Greetings to all healers and Reiki practitioners. This article is an invitation to reflect on a simple yet profound question: Did you choose Reiki or did Reiki choose you? Let us revisit our Reiki journey into this vast ocean of healing energy and explore how it first entered our lives.

Many people come to Reiki during moments of uncertainty. Some are searching for answers, others arrive through emotional upheaval or physical distress. Reiki often appears as a transformative and life-changing modality – powerful, yet beautifully simple. As the healing begins, clarity unfolds, emotional burden softens, and there is a relief in knowing that the decision to come to Reiki was the right one.

At times, grief, fear, anxiety, pain or self-doubts can make the healing process intense. The journey may feel like a roller coaster, marked by dramatic awakenings and profound inner shifts. Many Reiki masters speak of such powerful transformations and these experiences are deeply valid.

Yet sometimes, healing does not arrive with intensity. Sometimes it arrives as ease. Sometimes you do not search for Reiki, rather it gently finds you. What I share here is a similar journey – one where Reiki entered my life quietly, at a time when I knew very little about energy healing, yet something within me recognized its presence instantly.

I was a 19-year-old college student, deeply underconfident, stayed home, few friends, unsure about most things in my life and the world around. I was happily non-existent because visibility scared me. Life was fine – a loving family, mundane routine.

Then one day, my mom asked, “Do you want to learn something like healing touch?” She had been offered to learn Reiki and see the benefits, but she didn’t had time and instead asked me. I had never heard the word ‘Reiki’, knew nothing about energy healing, yet instinctively, I said “Yes”.

I still remember the excitement stirring within – a first in a long while. I was ready to learn.

Meeting my guru, Smt Kiran Date, was like finding a gentle anchor. She welcomed me with a warm smile and since that day, she has been my guiding light. I was a good student, followed everything she taught me, did self-healing regularly. I was not seeking relief from anything, was not there to cure myself, I just went with the flow.

Feeling the energy move through my hands, the warmth, the deep relaxation – it was blissful. Often, I fell asleep mid-session and woke up fresh. I began giving Reiki to family, then progressed to second level, learning distance healing. Every session felt joyful and effortless. Compliments from those I healed—hearing they felt better—made me quietly happy.

I wanted to continue learning, but didn’t want to ask my father for money. So, I taught tuitions, saved diligently and completed the master level in a couple of years.

By then, Reiki had become my way of life. I gave it to everything – my scooty, my pet dog, even for cricket matches (though I would not recommend that!). More importantly, it transformed me.

I became confident, self-assured, positive; the girl who forgot paths to market or relatives’ homes (which I had gone to several times), now was navigating others, driving triple seat on highways (again not recommended!).

I used to be a good dancer but never had the courage to perform solo on stage; now I choreographed and danced as well to accolades.

Reiki replaced what no longer served me with experiences and people that did. I made lasting friendships, cleared exams manifesting with Reiki box, got scholarship for PhD, and most significant development was my life partner.

It was an arranged marriage, I was unsure, skeptical and doubtful when I asked my guru to guide me. She said, “Just invoke Reiki and ask for the best to happen”. I did exactly that and got married to the most wonderful person, someone supportive of both my personal and academic journey.

Through my years of PhD, Reiki was my constant companion. It helped me navigate work, family, setbacks, and triumphs. It was there in my presentations, workshops, and performances, silently supporting me.

I remember my first talk in front of the entire institute—my confidence, my calm, my clarity—all anchored by Reiki. Life brought both victories and challenges, and through it all, Reiki never left my side.

Finally, as I neared completion of my PhD, a strong inner voice said, “Now, it’s time to become a teacher”. Next week, I travelled to my guru, received the master teacher attunement and returned ready to share something that had made a huge impact on my life.

From that moment, my journey shifted—from being a student to becoming a teacher. I began slowly – giving attunements to family, friends, and neighbors; conducting healing light circles; writing articles; and teaching at my own pace. I continued reading, learning, and healing.

Gradually, more people joined, and my Reiki teaching work began to grow.

My story isn’t about how Reiki entered my life and suddenly transformed everything; it’s about being drawn toward something that has been a constant companion for over two decades. A story, not of dramatic transformation, rather consistent, gentle guidance.

This year, I celebrate 25 years of my Reiki journey – a path that has held my hand through every high and low, teaching me patience, trust and authenticity. I still treasure my very first Reiki certificate.

However, a different perspective says after all the hard work, why I couldn’t capitalize on my academic strength. I was a good research scholar with publications and a promising future in research. I loved my work and did try to pursue it professionally, but somehow, I didn’t succeed.

I taught manifestation in my classes, so when I faced what felt like failure, self-doubt crept in. I asked myself: Am I living in a bubble? Was I truly capable? Why did my students succeed while I struggled? Answers didn’t come then.

Now, looking back, I can see the pattern. Perhaps my life path was set at 19, when I first encountered Reiki. Every time I strayed from it, I stumbled—but whenever I embraced it, Reiki remained my constant companion.

Even when I was in a job; whenever I got some time, I would read, deepen my knowledge. I offered healing sessions, and also taught Reiki to colleagues—some of whom witnessed remarkable transformations in their lives.

Reiki had always been my calling, yet sometimes, seeing highly successful coaches and followed-by-millions masters, there comes a trigger of self-doubt. I begin to wonder: Is my experience less valuable? Am I missing something? Do I need to join the rat race to prove myself?

The answers come quietly: when students share their success, when a client expresses relief and gratitude, when someone calls saying, “I feel renewed after learning from you”, I feel the profound impact of walking this path.

Reiki has guided me to honor my purpose, without comparison or competition, quietly affirming that my journey, however unconventional, is deeply valuable.

Reiki chose me when I didn’t even know it existed. It has held my hand through every challenge and joy. I feel deeply blessed and committed to continue walking this path, sharing the knowledge I’ve gained, and humbly accepting the role that Reiki and the universe have designed for me.

Perhaps every Reiki journey unfolds differently. Sometimes it arrives through struggle, sometimes through quiet guidance. Wherever you are on your path, trust that Reiki meets you exactly where you are.

Article by Astha Shrivastava

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Astha is attuned to Reiki since 19 years and has started healing those in need since her first Reiki level in 2000. She achieved the grandmasters level 6 years ago and since then has been teaching Reiki to people. Being a Ph.D. in Biotechnology, she has a basic instinct of combining science with Reiki and utilizing the combination for the highest good of people. She firmly believes that the basic knowledge of how various tissue and organs of body function adds to the effect of energy healing. She has also expanded her Reiki boundaries to encompass Angel Reiki and Crystal Reiki. Astha also provides consultations to Reiki channels and seekers to help them grow in their practice. Currently, she features as a partner expert on lifepositive.com/therapist/asthashrivastav. Reach Astha at [email protected] and on Facebook at A.U.R.A. (Astha Universal Reiki Academy).