What is Reiki Therapy?

Do you know about Reiki, a natural gift that can help you increase your vitality and self-preservation? Reiki therapy is based on the Eastern concept that vital energy circulates throughout your body. The concept is that a Reiki practitioner, also known as a Reiki master, utilizes light touch - or places their hands just above your body - to assist and guide this energy in a way that leads to balance and healing.

Our forefathers relied on their abilities and instincts. Unfortunately, these fundamental abilities have been neglected and are hardly employed nowadays. Humanity’s pursuit of advancement has led to the loss of this valuable natural gift. In this blog, let's discuss the meaning and learnings of Reiki therapy.

Understanding Reiki technique

Reiki is a hands-on healing technique that originated in India and the East thousands of years ago, before Christ and Buddha. Reiki's original name, discipline, and practices were forgotten due to traditional oral transmission. 

Reiki is a two-syllable Japanese word for universal life force. The actual Japanese pronunciation is RYE-KEY; however, it has been Westernized to RAY-KEY.

• Rei denotes universality, omnipresence, or being present everywhere at once. In the abstract, "Rei" refers to spiritual consciousness and the wisdom of God or the higher self.
• Ki is the non-physical energy that sustains all living things. Many cultures value Ki energy and its impact on health and well-being. Ki energy can be activated to promote healing. Feeling healthy and enthusiastic boosts the flow of Ki energy in the body, making you more resilient to illness and disease, and making life easier to manage.

Low Ki energy, caused by stress, unhappiness, or exhaustion, increases susceptibility to illness. You may develop a negative attitude and struggle to cope with life’s hardships.

Reiki abilities and practices are simple to learn. Both children and adults can benefit from this traditional therapeutic method. Regular Reiki sessions will restore balance to the recipient's mind, body, and spirit and assist in preventing the spread of illness and disease.

How does Reiki therapy work?

Reiki unleashes the body’s optimum powers. The body has seven primary energy centers that regulate the flow of the universal life force, known as chakras.

Each chakra is responsible for providing energy to specific sections of the body. Blocked or congested arteries can lead to illness and reduce energy flow. Reiki reopens and regulates the flow of universal life force throughout the body.

(Image Credit: Healthline)

Typically, four complete treatments over four days are required to increase Reiki energy flow. This boosts the immune system and promotes natural healing capacities. The body usually starts by clearing itself of contaminants. Removing these toxins restores balance and allows recovery to begin.

Reiki is channelled through the hands. Placing your hands on your own or another’s body for healing connects you with the universal life energy. Reiki promotes healing, harmony, and overall well-being.

What are the five Reiki principles?

The Reiki principles represent spiritual ideals. Adopting these ideals will bring balance and substance to your life. Recognize that you are not required to stick to these beliefs at all times. 

Because we are all imperfect, each principle starts with "Just for today." You can focus on everyday self-improvement without feeling pressured or stressed. If you make a mistake today, start over tomorrow. Practising the concepts will help you adopt them as a lifestyle choice.

To better understand Reiki principles, it’s recommended to read them aloud twice daily. Consider framing a large copy of the ideals and placing it in a visible location or your healing room if practising Reiki professionally.

Each individual interprets the five Reiki principles differently. Meditation can enhance self-awareness. The five Reiki principles are:-

1. Just for today, I will not worry.
   • Worry can produce tension and anxiety, disrupting the equilibrium of mind, body, and spirit, and blocking the root chakra.
   • Accepting that life is full of challenges and setbacks is key to overcoming worry. How we respond to them determines how we live our lives.
   • Negative responses to life's disappointments can harm your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
   • Accepting setbacks as learning opportunities can lead to greater happiness and fulfilment.
   • Allow yourself time every day to laugh and have fun. Watch a humorous film or TV show.
2. Just for today, I will not be angry.
   • Anger is an emotion. When we are angry, we lose control of the emotion. To live by the above philosophy, it’s important to understand what causes our anger and how to eliminate it.
   • During an angry argument, the aggressor has entire power and influence over you.
   • By realizing this, you gain control over your emotions and may choose to respond positively to situations rather than negatively. Anger is a response of choice. Decide not to let unfavourable individuals or circumstances steal your energy.
   • Anger can lead to digestive and stomach problems. Choose to live a happier, healthier life devoid of rage.
   • To help with the rebalancing process, use Reiki. Place your hands on the root chakra and the third eye chakra. Keep your hands there as long as your intuition guides you. This Reiki technique can be used for self-healing or to heal others.
3. Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
   • Honesty can mean different things to different people. For example, taking a few pens home from work because the company can afford it may seem minor but reflects a lack of integrity.
   • To utilize Reiki to help rebalance this principle, place one hand on the solar plexus chakra and the other on the third eye chakra. Keep your hands on these chakra points as long as your intuition guides you. This additional hand position can be used to heal yourself or others.
4. Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings.
   • We usually get what we need from life, though it might not always be what we want.
   • We are karmically given what we require to develop and learn during this lifetime.
   • By understanding these teachings and developing accordingly, we can achieve spiritual enlightenment.
   • Instead of lamenting your misfortunes, find a solution. Take regular pauses to reflect on your life’s numerous blessings and appreciate them.
   • Put one hand on your forehead and the other on the chakra associated with the third eye. Use Reiki to bring this principle back into harmony in your life or the life of someone else.
5. Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbor and every living thing.
   • According to the rule of karma, what goes around comes around. Love is something you give and receive. Kindness comes from sending kindness out into the world. Healing is something you send out and receive back.
   • Positive energy attracts positive energy, so focus on that.
   • To balance this principle, place one hand on the third eye chakra and the other on the root chakra. Move your hand from the third eye chakra to the throat chakra, then from the root chakra to the heart chakra. Continue until you feel finished.

The five Reiki principles guide a happier and more fulfilled existence. Meditation can help you understand and apply these precepts to your life. They will reshape your life. 

The Five Reiki Principles are not commandments; they are simply gifts of wisdom.

What is the path to Reiki?

Reiki attracts people from all walks of life for various reasons, including personal recommendations from friends who have experienced positive changes and a desire to take control of their healing.

To become a Reiki channel, participants must complete the first-degree initiation ceremony, which includes four attunements. Attunements often occur over a two-day workshop.

How do you prepare for the Workshop?

Preparing for the first-degree workshop involves a few basic steps:

• Avoid alcohol and drugs for at least 48 hours before the workshop. These toxins inhibit and disrupt the transmission of Reiki throughout the body.
• For at least 24 hours, avoid consuming meat, seafood, processed foods, and junk food. If feasible, spend the day eating fresh fruits, salads, and vegetables. Proteins and processed foods take longer to digest, reducing energy levels.
• If feasible, meditate every day for a week before attending the workshop. Focus your thoughts and hopes on becoming a Reiki channel for healing.

What happens during the initiation?

The initiation ceremony is kept secret, and students must close their eyes throughout the attunements, raising questions about its purpose.

 These questions are normal and understandable. The Reiki Master and their pupils value the sacred nature of the rituals, which is why they are kept secret. 

Keeping the eyes closed allows both the recipient and the Reiki Master to focus on the complex procedures.

During the initiation, the Reiki Master uses ancient symbols and mantras to activate and guide certain energies.

What happens following initiation?

During the initiation process, receiving your first Reiki attunement opens the channels for energy to flow through your hands with the intention of healing. This marks the beginning of a transformative 21-day cleansing and detoxification cycle, focusing on the seven chakras, which is often complemented by practices like yoga.

Reiki attunement activates all seven chakras, from the root to the crown, resulting in significant therapeutic effects on the mind, body, and spirit. Each chakra takes around 24 hours to activate. This occurs three times.

Reiki can help you overcome anxieties and obstacles to live a happy and full life. If you notice yourself becoming emotional and desiring to cry, yell, or shout, allow yourself to do so. 

The proverb "better out than in" holds true and might be therapeutic for your well-being. Let go of your previous habits and lifestyle. Reiki is like a rebirth. You may cleanse your mind, body, and spirit and start over.

Believe in the healing power of Reiki.

How can Reiki help you?

Reiki self-treatment offers numerous benefits, including:

• Stress relief
• Deep relaxation
• Energizing and calming
• Pain relief
• Faster wound healing
• Improved Health
• Gradual resolution of persistent issues
• Disease prevention
• Detoxifying the body
• Removing energy blockages
• Healing emotional traumas
• Raising the body’s vibrational level
• Transforming negative conditioning and habits

Reiki is a unique gift to be treasured and utilized. We recommend using Reiki on a daily or frequent basis. Get busy healing yourself, your family, friends, and others.