What is Reiki?
Reiki is a form of healing spiritual energy. This very ancient method of relaxing the mind, body, and the soul, was once kept secret and therefore had been lost for centuries. In the late 1800s, Reiki was rediscovered and reintroduced by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Zen Buddist and scholar. The word Reiki is derived from two Japanese words; Rei meaning “from a higher power” or “spiritual wisdom;” and Ki meaning “universal life force energy.” When combined, Rei-Ki literally means “spiritually guided life-force energy.”
When you experience pain, illness or disease, it is believed that your body is out of balance. This imbalance is created by a blockage in the energy centers of the body, known as Chakras. This healing force is said to be transferred from a spiritually higher power and directed through the hands of a trained practitioner. This energy is then passed from the attuned practitioner into these energy centers, to help balance and heal them.
Misbeliefs & Misconceptions of Reiki
Many myths, and inaccuracies surround Reiki and the healing that it promotes. The most common misbelief is that it is a religion. On the contrary, Reiki can be used by (and received by) anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs. It is also not exclusive to any one religion.
Another fallacy is that Reiki is massage. This is incorrect as there is no manipulation of the tissues or bones during a session; only a light touch if using the “hands-on method.” A massage therapist, however, who has been attuned to Reiki may perform both in tandem during a session. Please take great care to note that a massage therapist spends countless hours in school and internships learning the correct way to massage someone; a Reiki practitioner learns nothing of bone or muscle manipulation. Also note that, unless properly attuned by a Reiki Master, a massage therapist (or anyone else for that matter) can not properly perform the ancient healing art of Reiki.
Although Reiki is a promotion of healing and relaxation, it should never take the place of medical treatment, but rather supplement it. There is never any guarantee of healing, although most experience some kind of benefit from a treatment. As with many holistic regimens, continued use is recommended to achieve the maximum benefit. While possible, it is rare that Reiki will cure any ailment permanently during a single session.
