Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So, Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy." Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life. While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it. While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others.
Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures. During a meditation several years after developing Reiki, Mikao Usui decided to add the Reiki Ideals to the practice of Reiki. The Ideals were developed to add spiritual balance to Usui Reiki. Their purpose is to help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience. In order for the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, the client must accept responsibility for her or his healing and take an active part in it. Therefore, the Usui system of Reiki is more than the use of the Reiki energy.
Chakras and the Auric Body System
A chakra is a vortex or spinning wheel of etheric energy which funnels Prana, the invisible energy of the universe, into and through the subtle fields of our aura and into the physical body via meridian conduits. Just as the physical body needs a regular intake of food to energize the organs and muscles, so too does the etheric or spiritual body need a regular intake of Prana to keep it balanced and in harmony with the universe. Each of your seven basic chakras resonates in tune with a specific color and a specific musical tone, and by visualizing the colors and tones of each chakra one by one; you can effectively restore your chakras to their original brightness, clarity, and vitality.
The 3 Pillars of Reiki
The three pillars which comprise the foundation of Reiki are: the bringing together of hands at the heart center which helps to ground the individual, center their energy, and focus intention; the invocation of Reiki to begin flowing; and Chiryo, which involves either placing the hands in various positions along the body or beaming energy to the recipient so that they may receive the healing and loving energy that is Reiki.
Included are detailed instructions for levels I, II and III master practitioner attunements.
