What is Reiki: Reiki is a method of stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. The technique was developed in Japan and is administered by the laying on of hands. It is based on the idea that all living things have a special energy flowing through them called life energy. When your life energy is high, you'll feel strong and confident, be more relaxed and centered and less likely to get sick. When it is low, you'll often feel tired, be more easily affected by stress and less resistant to illness. Reiki is a Japanese word that comes from two words - Rei and ki. In the Japanese language, these words can mean different things depending on how they are used and how they are combined with other words. When they are used together for the practice of healing, the word Rei means universal spirit, Higher Power or God. The word ki refers to the life energy that flows through all living things. Therefore, Reiki means life energy that is guided by God. Some also feel this is just another way of saying Holy Spirit. A Reiki treatment is a way of increasing your life energy. A practitioner will transmit Reiki to the client through the hands. The hands are lightly placed on or near the body in various positions around the head, shoulders, stomach and feet. Sometimes a practitioner will also treat above the body. A treatment can feel like a warm glowing radiance that flows through the body. It is a very relaxing experience and some clients report the body feeling heavy as it relaxes and yet the spirit or emotions feeling light at the same time. A treatment will usually release negative feelings or thoughts leaving the client feeling more positive, light hearted and with feelings of well-being. Healing often takes place and people have reported recovery from minor things like headache, stomachache, bee stings etc., but also major illnesses have been affected with some people recovering from heart disease, cancer, leukemia etc. While almost everyone experiences relaxation and improvements of various kinds, healing results cannot be guaranteed. It is recommended that if one has an illness or other medical or psychological condition that in addition to getting Reiki treatments, clients also consult a licensed physician or other licensed health care professional as Reiki works well in conjunction with all medical or psychological care. The ability to do Reiki is innate within everyone. By taking a Reiki class, an attunement is given to the student which is like turning on a switch that in affect turns on ones Reiki energy. After that, all that is necessary is to place ones hands on oneself or another person and Reiki healing energy automatically begins flowing. Because of this, Reiki is very simple to learn and is taught in a day class. The History of Reiki:
In 1922 Dr. Mikao Usui was at Mt. Kurama, Japan attending a 21-day meditation course, he was able to open up his crown chakra. At this point, he successfully unleashed an insurmountable amount of energy. This led him to the discovery of Reiki and the use of symbols in relation to the universal life energy.
What he had rediscovered could be the same type of energy that was used by Tibetan monks centuries ago or the same healing energy that is used by a number of different cultures. India- pranic healing, China - Qi Gong etc etc. A rose by any other name would smell the same. When Dr. Usui left Mt. Kurama, he was inspired by this power and began teaching his students.
This is how Usui Reiki began. Over time, Dr. Mikao Usui's lineage continued with several Reiki masters following his footsteps and continuing his teachings. The instruction of Usui Reiki continues to the present day.
Usui Reiki uses at least four major symbols to summon energy, control it, and channel it to the recipient for healing. These symbols are distinct to Usui Reiki and can only be practiced under the Usui Reiki system. There have been other types of Reiki developed since then. Some of them work independently from Usui Reiki. Others are regarded to be an advancement or development of what Dr. Mikao Usui had started.
Usui Reiki is taught in different levels and students are given titles after completing each level. Every aspiring Reiki practitioner or master has to start with Level I training where they are introduced to the concept of Reiki up until they are able to connect to the Universal Life Energy. This energy is the focal point of the movement. Level II Reiki gives the student the power to practice Reiki professionally. Level III is when the students are able to become masters. This will enable them to teach other students in the art of Usui Reiki.
Reiki is religiously neutral. The clearest and most authentic understanding we have been able to discover is that Dr. Usui originated the system of healing he taught and practiced based first on his mystical experience on Mt. Kurama
The best way for you to receive Reiki energy is called Contact Reiki. With this form you are in the same room as the therapist; you are lying, fully clothed, on a treatment couch, and the therapist places his or her hands on areas of your body, or else a few inches above the body. You receive the energy through the therapist's hands, and this energy remains within you for two or three days, helping your body and mind to heal.
I must emphasis that Reiki is a complementary therapy, not an alternative therapy. It works with alternative therapies and conventional medicine, not in place of them. Also, no Reiki therapist should ever say it will cure this or that. Instead it will boost your body's natural healing process, with whatever the end result. All our bodies are different.
Who is Reiki for?
Reiki is for you! It doesn't matter how old you are, how young you are, what your religious beliefs are, the color of your skin, or your sexuality. Reiki can assist anyone with the healing process wether it be mental, emotional spiritual or physical.
