Michaela Daystar discovered Reiki at a pivotal crossroads in her life—when her marriage had ended and she found herself unsure of who she was outside of that relationship. In this candid conversation, Michaela shares how a chance encounter with the word "Reiki" created a moment of crystal-clear synchronicity that would transform her path forever.

After spending 15 years in social justice leadership development, Michaela founded Heartscapes at the intersection of self-reflection, spiritual practice, and social action. What makes her story so compelling is her journey toward authenticity—from desperately trying to hide her "weirdness" to embracing it as her greatest strength. "Now at almost 50," she reveals, "my job is about 40% just being weird in public and owning it."

We dive deep into the misconceptions surrounding Reiki, particularly the tendency to use it as a catch-all term for all energy work. Michaela eloquently explains why understanding the specific cultural and historical lineage of Reiki matters, both out of respect for its Japanese Shinto and Buddhist roots and for our own effectiveness as practitioners. Her transition from Western Reiki to studying its Japanese origins reveals how much more becomes available when we honor these traditions.

Perhaps most powerful is Michaela's honesty about her greatest healing challenge: the fear of being seen and known. She describes how this manifested as resistance to taking responsibility for her own healing, and how Codependents Anonymous became the foundation that allowed other spiritual practices to take root. This vulnerability extends to her business approach, where she learned that "running a business and being an excellent Reiki practitioner are different skill sets," and that clarity about who you are and who you serve is essential.

Through Soul Collage and Reiki, Michaela now guides others to remember the wholeness of their true selves—particularly those burning themselves out trying to change the world. Her story beautifully illustrates how bringing seemingly disparate parts of ourselves together creates not just healing, but a life that fits us well, even if it looks nothing like what we expected.

Ready to explore your own path to authenticity and healing? Connect with Michaela at heartscapesinsight.com and discover how embracing your unique qualities might be exactly what the world needs.

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Ready Set Reiki is a journey
From the curious beginner to the Season Master Teacher
All Energy workers of all systems and all levels.