WHAT IS REIKI

The word “Reiki” (pronounced ‘Ray-Key’) is generally translated in the West to mean “Universal Life Force Energy”, with Rei being translated as “universal” and Ki as “life force energy”. However, the Japanese characters could also be translated as “soul energy” or “spiritually guided life force energy”.

Reiki is a beautiful natural healing method, activated by intention, which works together with the body’s own energy system to release blockages, not only physical, but also mental, emotional and spiritual, and bring the body back into a better sense of balance. It also seems to enhance the body’s own regenerative self healing ability.

Reiki is not just about giving treatments, many people learn Reiki to work on themselves, and as a Reiki practitioner or Master, you regularly carry out self healing treatments to ensure you keep your energy pathways clear and reinforce your connection to the Reiki energy.

Reiki is available to people of all religious backgrounds, so you do not need to be a Buddhist, Christian or anything else to benefit from its teachings and practices. Reiki is “neutral”.

Reiki practitioners and Masters are NOT healers – they simply act as a conduit through which the loving boundless life force flows between the Universe and the recipient – they are like a “hollow straw”. A treatment lasts for one hour.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF REIKI

The energy of Reiki can be used to great effect in many ways. It can work on stress and tension (and the many symptoms associated with this) or on relationships at home and at work. Reiki can accelerate the healing of physical problems, balance the emotions and help change our mental attitudes. It may also provide a closer connection with inner wisdom.

Reiki encourages and supports positive personal change such as improving the diet, having more rest, exercise and leisure time and may reduce the need for alcohol and tobacco. Reiki can allow us to respond more calmly to all events, and build a more resourceful state of being.

Reiki is a gentle energy and may be used safely by all ages, including the newborn, pregnant mothers, surgical patients, the frail and elderly, regardless of their state of health.

Reiki can enhance everyday life, and regular sessions help to ward off illness and fatigue.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A REIKI TREATMENT

The session will be carried out while you lie fully clothed on a treatment couch in a peaceful room. I will place my hands gently in a series of positions on or over the body according to your body’s needs. Your system automatically draws in as much Reiki as is needed, using it in whatever way is most appropriate at the time. Reiki may be felt as a flow of energy, mild tingling, warmth, coolness, other sensations such as seeing colours or pictures in your mind’s eye, or nothing at all.

Your reaction (or absence of it) does not affect the outcome of Reiki, but some people appear to be more aware of the energy than others. Generally men feel some warmth or relaxation and quite often fall asleep, whereas women are more likely to experience the other sensations.

Treatment will be enhanced if you can rest for a while afterwards and drink plenty of water to help the body detox, allowing the energy to continue its work after the session ends. The beneficial effects may be felt for several days.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I REQUIRE

Although even one Reiki treatment can have a positive effect, it is usually more effective to have a course of regular treatments. This may be weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on your needs. A treatment plan will be discussed with you, and reviewed as necessary. This will always be subject to your own requirements and can be changed at any time according to progress.

HISTORY OF REIKI

Reiki was a system developed by Mikao Usui, who lived in Japan from-1865-1926. Reiki appears to have its roots in Tendai Buddhism and Shintoism, both of which Usui was exposed to as he grew up. Tendai Buddhism provided spiritual teachings and Shintoism contributed methods of controlling and working with the energies.

Usui’s motivation for the development of Reiki appears to have been the desire to discover the ultimate purpose of life. It is likely that he developed the method that we now call “Reiki” over a long period, drawing inspiration from many different traditions. At the time his students appear to have referred to the system as “Usui Do” or “Usui Teate” and the term “Reiki” came much later.

Usui both taught his system to students and also carried out healings. It was while treating patients at the Naval base that he met a group of Imperial Officers who became his students, one of whom was Chujiro Hayashi, who went on to learn Reiki with Usui to Master level and used it for treating the sick.

Mrs Hawayo Takata was born in 1900 on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. She came to Dr Hayashi’s clinic suffering from a number of medical conditions which were all resolved through the Reiki treatments. As her health improved her sceptism in the treatment was replaced by belief and she wanted to learn Reiki herself. By 1938 Mrs Takata had been taught Reiki up to Master level, and Dr Hayashi gave her permission to teach Reiki in the West, which she did in the USA. Mrs Takata also made changes to the orginal Reiki she had been taught to make it more acceptable for the Westerners she was teaching. This is how Reiki originally reached the West.