What is Reiki?
Where does Reiki come from?
The original Reiki story originated from Japan in the 1800’s with Mikao Usui. He was trying to find out how Jesus did his healing. He was told by Buddhist monks that the ancient spiritual healing methods had been lost and the only way to approach them was by entering the Buddhist teachings, the Path to Enlightenment - Rei (Universal) Ki (life energy). It is universal life force energy.
Mikao was living in a Zen Buddhist monastery where he found the texts describing the healing formula but they did not explain how to activate the energy and make it work. The test to find how to make it work was a three week period of meditation on Mount Koriyama in Japan. On the final morning of his meditation he saw a light coming towards him which struck his third eye, and he saw millions of rainbow bubbles and finally the Reiki symbols. As he saw each symbol he was given the information about each one and how to activate them.
What is Reiki?
Reiki, the act of laying hands on the human or animal body to comfort and relieve pain, is as old as instinct. Although we live in a physical body, we also have an energetic body. We are made of energy, everything in the world is made of energy, which can be defined most simply as “information that vibrates.” Reiki transmits healing energy through your hands to achieve deep relaxation, inner peace and total well-being.
Energy vibrates, your body is composed of energy-producing particles, each of which is in constant motion. So like everything and everyone else in the universe, you are vibrating and creating energy. In the life force energy ( life force energy is often known as Chi or Ki ) of Reiki, the person who is attuned as a Reiki healer has had their body ‘s energy channels opened and cleared of obstructions. They are able to receive an increase in this life energy for their own healing and to become a channel for the universal healing energy. I have always thought of Reiki as activating the energy and vibration of the universe. It brings your energetic body back into balance which in turn brings your physical body back into balance.
Reiki is now used in hospitals, private practices, self care and in conjunction with many other therapies and is practised throughout the world.
How does Reiki work?
Reiki is a system of energy healing using spiritually guided life force energy. It is not a religion or a religious practice, or based on a belief, faith or suggestion.
We all have a chakra system which is part of our energetic bodies. They are centres throughout the body that act like lungs, breathing vital energy from all around us. The chakra system is made up of a single vertical power channel running from the top of the head to the base of the spine. Reiki opens the flow of energy and goes to where it is needed in the body through our hands.
Energy can stagnate in the body where there has been physical injury or emotional pain. In time, these energy blocks can cause illness.
The flow of reiki energy removes the blocks enabling relaxation, pain relief and healing.
Reiki aids relaxation, assists in the body’s natural healing processes and develops emotional, mental and spiritual well being. It reduces stress and anxiety.
Where conventional medicine treats only the physical body, reiki healing also treats the energetic bodies. Conventional medicine treats the symptoms but Reiki heals the cause of the symptoms.
The Five Principles of Reiki
When you learn about reiki and use it in your everyday life, it is important to focus on the five principles.
Just for today do not worry
Just for today do not anger
Honour your parents, teachers and elders
Earn your living honestly
Show gratitude for everything
It is a way of showing you how you can live mindfully and in the present moment. How not to get too distracted by memories of the past or concerns of the future. You are focusing on the now, just on one day at a time. It helps you to appreciate every day more and more as time goes by.
The benefits of Reiki
It is a complementary health approach
It works alongside conventional medicine to manage symptoms and improve general well being.
It relieves pain, anxiety and fatigue
It stimulates the body's natural healing abilities.
It helps to improve your quality of life.
It can improve your sleep patterns
It can improve your self confidence and depression
It can restore physical, emotional and spiritual balance
You can use it on yourself, your family/friends and other people.
What happens during a Reiki treatment?
The customer stays fully clothed and either lies or sits down in a comfortable and peaceful atmosphere.
The practitioner either gently places their hands either on or over the body, there is no massage or manipulation.
Reiki can also be given through distance healing.
Reiki is felt by either warmth, tingling, cold or sometimes even nothing at all.
The customer can choose the duration of the treatment but it is usually 30 minutes to one hour.
What is a Reiki healing circle?
A reiki healing circle can also be known as a reiki share or reiki exchange.
It is a group healing where everyone receives and gives a treatment. It is always done through friendship, positive energy, love and devotion
Even if you have not been attuned to Reiki you can join in a healing circle because the energies connect together to give the healing.
It is a great way to find out about Reiki if you have not come across it before and also for like minded Reiki practitioners to get together to receive a treatment as well as give one.
I run a reiki circle here at Serenity Wellbeing on the last Sunday of every month at 2pm. If you would like more information, please contact/text me on 07795817988 or whatsapp me on the same number. You can also email me at Pennywilcoxserenity@gmail.com
I also teach both Reiki 1 and Reiki 2, please see my courses for details.