A “healing reaction,” sometimes referred to as a “cleansing reaction” is something that may occur in those experiencing a Reiki session or even an attunement for the first time. This can present itself in a variety of ways, the most common being an emotional release of tears, or sometimes increased thirst or fatigue.
Though this is unique to the individual, it appears to relate to pent-up emotion of the negative kind. If one has experienced a turbulent period in ones life, or even something traumatic, that person may be carrying around the conscious and/or subconscious burden of the stress of these life challenges. Everyone has “emotional baggage” that comes from their accumulated life experiences. Some people are able to acknowledge, process and release it more easily than others. Some repress these difficult emotions.
If you have bottled up these types of emotions, buried them deep within, then they may need to flow to the surface in order to be released for a full healing to take place.
We must remember that Reiki heals on all levels — physical, mental/emotional and even spiritual. Even if one is sure they are seeking a healing just of the physical kind, the wisdom of the Reiki energy might begin to work on emotional healing first, as that could be the root of the physical manifestation.
The first time I experienced a Reiki treatment was after a dramatically difficult period of my life. There is no doubt that I was a wellspring of negative emotions that had accumulated over many years. When my Practitioner told me I might experience tears, I just shrugged and figured that I was too stoic to cry in front of this woman I had just met for the first time.
However, as the session progressed — the tears DID flow — freely and powerfully. I was quite surprised at that, but looking back, it was exactly the release that I needed. In addition, after that very first session, I was extraordinarily tired, a feeling of utter exhaustion that remained with me for about three weeks. (It is interesting to note that most teachers now advise new students to make time for a self-healing process for at least 21 days after their Level I attunement. This is based on Mikao Usui’s 21-day fast and meditation on Mount Kurama, where he first became enlightened with Reiki.)
My own personal exhaustion caused concern for me, as I was working full-time then and by lunchtime I could barely keep my eyes open. I was relieved when I finally regained my energy and felt much better, brighter and “cleansed.” However, I did not want another Reiki session for quite awhile, as I was a bit fearful that I would be so tired again. At that time, I had no clue that it was merely a one-time expression of overflowing negativity rising to the surface to release — something that was actually a healing reaction.
If you are a Practitioner, it is important to let Reiki recipients know that they may possibly experience some manifestation of the healing. This can show up not only in the ways described above, but also the opposite of those reactions. Sometimes after a session, an individual can be extremely energized or may feel a remarkable and powerful surge of uplifting energy.
As for my own dramatic healing reaction, fortunately I have not had any of my students or clients report back to me that they had anything so lengthy.
At my last Healing Circle, one of the new participants had a very profound healing reaction during her session. I think it first caused her some embarrassment, as the tears and sobs were welling up in a setting where there were many people in attendance. We all assured her that this reaction was natural and healthy, and encouraged her to go with it, and allow the tears and the emotions to flow and to release. We all knew and trusted that the wisdom of the Universal Life Force energy was bringing her exactly the healing that she needed at that moment in time.
