Reiki:
Ancient Art in Modern Dress
by Sylvia D. Scott, M.Ed., R.M.T.
Reiki , a healing art which dates back thousands of years, literally means "Life Force Energy" and is often translated as "Universal Life Force Energy." It is sometimes called by other names, including "prana," "chi," "qi," or "spirit," depending upon the locality labeling it. Reiki is that power which animates us and what we unconsciously sense when we say that someone is "laid back" or "intense." Every person has an energy field surrounding them which is unique to that individual, even though it resembles a general pattern found in humans. Sometimes these patterns are called vibrations.
Although people experience Reiki in different ways, almost everyone reports feelings of deep or profound relaxation after a Reiki treatment. Most experience warmth in the hands of the healer as well. Others report mild tingles, as when an arm or a leg "falls asleep." Still others relate pulsing, throbbing or jerking sensations in the body. And while some attest that they feel no physical sensations, they may describe mental or emotional changes, such as a sense of calmness, peacefulness, centeredness or "lightness."
A Reiki treatment is basically a "laying on of hands," a practice common to many spiritual traditions. In a typical Reiki treatment the healee lies down fully clothed on a padded massage table or a reflexology chair. Energy is then transferred to the healee through the hands of the practitioner in a sequence of standardized positions, most of which focus upon the seven major chakras, or energy centers, of the body. The energy flows through the body of the healee, moving toward those areas where there is a need for healing. Treatment may start with the healee's head or feet, or possibly in the center of the body, depending upon the practitioner's guidance and what the body requests. Often, treatment starts with the healee's head, then covers the abdomen from just below the ribs to the lower belly. The healee then may be asked to turn over so that the practitioner can work gradually from the top of the neck to the tailbone. Some practitioners choose to work solely with the front of the body; regardless, the seven major chakras of the body are almost always concentrated upon. In a treatment, the hands of the practitioner are simply laid on or above various parts of the healee's body, usually for three to five minutes in each position. Most full treatments last about an hour. No manipulation of tissue or application of pressure occurs, as in massage or acupressure. Because it works directly with energy (or "Spirit"), a Reiki treatment is sometimes considered a spiritual practice; however, Reiki is not a religion.
The best way to describe how a Reiki treatment works is by drawing an analogy. Our natural energy is affected by our state of health or disease. All of us can relate to feelings of low energy or depletion which may occur when we're trying to heal, whether from a physical "disease" such as illness or injury or from mental distress such as anxiety or grief. Under these circumstances, a Reiki treatment can be compared to the act of jump-starting a vehicle. We attach jumper cables from another car's battery to add more energy to our own car's battery when our car can't quite provide enough energy to start itself. Reiki is a means of adding more energy to one's "life force" battery to help "jump start" the healing processes that the body naturally undertakes. Because a Reiki practitioner is trained to channel healing energy from the outside environment rather than from their own personal "battery," the practitioner's "battery" isn't depleted during a treatment. The amount of energy available when Reiki is practiced in this manner is virtually limitless. The amount of energy transferred to the healee is dependent upon the healee's ability to use the energy, and especially upon his/her willingness to receive it. The transfer ceases to occur when no more energy can be utilized by the healee. Skillful practitioners usually sense when this happens almost immediately.
Reiki is particularly effective when applied as soon as possible after a trauma, regardless of whether the disturbance is due to physical injury or to mental shock. The body is mobilizing all available energy during those moments immediately following injury or shock in order to stabilize the immediate problem so that "long-term" healing can occur. In addition, Reiki can be a useful adjunct when the healing process slows and energy is shared between healing and other functions of the body. Since Reiki works on an energy level, it is important to remember that it can aid healing of all kinds—physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual. People are increasingly using Reiki as a preventative practice to help maintain optimum health.
Before they learn how to treat others, Reiki practitioners learn how to do self-treatments. This strengthens the healer in his/her ability to channel in energy, as well as in his/her familiarity with the Reiki method of healing. Reiki works to the degree that the healee is willing and able to use the energy. If a person is not willing to receive a treatment for whatever reason, no energy is transferred. If a person is completely healthy and stable in all aspects of life, the effects of a Reiki treatment will seem to be minimal or perhaps too subtle to notice. Nearly everyone, however, feels discomfort in some area of their life and can therefore benefit from receiving Reiki. It is also important to note that Reiki assists in the highest form of healing possible in a given situation; at times, the necessary healing will not match our own desired outcomes. Often this is where the spiritual aspects of Reiki are most obvious. Sometimes when a person's time has come, being able to feel at peace with death is the highest form of healing possible, even when we personally think a complete cure is preferable. Reiki can only enhance whatever natural healing is already taking place. It cannot be used to guarantee outcomes or to change fate.
Reiki is not a substitute for appropriate medical, emotional or mental health treatment. Reiki is a complementary treatment and when other forms of treatment are necessary, Reiki should be used only as an adjunct. To ensure the safety of the healee as well as the practitioner, Reiki treatments should be solely administered by a person fully trained in the techniques. There are three levels of training which can be attained:
First Degree: In this basic practitioner training, the Reiki I attunements raise the student's energy and vibrational levels. As the energy begins running through your hands, you learn how to do "self treatments" and how to do hands-on treatments with others as well. Level I attunements help to open the student's energy channels and to ensure that the energy passed through you will not come from your own resources. This ensures protection for all.
Second Degree: Second level training is usually only given after a student has been practicing first degree skills for some time. Reiki II heightens your energy levels and your potential for channeling in energy significantly. Reiki II begins to heal your mental, emotional and Karmic levels and enables you to do "distance" healing on individuals, groups and circumstances in the present, future and past. You receive "symbols" at this level which can assist you with these healing endeavors.
Third Degree/Master level: Third level training empowers you to even greater enlightenment, opening the door to your other "psychic" (i.e., spiritual) gifts that are your birthright. You receive another "symbol" which can assist you at this level. You can also learn how to teach and to initiate others into Reiki. This specialized training is primarily intended for people who have made Reiki their life's work.
When looking for a Reiki practitioner, take time to discuss their training with them before you commit to receiving treatments or attunements. There are some who prefer to take shortcuts in their training, rather than invest the time and commitment necessary to become fully skilled. Genuine Reiki changes a person's life. When a Reiki practitioner gives a treatment they are also receiving Reiki themselves—thus, their own healing process is stimulated. This means that any personal issues which require healing will be brought to the surface more quickly. If training and the accompanying initiations into Reiki are taken too quickly, the challenges for growth can be unsettling, to say the very least. Choose a practitioner and a teacher who is fully qualified. You will be happier with the results.