What the heck is Reiki?

From reiki.org:

"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."

Who among us wouldn't benefit by stress reduction and relaxation?  Not to mention healing energy?

There are three degrees of Reiki practitioners.  According to Reiki practitioners and Masters, at First Degree, a Reiki practitioner is able to heal themselves and others, at Second Degree is able to heal others distantly (commonly called distant healing) with the use of specialised symbols, and at Master/Teacher level is able to teach and attune others to Reiki.

I took a Reiki One workshop a few weeks ago at Essence of Self.  I really didn't know what to expect, I had heard about Reiki, but couldn't really explain what it was to anyone that asked.  Nancy Smith, the owner, is a friend of mine, and she taught the Reiki One workshop.  As usual, she did a great job, she's casual and fun, a very smart lady!  I have always been wanting to take this workshop, mainly because my life seems to be on a more mindful and spiritual path.  Life always seemed to get in the way, so I was happy to finally be able to commit to this training.  I'm very much looking forward to Reiki Two!

From Nancy's handout:
"Through Reiki, the practitioner has the ability to discern a person's troubled energy spots and rebalance them, providing profound relaxation and enhanced healing."

Reiki does not replace ANY of your traditional healing methods.  It is meant to relax and enhance those traditional methods, by bringing in positive healing energy.  Many reiki masters are nurses, nuns, priests, and other mindful everyday people.  I can only imagine the peace and relaxation that a reiki session would bring in a hospice situation.

Some resources:

Essence of Self

Holistic Online

Essential Reiki

Reiki Healing Yourself and Others


Live as if time is infinite!