Introduction to Reiki

रेकी स्पर्शः

शान्तिमयः स्नेहस्रोतः, दिव्यतेजो विभाति।
रेकी स्पर्शः सुखदायी, दुःखहारिणि जागति॥

हस्तयोः प्रवहेद् ऊर्जा, जीवनस्य सुधा भवेत्।
शरीर-मनोभवे स्वस्थ्यं, चिन्तानाशोऽथ सम्भवेत्॥

न सीमा न च बन्धनं, सर्वत्र प्रकाशते।
प्रेममयः शक्तिस्रोतः, आत्मनः सुप्रकाशते॥

पुरातनं ज्ञानरत्नं, ईश्वरस्य कृपा यतः।
यः इच्छति यः वाञ्छति, तस्मै रेकी सदा व्रजेत्॥

(Reiki’s touch is a divine light, bringing peace, dissolving pain. It flows through hands as a nectar of life, healing the body and mind. Without limits, it shines everywhere, a stream of love and energy. An ancient treasure, a gift of the divine—whoever seeks, receives Reiki forever.)

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing system, considered as an alternative healing system.  In this system of healing, a Reiki  practitioner uses a technique known as palm healing or hands-on healing, through which “Universal Energy” is believed to be transferred from the practitioner’s palms to the patient to promote emotional or physical healing. This practice was developed by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist, in 1922. Reiki is a simple yet powerful technique that can be easily learned by anyone. 

The term Reiki is made up  of two Japanese kanji characters; Rei ( 霊 )  and Ki ( 気  ). Rei, means “Universal.”Some interpretations of Rei also refer to it as “Supernatural Knowledge“ or “Spiritual Consciousness.” Ki ,refers to the  life force; it is synonymous with Chi in Chinese, Prana in Sanskrit, and Mana in Hawaiian. Ki is the life force that flows through all living things. Departure of this life force from the body is actually the death. If your life force is low or if there are restrictions/ blockages in its flow, you become more susceptible to illness. Conversely, when your life force is strong and flowing freely, you are less likely to become ill. This life force plays a crucial role in everything we do. It animates the body and controls our emotions, thoughts, and spiritual life. The spiritual consciousness, referred to as Rei, guides the life force known as Ki in the practice of Reiki. Thus, Reiki can be defined as spiritually guided life force energy or Universal Life Force.This unique life force can only be channeled by someone who has been attuned to it. Reiki is not taught like other healing techniques; rather, it is transferred to the student (Shishya)  by the Master (Guru) during an Attunement (Shaktipaat), creating a special link between the student and the Reiki source. 

History of Reiki

It is believed that Reiki originated in India. Touch therapy (Sparsh Chikitsa) existed in ancient India. There are some references to it in Atharv Veda. Descriptions of Rishi Dhaumya transferring knowledge to his disciple Aruni( Mahabharata, Aadi Parv) and  Adi Shankaracharya blessing his disciple Sri Totakacharya  indicate the presence of this technique in ancient India. This knowledge was passed on/ taught orally to disciples by Masters. As it was not in written form, so it eloped with the passage of time. It is believed that Buddha taught this technique to his disciples so that they don’t suffer from  ailments during their travels. It reached Japan via Tibet and China through Buddhist Monks. It was rediscovered and developed by Dr.Mikao Usai, a Japanese Buddhist in 1922. He acquired the ability to do Reiki treatments, the Reiki symbols and ability to pass on Reiki to others. Later he added Reiki ideals and the idea that one needs to receive compensation for a treatment. Dr. Hayashi added the standard hand positions, the three degrees and their Attunement processes. Mrs. Takata added the fee structure. The required waiting periods between classes were added later on by other masters. The system is continued to be developed further by grand masters.

How Does Reiki Works

When a Reiki healer places their hands on a person with the intention of healing, Reiki energy begins to flow automatically. By virtu of it’s own intelligence, Reiki Energy knows  exactly where to go and what to do. Reiki communicates with the individual’s consciousness, determining how to proceed. The only requirement for effective healing is for the recipient to remain calm and relaxed. Guided by a higher consciousness, Reiki can never cause harm; it always understands what a person needs and adjusts accordingly to create positive effects. Both the healer and the client benefit from this process, as Reiki recognises the needs of each. When healing others, the healer experiences an increase in their own energy and is filled with loving feelings of well-being. In addition to treating others, Reiki healers can also perform self-treatment, as it is just as effective on oneself as on others. Detailed instructions for self-healing can be found in the 24-Point Practice on YouTube. Reiki is bipolar in nature, comprising both male and female energies. The male energy is associated with the crown and higher chakras, referred to as Shiva, while the female energy originates from the root chakra and is called Shakti. These two energies communicate, determining the appropriate balance needed so that the energy flowing from the healer’s palms combines both male and female healing properties for the person receiving treatment.

How Does Reiki Heal

As already discussed, the life force Ki circulates and flows through our body. It flows through pathways called Nadis, Meridians and Chakras. The circulating form of Life Force around us is called Aura. Life force is responsive to thoughts, feelings and emotions. The energy flow gets depleted and disrupted whenever we accept negative thoughts and feelings. This causes diminished function of one or more organs and tissues of our body .As a result we fall sick. The Reiki Energy heals by flowing through the affected part of the body and charging them with positive energy. The Reiki improves the results of all medical treatments, reduces side effects, shortens healing time, reduces or eliminates pain, reduces stress and helps to create optimism.

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The Five Principles of Reiki

Reiki is not just a healing technique but a way of life. The Five Principles of Reiki, established by Dr. Usui, serve as a guide to achieving balance and inner peace:

  1. Just for today, I will not be angry.
  2. Just for today, I will not worry.
  3. Just for today, I will be grateful.
  4. Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
  5. Just for today, I will be kind to every living being.

By incorporating these principles into daily life, individuals can cultivate a positive mindset, reduce stress, and enhance their overall well-being.

Benefits of Reiki

Reiki provides a holistic approach to healing, addressing multiple aspects of an individual’s well-being:

1. Physical Healing

  • Alleviates chronic pain and inflammation.
  • Accelerates post-surgery recovery.
  • Boosts the immune system.
  • Improves sleep quality.
  • Helps with headaches, migraines, and other ailments.

2. Emotional Healing

  • Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Enhances emotional resilience.
  • Releases emotional blockages and trauma.
  • Promotes inner peace and stability.

3. Mental Healing

  • Increases mental clarity and focus.
  • Supports decision-making abilities.
  • Reduces negative thought patterns.
  • Enhances creativity and problem-solving skills.

4. Spiritual Healing

  • Strengthens the connection with higher consciousness.
  • Deepens meditation and mindfulness practices.
  • Promotes self-awareness and spiritual growth.
  • Aligns individuals with their life purpose.

Reiki and Modern Medicine

While Reiki is not a substitute for medical treatment, it is a powerful complementary therapy. Many wellness centers integrate Reiki into patient care programs due to its ability to:

  • Aid in pain management.
  • Reduce stress before and after surgeries.
  • Support cancer patients during chemotherapy.
  • Enhance mental health therapy.

Learning and Practicing Reiki

Anyone can learn Reiki, regardless of their background. Reiki is taught in five levels:

  1. Reiki Level 1 – Basic techniques and self-healing practices.
  2. Reiki Level 2 – Advanced healing techniques, symbols, and distance healing.
  3. Reiki Level 3 – Further advanced healing techniques with more powerful symbols.
  4. Reiki Master – Mastery of Reiki, attunements, and the ability to teach others.
  5. Reiki Grandmaster – Highest level, involving attuning Reiki Masters and deep spiritual practices.

By learning Reiki, individuals gain the ability to heal themselves and others, bringing harmony and balance into their lives.

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