Are you struggling with health issues and finding no relief in treatment? Are you searching for holistic medicine solutions?
Reiki may be just the treatment for you. It's completely safe, extremely low-risk, and can be effective for a variety of health conditions.
If you've never heard of Reiki, don't worry. This comprehensive guide is the only one that you'll ever need.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki is an ancient, safe, restorative healing practice known as The Universal Light Energy. It helps to facilitate the body’s natural healing energy. The reiki energy is channelled through the practitioner to the recipient during the healing session. According to Rachel Clark of Rachel's Mandala, Reiki is internationally recognized as a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) healing modality.
The energy in your body can become "blocked" in the places where you've experienced physical, emotional, or spiritual trauma. For example, when you feel anxious, do you notice that emotion concentrating to one part of the body? The chest might feel tight, or perhaps you may feel like you have a lump in your throat. Reiki works to clear the physical blockages in the body, but also the spiritual blockages energetically that result from your lived experiences.
Energy blocks can cause pressure to build up inside your body and spirit. Reiki practitioners remove these blockages in order to promote the healthy circulation of life force energy throughout your body.
Much like acupuncture and acupressure, Reiki seeks to heal illness, pain, and angst through the release of tension. The difference between these modalities, is that while acupuncture/acupressure works to balance the meridians and yin yang in the body, reiki works to rebalance the chakras.
Reiki Meaning
"Reiki" is a composite of two Japanese words — "Rei," which means “Universal Life” and “Ki” which means, “Energy.”
When you put these terms together, they most accurately mean "Universal Life Force."
Reiki practitioners channel the energy of "God's wisdom," which can also translate to simply "a higher power" through them when they practice. The meaning of "Reiki" implies that the practitioner is merely a vessel through which the healing energy of the universe can flow.
History of Reiki
Reiki healing was channelled by Dr. Mikao Usui. Dr. Usui was born in Japan in 1865 and studied a variety of disciplines from a young age; including spending time with Buddhist monks at a monastery.
Dr. Usui was studying at this monastery when he saw the Sanskrit symbols that would form the basis of how Reiki works.
Dr. Usui saw these symbols at the end of a twenty-one-day fast. He had long been on a mission to develop a new healing system, but he had struggled to fully visualize it until he had his spiritual awakening.
In 1922, Dr. Usui founded the first school for the study of Reiki in Kyoto. Dr. Usui created a system by which Reiki practitioners could become Reiki masters. These Reiki masters carried on the teachings of Dr. Usui and helped spread the practice to modern Japan and the West.
Reiki Today
In 1935, a chronically ill woman named Mrs. Hawayo Takata took Reiki sessions from one of Dr. Usui's proteges. After finding significant relief from these treatments, Mrs. Takata decided to become a practitioner of Reiki healing herself.
Mrs. Takata became a Reiki master and eventually moved to the United States near the end of World War II.
In her lifetime, Mrs. Takata taught Reiki to over 20 students. These students are largely responsible for the spread of Reiki in the western world.
Reiki practitioners all over the world still use the methods developed by Dr. Usui, which have been faithfully preserved thanks to Mrs. Takata and her students.
You can find Reiki practitioners quite commonly now thanks to Mrs. Takata. Many people on their spiritual journey seek out Reiki masters for treatment to heal parts of themselves that traditional Western medicine maybe hasn't been able to. Reiki is rising in popularity because its benefits have proved to be miraculous for many.
What Does a Reiki Practitioner Do?
Reiki practitioners go through standardized training in order to properly practice the treatment as Dr. Usui developed it.
Reiki training is divided into Reiki One, Reiki Two, and Reiki Three (This is the Mastery level). Students are attuned to each level after they have achieved the competencies required for that level.
An attunement is performed by a qualified Level 4 Reiki Master/Teacher. After a student has been fully attuned, by way of 4 attunements, to that specific level, they have the ability to harness Reiki healing energy. Each level develops specific healing skills. Level one is physical healing, Level 2 is Distance or remote healing and emotional healing, Level 3 is spiritual healing, Level 4 is the ability to attune others to Reiki. Once attuned Reiki practitioners are able to practice on others as well as themselves.
Even once a Reiki practitioner moves on to treating others, they still get to reap the benefits of Reiki. Reiki is a self-healing practice that is beneficial to everyone involved.
Laying of Hands
The technique at the core of Reiki is the "laying of hands." Reiki practitioners find energy blocks by laying their hands on your body — or by hovering their hands directly above your body.
Reiki practitioners can sense these blocks so that they are able to physically manipulate them with their hands.
Reiki energy goes where it is needed most in the body regardless of where the Reiki practitioner's hands are. Intention setting, meditations or other exercises are not required to perform a Reiki Treatment once you have been fully attuned.
Reiki practitioners do not control the flow of Reiki. The Reiki energy is directed through 10 hand positions that correspond to the main Chakras in the body and works to release congestion or blockages in the body's energy field.
Life Force Energy
Lifeforce energy in Reiki is the energy that is always present in the universe and can be channelled by Reiki practitioners for healing purposes.
Channelling life force energy is restorative and healing for the Reiki practitioner and the person receiving treatment. The selfless nature of Reiki practice is key to this mutually beneficial relationship.
In order to preserve their own spiritual health, Reiki practitioners must recognize that they are conduits for life force energy. They do not create this energy, nor do they directly heal others themselves.
Since life force energy passes through a Reiki practitioner before it reaches the person they are caring for, it is important that Reiki practitioners take care of their own spiritual health too. It does not mean that they can't have feelings of sadness or anxiety themselves, (that cannot be passed through them to their client - again, they are merely a vessel, they are not healing you themselves). Their intentions have no impact on the flow of reiki. But as a practitioner, implementing good after care is important. They should make sure to separate themselves from the emotions of their client, take space as they need so they can continue to work from a place of integrity.
What Can a Reiki Practitioner Help With?
There are many therapeutic uses for Reiki. You can use Reiki as a primary or supplementary treatment, depending on your condition.
Reiki practitioners take a holistic approach to your care. This means that they are concerned with your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing.
Treats Anxiety and Depression
Reiki can be a wonderful supplemental anxiety treatment if you already see a therapist or a psychiatrist. Reiki works through relaxation, and it may provide you with lasting relief from the physical tension you build up from anxiety.
The restorative nature of Reiki Treatment can also provide relief to people who are struggling with depression or grief.
Reiki offers a lot of the same emotional benefits as meditation; it leaves you feeling centred, refreshed, and at peace. Depression and anxiety can leave you feeling lost, and Reiki can help you find yourself again.
Alleviates Pain
Living with chronic pain can cause immense amounts of tension to build up in your body. The relaxation of Reiki can help you relax your muscles, which promotes healing.
According to Reiki practitioners, your energy becomes blocked in the areas where you consistently experience pain. Therefore, removing these energy blocks can help release your body from the pattern of holding tension and pain.
The healing intimacy of having a healer lay their hands on your body is also quite comforting, and this tender human connection can help relieve psychosomatic pain.
Enhances Quality of Life
Reiki treatment enhances your overall quality of life by building a strong spiritual connection between you and your inner self.
When you become aware of the flow of energy within your body, you are more likely to make healthier choices and prioritize your own wellbeing.
When you receive regular Reiki treatments, it forces you to get into the habit of regularly carving out time for relaxation and self-care. In fact, in order for Reiki to be most effective, you need to be in an open-minded and open-hearted frame of mind.
While there are many effective treatments for pain, stress, and sadness, they don't all take a holistic approach. Reiki is always a good addition to your self-care plan because it never hurts to take care of your spiritual health alongside the physical.
Who Can Reiki Benefit?
Reiki can benefit essentially anyone, regardless of what ailment they are suffering from. Even people who are not sick at all can benefit from the spiritually therapeutic effects of Reiki. There are no contraindications with Reiki other than waiting 24 hrs before or after acupuncture. Reiki is safe and beneficial for everyone.
However, there are a few conditions that Reiki may be especially suited for. You may effectively use Reiki either alone or alongside other treatments for the following illnesses:
- Cancer
- Anxiety
- Heart Disease
- Depression
- Infertility
- Chronic Pain
- Neurodegenerative Disorders
- Fatigue
- Crohn's Disease
- Autism
Depending on what kind of treatment you are looking for, Reiki may help you overcome an illness, or it may become a part of your long-term management plan.
What to Expect In a Reiki Treatment
The Reiki treatment process usually takes place in the private studio of your Reiki practitioner. These spaces should be peaceful, calming, and quiet.
During your treatment, you will recline in a chair or lie on a table. You will remain in your own clothes.
To start the session, the Reiki practitioner will ask for your consent before treatment. They should demonstrate where their hands will be placed to confirm that those areas are safe for them to touch in case of injury or trauma. Then they lay their hands on your head to assess the flow of your energy and begin channelling healing energy into you.
As the practitioner moves their hands around your body, they will stay in especially blocked areas until they feel that the energy is flowing more smoothly.
If you have an acute injury, such as a broken bone, your practitioner will hover their hands above that part of your body.
They should be working down the body accessing each of the chakras, ending at the feet.
Preparing for Your Treatment
Since you will remain in your own clothes during Reiki treatment, you should wear something clean, comfortable, and loose-fitting. Most practitioners recommend removing jewelry and glasses before your appointment.
If you have an acute injury, make sure it gets medical attention before you seek Reiki treatment. Reiki is a great healing aid, but broken bones must be set and wounds stitched before you seek out energy healing.
After Your Treatment
The most important thing to do after a Reiki treatment is to be sure to drink plenty of water. Hydration is essential after any kind of detox and there is the chance that you could become dehydrated after a treatment if you don't drink enough.
You will most likely feel centred and peaceful after your session. A feeling of warmth, both emotional and physical, is also common.
Some people feel energized and refreshed after Reiki treatment. Some people, on the other hand, feel fatigued like they just released a lot.
The process of healing can sometimes be draining. After your first Reiki session, we recommend having a clear schedule so that you can see how you feel for the rest of the day. If you feel drained, we also recommend waiting before you drive home from your appointment until you feel more awake.
Risks of Reiki
Reiki is completely non-invasive, which means it carries very little risk. It is virtually impossible for you to have an adverse reaction to Reiki treatment.
The only risk inherent in Reiki treatment is the possibility of neglecting important medical care. You should always talk to a medical doctor about any health concerns that you're seeking Reiki treatment for.
This is especially true if you are dealing with Cancer, a degenerative illness, or an acute injury such as a broken bone, open wound, or burn.
Reiki is a restorative, healing practice. It is not an emergency treatment.
However, when you use it alongside other necessary medical treatments, Reiki is virtually risk-free.
Do Provincial Healthcare Plans Cover Reiki Treatments?
Reiki may be part of your Provincial healthcare coverage if it is administered alongside physical therapy, massage, or any other type of holistic care that your plan covers.
Reiki is also usually covered when someone who works for a hospital administers the treatment to you during a hospital stay.
In most other cases, you will need to pay out of pocket for Reiki treatment. Talk to your practitioner about any sliding scale options they may have if you are concerned about cost.
Energize Your Spirit with Reiki Healing
Don't let chronic pain or illness dampen your spirit. Reiki healing may be able to revolutionize your healthcare plan.
Reach out to a Reiki practitioner today if you are interested in trying this treatment.
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