This coming Saturday, 14 February, is World Sound Healing Day. (Yes, I know it is also Valentines Day, but I prefer this!)
I love to combine Reiki and sound healing – sending Reiki energy through the drum as though it is an extension of myself as a vessel for the source is a key component of my Shamanic Reiki healing sessions. We know (from research) that simply being in the presence of a drum creates a healing effect in the body. No Reiki, no measured healing intention, just the sound and the vibrations of the drum itself. If you’ve ever been in a drumming circle you will be nodding furiously because it does feel fantastic!
When I do my healing sessions I almost always drum as part of the work, and I feel like the Reiki is somehow received more deeply when the drum is involved. At the moment I am teaching my online Shamanic Journeying class for Reiki people and, although the work of journeying is different than doing a healing session, Reiki is also being sent through the drum for that purpose soon. Whether insight comes through in that moment or not, there is healing to be received in that kind of journey.
But my favourite way of incorporating sound healing into Reiki is through the voice. I teach the Reiki kotodama (the healing mantras) at Reiki Master Level. In fact the first three are suitable for Reiki 2 and above, since they correspond to the first three Reiki symbols that we receive at that level. While we are taught in Reiki to use them in a very simple way (oftentimes running the mantra silently, in our heads), I think there is a beautiful level of sound healing that can be achieved by working intuitively with these sounds. I do this work – singing with the kotodama, and also intuitively toning – with my clients in healing sessions, and at the end of the Reiki shares as a group healing. There is no question that this helps me channel the Reiki more strongly.
If you want to spend some time exploring the Reiki kotodama, I’ve created an online self-study course to really get to know the first three kotodama. It is a non-traditional, shamanically inspired approach I’ve called Reiki Healing Voice (suitable for Reiki 2 and above).
Recently I met with a student of this course, the wonderful Amethyst Yoga and Healing based in NSW, Australia. She shared her own incorporation of this work with a crystal healing bowl. I’m sharing it here with permission – check out this lovely, intuitive Harmony kotodama Reiki healing with the crystal bowl. And give her a follow!
How do you incorporate sound healing into your Reiki work – or vice versa?
Experience more Reiki healing sound
Purchase Reiki Healing Voice – home-study, self paced learning for Reiki 2 and above. Full info and order here.
The Reiki shares are back! I will be at White Rabbit on Thursday 19 March, 7-9pm, for a Reiki and Reiki Drum share. All Reiki-attuned people are welcome. Drumming in your healing session is optional of course – but I do offer a Reiki sound healing for the group before we finish. Find out more about my shares here.
Learn more about my journey to working with voice through my interview with the excellent Katie Gerrard. This isn’t so Reiki focused, but talks a lot about Seidr and voice work. Watch the interview below.
Kay Gillard 