Alternative forms of health and healing are becoming increasingly popular and Reiki is one method that can aid in happier and healthier lives for ourselves. We had the pleasure of talking with Erin Kilmain, Intuitive Psychic and Reiki Master to learn more about this method, what to expect and how we can benefit from this practice.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you were first drawn to Reiki?
My name is Erin and I am the creator of KilmainCrystals, an online metaphysical shop that offers crystals and stones, crystal jewelry, herbs, incense, tarot readings, healing services and more. In addition to being a crystal and herb enthusiast, I am an Intuitive Psychic and Reiki Master. I have always had a connection to the spirit world and energy as a child, but as I grew older I had instinctively shut my gifts down.
After an abrupt awakening several years ago, I began to open myself back up and rediscover my gifts. I started developing my soul senses and found my primary and most dominant abilities include clairvoyance, clairaudience, and clairsentience. I continued to develop my abilities and began to study energy work and Reiki, later becoming a certified Shinpiden Usui Reiki Ryoho Master Teacher.
I was drawn to Reiki on my spiritual path because I wanted to be able to help heal myself, other people, animals, and the world. One of my favorite quotes is “A healer does not heal you. A healer is someone who holds space for you while you awaken your own inner healer, so that you may heal yourself.” – Maryam Hasnaa
What exactly is Reiki?
Reiki is a form of sacred Japanese energy healing and alternative therapy where attuned practitioners and masters use a flow of universal energy and sacred symbols that is transferred through the practitioner to the patient in order to encourage and facilitate healing for the mind, body, soul, and chakras.
The belief is that the practitioner is able to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and energy centers. The word Reiki comes from Japanese origin, (Rei) which means universal life and Ki which means Energy. It is a gentle and effective form of energy work using spiritually guided life force energy. The exact origin of Reiki is a bit of a mystery, however Reiki was rediscovered in 1865 by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Zen Buddhist.
What can someone expect to experience in a reiki session?
A Reiki session can be performed in person or via a distant Reiki session. Reiki is typically performed in a quiet, peaceful, and sacred space. During a reiki session, the practitioner will have you sit in a chair or lay down on a massage table and will start by clearing your energy.
During the reiki session, the practitioner will place their hands either just above you or directly on you to begin the healing. The practitioner will then use a series of different hand placements during the session, these hand placements are light, gentle, and non-invasive. You may notice you feel a slight tingling, heat, or energy where the practitioner is placing their hands.
You may also notice you don’t feel anything during the session which is okay too, it is just important to relax and be open to receive the healing. You may also experience visualizations of different colors, symbols, shapes, or memories during the session. At times you may hear ringing in your ear or hear the sound of different vibrations. Distant Reiki sessions are just as effective as in-person Reiki sessions, as Reiki energy transcends time and space.
The benefits you receive during an in-person reiki session is the exact same benefits you’d receive from a distant reiki session. After your session, the practitioner may provide messages or insights about your session and may recommend drinking water or tea to help your body further integrate the reiki energy. After receiving Reiki Healing you may feel energized, calm, peaceful, or even tired and sleepy after the session. Everyone is different so there is no right or wrong way to feel after a Reiki session. It is just important to listen to your body and let your body guide you on your next steps.
What are the advantages of Reiki Healing?
The advantages of Reiki healing is that reiki can be performed anywhere and anytime, and is usually quite affordable compared to other alternative therapy services. Even if you can’t make it for an in-person session, many practitioners offer distant Reiki sessions which are just as effective as in-person Reiki sessions.
Reiki is known to help decrease stress, increase relaxation, promote happiness, and helps to relieve anxieties, pain, depression, fatigue, and blocks in your energy field. Reiki can help improve your overall well being and boost your mood. The more you continue with reiki, your experiences can become stronger and deeper.
Is Reiki the same as spiritual healing? If not, what are the differences?
Reiki healing and spiritual healing are similar but essentially not the same thing, though Reiki can be part of your spiritual healing practice. Reiki is a specific Japanese healing modality where the practitioner has been attuned to reiki by a Reiki Master and uses reiki energy, sacred symbols, hand placements, and reiki principles to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and energy centers.
Though almost anyone can perform energy healing or spiritual healing work, Reiki can only be performed by those who have been attuned by a Reiki Master. A Reiki Master is a practitioner who has been attuned to the highest level of reiki.
Could you tell us a bit more about how you incorporate crystals into your work and what this brings to your practice?
I incorporate crystals into all of my healing sessions, whether that be a tarot card reading, reiki session, or my other energy work services such as cord cutting, chakra clearing, aura healing, and spiritual guidance sessions. I intuitively choose the crystals I use for each client based on the crystal properties and what I feel guided to use, so the crystals and crystal grids I use will be unique to each of my clients needs.
Using crystals in my sessions helps to strengthen the power and effectiveness of the healing and can also help to provide additional messages and divine insights for the client and the service I’m performing. I am always using crystals, even if I am not working with a client I often wear and use crystals throughout my day. Although I work with lots of different crystals some of my personal favorites to use are Quartz, Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Labradorite, Black Tourmaline, Selenite, Green Aventurine and Smokey Quartz.
