What is Reiki?
The International Center for Reiki Training
A Brief Overview
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."
A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.
An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.
Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.
While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.
While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.
During a meditation several years after developing Reiki, Dr. Usui decided to add the Reiki Ideals to the practice of Reiki. The Ideals came in part from the five prinicples of the Meiji emperor of Japan whom Dr. Usui admired. The Ideals were developed to add spiritual balance to Usui Reiki. Their purpose is to help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience. In order for the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, the client must accept responsibility for her or his healing and take an active part in it. Therefore, the Usui system of Reiki is more than the use of the Reiki energy. It must also include an active commitment to improve oneself in order for it to be a complete system. The ideals are both guidelines for living a gracious life and virtues worthy of practice for their inherent value.
The secret art of inviting happiness The miraculous medicine of all diseases Just for today, do not anger Do not worry and be filled with gratitude Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people. Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer. Pray these words to your heart and chant these words with your mouth Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind The founder , Usui Mikao

What is reiki?
Reiki is an ancient Japanese method of healing illness and reducing stress through touch or, often enough, hand positions that stop short of touching. The word reiki comes from two Japanese words, rei, meaning higher power or supernatural force, and ki, meaning life energy. Loosely translated, reiki means universal or spiritually guided life-force energy.
Although healing touch has been used for thousands of years, what is today considered reiki originated in the 1880s when a Buddhist monk named Mikao Usui went on a quest to rediscover the divine healing methods used by Buddha and Jesus Christ. According to his followers, Usui discovered a force he called reiki, or universal life-force energy, and was able to use it to heal. When the practice of reiki was first introduced to Western cultures, it underwent a few changes. Some innovations included the use of specific hand positions, establishment of a degree system to certify practitioners, and acceptance of the idea that a person can be compensated for performing reiki. Reiki has continued to evolve, and there are now many modified versions which all derive from the same source.

How does it work?
Reiki is based on the assumption that unseen energy, ki, flows through all living things along pathways in the body called "meridians." When the flow of ki is blocked or disrupted by negative thoughts or energy, serious health and emotional problems can result. A reiki practitioner channels energy by gently putting her hands on or near the body in several specific positions. These positions mirror the pathways that carry the ki energy to major organs. The flow of positive reiki energy from practitioner to patient is thought to heal ailments by correcting imbalances and restoring the healthy dynamics of the person's life force.

What is a session like?
A typical reiki session lasts from 45 to 90 minutes. The practitioner begins by placing her hands in seven basic positions that cover your head, shoulders, stomach, and back. The healer holds each position from two to five minutes and then may target the specific areas of the body where you are experiencing pain or discomfort. While performing these positions, the healer may not actually touch you, but may simply hold her hands an inch or two above your body.
Reiki is usually done while you lie down on a table with your practitioner standing behind your head. After a reiki session, some people describe experiencing a glowing or radiance, as well as feelings of peace and well-being. Others feel nothing at all, while still others experience an intense emotional release. At the very least, expect to feel extremely relaxed; you may even fall asleep.

What ailments respond to reiki treatment?
People have used reiki to help treat everything from impotence to heart disease, although there are relatively few scientific studies of its effectiveness. Reiki is not meant to be used in lieu of traditional medical care; its practitioners promote it as a helpful alternative for controlling side effects of other treatments, reducing pain, and speeding the healing process. In one small study, Canadian researchers at the Cross Cancer Institute recruited people experiencing pain from various conditions, including cancer, to test whether reiki was effective as a complement to traditional drug treatment for managing pain. The patients' pain was assessed immediately before and after a reiki session, and a "highly significant reduction in pain" was registered after the treatment. Reiki can also be used preventively to reduce stress and tension. Some people include regular reiki sessions as part of their overall health regimen.

Is it safe?
Yes. Reiki is a non-invasive technique, and practitioners use a light touch (if any) in all hand positions. However, reiki's spiritual nature does involve a certain intimacy. It is essential to find a practitioner with whom you can establish a good rapport. That way you won't feel uneasy about letting her know what makes you uncomfortable, and she will be respectful of any boundaries you establish.

Where can I find a practitioner?
Reiki practitioners are trained by other reiki practitioners and undergo a process called "passing attunements." This is a ritual that literally transfers the reiki energy from the teacher to the student, giving the student the power to heal and to pass attunements to others. The nature of reiki is very communal and information tends to spread through word-of-mouth, so it might be best to ask your friends for recommendations.
The International Association of Reiki Professionals also maintains a list of practitioners who have pledged to uphold the group's Code of Ethics.
The bulletin board at your local health club or natural food store is also a good place to look. Try the Golden Pages also. If you still have trouble finding someone whose style you like, you might consider signing up to take a reiki class yourself. The benefits to this method are twofold -- not only will you be immersed in an entire reiki community, but you can learn how to perform reiki on yourself!
This article has been revised by Vhihealthe for its audience and may contain, among other things, information or medical practices that are unique to Ireland. Neither Consumer Health Interactive nor the original author make any warranty as to the accuracy of the article as revised, and assume no responsibility for modified content.

What is reiki?
Reiki is an ancient Japanese method of healing illness and reducing stress through touch or, often enough, hand positions that stop short of touching. The word reiki comes from two Japanese words, rei, meaning higher power or supernatural force, and ki, meaning life energy. Loosely translated, reiki means universal or spiritually guided life-force energy.
Although healing touch has been used for thousands of years, what is today considered reiki originated in the 1880s when a Buddhist monk named Mikao Usui went on a quest to rediscover the divine healing methods used by Buddha and Jesus Christ. According to his followers, Usui discovered a force he called reiki, or universal life-force energy, and was able to use it to heal. When the practice of reiki was first introduced to Western cultures, it underwent a few changes. Some innovations included the use of specific hand positions, establishment of a degree system to certify practitioners, and acceptance of the idea that a person can be compensated for performing reiki. Reiki has continued to evolve, and there are now many modified versions which all derive from the same source.

How does it work?
Reiki is based on the assumption that unseen energy, ki, flows through all living things along pathways in the body called "meridians." When the flow of ki is blocked or disrupted by negative thoughts or energy, serious health and emotional problems can result. A reiki practitioner channels energy by gently putting her hands on or near the body in several specific positions. These positions mirror the pathways that carry the ki energy to major organs. The flow of positive reiki energy from practitioner to patient is thought to heal ailments by correcting imbalances and restoring the healthy dynamics of the person's life force.

What is a session like?
A typical reiki session lasts from 45 to 90 minutes. The practitioner begins by placing her hands in seven basic positions that cover your head, shoulders, stomach, and back. The healer holds each position from two to five minutes and then may target the specific areas of the body where you are experiencing pain or discomfort. While performing these positions, the healer may not actually touch you, but may simply hold her hands an inch or two above your body.
Reiki is usually done while you lie down on a table with your practitioner standing behind your head. After a reiki session, some people describe experiencing a glowing or radiance, as well as feelings of peace and well-being. Others feel nothing at all, while still others experience an intense emotional release. At the very least, expect to feel extremely relaxed; you may even fall asleep.

What ailments respond to reiki treatment?
People have used reiki to help treat everything from impotence to heart disease, although there are relatively few scientific studies of its effectiveness. Reiki is not meant to be used in lieu of traditional medical care; its practitioners promote it as a helpful alternative for controlling side effects of other treatments, reducing pain, and speeding the healing process. In one small study, Canadian researchers at the Cross Cancer Institute recruited people experiencing pain from various conditions, including cancer, to test whether reiki was effective as a complement to traditional drug treatment for managing pain. The patients' pain was assessed immediately before and after a reiki session, and a "highly significant reduction in pain" was registered after the treatment. Reiki can also be used preventively to reduce stress and tension. Some people include regular reiki sessions as part of their overall health regimen.

Is it safe?
Yes. Reiki is a non-invasive technique, and practitioners use a light touch (if any) in all hand positions. However, reiki's spiritual nature does involve a certain intimacy. It is essential to find a practitioner with whom you can establish a good rapport. That way you won't feel uneasy about letting her know what makes you uncomfortable, and she will be respectful of any boundaries you establish.

Where can I find a practitioner?
Reiki practitioners are trained by other reiki practitioners and undergo a process called "passing attunements." This is a ritual that literally transfers the reiki energy from the teacher to the student, giving the student the power to heal and to pass attunements to others. The nature of reiki is very communal and information tends to spread through word-of-mouth, so it might be best to ask your friends for recommendations.
The International Association of Reiki Professionals also maintains a list of practitioners who have pledged to uphold the group's Code of Ethics.
The bulletin board at your local health club or natural food store is also a good place to look. Try the Golden Pages also. If you still have trouble finding someone whose style you like, you might consider signing up to take a reiki class yourself. The benefits to this method are twofold -- not only will you be immersed in an entire reiki community, but you can learn how to perform reiki on yourself!
This article has been revised by Vhihealthe for its audience and may contain, among other things, information or medical practices that are unique to Ireland. Neither Consumer Health Interactive nor the original author make any warranty as to the accuracy of the article as revised, and assume no responsibility for modified content.

Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is a method of natural healing based on the application of Universal Life Force Energy (the name literally means Universal Life Force Energy). These pages are a collection of information about Reiki and are presented with the purpose of spreading knowledge of what Reiki is.
Just for today, do not worry.Just for today, do not anger.Honor your parents, teachers, and elders.Earn your living honestly.Show gratitude to everything.Dr. Mikao Usui
What is Reiki?
Reiki is one of the more widely known forms of energy healing. Energy Healing involves direct application of Chi for the purpose of strengthening the clients energy system (aura). Chi is the term used by the Chinese mystics and martial artists for the underlying force the Universe is made of. Mystics in all cultures have talked about the physical universe being made of an underlying form of something, much as modern physics research is now coming to understand the Universe is made of energy which is subject to (or affected by) thought. Just as modern physics says this energy is affected by thought the mystics also say this underlying form is affected by thought, going so far as to claim we create our own reality from our thinking and the thoughts we share between each of us every day.
Stop and reflect for a moment. Imagine the implications of the universe around us made from energy which can be shaped and manipulated by thoughts. This is the implication of both Quantum Physics and ancient Metaphysics. Might this make some diseases easier to explain, especially those which have no apparent physical cause? Might this make miraculous cures easier to explain? For example there was research study done a couple years ago showing that prayer improves the health of those who are prayed for, the focus of intent in prayer sends thoughts out in the form of "I wish such-and-so to happen", so if the world is energy subject to the power of thought then prayers must work (depending on how clearly and carefully you hold and elaborate on the prayers or thoughts). Remember this while reading here about Reiki.
Reiki is very easily learned, very simple to use, and beneficial for all. It is one of many forms of healing through the use of the natural forces which were given the name Chi by ancient chinese mystics. Some forms of healing using Chi energy forces are Chi Gong, Pranic Healing, Chelation (as taught by Brabara Brennan and Rosalyn Bruyere), and Polarity Balancing. All (apparently) use the same energies, with the difference being techniques of application and an energy quality commonly known as vibration. (This term vibration is widely used in the "New Age" community to refer to the range in experience between the dense or low vibration of the physical world to the high vibration of the highest spiritual expression; while the term is inadequate to truly describe the differences, and while Reality is probably not a simple bipolar scale of experience, the term is descriptive of how the energy feels). I'm reluctant to definitively say Reiki uses Chi because I am not an expert on what the Chinese mean by this word. To my eye the force referred to with the name Chi is the same as Prana, Orgone, Odic, they are all names for the same force.
Since the word Reiki means Universal Life Force Energy, it (strictly speaking) refers to the energy and not the specific techniques taught by Reiki Masters. The techniques are more properly called the Usui System of Natural Healing after the founder of the system, Dr. Mikao Usui. However as Reiki is the common name, and a fine name at that, this is the name we will use here.
A Reiki healing is very simply performed. The practitioner places his or her hands upon the person to be healed with the intent for healing to occur, and then the energy begins flowing. The Reiki energy is smart since the Universe is a very smart place indeed. The energy knows where to go, and what to do once it gets there, or else is being directed by a higher intelligence. The energy manages its own flow to and within the recipient. It draws through the healer exactly that amount of energy which the recipient needs. All this happens without direct conscious intervention by the healer. The healers job is to get out of the way, to keep the healing space open, and to watch/listen for signs of what to do next.
Reiki's Capabilities
Reiki is capable of healing anything because it works at very fundamental levels of reality. Even though the capability is there, this is not what always happens. The limits to Reiki seem to be in the recipients willingness to cast off old habits and patters, to accept change and to accept healing. The level of reality where Reiki operates is the underlying energy structure of matter, as the physical matter we see around us is a solidified form of energy (Remember Einsteins famous equation which says that each unit of mass is equivalent to a certain amount of energy). At the level where Reiki functions, anything can be changed because all is fluidlike and is very malleable. Or so is the theory and so is the experience of Reiki practitioners. Emotional difficulties are just as healable as physical ones since emotional issues are even more directly present in the energy structures.
In this context, the word Healing has a somewhat different meaning from the widely accepted meaning. The widely accepted meaning for healing seems to be curing of symptoms, for that seems to be what medical doctors and the like look to do in their practice. The other meaning for healing, used in the practice of Reiki as well as other related areas, is the return to greater wholeness. There is an ideal form each of us has, this ideal form being the highest and clearest expression of who we are. Pain or disease comes from any deviation between the persons current form in the 3D physical world and this ideal form. Healing, then, is to bring this physical form into closer alignment with the ideal form.
The way we aquire deviations from our ideal form is to accept limitations into our life. Most of this comes from early childhood because that is the phase of life where we are the most open and inquisitive about life. A limitation may be a parent yelling "BE QUIET!!" enough times that the child learns to not speak. Another limitation may be a limp that continues longer after the physical injury has healed, maybe with phantom pains. These limitations are behavior patterns, eating patterns, physical limitations, imagined physical limitations, psychological, mental, or emotional ways of being, living, expressing or loving that is not in alignment with our personal highest expression.
In any healing the goal is to find the limitation, recognize the pattern, recognize where it came from, and let it go. Reiki accomplishes this by providing the recipient enough energy to step above (metaphorically) to see all that and have the courage to let go. This usually does not happen consciously as a result of Reiki, but sometimes it does happen that Reiki gives the recipient the conscious awareness of the pattern and recognizing where it came from. Our lives are a constant flow of patterns of activity (such as the pattern used to accomplish eating breakfast) and it is our choice to have these patterns remain stuck in limited expression, or to release the old patterns and try on new and shinier ones.
Reiki is also a gateway shining pure love into the universe. It is this love which allows us to transcend our wounds and help us remember our true nature.
My Vision
My vision is to have everybody in the world know Reiki and have it in their lives. This is not a utopian vision that instantly creates a world of complete harmony and total peace. Yet having Reiki allows greater peace and harmony to flow. Over time the healing of the worlds ills will be accomplished and, with Reiki in the hands of everyone, that day will come much more quickly.
Reiki is a wonderful gift which can be shared between us all.
In this vision each new teacher of Reiki increases the rate at which Reiki spreads. The growth is exponential as more people teach and spread this gift. It is like a flame being passed from person to person, lighting a light within each person it touches. Like lighting a candle, the flame is not diminished by lighting more candles, instead there is more light.
I ask and pray that as Reiki is spread that the truth be given clearly and completely. It does not do to smudge up Reiki with innappropriate extra contraptions.