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Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese word meaning "universal
life energy." This life force energy can be defined
as energy, which exists in all created matter. "Ki"
is similar in thought to "chi" or "qi"
in Chinese medicine. There are also similarities in relation
to Hindu "prana" and Christian "light."
Reiki is hands-on energy healing where the practitioner
serves as an open channel for transmitting the "ki"
to others. The energy is channeled through the hands to
the client, which activates the body's own natural ability
to heal itself. Reiki goes to wherever it is needed most—releasing
blocked energies, cleansing the body of toxins, working
to create a state of balance and harmony and promoting relaxation
and healing. Reiki practitioners, with a centered intent
to help the client achieve relaxation, reduce pain and/or
anxiety by using their hands to direct healing energy. The
practitioner's intent is to support the healing process
from a conscious and compassionate state. The client, to
benefit, must have the willingness to (change) that which
is to be helped. Light touch is used on, or above the client's
fully-clothed body.
A healing enlightenment system that draws upon the flow
of universal energy. When Reiki healing is used, universal
energy flows into and through the practitioner, and then
into the patient. Reiki is a powerful system of laying on
of hands and remote healing that can transform lives through
the body, mind, emotional and spiritual levels. Reiki is
an amazing energy that comes from the highest spiritual
source, and has an innate intelligence, which does not need
to be directed by the practitioner. Reiki goes wherever
needed in the body, helping to release blocked energy, cleanse
the body of toxins, reduce stress, and become relaxed. Reiki
energy can be directed for the purpose of healing someone
who not physically present, using the Distant Symbol (or
Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen) and any of a number of techniques as
a point of focus.
Reiki Level I (or Sho Den)
Teaches you how
to use the Reiki Energy. Your Reiki Level I attunement includes
the hand positions used when doing Reiki on yourself and
others, the Reiki principles, and the history of Reiki.
Your Reiki Level II includes the three Reiki Power Symbols
(Focus, Harmony, and Connection), Mental/Emotional Healing,
Distant Healing, and another attunement
Reiki Level II (or Oku Den)
Teaches you the
three Reiki Symbols. Reiki Level II is a deepening of the
Reiki experience and a greater commitment to Reiki. Reiki
Level II teaches the meanings and application of the Power
Symbols, the Mental/Emotional Healing Symbol, and the Distant
Symbol.
Reiki Level III (or Shinpi Den)
The Master Level
of Reiki. Reiki Level III will teach you to heal on the
spiritual level, and I will use another attunement to confer
the Reiki energy, and complete a detoxification process.
Reiki Level III teaches the Usui Master Symbol. The Usui
Master Symbol completes the three symbols taught at Reiki
Level II. You will be taught how to initiate others into
Reiki using the attunement process. Reiki Level III includes
the Usui Master Symbol (empowerment symbol) and its meaning
and application. The attunement process and practice in
its application, and how to teach others. As a part of the
attunement process there is a bond forged between student
and master.
Distant attunements are a non-traditional technique that
is a logical extension of Distant healing and the distant
symbol. A distant attunement uses the Reiki Distant Symbol
(Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen) to perform an attunement on someone
who is not physically present. Most Reiki practitioners
accept that touch is not required to give a very good Reiki
treatment. Distant Attunements are appropriate and as perfect
as their hands-on counterparts. Distant Attunements are
done by using the distant symbol and visualization and intent.
Reiki is a powerful system of laying on of hands and remote
healing that can transform lives through the body, mind,
emotional and spiritual levels. Reiki is an amazing energy
that comes from the highest spiritual source, and has an
innate intelligence, which does not need to be directed
by the practitioner. Reiki goes wherever needed in the body,
helping to release blocked energy, cleanse the body of toxins,
reduce stress, and become relaxed.
Reiki energy can be directed for the purpose of healing
someone who not physically present, using the Distant Symbol
(or Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen) and any of a number of techniques
as a point of focus.
History of Reiki
Reiki's tradition
and history is oral and generally passed from Reiki Master
to student during training. Some of the writings tell the
story of how Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Christian educator,
discovered the ancient healing art in Japan in the late
1800's. His revelations paved the way for its emergence
in the United States and the rest of the world. There are
stories about the life and work of Dr. Usui or "sensei"(teacher)
as he is affectionately called. Recommended readings for
the history of Reiki include: "Reiki Fire" by
Frank Arjava Petter and "Reiki, The Healing Touch"
by William Rand.
Based on ancient Buddhist and Hindu teachings, Dr. Usui
evolved a system of healing through study, research, and
meditation. He practiced and taught this method of natural
healing using the laying on of hands. In the traditional
Reiki lineage, he trained Chujiro Hayashi to continue his
work after his death. Dr. Hayashi then opened a clinic and
school in Tokyo where he trained his successor, Mrs. Hawayo
Takata, who brought Reiki to the mainland of the U.S. Between
1945 and 1970, she was the only living Reiki Master in the
world. Between 1970 and 1980, she trained twenty-one Reiki
Masters. Mrs. Takata's granddaughter, Phyllis Lei Furumoto,
is the currently the Grand Master of the Usui System of
Natural Healing (Usui Shiki Ryoho).
Reiki is based on five spiritual principles:
- Just for today do not worry.
- Just for today do not anger.
- Honor your parents, teachers and elders.
- Earn your living honestly.
- Show gratitude to everything.
Benefits/Contraindications
Reiki is a particularly
gentle technique because it is non-invasive and non-manipulative.
Treatments can be used to facilitate physical, emotional,
mental and spiritual well-being. Treatments can be done
on oneself, others, animals, plants, etc. Reiki treatments
can be used for nearly all conditions, with little or no
side effects.
Training/Licensing
Most states in
the US do not regulate the practice of Reiki. However, Florida
and Utah do regulate Reiki. In order to practice Reiki,
they require practitioners to be licensed as a massage therapist.
At each level of training, a certificate is given. The Reiki
practitioner may then want to join a professional organization,
such as the International Association of Reiki Professionals.
Information provided courtesy of Martine White, BA,
ESMT, EBW
Reiki
(pronounced “ray-key”) is a Japanese
word meaning “Universal Life Energy.” Rei refers
to the Universal Soul or Spirit; Ki refers to the vital
energy. Reiki is a noninvasive therapy, a natural source
of subtle-touch healing given through unconditional love
and by consciously tapping into the energy that surrounds
all living things. It unites the various aspects of being,
physical, emotional, mental and spiritual, by way of the
energetic pathways connecting them. Through a series of
hand positions either lightly touching or slightly above
the body, practitioners facilitate the flow of energy to
their clients.
Reiki pracitioners
clearly use the name “Reiki” to distinguish
themselves from other traditions of energy work. Level 1,
Level II or Master refers to the number of attunements a
practitioner has received. [The name “Usui”
or “Mikao Usui” refers to the teachings of the
Japanese Master who rediscovered Reiki in the 1800’s.
Karuna and Tera Mai Reiki are recent variations of the Usui
Reiki.]
Some practitioners
of other modalities such as massage therapy and chiropractic
become Reiki-attuned because the use of Reiki enhances their
treatments. Not everyone who uses Reiki energy makes this
knowledge public. They sometimes will refer to it as “sweating
or healing touch”. These terms normally refer to simple
laying-on of the hands, and do not automatically imply that
Reiki energy is used. It is Reiki healing that you are looking
for, ask the practitioner if they have been attuned. These
attunements are what make Reiki healing different from therapeutic
touch or laying on of hands.
By simple placements
of the hands along the body’s chakra system, the Reiki
practitioner becomes a channel for Universal Energy. This
flows through their hands to the area in the recipient requiring
healing in exactly the right quantity and at exactly the
right frequency. Energy blocks are released and natural
balance is restored, so that the body can heal itself.
When receiving
Reiki energy, most people describe feelings of health emanating
from the practitioner’s hands, of feeling safe and
relaxed. It can bring up emotions, if they are the cause
of the energy block.
Reiki is a powerful
therapy, outwardly subtle in its application but inwardly
profound. A complimentary therapy, it does not interfere
with other forms of treatment; in fact it enhances them.
Reiki has no creed or religion attached to it; it is, however,
Buddhist in its outlook, valuing animals and the environment
as a whole, along with people.
Reiki healing has become widely used and accepted in the
West. Many holistic clinics, chiropractors, hospitals and
veterinarians offer Reiki to their clients. The beneficial
effects of the energy flow have been scientifically proven.
Reiki has been
particularly successful with animals as they are far more
in tune with themselves and their environment than people,
and are highly receptive to energy work. Giving Reiki also
enhances the rapport between human and animal. It is a comforting
technique for all animals in pain or distress; it revitalizes
and reassures the animal, and can be given without interfering
with other treatment, or posing any threat to the animal’s
health. The animal’s problems can be related to the
animal’s guardian (owner) and at times the practitioner
may want to work with the guardian before continuing with
the animal.
Anyone can become
a Reiki practitioner. To do so, one needs to be attuned
and taught by a Master Teacher. Each level of training usually
takes no more than a day. During Level 1 or first-degree
attunement, symbols are transmitted to the subtle energy
field of the student to open the channels. Level 2 or second
degree brings the student to a broader, deeper level of
responsibility and greater flow of energy. It focuses more
on the subtle energy bodies, and symbols taught include
distance healing. Level 3, 3rd degree or Master level is
available to the dedicated and committed practitioner.
It is advisable
to spend a few weeks between each degree, or level, in order
to practice. A person interested in learning Reiki should
start by reading the various books on Dr. Usui’s teachings
and prepare by meditating daily, before finding a practicing
Master Teacher.
For more information:
www.reiki.org
www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/alternativetherapies/reiki/
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