What is Reiki?
Reiki is that vital force that permeates all living things. Reiki, also referred to as the Usui System of Natural Healing, is a vibrating energy technique that balances, harmonies and restores our energy system by using non-polarized energy through the energy centres in the palm of the hands.
The hands are placed gently and passively in different positions over the body, generally beginning at the head. Physiologically an hour of treatment is equivalent to 3 to 4 hours of deep sleep. This fact alone makes Reiki a very effective stress reliever.
Reiki originated in Tibet thousands of years ago and was rediscovered by Dr Mikao Usui, who in the mid-1880s, after responding to a challenge from several of his graduate students about how Jesus healed, undertook an extensive study of the healing phenomena of history's greatest spiritual leaders. In Buddhist writings, he found the Reiki healing technique and spent the latter part of his life applying and teaching this knowledge.
Reiki is a holistic therapy that addresses the body, mind and spirit going beyond symptoms to treat the root cause of the disease. It helps us maintain balance in our health and that of others. We can experience energy in our body, usually a sensation of warmth or tingling. Reiki cannot possibly harm anyone as it adjusts naturally to the individual's needs. It can be used at any time, any place and in many situations.
Other ways Reiki can be used
Reiki energy exists in everything. Reiki can be used to help balance anything you choose. Use your imagination and see how Reiki can help you in your life. Here are some common things that Reiki can be used on.
Animals are sensitive to energy and tend to enjoy receiving Reiki. You can begin your Animal Reiki practice by performing Reiki with animals you know and when confident and ready you can move on to other animals.
Smaller animals can be held in your hands while you beam Reiki to them while with larger animals you can start at the front of their bodies and work your way back. Be sure to not make contact with animals that may bite or attack. In those cases, you can perform a distance Reiki session which you will learn in Level II.
Just as when working with humans, Reiki will go where it is needed in the order that is best for the recipient. One difference with animals is that they may guide you to the place that requires balancing by moving around until your hands are touching the place that needs to be addressed.
An Animal Reiki session does not have a standard set of hand positions or duration. Animals will let you know when the session is complete by resuming the activity after a period of relaxation or by moving away. If you think working with animals will be the focus of your practice, you will want to receive some education about safe handling practices to ensure you create a safe environment for both the animal and yourself during your sessions. Being an Animal Reiki Practitioner can be extremely rewarding.
Plants and Vegetation, Reiki can be used to balance any form of vegetation in your environment. Because the energy of plants and trees extends far beyond their physical presence, they must be healthy so that their energetic influence is a positive one in your home and surroundings.
Experiments have been performed where seeds that receive Reiki each day grow more quickly than seeds that do not. Reiki can be given to plants by holding your hands 1-2 inches away from the plant. Trees can be balanced with Reiki by touching their trunks. You can also perform Reiki on the water being used for your plants and trees. You can use distance healing (Level II) to work on larger groups of vegetation such as gardens and forests.
Food and Drink, you can balance what you eat and drink. This will help ensure that your body receives the nutrients it needs from the substance while releasing anything that will not serve it. You can balance your food and drink by placing your hands above it and setting the intention that it will serve your body’s highest good. You can also place your hands on your stomach after eating with the intention of a smooth digestion process.
Additional Uses for Reiki. Reiki has many uses and is not limited to people and animals. Because Reiki enhances your focus and energy you can use that increased awareness on anything you wish to have such as increased positive energy, clarity or resolution. There are so many other ways to use Reiki to help your life, the only limit is your imagination.
Once you have been attuned to Reiki, the energy will flow through your hands whenever you touch intending to heal or help.
What does Reiki feel like?
Although Reiki is “hands-on”, unlike massage, it is administered through a softer touch rather than a deeper pressure. While the patient is seated or lying down and fully clothed, the practitioner’s hands are placed along with energy centres and pathways on the head, neck, chest, abdomen, legs, and feet (similar to those used by acupuncturists). As energy is transferred to the body, the patient may feel warmth, coolness, gentle tingling, or just deep relaxation. For those in the final stages of life, it can also provide a more peaceful “transition.”
What are the benefits?
Research on various types of “energy work” has shown that, in addition to deep relaxation, there can be a reduction in muscle tension and pain, accelerated wound healing, and a greater sense of health and well-being. It is useful during illness, after injuries, pre and post-op, as well as for health promotion. The patient does not need to believe in the process but only needs to be receptive to experience benefits.
Who can learn?
Anyone can learn - the ability to tap into the universal “life-force energy” is not dependent on intellectual capacity or belief, only a desire to offer comfort. “Hands-on healing techniques” are often approached with a spiritual perspective and yet, based on basic physiology, can be approached very neutrally. The human body is designed in such a way that whenever we touch someone to offer comfort, there is automatically an energy exchange. Research and measurement of energy flow from a trained practitioner’s hands have shown that when the practitioner is in a meditative, healing state (centred, relaxed, with clear intention, “present” for the patient’s highest good) there is an even greater flow of energy.
REIKI
It is completely unconditional.
It demands nothing of the giver or of the receiver.
It propounds no creed or dogma.
It requires no specific belief in the supreme being or in Reiki itself.
Reiki heals on many levels such as the aura, physical body, emotions, and mental and spiritual states, bringing them into balance and promoting health, happiness, prosperity and long life.
The word Reiki is a combination of two Japanese words REI and KI. REI means "spiritual wisdom, "higher power" or "universal. KI means the same as CHI in Chinese, Prana in Sanskrit and Mana in Hawaiian. KI is the "life force energy"
REIKI is "Universal life force energy"
Reiki is not
Knowing what Reiki is not is as important as knowing what it is
Reiki is not religious. Reiki is nondenominational. You can practice any religion or non and still use and benefit from Reiki
Massage and reflexology
A form of mind control, wishful or hypnosis
Meditation technique
Reiki is not a substitute for medical or psychological diagnosis and treatment
Benefits of Reiki
There are many wonderful benefits of Reiki and anyone and anything can benefit from it (adults, children, animals, plants, food, water, rooms, all kind of situations etc. Reiki is always available, everywhere and anytime.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Physical pain in general
Helps in digestion
Accelerate the body's self-healing ability
Migraines and headaches
Back pain
Heart disease
Asthma
Reduce pain after surgery
Prepares the body for surgery (so that less anaesthesia is needed)
Quickens recovery time after surgery
Reduces blood pressure
Supports the immune system
Supports pregnancy and childbirth
Assists the body in cleansing itself of toxins
Compliments medical treatment
MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL BENEFITS
Dissolves energy blocks and promotes natural balance between mind, body and spirit (stress, depression, anxiety, fear, worry, sadness and other unhealthy feelings)
Clears the mind and improves focus
Improves memory
Increase self-confidence
Aids better sleep
SPIRITUAL BENEFITS
Helps spiritual growth
Enhances meditative states
However, Reiki does not promise a miraculous cure for the disease. Conditions that have taken years to manifest in the physical body cannot be cured in a few sessions. The person has to want to be well and will probably also need to make some lifestyle changes so that the source of the stress and negative emotion does not recur. It takes time for the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies to be brought back into balance.
Are you ready to try? Book now a Distant Reiki session and have a taste of the energy!
Light and love
Stefano