened. I sat with the energy thinking that I was going to rise to a higher plane of existence; instead I felt awkward and clumsy as I gave an unsuspecting member of my family a Reiki treatment. I received the usual, “Thank you, that was wonderful!” response about their experience, but I knew that they were just trying to be kind and helpful. Despite my first unsatisfying attempt at healing, I persevered and eventually learnt to just sit with the Reiki energy: letting it guide me rather than me guiding it. I learnt not to expect anything, but to sit in a state of non-resistance and stillness that would eventually become all-consuming and life affirming. I realised quite early on in my Reiki journey that the energy was telling me that our timely coming together was not about me healing others but about me healing myself.  I had to begin with myself, to unblock and release years of frustration, anger, self-doubt, lack of love, hate - the list was endless. All this negative energy was unwittingly stored in my body and subconscious mind and needed to be healed (or some of it at least) before I could begin healing and help free others from their own pain, emotional baggage and limitations.

As I used my Reiki energy more often, and I say ‘my Reiki energy’ because that’s what it has become to me, I began to really feel its power and potency. It became part of my everyday life rather than something I just did several days a week. I started to feel Reiki energy in everything I did. I used it to help me make decisions about important issues in my life: I used it to make me feel more joy and peace; I used it when cooking food and preparing drinks for myself and others; I used it when taking care of my animals and even when going for interviews. It became, and still is, my best friend and confidant. Now, when I teach Reiki, I always start with telling my students to begin with healing themselves, or the adage, “Healer, heal thyself”.  I also share my philosophy about illness, and tell my students that it is important not to focus too much on what is ailing clients but to focus more attention on their potential for wellness, as wellbeing is the state of being that is the ultimate goal of any healing modality. Focus and intention are the key components of any healing session, and it is important to make healing a positive experience rather than to focus on the fear and suffering that disease brings.

As a Reiki practitioner and teacher, using symbols is an important aspect of my work. Symbols are amazing and embody such power and magic. Symbols are miracle workers, the codes that connect us to the Divine aspect of ourselves and everything around us.  I have over thirteen Reiki symbols which I use regularly with my clients, friends, plants and animals. Each one talks to me on such a profound level, and I often feel that, when using these symbols, they speak to me in the language of love. My work with Reiki symbols has led me to create several of my own that I use regularly during meditations and my Priestess work. Symbols have become a big part of what I do as a healer, teacher and spiritual counsellor. They connect me to other dimensions and the multiverse. They connect me to my Authentic Self and my Higher Consciousness. For me they are the language of Love.

One of the most sacred and important relationship today in my life is my relationship with Spirit, my guides and teachers. When I first became aware of Spirit, I felt such Divine Love and peace. I say ‘aware of them’ because I am certain that, despite previously lacking the state of consciousness needed to experience them, they have been with me ‘forever’. I have no doubt whatsoever that their love for me is boundless and infinite. When healing, I feel them so close that their energy envelopes me in a sea of pure light. They have guided me to myself and on my healing journey all of my life. I cannot express the gratitude I have for them in words, and they have never failed to show what I needed to see and feel.

For me, Reiki is a way of life and not just a therapy.  It has taught me that, if you want to change the world and make it a better place, then you must first be prepared to transform yourself into a more divine version of yourself. As Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” It is for this reason that, as a Reiki healer and teacher, I pride myself in providing clients and students with a place where they can grow, find inner peace and journey gracefully to their Authentic Self.

Namaste

Antonietta Luisa Parisi-Howells