What is Reiki?

What is Reiki?

 

Reiki (Ray-Key), a Japanese tradition brought to the West shortly after World War II, is the art of channeling universal life energy, or God, through a body and into another in order to stimulate the relief of pain.

 

The universal life energy is called Ch’i (or Qi), and it’s measurable via an EEG. It can also be measured with a Ch’i Spinner. A ch’i spinner is a wheel that sits on a pin and moves as a person concentrates on it. It also moves by placing a hand near the spinner in hopes that it will move based on the presence and emission of Ch’i energy. The fastest way to accumulate Chi is through meditative arts such as Tai Chi Ch’uan, yoga, or sitting meditation.

 

Ch’i is not quantifiable, so we cannot measure it directly. However, we can measure its effects. Some meditation practitioners have expressed the presence of cool, white energy suddenly accumulating at the crown of the head. This white energy, that is readily felt during sitting meditation, is the Ch’i used in Reiki healing. It must also be noted that Ch’i “works” regardless of any mystical fireworks.

Sometimes Ch’i is called “Breath,” and that breath is the Universe’s soul essence. It is the active principle, or Yang of the Yin Yang, of all living things. It is active and therefore male. Ch’i has different names in different cultures. For example, in Vedic literature it is referred to as Prana. What’s interesting is that Ch’i is mentioned in many cultures that developed simultaneously, yet separately. On the Hawaiian Islands, Ch’i is called Mana.

Chi animates life. When the carcass of an animal is found, it can be said that Ch’i has left the body. In other words, the Universally Spirit that is us has left the body. Reiki is the art of concentrating and increasing the presence of Ch’i in the body. A common belief among teachers and students is that enough Ch’i can heal any ailment. It must also be remembered that everything has a life-span with a definite beginning and an apparent ending.

Reiki is a system of healing, developed by Mikao Usui, during a 21 day Buddhist retreat. According to legend, the knowledge and ability of Reiki entered into Mikao Usui through his crown chakra as a result of meditation, pray, fasting, and the chanting of sacred Buddhist mantras. Some contend that Mikao Usui merely rediscovered Reiki, and that it has existed among men for millennium.

Due to energy levels of Reiki having a higher frequency that normal matter and consciousness, it is necessary for a practitioner to be attuned to a specific level in order to carry out the duties of that level. There are two distinct branches of Reiki; each with many derivatives. The first branch is called Traditional Japanese Reiki, while the second is called Western Reiki.

The primary difference is that Traditional Japanese Reiki was taught to the Japanese population beginning around 1933, and Western Reiki was taught by a German named Frank Petter. In addition, the Western Reiki Tradition got its name simply because it was taught to would-be artists in the West.

Reiki is exclusively a healing art that addresses physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual imbalances. Its sole purpose is to heal illnesses and bring a degree of enlightenment to both the patient and the practitioner.