An Introduction to Reiki
Written by: Karen Gehris, Reiki Practitioner
Reiki, pronounced (ray-key), is a Japanese word that means Universal Life Force Energy. It is a combination of the words “Rei”, meaning Spiritual Wisdom or the Higher Power, and “Ki”, meaning the Life Force that flows through all living things. Reiki thus involves spiritually guided life force energy. It is believed that Reiki was practiced thousands of years ago by Tibetan Buddhists, but it was rediscovered in its current form in the late 19thcentury by Mikao Usui in Japan.
Reiki is used to enhance and support the innate, natural healing processes of the body, mind, and spirit. Universal Life Energy is the unseen energy that animates all living things. If your Life Force is low or restricted in its flow, you will be more vulnerable to illness. When it is high and flowing freely, you are less likely to get sick. A Reiki treatment assists in opening and balancing the flow of energy in the whole system of the recipient.
Reiki energy is channeled through a Reiki practitioner and flows out of the palms of the hands. Since the practitioner is the channel through which the energy flows and not the source, the practitioner’s own energy is not depleted. A Rieki treatment involves placing the hands lightly on the client’s body, allowing Reiki to flow to the area(s) that need healing, whether they are physical, emotional, or mental. Reiki begins to flow once the intent to heal is acknowledged by the practitioner and received by the client.
Reiki is very powerful but simple to learn. Anyone can learn Reiki, even children. A person becomes a Reiki practitioner by receiving an “attunement” from a Reiki master, who is trained to pass on this energy. Once you receive Reiki, you have it for life and should use it daily.
Please note that Reiki is not a religion or a substitute for religion. You do not have to believe in any one system of belief to give or receive Reiki. It is practiced, taught, and received by people of all beliefs and faiths. It is non-invasive, gentle and very safe. Rieki is the perfect therapy for people who are too shy to be massaged.
Reiki is not a substitute for medical treatment, but is a complementary therapy that can be used along with conventional medical treatment. Reiki is gaining acceptance as an adjunct therapy in hospitals and clinics across the country as a meaningful and cost-effective way to improve patient care. For example, Reiki treatments are given at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, Portsmouth Regional Hospital in New Hampshire, and at the Reiki Clinic of the Tucson Medical Center in Arizona. Reiki relieves pain after surgery, decreases healing time, and helps patients suffering from stroke, cancer, cardiovascular problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, nervous breakdown, insomnia, and many other ailments.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A REIKI SESSION
A Reiki session takes about an hour. Time may vary to meet your needs. Recipients are most often lying down. Clothing does not need to be removed, but it is helpful to remove shoes, jewelry, and watches. The practitioner’s hands are placed on or near the body in the Reiki positions to transfer the energy. Hand positions may be held for a period of two to ten minutes. The recipient may or may not feel the energy as it is received. Sometimes physical, emotional, or mental responses may occur in the form of physical sensations, emotional releases, realizations, inspirations, visual experiences, etc. Reiki balances and vitalizes the system on all levels. It will go where it needs to go for the individual and work on the level most appropriate for the recipient’s readiness to heal.
Most people find Reiki very deeply relaxing, so be prepared to let go and enjoy. Some people experience a sleep state. This is common and perfectly fine. Plan to relax for a few minutes after your session. Some time to discuss your treatment will follow. Suggestions for supportive actions may be discussed with your practitioner.
SOME EXPERIENCES IN MY PRACTICE
I have had many positive experiences as a Reiki practitioner. For example, a client suffering from diarrhea for two weeks experienced relief after one session. In another, bruising and swelling decreased 50% after one session and was totally gone within two days. Reiki also works with animals. Animals are not judgmental and easily accept Reiki. I have treated both horse and rider for pre-show stress. I have also performed Reiki on injured horses, and the energy healed the injuries so fast that the veterinarian couldn’t believe it.
Reiki is so profoundly relaxing that everyone feels great after a session. .It works wonderfully if you are anxious or nervous. I even use it on myself when I go to the dentist, and it calms me down so much I could go to sleep while the dentist is working on me.
If you are interested in experiencing a Reiki session, a list of Reiki practitioners is available through the Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association. Many of us are willing to do emergency treatments or to travel to your home if you are homebound.
The Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association makes no medical claims or recommendations. Check with your doctor about your specific health care needs.