What is Reiki, and what can Reiki be used for?
Reiki is unconditional love and compassion. This can be thought of as an emotion, feeling, vibration, frequency, the light of God, the essence of life, the breath of life, the energy that formed creation, the energy that holds the particles of an atom together – However you choose to think about or define something that is everywhere and in everything – Always and forever, the beginning and the end – Unconditional love.
Reiki is Unconditional Love. Period. It is commonly defined as a Japanese stress reduction technique that promotes healing on all levels of an individual: body, mind and spirit. It is Spiritually Guided Life Force Energy. Reiki is ever evolving. Reiki is Energy Work; and as such, basic energy practices do apply.
I like to think of Reiki as connecting to the Source of my life, being in relationship with my Source, and allowing the Source of my soul to flow freely though me for the highest and greatest good. It is connecting to the part of you that makes you alive!
This gentle healing technique is practiced by “laying on the hands” and is similar to many other forms of alternative medicines used today.
During a Reiki session or treatment, the client lays fully clothed on a treatment or massage table as the practitioner applies light touch to areas of the body. This can be a set of standard hand positions or by the practitioner placing their hands on the recipient as the practitioner is intuitively guided. There is absolutely no manipulation of muscle tissue involved in a Reiki treatment or session, unless the practitioner is also licensed by the appropriate state licensing agency to perform such muscle tissue manipulation (i.e. massage therapist, physical therapist, nurse, aesthetician, cosmetologist, healthcare provider etc.). The genitals and breast are not touched during a Reiki treatment or session.
Reiki stems from Eastern Philosophies and Disciplines that place great importance on life force energy. Chi or Ki has been studied for thousands of years in China and is also used by martial artists in their physical training and mental development.
Reiki is a simple, yet powerful healing art that can easily be learned by anyone. Many of us have a natural or intuitive ability to heal or help ease the suffering of others in some form. Reiki utilizes the Universe’s free flowing Life-Force Energy, rather than depleting our personal energy fields.
Reiki complements any traditional medical or psychiatric treatment.
Reiki enhances massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, acupressure, and the numerous other alternative medicines available today.
Reiki can be used to bring balance and harmony back into our lives, and to enhance our personal journey of self-discovery.
Reiki is a wonderful tool for personal growth, self-discovery and spiritual development. As a non-religious, spiritual practice; Reiki enhances and strengthens the spiritual beliefs from all paths and religions, a truly beautiful experience for everyone.
Reiki can be use anywhere in your day to day life. The only limit to your use of Reiki lies in your imagination.
The Benefits of Reiki are endless …
How is Reiki and other energy healing modalities different than traditional therapy and medicine?
Reiki and other energy healing modalities work on restoring the body’s natural energetic flow. Reiki in particular is stemmed from Eastern philosophies where the belief that disease and traumas originate within one’s energetic field before landing or manifesting in the physical plane of existence, or within one’s body. The work that takes place within a session, therefore is focused on restoring balance and harmony to the energetic field. Beliefs, thoughts, illness, injuries, etc. all hold an energetic signature within the subtle body of an individual. When an individual is willing to allow the source of these energetic signatures to be release, then healing can then manifest in the physical realm. Reiki and other healing modalities compliment traditional mental health therapy and allopathic medicine: They do not replace, negate or interfere with any prescribe course of action, treatment or medicine from a licensed health care or mental health care professional.
How is Reiki different from other energy healing modalities?
When practicing Reiki, the practitioner does not use their own personal energy. The practice of Reiki is learning to allow oneself to be a clear and open channel for the Universal Life Force Energy (often called Chi, Ki, Prana, Biofield, etc.) to flow freely through them for the benefit of another. This makes Reiki a simple healing technique that is easy to learn and accessible to anyone. Whereas, other modalities often require the practitioner learn precise techniques and skills to protect their personal energy fields and preform a sequence of rituals to obtain a specific result.
This is not to say that learning Reiki is over simplified and trivial. Anyone can learn to practice and utilize the healing benefits of Reiki. But it does take time and skill to learn and understand the many layers of healing that occur during a session. Learning to remove one’s agenda, ego, attachment to the outcome of a session and trusting the intuitive process are skills that become clearer with continued practice over time.
What are the Reiki Symbols?
The symbols are a tangible focal point that allow the practitioner to understand what is taking place during the session. Many practitioners will use or direct a particular symbol for a specific purpose. I prefer to allow myself to be an observer or witness to the healing that is taking place from the Whole of the Loving Universe, rather than directing a limited human aspect of the Whole. Working with Reiki is the process of becoming a clear and open channel for the free-flowing Universal Life Force Energy. When one is a clear and open channel, they are not directing the flow of the energy. They are opening to it and witnessing the healing that is taking place between the Universal Life Force Energy and the willingnessof the client to receive the healing that is available to them. Knowing the symbols and what they represent, allows the practitioner to gain insight and offer intuitive guidance for the client.
What is the difference between healing and curing?
The following diagram is a beautiful representation of this difference. Reiki and other healing modalities fall under Stress Reduction, Spirituality and in the case of Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, Karate, etc. Exercise as well. Healing can occur with out curing. Learning to come to peace within the midst of a serious illness is a form of healing. Learning to enter into a state of gratitude and forgiveness is a form of healing. Learning to release limiting beliefs and move forward in life is a form of healing. Healing occurs in many forms and may look very differently for each individual.
Is Reiki a religion?
No. Reiki is not a religion. It is spiritual in nature and works within any religious belief system. I have discovered that the more I practice Reiki my religious beliefs have gained a deeper understanding, awareness and connection to my beliefs about God. Many others have shared this experience as well from many different backgrounds and faiths. Reiki is Unconditional Love. From my understanding, there is nothing within Unconditional Love that is contrary to any religious theologies, doctrines or principles.
How do you learn Reiki?
Reiki is typically taught over the course of several weekend workshops or retreats. There are over 70 different styles and types of Reiki that are being taught and practiced today. Each one has their own set of rules, requirements and techniques for their methods, practice and teaching. Traditionally, you will find that there are three levels of Reiki (Level 1, 2 and 3 or Master/Teacher). I teach my classes in three separate levels: Practitioner Level, Master Level and Teacher Level. I also offer a self-study course for personal growth and development.
A description of my classes can be found here.
You may register for a class here.
You may schedule a healing session here.