What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese healing practice for reducing stress and inducing the body to heal itself.
Reiki, pronounced Ray Key, is a Japanese word which means free passage of universal life force energy. This life force energy is known as Prana in India, Chi in China, Ki in Japan, Mana in Hawaii and Elan vital in Europe. All of us have life force energy; it is essential for life and needs to flow freely for optimum health.
The aim of Reiki treatments is to harmonise your life force energy and reconnect you to the universal energy. Reiki energy is said to come from the source of all creation. This Source is said to be the vital force that sustains the cosmos and infuses us with light and life, providing the energy source from which our bodies, and all forms of matter, arise. Our aura is an energy body that surrounds our physical body; it emerges from our chakras (the energy centres of the body) and reflects the state of our life force energy.
These concepts are the pillars on which all healing traditions including Reiki are built and can be found in the texts of ancient Chinese, Indian and Japanese philosophies. More recently, modern scientific understanding has started to converge with this ancient wisdom. Quantum physicists have discovered that the universe is made up of energy, the Zero Point Field, and this energy is the source of all matter in the universe including human beings.
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Reiki – Mechanisms of Healing – Part 3
I want to finish the series of blog articles on the mechanisms of healing by looking at what happens in the client's body. Independent medical research has shown that this range of frequencies will stimulate healing in the body, with specific frequencies being suitable for different tissues. For example, 2 Hz encourages nerve regeneration, 7 Hz bone growth, 10 Hz ligament mending, and 15 Hz capillary formation. For example, it has been known for many years that placing an electrical coil around a fracture that refuses to mend will stimulate bone growth and repair. In addition Physiotherapy equipment based on these principles has been designed to aid soft tissue regeneration, and ultrasound technology is commonly used to clear clogged arteries and disintegrate kidney stones. Both Zimmerman (1990) in the USA and Seto (1992) in Japan further investigated the large pulsating biomagnetic field that is emitted from the hands of energy practitioners whilst they work. They discovered that the pulses are in the same frequencies as brain waves, and sweep up and down from 0.3 – 30 Hz, focusing mostly in 7 – 8 Hs, alpha state. Within the range of frequencies that will stimulate healing in the body. For me, all complementary therapies including Reiki work on the principle that they are stimulating the body to heal itself. References Zimmerman J, ‘The laying-on of hands, healing and therapeutic touch: a testable theory BEMI currents’, Journal of the Bio-Electromagnetics Institute. Vol 2, 1990. Seto A. et al., ‘Detection of extraordinarily large bio-magnetic field strength from human during external Qi emission’, Acupuncture and Electro-therapeutics Int. Jnl. Vol 17. 1992.
How was Reiki discovered?
Dr Mikao Usui is the father of Reiki. Born in Japan on 15th August 1864, he grew up hearing stories about the Buddha and was impressed with the Buddha’s quest for enlightenment. Dr Usui was fascinated by Buddha’s desire to help others and by the healing abilities he received after enlightenment. Looking at the people around him he saw that there were many people who were unable to lead happy, productive lives because they were sick or had physical disabilities. Out of a deep sense of compassion for these people, Dr Usui set off on a mission to acquire the healing powers that Buddha and his followers demonstrated, in order to help alleiviate sickness and suffering in others. Dr Usui travelled widely in Japan studying at Buddhist temples and trying to learn all he could about healing. His travelling eventually led him to a Zen monastery where he met Budhist monks and scholars who also interested in healing. After learning Sanskrit, while studying Indian sutras he discovered a formula for contacting a higher power that could bestow healing. By following the practices in the formula he was initiated into the use of the Reiki healing power. Dr Usui practiced and taught Reiki through attunements for the rest of his life.
How many sessions will I need?
It is difficult to predict how many treatments are required to re-harmonise the client but in general the client should see some evidence of improvement after four to six treatments reasonably close together. The longer a patient has had a condition the more treatments will be required. Some clients have monthly Reiki to help them manage their stress levels and as part of a preventative self-care programme.
