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Reiki (pronounced “Ray-kee”) is a simple and powerful hands-on healing method that
works on all levels of being. For many years Reiki was practiced only in the Far East. However, today we are fortunate to
have this technique available in the West. If one desires to help others, to become happier, healthier and clearer oneself,
and to have direct access to healing energy, then Reiki provides a most suitable and accessible path for transformation.
The Reiki system of healing originated in India where it was originally recorded in palm leaf scrolls. Later the teachings
became available to Tibetan monks but still remained primarily a secretive practice until the late 1800’s when a Japanese
man, Dr. Mikao Usui, rediscovered Reiki during a spiritual quest. Dr. Usui gave this energy technique the name “Reiki”
from two words: “Rei” meaning “universal spirit or soul” and “Ki” meaning “energy.”
Together the two words indicate “universal life-force energy.”
During his lifetime Dr. Usui shared with many people
in Japan both the knowledge of Reiki and the ability to work with this energy, until the Reiki system eventually came to the
West through one of Usui’s disciples who taught Reiki to a woman from Hawaii, Mrs. Hawayo Takata. When Mrs. Takata passed
on in 1980, she had personally trained 22 teachers of Reiki or “Reiki Masters.” Today, there exist thousands of
Reiki Masters in many countries worldwide.
Traditionally Reiki is taught in three levels of training. Level I is considered an introductory level in which Reiki
energy is activated in students who then learn how to perform healings on themselves and others. Level II offers advanced
Reiki training, giving students methods for long distance healing and mental/emotional/spiritual healing, as well as opening
intuitive, psychic abilities. Finally, Level III represents the Mastership level in which students learn how to teach others
Reiki and consciously dedicate themselves to a life spent promoting wellbeing in people, animals and the environment through
Reiki.
Reiki is an interesting
method because it cannot be fully accessed or learned in an intellectual manner. Although there is some theory and technique
involved, the actual energy must be acquired through an initiation process done by the Reiki Master with each student. This
ritual is considered sacred and thus the Reiki Master is discriminating about whom he/she teaches. Both the Reiki Master and
the Reiki student have a responsibility to use the energy wisely.
Reiki healing is both extraordinary and simple at the same time. Typically the one receiving
healing lies on a massage table fully clothed. For the next hour
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the practitioner moves through a sequence of hand positions on the recipient’s
body. The touch is light and relaxing and the practitioner’s hands usually become quite warm. During a session, the
Reiki practitioner is guided to discern energy imbalances within the system, and as the Reiki flows into the recipient, Reiki
creates healing by dissolving "negative" thought forms, beliefs, emotions or even physical conditions. The entire healing process is perhaps a bit mysterious--Reiki floods the recipient with positive
energy, thereby creating mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. One man received a single Reiki session and
was moved to tears, saying the experience had released pain he had been holding over a loved one’s death; he claimed,
“This is the first time in 9 years that I have felt the presence of God in my life.” Another woman came for Reiki
treatments and reported that her long-standing stress and anxiety seemed to have disappeared, with the peaceful effects of
her weekly Reiki treatments spilling over into her daily life. Although it is hard to generalize the effects of Reiki, it
is safe to say that following a healing session, people typically feel relaxed, happy, hopeful and rejuvenated. One additional benefit of Reiki is that both the practitioner and the client receive these
positive effects. Although self-healing is a specific aspect of Reiki--wherein the practitioner transmits Reiki energy from
the universe into themselves--Reiki practitioners also receive Reiki when they give treatments to others. Because this universal
life-force energy has to pass through the practitioner while treating another person, some of the Reiki energy is naturally
absorbed into the practitioner’s own energy field, so that the healer is also healed in the process of giving Reiki
to another. After giving Reiki, practitioners feel better themselves--simultaneously energized and peaceful. Over time,
working with Reiki energy helps practitioners become empowered, healthier and closer to the Divine, since the energy causes
the heart to expand, the intuition to strengthen and the "chakra" energy centers to become clear. When practitioners
achieve such balance in their own lives, they become powerful facilitators for healing and transformation in others. Reiki energy embodies an innate wisdom to bring us what we need, desire and are ready to accept.
Not merely a physical healing technique, Reiki is also a spiritual tool for connecting with the Divine on subtle levels.
When this connection occurs, our health, relationships, careers, communication, and self-esteem all naturally improve. Ultimately
Reiki allows us to shift, grow and expand, so that we remember to spread love amongst one another, helping to create a peaceful,
healthy and happy planet.
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