The Reiki in All of Us

Reiki is a means of introducing and sharing the universal energy that exist all around us and is present in all living things. We are all born with a strong connection to this universal life energy but as we grow in our human bodies we forget how to evoke this energy and use it.

I remember when I first thought that my hands might have some kind of healing power. It was when I was a child but I am not certain of my age, I was watching a television show on healers and a guy put his hand over a woman's heart and healed her by meditating. I am not sure if this man was practicing Reiki but there were definite similarities.

I started to notice after seeing this show that when I placed my hands on people sometimes they felt better. Sometimes it would be a change in mood, sometimes it was a reduction of pain, sometimes it was a release of whatever was causing them anxiety... but there was definitely something. Although in some aspect I used this gift ever since, I really never knew exactly what it was. But now I do.

Since becoming attuned to Reiki in my Reiki I class, I feel closer to nature and I notice things and see things I didn't before. Reiki has also strengthened the bond between me and my cats. Since they all love Reiki it makes it very easy to spend individual and/or group time with all of my babies in an environment where they are healing and relaxing.

Please feel free to look around my site and e-mail me with any questions, concerns, or recommendations.

Namaste!

Top 5 Reiki Myths

When Reiki was first introduced to Canada and the United States in the 1970s it was cloaked in mystery. Hawayo Takata, a Hawaii native of Japanese descent, brought her knowledge of Reiki to the mainland through oral teachings. She insisted that the teachings not be written down because of the powerful nature of Reiki could be misused if gotten into the wrong hands. Usui Reiki teachings and stories were passed down from teacher to student by word of mouth for several years. No wonder the stories got jumbled up! For the record, Mrs. Takata is widely respected in the Reiki community and is credited for introducing the world at large to the spiritual art called Reiki. But, research has proven that some of her teachings were inaccurate.

Reiki Myths

Myth #1: Reiki is a Religion

Reiki absolutely is a spiritual art. The principle teachings of Reiki embrace a life of balance and promotes spiritual growth. But, Reiki is not a religion, nor is it based in any particular religious doctrine. Reiki does not infringe on anyone's beliefs or personal values. People of many different faiths have discovered the love-energies Reiki offers.

Myth #2: Dr. Usui was a Christian Monk

The founder of the Usui System of Reiki, Dr. Mikao (Mikaomi) Usui, was not a monk, a Christian, or a medical doctor. He was a Japanese Zen Buddhist, a businessman, spiritualist, and scholar. Late in his life, he experienced a profound spiritual enlightenment after a period of fasting and meditation. Afterwards he began the process of developing the healing art of Reiki and opened a teaching clinic in Japan.

Myth #3: Having a Reiki Attunement Will Open Up a Dialog with Your Spirit Guide

Ahhh... the lure to get a Reiki attunement with the promise of a glimpse into the spirit world. Please don't fall for this. This myth may have arisen out of the writings from Diane Stein. In her widely published book Essential Reiki, Diane describes how many of her students became aware of who their guides were after months of using Reiki following their level II attunements. The urban legend that followed was that the attunement alone would make this happen. Some Reiki II classes include a promise to "Meet your Guides." Yes, it could happen and likely has happened for some Reiki initiates, but there is no guarantee. This promise could set you up for a big disappointment. Hoping for a meeting with your guides or angels should not be the sole reason for signing up to take a Reiki class.

Myth #4: Reiki is a Massage Therapy

Reiki is NOT a massage therapy. Although there are many massage therapists who will incorporate the use of Reiki's healing energies into their massage sessions. Reiki is an energy-based therapy that does not involve manipulating bones or tissues. Reiki practitioners use a light touch with their hands on their clients' bodies or will hover their palms over them.

Myth #5: Giving Reiki to Others Depletes Your Own Energy.

A Reiki practitioner does not give his personal energy over to the client. He serves as a channel, funneling Universal Life Energy through his body to the recipient. Much like the delivery boy delivering a package on your doorstep. The Reiki package is delivered, the delivery boy goes home fully intact. Ki energies are infinite and never run out. This does not mean that a person giving Reiki may not feel tired after giving a treatment to someone. This sometimes happens and Reiki has been wrongly blamed for it. If a person giving a treatment experiences exhaustion during or after applying Reiki to others, this is likely an indication that something is out-of-balance in his own body or life that needs attention. Booking a healing session for himself with another practitioner or conducting self-treatments would be warranted.

Copyright © 2007 Phylameana lila Desy

What is Reiki?

The following questions and answers are selected “excerpts” from Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions reference section of The Everything Reiki Book: Channel your positive energy to reduce stress, promote healing, and enhance you quality of life Written by Phylameana lila Désy. Published by Adams Media; March 2004. Copyright© F+W Publications, Inc.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a natural healing system designed to assist in healing and help achieve balance. Reiki is administered by a practitioner, who serves as a conduit through whom the Universal Life Energy can be transmitted to the recipient, by either hands-on or distance healing techniques. Practitioners may also practice Reiki self-treatments.

How does Reiki energy flow?

Reiki flows through our palms at different rates of speed, depending on various factors such as the extent of the recipient’s illness, degree of blockage, his or her readiness to accept change, and so on.

Is Reiki a form of faith healing?

No, Reiki is not a religion, nor is it based on the acceptance of any religious doctrine. Having a belief system is not a requirement for Reiki to work. Reiki does not infringe on anyone’s right to believe what he or she wishes. However, Reiki’s principles are spiritual in nature and do encourage spiritual empowerment and growth.

Who can benefit from a Reiki treatment?

Reiki’s gift of increased energy and vitality can be extended to anyone. It doesn’t matter what a person’s gender, race, intelligence, or financial status is. Reiki is not a healing energy reserved only for the elite, wealthy, educated, or spiritually evolved.

What does Reiki feel like?

Common Reiki sensations are heat or coolness, “pins and needles” tingling, vibrational buzzing, electrical sparks, numbness, throbbing, itchiness, and drowsiness.

What is a Reiki attunement?

A Reiki attunement is a ritual performed by a Reiki Master. The ritual involves energetic placement of Reiki symbols through a specific set of sequenced actions into the student’s crown and palms.

Will Reiki ever run out?

When you are giving a Reiki treatment to someone, you are giving of your time and your intent to assist, but you are not giving away any of your own energy. Reiki is in infinite supply. It never runs out.

What is the purpose of the Reiki hand placements?

Emphasis is placed on devoting five minutes on each hand placement so that no part of the body is neglected and to ensure that each body part is given equal consideration.

Do I need to direct the flow of Reiki?

Reiki will automatically go to wherever it needs to go with no mental involvement of either the practitioner or the recipient. However, when mental intention is used, a linear pathway is opened. This cleared route allows Reiki to flow more effectively to that part of the body where attention is most desired.

What purpose do Reiki symbols serve?

Independently, each Reiki symbol has its own unique purposes. The combined function of these symbols is to provide Reiki practitioners with focal points for their healing intentions.

Why is Reiki called “smart energy”?

Reiki is an intelligent energy because it knows which areas of the body most need healing and will automatically flow to specific areas where suffering or imbalance are prevalent.