Karen's Reiki Story

Karen is a Reiki Master in the Tibetan/Usui lineage and also a Karuna Reiki® Master. She began studying Reiki in 1993 and has studied with William Rand, Laurelle Shanti Gaia, and Beth Stapor. She has also studied with several Japanese Reiki Masters, including Hiroshi Doi, Hyakuten Inamoto, and Mrs. Yamaguchi.

In addition to her Reiki practice, she is licensed as a Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist and is on the Spiritual Counseling Staff of Unity Church of Overland Park, Kansas. Karen says, "Reiki has been life changing for me in many ways including bringing me closer to God, aligning me with my spiritual purpose, giving me many new friends, enhancing my counseling practice, improving my health, and adding to my career through teaching Reiki and doing sessions. I have been abundantly blessed by God through following my spiritual path with Reiki."

Studying Reiki has changed my life in many wonderful ways. I had been hearing about Reiki for several years from my younger sister, Barbara. Finally while completing my second graduate degree in counseling and marriage and family therapy in 1993, I decided to take Reiki I. Being very busy with a new career and a blended family along with adopting my daughter from China in 1994, I only practiced Reiki on myself and my family. I was guided to take Reiki II in 1995 and began using it more and more. I noticed that using Reiki while I meditated improved my meditations by helping me tune into my Divine Guidance more easily. As I followed my guidance, things unfolded for me. I began my private practice in counseling in 1993 at the location of my most respected mentors. The minister of my Unity Church invited me to be on the Spiritual Counseling Staff in 1994. As I used Reiki on myself, my health improved and I was able to quit needing all kinds of surgery that had always been my way of life. Finally in 1997 I was guided to do more with Reiki and found William Rand's book, Reiki the Healing Touch. I read it and was thrilled with what I learned about Reiki. I also found out about the Reiki News magazine and subscribed. When I received it, I discovered that Laurelle Shanti Gaia was coming to Kansas City in 1998 to teach ART and Reiki Master. I immediately signed up and offered to sponsor the class.

In class, Laurelle told us of the changes in her life as a result of being on the spiritual path with Reiki and then I sensed that something major would shift for me the more I committed to living my life purpose. I was excited about Reiki and immediately attuned my daughter, son, stepson, and cat. I started giving myself Reiki everyday, teaching Reiki to friends, and began sending Reiki to my counseling clients during sessions. I loved my counseling practice and was teaching graduate courses at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

In 1999, I began going to the Reiki retreats sponsored by the International Center for Reiki Training and found that it was the highlight of my year in many ways. Being surrounded by so many like-minded people who are living their spiritual path and meeting so many new friends inspired me and gave me the idea to pursue becoming a licensed teacher for the ICRT. Meanwhile at home, I found that the more involved I got with my spiritual path, the more I wanted my husband to participate in it with me. I sent Reiki into my relationship knowing that Reiki always provides results for the highest good. Things didn't look like I had planned and I found that my husband's path and mine began looking more and more different, which led to our separation in 2000 and divorce in 2001. Finally I felt free to pursue my spiritual path in the way that was exactly right for me. I opened my Reiki practice in the fall of 2000 and began offering sessions and teaching classes. I gave up teaching at the university in order to have time to teach Reiki and have found that teaching Reiki is more fulfilling. Teaching graduate students and Reiki students is fun because I love teaching but Reiki has the added benefit of working with the Reiki energy and attuning students to the energy. When I give attunements to students, I feel the blessings that they will give to others through the Reiki energy! In 2000 my life began to really get exciting and I was able to pursue things I had only dreamed of previously.

In the summer of 2001 I traveled to Hawaii and went to Hilo to see where Mrs. Takata had her Reiki clinic. In October I was able to travel to Japan with a group led by William Rand to see the Usui Memorial in Tokoyo and Mount Kurama outside of Kyoto along with study Reiki I and II with Mrs. Yamagauchi, a student of Dr. Hayashi. Then in July of 2002 I was able to pursue a 20 year dream of traveling to Machu Picchu in Peru with the added benefit of going with a group of spiritually minded friends. In October 2002, I traveled to Toronto and attended the Usui Reiki Ryoho International conference and studied Reiki Master with Hiroshi Doi and Hyukaten Inamoto from Japan. Hyukaten Inamoto is a student of Mrs. Yamaguchi, who practiced Reiki for over 60 years.

Currently I practice counseling and Reiki about ˝ time each and use Reiki in my counseling practice. I continue to explore combining them in some ways, which I have written about in an article in the summer 2003 issue of the Reiki News entitled, Reiki Aura Clearing and Psychotherapy. I have found that using Reiki with my counseling clients has enabled them to achieve better results more quickly than with counseling alone. I also provide Reiki sessions in my office and find that having an active Reiki practice enables me to continue to learn from Reiki, which enhances my teaching. In addition, when I do Reiki sessions I often feel the joy of my clients as the Reiki energy helps them to heal and connect to their spiritual resources, which is a very uplifting experience! In Reiki sessions I have worked with chronic pain, trauma, eating disorders, relationship problems, depression, anxiety, rape, childhood problems, surgery preparation, and more.

I have been abundantly blessed by following my path with Reiki and growing closer to God. My life has become more rewarding, peaceful, and fun. I have made many new friends through teaching Reiki and it is my dream to travel to new places while teaching Reiki, including travel to Europe. I have a degree in German and look forward to the opportunity to regain my German language skills.

I love giving Reiki sessions and teaching Reiki and can't wait to share them with you!
With Reiki Blessings,
Karen Harrison

Karen is a licensed Reiki teacher through the International Center for Reiki Training and all classes are taught according to their standards. Click on the logo to go to the website for the International Center for Reiki Training or visit www.Reiki.org