What is Reiki, its Benefits & History?

 

Rei = Spirit     Ki = Energy

Reiki is the spiritually guided life force energy that comprises everything in the universe. It is the divine nature of our sacred self.

Often referred to as energy healing, a Reiki practitioner is not a healer, but rather directs and offers the energy to a recipient. It is their choice to accept it themselves, or not. The calming, balancing and healing effects may be conscious or subconscious, and may be physical, emotional and/or spiritual as Reiki is a holistic discipline.

When a practitioner shares Reiki energy, it enters the crown chakra (at the top of the head) and is passed on primarily through one’s hands, which are placed on the recipient’s body or in their aura. Reiki is typically shared with a person while they are seated in a chair or lying down. Unlike massage, there is no manipulation of muscle or soft body tissue, and the recipient is fully clothed.

 

Benefits of Reiki  

• Reduce Stress
• Increase Energy Level
• Accelerate Healing
• Release Emotional Blocks
• Release Negative Energy Patterns
• Bring Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Balance
• Increase Clarity of Thought
• Strengthen Intuition
• Create Happiness, Health, Harmony
• Expand our Perspective
• Bring Acceptance, Understanding, Compassion, Forgiveness
• Enhance Spiritual Growth
• Recognize our Connection with All

 

Reiki History

In the 1870’s, Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist monk, began the study and practice of what we call Reiki. Students of Dr. Usui would study and train with him for years to advance to a master level, far longer than modern day students.

There are various stories told of the origins of Reiki, which Dr. Usui has been credited with “rediscovering.” Two other Master Teachers have also become prominent in the modern Reiki story.

Dr. Chujiro Hayashi was a naval physician and became a student of Dr. Usui’s in the early 1920’s. It is believed that the hand positions and the symbols used in the modern teaching of Reiki may have been devised by him.

Dr. Hayashi trained Madame Hawaya Takata as a Reiki Master, and she is credited with bringing Reiki to the United States and training 22 Masters.

Although there may be uncertainty of its exact origins given the various stories, what I am sure of is the power of Reiki energy. It remains a very useful, effective and self-empowering method of healing in today’s world, and it can be life changing.

Although anyone can be taught how to become aware of the energy by a Reiki Master teacher, not everyone sees Reiki as a spiritual discipline. Some consider it a physical act. Reiki, however, is not something we do. Reiki is what we are.