Reiki: healing energy at your fingertips

Reiki is a Japanese technique of energy healing that is both simple and natural. This method, which involves hands-on touch, is safe and accessible to everyone. The term Reiki is derived from the Japanese words “Rei,” meaning “Universal Life,” and “Ki,” meaning “Energy.” Reiki practitioners channel universal energy through their hands to heal and harmonize the body, mind, and spirit.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is an amazing tool for holistic healing. It serves as a complementary approach to conventional medical treatments, including pharmaceuticals and surgeries. Rooted in ancient energy healing traditions, Reiki involves a practitioner channelling universal life force energy to aid in healing, protection, balancing and transformation the recipient’s energy field. Healing energy at your fingers.

The Origins of Reiki

Reiki was rediscovered and formulated by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century. After extensive study and meditation, Usui experienced a profound revelation on Mount Kurama in the 1920s, where the Reiki symbols and healing techniques were revealed to him. While Reiki as we know it today was refined by Usui, texts dating back to 620 BCE in India suggest ancient roots for energy healing practices.

The Practice of Reiki

Reiki involves a healer placing their hands on or near the recipient’s body in various positions to channel energy. The healer then also invokes Reiki symbols by visualizing them or drawing them in the auric field of the client. These symbols are passed down during the attunement process and are used by the healer to connect to the higher self. This process helps to balance the chakras and promotes healing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. A typical Reiki session includes centring and meditation by the practitioner, calling upon spiritual guides or higher powers to assist in the healing process. The recipient remains fully clothed during the session, and the practitioner’s hands are gently placed over specific areas as needed.

Distance Healing and Reiki

Reiki can also be performed from a distance, known as distance healing. Practitioners may use objects such as photographs or personal items to represent the recipient, channelling healing energy to them regardless of physical proximity. This ability extends to blessing objects, spaces, plants, and even pets.

How does distance reiki healing work?

Reiki is not limited by distance or time and can be done without the physical presence of the client. The Reiki healer/master will use visualization and a proxy to send this healing reiki energy over space and time. With the use of focus, prayer and the power of intention, Reiki treatment can be carried out with the same effectiveness as if you were receiving a hands on treatment in person.

Guidelines for Distance Reiki Healing:

• Book an Appointment: Schedule an appointment as you would for an in-person session.
• Prepare for the Session: Email a photo of yourself, along with your name, age, location, and the intention for your session. Complete the intake form here.
• No Need for Communication: There is no requirement to speak by phone or online during the session.
• Duration: A distance healing session lasts about 30 minutes.
• Relaxation: Ideally, you should be at home, relaxing in a quiet space like your bedroom.
• Minimize Distractions: Turn off your phone and use a “do not disturb” sign if necessary.
• Set an Alarm: Set an alarm for the exact duration of the treatment.
• Experience Sensations: During the session, you might see colours, feel heat or cold, or experience sensations like pins and needles. You will likely feel a deep sense of relaxation and peace.
• Create a Sacred Space: Enhance your experience by creating a sacred space with flowers, music, incense, crystals, etc. Get into a meditative mindset through affirmations, mantra, visualization, or meditation.
• Enjoy the Session: Relax and allow the healing Reiki energy to be absorbed into your energy body.
• Post-Session: Don’t rush to get up immediately after the session. Have a glass of sole water nearby and take your time to process.
• Follow-Up: After the session, there will be an email exchange to discuss your thoughts and any questions you might have.
• Continued Sessions: Booking follow-up sessions is recommended, as Reiki is not typically a one-time treatment.

Reiki Attunements

Becoming a Reiki practitioner involves undergoing a Reiki Attunement, an initiation process conducted by a trained Reiki Master. During this attunement, the individual’s energy field is cleared and strengthened, enabling them to receive and transmit high-frequency healing energy. This profound experience connects the practitioner to the universal life force energy.

Reiki Symbols

Reiki symbols are glyphs that reiki healers use to assist them and move energy during the healing session. These symbols are visualized, meditated on or drawn during the healing. There are several symbols that can be used; however I will cover only three of the most important symbols.

Cho-Ku-Rei Reiki Symbol

Sei-He-Ki Reiki Symbol

Hon-Sha-Ze-Sho-Nen Reiki Symbol

The Five Principles of Reiki

Mikao Usui emphasized living in harmony with others and the world. He established five guiding principles to help practitioners maintain peace and balance:

1. Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings.
2. Just for today, I will not worry.
3. Just for today, I will not be angry.
4. Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
5. Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbour and every living thing.

The benefits of Reiki include but is not limited to

• Relieves stress
• Detoxification
• Improved sleep
• Pain Relief
• Increase in energy and vitality
• Healthy body mind and spirit
• Release of physical and emotional blockages
• Supports spiritual growth
• Balance chakras
• Strengthens aura
• Gives power to your affirmations
• Removes negative energy
• Increase your awareness

Reiki for Stress Management

Stress is a very common issue in our world today. Reiki offers a powerful way to manage and reduce stress, promoting relaxation and well-being. By clearing energy blockages and unblocking meridians, chakras, and nadis, Reiki helps restore balance to the body, mind, and soul. This results in deep relaxation, detoxification, and increased vitality.

Techniques for Stress Reduction

Several methods enhance Reiki’s stress-reducing benefits, including:

• Crystal Healing: Using crystals to promote deep relaxation and tension release at the cellular level.
• Healing Drumming: Introducing Reiki energy through rhythmic drumming, creating a deeply relaxing state and relieving stress.
• Crystal Bowls: to generate healing sounds.
• Aromatherapy: The healing essences enhance the energies during Reiki healing.

Misconceptions about Reiki

It’s important to understand that Reiki is not a one-time cure-all. Restoring emotional and physical energies to a balanced state takes time, especially if you have long-standing habits of stress, anxiety, or poor eating. Here are some common misconceptions:

• Instant Cure: Many believe that one Reiki session will completely cure them. While some may feel significant improvement after one session, this is not typical. Healing is a process that usually requires multiple sessions.
• Permanent Fix: It is not possible to resolve lifelong habits and traumas overnight. Just like any other treatment, Reiki takes time to bring the body back to balance.
• Single Session Sufficiency: While there are cases where one session is enough to restore balance, it’s generally recommended to undergo at least five sessions to achieve the best results.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Reiki

Research on the effectiveness of Reiki has shown promising results. A notable study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that Reiki significantly reduced pain, anxiety, and depression in participants, contributing to overall improved well-being. The study concluded that Reiki is an effective complementary therapy that enhances the healing process when used alongside conventional medical treatments (Vitale, A. T., & O’Connor, P. C., 2006).

Becoming a Reiki Practitioner

If you are drawn to Reiki, it is likely part of your healing journey and spiritual growth. Learning Reiki is a deeply personal and transformative experience. Here are some tips to help you find the right Reiki Master:

• Proficiency: Ensure your teacher is experienced and knowledgeable about all aspects of Reiki.
• Lineage: Understand their Reiki lineage to know the teachings and techniques they will impart.
• Qualifications: Verify that your teacher is certified and meets all prerequisites.
• Class Outline: Know what will be covered in the course, including whether they will teach Reiki symbols and self-discovered techniques.
• Fees: Be aware of the costs involved in your training.

Choosing the right Reiki Master is crucial as they will guide you in developing your skills and understanding the practice. Look for someone you feel comfortable with and who resonates with your learning style and spiritual goals.

Conclusion

Reiki is a beautiful, gentle, and effective method of healing and self-improvement. Whether you are seeking to receive treatment or become a practitioner, Reiki offers profound benefits for physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Embrace the journey of Reiki and discover the transformative power of universal life energy.

Interested in learning more about Reiki? Download our free Reiki worksheets and journals to start your journey today!