Introducing the last of three posts from Sarah Cooper, the author of the book “Working with Reiki: The essential guide to running a successful Reiki practice.” (see link below).
As we’ve already discussed, any unconscious actions from a client, are showing you that something is happening beyond their control. They are therefore usually a sign that something very promising is taking place, and knowing this may lead you to look for and feel more positive about the following…
MOVEMENTS OF THE FACE OR BODY –
It may be that you notice twitching of your client’s body in one area (e.g. a leg, shoulder, fingers on one hand), or many. In my opinion these small adjustments will be either re-aligning the body in some way, or else they will represent an emotional release, where the body is letting go of past trauma or stress that has been embedded within it. Either way they certainly appear to be a reaction to the Reiki flowing well.
Be aware, however, that the movements may be so subtle that you are unable to see them; only feeling them when your hands are gently resting upon their body. Hence if you were taught to give Reiki without touch, you may like to try finding out if placing your hands on your recipient, increases the level of feedback.
Where it doesn’t appear that much is happening, (please note that it is no marker as to how effective your treatment is, so always remain positive), then studying the client’s face can be very helpful, because facial twitches are common during Reiki and, with no clothing covering the movement, relatively easy to notice.
Therefore look out for muscle movements particularly of the eyebrows, forehead, or around the mouth – such as the softening of the jaw with the gentle parting of the lips – and, as we’re about to discuss, the eyes…
RAPID EYE MOVEMENT (REM), BLINKING OR TEARS – Rapid Eye Movement (a person’s eyes moving behind their closed eyelids) is generally associated with a specific level of consciousness within sleep. You are likely, however, to see this being experienced by your clients during a treatment and it is a great sign that some kind of processing is occurring.
Blinking (with the eyes closed), also tends to happen when Reiki is working well, and whilst it is unusual for people to exhibit full-on crying, I would go so far as to say it is common for one or two quiet and gentle tears to fall. Naturally if you mostly close your eyes when giving Reiki, you may miss this happening, and sometimes you need to look quite closely because you may just be able to notice a tear beginning to form, though never be fully released. It’s another sign of changes taking place. Excellent. It’s working! So if there appears to be a shortage of signals telling you that your client is responding to the Reiki, do focus some of your attention on this revealing part of the body.
Now whilst I hope that the posts in this series assist you in recognising some of the more subtle changes that can take place in your clients, we do have to accept that sometimes the recipient may be completely still for a whole session, offering no demonstrable signal that can put your mind at rest. We also have to agree that this could indeed be because the client is not getting much from the treatment. However, it may just be that they’ll later ask you whether they had their left leg extend ninety degrees off the table, or their body double over, or tell you how they could feel as if their neck was being pulled straight, when they knew full well you were standing at their feet.
Do therefore remember that a seeming lack of anything happening, is in no way confirmation of inactivity. It’s simply that visible clues are at times comforting to acknowledge and can help you to build your confidence. I hope these posts have also helped with that process.
With love,
Sarah x
Sarah Cooper is the author of the book “Working with Reiki: The essential guide to running a successful Reiki practice.” Available on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Work…/dp/1070357723/ref=sr_1_1…
