What is Reiki?

Rei is the Japanese word for "universal life force" and ki is Japanese for "energy." Within every living thing is an energy flow. When disease, trauma or difficulties happens in our lives or we endure ongoing day to day stresses, we develop imbalances and blockages in the flow of energy inside our bodies and emotions. Reiki uses the universal life force energy to balance those energies. We have special energy points in our bodies which the Reiki practitioner is trained to work on.

Reiki can be performed by the power of touch or by holding the hands a couple of inches above the body. As humans, we crave touch. Simple touch alone brings healing and peace into our lives. Add the healing power of Reiki to the mix and a miracle occurs. If the client prefers not to be touched, the Reiki energy will flow just as effectively by holding the hands a couple of inches from energy points in the body. Distant Reiki is also possible through the power of intention. Because the energy is present throughout the universe, through the practitioner's intention and being open to Reiki energy, healing can be sent across time and distance.

In a present session, the Reiki practitioner holds their palms gently on or above specific energy points in the body while the client is fully clothed and as comfortable as possible. Usually the client lies on a massage table or even sits on a comfortable chair. Peaceful music is played and the atmosphere is conducive to relaxation. The practitioner doesn't talk to the client but instead uses the gentle power of touch or hands just above to allow the energy to flow through them into the energy field of the client. The practitioner is merely an agent for the life force energy to flow - they are not the healer themselves. In fact, Reiki only empowers the body to heal itself.

A Reiki session can last from 15 minutes to an hour. A short 15 minute-session is for emergencies or rushed sessions.

The benefits of Reiki are numerous. Here are some - this list is definitely not exhaustive:

1. Relaxation and peace.

2. Stress relief.

3. Reduction or elimination of anxiety and depression.

4. Easing of chronic pain and inflammation.

5. Assistance in dealing with grief and difficult emotional experiences.

6. Balancing emotions and providing mental clarity and creativity.

7. Spiritual healing and opening up to the divine.

8. Help with loving self and others.

9. Works with medical to accelerate the body's healing process.

10. Heals disease and chronic conditions.

11. Increases self-confidence and a feeling of security and grounding.

12. Enables the client to get in touch with their intuition and not just live on the physical plane.

13. Can relieve fears and confusion.

14. General well-being and mood improvement.

15. May help client have a sense of direction or guidance for a situation.

Reiki is not supposed to replace any medical treatment or medication but is effective in enhancing and working side by side with medical science. It goes deeper than just swallowing a pill though - it reaches right into the core of your being. When energy flow is in balance, the body is able to heal itself and the emotions become more positive.

The aim of the practitioner is never to advise or subscribe anything to the client. They are merely a vessel to allow the energy in the client to come back into balance. Often the practitioner will sense things that need to be worked on specifically. Whether they communicate that with the client is purely up to the receptiveness of the client and whether it's even necessary. Reiki works for the highest good of the client and sometimes it's gentler if they don't even know how it's working, but just that it is working. Sometimes, it does help them to know what Reiki is doing. Reiki goes where it is needed at all times. The practitioner aims to let his mind and ego not get in the way. We don't always know the root of problems in our lives.