On Sunday, Anya Light held a free introductory Reiki lesson at the Maumee Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MVUUC).
MVUUC provides a space for a variety of spiritual practices to be explored, and they accept members from multiple faiths and spiritual paths.
Light, a graduate of the University’s English doctoral program, is a local Reiki practitioner. Light is also the author of “Opening Love: Intentional Relationships & the Evolution of Consciousness,” and publishes poems and articles centering around spirituality.
Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui in 19th century Japan. Those who practice Reiki claim to channel energy into their clients and in turn affect their clients’ own energy. This is done through a combination of gentle touch, intuition and meditation.
“The literal word ‘Reiki’ can be divided into two parts,” Light said. “‘Rei,’ which has a lot of interpretations, but generally just means universal life…and then ‘ki’ is energy.”
After a Reiki session, the client may experience peace of mind or even have their body’s natural healing process enhanced. Light explained that some may have adverse emotional reactions, as memories and trauma may resurface.
Sunday’s lesson focused on defining Reiki and its therapeutic properties through providing examples from Light’s own life. Attendees were encouraged to interact throughout the event by engaging in meditation and mindfulness.
Light’s Reiki journey began when a professor noticed the decline of her physical health and recommended a natural healing process. After years of traditional medicine failed to treat Light’s illnesses, Reiki was a last resort – but it became Light’s career and life calling. She credits Reiki for her physical and emotional health.
After her first Reiki session, there were noticeable improvements in her well-being.
“For the first time in my life, I felt completely safe,” Light said.
The emotional aspect of Reiki was a profound experience for Light, and led to the discovery of the cause of her illnesses.
“What brought me to Reiki was a series of physical illnesses, but as I healed those things I realized that the reason I got all of those illnesses is because I was severely traumatized as a child,” Light said.
This realization led to Light being diagnosed with complex-PTSD. Unlike PTSD, complex-PTSD stems from the culmination of multiple instances of stress, rather than just one event of stress, such as witnessing a death or war.
“I am still in the process of healing, and one of the things that is important to talk about is that we’re all on a healing journey. Some people call it a spiritual journey… it’s the same thing,” she said.
To close the event, attendees received a mini-Reiki session performed by Light. People had varying experiences; some were too emotional to share and others were deeply relaxed.
“I noticed that I’m never comfortable sitting like this (feet on the floor and sitting up straight),” Reverend Lynn Kerr said, “but I decided I’m going to sit like that – and internally I thought ‘wow, I’m really comfortable sitting like this!’ I visualized my son and my love for him.”
An anonymous attendee began to cry at the end of her session with Light. Others had visions they never expected.
“When I closed my eyes, I saw galaxies of stars spinning in all different directions. When I looked up at her (Light) after the session, she smiled and I knew she felt something too,” Theresa Verrier said.
Those interested in practicing Reiki or having a personal Reiki session with Light can visit her website at www.purplemorningsreiki.com.
