Reiki is a very ancient healing method that was mentioned more than 2,500 years ago in the ancient Sanskrit -Sutras and was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Buddhist monk from Japan, in the 19th century. Since then it is called the Usui system of Reiki.
The word ‘Reiki’ is a Japanese word meaning ‘universal life energy’ or ‘spiritual essence’.
Reiki is a natural and very effective method of transmitting universal life energy, which leads to deep relaxation and harmonisation of energy balance.
It is called the force that nourishes and sustains our body. By laying on the hands of the Reiki initiate an energy flow is created which can (but does not have to) be perceived as warmth, tingling or pulsing.
The term ‘Reiki’ consists of the two characters ‘Rei’ and ‘Ki’. The ‘ki’ is known as the corresponding term ’chi’ or ‘qi’ from the teachings of Tai Chi or Qi Gong.
‘Rei’ means soul, innermost, all-embracing.
‘Ki’ means inner essence, e.g. the sum of all the characteristics of a person. At the same time it also describes the energetic radiance of a being, of something existing, it’s ‘life energy’.
Reiki balances body and mind and works on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and psychic.
Reiki stimulates self-healing, strengthens body and mind, dissolves blockages, purifies toxins, balances the power centres (chakras) and the energy channels (meridians), restores harmony and flows in unlimited quantities. Through Reiki one experiences spiritual growth, transformation and a spiritual blessing. Reiki is thus an immeasurable gift for us.
The effect of Reiki
It cannot be described exactly how it works because the effect can indeed be detected but not the mode of action. Dr. Chujiro Hayashi (the most famous student of Reiki founder Dr. Mikao Usui) left in his documents the following thesis: ‘Reiki finds the cause of the physical symptoms, balances or replenishes the needed vibrations, stimulates self-healing and restores holistic health.’ Often water is used as an analogy to describe the effect of Reiki. If you pour a bucket of water into a pothole in a street the water overflows and spreads to all the other potholes. You don’t have to go to every single hole and fill them up; the water flows voluntarily into each one. That’s exactly how Reiki works. Let Reiki flow and the energy will voluntarily gather where it is needed.
At Reiki, our innermost mind is reminded of this originality – something that has always been and always will be there. The free will of the Reiki recipient is never affected by the Reiki energy. It flows to a treatment where it is most needed and is most appropriate for the recipient.
Reiki relaxes and enhances inner well-being, it is ideal for stress relief, recharging your batteries, relaxing and finding inner peace again. Reiki is also in contact with one’s own intuition, the inner voice, the spiritual path to the inner self.
The goal of Reiki is thus to create harmony on all levels of being, in the body, in consciousness, in the aura field and in both the emotional and the psychic realm. The result is wholeness, healing, health and freedom from blockages.
Effect of Reiki on the physical level: Stress reduction, relaxation, calming, strengthening the immune system,p urification of toxins, support of healing processes, for example: Neurodermatitis, Allergies, Cancer, Nerve irritation, Asthma, Tumours, Psoriasis and accelerated healing of wounds.
Effect of Reiki on an emotional level: Harmonising and balancing in the emotional sphere, feelings are experienced more vividly and are more fulfilling, inner strength builds, rejected or repressed feelings are consciously worked on and newly integrated, stress eases, love becomes palpable, sensitivity increases, relationships heal, anxiety reduces and the recipient is generally more open and centred.
Effect of Reiki on a mental level: Intuition develops and intensifies, development of one’s own potential, good opening for images and ideas, new experiences, open for life, creativity, positive attitude towards life, recognising one’s life tasks, promotion of self-development, perception of larger universal connections, clear decision-making power.
Effect of Reiki on a spiritual level: Meditation, greater aura, connection with higher levels, development of spiritual capacities, expansion of consciousness, trust in the divine plan, knowing the meaningfulness of life. We may never fully understand what the energy of life is exactly because life is greater than us. By the way, you do not have to ‘believe’ in Reiki for it to work. Belief in Reiki is not crucial as long as one is open to it.
Reiki does not replace a doctor or naturopath but it can help support therapies suggested by professionals.