Photographed by Chiron Duong
Vogue Philippines art director Jann Pascua taps into the divine forces of Reiki.
We are not only physical bodies, we are also energy.
This is how Darleen, a healer from Reiki Wellness Inc., introduced the healing modality Reiki when I sat with her for my first-ever session. The name is derived from the Japanese words rei and ki, which mean “spiritual or universal” and “life energy,” respectively. It is an ancient healing practice that works to cleanse the layers that “no longer serve purpose in our systems” and restore the light or energy force within.
Imagine a ball of light. Over time, it gathers unseen layers, some bright and vital to its core, while others are dark and dense, casting weight and shadow. In energy healing, this light is believed to exist within all of us, an ever-evolving energy that flows throughout the body. Darleen says that we are all born with innate energy, and as life’s ups and downs happen, this inner force shifts, leaving parts of us either lighter or heavier.
We begin with lighthearted chatter. Darleen shares that she was once a medical practitioner, but she realized she wanted to help more people beyond traditional methods. That’s why she shifted to energy healing. I share a little bit about myself, too, and I tell her I’ve always felt inclined to Reiki. But, in all honesty, I wasn’t sure what parts of me needed cleansing.
Many seek the healing hands of a Reiki master for specific pains and ailments, whether that be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, and Cameron Diaz are known to practice it to manage stress and attain balance and overall well-being. Despite its nontraditional origins, Reiki could also be prescribed by medical professionals to those who battle with anxiety or depression, as well as for pain management and recovery.
I didn’t come with a specific pain point in mind. I was always more attuned to my logical rather than my emotional self, so understanding and expressing feelings was unfamiliar territory. Still, I was prepared to be vulnerable. Before the session began, Darleen advised me to simply be in the moment. To acknowledge and embrace the feelings that come, however uncomfortable, as openly as I can. To feel what I need to feel.
I lay down and closed my eyes. As soft incense began to fill the air and music played gently in the background, I allowed my body and mind to relax. Darleen placed a crystal in each of my hands, whispering the commencement of the healing session.
In an instant, I began to feel a strange sensation. My right hand, though untouched, felt as though someone were still holding it. My fingers stiffened, not exactly in discomfort, but as if they were being supported.
In the silence, a series of sensations washed over me and I paid close attention to each of them. Darleen’s hands moved fluidly to and fro different points in my body, and I felt these areas stiffen as her hands hovered. There was a tingling vibration over my eyes, my throat, and then my heart. Occasionally, waves of light seemed to flow in and through my eyes, and almost instinctively, tears began to well up mid-session.
When I encounter emotional distress, I tend to pocket my own feelings. When my grandmother whom I was close to passed away, I couldn’t shed a single tear. Instead, in that period of grief and mourning, I immediately found myself redirecting my energy further into work.
I never told Darleen any of this, but it seems I didn’t need to. An hour flew by, and as the session ended, the healer shared her insights.
Energy can stagnate in the body where there has been physical injury or emotional pain. A practitioner may spend more time in these areas to transfer healing energy from the Divine into the body. As it turns out, Darleen had sensed a strong blockage around my heart chakra. This, she explains, points to a tendency to suppress emotions. Similarly, the tingling sensations in my throat meant I was in need of a reminder to express my true thoughts and feelings more.
To add to my surprise, Darleen reveals that these sensations point to me being a natural empath. The blockage is a defense mechanism, she tells me. Building invisible walls around my heart, albeit unconsciously, was a way for me to protect myself from being too vulnerable and exposing too much of my deeply empathic nature. The crystal she had placed in my right hand turned out to be an angel light stone, meant to amplify the presence of my personal angels or guardians. It was a gentle reminder: my loved ones were with me, even in moments I feel most disconnected.
A Reiki experience will be different for everybody. While my body stayed the same, I felt as if the energies within me were given permission to embrace ease. While long-built habits don’t disappear overnight, I’ve at least rediscovered a recognition of my own thoughts and emotions.
After all, healing begins with paying attention to the parts of ourselves we overlook. Allowing yourself the space to be vulnerable and attuned to yourself through different healing modalities can be a liberating experience. Whether it works wonders or not, the simple act of slowing down, calming the mind, and taking time to breathe can be enough to ease the constant stress of our fast-paced lives.
By JANN PASCUA. As told to BIANCA CUSTODIO. Photograph by CHIRON DUONG.
