photo credit: Vlad Archin
Reiki
[pronounced: rAy-kee]
WHAT IS REIKI?
The english word 'Reiki' comes from the Japanese kanji in which the word 'Rei' signifies a higher wisdom, a spiritual universal consciousness, and 'ki' (or 'chi' in Chinese,) is what we experience as life, the inner force of life which is and sustains all life.
So, when we say 'Reiki' we are referring to a 'universal life force' energy.
The practice of Reiki is Reiki Ryoho – Ryoho means 'method'. We generally shorten the phrase and say just the word 'Reiki' though, when referring to the practice of Reiki Ryoho.
Reiki Ryoho is a gentle spiritual healing practice created by Mikao Usui at the beginning of the 20th century in Japan.
Hyakuten Inamoto, founder of Komyo Reiki Do, describes Reiki Ryoho is a two part practice – a hands on healing art that stems from the personal spiritual path for personal enrichment and enlightenment.
After establishing the practice of Reiki Ryoho as a personal spiritual path, Mikao Usui trained Chujiro Hyashi, a captain in the Imperial Navy of Japan, in the practice of Reiki and it was Chujiro Hayashi who established and described the hand positions that make up the hands-on healing aspect of Reiki Ryoho.
Reiki Ryoho is a complimentary energy healing practice meaning that it can be used with, and will enhance, any treatment a client is currently receiving.
My daily self-Reiki practice continues to be a morning ritual that sustains me and increases my ability to serve others.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A REIKI TREATMENT?
Clients sit or lie down fully clothed and through light touch, or, when needed, hands placed slightly above the body, a practitioner's hands act as a connection for the Reiki to activate and stimulate the natural healing response.
Reiki healing is activated for oneself or others and promotes overall balance to help you feel better and function better.
Reiki is experienced energetically, rather than through words or belief, and is not necessarily something one might comprehend through a mental process.
It is possible that first-time clients may experience profound healing during one session. For chronic issues, consistent Reiki treatments over a period of time are recommended in order for the client to experience noticeable awareness of the healing benefits.
Regular Reiki practice provides maintenance of general well-being and can serve to prevent disorders and imbalances.
Each session is your time to allow for effortless balancing of your energy levels for your greater well-being. I create a peaceful and comfortable environment for you to state your intention, be guided into a relaxed posture and open mind, and allow the Reiki activation to occur. I take great care to end the session in a way that you feel prepared to transition on to the next thing on your agenda with confidence and clarity.
WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT A REIKI TREATMENT?
When we want to rest and recharge from a high performance phase, Reiki treatment provides effortless integration and rebalance.
When you feel you are not able to shake feelings of stress and anxiety, Reiki treatment activates your own healing response toward well-being.
When we feel a sense of disconnection, malaise, and hopelessness, a Reiki treatment can be helpful in re-activating the connection to oneness and wholeness allowing one to gain a new perspective on life and a renewed sense of peace within oneself.
This non-invasive practice is safe and supports any treatment or medication prescribed by your doctor.
Likewise, for these reasons, Reiki treatments are provided to people in-patient in medical care facilities. Receiving Reiki treatments during medical care procedures helps to create a harmonious environment for patients and caregivers. And, Reiki treatments are provided to reduce pain, to aid rest, and to enhance revitalization when the patient is ready to emerge out into their lives.
Health Care Providers seek Reiki treatments to better serve their patients.
Reiki can help:
- Grounding
- Feel peaceful, whole, and interconnected
- Feel revitalized
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Increase alertness
- Alleviate pain
- Balance emotional distress
- Become calm in a crisis
- Accelerate healing and recovery
- Enhance effectiveness and reduce negative effects of other health care treatments such as surgery, medication, or chemotherapy
and more.
RESEARCH
While there are only a handful of credible research studies published, new studies are being done as the practice of Reiki becomes more readily available in hospitals and treatment centers in the West and worldwide.
The article in the link below is Yale research published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, one of the most prestigious conventional peer-reviewed medical journals, on the effects of Reiki on hospital inpatients after suffering a heart attack:
http://www.onlinejacc.org/content/56/12/995
And this one, by one of my Reiki Master teachers and a PhD Senior Scientist, Assistant Director of Medical Ethics at the Albert Einstein Center for Urban Health Policy and Research in Philadelphia, PA, includes a comprehensive overview of Reiki, different kinds of Reiki studies being done, and a case for further Reiki Research: