3 Simple Steps to Improve Your Reiki Talk

Reiki healing placement faceI’m asked a lot of Reiki questions. The questions vary, but most people asking for help fall into two broad categories:

  • They are new to Reiki and need basic information.
  • They already practice Reiki, and love their practice, but are frustrated trying to talk about it without engendering the rolling-of-the-eyes.

If you are in the second category, let’s change that frustration to success!

Reiki communication and Reiki practice

First, please ease up on yourself.

No matter how long you’ve been practicing Reiki, even if you are a Reiki professional, there’s a very good reason you have trouble talking about it.

Practicing Reiki and talking about it are two very different skills.

But with a little coaching, Reiki communication can become just as easy as Reiki practice, which as you know, is very easy.

For more than 20 years, I’ve been speaking to people who didn’t think they were interested in Reiki practice, skeptical people like doctors, people who aren’t open to persuasion. I had lots of opportunities to see what works, and what doesn’t.

Here are a few tips to help you tweak your Reiki talk so people want to hear what you have to say, and move closer to having their own Reiki experience.

Use these tips and you’ll see immediate improvement in the response when you talk about Reiki.

Step #1: Prepare for success

Doing anything well involves preparation. Take the time to set the stage for successful communication.

Before people hear your words, they see you. What does your presence communicate?

Do you exude the benefits of the practice, or do you just talk about them?

Being an example of Reiki practice creates rapport before you even open your mouth, so the best way to prepare yourself to speak about Reiki practice is to actually practice Reiki on yourself.

Reiki is a practice, which means most of our understanding comes through our personal practice experience. Contemplate the difference your Reiki practice has made — and continues to make — in your life.

If you are not practicing every day — and I mean every day — try daily self practice for a week and notice improvements in how you feel, and how you function.

Many of those improvements — sleeping better or feeling less anxious, for example — are benefits others are seeking. Briefly sharing your personal experience will pique their interest.

Step #2: Take the time to listen and connect

When people ask about Reiki practice, give them your full attention. Be present. Of course that’s a lot easier to do if you practice daily Reiki self treatment. If I’m repeating myself, it’s because daily self practice is that important.

Your daily practice keeps that tranquil Reiki state accessible so you can drop into it repeatedly during your day, and especially whenever asked about Reiki practice.

Show what your Reiki practice has given you, and people are more likely to listen to your words. Authenticity speaks volumes.

Step #3: Choose words that paint a picture

When people, “What is Reiki?” they don’t want a definition.

They want, they need, a concrete image. Give details of Reiki practice, things like fully clothed, light touch or just off the body, lying down or seated comfortably.

Paint a picture they can settle their minds into. If you are speaking in person, place your hand lightly on yourself to illustrate Reiki touch.

Be mindful that someone asking about Reiki practice may have no context for what you are going to say, and if they have heard anything, it’s likely been vague and possibly misleading. This is your chance to make it real, to help them feel clear enough and safe enough to want their own Reiki experience.

And isn’t that why we talk about Reiki practice, so others want to experience it?

More help for you

People everywhere are interested in Reiki practice. If you’re not connecting with them, I can help. Look at the articles in the Communicating Reiki category, or consider the 4-Step Balance System for Communicating Reiki to Everyone recorded training.

Sign up for my email list so I can keep sharing credible information with you about Reiki practice.

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9 thoughts on “3 Simple Steps to Improve Your Reiki Talk”

  1. When I get that look of fear from someone I am describing Reiki to, I mention how good and therapeutic a hug can be – and most will say “Oh, yes!” Well, reiki is like getting a 45 minute hug from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet.

    1. Dear Laura. I love you and this 🙂 thank you for this amazing description. I will use this for sure!! ?

  2. Hello Pamela,
    How would you handle someone who thinks you are ‘doing the work of the devil’? (This while I am explaining what Reiki is and does.) I have had several people refuse Reiki on religious grounds. I was so shocked that I didn’t really know what to say. I have seen other Reiki practitioners reduced to tears as they recount similar stories.

    Thank you,
    Deana

    1. Deana,

      I’m not sure what you mean by “explaining Reiki,” but it can be hard to take what some people throw at us. That is one of the many reasons I favor slow training, and practicing some years before becoming a Reiki master.

      Honestly, I don’t “handle” people, nor could anyone’s comments about Reiki practice reduce me to tears. People are entitled to their own opinions, and I prefer to respect them whether or not they agree with me.

      Reiki is a spiritual practice. That means we can rely on our daily Reiki self treatment, contemplation, and self inquiry. If we practice consistently, with deep commitment, we can heal whatever pain or confusion we carry gets triggered by other people. In this way, over time, we come to embody the practice.

  3. Hi Pamela,

    I am so happy that I’ve found you in the reiki community. I’ve been a registered nurse since 2001 and have been interested in holistic and alternative medicine my whole life. I’ve had such wonderful experiences with reiki myself in healing that I’m now delighted to be able to share it with others as a reiki practitioner. I just wanted to send gratitude for your posts and mostly for bridging the gap between the medical field and the reiki community. As a nurse I definitely understand both sides and can honor and appreciate both modalities of healing in their own right. I do still struggle at times to explain reiki and would love any other advice for someone who is building a practice as a reiki professional. I’ve become a level 2 practitioner this year and have had wonderful feedback from all of my clients. As you said, coming from a warm place of your own self healing speaks volumes. I am a nurturer at heart and I feel that it shows through in my passion for my work. Once they try reiki they can always see the benefit which is such a rewarding thing to experience for me. I look forward to moving on to the master level so that I may attune others to this wonderful healing tool. Thank you for all you do. I hope to be able to make it to one of your conferences sometime. I’m in the San Diego area. Please let me know if you’ll be in California this year.
    Blessings,
    Kamelia

    1. Kamelia, I hope you will be able to join us for the events in Auburn, CA in August:
      Communicating Reiki Mainstream on Tuesday, August 19 https://bit.ly/RComm
      Reiki and Medicine Intensive, August 21 – 24 https://bit.ly/ReikiMed
      One doctor said the intensive was the best integrative medicine course she had ever taken. You’ll come to deeply understand the interface between holistic and allopathic medicine and research, and where Reiki practice fits in terms of your personal health care and patient care.

      I encourage you not to rush into becoming a Reiki master. Take some years to practice your daily self Reiki and be with your clients. The foundation you’ll get from going slowly will make you a better Reiki teacher.

  4. Yes, I am fortunate, we get together regularly to reiki share!!! ?? ?? ??

    And thank you for your good luck!! I’m very excited to generate interest in my community. I’m doing this through my chiropractors office, so yeah, I will already be exposed to holistic minded folks.

    Barb

  5. This was great and very helpful Pamela.

    I’m doing my very first show this morning and this advice could not have come at a better time.

    I talked to my teacher last night and she said something very similar.
    “Listen more than you speak tomorrow, it will help to ground your interactions!”

    Blessings
    Barb

    1. Thanks so much for sharing your teacher’s wise advice. How fortunate you are to have a continuing relationship with your teacher. Good luck with your event!

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