Seeds for Change Wellness
Discovering What Reiki Is and Isn't
Discovering What Reiki Is and Isn't
Adapted From: Reiki For Dummies Source
Reiki is popping up all over the place, but lots of folks are still confused about what Reiki is
exactly. In the context here, Reiki is both:
A healing system that channels universal life-force energy: This system was
originally developed by Mikao Usui in the early 1900s in Japan.
The name of the energy itself: Rei means spiritual wisdom, and ki means energy, so
Reiki means spiritual energy.
Some people use the word Reiki as a verb, as in "I will Reiki him." What they are saying is, "I will
give Reiki to him."
Reiki is available to everyone. Anyone of any age or illness level can receive Reiki. Even
newborn babies or people at the end of life can benefit from the relaxation that Reiki provides.
What Reiki Is
In short, Reiki gives you what you need, whether it's a release of tension or an energy boost, or
both. To help you more fully understand what Reiki gives you, here are some terms used to
describe Reiki:
Gentle: Reiki's touch is soft and light.
Harmless: Reiki can have only positive results.
Natural: You don't need any equipment or tools.
Healing: The highest level of healing is the goal of Reiki.
Balancing: Reiki will balance your energy levels.
Relaxing: The top reason to try Reiki is to feel the bliss of deep relaxation.
Energizing: If you're drained of energy, Reiki will revive you.
What Reiki Isn't
Knowing what Reiki isn't is as important as knowing what it is:
Reiki is not religious.
Reiki is totally nondenominational. You can practice any religion (or none) and still use and
benefit from Reiki. Reiki Founder Mikao Usui was influenced by the religions of his country,
Shintoism and Buddhism. But Reiki isn't associated with any religion, and people of all faiths
and beliefs are Reiki practitioners. Reiki isn't New Age either.
Reiki is not massage or reflexology.
Reiki is an energy-healing system and not a manipulative system (hands moving the body).
Reiki is distinct from reflexology and massage. But Reiki is sometimes confused with other
hands-on healing arts, especially reflexology.
Making the Religion/Spirituality Distinction
Reiki isn't a religion, but it is spiritual. The distinction between spirituality and religion has
caused a lot of confusion with regard to Reiki. These concepts are overlapping but separate.
Spirituality is the belief in your connection with the divine, no matter whether you call it a higher
power, God, spirit, soul, or even the stars. The purpose of spiritual development is to improve
this connection and see the divinity within yourself and all around you.
Religion provides guidance on how to develop yourself spiritually. It tells you what the divine
looks like and gives you frameworks of texts, places of worship, and guides to support you.
You can be part of a religion and not have a spiritual connection. You can have a spiritual
connection and not belong to a religion.
Reiki provides a means for spiritual growth. No matter what your religious background, you'll
find that the principles are relevant and don't conflict with your religious practice. In fact, Reiki
should enhance your personal religious connection. The spiritual aspects of Reiki enable you
to do the following:
Connect to a higher source: You use prayer and meditation to connect to God or the higher
power of your own beliefs. Spiritual connection provides the never-ending supply of Reiki
energy.
Channel the higher energy: Reiki healing energy is not from the practitioner but comes
through the practitioner from God or another higher power.
Keep spiritually healthy: Just as you maintain your physical health with nutritious food, fresh
air, and exercise, you also need to maintain your spiritual health. Prayer, meditation, quiet
times, and spiritual exercise (doing kind acts) can help in this regard. Reiki uses the following
spiritual tools: Reiki principles, meditation, and symbols and chanting.