What is Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese technique used for stress reduction and relaxation and it also promotes healing. Reiki is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

I first received Reiki through a volunteer where I was receiving iron infusions back on July 25, 2018. I will never forget that day as my life has never been the same since. I had been out on medical leave and had a public-school special education teacher for 18 years but was definitely feeling the burn out and it was taking a toll on me - body, mind, and soul. I was also diagnosed with Crohn's disease when I was in my late 20's and was taking a lot of prescription medication for it. A year after receiving Reiki on a weekly basis, my inflammation had gone down over 100 points and I was feeling so much better. I also switched from taking a lot of medication to receiving Remicade treatments via IV every 8 weeks. Reiki helped move the stagnant energy in my auric field and throughout my body. I decided to become a Reiki Master because I saw the wonderful life-changing benefits it had on me and wanted to be able to share and help heal others.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So, Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy." A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and ailment and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. Because Reiki comes from God/Higher Source, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it. While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.

Mikao Usui decided to add the Reiki Ideals to the practice of Reiki. The Ideals came in part from the five principles of the Meiji emperor of Japan whom Mikao Usui admired. The Ideals were developed to add spiritual balance to Usui Reiki. Their purpose is to help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience. In order for the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, the client must accept responsibility for her or his healing and take an active part in it. Therefore, the Usui system of Reiki is more than the use of the Reiki energy. It must also include an active commitment to improve oneself in order for it to be a complete system. The ideals are both guidelines for living a gracious life and virtues worthy of practice for their inherent value.

The Five Reiki Principles are as follows:

Just for today, I will not worry. Just for today, I will not be angry. Just for today, I will do my work honestly. Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings. Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbor and every living thing.

These principles are secular. Absolutely anybody, regardless of their spiritual beliefs, can resonate with these ideals. Atheists, Christians, whatever – these principles stand alongside any moral code. They are also immediately applicable to everyday living, as well as your highest spiritual pursuits. It’s not necessary for you to memorize these principles verbatim, nor do you have to reframe your whole spiritual practice around them. The best way to know ABOUT these principles is to cultivate a relationship with them, via meditation or journaling. Really think about how these principles apply to your life (if at all) and allow yourself to feel into whether you resonate with them. Truly, nothing is meaningful unless is actually means something to YOU.

If you would like to experience a Reiki session or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. I am always happy to help answer any questions and would love to help you along your healing journey.

Love & Light,

Sandy

P.s. If you would like to learn more about Reiki, head over to my YouTube channel where you can get more info as well as find videos of meditations to help you relax and heal on your own time.