What is Reiki?

Rei - ki (pronounced Ray-key) is a system of natural healing involving the laying on of hands and is was discovered and developed in the 1920 's by Mikao Usui. The Usui system of Reiki is a very simple but powerful healing technique which is easily given and received by anyone.

The actual words 'Rei' and 'Ki' are thought to originate from 'Raku-Kei " from the Japanese language. Raku is the vertical energy flow, and kei is the horizontal energy flow through the body. Raku-Kei is the art and science of self improvement used by the ancient Tibetan Lamas dating back thousands of years.

Rei - Spiritual Wisdom

The word Rei means 'Universal' and is a very general definition as Japanese ideograms or 'Kanji', have several levels of meaning and interpretation, from the mundane to the esoteric. It is accepted that the word is more accurately interpreted by Reiki practitioners as the Higher Spiritual Consciousness or All-mowing and All-pervading God-Force which knows the cause and therefore cure of all problems and difficulties.

Ki - The Life Force

Ki, or Chi in Chinese, Prana in Sanskrit, Mana in Hawaiian, is the vital Life Force which flows through all living things. It has been identified by all cultures and consequently has a variety of names. Ki surrounds and animates all life and is the primary source of our thoughts, emotions and spiritual existence.

Martial artists use ki in physical and mental development. Shamans use the same energy for spiritual development and awareness as well and healing and manifestation. Ki is employed by all healers, regardless of discipline. It is the non-physical energy that can be accumulated by the body and guided by the will.

Reiki is different from other systems in that the attunements, or initiations, are an ancient process of tuning the healer's body, both physical and etheric, to a higher vibration, thereby allowing a clear channel for the energy to flow. Once this channel is opened it will remain so for the rest of the healer’s life.

Therefore, Reiki can be defined as Spiritually-guided Universal Life Force. This is the most widely accepted interpretation of the word and sums up the experience most people have of the energy.

The Reiki healing energy moves through the healer and dispels blocks and negativity before being channelled to the recipient, thus never draining the healer. In fact, the more a Reiki practitioner gives of the energy, the more is received by them as well as the recipient.

All healers 'use the Life-Force, but not all use Reiki, which works on a different vibration. It is, of course, possible that some healers are born with the attunement having taken place, but in practice, it normally takes a Reiki Master to attune the individual to the energy. It is widely accepted that Reiki not only complements other therapies, but actively increases the strength of those healing energies.

In The Spirit of Reiki the authors list four criteria for Reiki; the ability to practise can only come from an attunement; all Reiki techniques are passed on by attunement; Reiki is guided by higher power rather than the practitioner's mind; and it can do no harm.

Reiki treatments are given by the practitioner placing their hands in a number of easily-learnt positions on the recipient's body and allowing the free flow of Reiki energy to pass through. The energy is drawn by the recipient and has a way of naturally flowing to the area where it is most needed and therefore no direction by the practitioner is necessary for the energy to work. This means that every Reiki treatment is different and people receiving the treatment will report differing experiences, such as sensations of warmth, cold or tingling. Whatever the individual's experience, the general beneficial effect of the treatment is the same, with the recipient receiving the appropriate amount of energy to bring about the necessary changes to restore balance within. As the flow of Reiki begins to be used by the practitioner, so the refining of the individual's own spiritual self takes place, thus creating change, dispelling negative beliefs and attitudes, and promoting a greater feeling of well being.