From my earliest memories as a child, wandering by the creek near my grandparents’ home, I possessed a heightened sensitivity to what many call the unseen world, the realm of spirits. This perception was often innocent, like the intuitive joy of knowing where hidden Easter treasures lay. Yet, at times, it carried a darker weight, an unsettling awareness that would alert me to the presence of occult practices within a home. These experiences were frequently accompanied by vivid visions and a palpable shift in temperature, a sudden heat or coldness in my heart, arms, and hands.
There were also times of confusion, moments when a deep-seated suspicion would arise, a feeling that someone was being dishonest or untrustworthy. As a child, unsure of when or how to articulate these feelings, I often blurted out whatever came to mind, struggling to understand and express these complex perceptions.
My mother, though gentle, would often chide me, “You’re being nosy again,” her patience tested by my seemingly intrusive nature. “You need to mind your own business,” she would advise, trying to guide me towards more conventional childhood behaviors.
The Allure of the Unseen and the Demonic Doorway
My grandmother, a woman of profound Christian faith and wisdom, became a significant guiding light in my life. I vividly recall sitting with her on her porch as she shelled peas for supper. Her eyes shone with an inner radiance, and my heart would stir as she recounted stories of Jesus’s compassion and miracles, and how the religious establishment and demonic forces opposed him.
As I entered my teenage years, my childhood curiosity about the supernatural evolved into a more deliberate exploration. I began to delve into books on the occult, driven by a rebellious streak even as my love for God remained. Despite the often unsettling nature of the subject matter, I found myself increasingly drawn in. I acquired a Ouija board and became fascinated by clairvoyance – the perceived ability to gain insights about people and places across time, based on an enhanced, extrasensory awareness.
This foray into the occult served as a doorway, unfortunately, to the demonic realm. Terrifying incidents began to plague me. I remember nights spent clutching a Bible, convinced I could hear demonic voices whispering in my room. On another sleepless night, I was paralyzed by the sense of a menacing presence just beyond my bedroom door. Once, I awoke drenched in a cold sweat, feeling a tug at my nightgown and hearing a chilling growl close to my ear.
Yet, the promise of supernatural abilities held a powerful allure. Having endured childhood sexual abuse and grappling with turbulent relationships, alcohol, and rebellious tendencies as a teenager, I desperately sought empowerment and escape. This yearning for control and solace would later lead me towards the promise of self-healing and the prospect of healing others.
Looking back, it’s clear how Satan was subtly leading me down a path of deception, preparing me to be ensnared by one of the most insidious aspects of New Age thought: the false promise of peace and enlightenment through spiritual means divorced from true faith. While many Christians might associate New Age practices with stereotypical images of crystal balls and séances, the reality is far more nuanced. Many adherents are seemingly ordinary individuals – healthcare professionals, environmental advocates, engineers, and educators. Their outward success and sophistication can be captivating, and their lives often appear to be paragons of tranquility and stability.
In my mid-twenties, driven by a desperate need for peace and a yearning for spiritual awakening, I began studying Reiki. This New Age healing modality utilizes specific symbols and hand positions, purportedly to channel “universal life energy.” The very term “Reiki” is derived from Japanese words meaning “universal life energy.” At the time, the idea that Satan was a mere human invention, a myth designed to control people through religion, resonated with my desire to break free from perceived constraints. I wholeheartedly embraced the concept of shedding “negativity”—a collection of past hurts, limiting beliefs, and anxieties—to allow the universe’s healing energies to flow freely through me.
During Reiki sessions, I encountered many individuals who were genuinely kind and compassionate, people who offered me care and acceptance. However, a persistent unease lingered within my conscience. Even as I strayed from Jesus, my heart would ache whenever I heard people attribute their blessings to an impersonal cosmos, a nameless universal force.
By the time I achieved the level of Reiki master, I was also a single mother navigating the complexities of parenthood. As many new parents experience, the profound emotions of parenthood—a mixture of anxiety and awe—often ignite a renewed interest in spirituality and faith. I began attending church intermittently, searching for a sense of belonging but not quite finding a place to settle. It was my neighbor, an elderly woman raising her granddaughter, who extended an invitation to her church. There, I finally discovered a spiritual home for my soul. I immersed myself in Beth Moore’s “Breaking Free” Bible study and made the life-changing decision to be baptized.
Now, I found myself living in two distinct worlds. On Saturdays, I continued to offer Reiki sessions and teach classes at a friend’s shop. My ability to receive visions and impressions about people had become more pronounced, attracting attention. “Are you a medium?” customers would inquire. “There’s a psychic seminar in town next week. You could make a lot of money.”
However, my comfort within the Reiki community was rapidly eroding. Each day brought a stronger conviction that I needed to tell people that any healing they experienced during Reiki sessions was not from me, but a gift from God. He, not some impersonal energy, was the answer to their deepest questions, problems, and longings.
Yet, voicing this truth was forbidden within the New Age framework. New Age philosophy often views this world as an illusion, a training ground for spiritual growth where numerous deities, spirits, and guides are equally honored. Acknowledging Jesus as one among many spiritual figures, equal in power and authority, is acceptable. But proclaiming him as the singular Way, Truth, and Life is unequivocally rejected.
Despite my growing discomfort with Reiki’s core tenets, I remained deeply attached to the sense of purpose and validation I derived from helping people. The fear of abandoning Reiki for Jesus was significant: What if people stopped seeking my help, and I reverted to my aimless ways? I attempted what seemed like a reasonable compromise. I ceased teaching Reiki techniques and began sharing my Christian faith with my students. However, I continued to offer Reiki sessions to clients, secretly praying for the Holy Spirit to work through me, beneath the surface of the practice. Perhaps you, like many others, are exploring spiritual guidance online and searching for resources like “Youtube Tranquil Touch Reiki Guides” to deepen your understanding of energy healing. It’s important to consider the foundations of these practices and compare them with the teachings of Christianity.
The Unmatched Power of Jesus’ Name
It wasn’t long before I confronted the impossibility of serving two masters. The turning point arrived when a friend asked if I would teach Reiki to her and another woman. Just before her call, my hands had become noticeably hot, and I mistakenly interpreted this as a sign of divine approval, a misguided notion that God was granting permission. I agreed to conduct the class, falsely reassuring myself that I could openly speak about Jesus since my friend was aware of my faith.
The first session proceeded without incident. However, that night, I was tormented by a terrifying dream. I saw two witches attacking me. In my dream-state of panic, I cried out the name of Jesus. Instantly, they vanished. I awoke from the nightmare shaken, but also filled with awe at the sheer power of a name that could cause satanic forces to flee at its mere mention.
The following day, I informed the women that I could no longer teach the class. “You don’t need more teachings,” I declared. “You need Jesus.” They erupted in anger and tears, accusing me of arrogance, ignorance, and a lack of compassion. Eventually, I was asked to leave the community. For the subsequent week, I endured their harsh words and the expected ostracization from previously friendly circles. Yet, beneath the surface turmoil, I experienced an immense sense of liberation. I tore apart all my Reiki books and pleaded with God for forgiveness. That pivotal moment occurred over fifteen years ago, and I have never practiced Reiki since.
The New Age, in its various forms, is simply Satan employing ancient strategies, playing upon our deepest human desires for peace, connection, abundance, and even immortality. In stark contrast, the Christian path—a path of obedience, sacrifice, and at times, suffering—can appear foolish, even self-destructive to the worldly perspective. This is why I unreservedly praise the name of Jesus, who willingly sacrificed his life not for spiritual elites or masters, but for the vulnerable, broken, and wounded sinners he loved so profoundly. If you are seeking genuine peace and healing, perhaps moving beyond superficial guides and techniques like those you might find searching for “youtube tranquil touch reiki guides”, consider exploring the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. True and lasting peace isn’t found in mastering universal energy, but in surrendering to the boundless love and grace of a personal Savior.
Nicole Watt is a freelance writer and homeschooling mother residing in Northern Ireland.
This article originally appeared in the May/June, 2020 issue of Christianity Today under the title “A Reiki Master’s Redemption”.
