What is Reiki? This article will discuss the essential information you should know about this healing practice. After all, one should not blindly undergo alternate treatments without at least knowing what it’s all about. This is also true if you want to learn Reiki Healing.
The Healing Power Of Reiki
Reiki is a powerful Japanese technique whereby the healer or therapist can channel healing energies onto a recipient through the palms. Like their counterparts in traditional Chinese medicine who use acupuncture, as well as in the West who use therapeutic touch (TT), practitioners of Reiki believe that disease comes about due to a disruption in the life force.
Reiki is also known as palm healing and hands on healing. It may sound like a stretch, but you’ll get a better understanding of its principles if you know more of its history.
The History Of This Healing Technique
Reiki is a relatively new technique when compared to ancient healing systems. It was in 1922 when this was developed by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist. This origin led to some people to call it an “oriental medicine”.
It was during a 21- day Buddhist training expedition when Usui developed the Reiki Healing system. The training involved prayeing, meditation, chanting and fasting. During this expedition, Usui gained the knowledge and spiritual power to apply and attune others to Reiki, which entered his body through his crown Chakra.
In April of 1922, Usui relocated to Tokyo and founded the “Usui’s Spiritual Energy Therapy Method Society” in order to treat people on a large scale with Reiki.
Through this society, Usui was able to teach Reiki Healing to more than 2,000 people. 16 of these people continued their training to reach the Master Level.
The Teachings Of This System
Where does Reiki energy come from? According to the teachings, Reiki energy comes from the Higher Power, which exists beyond the physical world we live in. The true source of Reiki is within ourselves. This does not mean we use our own energy when we practice Reiki, but the energy is coming from a spiritual part of ourselves that is connected to an unlimited supply of healing energy.
According to devotees, Reiki is a holistic therapy system that heals the recipient on different levels. Recipients are commonly treated on these levels:
- Spiritual
- Emotional
- Physical
- Mental
Reiki is also known as palm healing because the palm plays an important part in the healing process. In a standard treatment, the Reiki energy flows from the practitioner’s hands into the client. The client typically lies on a massage table, but healing can also be administered while the client is seated or even standing.
The practitioner will place his or her hands on or near the client’s body in a series of hand positions. These hand positions include the head and shoulders, the stomach, and feet. It is also possible for more specific positions to be used, based on the client’s needs. A hand position is held for three to ten minutes, depending how much Reiki the client needs at each position.
In Reiki teachings, it is stated that the energy is actually drawn by the client, and not “pushed” by the practitioner. These teachings state that the injury or illness of the recipient will draw the energy from the practitioner and this will activate the healing process naturally.
The Branches Of Reiki Healing
There are many branches of Reiki that exist today with the two major branches being:
- Western Reiki
Western Reiki is a system that was started by Hawayo Takata, who helped introduce Reiki to the western world. In this tradition, the practitioner follows a specific pattern for the hand placement throughout the treatment. Western Reiki in today’s context is focused on the healing process and hand positions.
- Traditional Japanese Reiki
Being the traditional form of Reiki, this branch follows the original teachings of Usui. The Japanese system of Reiki includes meditations that are very traditional and include breathing techniques which helps to access the energy directly from the source, known as the Hara.
There is also the belief in the importance of energy as compared to hand placements. Just as long as the practitioner places his or her hand near the patient, the energy will flow and know where to heal.
The Importance Of Breathing
Breathing plays an important part in traditional Reiki. This specific technique is also called “Joshin Koky?-h?”, which roughly means “the breathing method for cleansing the spirit”.
To perform this technique, you’ll be asked to sit up straight with your back perfectly aligned. Breathe slowly through your nose. With every inhalation, the energy will enter your body via the crown Chakra. This is a purification procedure that readies your body for the treatment.
Three Important Practices In Reiki Healing
In addition to breathing techniques, there are also three important practices in the Reiki system:
- Gassh?
This is where the practitioner places both palms of the hands together while meditating. The practitioner will focus his or her concentration in the pads of the two middle fingers as they meet.
- Reiji-h?
This is a way of connecting with the Reiki power by asking it to flow through the practitioner three times. The practitioner will ask the Reiki power to enter via the crown chakra, the heart chakra, or the hands. If you’re undergoing treatment for a specific illness, the practitioner will then pray for your recovery. Lastly, the practitioner will place both hands to the “third eye” and ask the Reiki power to guide the hands to where energy is needed.
- Chiry?
In this stage, the practitioner will place his or her dominant hand on the crown chakra and will wait for an inspiration or impulse which the hand will then follow.
Is Reiki A Religion?
Although Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. You are not asked to change any religious or spiritual beliefs you have. You are free to believe anything they choose and are encouraged to make your own decisions concerning the nature of your religion.
