Sacred Pilgrimage to the Birthplace of Reiki September 2024

As an intuitive Reiki practitioner with over seven years of experience, I perform rituals to protect my energy and ensure that I remain a clear channel for powerful, positive energy to flow from me to my clients. Every few years, I embark on a pilgrimage to honor and reconnect with sacred power while grounding myself in humility. Some of the most memorable locations where I experienced profound healing include the holy mountains of Peru and the sacred land of Egypt. In these places, I connected with unique energies that facilitated deep introspection, healing, and connection to higher realms. Additionally, I learned the importance of self-compassion and formed lifelong connections with beautiful souls who continue to support me lovingly and share their wisdom.

"Everything will come together perfectly at the right time."

COVID-19 certainly put a pause on a few sacred locations I had planned to visit back in 2020. Yet, it is alright.

I felt a strong need to pause, reflect, and let go of what no longer served me in order to make space for new beginnings. Along the way, I lost many people, situations, and possessions. Shedding parts of my old self was uncomfortable, but as a dear friend once said, 

“You are awesome! Listen to yourself first and last!”

As humans, we have obligations and responsibilities to our family, friends, work, and communities. However, it is essential to make time for rest, self-realization, self-discovery, and self-healing. Only by prioritizing ourselves—treating ourselves as we would treat a dear friend, by recognizing our strengths and accepting our flaws—can we truly fill our cup. When we do this, we can step into the best version of ourselves while being in communion with those around us. (You can incorporate reiki sessions to help speed up the process. It can be a rollercoaster ride for some, so you need a lot of courage and commitment).

I suppose I've done a lot of self-work for me to move on to my next sacred pilgrimage... the time is right because this year, I can finally scratch off a location I’ve long wanted to visit! I’d love to share with you my journey to the birthplace of Reiki below.

Birthplace of Reiki:

On September 29, I embarked on a sacred pilgrimage to the birthplace of Reiki, Mount Kurama, located north of Kyoto. The weather was unexpectedly hot for late summer, and it proved to be quite unpredictable. There was uncertainty about whether we could enjoy a pleasant hike up the mountain when our plane landed in Osaka three days earlier. The forecast shifted between sunny and rainy, with temperatures reaching 32°C, which left us in suspense. With only one day before the planned hike, I prayed for clear skies, as the weather forecast indicated rain within the next 24 hours. Hiking in rain can be unsafe due to the mossy conditions on the mountains.

My partner was understandably stressed about the language barrier while navigating unfamiliar territories, buses, and rail stations. Trusting my intuition and deep sense of knowing, I assured him that everything would turn out easier than he imagined. And it was exactly that. When we reached the base of the mountain, we were greeted by a powerful sense of tranquility. I could already feel the concentrated Reiki energy signature pulsating in the air. Along the way, we came across many statues and masks of Tengu, mythological creatures believed to be protectors of the forest and its secrets. Tengu, with their bird-like features and exceptional martial arts skills, are known as guardians of sacred places in Japanese folklore.

We passed the Torii gate and were greeted by a fountain of a goddess who resembles Quan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. 

In Japan, it is customary to wash your hands before visiting a sacred space, washing impurities away from your heart and your physical body. 

After climbing a steep staircase, we were greeted by the sight of an ancient sacred cedar tree, wrapped in shimenawa. You might wonder what shimenawa is; it refers to sacred ropes made from rice straw, used to emphasize the sanctity of this land. In Shinto tradition, these ropes signify a sacred boundary where divine spirits are believed to reside. This particular tree is around 800 years old, and I love its powerful, grounding, and tranquil energy. I could easily sit there for a few hours, but our goal is to venture deeper into the mountain.

As we traversed the mountain in the morning dew, we passed many ancient shrines covered in moss. We also spotted numerous red spider lilies scattered throughout the area, particularly around the tomb of Empress Genmei (660-721), who ruled during the early Nara period.

Eventually, we arrived at Kurama-Dera Temple. The temple was partially under construction, so we refrained from taking photos. However, I began to notice some symbols resembling Reiki signs. You can tell that the founder, Mikao Usui, was influenced during his 21-day fasting period. It was a profound experience to retrace the steps he once took. The mountain was incredibly grounding, infused with the energy of deities representing power, light, and love. According to legend, Mikao Usui received the spiritual insights that led to the development of Reiki after he injured himself.

I meditated at a few shrines, and stayed at a section of the trail covered with the roots of Reiki. What a powerful journey! The mountain's energy was truly grounding. I felt extremely protected and well-treated by the mountain throughout the trip. Interestingly, it was toward the end of our hike down that I began to sense many smaller spiritual beings gathered at the mountain base. I felt quite dizzy and quickly had to create a barrier to protect myself from being overwhelmed by the mixture of their energies. 

When I returned to Canada, I felt recharged. I gained clarity of mind and a deeper understanding of ancient philosophies, as well as a stronger appreciation for mindful living. I am ready to conduct more powerful Reiki sessions for my clients.