I still remember the day when I was drawn to learn Reiki. I was in Kindersley SK, in 2010 during my summer holidays. I was talking with my good friend Insouk about my desire to teach something that would be beneficial to myself and others in a spiritual level.
Somehow, I was thinking of teaching meditation but I was struggling with the thought of, how can I help others to meditate when meditation is such a personal practice? I was already enjoying the benefits of meditation for many years but this was something I always did on my own.
“Why don’t you learn Reiki?” Insouk said. “Reiki?” I asked without a clue.
I have to confess; I was a little bit embarrassed not to know or have even heard about Reiki before. “What is Reiki?” I asked.“It has to do with moving energies or something like that”, Insouk explained, “you may like that” She said. I was already very interested in the Chi or Qi energy which is discussed in Feng Shui and Acupuncture but I was not familiar with the Japanese term Ki. Well, it happens to be the same energy only called slightly different by other modalities.
Insouk and I had a wonderful breakfast and as I was sipping my coffee, I took part of the newspaper and opened it up to read the community news. Something in there took my eyes straight to it. A small classified on top of the page about Reiki Classes. A hot/cold shiver covered me from top to toe. “Oh yes! That’s what I was talking about”. Insouk said. “You should look into it”.
Maybe you have experienced this before or not but the feeling I got was a straight sign that Reiki was something I should look forward.
I came back to Medicine Hat, where I lived and Google searched Reiki Classes in Alberta.
There was a Reiki Master travelling to teach somewhere in Alberta but even though the drive was not too far I did not feel connected with this teacher so I decided to keep on looking. I found a very old ad in Kijiji about Reiki services and classes. I grabbed the phone and dialed the Number. A lady with an East Indian accent answered the phone.
‘Hello?’ “Yes, I am calling to enquire about your Reiki classes” I said excited. For a moment I only heard silence on the other side of the telephone. “Yes, I teach Reiki but I am not offering classes at this moment” She said.
“ Oh no, you have to teach me”, I insisted. “It is only now that I have time off and I really want to learn Reiki” I heard the silence again. I had this strong feeling about this teacher and I wanted to learn with her even though I had not read her website or any other advertising like pamphlets or such; I was simply following my instinct “Let me make couples of phone calls to see if there are any more tentative students interested for a class and I will call you back” She said. “Thank You!!” I answered.
I jumped up and down like I was certain that I was getting in this class.
It felt like it was an exciting new adventure but this adventure was to stay with me always. I took Level I with Anjna Brahmbhatt and my classmate’s name was Bryan. We took 2 levels together and I really enjoyed both my Reiki Master and my classmate’s input as we were learning and discussing Reiki. After my first two classes I continue to higher levels IIIART & IIIB, one on one with Anjna. It was on the first day in level 1 when I knew deep in my heart that I wanted to ‘Be’ a Reiki Master.
I visited my Reiki Master at her new place of residence in Calgary in 2013 and had a great time sharing Reiki stories and eating Anjna’s snacks which by the way, are delicious! Since I enjoy sharing my story with students on how Reiki found me, I was delighted when Anjna agreed to share her story with all my students and friends and here it is!
Somehow, I was thinking of teaching meditation but I was struggling with the thought of, how can I help others to meditate when meditation is such a personal practice? I was already enjoying the benefits of meditation for many years but this was something I always did on my own.
“Why don’t you learn Reiki?” Insouk said. “Reiki?” I asked without a clue.
I have to confess; I was a little bit embarrassed not to know or have even heard about Reiki before. “What is Reiki?” I asked.“It has to do with moving energies or something like that”, Insouk explained, “you may like that” She said. I was already very interested in the Chi or Qi energy which is discussed in Feng Shui and Acupuncture but I was not familiar with the Japanese term Ki. Well, it happens to be the same energy only called slightly different by other modalities.
Insouk and I had a wonderful breakfast and as I was sipping my coffee, I took part of the newspaper and opened it up to read the community news. Something in there took my eyes straight to it. A small classified on top of the page about Reiki Classes. A hot/cold shiver covered me from top to toe. “Oh yes! That’s what I was talking about”. Insouk said. “You should look into it”.
Maybe you have experienced this before or not but the feeling I got was a straight sign that Reiki was something I should look forward.
I came back to Medicine Hat, where I lived and Google searched Reiki Classes in Alberta.
There was a Reiki Master travelling to teach somewhere in Alberta but even though the drive was not too far I did not feel connected with this teacher so I decided to keep on looking. I found a very old ad in Kijiji about Reiki services and classes. I grabbed the phone and dialed the Number. A lady with an East Indian accent answered the phone.
‘Hello?’ “Yes, I am calling to enquire about your Reiki classes” I said excited. For a moment I only heard silence on the other side of the telephone. “Yes, I teach Reiki but I am not offering classes at this moment” She said.
“ Oh no, you have to teach me”, I insisted. “It is only now that I have time off and I really want to learn Reiki” I heard the silence again. I had this strong feeling about this teacher and I wanted to learn with her even though I had not read her website or any other advertising like pamphlets or such; I was simply following my instinct “Let me make couples of phone calls to see if there are any more tentative students interested for a class and I will call you back” She said. “Thank You!!” I answered.
I jumped up and down like I was certain that I was getting in this class.
It felt like it was an exciting new adventure but this adventure was to stay with me always. I took Level I with Anjna Brahmbhatt and my classmate’s name was Bryan. We took 2 levels together and I really enjoyed both my Reiki Master and my classmate’s input as we were learning and discussing Reiki. After my first two classes I continue to higher levels IIIART & IIIB, one on one with Anjna. It was on the first day in level 1 when I knew deep in my heart that I wanted to ‘Be’ a Reiki Master.
I visited my Reiki Master at her new place of residence in Calgary in 2013 and had a great time sharing Reiki stories and eating Anjna’s snacks which by the way, are delicious! Since I enjoy sharing my story with students on how Reiki found me, I was delighted when Anjna agreed to share her story with all my students and friends and here it is!
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Many Reiki Masters including yourself have said that the student doesn’t find Reiki; instead, Reiki finds the student. How did Reiki find you?
In India I was attending a Yoga class known as Siddha Samadhi Yoga. At one of these classes, I observed that a woman was receiving Reiki from one of the teachers. Sometime later I was very sick from a fever and one of my yoga students offered me Reiki. I got very curious about Reiki and asked her more about it, I was then referred to a Reiki Teacher and I decide it to take the classes when I knew that Reiki had healing properties. |
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How do you define Reiki?
To me Reiki is defined in one word, ‘Grace’ it is a personal feeling that raises your self-steam and guides you to the right direction and true path in life.
How long have you been practicing Reiki?
I have practiced Reiki since Nov 1996 so now for 17 years and I started teaching in 1998. (This interview took place in 2013)
What is in your opinion the best Reiki Feature?
I like two features: You can help yourself and others and also whenever and wherever 24-7 at any time. In other words, if you can breathe you can practice Reiki (humorously)
What would you tell us about the rewards of teaching Reiki?
It is a hard question because there are many of them. One is a great deal of satisfaction that you are spreading wellness in the community for others just like lighting one candle with another candle.
What kind of sensations do you perceive while offering a Reiki Session/Class?
Physical sensations in the crown chakra and other sensations like pulsations, heat and a soft current of the Ki energy through the hands and the body.
How has Reiki transformed your life?
It has been a slow and steady progress. I can look back and see myself in past years and then see my present self and realize how much I have changed for the better. I had little patience and was easy to get irritated for little things but Reiki guided me through a number of events that showed me the path through where I recognized the things that bring real peace and contentment.
In your opinion, what will be a time recommended to practice Reiki?
Anytime is good, preferable if you can take a moment to be alone with yourself and away from distractions.
How do you deal with criticism and negativity from skeptics?
I honour everybody’s way of thinking and let them choose what is good for them. Sometimes even for skeptics, if they are going with intelligence and open to try Reiki, I would like them to experience it first rather than talk to them about it so they can feel for themselves. Reiki is not to be imposed on anyone. Who so ever experiences Reiki in its purest form will get benefit from it and start believe in Reiki.
What signs of improvement do you see in people as you provide a Reiki Session?
Breathing gets smooth, tension from their faces goes away. They relax and feel energized at the same time. 90% of recipients will fall asleep during first half an hour of treatment.
Some people don’t believe in Reiki when they don’t see a sudden miracle. What do you tell them?
I tell them is not a magic wand that you use, healing is a process and if you have suffered from an illness for many years, it is normal that healing takes some time. Miracles do happen, the more open you are to receive Reiki, the more you will benefit from it.
And to conclude this interview for today, have you experience an “aha” moment with Reiki lately.
For me there are not more aha moments with Reiki because there is an assurance within me that wonderful healing happens. So, whenever something great happens, I have already trusted. My conviction is enriched & maintained. I feel joyous and get filled with gratitude. The more results I get, the humbler I feel. As a normal family life leading person, just with a Reiki prayer and laying my hands on someone, if I can heal; It is certainly grace showered upon be a gift for me from universe~ End.
So, there you have it, just a glimpse of the conversation I had with Anjna about Reiki. Finally, I want to say Thank You for all of your continuous support by reading my blog and newsletters. I also feel very grateful with Anjna for sharing this conversation with all of us. I am also grateful to Anjna’s husband Prakash who has a wonderful energy of peace and love. They both have inspired my partner and me with their loving presence.
Namaste,
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