What is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a spiritual energy healing system, which was founded by a Japanese Buddhist lay practitioner named Mikao Usui. This technique focuses on healing the entire individual, body, mind and spirit and can be invaluable in the personal path to Satori or enlightenment. This gentle, non-invasive method promotes balance, healing, relieves pain and stress, and increases creativity and intuitive ability. Reiki can be used to enhance and maintain your own good health as well as others. Reiki is also an effective treatment to use on animals and plants and just about anything else you can think of. While the practice of Reiki does have its roots in Buddhism, it is not a Buddhist practice. Neither is it a belief system or a religion and is not dependent upon ones' intellect or learned or inherent level of spirituality. Which means that you do not have to be a developed spiritual person to learn or practice Reiki, but you can develop your spirituality with the practice of Reiki. Therefore, it is available to EVERYONE! 

The word Reiki is actually two words: Rei and Ki. The most generally accepted definition of the word Rei is universal, or present everywhere. However, research into the actual Japanese kanji character for Rei reveals a more accurate interpretation to mean higher knowledge or spiritual consciousness of God or the Higher Self. The word Ki has the same meaning as the more commonly known Chinese word Chi. Ki is life energy. It is also known as the vital life force or universal life force energy. This is the non-physical energy that animates (or brings to life) all living things.

All living things have life force. If your life force energy is restricted or low, you are more susceptible to disease. If your life force or Ki is high, then you are less likely to be ill. The Eastern practices place great importance on Ki and have studied it for thousands of years incorporating it into the physical and mental training used by martial artists. It is the Universal Life Force or God consciousness known as Rei that directs the life energy known as Ki. This means that Reiki is a spiritually guided life energy, guiding itself with its own wisdom rather than relying on the intention or control of the practitioner.

Reiki is not taught in the usual way other healing methods are taught. The only way to administer Reiki is to have received it from a Reiki Shihan (teacher) through Reiju (or attunement). The student becomes directly linked to the Reiki or God Consciousness which makes adjustments in the persons chakras and energy pathways. These changes are unique to the individual and no one will receive or experience Reiki in exactly the same way. The Reiki Shihan does not direct the process but is simply a channel for it.