What Is Reiki?

• Reiki, (ray-kee) is a complete, holistic and natural healing technique. Similar to laying of hands, Reiki uses a sequence of hand positions on or over the body’s major energy centers, also referred to as chakras, in order to balance and enhance energy in the human body. The balance and increased energy Reiki provides allows the body to naturally heal.
• Reiki was founded around the end of the 18th century by Mikau Usui of Japan or Usui Sensei as he is known by his students. Anyone who practices Reiki can trace their teaching lineage to Usui sensei. The very first Reiki group which sprouted in Japan from Usui sensei (Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai) is still in existence today and is reported to be currently headed by Masayoshi Kondo.
• Reiki can be interpreted to mean universal energy, however, that’s the generally accepted meaning of the word in context, but not it’s direct translation. When broken down, rei itself has several meanings and translations. It is often translated as universal, but it’s direct translation or meaning is “ghost” or “spirit.” Rei is also translated as “universe” or “universal.” The source of Reiki energy comes from the life-force energy of all living things or the universe. And yet another translation is “God mind” or “God consciousness”. Reiki energy has an innate intellect which is also connected to God. So really, the root ideas of God-spirit-mind-universal are all very appropriate. Ki is much simpler as it is the same as the Chinese equivalent “chi” which many people have at least some knowledge of.
• While giving or receiving Reiki can be a very spiritual experience, Reiki is NOT a religion. In fact, belief in God is not even necessary for Reiki to work. Reiki teachers and practitioners are represented by followers of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Atheism, Taoism, Hinduism, and I’m sure many others. Religious and non-religious people alike have found Reiki’s ideals to be congruent with their own beliefs and values.
• Reiki, like many other holistic and complimentary healing techniques, is not only a complete and effective method of treatment, it can also compliment and enhance any other type of treatment from allopathic medicine (surgery, medication, etc.) to holistic treatments (acupuncture, chiropractic, reflexology, herbs, etc.).
• Reiki energy is always positive can never be used for harm or anything negative.
• Reiki energy will always work towards the highest good of the person.
• Reiki’s use and combination of hand positions are similar to healing techniques found in Chinese, Russian, Hawaiian, Native American, Mayan and ancient Egyptian cultures.
• Reiki is most often administered by laying hands on or over the body but can also be given through distant or absentee sessions and also through other techniques utilizing feet, eyes and breath.
• Reiki aids in stress-reduction, relaxation and enables the body to increase the speed and completeness of healing.