In this interview with Brian Kukan, we explore his unique journey from a math educator to a Reiki Master. Brian reflects on how his logical, scientific mindset influenced his approach to teaching and practicing Reiki, and how his exploration of various Reiki traditions led him to embrace the simplicity of traditional Japanese Reiki. We also dive into his profound experiences working with cancer patients, the role of numerology and hypnosis in his healing practice, and his advice for skeptics curious about Reiki. Join us as we discover how Brian combines his scientific background with spiritual healing to help others achieve relaxation, healing, and personal growth.
How does your background in math education influence your approach to teaching and practicing Reiki?
First off, coming from a math background, my approach to life was coming from a very scientific and logical perspective, but when I first got into Reiki, that was challenged. I was experiencing things that I could not explain logically or scientifically. That kept me studying it so that I could eventually understand it, but it turned out that trying to understand Reiki in that way was not going to happen. However, I could not deny the experiences that I was having even though I could not explain them.
When I became a Reiki Master, I immediately wanted to teach it because of my teaching background. I was very comfortable with leading groups and explaining material to others, and I got a lot of enjoyment from teaching others and still do. I started to have trouble teaching Reiki the way I was taught because as I read books on Reiki, especially books with insights into its history, they did not match what I learned, and as I studied with other Reiki Masters, I found differences in their materials as well.
Coming from an education background, I thought a teaching program would teach everything there is to know about a subject before you can teach it to others, but I found that wasn’t the case with Reiki. Once you become a Reiki Master you are technically able to teach Reiki, but unless you do your own research into the practice, you are only teaching what you have been taught which might include some misinformation about its history that you might unknowingly pass on to your students. Seeing this, I set out on a path to find out what Mikao Usui, the founder of the Usui Reiki Healing Method, actually taught in 1920s Japan, so that I could teach Reiki from a place of truth. That led me to study with more Reiki teachers and read many books on Reiki.
In terms of practicing Reiki, being a math teacher wasn’t always helpful. I have had to get my head out of the way during my Reiki sessions because I am an overthinker. Mathematics takes a lot of analysis, yet that doesn’t work so well in Reiki. The less thinking I do in a session, the more present I can be. And the more present I can be, the better the session will be for the client and myself.
What are some of the most profound benefits you’ve seen Reiki provide for cancer patients and their caregivers?
Giving Reiki to the cancer community has been a blessing, and patients and their caregivers greatly enjoy their sessions. Many receive the simple yet powerful benefit of finding deep relaxation and peace in the session which strengthens their resolve to continue each day. Patients currently in treatment often see an alleviation of pain and discomfort from the side effects of the medications and chemotherapy that they are taking. Digestive issues will settle. Anxiety will diminish or disappear for a while. Patients having trouble sleeping might fall into a deep sleep during the session and feel like they got a full night’s rest. One patient recently told me that her kidney function has increased from all the Reiki she is receiving.
Can you explain the differences between the various Reiki traditions you’ve studied and how they shape your practice?
Over the years I studied Living Light Reiki, Karuna Reiki, Komyo Reiki, and Jikiden Reiki, and I also studied with a couple of independent Reiki Masters with no specific school or lineage. I got a lot out of each of them at the time I studied them. For example, Living Light Reiki added a lot of deep inner work practices in its teachings which helped me grow personally and eventually helped me move away from the math classroom. Karuna Reiki added a lot of symbols to use with Reiki, and Komyo Reiki taught me the pronunciation of the Reiki Principles in Japanese. But in essence, the Reiki practice that each taught was the same.
In my search for what was originally taught by Mikao Usui, I found Jikiden Reiki, traditional Japanese Reiki, which I love and currently teach. Jikiden Reiki has no Western or New Age influence in its teachings and keeps the Reiki practice very simple. The classes are taught based on the seminars that Chujiro Hiyashi, one of Mikao Usui’s students, taught in 1930s Japan.
My Reiki practice was developing when I started working with the cancer community, and Jikiden Reiki helped me understand what I was experiencing in my sessions. And ever since I’ve been very connected to the practice.
How do you integrate numerology and hypnosis into your healing work, and what role do they play alongside Reiki?
With Numerology, I use it as a way to teach people about themselves and to help them realize what is important to them and what drives them in certain directions. I also find that it is helpful as a way to teach empathy. As I go through a reading with someone I am also teaching them how to calculate the numbers for themselves, and I encourage them to do the Numerology of their friends and family. That helps them to understand others more deeply and can help improve their relationships with others.
With hypnosis, it is inner mental work to help influence and change behavior patterns that people are struggling with creating the changes on their own. Hypnosis is similar to guided meditations and can get you to a place where you can see what you want to accomplish, and if you can see it, you can be it.
Both of these practices can work side by side with Reiki to help someone on their personal growth journey.
What advice would you give to someone who is skeptical about Reiki but curious to explore its potential benefits?
At the very least if you need to relax, Reiki is a great way to reset your nervous system. When the body shifts from stress mode (fight or flight) to relaxation mode (rest and digest), the immune system is more active along with the digestive system. These two systems are suppressed in times of stress, and the body doesn’t receive the nutrients from the food we eat nor does it protect us from illness well. In times of chronic stress, we are especially vulnerable to illness and disease, and Reiki can be a great way to activate deep relaxation in the body and mind and let the body do the healing work that it naturally wants to do. As a practitioner, I can explain this until I am blue in the face, but it is hard to grasp intellectually until you receive a session. Then afterwards, you will find that it is challenging to find the words to describe the experience, but you will have the experience to connect with.
For those new to Reiki and interested in receiving a session, yet are skeptical about it, I encourage you to get a referral for a practitioner from someone you know and trust. Perhaps reach out to different Reiki Practitioners and find out if they would be the right fit for you. We all have different needs, and you want to find a practitioner that you will feel comfortable with in order to get the best results from a treatment. Comfort is key to thoroughly enjoying the experience.
