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Shamanic Reiki combines the Divine healing power of Reiki energy with the ancient wisdom of Shamanic practices. One of the defining features of a Shamanic Reiki practice, whether for personal healing or to support clients, is the ability to Shamanic Journey.
Shamanic Journeys are similar to the meditations and visualization techniques that are popular in many spiritual communities. However, Shamanic Journeys differ from visualization exercises in two main ways. First, they use a specific drumbeat to access altered states of consciousness. By beating a drum at a certain pace, we can alter our brain waves into the theta state, facilitating deeper internal awareness and spiritual activity. It is believed that the drumbeat used by Shamanic practitioners mimics the beat of the water droplets that fell on Mikao Usui’s head while he was meditating to receive the Reiki teachings on Mount Kurama.
In addition, Shamanic Journeys allow the journeyer to travel to the three Shamanic Realms: Upper, Middle, and Lower. The Shamanic Realms each hold different levels of energy, wisdom, and insight. The Upper World energy is more ethereal, the closest to Reiki energy, and houses our Spirit Guides and Guardian Angels. The Lower World energy is denser, more connected with nature, and houses our Power Animals and the nature spirits. The Middle World is an energetic reflection of our current reality, and helps us to see the blueprints and patterns that are playing out in our lives.
Learning to Shamanic Journey completely changed the way I perceive not only Reiki energy and the process of healing, but also my day-to-day life. As I learned to access altered states of consciousness and explore the spiritual realms, I began to truly, fully understand that everything around us is energy and has wisdom to offer. Rather than just ‘thinking’ that everything is energy, I knew it through my whole being and saw it play out during my journeys.
Each Shamanic Journey is profound, but some stand out in my mind more than others. I find that Shamanic journeys have helped me through some of my darkest moments, offering light and insight in areas when I cannot see beyond my own perception. One of these journeys occurred during a time I was healing my relationship with my body after suffering from eating disorders, distorted body image, and chronic illness for years. I decided to journey to receive clarity on my relationship with my body and gain insight into how I could care for her more effectively.
The beginning of a Shamanic journey is always the same. You begin seated or lying down in a comfortable position, and envision yourself in your happy place, a space in your mind that feels safe, loving, and comfortable. My happy place is a small glade in the middle of the woods, and as I began this journey, the spirit of Squirrel greeted me, reminding me of the importance of fun and play, and to not take myself so seriously. He guided me up a staircase made of tree roots, and when we reached the top, he prompted me to jump off the edge and down into a deep, dark blue sea.
When I emerged from the water, I found myself in the Lower World. The Lower World appears to me like a desert valley, full of reedy plants and neutral tones. I emerged at night, and was guided to a cliff’s edge where I saw a large version of myself, reminiscent of Te Fiti from the Disney movie Moana. This larger version of me scooped up the smaller version of me in her palm, prompting me to sit down and listen to what she had to say.
She showed me a mirror, asking me to look into it and share what I saw. There, I saw myself reflected back, standing alone, but my image was distorted, my body warped and inflated. The spirit told me I saw myself as unloveable, and prompted me to look into the mirror again. This time, when I looked, I saw myself as I truly was, surrounded by my friends and family. The spirit told me that although I saw myself as disgusting and unloveable, I needed to learn to see myself as fully loved by the people around me. I was already loved, she told me, I just needed to allow myself to see it.
She removed the mirror, and I asked her about my health issues and what was holding me back from wellbeing. She told me, gently but firmly, that I kept myself stuck in illness because it gave me an excuse. She showed me that illness allowed me to separate myself from life, taking a backseat to the experiences it had in store for me. I did this to protect myself, but in trying to protect myself I was really cutting myself off from the joy of being alive, healthy, and happy. She encouraged me to allow myself to embrace health, and offered the possibility that stepping into the energy of wellbeing would allow me to experience more peace and connection, rather than isolating myself in the name of safety.
Check out this YouTube video to learn more about the ins and outs of a Shamanic Reiki practice! Discover how Shamanic Reiki differs from Usui Reiki Ryoho, and when each modality really shines.
Before I ended the journey, the spirit opened her other palm, revealing a beautiful toucan. This toucan was the Spirit Animal representing my relationship with my body, something I could call on for guidance and insight when I needed support in finding self-love. Toucans, as Spirit Animals, represent showing your true colors and releasing shyness or insecurity, which was a beautiful gift to receive in the process of healing my relationship with my body.
As I returned to my happy place and brought my consciousness back to my current, physical reality, I was struck by the power of this journey. In the span of fifteen minutes, I had received powerful insights about my health, been prompted to step out of victimhood and into the energy of wellbeing, met a Spirit Animal who could help guide me through that journey, and received insight into an alternative way to view my body and practice more self-love.
The depth of healing that occurs during a Shamanic journey never fails to amaze me. I often come out of a journey feeling like I have made the same amount of progress in a single fifteen minute session that I would have made in three months of therapy. The spiritual world has a way of presenting the solutions to our problems and the answers to our questions in powerful, gentle, loving ways that facilitate the healing process and unleash transformation. Learning to Shamanic journey is one of the tools that has transformed my approach to healing the most, and is something I believe can help every spiritual seeker on their journey.
All the love,
Isabel Wells
Moon Rising Alchemist
A four-month program designed to help you unlock the healing power of your subconscious mind while connecting with your personal team of Guides, Teachers, Power Animals, and more. Learn to Shamanic journey to non-ordinary reality without having to use plant medicine while inviting in the healing power of Reiki energy. Combine these skills to form a healing toolkit that will help you release your past traumas, heal your limiting beliefs, and step into your highest self.
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