
The Energy Healing System of REIKI
"The Human Touch that Heals"
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced "Ray-Key" is a system of healing which uses the universal life force energy that permeates all living things. This energy has been known throughout history and in various cultures by different names. The word "Reiki" means "universal life force" in Japanese.
2. Where did the Reiki system come from?
Reiki energy exists in nature. The Reiki System of healing was re-discovered at the end of the 19th century by Dr. Mikao Usui. After years of searching, Dr. Usui found the secret to healing by touch in 2500 year old Sanskrit writings. Through an intense experience of personal enlightenment, Dr. Usui gave to the world a powerful technique for healing.
3. Is Reiki a religion?
Absolutely not! Its practice or reception requires no belief system whatsoever - nor does it prohibit any. Individuals from all walks of life, cultures, races, religions and philosophies are Reiki practitioners and Reiki clients.
4. Isn't this just the power of faith or belief - the famous - "placebo effect"?
The human community is in the middle of a wonderful investigation of the healing power of faith and belief. Although this investigation is reaping miraculous benefits, we still understand so very little about how it all works. Reiki, however, has been known to produce results in those who are unconscious or comatose, and infants have responded positively to Reiki while incapable of employing faith and belief. Even plants and animals have reacted successfully to Reiki and recently, many doctors and nurses are now learning Reiki as part of their standard practice.
5. What is a Reiki session like?
Traditionally, the client lies on a massage table in a room designed to maximize comfort and relaxation. Lighting should be dim, calming music can be played and the room temperature should be agreeable. Besides removing jewelry, watches, belt and shoes, the client remains fully clothed in loose, soft and comfortable clothing.
The treatment itself involves the laying on of hands by the practitioner at approximately 22 specific locations on the client's body. These locations start at the top of the head and ends at the soles of the feet. There is nothing magical about these spots. The procedure simply helps to distribute the energy evenly throughout the client's body. The sessions usually last about 45 minutes.
The touch of the practitioner should be feather-light and be held motionless at each spot. Reiki involves absolutely no massage, acupressure, acupuncture, exercises, yoga postures, hypnosis or spinal manipulation. It involves no prescribing of drugs, vitamins, minerals, or food supplements. All the recipient needs to do is relax and enjoy. Reiki can be received in conjunction with other healing or medicinal modalities without conflicting with them.
6. How does one become a Reiki practitioner?
Reiki students are "attuned" by a Reiki master during a very special ritual. The analogy that is frequently used is that of a radio that is only producing static being adjusted until the station comes through clearly and beautiful music is allowed to flow through the speakers. So, too when a student receives their Reiki attunement, healing energy begins to flow through their hands. Anyone can be attuned.
7. What will I feel?
People respond in a wide variety of ways, but most clients report a feeling of heat coming from the hands of the Reiki practitioner and a deep sense of relaxation. Some report the feeling of energy flowing or tingling through their bodies. Others may see visual images or simply fall into a refreshing and restorative sleep. There is no 'correct' response to Reiki. Whatever we experience or feel individually is totally appropriate. In its own wisdom, Reiki sends each of us what we need, when we need it.
8. What if I'm sensitive about my body?
Reiki practitioners are trained to respect people's 'touch boundaries'. This modality obviously involves physical contact, but private areas of the client's body are strictly excluded from the regimen. People who have unusual specific areas that they are uncomfortable about should not hesitate to tell their practitioner. A qualified practitioner will be understanding and sensitive to their client's request. Remember, the practitioner is there to meet the client's needs, and the client's comfort should be their primary concern.
If the restriction is due to pain, as in the case of a burn or a skin eruption, the practitioner can hold their hands an inch or two away from the surfaces of the disorder and still produce results.
9. How often should one receive Reiki?
There are no hard and fast rules. Since Reiki is loving and nurturing energy of the universe, it can do no harm to the recipient. For specific injuries or conditions, many Reiki practitioners recommend a series of three or four sessions to assess what the client has experienced and what progress has been made.
10. Can Reiki practitioners give medical advice?
Absolutely not! Reiki practitioners are not physicians. The Reiki attunement process includes no medical training whatsoever. It would be unethical, immoral and illegal for a Reiki practitioner to give medical advice. However, many doctors and nurses are now learning Reiki for use in traditional medical settings.
"The Human Touch that Heals"
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced "Ray-Key" is a system of healing which uses the universal life force energy that permeates all living things. This energy has been known throughout history and in various cultures by different names. The word "Reiki" means "universal life force" in Japanese.
2. Where did the Reiki system come from?
Reiki energy exists in nature. The Reiki System of healing was re-discovered at the end of the 19th century by Dr. Mikao Usui. After years of searching, Dr. Usui found the secret to healing by touch in 2500 year old Sanskrit writings. Through an intense experience of personal enlightenment, Dr. Usui gave to the world a powerful technique for healing.
3. Is Reiki a religion?
Absolutely not! Its practice or reception requires no belief system whatsoever - nor does it prohibit any. Individuals from all walks of life, cultures, races, religions and philosophies are Reiki practitioners and Reiki clients.
4. Isn't this just the power of faith or belief - the famous - "placebo effect"?
The human community is in the middle of a wonderful investigation of the healing power of faith and belief. Although this investigation is reaping miraculous benefits, we still understand so very little about how it all works. Reiki, however, has been known to produce results in those who are unconscious or comatose, and infants have responded positively to Reiki while incapable of employing faith and belief. Even plants and animals have reacted successfully to Reiki and recently, many doctors and nurses are now learning Reiki as part of their standard practice.
5. What is a Reiki session like?
Traditionally, the client lies on a massage table in a room designed to maximize comfort and relaxation. Lighting should be dim, calming music can be played and the room temperature should be agreeable. Besides removing jewelry, watches, belt and shoes, the client remains fully clothed in loose, soft and comfortable clothing.
The treatment itself involves the laying on of hands by the practitioner at approximately 22 specific locations on the client's body. These locations start at the top of the head and ends at the soles of the feet. There is nothing magical about these spots. The procedure simply helps to distribute the energy evenly throughout the client's body. The sessions usually last about 45 minutes.
The touch of the practitioner should be feather-light and be held motionless at each spot. Reiki involves absolutely no massage, acupressure, acupuncture, exercises, yoga postures, hypnosis or spinal manipulation. It involves no prescribing of drugs, vitamins, minerals, or food supplements. All the recipient needs to do is relax and enjoy. Reiki can be received in conjunction with other healing or medicinal modalities without conflicting with them.
6. How does one become a Reiki practitioner?
Reiki students are "attuned" by a Reiki master during a very special ritual. The analogy that is frequently used is that of a radio that is only producing static being adjusted until the station comes through clearly and beautiful music is allowed to flow through the speakers. So, too when a student receives their Reiki attunement, healing energy begins to flow through their hands. Anyone can be attuned.
7. What will I feel?
People respond in a wide variety of ways, but most clients report a feeling of heat coming from the hands of the Reiki practitioner and a deep sense of relaxation. Some report the feeling of energy flowing or tingling through their bodies. Others may see visual images or simply fall into a refreshing and restorative sleep. There is no 'correct' response to Reiki. Whatever we experience or feel individually is totally appropriate. In its own wisdom, Reiki sends each of us what we need, when we need it.
8. What if I'm sensitive about my body?
Reiki practitioners are trained to respect people's 'touch boundaries'. This modality obviously involves physical contact, but private areas of the client's body are strictly excluded from the regimen. People who have unusual specific areas that they are uncomfortable about should not hesitate to tell their practitioner. A qualified practitioner will be understanding and sensitive to their client's request. Remember, the practitioner is there to meet the client's needs, and the client's comfort should be their primary concern.
If the restriction is due to pain, as in the case of a burn or a skin eruption, the practitioner can hold their hands an inch or two away from the surfaces of the disorder and still produce results.
9. How often should one receive Reiki?
There are no hard and fast rules. Since Reiki is loving and nurturing energy of the universe, it can do no harm to the recipient. For specific injuries or conditions, many Reiki practitioners recommend a series of three or four sessions to assess what the client has experienced and what progress has been made.
10. Can Reiki practitioners give medical advice?
Absolutely not! Reiki practitioners are not physicians. The Reiki attunement process includes no medical training whatsoever. It would be unethical, immoral and illegal for a Reiki practitioner to give medical advice. However, many doctors and nurses are now learning Reiki for use in traditional medical settings.
"At the heart of each of us, whatever our imperfections, there exists a silent pulse of perfect rhythms, a complex of waveforms and resonances, which is absolutely individual and unique, and yet which connects us to everything in the universe. The act of getting in touch with this pulse can transform our personal experience and in some way alter the world around us."