Can You Learn Reiki?

By Johanna Kee 

Can You Learn Reiki? Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki healing treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit, creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

Amazingly simple to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life. Its' use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and is therefore available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.

Reiki Attunement - Welcome to the World of Reiki

By Resko Zukic 

Learning Reiki is so fascinating process. With each new step we discover more about ourselves, about the life itself and of course about the world of reiki. But how it all starts? How one start his or her journey into this amazing world of reiki. Well, that is exactly what this article is about.

What is reiki attunement?

You might already have heard about the reiki attunement and have ever since wonderedd what it really is and what happens during the attunementprocess.. The reiki learning process is a little bit different than we could expect it from common sense of the word "learning". Access to reiki is gained through so called reiki attunement or initiation process. This is ceremony in which reiki teacher performs pre-set number of positions which can varie between different reiki styles. There are several types of reiki attunements:

• Attunement in person
• Attunement via absent reiki or distant attunement
• Self attunement

 

Let's now look into each one of these:

 

Reiki attunement in person

This is probably most known type of reiki attunements. As the word itself implies reiki student will attend "life" reiki 1 seminar which is usually done in two days (but can vary depending on reiki style and reiki teacher). Ones the administrative task is out of way teacher usually introduce the class and give opportunity to all student to say few words about themselves and what they expect from this class. Also if there are some questions they are answered.

This is great opportunity for both the student and the reiki teacher to clear the reasons why one wants to receive reiki attunement. It is expected that reiki teacher will advise student if he was mislead that he would become immortal or holly as the result of reiki attunement.

It is common that during reiki 1 attunement reiki student receives four attunements spread over two days. This of course varies from teacher to teacher. Each attunement last fro about 15-20 minutes. During the attunement student sits comfortable in the chair, keeps his/her eyes closed and other than that isn't required to do anything else. Some teachers recommend some preparation regime such as but reiki attunement will work without that as well.

Distant or absent reiki attunement

Distant attunement is viable option to in person attunement but the opinion about it varies among reiki teacher and goes anywhere from simply dismissal to full acceptance. Some of the reason against say that student misses the opportunity to have first hand experience and of course ask the question he/she might have. This of course if valid objection but thanks to today technologies this seems almost to be obsolete. In addition most if not all reiki teacher who offered distant attunements are accessible either via e-mail or even more popular via Skype.

The technical aspect of distant attunement itself is the same as attunement in person and it is done via absent reiki (using the symbols for distant reiki). Student and teacher would set the time for this attunement and student would ensure that he/she is not disturbed during this process. Usually reiki student will receive some material before the attunement process itself so he/she can read about that and ask the question before the attunement process itself. I was on both end of distant attunement and know for sure that it works.

Reiki self attunement

This kind of reiki attunement is rather little bit controversial to say the last. Many reiki teachers flatly dismiss it while others are open for the possibility that it might work.

The system itself is based on empowering the student to believe in his/her own abilities and power to take charge of his or her life. No need to have guru who will tell you if you are ready or not. In addition this system attunes all the chakras and not only two as most of other reiki styles do so this is more powerful attunement. So, yes this is totally different type of attunemetnt that in my opinion will change the way Reiki is thought. And yes, this is very effective attunement.

The attunement itself is also based on the power of intention and water. Yes, the water. Water has the ability to accept, store and transfer information. Reiki student will prepare and carry out the self attunement ceremony. He/she will get all she needs to carry out this type of attunement.

Reiki Training - What Do The Different Reiki Training Levels Signify?

By Katie Merryfield 

Reiki is a traditional style of healing through the use of energy. Reiki is usually learned,taught and put to use, in different stages. Normally, this specific Reiki training is actually separated into three major categories, with every one advancing to a higher level in comparison to the earlier level. The major sections of Reiki training are mainly referred to as first, second, and also third degree Reiki stages.

First Degree Reiki Training

Reiki first degree is concentrated on training a person all the things they have to know about the art of Reiki. At this point, you'll be trained precisely what Reiki really means and also exactly what it can do for you. It's the point in time at which Reiki masters give the students an in-depth description about the Reiki. This can include where it originated, just how to administer it, as well as the appropriate way of using it. Once the principles are shown along and also the mental, emotional, and physical natures of the student are thoroughly equipped, some hands-on training normally takes place.

On finishing the initial level of Reiki training, a student will know how to use the Reiki energy for self-healing. The exact same energy may well also be channeled to assist other folks, more expressly their particular relatives and acquaintances. First degree Reiki might also stimulate personal as well as spiritual growth in a person.

This specific level of Reiki is for those who basically wish to uncover what Reiki is. Also, it is for the people who want to discover ways to heal themselves and others. Following this level, you'll be able to elevate your own spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical state. It could actually successfully prevent sickness in the family, also letting you restore by way of massage and physiotherapy.

Second Degree Reiki Training

Second degree Reiki training leads people to the deeper understanding of the ancient method of Reiki healing. Here, you will not just simply be ready to heal ailments right on you will be taught more advanced techniques. It is possible to surpass time and space with your healing powers also. Additionally, you will be shown the sacred Reiki symbols at this level, which you can use to cultivate your own awareness of self, healing others, and being able to help them with their lives as much as you strengthen yours.

Throughout the second degree of Reiki training, this flow of Reiki energy inside of you actually intensifies. You are able to further improve your abilities through the use of the great Reiki symbols bestowed upon you. Long range healing will become possible. Consequently, you can potentially heal someone else even when they are miles apart from you. Moreover, it is possible to improve your self-healing abilities together with your spiritual and personal growth. You may be qualified to apply Reiki on other people following the second degree of Reiki training.

Third Degree Reiki Training

The 3rd degree of Reiki training might possibly be broken into two subgroups. The first group is the actual teaching when you become a Reiki master capable of assisting Reiki students. The next group focuses on purely strengthening oneself, without the further training to be a teacher.

Third degree Reiki is only for the men and women who would like to further establish themselves into a Reiki Master. Here, they will have the ways to access each of the Reiki Master symbols and are allowed to conduct Reiki attunement processes on others. More advanced healing cycles would be taught at this level, with the purpose of expanding your own Reiki influence.

The actual aim with this final level of training is to let you end up as a Reiki Master that can introduce, educate, and train people in to the art of Reiki. Maybe one day you to can go on and educate others through the levels of Reiki training.

Reiki Healing - An Introduction

By Roger F Marlow 

I began to study and practice Reiki several years ago, the reaction at that time I might say was "interesting" as to stay on a positive note. During the following years, and as my study and knowledge progressed, the benefits to myself and close family became very noticeable. Needless to say I am indeed pleased with the progress it has made in regard to the acceptance and understanding of this beautiful and powerful healing modality....

Reiki which is an ancient form of healing art was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese monk in1920. Dr. Usui was an eminent scholar who did an endless research in the field of psychology, medicine, spirituality and religion.

Story goes like this- Dr. Usui had been to the top of Mt. Kurama in Japan in the year 1922 on a three-week trip. While meditating at Mt. Kurama, he had a vision on the 21st day where he was adjudged as a healer himself in an ancient healing system. On his way back to his home, he could realize he was in a position to heal injuries of people including his own with amazing perfection and speed.

Thereafter, he began a clinic in Tokyo and treated many patients. He also trained many people to be Reiki practitioners. After the devastating earthquake in Kanto in the year 1923, Reiki as a form of healing art had proved its worth. For his healing service Dr. Usui was awarded by the Japanese government. During 1930s a Hawaiian woman of Japanese origin named Hawayo Takata developed Reiki in the United States. Takata herself gained great benefit for her health problems on account of Reiki application.

After her personal healing experience, she began to learn, practice and then teach Reiki in Hawaii. She imparted Reiki for several years until her death in 1980. Thereafter, Reiki spread to various other countries where Reiki clinics and Reiki Masters played their part to provide healing touch for various ailments through this ancient system. Eventually, Reiki has gained acceptance, recognition and prominence being an ancient form of healing technique. Though the Reiki treatments offered these days are bit different from the ancient ones, yet they are basically they belong to the same form of healing energy of Reiki.

Reiki adopts the technique of energy healing for stress relaxation and reduction. Despite advancement of medical sciences, Reiki is being increasingly used as a complementary therapy to resolve various health problems. In Reiki everything is a miracle because in this form of treatment holistic, intangible, invisible delicate form of energy is at work. Reiki employs the energy to promote harmony in living things that facilitates the healing of the mind, body and spirit. In short Reiki heals at the physical, emotional, and spiritual level of an individual.

With increased level of awareness amongst masses, people started expecting providers of health care provide benefits through different natural healing processes including Reiki. Keeping in view the demands of the patients needing natural health care benefits, the popularity of Reiki has been growing day by day with its increased application of Reiki in various clinics and hospitals. Initial Reiki training programs are now being imparted in Hospitals. These classes facilitate in preparing the physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals to use this natural healing technique while interacting with patients.

Several hospitals, Clinics, medical institutions have been researching on the effectiveness of Reiki Healing. There are over one hundred facilities in the U.S. that use Reiki and or other complementary/alternative modalities (CAM) plus several hundred more worldwide. Additionally, research is being conducted in partnership with the National Institutes of Health at a growing number of well-respected facilities. There currently Reiki programs at Sharp Memorial Hospital - San Diego, St. Joseph Medical Center - Stockton and Hearst Cancer Resource Center - San Luis Obispo to name a very few.

Reiki techniques provide healing through energy, reduces the stress during a diagnostic procedure, controls emotional reaction to a shocking diagnosis, relaxes the body and mind and improves the quality of sleep and calms down helpless parents of children who are seriously ill. As per the Reiki, life energy enters into the Chakra where its requirements for healing energy are the most. Babies and children often get effective result as they don't have any mental block in receiving energy through Reiki. For example, a crying baby gets quick comfort when he is touched or picked up. Similarly, while dealing with elderly people in the hospitals, unlike touching babies for healing, Reiki uses two fold benefits one is providing energy and relaxation and the other one is emotional nourishment.

The results coming through such studies are encouraging and the same has tremendously increased the faith and reliability of the masses on Reiki as an alternative form of treatment. You need to remember the fact that the life force is based on the energy and Reiki philosophy is based on energy and energy only. Reiki has passed through a long journey providing health and healing to its practitioners and beneficiaries equally well. Reiki is becoming more widely accepted in the current systems of Natural medicines including Allopathic, Homoeopathic and Acupuncture. We should take careful note that the use of Reiki is vital as a supplementary if not complementary form of treatments and its popular use will ensure that Reiki unfurl its importance, acceptance and prominence as a totally legitimate form of natural healing therapy.

Reiki is Not Difficult and has No Odd Rituals

By Roberta R. Barnes 

Is Reiki one of those fad things? Is it one of those things for the simple minded?

Simple minded, brainiacs, and such labels do not exist in the spiritual practice of Usui Reiki Ryoho, commonly called Reiki. Neither is it a new age fad. It is a practice using the vibrations of love and harmony of ageless universal energy. Many of the ideas Mikao Usui, the founder, blended into his practice are based upon things practiced for thousands of years, such things as the law of attraction.

Mikao Usui/Usui-Sensei/O-Sensei connected to the universal vibrations of love and harmony through a disciplined mediation, following three years of Zen studies in 1921. This was his second awakening. He first called the spiritual practice he created in 1922 my method/system. Later he called it Usui Reiki Ryoho. He passed on in his sleep the 9th day of March 1926 following a full day of giving sessions. He is sometimes called Dr. Usui, but he did not receive any doctorate; he followed a different path and openly shared his gift with others. He was a very intelligent and insightful man that spent his life searching for knowledge of all kinds.

People of all ages, all educational levels and an overwhelming number of occupations practice some style of Usui Reiki Ryoho. No style honoring the tradition of Usui Reiki Ryoho is difficult or has odd rituals. Various styles of Usui Reiki Ryoho are taught simply because once a person completes the level allowing him or her to teach they sometimes change the way in which he or she was taught. Nevertheless, the unique form of universal energy used has not changed. The form of the energy used is a combination of the vibrations of love and harmony of ageless universal energy.

When a person decides to study Usui Reiki Ryoho, what style he or she should study depends upon the direction in which he or she wishes to face in life. Reiki Shihans (teachers) are always pleased to show their certificates, and energy and technique lineage back to Mikao Usui, the founder.

If you feel you do not have the time to study, following one of the Mikao Usui's precepts, "no anxious worry". You can experience the benefits of Usui Reiki Ryoho without study. Simply schedule a Reiki healing session given by a person that has devoted time to study and practice. A healing session includes no odd rituals; you simply lie back and enjoy the relaxing energy of love and harmony flowing through all your cells. A Reiki healing session gives balance to your whole self and surrounds you with harmony. Some people schedule regular Reiki sessions to maintain homeostasis.

Various styles, such as those that have not strayed far from the spiritual roots Mikao Usui created, teach how to blend Reiki into every day life. As Reiki blends into your life it becomes like your breath, automatically flowing yet taking you into that peaceful altered state when you focus on it. The hours of study and practice might seem unappealing, but think of the quote, "If something is worth doing, it is worth doing right."

While Reiki is not something you can teach yourself, learn from a book, or download from the internet, it is not difficult. Hiroshi Doi, a member of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai says about Reiki, "nothing fishy, nothing odd, nothing difficult'". If you have heard unsettling things about Reiki reflect on Dr. H.C.F. Meyer. In the 1800s, he patented an oil he proved to be helpful for such things as snakebites. "Snake oil" has become a term for things that do not work because others altered Dr. Meyer's method using different herbs and procedures, but using the same name.

Y Usui Reiki Ryoho is a spiritual practice, but it is neither a belief system nor a religion. Reiki is best described as a journey of self-growth and self-healing, which touches others along the way.

Y Reiki is energy. The core of all our cells is energy. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) molecules are one of the most important biological compounds for all living organisms. The reason being is that these molecules serve as the direct source of energy for doing cellular work.

Y The meaning of Reiki can be broken down. "Rei" means something mysterious, miraculous, and sacred. "Ki" means the atmosphere of something unseen or the energy of the universe. "Ki" does in some instances means an individual's life force energy, however Reiki is universal energy. Universal energy is inexhaustible energy that can replenish life force energy as needed.

Y Science states energy can be neither created nor destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to another. Reiki is a unique form of universal energy coming from the vibrations of love and harmony.

Y Reiki requires no directions; when it flows through a practitioner to the receiver, it knows where to go and what to do when it gets there. As Hiroshi Doi and Rev. Hyakuten Inamoto said in 2002, "Trust in Reiki".

Y Memorizing hand positions and symbols is not required. Reiki symbols are the finger pointing or the training wheels used by the teacher to aid the student in understanding the cords of energy that some cannot see, feel, smell, taste or hear. Symbols, techniques, and attunements are tools in each teacher's toolbox. The tools vary, and the use of those tools varies with different teachers. It is when devotion to study and practice are added to the tools that the masterpiece of embracing universal energy evolves.

Y The energy named Reiki will flow as soon as a person has received an attunement from a qualified Reiki Shihan (teacher). Once a person is invited/initiated into Reiki (attunement), he or she will never loose the connection to universal love and harmony.

Y Mikao Usui was Buddhist all his life, but the only similarities between Usui Reiki Ryoho and Buddhism are only discipline and practice. Anyone of any religion can practice Reiki.

Y Regardless of the style of Usui Reiki Ryoho practiced the form of energy named Reiki retains the same strength as long as the mind steps aside and allows it to flow uninterrupted. The actions, mindset, or the spirit of the person through which it flows can taint the flow of Reiki. Tainting or blocks can easily be removed by a focused hands-on technique given by a qualified Reiki Shihan (teacher).

Y Love and harmony do not harm any life form; nothing negative ever comes from any style honoring Usui Reiki Ryoho.

Y Reiki practitioners/teachers do not diagnose, manipulate tissues, nor prescribe any medications, changes in diet, or exercise, unless he or she holds a professional medical license. Reiki practitioners/teachers like herbalist try to educate and awaken the healer within each person. Reiki is a safe antidote for stress, but does not replace professional medical care. Reiki is complementary to professional medical care, and other healing modalities.

Y Reiki practitioners move his or her hands to gently rest on non-invasive areas guided by Byosen, the feel of inharmonic vibrations given off by the source of a disease or distressed cells. Reiki flows through hands, eyes, breath, and all pores, but sessions are most commonly hands-on with the client remaining clothed. Encumbrances in mind, body and spirit, which can cause emotional distress, are released in the way best for each individual, and positive energy then fills the void.

Y The Gokai (Reiki precepts or principles) is five simple lines. This is easy to remember and practice, and enriching to all areas of life.

Y Reiki will only flow as much as the cells receiving are capable of holding at that moment in time. Reiki will stop flowing when it is no longer required. The person allowing Reiki to flow to the imbalance of another cannot catch any imbalance unless it is a contagious disease.

Y Reiki practitioners do not take on the ills of others. Reiki Shihans (teachers) can easily tell anyone developing empathic abilities how to erase any distress he or she feels.

Y Reiki is a beautiful method of using universal energy to promote and speed healing via balance and harmony. While it requires time to assimilate, following the hours you spend with your teacher, you can practice wherever and when ever is good for you. Technology has added to the ease in learning by making our Reiki teachers available for our questions even after we have received our Reiki certificate.

Y Everyone has a healer within and some people have a natural ability to help others heal. The method Mikao Usui named Reiki Ryoho can enhance all when allowed to do.