Reiki is a safe and gentle healing technique. The word Reiki is Japanese and means:

Rei - God's Wisdom or The Higher Power
and
Ki - Life Force Energy

Reiki is based on the idea that life force energy flows through our beings and gives us life. This healing force is known as Prana in India and Ch'i in China. When one's life force energy is low or out of balance we are more susceptible to dis-ease and stress. Through Reiki, one's life force energy is increased and balanced within the chakras or energy centers of the body. This helps one to release negative emotion and stress and allows oneself to be in a place where they are open to receive clarity and healing. Reiki supports the entire spirit — there are benefits physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It is often used as a complement with other holistic healing methods and with treatments prescribed by doctors.

A Reiki Session

During a Reiki session, a client wears comfortable clothing and may choose to lie on a table or sit in a chair. Pillows and blankets may be used to promote comfort and relaxation. A typical session is one hour. The Reiki healer may begin by guiding the client to relax and quiet the body and mind. Noticing and following the breath is helpful. The healer may ask if the client would like to share an intention that she/he might have for the session. During the session, the healer or the client may be moved to speak or there may be silence. Life force energy moves through the healer's crown chakra, is directed by her/his hands and flows into the client. A series of hand positions may be used and/or the healer may be guided to specific areas of the body or to specific chakras. The client's own Inner Wisdom draws the energy into their body where it is needed. The healer can sense this through sensations in her/his hands and/or through intuitive guidance. A Reiki session may bring up deep emotional and spiritual issues, or it may simply bring the client to a feeling of relaxation and serenity. Many people describe themselves as feeling lighter while smiling peacefully. Reiki also helps to cleanse the body of toxins. Drinking water after a session aids this process.

Learning Reiki

Everyone has the ability to learn and give Reiki. It is not taught but rather passed on from teacher to student through the sharing of history, information, instruction and initiation. The ability to tap into Universal life force energy is given by a Reiki Master to a student during an attunement. There are three levels of Reiki instruction — each with additional information and technique instruction for deeper levels of understanding and healing. With each level of instruction the student will receive an additional attunement to allow them to tap into a greater amount of Universal life force energy. Once a student learns Reiki, they are guided to first practice on themselves to further their own personal development and healing. Then, to share this beautiful healing with those around them.

A Very Brief History of Usui Reiki

Reiki is an ancient healing technique that was rediscovered in the 1800's by a Japanese professor and minister named Mikao Usui. Usui began a ten year quest to discover the method by which Jesus healed. He saw resemblances between the lives and healings of Jesus and Buddha and sought information through Buddhism. He would later become a Buddhist monk and live in a Zen monastery in Japan. During his quest, he discovered information on a healing technique and through meditation was given guidance on how to access and use life force energy to heal. Usui named this technique Reiki and began the tradition of passing it from Teacher to student before he died in 1930.

Karuna®

Karuna® is a Sanskrit word that means compassionate action or any action that is used to diminish the suffering of others. Because of the oneness of all beings, Karuna® or compassion is extended to all out of Love and the motivation to work towards ending all suffering on Earth. In Buddhism it is believed that Karuna® must be accompanied by wisdom. William Lee Rand, founder of The International Center for Reiki Training, was spiritually guided to develop this new system of Reiki along with other similarly guided Reiki Masters. The study and practice of Karuna® deepens the Reiki Healers understanding of the subtleties of Life Force Energy and increases and strengthens the flow of this energy. Sound is often used to increase the focus and strength of the energy. Sound healing used to enhance Reiki energy may include chanting, toning and drumming.