This introduction to the practice of reiki healing will teach you the basics of energy healing and answer all your questions!
What is Reiki?
How Does Reiki Work?
Reiki and Science?
And more! Keep on reading!
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What is Reiki?
Reiki is a form of energy healing that was “founded” by Mikako Usui in the early 1900s. It is thought to have been around for centuries at this point, however.
The word Reiki is made up of the words “Rei” (meaning God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power ) and “Ki” (meaning life force energy). Together is means “spiritually guided life force energy”.
At its most basic level, Reiki is the transmitting of universal life energy, to decrease stress, relax and promote self-healing. And I say self-healing because it is not the practitioner that is doing the healing, it is actually the person receiving Reiki who is in charge of the healing that occurs.
How Does Reiki Work?
There are so many areas to talk about for an in-depth introduction to Reiki, but I’m going to leave most of them for other articles (such as the Quantum field). In reality, it is not exactly known how Reiki works. It is believed that when our life force energy becomes blocked or doesn’t freely flow, disease and discomfort can then occur.
Additionally, if our life force is low then we can have feelings of being stressed, tired and just overall unwell. Yet when our life force energy is high, we are more energized, feel happy and our bodies and more capable of health and self-healing.
Reiki does not target a certain body part, but rather it is a holistic treatment that includes body, mind and spirit. The Reiki practitioner need not know anything about the receiver and does not guide the energy. Rather, the practitioner is just a channel through which the Reiki life force energy flows and it goes exactly where it is supposed to go. That is the beauty of Reiki.
The body knows what needs help and where the focus needs to be. Reiki simply shines an energetic light and allows the body to do its thing – its beautiful, natural, thing!
At the end (or beginning….) of the day we are all energy. Everything about us and our bodies is energy. We are vibrating energetic beings. Reiki simply helps the energy and vibrations work the way they are supposed to do.
Our food, thoughts, and lifestyles can have a dramatic effect on our bodies. Sometimes the “pipes get clogged” and Reiki can act as the cleaner for our energy centers called Chakras. If you aren’t familiar with Chakras – you can learn more about The 7 Chakras.
Reiki and Science
Numerous scientific studies have been done showing that Reiki has a positive effect on health and healing. Reiki has been found to have a positive effect on “biological markers” as well as a positive outcome for pain management (3).
A study was done that showed cancer patients suffering from fatigue had positive effects (less tired) when receiving Reiki during treatments (3).
Another study was done on people having knee replacement surgeries. The study concluded that those patients who received Reiki had less pain, lowered blood pressure and less stress (4).
Energy Medicine (Reiki and other modalities) was studied in an inpatient and emergency department setting and the general conclusion was that most patients who received an energy medicine treatment had improved symptoms for whatever their chief complaint was (5).
I could go on and on, but these are a few peer reviewed scientific studies for your contemplation. And I’m all about the studies!
What are the Degrees of Reiki?
There are 3 degrees of Reiki.
Reiki Level 1
Reiki level 1 often focuses on self. The Reiki practitioner is learning Reiki and how to self heal. They can also begin to perform Reiki on others who are physically present. The Reiki practitioner receives level 1 attunements from their teacher and their body begins to adjust to the newly opened energy channels. This process can sometimes be uncomfortable. For me personally, there was quite a it of headaches and diarrhea after my attunement.
Reiki Level 2
Reiki level 2 often focuses on the use of Reiki symbols to aid in more focused energy healing as well as the ability to perform Reiki on those who are not physically present.
Three symbols are taught in Reiki level 2 and the students are attuned to the use of these sacred symbols. Using the symbols simply means visualizing them, drawing them, or putting an intention out regarding a specific symbol.
Symbols taught in level 2 are Cho Ku Rei (Power Symbol), Sei He Ki (Emotional Healing) and Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (Distance Healing).
Reiki Level 3/Master Level
While these are typically considered the same, not all level 3 Reiki practitioners want to teach or feel comfortable teaching and that is the only distinction between a level 3 and a Master level. At the Master level, one may teach Reiki and pass along the attunements.
The final Reiki symbol is given at the Level 3/Master level. It is the Dai Ko Myo. This symbol can combine all the level 2 symbols and is considered the most powerful.
What are Reiki Attunements?
Reiki attunements are powerful…. AND spiritual. They cannot be taught, but rather passed from Master to Student.
These attunements simply open up and align the students to a particular energy line. This alignment allows for a heightened flow of energy. On a spiritual level, however, often there are spiritual guides present during the attunement and the student feels a powerful spiritual connection/awakening.
For me personally, I saw my Spirit Guides for the first time. My Spirit animals also showed up. It was one of the most spiritually powerful experiences of my life. Jesus also showed up for me. This is something I’ve asked for my whole life!
Lastly, the after the attunement process, it is said that the student’s psychic ability is often heightened as their third eye begins to open (or opens further).
Who Can Practice Reiki?
Anyone can practice Reiki! But what makes Reiki different than many other healing practices is that Reiki healers must receive attunements from their Master teacher. Reiki is not something one can pay a few bucks and learn on the weekend. They must learn from a Master healer and receive the attunements to open up their energetic channels and heighten their connection to the universal life force.
Is Reiki Religious?
It is not a religion, nor is it inherently religious. It is definitely spiritual in nature. Having said that, many Reiki healers call upon the guidance of their God/Source/Guides to work through them in their highest good and for the highest good of their client. This is what I do. I call upon God, Jesus, and my Spirit Guides of the highest truth and compassion.
Specifically, I know there is a lot of discussion around Reiki and Christianity. I found this lovely article about how Reiki can (and should) fit in with the fundamental beliefs of Christians. Some may disagree and that is ok too!
What Are the 5 Reiki Principles?
Just For Today….
I will not worry
I will not be angry
I will do my work honestly
I will give thanks for my many blessings
I will be kind to my neighbors and every living thing
Check out this article for a deep dive into the 5 Reiki Principles!
Is Reiki for You?
You never know until you try it! I’m going to venture that the guess is yes!
References
[1] https://www.reiki.org/faqs
[2] https://www.everydayhealth.com/reiki/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4093427/
