Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction that also promotes healing. It can enhance the effects of other types of treatments, and helps to maintain personal balance. Dr. Mikao Usui first received the Reiki energy on Mount Kurama near Kyoto, Japan in 1914. Since then it has spread around the world and is widely practiced today.
Reiki is based on the idea that unseen life force energy or "chi" flows through us and around us. This life force energy is what causes us to be alive. If life force energy is low, we are more likely to become ill or feel stress. When it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
How is a Reiki treatment given?In a standard treatment, Reiki energy flows from the practitioner's hands into the client. The client is usually lying on a massage table, but treatments can also be given while the client is seated or even standing. The client remains fully clothed with their shoes removed. The practitioner places her hands on or near the client's body in a series of hand positions. These include positions around the head and shoulders, the stomach, and the feet. Other more specific positions may be used based on the client's needs. Each position is generally held for three to five minutes, depending on how much Reiki the client needs at each position. Approximately half way through the session, the client is asked to turn over so the back of the body can be treated. The entire treatment usually lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. What does a Reiki treatment feel like?The experience of Reiki varies somewhat from person to person. However, feelings of deep relaxation are usually felt by all. In addition, many feel a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around them. As the Reiki energy encourages one to let go of tension, anxiety, fear, or other negative feelings, a state of peace and well-being is experienced. Some clients drift off to sleep or feel as if they are in a meditative state. At the end of the session, one feels refreshed with a more positive, balanced outlook. How does Reiki energy flow?Reiki is one of the most widely known forms of healing that uses the direct application of energy or chi. The Reiki practitioner is a facilitator for the Reiki energy to do what best serves the highest good of the receiving individual. When the practitioner places her hands on the client, Reiki energy flows to the areas of the body that need healing. The energy knows where to go in the body, and what to do once it gets there. Reiki flows to and within the recipient in exactly the amount that is needed. What is an Attunement?A Reiki Teacher will pass or transfer the ability to channel Reiki energy during a simple individual ceremony with the student. The attunement process clears the student's energy centers (chakras) to enable the energy pathway. How does Reiki Heal?Everything around us, including ourselves is made of energy. We are alive because life force energy "Ki" is flowing through us. In our body, the energy flows through pathways called chakras, meridians and the aura. When the energy flows freely and balanced, the body is healthy. When the flow of energy is disrupted or blocked, it causes reduced functioning or illness in the body. As Reiki energy is introduced into the body, it identifies the disruption of the body's energy flow. It then gently clears the blockages, facilitating the body's natural healing process.
Rei - meaning spirit, conveys spiritually guided consciousness and awareness of the ability to work within that greater wisdom. The Rei is comprised of three parts. It first starts at the top with a horizontal stroke that indicates heaven. Next is a vertical stroke that brings heaven down to earth. The next two horizontal strokes describe the clouds or veil between heaven and earth. There are four small strokes, two on either side of the long horizontal stroke depicting rain. The purpose of this initial part of the Rei is to describe wisdom that is initiated in heaven and is brought down to earth. The second part of the kanji is a series of three squares or boxes. These represent voices that are chanting or singing. The third or concluding part of the Rei begins with a horizontal stroke, again indicating heaven, and a second vertical stroke from heaven to earth. Two similar figures, one on either side of the vertical stroke represent dancing shaman or wizards. The final horizontal stoke completes the message in the earth. Manifestation is a three part energy process, starting with a thought, voicing the thought and finally putting action to the thought. The Rei kanji typifies manifestation of spiritually guided wisdom that is initiated as thought in heaven, spoken in words or prayer, and completes in action or hand movements. Ki - meaning energy, the highest strength, the purest greatness and is that which permeates and transcends beyond the physical realm. The Ki is a common kanji found in eastern art and jewelry. It represents energy. The first three strokes on the top represent steam or vapor from a cooking pot. The next large sweeping stroke represents a cooking pot. The strokes under the pot represent fire and kernels of rice that are bursting open with steam, ready to be consumed as a source of energy for life. Reiki, as shown here in Japanese kanji, or ideograms, is a combination of multiple 3-dimensional symbols that embody the concept of the Universal Life Force healing abilities. Reiki is a spiritually guided, all enveloping energy of the body, mind and spirit.
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The Reiki Kanji was created by Dr. Usui as the name of this energy healing therapy process. By the combination of the two pictographs he was able to emphasize the spiritual connection of the energy and the groundedness in earth. It exemplifies the balanced nature of Reiki healing on all levels, body, mind and spirit. Kanji are formed by specific strokes that put together in a unique way depict a story. The following describes the two kanji of Reiki.
As Dr. Mikao Usui developed his Reiki practice and teaching methodology he determined that to achieve the correct (spiritual) path for humanity, specific principles should be followed. He utilized poems from the Meiji-Emperor (1868-1912) and developed the Five Reiki Ideals as models for personal and spiritual development and enlightenment. Dr. Usui incorporated many spiritually based poems into his teaching handbook. Each Reiki practitioner in Dr. Usuis time was taught to meditate on the Ideals and poetry on a daily basis.