What is Reiki?
Reiki is an ancient and gentle energy healing practice that originated in Japan. The word "Reiki" translates to "universal life force energy," where "Rei" refers to universal or spiritual wisdom, and "Ki" represents the life force energy that flows within and around all living beings. Reiki is categorised as a biofield therapy, meaning one which use the body’s energy field to promote therapeutic benefit. Reiki practitioners are trained to serve as channels for this universal energy, directing it to the recipient through gentle touch or even by hovering their hands slightly above the body. The purpose of Reiki is to harmonize the body's energy flow, promote relaxation, and activate the natural healing processes, which can lead to physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
What happens in an appointment?
A typical Reiki appointment can last anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the practitioner's approach and the client's needs.
During a Reiki appointment, the recipient typically lies down comfortably, fully clothed, on a massage table or sits in a chair. The practitioner begins by grounding themselves and connecting to the universal energy.
They then place their hands gently on or above specific areas of the recipient's body, following a predetermined sequence of hand positions.
The energy flows through the practitioner's hands and into the recipient, who may experience sensations such as warmth, tingling, or a sense of deep
relaxation. The recipient is encouraged to let go of any expectations and simply allow the healing energy to work its magic.
After the session, the recipient is encouraged to drink plenty of water and take some time to rest and integrate the healing experience.
What kind of results have people experienced from Reiki?
Reiki is an energy balancing therapy which opens the way for holistic wellbeing in line with the recipient's needs. People have reported various positive outcomes from Reiki treatments. Some of these include:
Deep relaxation and stress reduction
Relief from physical pain and discomfort
Improved sleep quality and patterns
Enhanced mental clarity and focus
Release of emotional blockages and a sense of emotional well-being
Increased energy and vitality
Accelerated healing after injuries or surgeries
Improved overall sense of balance and harmony in life.
And here are some benefits that may surprise you.
Enhanced Creativity: Reiki can help unblock creative energy and stimulate the flow of inspiration. Many artists, writers, and musicians have found that Reiki sessions can spark new ideas and improve their creative expression.
Improved Intuition: Regular Reiki practice can enhance your intuitive abilities and inner guidance. As you become more attuned to your energy, you may find yourself making more insightful decisions and trusting your instincts.
Eased Pre- and Post-Surgery Anxiety: Reiki has shown to reduce pre- and post-surgery anxiety in patients. It can provide a sense of comfort and relaxation, making the surgical experience more manageable.
Support During Grief and Loss: Reiki can be profoundly comforting for those experiencing grief and loss. It can help individuals process emotions and find solace during difficult times.
Reduction of Addictive Behaviors: Reiki can be beneficial in supporting individuals dealing with addictive behaviors or substance abuse by providing emotional support and stress reduction.
Enhanced Spiritual Connection: Reiki can deepen one's connection to their spiritual self and a higher sense of purpose. It can facilitate a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of all life.
While Reiki is not a replacement for medical treatments, these surprising benefits add to its reputation as a powerful and versatile complementary therapy. The effects of Reiki can vary from person to person, and it is essential to experience it firsthand to fully appreciate its potential impact on your well-being.
Just for today, Do not worry. Just for today, Do not anger. Honour your parents, teachers and elders. Earn your living honestly. Show gratitude to every living thing.
The 5 precepts of Reiki
The History of Reiki and lineage acknowledgment
The history of Usui Reiki is a fascinating journey of spiritual exploration and healing, leaving a lasting legacy in the realm of alternative and complementary healing modalities.
Usui Reiki, often referred to simply as Reiki, is a form of energy healing that originated in Japan. It was developed by Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist monk, in the early 20th century. The history of Usui Reiki is believed to have its roots in a quest for spiritual enlightenment and healing abilities.
Mikao Usui was born in 1865 in the village of Taniai, Japan. He pursued various spiritual practices, seeking answers to questions related to healing and personal development. He traveled to several Western countries, including the Americas, Europe, and China as a part of his continued study.His studies included history, medicine, Buddhism, Christianity, psychology and Taoism.
Legend has it that Usui embarked on a 21-day meditation and fasting retreat on Mount Kurama, a sacred mountain in Japan. It was during this period that he experienced a profound spiritual awakening and gained the ability to channel healing energy. This newfound healing ability, which he called Reiki, became the foundation of the Usui Reiki healing system. The word "Reiki" itself combines two Japanese characters: "Rei," meaning universal or spiritual, and "Ki," representing life force energy.
After his spiritual awakening and the development of Reiki, Mikao Usui began to share his healing practice with others. He established a healing clinic in Tokyo and traveled across Japan, providing healing sessions and teaching his Reiki techniques.
One of Usui's students, Chujiro Hayashi, further developed and expanded the Reiki system. He added hand positions and other healing practices, making it more structured and accessible to a wider audience.
Later, Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman, learned Reiki from Chujiro Hayashi and brought Reiki to the Western world. She played a significant role in spreading Reiki across the United States and other Western countries, establishing the Usui System of Natural Healing.
Hawayo Takata initiated 22 Reiki Masters including Beth Gray of the USA. Beth subsequently became the teacher who introduced Reiki to Australia and New Zealand. She initiated two Reiki Masters including my teacher, Barbara McGregor.
I am grateful for lineage of the original Usui Reiki and I honour and respect the teachers who preserved and passed on the knowledge through the five generations before me and especially to my own teacher Barbara McGregor, the founder of the Usui Reiki Network, who trained me to 2nd Degree 'Practitioner Level' in the Usui Reiki Method of Life Energy Renewal in 2002.
Today, Usui Reiki continues to be a popular and widely practiced form of energy healing worldwide. It has evolved and branched into various Reiki lineages, but the core principles of channeling universal life force energy for healing and personal growth remain integral to the practice.
The results of Reiki can vary from person to person. Many people find Reiki to be a valuable addition to their overall wellness routine and believe that its healing properties support their physical, emotional, and spiritual health on their healing journey. Within allopathic scientific and medical communities, the practice remains a subject of debate. Reiki is considered a complementary therapy.
Selected scientific articles, studies and papers:
There is little data available on exactly how widely Reiki is used in Australia, but information available from public sources indicates that it is being employed with good effect in private practice, in some hospitals, cancer support centers, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, and in palliative care. It has potential for broader use in management of chronic health conditions and in postoperative recovery.
Undertaking clinical studies is typically an expensive proposition and - as such - most prevalent where there is a strong commercial driver for therapeutic product development that underpins financing of such studies. Nonetheless, many peer-reviewed clinical studies provide reasonably strong support for Reiki being more effective than placebo. Further research is ongoing and very much welcome.
Does Reiki Benefit Mental Health Symptoms Above Placebo?
Sonia Zadro * and Peta Stapleton
Frontiers in Psychology. 2022; 13: 897312. Published online 2022 Jul 12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897312 PMCID: PMC9326483 PMID: 35911042
Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy
J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Oct; 22(4): 1051–1057. Published online 2017 Sep 5. doi: 10.1177/2156587217728644 PMCID: PMC5871310 PMID: 28874060
Effects of Reiki Versus Physiotherapy on Relieving Lower Back Pain and Improving Activities Daily Living of Patients With Intervertebral Disc Hernia
Farnaz Jahantiqh 1, Abdolghani Abdollahimohammad 2, Mohammadreza Firouzkouhi 2, Vahid Ebrahiminejad 3
PMID: 29536776 PMCID: PMC5871054 DOI: 10.1177/2515690X18762745