WHAT IS REIKI?
This question is a tricky one!
Why?
As any regular user of Reiki knows, we may think we have a pretty good grasp of what Reiki is all about, then a new door opens and a brand new facet of it appears! In other words our 'definition' of Reiki evolves with our own development. (This does not mean that anyone just starting Reiki would give a 'wrong' definition, just a limited one...)
Because Reiki truly helps on all levels, there are several possible avenues into it. For example, some recipients will first come to Reiki because they need help with physical problems.. Others with 'just' emotional issues, or to regain mental clarity, reconnect with their spiritual nature, develop their psychic 'gifts or become more mindful.
And it is not just people's individual needs that make defining Reiki difficult, but their backgrounds. When explaining Reiki to a conventional 'logical' brain for example you will need a different approach and vocabulary to someone who can feel or already knows a lot about energy.
For all of those reasons, I am currently writing separate leaflets/articles about the possible uses of Reiki in different contexts (eg how Reiki can be used in hospitals etc). If you are interested in them, please contact me.
I will also shortly include links to articles (written by other people) on research into Reiki.
-----
But here is some basic information about Reiki... followed by a couple of points which are fundamental to the O.R approach.
-----
Although Reiki (the energy) has always existed, its modern form was revealed in meditation to Japanese Buddhist monk Mikao Usui (pictured above) in the early 20th century. This had a profound effect on Dr Usui who dedicated the rest of his life to exploring giving and teaching Reiki.
Although Mikao Usui taught hundreds of students in his lifetime, Reiki still remained largely unknown for a long time... until it got introduced to America by Hawayo Takata.
A few decades on, Reiki is known around the globe, with millions of us now using it regularly.
This extraordinary expansion of Reiki has obviously seen it subjected to many different influences. However... the fundamental perception of Reiki is still shared by the majority of branches and lineages, and includes the following: (my list)
- Reiki has no dogma. It is not a religion, and therefore is in principle compatible with any form of religion, atheism, or agnosticism.
- Reiki energy is pure
- Reiki 'healing' means humble (ego-free) channelling of this pure energy.
- As the energy is not the healer's own energy, giving a treatment is not draining.
- Reiki always goes to where it is the most urgently needed at the time.
- Reiki can help on all levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual
- Anyone who has been attuned in person to Reiki can channel Reiki for themselves or others (the only possible obstacle being doubting or self-doubting)
- Reiki can do no harm.
- There is no limit to the power of Reiki itself. The only limitations are the recipient's and/or the channel's at the time. We must however remember that Reiki never interferes with Karma: eg, if the time has come for a person to pass on, Reiki will not interfere with that. It will just give great inner peace and love to that person- and their loved ones.
-----
The two points I wanted to add which sadly are not always mentioned, but are fundamental and clearly felt by myself and all those who receive treatments / attunements here at O.R are:
1) Reiki is the healing energy of Unconditional Love....
Reiki is the universal energy called chi (or ki) alright, but chi that is completely imbued with Love of the highest degree. Reiki is extremely powerful, but it is as gentle/loving as it is powerful.
It is, in my experience, impossible not to feel this warm, infinitely loving and supportive quality of Reiki.
And Reiki doesn't just look after its recipients: channelling Reiki also gives you a great feeling of Peace...
2) Reiki is a Way of Life
Most people think of Reiki as just the Energy or a therapy. But Reiki also is -or becomes- a Way of Life.
When you first start, Reiki is very much something you 'do', but it gradually over the years becomes something you 'are'. You no longer need to be giving hands-on treatments to feel the beautiful Reiki energy flowing through you and gently, discreetly uplifting those around you.
The more Reiki you use, on yourself and others, the more permanent this sense of Peace and inner wellbeing ... to the point where it is quite easy to recognise people living the Reiki life, from the 'inner smile' showing on their faces or gently radiating from their auras...
-----
N.B You may find this article interesting. It was written by William Rand, an American well known for his important contribution to research into Reiki.
LOVE, LIGHT & PEACE