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Reiki is an energy healing system developed in Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui in the early 1900's. It is sometimes referred to as the Usui System of Natural Healing or Usui Reiki Ryoho. In Japan, the word reiki is used generically to describe many types of healing but in the West it is used to refer to Dr. Usui's system. Rei means universal and ki means vital force (chi or qi in Chinese, prana in Sanskrit.)
Dr. Usui recognized the healing power of limitless, universal life energy. This life energy has been called God, God-consciousness, higher power, spirit, the divine, love—to name a few. While Dr. Usui was familiar with many spiritual teachings and practices, Reiki is not a religion nor is it the outgrowth of any one religious tradition. The Reiki practitioner simply allows this limitless universal energy to flow through him/her in order to clear blockages and disruptions in the energy fields of the body. A Reiki session is very gentle and relaxing, involving light touch. It is done fully clothed usually on a massage table or chair.
Reiki practitioners must complete 4 levels with a Reiki Master, during which attunements are passed from Master to student. The personal transmission of attunements is essential and involves the use of sacred symbols. The training is simple, but powerful. While other forms of energy healing use similar energies, the Reiki attunements are said to channel stronger energy of a much higher frequency.
Today, Reiki is widely practiced throughout the West. Many practitioners use Reiki with other modalities but for many it is their main practice. It is also used in hospital and hospice settings, and is used for self-healing and for long-distance healing. |
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