My Reiki Journey
In 1993 I was introduced to Reiki Energy Healing. I worked at Mass General Hospital at the time, as their Director of Infection Control, and an MRI Radiology Technologist - Ronnie Shaffer - offered to do a session on me. When I heard it involved the "laying of hands" I was skeptical and to be honest, afraid. I wasn't sure why or what I was so anxious about, but the concept of a stranger touching me and placing her hands on my body created internal stress and nervousness. I took care of everyone else. It was a concept foreign to me - the oldest of 13 children and mother of 5 - I basically did a lot of caring and loving to others - but didn't get much back in return - since I never allowed anyone to get near me.
She described a "universal lifeforce" that channels from the Reiki practitioner's hands and into our body to awaken the innate healing mechanisms within. Well, being scientifically based I thought this was all "hocus-pocus" and tried my hardest to sabotage her offer. As she continued to call me and offer a session I finally surrendered one day in February 1993 and went to her home - to her "peace room". As my mind and ego rejected her kindness and loving presence - the session progressed and I found myself relaxing and surrendering into the warm healing touch. I fell into a deep relaxed meditative state and felt the energy flowing down my abdomen and legs. It tingled and my body fluids gurgled in my stomach. Small releases, like you feel when falling asleep, started happening in my nervous system and muscles. I awoke from this dreamy state feeling refreshed, happy and serene. Quite not what I expected and I wanted more.
My life changed from that point on and I went for my Reiki Level I in May 1993 at the Concord Reiki Institute and was attuned by a Brazilian Reiki Master - Lucy Duggan. I completed my Reiki Master/Teacher in 1995 with Masters from Cape Cod - Linda Pedrole and Pat Tracey. I also studied with other famous healers, including Dolores Krieger, RN, PhD, Barbara Brennan, Elizabeth Stratton, PhD, Michael Mamas, John Gray, Rosalyn Bruyere, Caroline Myss and completed certification in Quantum Touch with Richard Gordon. As a scientist I sought more and more training, knowledge and experience from healers who worked in healthcare or science. Ronnie Shaffer and I taught our first Reiki workshops at Mass General Hospital in early 1996 and had a volunteer team that would respond to patient requests for sessions. We were so ahead of the time.
In March 1996 I was laid off from my director position at MGH due to a corporate downsizing when they merged with the Brigham and Women's Hospital. I was offered an outplacement service at the Prudential Center in Boston and attended weekly to learn how to establish my own business. In April 1997 I opened a healing center called Finding Inner Peace - A Yoga Based Stress Reduction Center in Abington, MA. I saw over 14,000 clients for energy work. During that time, I taught Reiki on a cruise ship during a "Sea Angels Cruise", at nursing conferences, at health clubs and in other yoga studios. Thousands have learned Reiki from me, and I am honored to have introduced them to the power of touch and intent.
In 2003 I closed the studio and decided to return to healthcare as an Infection Preventionist, with the intent of introducing yoga and reiki into the healthcare system. I took an Infection Control Manager position at New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, and after two years convinced the Chief Nursing Officer to allow me to teach Reiki to nurses, physicians and physical therapists. The Chief Nursing Officer wanted to "bring touch back into care". I even went into surgery with several patients who requested a Reiki Master in the operating room. I volunteered to do Reiki sessions for patients since I considered it as part of my "karma" and selfless service, giving back to the community. The surgeons witnessed the powerful effects - decreased swelling, bleeding and pain - in the postoperative period.
I no longer work at NEBH, and I am now an Independent Infection Preventionist Consultant. During the covid pandemic I did a lot of education for the Massachusetts Department of Health in congregate care sites, prisons, homeless shelters and group homes. I now work as a consultant in the perioperative surgical field to help prevent surgical site infections.
I see Reiki as part of infection prevention - people only get infected if their immune system is susceptible - which research has shown that stress, negative thought and emotions can adversely affect the system. On the other hand, research has confirmed that gentle healing touch enhances the immune system, quiets the nervous system and normalizes the hormonal system. Touch also activates natural pain killers called "endorphins" - that are 20 x stronger than opioids. Patients love to be touched and feel safe. And the wonderful thing about Reiki is the practitioner is first filled with universal lifeforce while giving it and therefore they get the benefit as well as the patient. Wouldn't that be nice if all physicians and healthcare workers cared for their patients with that consciousness and calmness. If more nurses and clinicians are trained - both benefit and experience reduced stress, fear and pain. What better way to prevent healthcare associated infections.
Of all the energy healing techniques I learned - I love Reiki the best - doing it and especially receiving it. So easy - yet so powerful.
In 1993 I was introduced to Reiki Energy Healing. I worked at Mass General Hospital at the time, as their Director of Infection Control, and an MRI Radiology Technologist - Ronnie Shaffer - offered to do a session on me. When I heard it involved the "laying of hands" I was skeptical and to be honest, afraid. I wasn't sure why or what I was so anxious about, but the concept of a stranger touching me and placing her hands on my body created internal stress and nervousness. I took care of everyone else. It was a concept foreign to me - the oldest of 13 children and mother of 5 - I basically did a lot of caring and loving to others - but didn't get much back in return - since I never allowed anyone to get near me.
She described a "universal lifeforce" that channels from the Reiki practitioner's hands and into our body to awaken the innate healing mechanisms within. Well, being scientifically based I thought this was all "hocus-pocus" and tried my hardest to sabotage her offer. As she continued to call me and offer a session I finally surrendered one day in February 1993 and went to her home - to her "peace room". As my mind and ego rejected her kindness and loving presence - the session progressed and I found myself relaxing and surrendering into the warm healing touch. I fell into a deep relaxed meditative state and felt the energy flowing down my abdomen and legs. It tingled and my body fluids gurgled in my stomach. Small releases, like you feel when falling asleep, started happening in my nervous system and muscles. I awoke from this dreamy state feeling refreshed, happy and serene. Quite not what I expected and I wanted more.
My life changed from that point on and I went for my Reiki Level I in May 1993 at the Concord Reiki Institute and was attuned by a Brazilian Reiki Master - Lucy Duggan. I completed my Reiki Master/Teacher in 1995 with Masters from Cape Cod - Linda Pedrole and Pat Tracey. I also studied with other famous healers, including Dolores Krieger, RN, PhD, Barbara Brennan, Elizabeth Stratton, PhD, Michael Mamas, John Gray, Rosalyn Bruyere, Caroline Myss and completed certification in Quantum Touch with Richard Gordon. As a scientist I sought more and more training, knowledge and experience from healers who worked in healthcare or science. Ronnie Shaffer and I taught our first Reiki workshops at Mass General Hospital in early 1996 and had a volunteer team that would respond to patient requests for sessions. We were so ahead of the time.
In March 1996 I was laid off from my director position at MGH due to a corporate downsizing when they merged with the Brigham and Women's Hospital. I was offered an outplacement service at the Prudential Center in Boston and attended weekly to learn how to establish my own business. In April 1997 I opened a healing center called Finding Inner Peace - A Yoga Based Stress Reduction Center in Abington, MA. I saw over 14,000 clients for energy work. During that time, I taught Reiki on a cruise ship during a "Sea Angels Cruise", at nursing conferences, at health clubs and in other yoga studios. Thousands have learned Reiki from me, and I am honored to have introduced them to the power of touch and intent.
In 2003 I closed the studio and decided to return to healthcare as an Infection Preventionist, with the intent of introducing yoga and reiki into the healthcare system. I took an Infection Control Manager position at New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, and after two years convinced the Chief Nursing Officer to allow me to teach Reiki to nurses, physicians and physical therapists. The Chief Nursing Officer wanted to "bring touch back into care". I even went into surgery with several patients who requested a Reiki Master in the operating room. I volunteered to do Reiki sessions for patients since I considered it as part of my "karma" and selfless service, giving back to the community. The surgeons witnessed the powerful effects - decreased swelling, bleeding and pain - in the postoperative period.
I no longer work at NEBH, and I am now an Independent Infection Preventionist Consultant. During the covid pandemic I did a lot of education for the Massachusetts Department of Health in congregate care sites, prisons, homeless shelters and group homes. I now work as a consultant in the perioperative surgical field to help prevent surgical site infections.
I see Reiki as part of infection prevention - people only get infected if their immune system is susceptible - which research has shown that stress, negative thought and emotions can adversely affect the system. On the other hand, research has confirmed that gentle healing touch enhances the immune system, quiets the nervous system and normalizes the hormonal system. Touch also activates natural pain killers called "endorphins" - that are 20 x stronger than opioids. Patients love to be touched and feel safe. And the wonderful thing about Reiki is the practitioner is first filled with universal lifeforce while giving it and therefore they get the benefit as well as the patient. Wouldn't that be nice if all physicians and healthcare workers cared for their patients with that consciousness and calmness. If more nurses and clinicians are trained - both benefit and experience reduced stress, fear and pain. What better way to prevent healthcare associated infections.
Of all the energy healing techniques I learned - I love Reiki the best - doing it and especially receiving it. So easy - yet so powerful.
