What is Reiki?

Reiki is Universal Life Energy. Reiki, (pronounced "ray – key"), is actually two Japanese words: “Rei” means universal life and "ki" means energy. Ki is the same as "Chi" in Chinese, "Prana" in Sanskrit and "Mana" in Hawaiian. When activated, Reiki addresses body, mind and spirit by accelerating one's ability to heal one's self. The body is reminded of its ability to heal physical ailments, the mind opened to the causes of disease, and the spirit to the opportunity of taking responsibility for one's life and the joys of balanced wellness.

This hands-on healing modality is an ancient art now being revived around the world. Energy channeling through the hands was rediscovered by a Christian scholar, Dr. Mikao Usui, in Japan in the late 19th century after many years of researching the healing ministries of great healers, including Jesus and the Buddha. Reiki (literal translation - soul power), as laid down by Dr. Usui, has a simple set of procedures to follow. These procedures were passed down to each of the Reiki Masters who follow his teachings, together with a simple set of Reiki ideals. Historically, the teaching of this oral tradition is passed on from Reiki Master to student during Reiki training.

Reiki has two methods of delivery: Reiki I is the hands-on method, which is experienced as a powerful yet unobtrusive flow of healing energy. The client usually experiences the warmth (sometimes coolness) of the energy emanating from the practitioner’s hands, in varying degrees. Most people experience a sense of calmness and a decrease in their stress level as a result of a Reiki session. It is common for clients to fall asleep during their session and when they awaken they often feel calm and serene. Receiving Reiki is undoubtedly the best way to understand this natural flow of healing energy.

Reiki II is the second method and is also known as Absent Healing. Reiki II practitioners may provide an Absent Healing from a distance with the client‘s permission. To learn more about a Reiki II Absent Healing, please see FAQ’s.

Reiki practitioners are not using "their" energy, per se, but are via Reiki tapping into the unlimited universal supply and therefore cannot become depleted or run down. The channeling of Reiki energy is of genuine benefit to the practitioner in addition to the recipient, because as they are giving, they are also receiving.

It is important to note that Reiki energy is not a mind power. It is spiritual in nature, and therefore cannot be directed or manipulated in any way. Reiki by-passes the symptom and goes to the cause of the problem to allow healing to take place. Reiki works on the assumption that each of us knows more about what is necessary for our healing than anybody else. It works with that innate 'knowing' part of ourselves that has created, caused or participated in the problem and therefore knows the antidote. Thus, Reiki is complementary to any other form of healing or medication.

Reiki teaching varies around the world. In searching out a teacher, as in any other field, ask lots of questions. Reiki is an ancient tradition, so investigate the lineage of the teacher. Generally, the more direct the line goes back to Dr. Usui, the less cluttered and diffused the teaching will be.