Reiki Basics

Reiki (pronounced ‘RAY-key’) is a Japanese word meaning universal life energy, (literal Japanese translation of Rei=universal, Ki=energy). It is a non-intrusive method of hands-on healing that taps into the energy of the universe referred to by philosophers and martial artists as ki in Japan, Chi in China and Prana in India, and modern science refers to it as biofield energy. The practice of Reiki is based on the teachings of a Japanese man, Mikao Usui, who taught and practiced Reiki in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

It is believed that a person’s “Ki” or energy should be strong and free-flowing. When this is true a person’s body and mind are in a positive state of health. When the energy becomes weak or blocked it could lead to symptoms of physical or emotional imbalance. When your life energy is low, it is more difficult to deal with stress; you may not sleep well, and you’re more susceptible to illness. When your life energy is strong, you feel strong, can more easily deal with stress, and are less likely to get sick.

 It may seem passive because during the Reiki session you’re lying on the table with your eyes closed, receiving the energy transmitted through the practitioner. But you can take action before and after the Reiki session to make the most of what Reiki has to offer on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels.

The Reiki practitioner and the Reiki itself are the tools you use as you grow and heal in your life. No matter how gifted the healer or how powerful the Reiki, you participate in the healing process by being open to growth and change.

One way that Reiki works is by helping you to be open to such change. You may not want to change at first, but eventually, as you truly desire to feel better within yourself, you may see that certain changes will help. 

You may notice changes in the following areas of your life:

• Your thought patterns: Reiki gives you insight into your underlying thoughts and beliefs that may hold you back from achieving your goals. Constant negative thinking brings about negative results. Positive thinking brings about positive results.
•  Your physical lifestyle: Destructive behaviour or lifestyle choices conflict with growth and healing. For example, you may want to consider your eating and exercise habits and possible addictive behaviour. As you allow more healing through Reiki into your life, your behaviours become healthier. You don’t have to force the change; you’ll want to change.
•  Your relationships: How you interact with others can bring joy or grief to yourself and the people around you. Reiki can help you become calmer so that you have more patience and tolerance with others (and yourself).
• Your job: Your paid work and other activities are other places for you to express your true self and contribute to the world. As you become more in touch with your inner self through Reiki, you might change your job or your relationship to your work.

How far you go with Reiki depends on how you follow up on your Reiki sessions. As a result of Reiki, you may get a thought that smoking is hurting you or you have to start singing. To benefit from Reiki, take the insights you get while on the Reiki table and put them into action.