Reiki

What is Reiki?

Reiki, pronounced ray-key, is a Japanese technique used for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.

The word Reiki is made out of two Japenese words; Rei which means "God's Wisdom or Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". Therefore, Reiki basically means spiritually guided life force energy.

This technique was discovered by a man named Mikao Usui. (Aug. 18, 1865 - Mar. 9, 1926) In 1920, at the age of 55, Mikao Usui spent some time on Mount Kurama and gained the knowledge of this technique. It is said that he either saw the Reiki symbols in a vision or he created them himself to help focus the energy he was working with there. He then went on to create a system that eventually enabled him to pass on his knowledge of Reiki to others. Within the next several years after he discovered Reiki, he went on to train 2,000 students, 21 of which are of master level. (I will talk more about the different levels of Reiki further on.) Mikao Usui then passed away 6 years after his discovery.

Reiki is a simple technique to learn, however, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in a usual way, like going to college and getting a Master's Degree. It is actually transferred to you during a Reiki class. This ability, technique, is passed on during an attunement which is given by a Reiki Master. Its use is not dependent on your intellectual capacity or spiritual development, therefore this is available to everyone around the world to access.

Benefits

Reiki treats your whole entire body, but how and what are the benefits?

When they say that Reiki treats the entire body, they mean your body, your mind, emotions, and spirit. Once you are given your attunement from a Reiki Master during the level 1 class, this then allows you to tap into an unlimited supply of life force energy to improve your health and enhance the quality of life. This opens beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security, and well being. Some examples of physical benefits from Reiki are but not limited to clearing toxins in your body, increases your energy, and eases aches and pains of all types... That's only to name a few. The emotional and mental benefits of Reiki include but are not limited to helping relieve stress, releasing any emotional state you may be experiencing, and also promotes a feeling of calmness and well-being.

Many people around the world who have turned to Reiki healing has sen miraculous results.

Levels of Reiki

There are 3 different levels or degrees of learning in Reiki. Each level is structured at the initial learning stage and then allows you to develop within them afterward.

First Level/Degree - Shoden (Reiki One)

This level is what you all the entry-level of Reiki. Here you study the history (origins) of Reiki, learn how to perform self-Reiki, and how to give Reiki to someone else (family/close friends) and then you are attuned or "initiated". Once you are attuned, the Reiki energy will be with you for life, your ability to channel and move energy remains with you.

Second Level/Degree - Okuden (Reiki Two)

In this following level of Reiki ou learn how to use the first three Reiki symbols and how to perform distant Reiki techniques to others (all around the world). You also receive more attunement to the Reiki energy. Once you finish this class you are now considered a Reiki practitioner.

Third Level/Degree - Shinpiden (Reiki Three)

Shinpiden, known as the last level of Reiki is the Mater Reiki level. This class is usually separated into two parts. First, you receive the Master Reiki attunement and learn the Master Reiki symbols, and then you are taught how to give/teach the Reiki attunements others.

Do you want to know the best part of Reiki? Even though Reiki is spiritual, it is NOT a religion. It has no prerequisites and there is nothing you must do or have to believe to learn or use this. Reiki is not dependent on any type of belief at all and will work whether you believe it or not. Crazy, huh? As I mentioned, Reiki is not a religion but it is still live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others and other living animals.

Mikao Usui recommended that anyone using Reiki should practice simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony.

5 Reiki Principles by Dr. Usui

Japanese:

"Kyo dake wa

Okolu-na

Shinpai suna

Kansha shite

Goo hage me

Hito ni shinsetsu ni"

English:

"Just for today, do not worry.

Just for today, do not anger.

Just for today, be humble.

Just for today, be honest.

Just for today, be compassionate toward yourself and others."

Try to incorporate these 5 principles in your life today.

I hope that this brief guide gave you an insight into Reiki. If you are interested, read more articles, do more research, and if it resonates with you try it out. You might end up loving it.