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What is Reiki?
Reiki is a non-invasive method of complementary healing which uses spiritually guided life force energy.
Mikao Usui, a Japanese man, rediscovered Reiki and put this ancient healing method into practice in the early 1900s. It was then introduced to the world by a lineage of healer/teachers. Chujiro Hayashi, Usui’s student, taught Reiki to a Japanese/Hawaiian woman Hawayo Takata. Mrs.Takata became the healer/teacher responsible for the spread of Reiki to the western world.
Life force energy is available to every living thing. Many cultures throughout history have had a name for this vital energy or something very similar to it – Ki, Chi, Prana, Mana, Ka, Pneuma. When a person’s life force energy is high they feel strong and ebullient. When it is low, a person feels drained and weak and becomes ill more easily. Ki is taken into our bodies from the air around us, the food we eat, and sunshine. Ki is taken into our bodies from sunshine, the air around us, and the food we eat. Ki can purposely be increased by breath work, meditation, and sleep. When we are healthy Ki flows through us freely and nourishes all our body’s systems.
The life force reacts to our feelings and thoughts because it moves in us holistically. Studies conducted for allopathic medicine and science have proven that our thoughts can influence our state of health. Scientific study has also shown the possibility that what we consider as the mind, lodges not just in the brain but in various places in our bodies where the nervous system resides. Through research and advanced imaging techniques images of an electromagnetic aura have been seen surrounding living organisms. Negative thoughts can slow down or block the flow of Ki and positive or harmonious thoughts can create a healthy state of being. Negative thoughts or feelings can build up over a period of time and remain below our conscious awareness slowly eroding our holistic health.
The word Reiki (ray-key) has been translated from the Japanese to mean universal life force energy or divine energy. When the Ki used for healing is spiritually guided as in Reiki practice, it becomes much more effective and may help with the healing of various conditions on multiple levels. Reiki, guided by spirit, is never harmful. The energy itself seems to know what is needed and works accordingly. It may relieve stress and repair and renew the flow of vital energy allowing natural healing.
Reiki is not affiliated with a religion, but it is practiced in a spiritual way. The client is always honored, respected, and treated with compassion. The practitioner works from her heart.
The Reiki energy heals in a holistic way acting on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. It may ease physical problems and deal with their cause. Reiki may relieve pain and acute problems quickly. Chronic illnesses may need a series of healing sessions to show improvement. The chronic problem developed over a period of time and has moved deeper into the body physically and spiritually. It has often developed many layers of energetic density. When the Reiki energy reaches blocked areas of Ki it may act to break up these barriers and restore a healthy flow of vital energy to all the body’s systems, restoring balance or homeostasis.
Clients have reported relief from many conditions after Reiki sessions. Some of them are:
- Headaches
- Nervous tension
- Pain from acute conditions such as cuts, abrasions, bruises
- Sleep problems
- Lack of energy
- Healing of broken bones (treatment is given for this only after the bone has been set.)
- Chronic pain
- Chronic health problems
- Recovery time after surgery
- Poor outlook on life
- Lack of balance in life
Reiki is primarily used for healing but can also help a living being make a peaceful transition from life.
How Reiki Works
Scientific discoveries in the past century led to new concepts in physics. Quantum physics research has revealed a universe in which time and space are fluid, where there is no end to the smallness of particles, and where human thought has been shown to influence the outcome of experiments.
Reiki tradition teaches that the Reiki energy comes from a meta or beyond physical source and becomes transformed when it enters the physical body. It changes to accommodate the needs of the client.
We know that all things have a vibration, a wavelength, and a frequency and these are in a fine balance within our body. The body changes during our daily lives. It reacts to stress, trauma, diet, exercise, and good and bad events. A person’s body may succumb to disease when he or she is “out of tune”. When harmony is restored wellness returns.
The Reiki practitioner acts as a channel of the energy from the source to the client. When the client’s soul is seeking healing, energy is accepted from the practitioner. It stops taking energy naturally when its need is fulfilled.
Channeling of energy
The practitioner generally channels energy by placing the hands on the client or in the person’s aura. However, because of the nature of the Reiki energy it knows no constraints of distance or time. Energy may be channeled to a distant recipient or sent forward or backward in time. Reiki energy can also be used to help plants or animals.
Reiki works well with other modalities
Reiki is easily used during reflexology, chiropractic sessions, acupuncture, massage therapy, or other body work, and during shamanic healing. It can be allowed to flow during crystal or sound healing and during psychic readings.
It is excellent when used as a complementary therapy with allopathic (Western) medicine. It can enhance the healing qualities of herbs, flower essences, aromatherapy, and homeopathy.
The Reiki Practitioner
The use of Reiki is not a religion but a way of life espoused by Reiki practitioners who may also adopt concepts from Eastern philosophies.
A Reiki practitioner strives to be a clear channel for the Reiki energy so that it can do its healing work.
The practitioner maintains that he or she is only a channel for the Reiki energy and it is the client’s higher self that decides how to use the energy provided.
In order to channel the Reiki energy the practitioner has had his energy channels cleared by an attunement. This method has been passed down through the lineage of Reiki Masters from Mikao Usui. The practitioner is able to connect to the Reiki and channel it for healing.
People can channel Reiki energy without an attunement; however, the attunement opens the body to access the Reiki energy more easily. Higher level attunements open the channel further.
When people decide to become Reiki practitioners they open themselves to life changing experiences, personal introspection, and growth. They become more empathic and have a natural desire to help other people to heal. They will go through periods of learning about themselves and releasing old paradigms mentally, physically, and spiritually. When giving Reiki sessions they too receive healing energy. The practitioner’s own energy is never drawn upon because he or she is only channeling the Reiki energy.
Please Note: Reiki is not a substitute for professional health care or advice. |
