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Reiki Healing / 霊気
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The Usui System of Reiki Healing
Just for today, do not worry;
Just for today, do not anger;
Honor your parents, teachers, and elders;
Earn your living honestly;
Show gratitude to every living thing
-Dr. Mikao Usui
Reiki energy offers one the chance to experience a higher state of consciousness through healing hands—no matter if they are one’s own hands or those of a Reiki practitioner treating another.
Reiki energy is a part of the Universal Life Force Energy that is present in all living and non-living things. The Chinese call it ch’i; the Japanese call it ki; and Hindus call it prana. It is the God-source energy that assists in healing and giving those who receive it a sense of equilibrium and well-being.
The particular method that I was taught is called Usui Shiki Ryoho in Japanese, known as “The Usui System of Natural Healing” in English. It is an ancient method of healing that is believed to have originated in Tibet, but was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui who brought it to Japan. As taught to me by my teacher, it is a holistic therapy which supports the effectiveness of traditional and complementary treatments. It is not a religion, as it does not have a creed or doctrine.
Reiki energy is a smart energy that automatically goes to the area in the body that needs healing. The Reiki treatment is a gentle, non-invasive healing method that offers those who receive it relaxation, peace of mind—and in many cases—a physical, mental or emotional healing, relieving pre-existing conditions.
What makes Reiki different from other healing methods and forms of bodywork is that the practitioner has been attuned with “empowerments” which serve to fine-tune the physical and etheric bodies to a higher vibratory level. Through the attainment process a person’s energy centers are opened up and aligned to allow the person to channel the life force energy more ably and in greater amounts.
A Reiki practitioner is attuned by a Reiki Master-Teacher who is able to impart into the person’s aura the symbols used in Reiki. Practitioners can be attuned to Level I (able to give treatments to oneself and others); Level II (able to send Reiki to someone in a distance healing); Level III A (is attuned with the Master symbol); and Level III B (is taught how to attune others to Reiki).
The Reiki practitioner then channels this Reiki energy through the hands to the recipient. Never does the recipient have to remove any clothing; Reiki is a gentle, yet powerful energy that is non-invasive. The therapy is non-intrusive, merely a “laying of hands.” There is no manipulation of the body or deep tissue massage involved in a Reiki treatment. The practitioner is not a healer in the true sense of the word, but only a “channel” acting as a vehicle for the healing Reiki energy to pass through his/her body and hands. The recipient draws the needed energy offered from the channel (Reiki practitioner).
Anyone can offer another magnetic energy by laying his/her hands upon the other person. The difference, however, between someone who has not been attuned to the Reiki energy, and one who has, is the tremendous amount of energy transferred to the person. A Reiki graduate’s hands are much hotter and the energy is more noticeable from a Reiki practitioner.
Before beginning any Reiki treatment, whether it is a self-treatment or a treatment for someone else, it is important to create a “healing space” within you and in the room where the treatment will take place. Preparing to do a Reiki treatment can be best achieved through meditation, prayer to the Creator, and/or by offering an intention to the Universe asking that a healing take place during the treatment.
I recommend a combination of all three: Meditating before the start of the treatment puts one in a frame of mind more conducive to healing; a prayer offered with purity of motive helps the practitioner to center and concentrate on the purpose of offering Reiki to oneself or to another; and an intention makes it clear to the Universe what it is intended to be done with regards to the treatment.
I believe strongly in “setting the space” as well. Before I perform a treatment on myself or another, I always make sure that the room has been cleared of any negative energy that may be lurking about. This can be done in any number of ways, but the easiest way is to raise the vibratory energy of the room through sound. If you have a bell, gong, Tibetan cymbals, a Tibetan singing bowl, or drum, then use these vibration-rising tools to carry off any stagnate energy that may be stuck. This can also be achieved by playing a soothing CD that resonates positively within you—something that is relaxing, putting everyone at ease.
Another option is to sage the area where you will be doing the treatment. Sage has been used since time immemorial by indigenous peoples all over the world in shamanic rituals to clear negative energy during ceremonies, treatments, and in their daily lives. The aromatic smoke of the sage plant traps negative energy and carries it off and away from where you are.
If this is not a viable option, then regular incense can be used to achieve the same results. If you are treating a client, it might be best to first ask if the person is sensitive to sage and incense before using these tools. If so, then you can do it well in advance of the person’s arrival so the odor will have dissipated before the treatment begins. The end result, whether done immediately before the treatment or several hours before, are the same.
As well, fresh flowers offer vibrancy and positive energy to any room where a treatment is done. Basically, any preparation you make to enhance the Reiki treatment that is positive and beneficial to the healing process will aid you in offering yourself or the client a treatment that is fulfilling and healing.
When is it best to use Reiki? Actually, anytime energy is needed, or a condition needs alleviating, Reiki can be used. Of course, it should not be used as a substitute for medical care or medication, but it certainly can be used in addition to regular medical treatment to enhance and speed along the healing process. Reiki can only help, not hurt a pre-existing medical condition. One exception could be if someone has a broken bone, then Reiki should not be administered until after the bone is set. Reiki is so powerful and beneficial that it could cause the bone to heal before it is in its proper position. After the bone is set by a professional, then Reiki can be used to assist in the healing process.
Especially before an operation, Reiki can help in the preparation of the patient; certainly after the operation, Reiki is useful in helping to heal the patient’s body. The recipient of Reiki is calmed and is given a sense of harmony within his/her body which is quite beneficial before an operation to ease anxiety, and after, to accelerate the healing process. As mentioned before, Reiki is a “smart” energy that travels throughout the body to the area in most need of a healing—whether this is a medical condition or the result of an operation (an incision), the body will take what it needs and use it in the most beneficial way possible.
“Dr. Usui discovered two very important principles: that a person should ask for a healing, and that there should be an exchange of energy for the healer’s time. The receiver frees him/herself of obligation through a trade of some sort, thus making a firm commitment to their own healing. If the form of Exchange is in monetary terms, then the fee for a Reiki treatment should be comparable to that of an hour of therapeutic massage in your area.”
-Lyn Maikin-Perez. The Usui System of REIKI Healing. Tokyo: 1996.
Often when you begin to give yourself Reiki, be aware that the energy helps to release toxins within your system as your body begins the healing process to purge that which is causing distress. This potential detoxification may seem like the condition has worsened. It is best to commit to at least 3-4 successive treatments, at least weekly. However, it is best to give yourself daily treatments, making Reiki a part of your daily routine.
Light and blessings,
Rev. Prof. Todd Jay Leonard
Reiki Master-Teacher, Usui Shiki Ryoho
