When Reiki practitioners and teachers in our country talk about “Reiki”, they might be referring to it in either one of two ways — Reiki, the “energy” or Reiki the “method”. The term is often used interchangeably during discussions with their clients and students. In Japanese language, the term Reiki, is made up of two letter forms called “kanji”. The top part “Rei” means spirit or spiritual. The lower part “ki” means energy of the universe which surrounds and interpenetrates all of creation and is responsible for the aliveness and well-being of all living things. Therefore, a basic Japanese meaning of the term Reiki is “spiritual life energy”. In Chinese culture this energy is known as “Chi”, in Middle Eastern cultures it’s known as “prana”, and, in Christianity it is often referred to as “the holy spirit”.
Reiki the Energy
What distinguishes Reiki as the special type of universal life energy we use in Reiki healing, is that it is guided by the highest spiritual source and healing intelligence of the universe. This is the higher intelligence that tells our heart when to beat, our other organs how to function optimally, our cells to regenerate after a wound, and it also guides a forest to heal and rejuvenate itself after a devastating forest fire. Therefore, a good definition of Reiki as the healing energy channeled by practitioners during their treatments, is:
Reiki is the vital life energy of the universe guided by the highest spiritual source and healing intelligence of the universe.
Since Reiki, the energy, is guided by the highest spiritual intelligence of the universe, it has an innate wisdom of the root causes of physical, mental and emotional illnesses and knows how to help the recipient heal from them. It is free of any negativity as it promotes unconditional love, health, and compassion and many other beneficial life-sustaining qualities. Reiki is gentle, nurturing and completely safe and cannot cause harm. It can only be used for the highest good of the recipient as it seeks to restore all it touches on the physical, mental, energetic, emotional and spiritual levels to optimal functioning and wellness.
Reiki the Method
The term Reiki to describe a “method”, was first used by Mikao Usui as part of the name of the spiritual self-development and healing practices he developed and taught after his experience of enlightenment on Mount Kurama in 1922. His Usui Reiki Healing Method (Usui Shiki Ryoho) became a complete system of self-development practices which included meditations, chanting mantras, precepts (instructions for guiding thoughts and behavior), Reiju (attunements to bring students in harmony with their spiritual true self), and, hands-on energy healing techniques for themselves and others. These practices were designed by Usui Sensei to to help his students cultivate a peaceful mind and healthy body by letting go of debilitating effects of anger and worry, having gratitude for their blessings, and having compassion for themselves and others.
Today, Reiki is well-known as an effective natural self-care and holistic healing method. Since it’s early beginnings when Mikao Usui trained his 22 teachers, Reiki has spread throughout the world as a result of it’s ability to bridge cultures, honor diverse beliefs, and enhance religious practices. Reiki also complements and supports other forms of healing, including conventional healthcare and medical practices. A Reiki treatment can benefit us as practitioners anywhere, anytime, for example, when feeling stressed before an important meeting at work, on a long airplane flight, or at bedtime to promote deep, restful sleep.
Reiki can be learned by anyone — no special skills are needed because are all born with the ability to heal ourselves and help others heal themselves. Reiki is learned from a Reiki Shihan (Master-Teacher) whom, in addition to instruction and leading students in guided in-class practice, provides an attunement which helps the student awaken and bring forth their own natural healing abilities. The attunement also helps the student become a clear channel for Reiki’s healing energy to flow freely through them. Reiki is not only a powerful method for healing oneself and others, it is also a wonderful tool for personal growth and spiritual self-realization. In essence, Reiki is a complete system of healthy living that empowers practitioners to realize their full human potential and feel more vibrant, alive, balanced and content in life.
