WHAT IS REIKI??

by Melissa M. Amendola

WHAT IS REIKI??
Two weeks ago, I was asked by a massage therapy client "What is Reiki"?? We had just finished up with a therapeutic massage session, were sitting in the office talking about how he was feeling after the session, and he asked me. One of my favorite questions to be asked. Actually, any question inquiring about body or energy work is always a favorite. But, especially Reiki questions!

Sometimes, I actually enjoy giving a reiki session to a client more than a massage session! Why, you may ask?

Well, lets first talk a bit about What Reiki Is:

First of all, it is important to acknowledge that it is NOT a religious dogma. There is no religious affiliation associated with Reiki. Reiki is an ancient form of healing that is thousands of years old. It is a hands-on healing technique believed to have originated in Tibet, and was a common healing method practiced by Tibetan Buddhist monks. This ancient healing form was rediscovered in the late 1800's by a Japanese scholar named Mikao Usui.

Reiki is best understood as a healing modality that works with Chi (chee). Chi is commonly believed in eastern medicinal & healing practices to be the vital life force energy that exists in every living thing. When Chi is out of balance, illness & disease can set in. When a Reiki healer lays her/his hands on a person, the healer is transmitting the healing energy of Chi into the person. Since Reiki is translated as a “universal life force energy” and Chi is the vital energy (life force energy) needed for health & wellness, a person who practices Reiki can transmit this abundant healing energy that exists everywhere (universally) into any living thing.

HOW IS A PERSON WHO BECOMES A REIKI HEALER CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING THIS UNIVERSAL LIFE FORCE ENERGY?

One way to understand it is to think of a radio. When you are searching for a station to listen to, you adjust your radio dial to the exact frequency that the station broadcasts at. Once your dial is at the right frequency, you can hear the music. Understanding how a person transmits Reiki can be likened to the same process. The Reiki healer is “attuned” or “grounded” to certain vibrational frequencies that allow her/him to transmit this universal life force energy.

Each client receives only the amount of healing universal life force energy that they need at that particular moment in time.

THE BENEFITS OF REIKI MAY INCLUDE:
*Stress reduction
*Increases relaxation, body awareness & deeper breathing
*Allows any blocked chakra center to re-open & transmit Chi
*Allows for the rebalancing of the chakra centers in one’s body
*A non-invasive approach to healing & relaxation
*Can be used as a healing modality regardless of one’s physical state of health. There are very little if any contraindications with Reiki.

Usui Reiki
Usui Reiki is a Japanese practice based on the premise that one's health is directly related to the balance of one's energy. Through the use of this natural healing system, Reiki energy flows freely and powerfully facilitating healing abilities thus combating disease.

A tool & practice accessible to all this old Eastern tradition is a safe and gentle hands-on system delivering the Universal Life Force to the body. Reiki does not employ massage. Rather, the Reiki Master/ Practitioner transfers energy through the safe laying of the hands. The chakras are balanced and opened stimulating growth while completely relaxing one's body and mind.

Energetic vibrations increase and blockages clear. Awareness and intuition heighten.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery. A natural healing system and spiritual system, Reiki is very simple to practice. With clear intent and strong pathways, the practitioner becomes the vessel through which Reiki is focused and distributed.

What Does Reiki Feel Like?
Described as feeling warm, soothing and "tingly", a recipient of Reiki will feel measurable heat emanating from the practitioner's hands. This is normal and most often invited. A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and well being.

Reiki in Western Medicine
Reiki is not a medical treatment. Reiki supports the paradigm emerging in Western medicine. That paradigm includes preventive care, mind/body awareness and natural healing.

Reiki is the least complicated, truest and most effective technique for wellness, as it is an excellent compliment to Western medicine. It is holistic in nature and will not adversely interfere with any drug, diagnosis, or belief system. It is untainted, intelligent, and it cannot be manipulated.

And, this is one of the really cool things about Reiki. Reiki gives all the powers to heal to the recipient. Most importantly, the practitioner holds no power over the person receiving the reiki.

Another really cool thing about reiki energy, is that it can NEVER be used for ill intent or ill will. It can only by used to facilitate healing or helping. When a reiki practitioner begins a session, one of the first things they will do is ask for "right guidance, right intent & right spirit". This typically translates into loving guidance & unconditional love/acceptance for the journey & trials each client is experiencing in their life path. This unconditional love & acceptance that is channeled into each reiki session is a very large part of why I at times, enjoy reiki more than massage. There are no judgements or issues or problems to "fix". There is no "fixing". There is only the simple exchange of loving, accepting energy that values each of us individually regarding where we currently are in our lives. I have heard, many times over, that love is truly what heals us. And, I believe that with every fiber of my body. Self love & unconditional self acceptance (I'm not talking about a love of ego here).

Now, lets bring things up to speed in modern times here. Many hospitals around the country are now offering Reiki to patients. Reiki is especially popular for those hospital patients that have undergone surgery or the various treatments for cancer. This year a Boston study performed at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigated the effects of Reiki on men that were receiving treatment for prostate cancer. The study found that " Reiki therapy reduced anxiety and relaxation response therapy (RRT) improved the "emotional well being" of prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy."

Reiki is stated to work on the physical, mental & emotional levels of healing. This study shows how it did just that, on the emotional level of healing. And, I believe that we can all use as much emotional support & healing these days, as we can get.

I personally have witnessed the emotional & physical healing effects of reiki with cancer patients (as a reiki practitioner working with such patients).


best, as always-
Melissa M. Amendola
Reiki Walpole MA