What Is Reiki and What Can You Expect From a Session?
Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that was discovered by Dr. Mikao Usui at the turn of the 20th century and brought to the United States by Mrs. Hawayo Takata in 1938. Reiki is a safe natural method of spiritual healing that uses "universal life energy" transmitted through the practitioner to the receiver.
As Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” No religious belief context is associated with Reiki; but it is practiced within a spiritual framework. The word Reiki is a combination of two Japanese words that translate to “spiritually guided life force energy”. This “life force energy” is identified in many ways – Chi, Prana, Ki –almost every culture has a name for it. It is from the Source, the Divine, God, Christ, Spirit, Love, Goddess, Buddha, Mohammed, etc.; whatever one believes that to be.
Reiki uses divine energy and not the energy of the practitioner to help balance body, mind and spirit. When these three aspects are balanced healing can take place. Because there is no physical manipulation of the body, Reiki is appropriate for treating all ages and conditions.
Reiki is not a replacement for medical or mental health care. Reiki works in combination with medical and psychological therapies to help facilitate recovery and healing. If you have medical conditions currently being treated by, or which should be being treated by, a physician it is very important that you continue (or seek out) that care. A Reiki practitioner cannot give medical diagnoses or advice.
During a Reiki session, you relax, fully clothed, lying on a massage table, seated, or in any comfortable position. A ‘full’ session lasts 45 minutes to an hour covering all the major energy centers of the body using standard hand positions. Shorter sessions can be scheduled as needed. Specific areas of concern can also be targeted. For best results it is often helpful to schedule two or three subsequent sessions a week or so apart.
The spiritually guided healing energy of Reiki flows wherever it is most needed and will have its own priority. That may be a very different priority than you had when you made an appointment for the session! In addition to deep relaxation, you may experience tingling, warmth, changes in your breathing, or see vivid colors.
I use prayer and meditation before, during and after giving a Reiki session. Spirit is the one who originates and directs the energy. Once I start the session, I endeavor to ‘step aside’ and ‘become the hands’ that Reiki moves through. I will place my hands on your body at various locations or if you prefer I can hold my hands above you to transmit the energy; often it is a combination of the two.
You should prepare for a Reiki session by drinking 8-16 ounces of water within two hours of the session. Hydration is essential to energy movement. You may feel dry and thirsty after the session. You should plan to hydrate for the first 48 hours after your session. I suggest 8 eight-ounce glasses a day. As you begin your session you may want to practice deep breathing, prayer, and/or meditation to assist the process. Even though Spirit will direct the energy, visualizing the relief/healing that you desire is also helpful.
Receiving Reiki should be a very relaxing and peaceful experience for you!