Reiki Crystal Meditation As published on Reiki Rays, February 7, 2021… Article by Kathleen L. Johnson, M.A., RMT One of the most common questions I encounter when working with clients and students concerns meditation, specifically, the “right” way to practice. Although meditation is widely touted for its numerous benefits, misconceptions about the right way to meditate still linger. In my years of working with clients and students, I have noticed a tendency for people to view meditation as a valiant attempt to sit uncomfortably for extended periods with the goal of achieving inner peace (often while trying to transcend the

Embracing Surrender As published on Reiki Rays, January 24, 2021… Article by Kathleen L. Johnson, M.A., RMT As I write this, 2020 is thankfully behind us, yet its lessons and consequences continue to reverberate through our lives and will do so indefinitely. Indeed, the beginnings of the new year seem to remain in the harrowing grip of 2020- the pandemic rages as it claims millions of lives and countries grapple with unprecedented unrest, conflict, violence, and corruption at the highest levels of government.  2020 was laden with lessons and clarion calls for change, an individual and collective wake-up call. The

Frustration as a Messenger and Ally As published on Reiki Rays, December 30, 2020… Article by Kathleen L. Johnson, M.A., RMT As the last days of 2020 come to a close, the past few weeks stand out for me as some of the most challenging in a year that has been relentlessly arduous, heartbreaking, and exhausting. These recent weeks have been, shall I say, challenging. But, setting euphemisms aside, they have been frustrating, aggravating, and dispiriting for various reasons. The specifics are unimportant; what matters is how these inevitable “life’s curveballs” are perceived and managed by those experiencing the inevitable

Gratitude as a Living Thing As published on Reiki Rays December 19, 2020… Article by Kathleen L. Johnson, M.A., RMT The holiday season is here as I write this, although it looks very different from previous years. As we know, the holidays are frequently accompanied by additional stress, which is exacerbated this year by the unprecedented events and shifts of 2020. Many years ago, as an antidote to holiday stress, I began a regular practice of reflecting and meditating on the nature of Gratitude. This simple practice always helps me to ground and center when holiday obligations feel overwhelming, as

Distant Reiki Guidance and Insights During the Pandemic As published on Reiki Rays August 29, 2020… Article by Kathleen L. Johnson, M.A., RMT Like many Reiki practitioners, I was guided to shift my professional Reiki practice entirely to distance sessions when the pandemic began sweeping across the globe in early 2020. Although my practice had always offered both in-person and distant services, Reiki’s guidance made it clear that the shift to remote healing was necessary for me during this time of cataclysmic change. This is especially true since I live with a chronic illness that could make me more susceptible

Is Your Reiki Better than My Reiki? As published on Reiki Rays August 17, 2020… Article by Kathleen L. Johnson, M.A., RMT As we know, Reiki’s spiritually guided energy manifests through dozens of different styles and systems of Reiki, and new additions continue to be channeled and developed with seemingly increased frequency. In meditation, my guides tell me this is purposeful and in keeping with the evolution of Reiki and its role in the new earth. Because of the planet’s ongoing and arduous emergence into the New Consciousness, Reiki is becoming more mainstream, more widely available, and more recognized as

Reiki and Existential Depression As published on Reiki Rays, July 19, 2020… Article by Kathleen L. Johnson, M.A., RMT Depression is a word familiar to us all and is a mental health condition experienced by countless individuals in varying ways and degrees of severity. It is so widespread that it’s often referred to as the common cold of mental health. However, this metaphor fails to address the scope of depression; it is not limited to the mind but instead affects all aspects of one’s being and is indeed a holistic disorder. From a mental health standpoint, traditional clinical depression is

Article by Kathleen Johnson as published on Reiki Rays, June 28, 2020 Generally speaking, the treatment phase of the professional Reiki session begins with the energetic, or byosen scan, and is conducted when the client is comfortably situated on the Reiki table, and after the Pre-Session Intake and Discussion. Many Reiki practitioners recognize Byosen (“sick accumulation” or “place of sickness”) as a Japanese Reiki technique that identifies the areas most in need of healing and provides a baseline of energetic information for the practitioner as the treatment begins. Also, it creates a field of healing energy in the energetic body, enhancing the flow of

As published on Reiki Rays on June 14, 2020…Article by Kathleen Johnson Rest. Repair. Restore. These three words have been echoing in my consciousness for the past several days. And I finally know why. During this time of the pandemic and resultant turmoil, I have resolutely maintained a stalwart face – determined to keep my vibration high, while taking care of myself, loved ones, and anyone in need of my healing services during this unprecedented time. That was the plan. However, as the pandemic continued to rage across the world, and I witnessed in horror as my country (United States)

As published on Reiki Rays, May 25, 2020… Article by Kathleen Johnson   In a previous article, “The Professional Reiki Session – The Reiki Treatment,” I discussed a technique that continues to serve my clients well – Opening the Soles of the Feet. Several years ago, Reiki’s guidance led me to this procedure during a client session. At that time, I received clear instructions to energetically open the client’s soles as a means to expedite the clearing of incompatible energies during the Reiki session, which was accomplished through the use of symbols and a clear intention. From that point forward,

As published on Reiki Rays, May 10, 2020…Article by Kathleen Johnson Many of us are experiencing anger and frustration these days. It is a natural and unavoidable response during these challenging times. Life as we know it has changed significantly and continues to do so every day. The ground is shifting beneath our feet, and we do not know when stability will return. The Universe has “shaken us to awaken us.” Yet, as Reiki practitioners and healers, many of us still cling to the belief that anger is an inappropriate response. Indeed, the first Reiki precept cautions us about anger.

As published on Reiki Rays, April 4, 2020… Article by Kathleen Johnson As a Reiki Practitioner and Crystal Healer, I often combine the two modalities in client sessions as well as in my personal life. Many years ago, I was guided to invite the energies of healing crystals into my Reiki sessions, which resulted in an energetic marriage of this “Power Couple” (1). Indeed, I soon discovered that combining the power of Reiki with the properties and energies of crystals created a profoundly effective healing synergy, which was transformative in its ability to clear stagnant, unhealthy energies. Eventually, I began

As published on Reiki Rays, March 16, 2020… Article by Kathleen Johnson In the past few months, we have been inundated with increasingly alarming reports and information about the global spread of COVID-19 and its sometimes devastating effects. In a situation like this, it is all too easy to feel powerless and descend into fear. However, the good news is that Reiki is here to guide us through. From my perspective, the current health situation represents a clarion call for humanity to recognize and accept the inherent Oneness of All, which we so far have woefully and stubbornly resisted; a

As published on Reiki Rays, February 22, 2020… Article by Kathleen Johnson As a Reiki practitioner and Crystal Healer, I frequently incorporate crystals into my Reiki sessions. I have found that the synergistic effects of combining Reiki with crystals create a profound healing experience for my clients, and it is an honor to offer this as an adjunct to the remarkable results of a Reiki session. All crystals carry energetic properties that can be utilized for healing purposes, either as a standalone modality or in combination with other practices. These properties may be applied to a wide variety of physical,