Reiki is a healing method that dates back thousands of years.  The Reiki method of healing, as taught today, was developed by Mikao Usui in the early 1900s.  The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words.  The first word, Rei, is translated to mean spiritual.  The second word, Ki, is translated to be life force energy.  Reiki, then, is translated to mean spiritually guided life force energy.  The practice of Reiki is sometimes referred to as energy medicine.

If we look at ourselves from a broad perspective, we find that we are much more than a physical body.  We are all body, mind, and the spirit, the sum of which is often termed the whole self or the complete person.  The body refers to the physical body, the mind refers to a person’s thought processes, and the spirit is made up of the soul, chakras, aura and meridians.  They are all interrelated, for one cannot exist without the other in this realm.  If a disease is found to exist, that disease will affect the body, mind, and the spirit.  Traditional medicine primarily addresses the physical body.  Psychology addresses the healing of certain disorders of the mind.  Reiki is a healing method that heals through the spirit.

Many energetic healing methods have long been known to diagnose and heal disease through the Ki energy flowing through the body’s meridians.  Ki energy has been discovered independently by many cultures over the centuries.  In India, this energy is known as Prana.  In China, this energy is known as Chi.  The Russians call it bioplasma.  Ki energy is also known as Qi, Odic force, Mana, Orgone, vital energy, and perhaps a few other names.  In the early part of the twentieth century, Western medicine vaguely referred to this energy as ethers.  Sadly, Western medicine has abandoned all research in this area.  Eastern medicine teaches that it is the imbalance of Ki energy in the different meridians that cause disease.  Eastern medicine also is of the philosophy that correction and balance of this Ki energy will cure disease.

The developers of many traditional health systems have long recognized the principle of vital life force energy, and have incorporated it into the respective healing methods.  Oriental medicine, which includes acupuncture, acupressure, and shiatsu, is a classical example of a system of healing centered around vital life force energy.  Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Osteopathy, Chiropractic, and Shamanistic healing also use some aspect of this principle in diagnosis and treatment.  In addition, practices such as yoga, tai chi, Qi Gong, and some forms of meditation incorporate sensing and directing this energy flow in one’s own body.  Anyone who practices a form of spiritual healing will use this life force energy to heal, harmonize and balance the body, mind, and spirit.  Not all healers, however, will use Reiki.

Reiki is a healing technique administered by the laying on hands.  Reiki is based on the idea that life force energy, or ki, flows through us, and is what sustains life.  Ki is the energy that flows through the meridians and chakras.  Reiki uses the life force energy to create harmony and balance in the body, mind and spirit.  When a Reiki treatment is performed, energy blocks in the meridians and chakras are removed.  Removal of these energy blocks will allow the life force energy, or ki, to flow unobstructed.  Reiki energy also has the effect of relaxation.

Nurses, massage therapists, reflexologists,  and other health care professionals have learned this ancient healing method, and frequently use Reiki in their work.  Hospitals are beginning to employ alterative healing specialists to provide adjunct therapy to the medical paradigm.  This synergistic step will undoubtably be proven as a great step forward for modern medicine.

For anyone who desires to practice Reiki, they must first go through the attunement procedure.  A Reiki attunement is the process that the Reiki Master uses to pass certain Reiki abilities to the student.  The Reiki abilities passed depend on the level of the attunement.  During the attunement, the Reiki Master will open the student’s energy channels and pathways to enable the student to use Reiki energy.  The attunement and the attunement energies are guided by the higher powers through the Reiki Master.  Because of this higher power, the attunement is done exactly as is right for each student.  What each student will feel during the attunement will vary.  Some students feel fire in their hands, others may feel warmth, while others may see colors.  Since the students may be astrally projected during the attunement, seeing spiritual beings or passing through portals is usual.

In Traditional Reiki,  three levels of attunements are available.  Each time an attunement is given a special link is created between the student and what is termed the Reiki source.  In Reiki I (First Degree Reiki), the attunement connects the student to a limitless energy source, and to open the channels to this source.  This source is the universal energy field.  This link is similar to the “empowerment” that Usui gave to his patients and students so they can give themselves healing sessions.  An additional attunement is given in Reiki II, along with the symbols associated with that level.  In Reiki III, also called the Master level, the student will receive an additional attunement and the symbols for that level.  One a student attains the Master level, he or she can perform attunements.

At the Synergy Healing Center, we have several Reiki practitioners ready to help you.  Reiki classes are also taught at various times during the year.