Reiki is non denominational, and therefore is practised and received by people from all religions and cultures. The only requisite is the INTENT to heal by the practitioner, and a desire to be healed by the recipient.
What Is It Good For?
The healing capacity of Reiki is limitless. It enhances the body's natural ability to heal itself by harmonising or re-balancing the energy system. Healing can also address the cause of any physical, mental, or emotional pain or disease. The healing energy relaxes, thus reducing stress and anxiety, and these qualities facilitates pain management. Reiki calms and energises at the same time, assisting in clarity of thought, self-confidence and inner strength with one's life's issues.
People of all ages can benefit from Reiki, from the newborn to the elderly. It is a non-invasive complementary treatment that can be incorporated alongside conventional or orthodox medicine, as well as natural therapies or remedies, without side effects. Reiki can be used on animals and plants. The intent always, is to heal.
A Confession
I'm a Reiki Master/Teacher. That doesn't mean I know everything that is to know about Reiki, energy and spiritual healing! I will try and clarify this statement. The term 'Master' in many Asian cultures literally means 'teacher'. This addition of the word 'Teacher' next to "Master' is used in the west to explain and establish the fact that a certain qualification has been attained. The person holding this qualification of Master/Teacher has the ability to pass attunements, or initiations, to Reiki students to enable them to connect with the healing energy, and provide the foundations for them to begin their own personal and spiritual development.
To date, the full history of Reiki has not been unravelled. There have been different theories about the origins of Reiki. Until a few years ago, there were quite a few myths passed down from teacher to student about the founder of Reiki - Mikao Usui, and Reiki itself. The full facts of the evolution of Reiki may never be known. Most Reiki Masters will allow their egos to take a backseat and confess to not having full and detailed knowledge of the traditional spiritual practice of Reiki.
Traditional and Non Traditional Reiki
Non-traditional Reiki practitioners work with chakras, colours, crystals, flower essences, many symbols, ascended masters, angels and archangels, spirit guides, do aura cleansing or sometimes called psychic surgery, and may incorporate other healing modalities with Reiki.
Traditional Reiki practitioners do not use or teach any of the above techniques. The use and teaching of four symbols is strictly adhered. Traditional Japanese Reiki can be ritualistic.
How do I practise? I'm a non-traditional Reiki practitioner.
How Is It Done?
The treatment is non-invasive. The fully-clothed recipient is either seated or lying down. The Reiki practitioner places his or her hands on or off the recipient at certain energy centres. These main energy areas are around the head, between the eyebrows, throat, heart, solar plexus, abdomen and the pelvis. The practitioner may also work with the back, legs and feet. Intuition may guide the practitioner to work with other areas of the body - hands on or hands off. Reiki energy can also be sent remotely, as in absent healing, or sent over distance and time.
What Do You Feel?
Reiki sessions are deeply relaxing. You may see colours or images, feel the warmth of the practitioner's hands and perhaps the flow of the tingling energy. A common response to the flow of the energy is a rumbling or gurgling tummy, so don't be embarrassed when this happens, as it's usually 'music' to the practitioner's ears! Quite often, you may hear the practitioner's tummy rumble along with yours, as he or she channels the energy and transmits it to you.