Reiki is a method of stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.
The technique was developed in Japan and “Reiki” is made of two Japanese words:
- the first word “Rei” means “God’s Wisdom”, and
- the second word “Ki” means “Life Force Energy”.
It is the God-Consciousness that guides the life energy, therefore Reiki can be defined as spiritually guided life energy
Another definition of Reiki is “life energy that is guided by God/Holy Spirit”.
Reiki is an ancient laying-on of hands healing technique that uses the “life force energy” to heal, balancing the subtle energies within our bodies. Reiki addresses physical, emotional, mental and spiritual imbalances. It is based on the idea that all living things have a special energy flowing through them called “life energy”.
Reiki is believed to be as old as Buddhism, and has been described in their scripture. It is also believed that Jesus healed in the same way; however, along the journey, the healing technique was lost.
A Japanese man named Dr. Mikao Usui rediscovered Reiki in the mid-1800s. Dr. Usui’s quest to know how Jesus healed people took him to a Zen Buddhist monastery where he found text describing the healing formula. He learned how to decipher the information but was still not able to engage the energies to make it work. He decided to meditate, pray and fast for 21 days on Japan’s Mount Koriyama. On the final morning of his quest a bright light came towards him out of the darkness of dawn, and he accepted this light as an answer to his meditations. The light struck his third eye, he lost consciousness, and when he awakened the Reiki symbols appeared to him as if on a screen. He saw each symbol and was given the attunements and the information to use for the healing energies.
As Dr. Usui descended the mountain, a series of events made him realize that he had what he named as Reiki – Rei, which means “God’s wisdom or the Higher Power,” and Ki, which is “life force energy.” He stubbed his toe and held it as one would and found out that his hands healed it instantly. He also came across a woman with a toothache and placed his hands on either sides of her face and healed her pain.
Dr. Usui was able to pass Reiki on to others so that this ancient healing would continue and not be lost again. It is said that there are now over a 3 million Reiki practitioners worldwide.
Reiki’s gift of increased energy and vitality can be extended to anyone.
Blockages within our energy system can occur because we lack the tools and techniques to release our mental and emotional troubles, especially ones that have taken place during childhood. Habits, patterns and belief systems form early in life and we continue to deal with situations in the same way, year after year. Reiki can help us change or release those harmful ways of being and replace them with vitality, grace and inner calm.
The treatment is done in a quiet and relaxing environment. It is done fully clothed and typically lasts an hour. Afterwords, the feelings of peace and relaxation are amazing. It really is a spiritual massage!
