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Reiki
(From the Canadian Reiki Association
website - www.reiki.ca)
What is the Usui System of
Natural Healing?
The word Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is
a Japanese kanji for universal life-force energy.
Reiki is a Japanese holistic,
light-touch, energy-based modality. Working as a support mechanism to the
body, Reiki re-establishes a normal energy flow of ki (life force energy)
throughout the system, which in turn can enhance and accelerate the body's
innate healing ability. Through a series of hand positions either directly
on or just above the body, the energy worker allows for the flow of energy
through their body. The client’s body then draws off the amount of energy
that is required. The simplicity of a Reiki session may raise some
skepticism, however, after experiencing it, many clients keep coming back
for more of those relaxing feelings.
Reiki is simple and produces measurable
results. It is power, light and love. Reiki transcends the man-made
divisions of religion, economics, location, gender, and race.
What is the history of Usui
Reiki?
It has only been in the last 10-15
years that members of the Reiki community in Japan have opened their hearts
to us in the west and supplied us with truthful information about how Usui
Reiki came to be on our planet. Prior to this time, the facts were either
distorted or not disclosed and we were left in the dark.
Here is the history, in a nutshell…
Mikao Usui was born on August 15, 1865 in Taniai, Japan. He was always a
spiritual seeker. He practiced Kiko, which is similar to Qi Gong or Chi
Kung. Kiko consists of breathing exercises, meditation, and movement. It
could be described as a ‘moving meditation’.
He studied medicine, psychology,
religion, and spiritual development. He was a member of a metaphysical group
called Rei Jyutu Ka. Mikao Usui became secretary to Shinpei Goto (the head
of the Health and Welfare Department who went on to become the Mayor of
Tokyo). Usui sensei started a business, which failed.
In 1914, at the age of 49, he decided
to become a Buddhist Monk. In 1922, he went on a 21-day retreat of
meditation, prayers, chanting and fasting at Mount Kurama in Kyoto, Japan.
While standing under a waterfall, he did a meditation designed to open and
purify the Crown Chakra. This caused him to have a spiritual awakening on
the final day of his retreat. A powerful light entered the top of his head.
His awareness was expanded and he realized a great power had entered him. He
intuitively knew he could now heal others without depleting his own energy,
as he had when he practiced Kiko.
Mikao Usui moved, with his wife and
children, to Tokyo in April 1922. On the basis of his lifelong spiritual
journey and his more recent spiritual experience, he developed “The Usui
System of Natural Healing”. He then started a healing society named "Usui
Reiki Ryoho Gakkai". Shortly afterward, he opened a clinic in Harajuku and
began doing Reiki sessions and teaching classes.
Just before noon, on September 1, 1923,
the great Kanto earthquake struck with a force of magnitude 8.3 and killed
over 140,000 people, leaving thousands more injured and homeless. Usui
sensei and his students grieved for their people and decided to take Reiki
to the survivors. They worked day and night, giving Reiki to help as many as
they could. The need for healing continued for many years, as you can
imagine. The Meiji Emperor honored Mikao Usui for his dedication and
contribution to their country.
At the age of 60, in 1925, he opened a
larger clinic in Nakano and then began traveling and lecturing until he
crossed over from a massive stoke on March 9, 1926. In four short years, he
taught over 2,000 students and trained 16 teachers. He wanted this simple
technique to be available to all people worldwide.
Mikao Usui is buried at Saihoji Temple
in Suginami-Ku, Tokyo. A large memorial stone was erected by his students,
describing his life and work with Reiki. We all owe Mikao Usui a deep debt
of gratitude for what he has done for our world.
What are the five principals or
precepts of Reiki?
They offer a simple guideline for daily
conduct with others and self. They are:
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Just for today, I will not anger
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Just for today, I will not worry
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Just for today, I will be grateful
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Just for today, I will work hard on
myself
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Just for today, I will be kind to
others
What is Reiki training all about?
Generally speaking…
The focus of Level One is on
self-healing and helping others. After the student completes the required
training, which may take one to four days, they are able to practice Reiki
and do self-healings. At this level, the student learns the history of
Reiki, the energy system, the nature of the Reiki energy, the Reiki Ethics,
the five principles or precepts, the three pillars of Reiki, the hand
positions, how to do a self-healing and how to provide a session for others.
At Level Two, the focus is on
learning the Japanese healing symbols and on sending Reiki from a distance
(we must always get permission to send a distant healing). It is suggested
that a student wait at least 21 days so that level one can be properly
instilled and grounded within the student.
There is an in-depth discussion on
clearing unwanted habits, empowering personal goals, and manifesting
permanent change in the student’s life. The Japanese healing techniques are
introduced and practiced. Distant sending is practiced.
Level Three ‘A’ Master
Practitioner: In some lineages, the levels of training are taught in four
instead of three sessions. This level can include meditation techniques, a
Healing Attunement, the Hui Yin, the Violet Breath, Psychic Surgery, and
Reiki Crystal Grids. The Master symbol is given but the student is not
taught how to attune others or teach Reiki.
Level Three Master/Teacher:
Here, the focus is on attuning others to the Reiki energy and on teaching
Reiki to others. An essay is written on why the student wishes to become a
Reiki Master/Teacher. It is discussed at length. The master symbol is
introduced and practiced. The benefits of living a spirit-based life are
discussed, as well.
What does the term Reiki Master
mean?
In Reiki, master means teacher. Master
also means that the student has come far enough along in his or her
development that troublesome lifestyle habits and limiting belief systems
are taking less and less time and energy away from living a fully conscious
life.
A Master has taken the responsibility
to become Master of himself or herself. It is not a designation used for ego
inflation or to manipulate others.
One does not have to base their life on
spiritual practices to be a Reiki Master. Everyone has his or her own belief
system and is quite free to maintain it and still be considered a Reiki
Master. The mastery is in dealing with oneself so that one is able to stay
in his or her own energy and not interfere with the path of another being.
What can Reiki do?
This list has been comprised through
anecdotal research. Clients have reported feeling:
These reported benefits generally
lasted at least three to ten days, and often the original problem did not
re-occur.
What happens during a session?
The client, fully clothed, lies on the
treatment table. The practitioner's hands remain in a stationary position,
gently on or slightly above the body through several positions from head to
toe. Some practitioners do not use the prescribed hand positions, preferring
to use a more intuitive approach. The private areas are worked on 4-6” above
the body. There is no manipulation of the skin or tissue. Reiki is not
massage.
Many individuals report feeling cold,
pulsating heat, or a tingling sensation during a session, and most enter a
calm, relaxed state. In some, chronic or acute pain can diminish or
completely vanish. Sometimes allergies and other infirmities completely
disappear. It's different for each person.
It's important to remember that,
whatever is troubling us, 'we didn't get this way overnight’ and we won't
'recover overnight’, either. Reiki is not any more magical than any other
modality or allopathic medicine. Healing takes commitment and it takes
time... one moment at a time.
What can be expected after a
session?
Directly after a Reiki session, you
should allow yourself time to come fully back into your awareness. You may
feel so relaxed that you are spaced-out. It is suggested to sit for 15
minutes and sip a cool glass of purified water. Becoming in touch with the
soles of your feet and their placement on the floor also helps a great deal.
Over the next little while, you may
notice that you are de-toxifying the waste that has built up in your system.
You may want to allow more time in the ‘little room’ (the washroom) in the
morning. You should increase your water and/or herbal tea intake so that the
toxins are flushed out more readily. You may want to rest more, so allow
time for that.
Most people feel an immediate improvement in their level of pain. Energy and
alertness increase daily and a feeling of overall well being may be noticed.
How many sessions do I need?
To begin with, three or four sessions
over ten to fourteen days are recommended to remove entrenched blocks in
your energy system; then once a week or once every two weeks until the issue
has resolved. You will begin to notice some improvement after the first
session. Long-standing health issues are usually cleared up in five to six
visits. Dis-ease generally begins in the energy field so if we keep our
subtle bodies healthy using Reiki, and our physical bodies healthy with good
nutrition and exercise, we should be able to remain active and whole.
How is Reiki a holistic approach
to my well being?
It is strongly recommended that you do
not discontinue any medications or session plan your medical practitioner or
other holistic healer has deemed necessary, unless you first speak with them
personally. Reiki energy works in concert with all other forms of therapy.
It is a wonderful complement to other treatments. We can all work together
to get you feeling healthier, happier and more whole. This is the holistic
approach.
The Reiki energy goes to exactly where
it is needed so a Reiki Practitioner never needs to diagnose nor prescribe –
nor does ethics or law allow them to.
(From the Canadian Reiki Association
website - www.reiki.ca)
Last updated:
Thursday, March 13, 2014 02:24 PM
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