Reiki Defined

Reiki is a safe, gentle, non-invasive, hands on healing technique for use on ourselves and others. It utilizes the Universal Life Force energy to bring about healing on the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual levels. It is however, much more than a healing tool, and can also be used to encourage personal and spiritual awareness. In this context, the word Healing has a somewhat different meaning from the widely accepted one. The widely accepted meaning for healing seems to be curing of symptoms. The other meaning for healing, used in the practice of Reiki, is the return to greater wholeness.

Reiki was reintroduced to the West in the 19th Century by Dr. Mikao Usui. Reiki literally translates to "God's (Rei) Energy (Ki)" or "Universal Life Force". In our day and age the concept of this energy, central to most major religions, is known by a variety of terms. Christians might relate to it as the Holy Spirit or the healing power of God and will recognize the human touch involved in the laying on of hands used in some of the Christian Sacraments. Students of Eastern Spirituality and people who have studied the Martial Arts may relate to this energy as "Chi." Even those who do not practice traditional religions may relate to this energy as the electromagnetic energy which scientists tell us all human bodies radiate.

The Reiki Practitioner is one who has been trained and attuned to serve as a means of transfer for this energy or life force. The Art of Reiki teaches that this life force is all around us, and that it has the power to heal

Reiki helps to reinstate the balanced flow of energy in the body.

First degree Reiki in the traditional Usui System is the one most widely known by the public. This is the hands-on treatment, or the laying on of hands. A first degree treatment involves the client laying on his/her back or stomach while the practitioner places his/her hands on the client from head to toe in positions roughly approximating the traditional chakra locations. The energy during the treatment flows through the practitioner's via the hands into the client. Many remarkable recoveries from serious physical conditions are known to Reiki practitioners throughout the world. Individuals can also treat themselves with first degree Reiki. The first "attunement" given by a Reiki teacher to a new student is a fairly simply process. Ideally it is given as a sacred ceremony in an atmosphere of reverence. The process involves the teacher opening up the student's crown chakra (or the energy center at the top of the head), and the chakras in the palms of the hands. An energy channel is then created between the crown chakra and the chakra's in the palms. Once this is done, the channel is then "attuned" to Reiki energy. From this point on, the simple intention of channeling Reiki energy will cause this channel to open, allowing Reiki energy to flow into the top of the head and out through the palms.

Second degree Reiki in the traditional Usui System involves sending Reiki long distance to a client many miles away. The vibration of this Reiki is a slightly different mix, having a higher proportion of energy from Source and a lower proportion of Chi than first degree Reiki. Aside from long distance healing, this differing proportion brings healing at a mental, emotional, and spiritual level, compared to first degree Reiki, which is primarily physical healing. Second degree Reiki is not exclusively for long distance healing. It can be incorporated into a traditional table treatment with first degree, and it can also be administered to one's self.

Third degree Reiki in the traditional Usui system is the level of Reiki Master. Reiki Masters teach Reiki and give the Reiki attunements as well as provide healing for clients.