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Reiki, a form of alternative healing technique, is becoming increasing popular these days. This post is about some general facts on Reiki.
What is Reiki?
A Japanese healing system built around the use of ki, the universal life energy, analogous to the Hindu prana and the od force described in the research of Baron von Reichenbach. It is a spiritual practice developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui. It uses a technique commonly called palm healing as a form of complementary and alternative medicine. Rei stands for spirit and Ki stands for energy. When put together it means life force healing energy.
History of Reiki
Reiki is believed to have begun in Tibet several thousand years ago. Seers in the Orient studied energies and developed a system of sounds and symbols for universal healing energies. Various healing systems, which crossed many different cultures, emerged from this single root system. Unfortunately, the original source itself was forgotten.
Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Christian educator in Kyoto, Japan, rediscovered the root system in the mid- to late 1800s. He began an extensive twenty-one-year study of the healing phenomena of history's greatest spiritual leaders. He also studied ancient sutras (Buddhist teachings written in Sanskrit). He discovered ancient sounds and symbols that are linked directly to the human body and nervous system which activate the universal life energy for healing.
How does Reiki work?
No one really knows how Reiki works and there are many theories to answer that question. The one I most favor is the one I will now describe. We are alive because we have this energy (life force) substance coursing through our bodies. It flows through our chakras, merdians and nadis. It even flows through our bodies as what we know as aura. This energy when flowing unobstructed allows our mind and body to stay in healthy conditions, however the Universal Life Force energy is receptive to thoughts and feelings. When negative thoughts and feelings occur, the flow is disrupted. What Reiki does is that it enables the person to increase the flow of this Universal Life force energy throughout the body re-nourishing those areas once disrupted. Enough energy received and the body goes back to the state it was.
What are the benifits of Reiki?
One of the greatest Reiki healing health benefits is stress reduction and relaxation, which triggers the bodies natural healing abilities, and improves and maintains health.
-Creates deep relaxation and aids the body to release stress and tension,
-It accelerates the body's self-healing abilities
-Aids better sleep,
-Reduces blood pressure
-Can help with acute (injuries) and chronic problems (asthma, eczema, headaches, etc.) and aides the breaking of addictions
-Helps relieve pain
-Removes energy blockages, adjusts the energy flow of the endocrine system bringing the body into balance and harmony
-Assists the body in cleaning itself from toxins
-Reduces some of the side effects of drugs and helps the body to recover from drug therapy after surgery and chemotherapy
-Supports the immune system
-Increases vitality and postpones the aging process
-Raises the vibrational frequency of the body
-Helps spiritual growth and emotional clearing
How does Reiki differ from other healing methods?
The essential difference is that its so easy to apply. There are only hand positions involved and no one ever heals. The reiki healer only acts as a Channel for the healing energy to pass through to the client. It is by the Grace of God and simply happens. You can even be doubtful and skeptical of Reiki and it'll still work.
Types of Reiki
There are about 25 different types of reiki, which are off shoots from the original reiki imparted by Dr.Usui.
The most important among them are:
Usui Reiki:
Mikao Usui was the founder of reiki, which is practiced all over the world. Hawayo Takata, a Japanese woman, spread the teachings of Reiki, to the West.
Tibetan Reiki:
This form of reiki is a powerful Tibetan method of attunement and combines certain techniques from the original Usui reiki.
Karuna Reiki:
Karuna means a profound feeling to alleviate suffering, with abiding compassion towards all beings. Karuna Reiki employs sounds, endowed with the power to heal. These sounds are sacred and powerful. They can be transmitted silently through intention or chanting, to bring about deeper levels of healing. The power of Karuna Reiki is used to heal addictions.
Gendai Reiki:
Gendai means modern. Mr. Hiroshi Doi is the founder of this reiki. He brings a strong Buddhist perspective to the original reiki teachings.
Rainbow Reiki:
Walter Lubeck, a reiki master began this form of reiki. In this system, working with the seven main chakras in the body brings about healing. These chakras organize a body of light. This spiritual energy is used to heal and understand our true nature.
Five Element Seichem:
Alex Baisley in Canada founded this system. This helps us to consciously use the five elements of the universal life force or prana to promote healing.
Shamballa Reiki:
This system helps to cleanse, repair and balance the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels of a person. It uses reiki energy along with many vibratory symbols and healing rays to achieve the purpose.
Kundalini Reiki:
In this system, reiki energy is channeled through the lower base chakra rather than crown chakra. This kindles spirituality and even helps the practitioner get over shyness, or recover from trauma and other negative emotions.
Imara Reiki:
The reiki energy is used to work on past life, repressed issues and helps in long distance healing. The practitioner is connected to ascended masters and angels.
There is an abundance of Reiki systems, many are being added and created every day.
Sources: http://www.medindia.net/alternativemedicine
http://www.reikimassage.la/whatisreiki.htm
http://www.reiki-for-holistic-health.com/
http://www.holisticonline.com/Reiki/hol_reiki_introduction.htm
Traditional Usui Reiki Level 1 manual (The one I was given)