Before becoming a music therapist, I studied music alongside Reiki (Ray-Kee). When Reiki came into my life, it was so needed. I was looking for a counselor to speak to and my cousin recommended a lady named Melanie Ollenberg.
“I think you’ll like her, she does Reiki !”. My cousin said.
I gave Melanie a call while on a break from classes. The day was overcast and cool as Fall had just begun to set in. Melanie answered and as we spoke the Sun broke through the clouds and shone directly on me. I could not ignore this sign. The Universe saying, “just go for it”.
I learned in my classes that Reiki is both a word to describe life force energy and practice. As a word, it translates to “Spirit Energy”. It is a term that describes the universal life force energy that is within everything. It is intelligent energy. It knows what needs healing and provides insight through activating the practitioner’s intuitive abilities. There is so much more to Reiki than meets the eye. As a practice, it can be defined as a light touch energy healing modality that works to support people in returning to their most optimal state of wellbeing. Reiki, as a practice, found its origins in Japan when it was developed by Mikao Usui. It came to the west through Hawayo Takata post-WWII. Takata was from Hawaii and upon traveling to Japan to visit family she learned Reiki from Chujiro Hayashi (a student of Usui’s).
Learning Reiki gave me an intuitive and energetic understanding of how people store trauma in their bodies, mind, and heart. I also appreciate the gentle, discipline practicing Reiki provides me. Reiki was also available to me at any time or place. If I was stressed, anxious, or not feeling aligned, I could just use my breath to come back to stasis.
Now how might Music Therapy and Reiki be related?
Music Therapy like Reiki offers an alternative perspective on maintaining wellness. The main commonalities I have found between the two practices are showcased as follows.
Discipline - Both practices require commitment and a level of discipline. Each practice asks the practitioner to work on their craft, but more importantly on themselves. I often use music as a way to process deep-rooted traumas concurrent with Reiki. When practicing music in the past I would get angered by my not being a good enough musician. Reiki inspired another possibility. Rather than getting angry, Reiki taught me to have self-compassion. This influenced a whole other way to perceive discipline.
Mindfulness - Each practice has interventions that improve mindfulness. Music is often used with Reiki during a session. When giving a Reiki session I make music selection part of the process. I ask clients “what music brings you calm?”, I then use this music during the session. I find it makes the session more personal and helps clients go into a deeper state of healing. In Music Therapy, mindfulness is achieved by listening. Typically, clients are asked to listen to a piece of music and either listen for its musical components or for how it makes the person feel. Breathwork is something that is also used by both practices. In Reiki, the breath connects you to your inner power and your ability to channel energy, while in music the breath is used to connect to sound, but also the inner self.
Principles - Within Reiki, there are principles that are provided to students. These principles can be applied to everyday living. The principles are as follows:
Just for today
I give thanks for many blessings
I will not anger
I will not worry
I will be grateful
I will work hard on myself
I will be kind to others.
When I apply these principles to my life, music, and self. It brings me peace. I find there is also a commonality between Reiki principles and ethics within Music Therapy. I adhere to humanistic principles when applying music therapy which does not prescribe how to live your own life, but how to regard other people. Both principles, I find, complement each other well.
Music & Reiki are a unique pairing and I am grateful that they both exist within me.