Have you ever noticed that during the relaxed state of meditation or bodywork like acupuncture, massage, or Reiki therapy, memories or flashbacks of your past suddenly pop to mind — some of which seem totally random? What do they mean?
My name is Lillie, and I’ve been a Reiki practitioner (see “What is Reiki?” for more) since 2018. All the information in this article comes from personal experience doing hands-on sessions with hundreds of clients over the years, as well as from participating in meditation, bodywork, and research, myself.
Meaning of Flashbacks
One of the benefits of Reiki is that the practitioner is in the room with the client the entire session, and thus can discuss whatever comes up to help build meaning. To help us better understand the powerful phenomenon of memories and flashbacks, let’s examine an example of how to use them to discern the message your body is trying to tell you, and the subsequent suggestion for a wise path forward.
Memories During Reiki and Meditation
While either giving or receiving Reiki, I always begin by seeing chakra colors behind my closed eyes — but then seemingly random memories from my past will start to come to mind. The key in interpreting them is to look for patterns and ways to find the general symbol or message.
For example, lately I’ve had a repeated memory pop up during bodywork: I am eight or nine years old, attending a neighborhood gathering with my parents down the street from our house. Huh? Why would this image be emerging from the recesses of my brain at age 42 — a flashback from nearly three decades before I even started giving Reiki training and sessions?!
Following the guidelines from our “Visions During Meditation” article helps here: The message is that my soul is craving more community connections! The path forward, therefore, is to be more proactively reaching out to friends and neighbors to be creating gatherings to hang out all together, kids and all.
To check whether your interpretation for the message and path forward is correct, do a gut check. Does it resonate? Does it crack through the emotional numbness and touch your truth? If so, it’s probably right. Listen to the wisdom that your body shares when you’re relaxed and open enough to hear it.
Memory Meanings, in Sum
I hope this article on the meaning of memories and flashbacks during meditation or bodywork has been as helpful as our aura meaning chart. What other energy work topics would you like me to explore for you? Do share!
The creator of this site, Lillie Marshall, is a Reiki practitioner who is certified in three different kind of energy work, including Usui and Kundalini Reiki. She began her formal training in 2018, and now runs Healing Touch “L” Reiki in Boston, where she has become one of the top-rated practitioners in Massachusetts, conducting hundreds of sessions with clients. Having been a public school teacher for many years, Lillie is passionate about writing articles to educate people far and wide about the wonderful, natural benefits of Reiki for wellbeing and balance. Find her on social media at @HealingTouchL.