Have you heard of Reiki before? Have you ever had Energy Healing, Vibrational Medicine, Alternative or Complementary therapies?
I wonder if you have tried conventional medicine for physical ailments, illnesses, anxiety or depression only to find that either the medicine didn’t really work, or if it did, the side effects were awful?
Reiki is a beautifully simple yet deeply profound Japanese method for self-development and healing. Recipients of Reiki report that it brings them deep relaxation, freedom from pain and a stronger sense of the direction they want to take in life.
Reiki is something that is an intrinsic part of my life, I practice it daily, I refer to it constantly, it has changed my life immeasurably and I cannot for one second, imagine living without it. So it’s easy to forget that there was a time, when I didn’t know what on earth it was. I had never heard of it, I had never experienced it and I had never practiced it. For those of us who live with Reiki and enjoy its benefits, it’s easy to forget that some people don’t know a thing about it – even though we used to be one of those people. It’s easy to mention Reiki in conversation and be surprised when one sees a bewildered look on your companion’s face who then says “So.... what is Reiki??”.
This message is a brief summary for those of you who have yet to try or experience Reiki and are wondering:
What is it? How does it work? How can it help?
Reiki means “spiritual energy” – REI, meaning spiritual and KI, meaning energy
It was founded by Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 1900s. He created it to support people on their journey towards fulfilment and enlightenment, using elements taken from years of training in Tendai Buddhism, Shugendo, Samurai martial arts and ancient Japanese culture.
Reiki is a spiritual practice for self-development and healing, much like the practice of meditation. Like meditation, it can be deeply transformative. It involves hands on healing, meditative practices and symbols which can help us to further our personal development, as well as restoring our body’s capacity to heal itself. Reiki is not a religion and many people find that it enhances their spiritual beliefs.
Receiving a treatment: Reiki is non-intrusive, non-manipulative and it does not diagnose. To have a Reiki treatment, one simply remains fully clothed and lies on a massage couch, covered with a blanket. A treatment takes about 1 hour. The Reiki practitioner will work with their hands both on (just a simple gentle touch, the hand resting lightly) and off (raised about an inch or two above) the body.
What you will feel: At the very least you will experience deep relaxation like none you have ever experienced before. You will in all likelihood fall fast asleep and wake up feeling lighter, refreshed, balanced and rejuvenated. You may also experience profound insight, clarity of mind and feel emotionally uplifted.
Benefits: Reiki can help one physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. (You do not have to be sick to receive Reiki!)
•Reiki can be beneficial for physical ailments, chronic and acute illnesses, First Aid and it can strengthen the immune system and relieve the side-effects of medication.
•Emotional trauma such as depression, insomnia, lack of confidence, addiction and anxiety can be eased and balanced. Clients report feeling more in control, more at ease, calmer and more easily able to cope with stress.
•Spiritually one can feel more connected to their reason for being, a general feeling of wellbeing and contentment and better understanding of the greater scheme of things. Mindfulness and a sense of presence is a wonderful and positive ‘side effect’ of Reiki.
Training: There are 3 levels in Reiki training: First Degree (Shoden/Level 1), Second Degree (Okuden/Level 2) and Masters (Shinpiden/Level 3). One starts at Level 1 and progresses from there. Training should always be in person and should be carried out with due diligence, professionalism and respect for the system of Reiki.
What now?
Having read this, you will hopefully have a better understanding of what Reiki is and how it can help you. Your next step is to find a practitioner for a treatment and decide whether learning the system for yourself if something you would like to do.
I firmly believe that each person is drawn to a teacher that is right for them. I therefore encourage you to do your homework in finding a practitioner or teacher. Visit websites of regulatory bodies (for example, UK Reiki Federation), have a look on therapy directories, and get a sense for the person who ‘just feels right’. Trust your gut and go with your intuition. Look for someone who has experience, who is well qualified and above all, continues their training rather than just resting on their stagnant laurels. If it feels like they really ‘walk their talk’ then that’s a good start.
I wish you an exciting adventure on your Reiki journey and sincerely hope that this information has been helpful.
If you have any questions at all, or would like to know more, please contact me – I love nothing more than to talk about Reiki and share it with others.
With warmest wishes,
Sue.