"What is Reiki"?
I cannot tell you how often this is the response I get when I offer Reiki as a service to clients. Typically, in response, I almost cannot even quantify Reiki in words for what it is and what it does. Admittedly, I have had a number of encounters with people for which the idea of energy healing is this prohibited "unseen" or "unproven" concept that can be easily dismissed or waved off as New Age-y nonsense. Some blogs and online information sources even call it pseudoscience, or something similar as a way to casually discredit something that is intangible or links us with a higher power. I say this is a great loss and a shame for what people are missing out on as part of caring for themselves in a holistic way. We are more than just our body, and our mind and spirit need care as well. Reiki can provide that care.
As a Reiki Master practitioner, and a person who has experienced receiving Reiki healing from other practitioners, I would argue they simply are misunderstanding the practice or just lack the information about it. Perhaps after reading this blog post you will find yourself re-affirmed in your knowledge of Reiki, or maybe as a person who has misunderstood Reiki previously, now convinced it is worth your time to try.
A brief history, and basics of Reiki as we know it today...
Reiki, by modern definition is a Japanese energy healing, (or sometimes referred to as spiritual healing) practice that is used to provide many physical, emotional and spiritual benefits to the recipient. If you happen to be a person who is familiar with Reiki, you may also be aware that the technique which is taught and used most commonly today, especially in the United States is Usui Reiki. Dr. Mikao Usui is the originator of this energy healing practice as we know it in it's modern form. In a history of Reiki provided by www.IARP.org, they explain that, "Throughout his education, Dr. Usui had an interest in medicine, psychology and theology. It was this interest that prompted him to seek a way to heal himself and others using the laying on of hands. It was his desire to find a method of healing that was unattached to any specific religion and religious belief, so that his system would be accessible to everyone."
Reiki does not require a conversion to a specific belief system and also lends itself to those who are more scientifically minded. Even a scientist must acknowledge that we are swimming in an energetic soup of frequency and vibration. We are all connected to it and each other through it. More to the point, even a scientist must acknowledge that human beings have their own human energy field, as do all things. The Universal Life Force Energy connects with us through this field. Reiki practice is a channeling of Universal Life Force Energy through these energy fields.
It is the energy field that precedes all matter, for example when a tree grows and produces its leaves there is a measurable energy field where the forthcoming leaf will take physical form eventually growing from the tree. Since that is true, doesn't it stand to logic that physically manifested illness, or manifested emotional disturbance must therefore begin as an energetic field, within an energetic field or create energetic disturbance in one's field in some cases? Reiki, is just one way to heal this human energy field and bring about further self-healing and overall wellness.
An article by Heathline.com written in August 2020 further supports Reiki as a practice for holistic wellness based on the notion that all humans have energy fields, or life forces, that keep us alive. Further, the article states: "According to the [Reiki] practice, physical, mental, and emotional issues can occur if this energy is low or becomes blocked. The purpose of Reiki is to promote good health by balancing these energy fields. It’s done by a Reiki practitioner, who places their hands on or just above your body to redirect energy. Research suggests it may help reduce pain and anxiety, improve your mood and sense of well-being, and help with depression."
The role of Reiki priniciples in self-healing...
This philosophy, summarized in five principles is meant to be a guiding set of affirmations which allow us to re-frame our daily lives in a more present, living-in-the-now way. "Just for today...," helps us focus on letting go of things like worry and anger in the short term, reminds us to be kind and thankful to ourselves, others and all we have, and it helps us focus on one thing at a time in the moment.
Living and meditating on these principles can help bring about a more balanced and fulfilling experience in your day-to-day. When we are balanced in mind, body and spirit we can then be healthy enough to grow as beings in our experience.
Reiki can be experienced individually, or in a group healing circle...
Reiki practitioners are available all over the world. There are many techniques and modalities that Reiki can be used with, for individuals to experience. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, "...people use Reiki for relaxation, stress reduction and symptom relief, in efforts to improve overall health and well-being. A Reiki treatment may do the following:
Bring about a peaceful, deep state of relaxation.
Dissolve energy blockages and tension.
Detoxify the body.
Support the well-being of a person receiving traditional medical treatment that is debilitating (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, kidney dialysis).
Supply universal life force energy to the body.
Stimulate the body’s immune system.
Help to relieve pain.
Stimulate tissue and bone healing after injury or surgery.
Increase the vibrational frequency on physical, mental emotional and spiritual levels."
Reiki healing circle groups are also available in various places. Generally, this is a group of Reiki practitioners and non-Reiki practitioners to share and direct the Universal Life Force Energy to the individuals of the group. Typically, this type of group may also include meditation, calming music, singing bowls, prayer or other supportive sound or dialogue to facilitate connection, relaxation and healing. In Reiki circles the group seeks to honor themselves, each other and life. The group comes together in service to Reiki building a network of peace and healing. Each one of the group attendees anchors Reiki in their physical location, connecting their light together and filling the spaces in-between. Sitting together, they consciously create connection and form a worldwide web of Reiki. Reiki circles are open to anyone inspired to join, with the intention of strengthening love and giving gratitude so all life may flourish.
Reiki is a worthwhile experience...
Whether you would be more comfortable experiencing a group Reiki healing circle or an individual healing session with a Reiki practitioner it is apparent that it provides many benefits without risk because it can be done with no touching at all, or very limited light touching. It is done while fully clothed. It is usually done in a relaxing environment where the client may lay down, or sit upright, so even individuals with mobility issues can experience it without the obstacle of moving around in complicated positions which can be harmful to them. Reiki is not limited by space and time, and with an experienced practitioner can be experienced at any distance as well. For example, Level 2 Reiki practitioners have access to use the special symbols that even many non-Reiki practicing people have become familiar with, which help focus the Universal Life Force Energy in specific ways. Individual past lives, previous trauma, future events, pets, plants and just about anything can be provided with Reiki to promote healing.
I hope that you have found this blog post to be affirming, informative and encouraging to experience Reiki for yourself. It can make a difference for you and your overall well-being.
If you want to learn more about Reiki or more specific topics pertaining to Reiki please let me know in the comments below. You can also subscribe to e-mails for notifications for when my next blog post is published on this subject.
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