Reiki Series

Reiki Flows Where It Needs to Go — But What Does That Actually Mean?

The first in a series exploring Reiki, my experience as a practitioner and some of the things you may wonder about before, during or after a Reiki session.

“Reiki flows where it needs to go…”

It is one of those phrases you will often hear when talking about Reiki. It is also something I have said many times myself, particularly when I was first learning Reiki and developing my own practice. But over time, through my own experience of working with Reiki — and with the people who come to me for Reiki healing — I have come to understand this phrase a little differently.

So, what does it actually mean?

When I give Reiki, I work with the whole body and energy system. So, if Reiki goes where it needs to go, why don't I simply place my hands where someone feels they need healing and leave it at that? For me, it is because I don't see Reiki as working only on the place where we experience a symptom, discomfort or concern.

Within the Reiki tradition and many forms of energy work, we work with the aura, chakras and energy pathways throughout the body, with energy centres and pathways extending from the top of the head right through to the feet and all the places in between. When I work through a series of hand positions during a Reiki session, I am therefore giving Reiki the opportunity to connect with the whole energy system, rather than focusing on just one particular area. This is an important part of how I understand the phrase:

“Reiki flows where it needs to go.”

It means that while I am working with the whole system, Reiki may be supporting areas that need attention in ways that neither the client nor I necessarily know about. You may come to a Reiki session because your shoulders are tense. Perhaps you haven't been sleeping well. Maybe you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed, carrying grief or simply feeling that something isn't quite right. Sometimes you may have a very clear reason for wanting Reiki, and other times you may not be able to put your finger on exactly what you need.

From my experience, Reiki doesn't necessarily only relate to the thing that brought you through the door. I have noticed people experience shifts in areas they weren't consciously seeking support with — physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. Sometimes those shifts are obvious. Sometimes they are incredibly subtle. Sometimes you don't realise anything has changed until days or even weeks later, when you look back and notice that something feels different. It might be a feeling of being more settled. Perhaps something that had been occupying your thoughts doesn't feel quite as heavy.

Maybe you notice that you are sleeping differently, responding to something differently, or simply feeling more connected to yourself. Every person's experience is different. And sometimes there may be no obvious experience at all.

During a session, I am often gently guided to stay a little longer in one place, move to another position, or sometimes return to an area I have already worked with.

I may feel a subtle nudge to change the way I am working, or simply to pause and allow more time in a particular area. For me, this is part of the conversation between Reiki, my client and me as the practitioner. I don't control where Reiki goes. I am simply present, listening and observing — allowing myself to be guided.

That doesn't mean I always know why I am being guided to a particular area. And I don't believe I need to.

One of the things I have learned through my own Reiki journey is that I don't need to have all the answers. My role is to create a safe and nurturing space, remain present and allow the Reiki to flow. You don't have to know what you need

I think sometimes we can put pressure on ourselves to arrive at a healing session knowing exactly what we need to work on.

You don't have to.

You don't need to have a list of symptoms.

You don't need to know which chakra might be out of balance.

You don't need to understand your energy system.

And you certainly don't need to know how Reiki works before you experience it.

You can simply arrive as you are. Take a breath. Allow yourself to pause. Allow yourself to receive. For me, this is one of the beautiful things about Reiki. It gives us an opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life and reconnect with ourselves.

What might you experience?

There is no single “correct” Reiki experience. Some people notice warmth, coolness, tingling or a feeling of energy moving. Some experience deep relaxation.

Some become aware of emotions or memories. Others may simply feel peaceful or sleepy. And some people don't feel anything particularly noticeable during the session at all. None of these experiences is more or less valid. Sometimes the experience is subtle and the changes are only recognised afterwards.

For me, Reiki isn't about trying to create a particular experience. It is about creating the space to receive and allowing each person to have their own experience.

Coming back to the phrase:

“Reiki flows where it needs to go…”

I no longer hear that as meaning that I have to know exactly where Reiki needs to go. Instead, I see it as an invitation to trust the process. I work with the whole system. I remain present. I listen. I observe. And I allow myself to be guided.

There may be areas that need more attention than others, even when we aren't consciously aware of them. And sometimes the things that shift are not the things we originally came in expecting to address.

That, for me, is part of the beauty of Reiki. You don't always have to arrive knowing exactly what you need. Sometimes you can simply arrive as you are, take a breath and allow yourself to receive. 🤍

A little note from me

This is the beginning of a new series where I will be sharing more about Reiki, my experience as a practitioner and some of the things you may wonder about before, during or after a Reiki session.

If there is something about Reiki you've always wondered about, I'd love to hear from you. You can leave a comment or get in touch through the Contact Form on my website.

Reiki is a complementary wellbeing practice and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure medical conditions. It should not replace appropriate medical or professional care.