Today I am interviewing Reiki Master Jacques Gagne who has been involved in Reiki healing for over 2 years. He has worked for federal and provincial governments for over 30 years and retired in 2017.  Since then he has been doing voluntary work and expanding his knowledge in the esoteric and holistic practices which had led him to Reiki energy healing.

Why did you enter the field of energy healing, Reiki?

My first experience with reiki was 25 years ago, after a serious car accident I needed a combo of physiotherapy, chiropractic and massage therapies.  My massage therapist at the time was also an empathic healer.  She had a knowledge of Reiki healing, chakras, the angelic realm and had visualization abilities.  Often during my massage treatment she would also treat me by rebalancing my chakras, and sometimes would say “we are not alone in the room”.  This experience made me interested in learning more.

In 2021 I met with Reiki Master Ofelia at PURE Holistic.  She performed several Reiki healing sessions on me, and at this time it came to me that I should learn Reiki healing myself . I asked myself, is this something that I can learn to do?  I asked Ofelia  if she taught classes and when she would hold the next class?  In September 2022,  I started level 1, then level 2,  level 3 and waited a year to complete level 4. With level 3 I became a Master and began healing. I then waited one year until the summer of 2024 to complete training, and become an instructor.

During 2022 and 2023, I primarily focused on quantum healing (remote healing practice). This works by moving energy through the universe and ether; a concept known as quantum entanglement in the physics world. Even if the client is thousands of miles away, they can begin to feel the effects of the healing energy.

How is Reiki performed?

Reiki requires preparation because it involves working with energy to align and balance the body’s energetic system. Each area of the body is connected to specific chakra points, which serve as energy centers. Chakras can be understood as part of the body’s subtle energy environment, and their study offers insight into the physiological and energetic aspects of the human body. 

Reiki focuses on identifying energy blockages, assessing whether the energy field around each chakra is functioning properly, and addressing any imbalances. The Reiki Master uses their hands to move and channel energy, sometimes combining this with crystals. Specific crystals, attuned to particular chakras, can amplify the healing process. The practitioner’s energy is projected into the crystal, which enhances the energy and directs it toward the chakra, helping to clear blockages and restore balance.

Where does the master get his energy from?

This energy originates from the universe, a limitless, freely available force that surrounds us. As a healer, the key is to understand how to connect with this energy, open yourself to receive it, and channel it effectively to the area in need of healing.

What are the benefits of this treatment?

When performed correctly, with everyone fully in tune, the session can leave you feeling deeply relaxed and instilled with a profound sense of well-being

How long does a typical treatment last and how many sessions do you need?

A typical Reiki session lasts 45 minutes to an hour, sometimes longer. You should schedule a session whenever you feel the need for one. Unlike other modalities, Reiki doesn’t involve physically moving body parts; instead, it focuses on channeling energy to specific areas. There’s no limit to how often you can receive Reiki. Many people feel great for weeks after a session, but if an issue arises, you may benefit from another treatment.

Who are your typical customers and what are commonly seen issues ?

Approximately 95% of my clients are female, with 5% being male, most of whom come through word of mouth. Many clients seek help for anxiety, aches and pains, or issues stemming from their lifestyle.

Commonly, clients face emotional challenges, such as relationship issues, that affect their energy balance. Stress can sometimes manifest as physical pain or discomfort, including psychosomatic symptoms or issues with internal organs. These problems often stem from unresolved emotional baggage, whether acquired over time, linked to past-life experiences, or created in their current life.

Through Reiki, we work to disperse negative energy and help clients release it. However, healing also requires their active participation, such as practicing meditation or adopting other grounding routines. Clients who maintain a disciplined and balanced lifestyle are less likely to experience ongoing emotional and energy imbalances.

What should patients expect during their first session?

The first session is an opportunity for the Reiki master to get to know the patient, including their lifestyle, background, and reasons for seeking treatment. It typically begins with a conversation to understand what has been bothering them and what they hope to address or change.

This initial session is a combination of dialogue, assessment, and hands-on treatment. It is usually lighter and more focused on the individual’s specific needs. Depending on the patient, I may spend more time working on a particular area that requires attention.

Is Reiki recommended for children?

Reiki is suitable for people of all ages, including children. With proper consent, the individual or their guardian in the case of children authorizes the Reiki Master to perform energy work. Reiki involves channeling energy from the environment to help realign and balance the body’s energy points. There is nothing mystical or magical about it,  it’s a natural process of harmonizing the body’s energy system.

Example of customers Reiki healing experience?

One of my clients had a combination of issues, including karma that was impacting her physical health, as well as psychosomatic challenges. She experienced a buildup of negative energy that she didn’t process, leading to aches and pains in her stomach. During the session, I focused on clearing these energy blockages, working specifically on the heart chakra, solar plexus and sacral chakra. By moving and clearing the energy around these areas, the tension in her stomach eased, and the knots disappeared.

However, after a few days, the pain returned, triggered by her thought patterns. This highlights the importance of her working on her own healing, alongside Reiki. Practices like grounding herself, walking in nature, and even hugging a tree, can help release built-up energy. At home, she can take a hot bath with Epsom salts or soak her feet in warm water for 15 minutes. During these times, it’s important to clear the mind, allowing anxiety to be absorbed by the salt water.

Another client I’ve worked with is battling stage 4 cancer and has three brain tumors. She’s undergone chemotherapy and radiation, which have been extremely taxing on her body. She is very holistic and spiritually inclined. Over the course of two years, Reiki has significantly helped reduce her stress and alleviate some of the pain and symptoms. I’ve been working hands-on with her, and the benefits have been remarkable in terms of stress relief and comfort.

Who might not benefit from Reiki?

Reiki requires an open mind and trust in the process. It’s important for both the client and the Reiki practitioner to have a mutual trust that the energy healing will work. If a client is skeptical from the beginning, Reiki may not be effective for them. A mental block, whether conscious or unconscious, can prevent the energy from flowing. If someone is closed off to the idea, they are essentially telling the universe that they’re not ready to receive healing energy, limiting or blocking the potential benefits.

For Reiki to work, the client needs to be open and receptive. For example, I work with a client who has cancer. She is very spiritual and follows a personal routine that includes yoga and meditation. When I work with her, she closes her eyes, relaxes, and enters a meditative state as I move and clear energy. Afterward, she feels deeply relaxed and often wants to rest, which tells me the session was successful.

Reiki is a process of growth. Over time, we hope that latent talents and abilities emerge, but this only happens if the client is open to the experience and willing to let the healing unfold.