Reiki Deepens Unconditional Love
February valentines are already here to help us celebrate love! Although there are many different kinds of love, unconditional love is a selfless kind of love. Reiki helps to deepen unconditional love for self and for others.
Unconditional Love and Giving Reiki to Others 
Why do we need to practice unconditional love for each other? It’s a healthy and non- ego-based way of seeing ourselves and others. It allows us to see, with fresh eyes, the essence or the bigger truth of us.
In the past, sometimes I’ve gotten frustrated with someone and I’ve reacted with tears. Now, I can remind myself to take a step back and try to see the essence of that person. I allow my ego to step aside for a moment in order to be able to see a bigger picture. I remind myself that the other person is coming from a situation that I may not yet fully understand. I remind myself that she, like myself, is a divine soul made of Universal, loving energy. This allows me to shed my ego-based, emotional reactions long enough to begin to build a healthy bridge to that person and start to work out our differences together. Then we both can come to a clearer understanding of our viewpoints.
Reiki has helped me so much with this concept of stepping aside and seeing others through the eyes of unconditional love. As part of preparing myself to give a Reiki treatment session to someone, I set my intention to let my ego step aside, so that I can be a pure vessel for Higher Power or Universal energy to flow through me for the greatest good of the recipient. I ask for the very best and highest for that recipient, knowing it all comes from a Source of unconditional love. This is a love without conditions or terms being placed upon it. If the very essence of us is unconditional love, then I’m just asking to be in alignment with the basic essence of who I am. It is from this aligned place that I am able to help someone with Reiki.
Reiki and Unconditional Love for Self
If I want to see others through eyes of unconditional love, I know I first have to start with myself. The concept of giving to ourselves and loving ourselves first, before being able to give and love another has been written about widely. I believe it to be true. So, I practice unconditional love for who I am every time I give myself Reiki. With self-Reiki, I honor “the fundamental me”—a soul made of unconditional love.
Here is an exercise that has helped others get in touch with feeling more unconditional love for themselves:
Self-Reiki and the Mirror Exercise
- Look into the reflection of your eyes in the mirror.
- Place your hands over your heart chakra and give yourself Reiki.
- Allow yourself to feel as much love for yourself as you comfortably can.
- Say your name out loud to your reflection, followed by: “I love you and I appreciate you unconditionally”.
Although this might feel uncomfortable at first, many have grown spiritually by practicing this exercise regularly. When we come from a place of validation and self-worth, we can reach out to others much more easily, with uplifting and respectful energy. There is a subtle domino effect that occurs, as respectful unconditional love extends from one person to another. It creates well-being and positive attitudes all the way around.
I still do the Mirror exercise when I know I need it. Practicing self-Reiki and unconditional love for myself is like an act of kindness from myself to myself. Or a special kind of energy-valentine.
Receiving Reiki and Unconditional Love 
Another way I receive unconditional love is to receive regular Reiki treatment sessions from a Reiki Master. That way, I just receive unconditional love from Higher Power, for as long as the session lasts. It’s restorative and energizing and very calming. Afterwards, I feel connected to the essence of who I am.
For many people, it’s easier to love our pets unconditionally than to love ourselves unconditionally. For those who didn’t grow up learning to comfortably hold themselves within a heart-space, Reiki treatment sessions allow for that kind of quiet time, and during that time, healing and spiritual growth can occur.
When I feel unconditional love for myself, that’s when the smaller unimportant things fall away such as negative self-talk, self-doubts, etc. That’s my ego bringing up those things. With the unconditional love I feel with Reiki, the doubts and negative thoughts disappear and are replaced with confidence and joy, and a better ability to move forward in my daily life.
Part of unconditional love is to not take myself so seriously all the time. Laughter and joy are a part of the unconditional love I feel with Reiki. When things don’t turn out as planned, the love is still there, and I can laugh and say, “Oh well, let’s try again.” Or I can say, “O.K., if not this, then something better will come along.” So it’s a healthier, more balanced place to be—and it’s Reiki that has helped me to deepen that place of balance and connection.
So, you might be wondering: Even with all of my practice with self-Reiki and unconditional love, are there times when I still get frustrated with others or even with myself? Yes, sometimes I do. Then I catch myself and I remember to take a step back and begin to set my ego-based emotions aside for a moment or two, so that I am able to work things out with a situation or with others.
It’s a process and a journey of spiritual growth; and Reiki is helping me along the way. Thanks to Reiki, I’m better able to see the truth of myself and others with more unconditional love. And that helps to make every day Valentine’s Day!
Many Reiki blessings on your journey, 
Yvonne P. Gleason
Reiki Sanctuary of Northern Virginia