My name is Brittney. I am a 26-year-old dog mom to a four-year-old golden retrieve. I work as the Operations Manager for my family’s HVAC company by day and as a freelance writer by night. It’s safe to safe to say that it was written in the stars for me to become a writer. However, I deviated from my aspirations as I neared my college years fearing that writing wasn’t a “real” career path. Through much trial and error, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Consumer Journalism which was the closest program that aligned with my deep-seated passions. In this article, I want to share my experience with Reiki, which was hugely helpful in overcoming my addiction to prescription medicine.
For the past 6 years I have struggled coming off of a prescription for ADHD. I believe this to be the eye of the tornado that had become my life. While I do feel that my prescription medication was beneficial in helping me succeed in a standardized school system, the doses raised and eventually I was met with a maximum dosage allowed by my doctor. I began taking the liberty of self-prescribing doses by taking what I believed was appropriate each day. This lead to running out of my medication early, which inevitably lead to withdrawals.
My loved ones noticed the changes in behavior over the years and came to me with concern. I defensively brushed away their help and assured them that I was fine and there was no need to worry. They persisted and I finally swallowed my pride. I admitted that I not only had an addiction, I was no longer the same person. I was quiet, short-tempered, and overall extremely dull. Terrified and not being able to afford traditional therapy, I researched high and low for anything that might help me release whatever was bottled up inside.
I found documentaries about energy therapies like reiki and its benefits for those who feel anxious or depressed. I ran to my computer to book the soonest reiki appointment with the closest healer. Boom. Done. The two-day wait was agonizing, as I felt this appointment could be the key to all of my problems. But reiki wasn’t the key to all of my problems, it ended up being the key to all of my solutions, including overcoming my addiction.
Upon arrival, I removed my shoes and got comfortable lying face up on a heated table. Once I was situated my healer came in, placed a blanket on me, and asked me what I was hoping to get out of my experience. After I plead my case she turned on oceanic sounds and told me to just focus on my breathing; the feel, the sound, the consistency, etc. She also reassured me that it was okay if my mind began to wander. If it did, then I should simply become aware of my passing thoughts and then bring my awareness back to my breath.
To my surprise, about 15 minutes into the session I drifted in and out of what felt like falling asleep. But in retrospect I was falling awake. The area between my eyebrows developed a warm, tingling sensation, then I became aware that I was in a trance and for the first time in a long time – it was quiet. And it was peaceful. I could feel the density of the energy around me as she hovered her hands over each area of my body without the inquisitive voice of my ego questioning what was happening. There were times that thoughts would creep in, but it was like seeing my thoughts on a camera and they would disappear once I acknowledged them.
Simply existing is a euphoric experience that doesn’t happen often because we are so preoccupied with the world around us and chasing the next person, place or thing that could make us happy. Ironically, the same things we are chasing become our downfall because the chase begins to rule the mind. Incessant chatter in the skull is the reality for most humans and is sadly a normal thing in today’s society. Most people don’t have the time, knowledge, or ability to just exist for even 5 minutes. I was lucky enough to be able to just exist for at least 45 minutes and when I opened my eyes it was like a veil had been lifted. I felt lighter, well-rested, relaxed and at peace.
After my session, I sat with my Reiki therapist for an additional 15 minutes. We discussed my experience and she gave me her insight as well as homework to read the book Affirmations by Noah St. John. She told me that this Reiki session would set the foundation to find clarity to beat my addiction. She recommended that I focus on clearing my solar plexus and heart chakras. From there I was able to focus on affirmations and meditations that would clear these blockages.
I left my appointment that day with a feeling of euphoria. I drove home with the windows down, taking in the beauty of the earth and basking in the feeling of being truly alive for the first time in my adult life. Suddenly, I began sobbing uncontrollably which I had been warned may be a side effect of releasing blockages. I released the negative energy that had been swirling around my energy centers for years in such a swift motion that it manifested physically. As the tears poured, I began to smile, then laugh. The peace returned.
Reiki not only helped me overcome my addiction. It also peeled back the curtains draped along the windows of my mind and allowed light to flow in. This showed me the beauty that is on the other side of the walls that I hid behind. Most importantly, this experience showed me that there is a clear distinction between body, mind, and soul. The hard part comes afterwards because now you have to keep your ego and mind from controlling your life. It may be difficult at first, but with persistence and consistency you will eventually have the natural ability to function intuitively.
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