Reiki is an energy-healing system which can be used for mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual balancing. Reiki practitioners, trained by Reiki Masters, channel universal life energy to other people by a light touch or simply by placing their hands gently on specific positions on the body.

Spread of Reiki

Originally based on ancient Tibetan knowledge, Reiki was rediscovered in the mid 19th century by a Japanese, Dr Mikao Usui. Usui named this healing system Reiki from the Japanese words rei (boundless and universal) and ki (vital life force energy flowing through all human beings).

Dr Usui spent his life healing the poor and imparting his knowledge of Reiki. Dr Jujiro Hyashi, the second Grand Master after Usui, taught a Japanese-American woman, Hawayo Takata, the system; she, in turn, went back with this knowledge to Hawaii. She succeeded Hyashi as the Grand Master after his death in 1941. For 30 years, Takata trained and initiated Reiki Masters and founded the American Reiki Association.

Reiki was later promoted by two worldwide organisations: The American International Reiki Association (AIRA) and The Reiki Alliance, headed by Takata’s granddaughter. Both organisations boast a membership of over 20,000 in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.

How Reiki Works

It is difficult to define, in exact terms, how Reiki works. Some describe it as a relaxation response, while others acclaim its ability to vitalise energy and levels of consciousness. The fundamental procedure lies in the Reiki Master opening the subject’s chakras or energy centres in the body to receive the universal life force energy.

Most students undergo the first and second degree initiations that enable them, respectively, to physically heal themselves and provide mental healing and amplification of, energy. They are also empowered to heal others.

Reiki energy is drawn in and focused through the hands on oneself or to make a link with another person, even in absentia. Distance healing is a second-degree initiation.

Treatment

Subjects generally start with three or four complete sessions, lasting about an hour each. Hands are held in 12 basic positions for five minutes each. The holding time is doubled for problem areas. The treatment can induce calmness or a burst of energy, or both. It can relieve pain and reduce stress. There can be no specific or laid-down assurance of providing relief through Reiki. The subject must feel comfortable with his teacher; only then can the treatment be successful.

Precautions and Prospects

Reiki cannot provide a cure to pathological conditions by itself. The patient must resort to Reiki as a ’supportive’ treatment only. Of course, the mental and emotional healing supplied by Reiki are substantial factors in sustaining life. Complementary to modern health care systems, Reiki adds an extra level of energy to other treatments.

Now You Know

Of Buddhist origin, Reiki was popularised by a Japanese in the nineteenth century and today, boasts of many followers all over the world. Free of side-effects, Reiki stimulates and increases the flow of body energy. It can be practised by the subject on himself or on others (distance healing).

Reiki, by itself, is not a cure for any pathological problem be it acute or chronic. It is more a lifestyle approach adding a level of mental and emotional healing to the pathological cure. Positive results are reported by individuals. Reiki has to be learnt from a Reiki Master.