What is Reiki?

The Attunement/Initiation

What is Reiki?

Reiki is an invisible subtle energy. The name "Reiki" is a Japanese word which can be translated to mean "universal life energy". What we know as Reiki comes from ancient Sanskrit texts which were discovered and developed by Dr Mikao Usui during the late 1800's in Japan.

Eastern medicine recognises and works with energy or 'life-force' and similarly, Reiki used this energy to stimulate the body in its own natural healing process, increasing the energy flow throughout the whole body.

What is a Reiki Treatment?

The use of Reiki energy to facilitate and promote the body's natural regenerative processes. It is usually transferred with the practitioner's hands resting gently on the body or non-contact where appropriate, such as tender wounds or sexually sensitive areas.

Other techniques enable a treatment to be given without the client being present. A Reiki treatment is non-diagnostic, non-interventionist, non-manipulative and no pressure is applied. Clothes are not be removed as the energy will pass easily through them.

A treatment is usually carried out with the recipient lying down or sitting, in a relaxing environment and on average lasts about an hour. A recipient may experience a wide range of sensations such as gentle tingling, heat, cold, or not feel anything at all. At times there may be a release of emotion as part of the re-balancing process, and this is considered very healthy.

A treatment is perfectly safe and can by used alongside conventional medical treatments. It can never do harm as the recipient draws the energy through the practitioner taking only what is required, the Reiki practitioner acts only as a channel for the energy which will act where it is needed. The Reiki energy relaxes and de-stresses, and can be used on people, animals and plants.

Can anyone learn Reiki?

The ability to channel Reiki cannot be learnt from a book or by instruction. To be able to receive Reiki, students go through a special initiation which 'attunes' them to the Reiki energy.

Over time this connection is improved through practice, and by actually using the Reiki energy on themselves - typical known as 'self treatment'. It is considered essential to treat oneself with Reiki, and indeed many people use it exclusively for reasons of personal development, healthcare and stress-management.

Click here to read about the Attunement/Initiation.

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