Jane's Mindfulness Journal

REIKI IS LOVE IN TOUCH AND INTENT

Thursday, March 20, 2008

A (Very) Brief Introduction to Reiki

Reiki is one of the most ancient healing methods known to mankind. It is referred to in Sanskit writings (the ancient Indian language) dating back 2500 years and has been used traditionally throughout Japan and India since ancient times. It was Dr. Mikao Usui who rediscovered this almost lost healing system in the mid-nineteenth century. The Usui System of Natural healing has been passed down by Reiki Masters since that time and is today practiced worldwide.

Reiki is a Japanese word consisting of two words “Rei” meaning Universal Life Force and “Ki” meaning Energy and refers to the enrgy that permeates and sustains our entire world. This life force energy is given to all of us at birth. We bring a certain amount of “ki” to life, and we use it up in the business of ordinary daily living. We then have to create a daily supply of new energy. When we are unable to make up for our energy consumption for a prolonged period, we may become physically or emotionally ill. If our supply of life force energy is very low and depleted, we suffer from physical, emotional, mental and spiritual exhaustion.

Reiki is a natural and simple healing method which allows you to absorb more life force energy. Reiki is used for both self-healing and to heal others. The Reiki method vitalizes your life force and balances the energies in your body. This natural healing energy flows in a powerful and concentrated from through the hands of the Reiki giver. The laying on of the hands directs the healing energy into the body of the receiver. The Reiki giver is used as a channel to conduct the Universal Life Force Energy. As a result, no personal energy is drawn or drained from the giver, who is simultaneously charged and strengthened.

Reiki Treatment

Treatment is done with the recipient fully clothed, either lying down or sitting. Reiki energy passes through anything and can easily be used through plaster casts or any other obstacles to direct hand contact. The givers hands are held either on or above the receiver. Treatment can last from 45 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the treatment required. There is no pressure on the body making it ideal for treating all ages and conditions and the energy flows wherever it is required.

The receiver does not need a problem to be eligible for a Reiki session – it is great for relaxation and overall health and well-being. The vast benefits of regular Reiki sessions are innumerable and completely encompass the entire mind/body/emotion/spirit connection.

Reiki usually helps healing of all kinds and relieves pains and acute symptoms quickly. Reiki affects each person differently, but it always acts wherever the receiver needs it most. If you suffer from stress for example, you may react with physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, frequent colds, kidney pains and general digestive disorders. These symptoms are the expression of excessive negative stress, accompanied by an imbalance of the energy system. To relieve these symptoms your energy must be restored and balanced. A lowered immune system or a weak organ that is not functioning properly will need recharging with extra energy. Reiki balances the energies in the body, strengthens and harmonizes the immune system and can have a profound effect as well on your emotions. Emotional “blocks” are often released and the receiver comes into closer contact with feelings that may have been suppressed in the past, perhaps sadness, pain or anger. Once these are released and the negative feelings accepted, they transform themselves into creative forces.

During the treatment, sensations of heat, cold, vibration or tingling may be felt. At other times, there may be no experiences at all. Whether or not any sensations are experienced during the healing session, you can rest assured that the energy has flowed correctly and effectively. This is one of the amazing and beautiful gifts of using Reiki, it is always beneficial to the receiver, and no matter what is actually felt, the receiver always leaves a session feeling relaxed, at peace with himself and energized. Receiving Reiki is a very relaxing and soothing experience.

Is Reiki Safe?

The purpose of Reiki is to supply the body with additional energy which it can use for healing itself. Reiki can be used safely regardless of what type of illness you are suffering from. Reiki makes no diagnoses and is intended to be used as a complementary healing method. In cases of acute disorders such as inflammations, flu, colds, digestive disorders, gall or kidney stones, backaches and headaches, Reiki acts very quickly and directly by easing the pain and accelerating healing. Reiki can be applied as first aid as it stops bleeding in open wounds and has a very calming influence on the nervous system, particularly when people are in shock after accident or trauma . Reiki provides relief from allergies, arthritis and other chronic disorders as well.

Reiki supports and complements all other medical and natural healing techniques and works very well in combination with them. Reiki is particularly effective in conjunction with Bach Flower Remedies, as both work on the same subtle but powerful energy frequencies and are most suited to each other. Reiki is suited as well to energy healing of all sorts, homeopathy, counseling and other psychological therapies, massage therapy etc.

Reiki is a simple and effective method available to all of us regardless of age and a powerful tool to enhance our quality of life in these very troubled times. There is no one today who cannot benefit from Reiki, either through treatments or by taking a Reiki workshop and learning to use Reiki for yourself and your loved ones.

The Reiki Principles

  • Just for today, I will not worry
  • Just for today, I will not be angry
  • Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings
  • Just for today I will love and respect every living creature.
  • Just for today, I will do an honest day’s work.

These five principles, which appear above in the blog Title as well, are simple, but profound. In a future post I will discuss them each in more detail, but just to give you some food for thought, a quick hint into some of the deeper meanings of each principle:

I will not worry - implies faith

I will not be angry - implies learning new ways to respond to situations and percieve the world

Give thanks for my many blessings means living each day, each moment, in an attitude of gratitude

Love and respect every living creature - including yourself

Do an honest days work - on yourself

Reiki – the Powerful and Gentle Healer

  • Promotes natural self-healing
  • Balances the energies in the body
  • Balances the organs and glands
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Relieves pain
  • Clears toxins
  • Adapts to the natural needs of the receiver
  • Enhances personal awareness
  • Relaxes and reduces stress
  • Promotes creativity
  • Releases blocked and suppressed feelings
  • Aids meditation and positive thinking
  • Heals holistically

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