Reiki is a form of spiritual practice that’s used as a therapy for diseases of the body, emotions, and mind. It was developed in early 20th century Japan by Mikao Usui, and uses healing energy to treat others and enhance their wellbeing. The word reiki is made up of two Japanese words: ‘rei’ meaning ‘unseen’ or ‘spiritual’ and ‘ki’ meaning ‘life force’ or ‘energy’.
Reiki teachings state that practitioners induce the healing effect by tapping into the universal life force. It’s stated that anyone can gain access to this energy by becoming appropriately attuned by a Reiki Master.
Energy flows from the practitioner’s hands when they are placed on or held near someone who is to receive it. It’s also said to be important what the practitioner’s intention is during this process.
Usually, as part of a Reiki treatment, the recipient will be asked to lie down on a massage table, and relax. Comfortable clothing is worn during the process of the treatment, and the treatment is usually carried out without much talking. The practitioner places his or her hands on the recipient on various positions.
Sometimes, Reiki practitioners will use a technique that does not involve touching the recipient, but instead requires holding the hands a few inches away fro the body. Hands are usually kept still for a few minutes at a time before moving on to the next position. Twelve to twenty positions are used, and the entire treatment lasts between forty-five and ninety minutes.
The recipient often feels tingling or warmth in the area that’s being treated, even if a non-touching approach is in use.
The Benefits of Reiki Therapy
Benefits that have been reported from Reiki treatment include
- A deep state of relaxation,
- A feeling of overall well-being.
Also, Emotional responses may occur. Since Reiki is said to complement and stimulate natural healing processes, it is rare for instant cures to occur.
Reiki treatment is usually done as a series of three or more than three treatments, done at intervals between one and seven days. Regular treatments may also be used to maintain all over well-being. The interval between this type of treatment is around one to four weeks, unless the reiki practitioner is treating him or herself. In these cases, daily treatment is more common.
As yet, there have been no scientific studies that have backed up the claims of reiki practitioners. However, recipients of reiki treatment, as well as ractitioners, have reported improvements in condition after reatment. This suggests that there is some viability in this type of energy therapy.
If you’re thinking of using reiki therapy to treat a problem you suffer from, or to promote general health, look for a well-respected practitioner in your area. Massage schools often teach this type of therapy in addition to their regular program, and may be able to recommend someone who can treat you.
IMPORTANT: While Reiki can’t harm anyone, it can certainly produce a ‘healing crisis’. This can bring on emotional upheaval, physical distress and other things; but ultimately it is good for the individual. Think of it as something like the cleansing process that takes place when someone undergoes a fast. They might get headaches, pimples, rashes and all sorts of other unpleasant things; but once the cleansing is done they feel better than ever before. Likewise with Reiki.
