What is Reiki?

“To become masters of Love, we have to practice Love.”

~ Don Miguel Ruiz

What is Reiki?

Reiki is Japanese. It is a spiritual and healing practice created by Usui Mikao in Japan in the early 1900s. He brought together various elements from his own spiritual practices to develop a system we know today as Reiki. Reiki is a system, a set of practices, that you can use to develop your energetic connection to life and this offers the practitioner many benefits. Reiki supports you in feeling more connected to life. You can either receive a Reiki treatment from a Reiki practitioner or learn how to practice Reiki for yourself.

The word ‘Reiki’ translates from the Japanese as, universal 'spiritual energy.' It is designed to unite an individual’s personality with his or her soul’s purpose. Reiki is an acceleration of Light and meets individuals where they are, harmonizing and balancing the body, soul and spirit, adding to it the Divine Presence. When we have strong life energy, we have health, and a feeling of well-being. If our life energy is low, this is a time when we suffer illnesses—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It is understood that in all of Usui's practices ‘spiritual energy’ is worked with. Therefore, we work with the energy of everything, believing that everything consists of spiritual energy. Reiki practices develop our own energy and allow it to flow more freely through us. This gradually reminds, or re-connects, us with our original nature—being in a state of healthy psychological functioning. Being at ‘One’ with everything in life is part of the spiritual path of practicing as a Reiki practitioner. Some of the benefits are being more balanced, healthier and happier and that we progress toward a state of enlightenment.

Reiki is a non-intrusive method of hands-on healing that taps into the energy referred to by philosophers and martial artists as Ki in Japan, Chi in China, and Prana in India. The practice of Reiki, as we know it today, is based on the teachings of a Japanese man, Mikao Usui, who created, taught and practiced Reiki in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Research into the source of Usui's work points to ancient Buddhist sutras and teachings of great Eastern masters, as well as his own meditation practice. Usui put his inspiration to good use~ Usui’s inspiration continues to serve humanity, as Reiki is now practiced throughout the world.

Usui’s blending of esoteric Tendai Buddhism called Mikkyô, ancient Shugendô (mountains ascetic practices), classical samurai teachings, and martial arts expertise produced unique teachings. By utilizing traditional approaches in his own inimitable way his intention was to bring about an unmasking, a revelation of what it meant to be human. Initially Usui created Reiki to support people on their spiritual journey toward enlightenment using meditations and precepts. These elements belonged to his own practice, which were taken largely from Mikkyo and shugendo practices as well as the Japanese culture, and philosophy.

Toward the end of his life, Usui created what are now known as the five elements of Reiki: Gokai (daily precepts), kokyu ho (breathing techniques), tenohira (palm-healing), shirushi and jumon (symbols and mantras), and the receiving of reiju from a teacher (a blessing from which the Western attunement evolved). Symbols and mantras are traditionally taught to support practitioners in spiritual development. They help us to tap into the fundamental elements of our true nature. When we work with them, we are bringing these deeper elements up into our conscious daily living; supporting us in our journey toward enlightened living.

Consequently, it is not the energy itself that makes this system unique but the spiritual discipline that is used to develop oneself. A practitioner practices the majority of these elements alone—Gokai, kokyû hô, and shirushi and jumon. Tenohira, too, is practiced on oneself as well as with others. These elements all become part of a personal daily routine. Together each of the elements exerts a separate influence on the practitioner producing a complete system that affects powerful change.

Using each of these five elements individually is a strong practice yet when you combine them; they produce a complete spiritual teaching that is accessible to everyone. Each element supports the other, filling in the gaps that will exist for different practitioners. No two people have the same needs when learning. Together these elements create a whole that is firm yet flexible, supporting practitioners on their individual spiritual paths. The five elements are taught at different levels of Reiki. When practitioners steadfastly practice the five elements, they will be assured of discovering deeper, more consistent and lasting results from the system of Reiki.

Reiki recognizes the interconnectedness and sacredness of ones self and all of life, thus awakening one’s true potential. Reiki opens the mind and spirit to the causes of dis-ease, disharmony and pain. With this understanding, individuals are empowered to take responsibility for their life, and experience the peace, love and joy of a balanced life. Since we are all connected to each other, we have an effect on everything that we meet. When we receive or give Reiki, we are a channel for spiritual energy, for unconditional love and compassion.

Reiki is unconditional love and compassion; and when offered from one person to another, healings can occur. Many individuals have experienced profound healing, including degenerative diseases such as arthritis and cancer, and personal growth by receiving the Reiki treatments and attunements. Healing is a process, which leads to a sense of wholeness and inner peace. Healing is related to yet different from “curing.” We are a beautiful expression of spirit in the physical form. Our bodies are a blend of spiritual, mental, emotional and physical energy in continuous interaction. It is seeing ourselves through “spiritual eyes” that we are able to affect our sense of well-being, by journeying into the healing power of our soul.

Students of Reiki learn the various practices so that they can work on themselves and others. Reiki energy is not based on belief, faith or suggestion. The concept is that the more work students do on themselves using these practices the more in touch they become with their true nature—who you are as a human being. In this manner, the teacher (another word for Reiki Master) guides students rather than controls them. People naturally know what is right or wrong for them. By sensing their connection with the flow of life, students become empowered; it is the student that must practice Reiki. The teacher guides the student until s/he is empowered—when she does not need to ask or look for a teacher’s approval.