The Healing Power of Reiki
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words: Rei and Ki. The English meaning of these words is challenging to grasp, since the Japanese language has many levels of meaning. When put in the context of spirituality and healing, Rei describes a higher intelligence that is all-knowing – translating to mean “the higher power” or “God’s wisdom.”
Ki portrays the unseen energy that flows through all living things– translating to “life force energy.” If your Ki is high, you may feel confident, strong, happy, healthy and ready to take on life’s many challenges. If your Ki is low, you may feel weak, stressed, vulnerable and apprehensive. Negative thoughts and feelings can drastically lower your Ki. Low Ki also makes you more likely to get sick.
You receive Ki from food, sleep, sunshine and the air you breathe. Obviously, the quality of these inputs directly relates to how much Ki you can extract from it. One can also boost one’s Ki with breathing exercises, yoga and meditation. With Rei and Ki defined, a loose translation of Reiki is “spiritually guided life force energy.”
Here are a few frequently asked questions about Reiki:
What exactly is Reiki?
Reiki is a natural, non-invasive and entirely safe method of spiritual healing. It is a Japanese technique that focuses on stress reduction and relaxation, thereby promoting the healing process. Reiki is based on the concept that an unseen energy flows through us, keeps us alive, and determines our state of being. The process of administering Reiki is meant to keep this energy in balance and harmony with one’s physical body.
Where did the Reikii deals come from?
There is much speculation about where Reiki came from. Some believe Reiki originated from Buddhism, but most believe that Reiki is religiously neutral and applies to people of all religions, cultures, races and ages.
The most widely accepted origin of Reiki is from Dr. Mikao Usui – founder of the Usui System of Reiki. Born August 1865 in Yago, Japan, Mikao Usui was known as a hypersensitive spiritualist. Facing personal and business failure, he embarked on a 21-day training course in March 1922.
While meditating under a waterfall on Mt. Kurama, the power of Reiki energy is said to have entered him – giving him the ability to heal others without damaging his own energy. From here he developed his notorious system of healing.
How does Reiki work?
We are alive because life force flows through us -nourishing our organs and cells, and supporting them in their vital functions. When this flow is disrupted, it causes damage to and diminished function of the physical body.
Reiki heals by flowing through the affected parts of one’s energy field and charging them with positive energy. It is thought to shake loose the negative thoughts and feelings attached to one’s energy field, thereby clearing the energy pathways and allowing a healthy flow of life force.