Reiki in Action
Rebecca Bredenhof – Reiki & Refugees
In 2015, refugees came to Europe and The Netherlands. After long talks with the organization that cares for the refugees, permission was given for volunteers to give Reiki to refugees in one camp. Because it was a good experience, we were asked to come to more refugee camps.
Since that time, the worldview has totally changed. Now “worldwide” is just a few kilometers from Rebecca’s house. Last February, a pilot project was started at an intake refugee camp near The Hague. Rebecca and seven Reiki practitioners went to share Reiki. Here is Rebecca’s sharing of that experience.
”At the moment, we know that the 1100 people from different countries stay there only for a short time, not knowing if they can stay in the Netherlands. My thoughts went to Hawayo Takata’s saying ‘better a few minutes Reiki than no Reiki’. The pilot was a wonderful experience.
“In three hours we gave short treatments to about 60 people. Most were men from Iraq and Syria, and a few women from Eritrea. The young men were very open and kind. A few spoke a little Dutch, others spoke English or only their own language. Since Reiki speaks all languages, it was okay. The refugee center was very glad we came and two weeks later we went again.
The place where we gave Reiki (on chairs) is like a corridor. Many men walk by on their way to the doctor or to Dutch language lessons. After their visits, most of them came to us for Reiki.
One of our rules is: Don’t speak about treatments. People are not ill. We speak about relaxation and energy. We use only three positions for 10 minutes.
I’m deeply touched by the wonder of Reiki when, after 2-3 minutes, I see most men fold their hands in a prayer attitude and come into a place of deep relaxation. After receiving Reiki, some send other people to us.
When we came back after a few weeks, people were waiting for us and Reiki. Sometimes we have time for a short talk, so we hear people come from Somalia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Eritrea, Armenia and Afghanistan. The women are mostly from Eritrea and are very young.
One young woman had a telephone talk with her mother in Eritrea when we arrived in the place for women. We answered her questions about what we are doing. It was important for her to know that Reiki has nothing to do with religion. She asked her mother if it is safe and okay to receive Reiki. Her mother gave her permission. So touching!
After a short tea break, a young man was waiting to talk with me. His English was very good. He had many questions about what we are doing, before he will receive it. After my explanation about the energy he said ” Oh, then, you also can give it to plants.” and took his place on the chair.
Later he told me that he comes from Afghanistan. When I told him the story of one of my Reiki students coming from Afghanistan as a refugee twenty years ago, the pictures of his kids came out. They are one and three years old and he will give them a peaceful life. That is the reason he was on the road for five months and is waiting four months in the Netherlands for permission to stay and then to bring his family.
When we got the message that all refugees are to be moved to other refugee camps, I saw pictures in my mind of his terrible trip to the Netherlands. I can only hope the 10 minutes of Reiki gave him the strength to manifest a peaceful life for his family. Hopefully in a short time we can start again to give Reiki to these people, because I have seen that only 10 minutes of Reiki can make a difference.
Reiki Master Rebecca Bredenhof is owner of Reikicentrum Zijn in The Hague, Netherlands. Rebecca volunteers for RWW and went in 2003 and 2005 to Bosnia to give Reiki in orphanages, old people’s homes, homes for widows and children, and refugee camps. For years, she and her students have given Reiki to homeless people and refugees
