About Reiki—Energetic Radiance
The term Reiki is properly used solely to indicate the therapeutic and self-development system created by Mikao Usui (also often respectfully referred to as Usui-Sensei). More specifically, the name Reiki identifies the wonderful therapeutic energy radiance, or phenomenon, which lies at the heart of this natural healing system:
- Rei: Often translated as Universal and in essence, it refers to something Spiritual or Sacred, and can mean Soul.
- Ki: Often translated simply as Life-Force Energy, yet also implies Spiritedness or Feelings.
Thus, depending on one’s perspective, Reiki can be understood as: Universal Life-force Energy, Spiritually-influenced Life-force Energy, or even as Charismatic Healing Radiance.
“Universal” in this sense could be understood as originally being a contraction of: The Universal; that is, an alternative (and intentionally less religious) term for the Divine, the Numinous, or God. Reiki is not a religion nor based in any religion. A person of any faith may safely practice Reiki within the context of their own faith and belief system.
Reiki—A Gentle Therapy
Reiki is a gentle, yet profound, non-invasive therapy, which can facilitate stress-reduction and relaxation, support effective immune system function, enhance the body's self-healing mechanisms, and replenish and nurture vitality.
Reiki can be effectively used in combination with other therapies, both allopathic and alternative, and has been shown to effectively stimulate the relaxation response. Rather than acting solely on a physical level, Reiki is holistic in its effect, eliciting a healing response across the entire spectrum of ones being—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It can prove beneficial in the resolving of physical disorders, nervous conditions and emotional issues, and help nurture a greater sense of balance, well-being, and wholeness in one's life. The gentle Reiki phenomenon has no negative side effects and does not require any concentration on the part of the client.
Reiki—Receiving Treatment
The person receiving Reiki treatment remains fully clothed and sits on a chair or reclines on a massage table—whichever is most comfortable. The only participation required is a desire to let oneself relax and be open to the positive effects of the Reiki healing energy.
In its simplest form, treatment is given primarily by means of a structured series of touch-based interventions at specific points on the body—a process sometimes referred to as laying on of hands.
The Reiki session usually lasts between 45 minutes and one hour, during which time, the recipient may experience heat or become aware of tingling or pulsing sensations or of emotional release such as giggling or an urge to cry. These phenomena occur as the healing Reiki energy radiates from the therapist's hands and begins to effect positive change, and restore balance, throughout the recipient's whole being. The therapeutic influence of the Reiki treatment continues to manifest for some time after the session ends. For this reason, it is desirable (where possible) for the recipient to take things easy for a day or so, in order to gain the full benefits of their Reiki session.
How Does Reiki Work?
While there are various theories as to how Reiki might work, there is no clear answer to this: all that can be said for certain is that it does. Dis-ease, dis-harmony, un-wellness is believed to occur due to disruptions/inhibitions in the flow of vital life force within our being. The specific radiant energy-pattern which we call Reiki, emanating from the practitioner’s hands, simply assists the body to correct and re-balance the flow of our life force, thus returning us to a state of wellness and generally enhancing the quality of our experience of our life.
Reiki Training & Attunement
For people wishing to learn to work with Reiki directly, training is commonly (though not always) structured in a series of three Levels or Degrees.
The ability to do Reiki is not something that is learned in the normal sense. Rather it is something which is activated or awakened within the individual through a process of Initiation (also referred to as an Attunement) This Initiation or Attunement—the central focus of each Level or Degree—involves a special energetic transfer technique whereby the Reiki Teacher (Master) essentially re-patterns or recalibrates the student's etheric field and subtle energy centres. To use an I.T. analogy, its a bit like having someone who possesses a very specific program, which enables them to interact and work with the Reiki phenomenon, download a copy of that program into your being, thereby enabling you to also interact and work with the Reiki phenomenon.
Level 1 Reiki Attunement
At Level 1, the Initiation/Attunement opens the student to the flow of Reiki (some would say it opens them to the awareness of the flow of Reiki). Traditionally, in Usui Shiki Ryoho the outer focus of Level 1 Reiki is hands-on therapy at a purely physical level, both for self-treatment and for treating others. However, the inner focus of Level 1 is about learning to become a clear channel for Reiki.
It is about learning to let go and let the energy flow, about learning to step out of the way—learning to override the desire of one's conscious mind to interfere in the therapeutic process, and instead, simply let the Reiki phenomenon "happen." The attitude should be one of almost Zen-like, compassionate detachment:
"Sitting quietly, 'no-doing', not seeking after outcomes, Reiki flows. If healing happens, it happens, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t—either way it’s no concern of mine."Developing this attitude early on will greatly enhance the quality of one's journey with Reiki.
Level 2 Reiki Attunement
Where Level 1 opens the student to the (awareness of the) flow of Reiki, the Level 2 Initiation/Attunement deepens the quality of that flow. Having developed the attitude of "compassionate detachment from outcomes" at level 1, the Level 2 student is provided with a set of symbolic tools enabling them to "set" intentions and broaden the scope of their therapeutic interventions. With Level 2 training, the student is introduced to a set of three sacred symbols, and is instructed in their use as a means of enhancing the effectiveness of physical level treatment, both hands-on and non-contact (i.e. in the client's aura), carrying out treatment at deeper psycho-emotional levels, and performing distant or remote treatments (i.e. for people not physically present).
Level 3 Reiki Attunement
Level 3 is commonly referred to as the "Master" level, but is more properly the "Teacher" level, being the level at which the practitioner will manifest the ability to impart Initiation/Attunements to others. This level's Initiation/Attunement brings yet a greater deepening of connection to the Reiki phenomenon. The practitioner is introduced to a fourth sacred symbol—the Master symbol—and is instructed in its uses, including its significance in the Initiation/Attunement process.
While many people will choose to progress to Level 2 (with its deeper energy connection and expanded healing techniques) and eventually to Level 3 (the Master/Teaching Level), Reiki Level I training will provide all the basic awareness required to practice this special therapeutic art, primarily for self-healing, and also for treating others—family, friends, pets, even household plants. For those attuned to it, the phenomenon that is Reiki can, amongst other things, be utilized as a form of body-centered meditation. It can also, especially at the higher levels, prove an invaluable tool for spiritual growth, having a subtle yet profound effect on ones personal development.