What Is Reiki & How Does It Work?
The spiritual energy healing practice of Reiki is an ancient eastern holistic health tradition that dates back thousands of years. Reiki was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui of Japan and was brought to the west by Mrs. Hawayo Takata in 1937.
The word Reiki is derived from two Japanese words – Rei, which can best be defined as higher wisdom or universal and Ki, like chi or qi, is a term used to describe our life-force energy. This hands-on form of spiritual healing manipulates our life-force energy. It is believed that the effectiveness of healing with modality is directed by a higher spiritual power that sends this powerful life-giving force to the perfect place within us.
The goal of this alternative health therapy is to restore balance and harmony between all the parts of our being. It works to create a state of equilibrium in our life-force energy. It raises the vibration in the body and words to heal and clear its energetic pathways. This allows our life-force energy to begin to flow again. The spiritual healing provided by Reiki promotes health and wellbeing to all of our parts, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
What To Expect During a Reiki Session
In a healing session, the recipient lies down with their eyes closed. The practitioner utilizing a series of fixed hand positions infuses the body with healing energy. In each hand position, the practitioner channels universal energy though their bodies, out of their hands and into the bodies of their client.
The practitioners hands are held in each of these positions for several minutes at a time. Many of the hand positions correlate to the energy centers, the chakras that run up the spine. The positions start at the top of the head and progressively work their way down the body.
Having a Reiki healing session is not like getting a massage. Reiki healing is performed on a flat surface such as a massage table
Individuals who have received Reiki report a wide range of things. During a session, some report experiencing feelings of warmth, heat or vibration as the practitioner works on them. Others do not sense anything at all. The most common remark expressed by recipients of Reiki is the sense of relaxation, peace and an overall reduction in stress after a session.
Who Can Perform Reiki?
You do not have to be a powerful healer in order to perform this form of spiritual energy healing. Healing during a Reiki session is achieved when universal life-force energy is transferred from the ethers, through the practitioner and into the recipient. The clearer and more open the healing practitioner is, the better a vessel they are to channel the healing energy through them. This makes the use of Reiki as a healing technique open to anyone.
Reiki offers methods for both self-healing as well as methods of working one-on-one with a spiritual energy healing practitioner. There are also a number of wonderful books that can guide you to a deeper understanding of the healing power of Reiki, either for self healing or if you are interested in performing Reiki healings on others.