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A channeled message shared during a live Reiki event, exploring awakening, focus, and the nature of hope. A few weeks ago, I channeled a message during an in-person event for Reiki students, followed by an extended Q&A. As always, I do not edit the channeled messages, and you may listen to the associated unedited live audio recording. “Finally, we wish to address your thoughts, your focus, because it is quite important, you see. What you choose to focus on, you are breathing life into. It will become more apparent to more people that they do not feel well when they focus on things that drain their energy, which worry them, which attract them into a lower vibrational state because they are awakening. There is awakening that you are undergoing. There is awakening that others are undergoing. If you were to judge these things, as humans are so apt to do, you could say, "that person is more awakened than I am," but this often leads to desire and frustration on your part and self-criticism. Do not worry about those who feel to you as though they are farther along. You are perfect in your state as you are. There are others on your planet that are awakening that you could look at and say, "they are mere babies" in your judgment. And we will tell you that the entire spectrum of awakening is present on your planet. It is actually true that no one is left behind here. Not one individual that you can think of in your mind is not awakening. It is simply a function of the spectrum, the process of where they are. But everyone is experiencing awakening. We assure you. No one is left out. No one could be left out. That is not how Earth works. That is not how humanity operates anymore. So rest well in knowing that everything is in motion. Everything is heading toward the light. We do not say this to bring you roses and rainbows and unicorns and butterflies. Life can be difficult and we do not gloss over this. We do not tell you to ignore it. We tell you to keep your hope. We tell you to tune into the light that you are, have been, and forever shall be. And remember that. For if you grab the worry and fear in one hand, make sure you hold the light in your other. And you will know balance; and you will know wisdom; and you will be the beacon of light that you came here to be—anchored upon your Earth, within your Earth. You will call others home simply by your being. And should it be any other way? Being a human is sacred, but the embodiment, embodification that you are undergoing will serve masses. You will serve generations of the future with what you are doing today. Write it down in moments that you doubt yourself and there will be moments like these. Read your words. Communicate with like-minded people. Know what you have in common, and be curious about the things that you do not have in common. The days of being in judgment are no longer in service to your evolution.” I’m beginning to explore traveling more to teach Reiki and to offer in-person channeling events. If you’d like to share where you’re located or where you’d travel to attend, I’d love to hear from you.

Social Media seems essential for many of us to stay connected with family, friends and also to build our businesses through networking and increased visibility. These platforms offer an array of positive opportunities for creating and maintaining relationships of all kinds on a global scale. While this potential can be fun, exciting and full of possibilities, we must acknowledge the pitfalls and negative traps of social media that present real and difficult challenges for us. And if we are empathic individuals, as many Reiki practitioners and spiritual seekers are, the harm social media may open us up to can be devastating to our mental and even physical wellbeing. The good news is, even if we are energetically sensitive to the point of often absorbing energy from other people and circumstances, we can utilize strategies and techniques to help us maximize our social media experiences to help us stay connected in meaningful ways, feel heard and build our businesses, too. By evaluating how interacting online is different from interacting in person, we can more easily find clear solutions. One important difference is the endless barrage and mass quantity of information streaming to us through these social media platforms. No break in this stream exists; it is constant. Furthermore, the platforms uphold no truth threshold so the unchecked spread of misinformation is pervasive. Finally, we must recognize the influence of perceived anonymity online. Social media interaction is most often between real life strangers. As a result, some people openly show us darker sides of themselves without self-filtering as they would be more likely to do if they were sitting with us face to face. What is the common thread with these three difficult areas presented by social media? Boundaries—there aren’t any in place outside of what we consciously construct for ourselves and decide to follow for our own sake. Boundaries are the game changer for how we intake social media as well as determining how we participate with others online. Without them, we are more prone to experience unresolved conflicts with what we read there. These unsettled feelings can affect our mood and our sense of security and trust. They often retain staying power remaining present in the background of our minds like a computer program running in the background, stealing precious power away from the more positive things we may try to focus on and accomplish. In an effort to try to help, we may choose to comment back with reason or appeal to a person’s higher nature. Unfortunately, this is rarely successful and simply brings us further into the anguish of the hopeless situation. To create a healthier relationship with social media, let us consider several guidelines and boundaries which can instantly empower us rather than drain or lower our energy. Perfect the art of scrolling on by. We can decide to stop trying to convince others we know better or they are wrong. Doing this never works and is a waste of our time. It only results in lost opportunities to focus on better-feeling things. Scrolling on by instead of reading the comments on energetically charged posts is difficult to do. This is a boundary we must keep by reminding ourselves it brings frustration and other negative feelings. With this awareness, it is easier to choose more wisely and scroll. After all, people will disagree. It is not our responsibility to resolve this. Instead, we may consciously choose to focus our time on posts about what we love. This will offer positive vibrations into the world and attract more positive people into our social media sphere. The art of scrolling by is absolutely one to practice for better mental and physical health. Give ourselves permission to clean up our friends list and who we follow. If the offerings of certain people are consistently creating conflict, it is perfectly fine to limit our exposure to them. Would we not do this in person? Furthermore, we need to decide if family members get to receive special permission to bring negativity into our experience through our social media connections just because we are related. We can take time to evaluate what they have published online and ask ourselves how we feel being connected to that energy. Would we invite them into our home and allow this sort of expression there? If the answer is no, it is time to consider making changes to keep our online space more in resonance with our goals for more peace. Evaluate who we have been online. Remember what we post online has energetic frequency and we are connected to it for as long as it is out there. Try the following exercise. Go to your profiles, your timelines and wherever you have an online voice. Read what you have posted from the perspective of someone who does not know you. As you absorb what you posted, evaluate your perceptions. Ask yourself to feel what energy and what emotions your posts bring about? What is the tone and who do you appear to be? Lastly, what energy is your social media presence offering—upbeat, loving, fun or perhaps judgmental, silly, divisive, or something else? Be honest with yourself and if you are promoting your business online, this evaluation is much more consequential. What traits do your potential clients see through your posts? Does that match how you would choose to portray yourself to them in the context of your business? Is your online presence helping your business or hurting it? The answers to these questions then allow us to make some new decisions to further shape our social media experience. Decide who we will now be online. It is important to perform the previous exercise from a neutral standpoint to get a clear perspective. Objectivity then allows us to see clearly and evaluate how we feel about what we find. Now is our opportunity to decide how we will present ourselves online and what our message will be to the world. Regardless of what message we choose to send, it is important to be authentic. This does not mean we must share every aspect of who we are. Instead, we may choose to leave some aspects of our thoughts and opinions and perhaps deeper personal events off of social media or choose specific privacy or audience settings that feel more suitable to what we share. However, what we do publish is best kept in alignment with our clear purpose and with authenticity. We must not pretend to be someone we are not because that would be misleading. Therefore, we may also delete old posts or comments that don’t reflect who we have become. There is no need to continue broadcasting what does not resonate with who we are today. We certainly would not walk around expressing the opinions we had 10 years ago if we no longer held those beliefs. So cleaning up our presence online makes sense especially because we are energetically tied to all we put out. Never post from strong emotion. Without a doubt, we will see material that triggers us in a reactionary and emotional way. It is important to catch ourselves before posting a quick response. It is a very good idea for us to pause and set the phone down or get up from the computer. Doing a task to be productive or just focusing on something else for a few minutes gives us time to reflect on what we decided our larger social media message would be. Then we can ask ourselves if the response we are tempted to publish resonates with this mission. More often than not, we will find that letting go and scrolling on by is our best option. It allows us to disconnect from a downward spiral of negativity and find our calm equilibrium again. However, if we do choose to respond, we may do so with a greater sense of awareness as we hold our social media goals in mind. Once written out, perhaps we again pause before making the final decision to publish. The fast pace of social media, its nonstop supply of shared opinions and ideas, the rampant misinformation and the insensitivity of some can certainly create a negative atmosphere and challenge our ability to enjoy the positive aspects of online platforms. This is often harder for empaths and highly sensitive people. However, when we stop reacting and set clear boundaries based on our goals, we can change our relationship with social media very quickly. From this more balanced place we can find uplifting people and new communities to connect with for encouragement, helpful sharing, learning and guidance. It is simply up to us to become more aware and decide the responsibility for regulating our relationship with social media lies within us. Article by Andrea Kennedy and published by Reiki Rays: https://reikirays.com/86315/social-media-survival-guide-5-guidelines-for-empaths-and-spiritual-people/

I’ve been aware of a wise, serious source of support and guidance for as long as I can remember. Something steady and beyond myself has always been present , quietly offering direction and reassurance. Reiki helped me deepen that connection. By quieting my mind and opening my awareness, I was able to allow a more tangible relationship with this source to develop. Over the years, I’ve experienced pivotal moments where I received knowledge or guidance about my purpose, about the next steps to take, and about who I am. These experiences have kept me moving forward on the path of fulfilling my purpose. This is the work “we” are doing together, unfolding in real-time with you. This aura photo was taken about 20 years ago, and the white shaft of light is the energy of the EOL in my field. I have asked and this was confirmed. About ten years ago, during a past life regression session, I learned about the group behind my guidance and support. I was given a name to use: the Emissaries of Light . I saw and felt a long history with them beyond this lifetime and received information about how we work together. My understanding is that I am part of this collective, though I am the only one currently living in a body full-time . While some among them may be known by names we might recognize, they choose not to identify themselves. Their reason is simple but profound: to avoid the limitations of human labeling, categorization, and judgment. They do not want us distracted by old ideas or teachings, some of which have been misunderstood or misrepresented over time. We have had a history of this, and our world has been formed from this way of operating. Instead, they want us to hear and feel their words and to experience the energy that comes through in their messages and the Reiki sessions I offer in my videos. They are present with me at all times. They invite us to strengthen our innate power of discernment through the felt sense of resonance in our bodies . This is how we remember to trust ourselves again, and this is how we create a world anew—the world we are yearning for . Their mission, and mine with them, is clear: to assist humanity in the rapid evolution now underway on Earth . They seek to awaken us to the truth of who we are, have always been, and shall forever be . When we awaken to this truth, our vibration shifts. From there, our life begins to transform naturally through new awareness, deeper acceptance, inspired ideas, and actions that arise in alignment with our true self. This is how the world ascends . Not through worrying about how to fix everything “out there,” but by embodying more of who we already are , yet have denied due to external programming and agreement to limiting beliefs. We are at a point in our human evolution where we can do this, unlike in previous times. This is due to the collective energy moving into a higher frequency, among other factors. As each individual remembers and embodies their light, their vibration shifts. As a result, their thoughts, words, and actions begin to change. With that, the foundation of a new world is quietly and powerfully constructed. There is no force or fight. There is a falling away of what no longer resonates as more people make personal decisions based on how they feel about the possibilities before them or their own inspired ideas. The Emissaries of Light remind us that transformation begins within. And it begins, always, with remembering the light of who we truly are. If you have enjoyed what I've been channeling with the Emissaries of Light and wish to receive answers to your questions, consider booking a channeling session here : Updated April 2026 #Guidance   #Channeling   #EmissariesofLight

Reiki 101: What is Reiki? This article is based on my YouTube series "Reiki 101" and is offered here for those who prefer reading online. You can find the original video on my Mainstream Reiki YouTube channel if you'd rather watch than read! After working with Reiki since 1995 and conducting thousands of sessions, I'm excited to share my insights with you about Reiki healing in this new series called "Reiki 101." My mission has always been simple: to help people understand what Reiki truly is and what it isn't. I want to demystify this practice and bring it more into the mainstream because Reiki is something everyone can benefit from. If you've ever heard anything about Reiki that made you fearful or uncertain, this article is especially for you. Reiki sessions occur while seated or lying down. Hands may be lightly touching or off of the body. What is Reiki? At its core, Reiki is a healing technique that helps reduce stress. This stress reduction and relaxation actually help the body heal itself. We all know that our bodies have natural mechanisms—like the immune system—that help us heal. When we get sick, our body works to get us back into energy balance and wellness. Reiki supports these natural systems by helping shift our nervous system from the "fight or flight" mode (sympathetic nervous system)—which we're in most of the time in our busy world—into the "rest, digest, and restore" mode (parasympathetic nervous system). The body simply cannot repair itself when it's under stress. It needs to be in a relaxed state to do that. If you're thinking Reiki sounds completely "woo woo" or New Age, I encourage you to search online for scientific studies that back up its efficacy. I was completely skeptical myself when I first encountered Reiki in 1995. With my physics degree, I was very analytical and science-minded. It sounded too good to be true—the results didn't seem to match the level of work required. But I can tell you from experience: it really is that good. What's even more remarkable? Hundreds of hospitals in the United States and more around the world offer Reiki in their healthcare facilities. Some hospitals even have Reiki teachers on staff and offer classes on-site! They know Reiki is a healing technique with proven results for stress reduction and energy balance because if it were not worthwhile, they would not continue the programs or start new ones. Reiki is Holistic One of the most important aspects of Reiki is that it's holistic—it treats the whole person. This includes emotions and thought patterns where we often get stuck in a rut. Reiki can actually help recalibrate these patterns and shift them into a healthier state of being. Physically, scientific studies in hospitals have shown that Reiki decreases pain and reduces the need for pain medications. If I had to sum up Reiki in one word, it would be "better." Reiki helps people feel better—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. How Reiki Works Reiki is administered through the hands of the practitioner. These hands can be placed either on the body or slightly off the body. Reiki can also be transmitted over distance—people don't even need to be in the same physical location to receive its benefits. And contrary to what some might think, Reiki practitioners didn't invent distance Reiki because of the pandemic. It's always been part of Reiki training, going back to its origins in Japan over a hundred years ago. There's a tradition and framework for Reiki classes, and distance Reiki has been part of that for decades. The entire system of Reiki is based on the life force energy that flows in and around all living things. That might sound a bit "woo woo," but if we think about it, everything alive has vitality—an energy to being alive. All living things have this life force energy flowing in and around them in a certain way. We have what I call "energy anatomy"—you might have heard terms like chakras and meridians. These energy centers or pathways help the life force energy flow and be distributed in a certain way to support life in the physical body. This concept is central to Reiki practice because when this life force energy flows in balance, we feel good. The problem is that life's stresses—everyday pressures, trauma, abuse—can upset that flow. A Reiki practitioner offers Reiki energy through their hands to help restore that life force energy to its intended flow. When our energy flows in a balanced way, we feel centered, we sleep well, and we move through life with ease. But when life happens and we react to stress—stuffing emotions, feeling hurt without healthy ways to heal—we cause disruptions in our energy flow. Reiki helps restore that balance. Reiki in a hospital setting is a stress-reducing complement to treatment and an additional way to support patients. Complementary, Not Alternative Another important point: Reiki is a complementary therapy, not an alternative one. This distinction matters because we're never asking anyone to replace medical care with Reiki. Reiki goes right alongside anything you might need to do for your well-being. For example, if you're going through chemotherapy, you can also receive Reiki. What's often seen is that the chemotherapy process becomes a bit smoother, and the side effects are lessened for someone receiving Reiki throughout their treatment. Reiki is simply something that makes life better. I hope this introduction to Reiki has been helpful as we explore Reiki here on the Mainstream Reiki website in these articles. Remember: Reiki doesn't cause harm. It's perfectly natural. Anyone can learn it, anyone can receive its benefits, and you don't even have to believe in it for it to work. Pretty remarkable. If you'd like to watch the video version of this article, you can find it here: Reiki 101: What is Reiki? Updated April 2026

Social Media is a challenge for me. I see the great potential it has to bring us together but it just isn't used that way by so many people and that is where the challenge lies. Not too long ago, I was on Facebook and I crossed one of my boundaries. I read the comments on a political post. I try hard not to read them because I know that hate and judgement often live in the comments and it draws me in. One person made what I would characterize as a highly judgmental and stereotypical comment that was completely irresponsible. My first thought was, "Wow… I wonder what other people this person has lumped together and condemned and on what basis? Surely, there must be other gems this guy is broadcasting because he can type and thinks we all need to hear his opinion." Then, I admit, I began descending into the rabbit hole. My emotions that caused my throat to tense spurred my fantasy of retaliation with my own comments. I quickly wrote several responses in my mind, each one getting more clever and to the point in an urgent attempt to wake him up to his part in all things wrong with society. And then I stopped. I realized in that moment that this thread simply triggered remembrance of my fears. I reflected on what I was feeling and questioned my motives in feeling compelled to respond to this man. I was angry with how I judged this person to be…hateful, closed, arrogant, limited and that he seemed beyond reason. I blamed myself for my negative reaction and questioned my connection with Reiki. Specifically, I have been dedicated to Reiki for over half my life so, why was I easily descending down the path of negative reaction? Where was Reiki in all this? The answer then occurred to me. Reiki does not make us blind to what exists because this is neither healthy nor helpful. It also doesn’t take away our human nature. What Reiki does do is support us in self-reflection and conscious awareness. When I stopped myself from descending further, I created a pause which served as the opportunity for awareness and then choice—choice from a connected place, a higher place. It is from this place I am able to remember who I am and who others are, too. I know my ability to access this place is a gift from my relationship with Reiki. And from there, I am guided to promote unity, connection, truth, love and equality. I remember that fighting against anyone or anything creates focus and focused energy expands power toward expression and manifestation. You and I are responsible in creating what we choose to envision and I thank the man on Facebook for providing the opportunity to wake up to this truth once again. Lesson remembered, lesson lived...until the next time I forget I'm committed to the conscious creation of better. And I surely will. I invite you to join me in the conscious creation of better. Highest blessings to you. Updated April 2026

New practitioners often have strong motivations to help others and save the world. While this is commendable, there are some points to remember. First, you were drawn to Reiki for yourself as well. Do not overlook your needs for healing, balance and insight that Reiki offers. It will always make you a better healer to continue to heal yourself. In the past, many falsely believed that when one spent time bettering themselves it was a sign of self-centeredness. Today, self-care is regarded as a positive part of wellness practices. Reiki is a powerful gift we have to heal ourselves and proceed down a path of well-being, peace, love and understanding. As we heal, our energy changes in ways that positively affect others without us even trying. So, in fact, we are helping others indirectly and automatically through our own healing. Please consider ways to incorporate Reiki into everyday life. I recommend beginning each day with self-Reiki even before your feet touch the floor. By spending as little as 10 minutes placing your Reiki hands on yourself, you have the ability to set the tone for the day. You may use this few minutes to meditate on an affirmation or goal you have been focusing on, review one or more Reiki precepts or perhaps simply enjoy the energy. There are no rules to follow but the regularity of daily self-practice is an important key to seeing deeper results. Secondly, trust Reiki! As healers, we possess a strong desire to do our best in creating specific results for those we help. Remember that the very nature of Reiki is that IT knows how to help someone for their highest good and, therefore, does not rely on our direction. However, we may feel pressure to seek knowledge about chakras, meridians, emotional causation of disease and other information in an effort to help boost the results of our sessions. While educating ourselves surely has value, so does remembering that Reiki does not require anything of you as a practitioner. Sometimes knowing more (or thinking we know more) can make it harder for us to energetically step aside for Reiki to flow freely. In fact, we do not even need to know what is ailing our client for Reiki to help them in profound ways. I understand this personally from my own practice and can attest to clients reporting astounding and unexpected positive results when we had not previously met and I was told nothing of their conditions prior to the session. Instead of relying on prior knowledge, it is always best to quiet the mind and allow Reiki to guide each session. Utilize hand positions and techniques you have learned but listen to the guidance in each moment of the session. By doing this, you are an instrument of the Reiki energy in service to the highest good of whomever you are blessed to work with in the Reiki space. Perhaps this is best described as being Reiki in contrast to doing Reiki. Finally, practice, practice, practice! There is nothing like the experience of giving and receiving Reiki. Practice often and notice what you notice. Perhaps keep a journal to record your experiences and insights as you deepen your relationship with Reiki. Welcome to the possibilities, mysteries and joys of Reiki! Reiki deepens through practice, and you don’t have to do that alone. Inside the Mainstream Reiki Community, you’ll find opportunities to practice, build confidence, and stay connected with others on the path. Updated April 2026

Ann Arbor’s Crazy Wisdom Bookstore invited me to share how I came to Reiki for their May–August 2018 journal. This is my story and how Reiki became part of my life. If you’re new to Reiki or wondering how it fits alongside science and medicine, this perspective may offer clarity. I loved my first “real” job as a stress lab technician in a Texas hospital. I was in college then and had plans to work in the medical field for most of my life. Science always fascinated me and I felt at home with the subject. My linear mind felt comfortable with the scientific method as a guide to formulate and test hypotheses. Furthermore, we often used precise measurements, calculations, and verifiable data to establish facts and reach conclusions. That was my world until 1995 when I first heard of Reiki. I had recently graduated with a bachelor of science degree in physics (specializing in health physics) and was working at an outpatient nuclear medicine facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho, when a family member came to visit. My beloved Aunt Eva flew up from Corpus Christi and began talking about Reiki. She explained it as a Japanese technique for reducing stress and promoting relaxation. ​ She said it helped the body’s immune system function better. She told us incredible Reiki stories that perplexed me, but something in me always knew there was much more to life than what we are taught in school or can yet be explained by science. I was intrigued, and she taught both my husband and me level one before she returned home. ​ Reiki is practiced by offering life force energy, or chi, through the palms of the hands. The practitioner places hands lightly on or above various locations of the recipient’s body. As the energy flows to the person, the flow of their life force energy can become more balanced, which is often felt as deep relaxation of the mind and body. Although I could feel no difference in my hands when I first practiced Reiki, my husband could feel the Reiki when I offered it to him. It was because of his feedback and encouragement that I went on to complete my Reiki training. ​ I practiced on myself and my family and began to feel sensations in my hands that could only be described as energy. I had no other explanation. In addition, my senses began to develop about where a person had pain and how they were feeling emotionally and why. The accuracy was unmistakable, although I again had no scientific explanation. ​ These perceptions further ignited my quest to learn more about energy, extra-sensory perception, and all things my traditional family would label as woo woo. In the years that followed, I studied and completed classes on a range of subjects including Theta Healing, the Silva Method, Integrated Energy Therapy, Chinese Energetic Medicine, and Healing Touch. I also learned self-hypnosis which worked perfectly during the labor and delivery of our second son. This further proved to me that the fascinating relationship between the mind and body is undeniable, strong, and mysterious. ​ In 2006, I began volunteering Reiki at my veterinarian’s office and quickly discovered I could communicate with the animals, although I had no training in that area. Word began to spread of my animal Reiki sessions and the results seen by clients. Based on feedback, the veterinarians suggested I begin to charge for my services. I had not started with that intention but decided to take their advice. Soon, people who brought their animals for Reiki began asking if I offered sessions for people. I was both excited and a bit nervous because I would need to figure out all the details and requirements. I decided that if people were asking, it was for a reason. I relied on my daily Reiki self-practice and it supported me as I navigated through what I needed to do. As a result, I grew my practice and opened a small office in downtown Idaho Falls for my two-legged clients and continued to see animals at the clinic. ​ Not long after, I began receiving requests for teaching Reiki classes. Just like before, I was a bit overwhelmed. However, I missed teaching. I had left my position at the local high school where I taught biology and earth science to devote my time to my Reiki practice. I prepared for and taught my first Reiki class in 2007 — twelve years after I learned Reiki I with my aunt. ​ I so loved my “work,” which didn’t feel like work at all. I met amazing people and animals, and my little Reiki practice that began with volunteering continued to grow. Unfortunately, the following year, we had to make the decision to move across the country for my husband’s job. It was exciting for us, but at the same time, one of the hardest times of my life. To leave my students and clients behind was just so painful; however, our Reiki connection has kept me in contact with many of them. ​ The last thing I wanted to do was start over and then have to walk away again, so I went back to practicing Reiki for myself and my family, attending Reiki shares to visit with other practitioners and studied more in the areas of healing and spirituality. I also volunteered in the Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s Healing Touch program. I obtained recertification in all levels of Reiki with different teachers and completed Karuna® Master Training and Holy Fire II Reiki. ​ When my family relocated to Michigan in 2015, I began making plans to begin offering Reiki again. Reiki is very much who I am. I could not tamp that down any longer. Begun in 2016, my practice in Saline is focused on helping people through Reiki sessions and teaching. I consider teaching Reiki a privilege, honor, and responsibility because I respect Reiki very much. It is powerful and at the same time gentle and non-invasive. I’ve seen it change lives, and it certainly has shaped mine. It’s what I’m meant to do... without question. There is nothing I would rather do than to help people reconnect with who they truly are through the practice of Reiki. It can do no harm, always works for one’s highest good, relieves stress, and supports one’s immune system to better perform in the ways in which it is designed. ​ What I feel most passionately about in regard to my work is bringing Reiki further into the mainstream through education and practice so more people may benefit. Reiki is not defined by the new age movement and is increasingly offered at hospitals and healthcare facilities across the U.S. and world. One reason for this is that Reiki is a complementary therapy that marries perfectly with traditional medical care to support the patient in ways often overlooked by mainstream medicine. Reiki helps people be more participatory in their own health and well-being by managing stress and increasing self-awareness. It is through this awareness that we may meet life’s situations from a more balanced, objective place. Decisions we make from that state of mind are, therefore, more informed, rational, and simply better for us. ​ Frankly, there is not an abundance of convincing scientific research proving the effectiveness of Reiki. However, what is out there is a focus of my Facebook page called Mainstream Reiki. There I post research conclusions, press releases, and news stories relating to facilities and organizations successfully implementing Reiki programs as well as testimonials from people who share their Reiki experiences. ​ I still consider myself a scientist. A skeptical one at that. However, I cannot deny what I have seen and felt through the practice of Reiki. The proof of Reiki is in the experience of it. As more people try Reiki with qualified professional practitioners and go on to learn Reiki, the voices attesting to its efficacy will continue to grow in number and volume. This will assist in the shift of Reiki from being considered a new age curiosity to a mainstream medical complementary therapy, and patients will be better served through more positive care models and outcomes. ​ Andrea Kennedy has practiced Reiki since 1995. She teaches all levels of Reiki classes. Updated April 2026

I admit I've struggled over the past months to see a way up and out from the divisive and often hateful atmosphere of these times. And while I can comfort myself in the knowing that there must be chaos and destruction before we can rebuild in a new and higher way, I find some days harder than others to keep this in the forefront of my mind. My purpose in writing this is to renew hope. Hope for myself and perhaps for you. We need all the hope and reminders we are not defined by these times we can get, in my opinion. So, I offer what occurred to me today for the purpose of knowing and remembering we are on the uprise and a brighter future has been quietly born and is gaining momentum and strength right now in this moment. All before 1 pm today, I saw three clear validating examples of something I’ve known for awhile. This truth is that empathy will be the way out and up for us across cultures and how the human race decides not to destroy ourselves while we are so busy tearing each other down. The first of the three uplifting and validating events supporting my theory arrived at 9 a.m. this morning. “Samantha” is a 14 year-old young lady seeking relief for high anxiety and migraines. Like many of the younger clients I see, she is a highly intelligent, aware and an empath . As an empath, she is able to sense how someone is feeling and can use this insight to help her relate to others. Put simply, empaths have the ability to put themselves in someone else’s shoes and understand that person’s feelings and perspectives unlike a “normal” person. I have noticed an increase of empaths in my Reiki clientele and in the families of my friends and family—not all young like Samantha but it appears to me a larger percentage of the younger population is empathic when compared to the older population. An increase in the number of these gifted individuals results in an army of sensitive, caring people who are able to understand others at deeper levels which leads to acceptance and remembrance of our oneness. And when enough of us remember our oneness, violence will no longer make any sense. Divisions drawn between us out of fears and separation will not stand. As oneness is felt, the out-picturing of our knowing shall transform not only our personal reality but our collective consciousness and humankind on a grand scale. We shall experience heaven on earth which has been available all along but we have not chosen it as our collective experience thus far in our history. The second event occurred during a meditation group discussion at about 11:30. Our topic was on mindful eating and a woman spoke about her 8 year old granddaughter who feels the consequences of what she chooses to eat in her muscles and mind. For example, when she perceived a quivering in her muscles one afternoon while in gymnastics, she felt it was a result of adding too much sugar to her whole grain cereal that morning. She made note of that result and now adds little to no sugar when she chooses cereal for breakfast. You see, she chooses what to eat based on what her body tells her. Breakfast may be 3 slices of toast one day and mostly protein the next. Fortunately, her family allows her freedom with her diet because she is finely tuned in with herself and is in top physical shape as a gifted gymnast. Her heightened awareness indicates her ability to take her cues from her felt sense and not externally in the messages of what she 'should' or 'should not' eat. Finally, to my third uplifting example stemming from a conversation I later had with a client. She told me how delighted she was that her meditation group instructor enthusiastically endorsed the idea of bringing her 10 year old granddaughter along to one of their two-hour meetings. During that day's two-25 minutes silent meditations, her granddaughter very quietly read the book she brought along, mindfully turning each page trying to not disturb anyone. As soon as each concluding bell rang, she discreetly put the book away and listened to the adults share about their experiences. Later, over lunch, her grandmother asked her, “What did you hear today?” Very plainly her granddaughter responded, “Clinging to things can make you unhappy.” My client pointed out to me that her granddaughter did not parrot what anyone in the group had said but, rather chose her words herself as a result of her own interpretation. These young people of 14, 8 and 10 years of age each live from a place of deep connection and knowingness. It is no accident that our institutions created decades ago are now crumbling and offering the opportunity to be reimagined in a higher way at the direction of the youngest among us and those that follow. It is our responsibility to hold space for these gifted souls and do what we can to support their journeys which shall engineer humanity’s future. Through my experience, I believe more of these young ones are being born energetically cleaner than prior generations. Of course, many adults have had a part in this through their own healing because as we heal ourselves we may also heal our ancestors as well as future generations. This is possible and happening now due to our true nature of connection—our oneness. This is not an American phenomenon but a global one. It is a revolution in the purest form I can imagine and one worthy of celebration, indeed. Hope made manifest. 🙏🏼 P.S. - I wrote this article and before I finished it for publication, the world's youth mobilized and demonstrated in a climate strike--another sign of our changing population leading us to choose higher possibilities through awareness. Yes!!! If you're trained in Reiki and looking for like-hearted people to continue conversations like these, your invited to join us inside the Mainstream Reiki Community: Updated April 2026

For this Mother’s Day, I want to share a message in hopes it supports you in reorganizing your priority list. Too often, women and mothers are near the bottom of their lists. As a mother, I know firsthand the lengths we go to for our children and families. Sometimes (and maybe often) if feels like we have nothing left for ourselves at the end of the day. It can be really easy to put off the ‘unnecessary’ but healing things we can do for ourselves and it can feel selfish to spend our time doing them, too. The good news is that is old thinking and more of us are realizing that self-care is critical if we really want to be able to help others in the highest ways. However, it can be difficult for us to change that priority list and take action to move ourselves up the ranking. Odds are we are super tired from years of just getting by and perhaps often questioning if we are doing enough for others. So, I want to tell all mothers out there who reside at the bottom of their priority list… Please know the greatest gift a mother can give to her children is a healthy, happier mother. Think about that… Take a moment to imagine how it could feel to your children to have a mother who is healthy and happier. Pretty good, right? Your health and happiness could pay dividends you probably never dreamed of and not just for you but for your entire family. So, if you haven’t yet been reason enough to move yourself up your priority list…are they reason enough? Please believe you deserve the loving treatment you give to so many. YOU ARE WORTH IT!!! Happy Mother’s Day! 💐 A Reiki session with one of Mainstream Reiki's trusted professionals is a place to begin: Updated April 2026

A young woman recently met with me for an Intuitive Reiki session. When I asked her if she had anything for me to check on during the session, she said she wanted to know if she had everything within her needed for her to heal. In my mind, I thought, “Of course you do!” but said nothing. I’ve learned my thinking mind and the wisdom that comes to me in a Reiki session are often different. I’m thankful I waited because the answer was stunning and beautiful and far beyond what I was capable of saying to her on my own. As I started the session, I tuned in to her and immediately heard the old saying in my mind, “No man is an island.” I then witnessed a vision like a movie clip. I first saw an island in the middle of the ocean. Suddenly, all the water disappeared and the land that was the island was now obviously just a continuation of the ocean floor but at higher elevation. The water supplied the illusion of separation but the island had always been connected in oneness to all the other land on the planet. Therefore, the separation was simply a matter of perception. Following the session, I shared the island metaphor with her and relayed more explanation as it was revealed to me. The answer to her question was both no and yes at the same time. She, like all of us, does not have everything within her she needs to heal. But that is by design and it doesn’t mean we are deficient. The energy of who we are does not operate on a closed system. We are part of a whole and not separated at all—that is the illusion. Therefore, the answers we seek and everything we need to heal exists within our reach. Whether we reach for a book that beckons us or ask someone for help and advice, we are opening ourselves up to new energy. We then have the opportunity to reflect upon what we learn and may refine who we are by noticing how the information makes us feel and perhaps adjusting our beliefs. Connecting in these ways and then within can be quite healing and continues through our lifetime as we evolve through experience. Later that evening, I researched the quote I heard. I discovered it is actually a shorter version of “No man is an Island, entire of it self; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main.” This was written in 1624 by John Donne in his book, Devotions upon Emergent Occasions. I was stunned it mentioned the word ‘continent’ which fit perfectly with what I saw. And again, I was thankful for the connection that day that helped me help the young woman with a beautiful answer to her very personal question, one I feel many of us have asked at one time or another. #IntuitiveReiki #Reiki #MainstreamReiki #NoManIsAnIsland

I absolutely love Reiki for its simplicity. Reiki is the energy of creation in action on the earth plane. It is as simple as placing hands and intending Reiki to flow. That is all that is required. Reiki does not discriminate and dictate who may channel it or who may benefit from it. In fact, there are no beliefs a person must ascribe to, either. It is so natural and simple that any person and even children can successfully learn and practice the healing art of Reiki. However, I’ve become aware that more Reiki teachers and practitioners are choosing to complicate the system of Reiki by redefining it with rules. We can see the effect of this in posts and threads on social media and especially in online groups meant for the purpose of educating people about Reiki. Some insist that in order to be a good Reiki practitioner, one must eat a certain way and if one chooses otherwise, their ability to channel effective Reiki is diminished. Therefore, they have created a system to judge Reiki practitioners based on personal beliefs. Of course, the rules of the right diet are highly debated and subjective. I have read very heated and harsh posts stemming from judgement that get quite personal. The message is one of fear from the implication one cannot be an effective Reiki channel if certain foods and drinks are not excluded from the diet. The judgements and criticisms in these posts are written in an effort to be ‘right’ and validate the authors’ own choices, and therefore, fears. When we insist on being right, we condemn every other person to be wrong. This does not sound like Reiki to me. Some insist we must heal ourselves of chronic illness and not be on any prescription drugs before helping others with Reiki. Therefore, only the healthiest of people are worthy to offer Reiki to others. I recently read a post declaring no one should ever offer Reiki to another if they are tired or stressed and it’s the practitioner’s responsibility to ensure they are at their absolute best for each session, implying that otherwise, they are somehow harming the other person or being irresponsible. If that is true, I’ve been doing it all wrong. And Usui must have as well. After fasting for 21 days, he received Reiki in a weakened physical state, healed and went on to develop the system of Reiki healing—helping countless people. Four years later, he suffered a stroke and died. It is doubtful he could have been in the best physical shape leading up to the stroke and helping people with Reiki. I am certainly very grateful he practiced and taught Reiki regardless. The truth is, if practitioners were required to be healed and without issues prior to offering Reiki to anyone else, we would not be practicing today. Reiki would have died out long ago due to the lack of qualified practitioners and teachers. Furthermore, under these rules, simple aging of our physical bodies would dampen our ability to channel Reiki. Contrary to these ideas, I continue to observe my own relationship and ability to channel Reiki as strengthening over time which, of course, means with increasing age. I know this to be true of fellow practitioners as well. We are human and to expect practitioners to deny this does not feel like Reiki to me. The judgement in the Reiki community continues with more rules concerning what the client is allowed to wear to ensure a good Reiki treatment. To some, it seems that jewelry, watches and leather items must be removed. In fact, I learned this in my first Reiki class and it is still being taught. Now activity trackers like Fitbits have been added to the list of items a client must remove or just leave at home. From the time I learned Reiki in 1995, technology has grown immensely. Consider the fact that we did not have cell phones in those days but today, wi-fi and bluetooth signals invisibly and continuously bathe our bodies. Many believe these wavelengths of energy negatively influence Reiki. However, my own Reiki practice has only grown stronger and delivered better results over time despite the increase of this type of potential negative influence. Honestly, through the years, I did worry about following rules and doing Reiki the ‘right’ way. But when I explored my reasons for feeling like this, I discovered that the rules and any desire I felt to follow them stemmed from fear. I feared that I was not worthy of Reiki because of my human nature so I somehow needed to make up for being not good enough by following rules. Having these fears seemed counter to my understanding of Reiki and prompted me to reexamine my understanding of what Reiki is, my relationship with it and also motivated me to investigate the rules and their potential effects on my Reiki experiences. I experimented with my dietary choices and allowing clients to wear whatever they had on including leather belts, jewelry and Fitbits. I offered Reiki when I felt wonderful and also when I did not feel my best—physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I have not found any correlation between the effectiveness of my Reiki treatments with these personal choices or states of being and have released my fears pertaining to doing Reiki the ‘right’ way. I also realized that if I truly believed Reiki required rules like these, I would not continue to practice or teach Reiki. Rules downgrade Reiki into being ordinary and it is not ordinary in the least. Buying into rules creates comparisons, competition, separation and judgment within the Reiki community and that does not feel like Reiki to me. What does feel like Reiki is understanding we are human and Reiki knows this and blesses us not in spite of it but perhaps because of it. Reiki does not judge us. Why would it? Reiki is Source Energy. Is it feasible that Source Energy could be derailed by a diamond ring, a Fitbit or the meat I ate last night? I say no! For that is the Reiki I know and love. The only limitations of Reiki are those we assign to it. In a world full of hurtful judgements and fears of our unworthiness, Reiki offers us the truth of knowing we are enough and always have been. Reiki accepts us as we are and excludes no one. Ever. In my practice, I remind myself, "I am, therefore, Reiki Is.” Pure and simple. And that feels like Reiki to me. I invite you to ask yourself what rules define your Reiki practice and why. I invite you to reevaluate them, question them and determine what is appropriate as you trust Reiki and your relationship with it. And if you choose rules that guide you, I invite you to keep them for yourself and refrain from prescribing them for others. Let us remember what works well for one person may not be appropriate or true for another. It is not up to us to decide or judge, and certainly not in the name of Reiki. If you’re interested in learning and developing your own relationship with Reiki, you can explore classes here: Updated April 2026

I think therefore I am. I feel therefore I am. I grew up resonating with the first statement. It was important to think logically, carry out what I thought were responsible behaviors, get the best grades with my thinking mind because, obviously, you can’t feel your way to good grades. Everything I did, came from my belief that thinking was the way to success. Some years later, I now see how thinking is so limiting. For example, if we try to think ourselves toward a goal, it may start off well but the plan we made with our thinking mind is misinformed as soon as we move on from the starting point. This is true because once we move along the path we can receive new information which informs a new perspective. So how we thought it was going to go prior may or may not be true of the current situation. We can simply think again and apply logic to the new situation but often logic does not lead us to what is in our highest good. Perhaps the best place to go isn’t one we could think of. I mean, we don’t know all the possibilities, right? So if we are not supposed to think up the route to solve a problem what are we supposed to do? Feeling your way through is another approach. Assess how it feels to be where you are then imagine possible steps forward (dream—don’t just rely on what you think). Then check in to see how each one feels to you. What does your inner feeling tell you to do? Choose by feeling and then move and repeat the process as you evaluate each new current situation. Does that mean that thinking is bad? Of course not. Thinking can get us so far but to fulfill our potential we need a balance between thinking and feeling. Many of us shut down or discounted our feeling side in childhood but feeling broadens our perspective and our power to move forward in innovative, meaningful ways. Try this! Next time you feel stuck in trying to make a decision between two options, imagine a trusted advisor appears and tells you the first option is no longer available. You MUST accept choice #2. Tune into your body and emotions. Notice how you feel about proceeding with that choice. Now, clear your mind. Imagine the trusted advisor tells you the other choice is off the table and you must accept choice #1. Tune in again and notice your body and emotions. You’ve done it! It’s that easy to feel your way along your path. Will you follow what your inner guidance has revealed to you? That is up to you but now you have more information to make the choice rather than relying on thinking alone. Updated April 2026