Reiki

Have you ever wondered "What is Reiki?" This quick overview will both answer that question and provide a glimmer of insight into why Reiki is a popular method of alternative healing amongst Universal Life Church Monastery ministers.

History of Reiki

Reiki is an alternative healing therapy that was developed by Japanese Buddhist Dr. Mikao Usui in 1922. Dr. Usui, who had had a background in Tibetan Buddhism and medicine, worked in the conventional medical field for most of his career and was unimpressed by the level of healing that the patients he worked with received. During a 21 day Buddhist training session held on top of a mountain near Kyoto in 1922, Dr. Usui had a vision about tapping into Reiki, a universal healing energy. This vision gave Dr. Usui the knowledge and know-how on the hand positions and techniques that would allow a Reiki practitioner to tap into "ki energy" and channel this healing power into to a person in need of medical care.

The Reiki methodology

Reiki healing energy supposedly flows from divine realms and is channeled into a patient in need of medical care through a person's "crown chakra" (a state of pure consciousness) and hands. Reiki is based on an ancient Tibetan Buddhist healing technique that was fully developed in Japan in the early 20th century. This spiritual path, like Japan's indigenous Shintoism, strongly believe in a universal divine energy that supposedly animates all life forms. Reiki therapy uses the gentle laying on of hands onto a patient's body, mind and spirit to tap into this divine energy to kick-starts natural healing processes.

It is believed that Dr. Usui's Reiki healing method was initially established to help his students achieve spiritual enlightenment. This system of healing by channeling divine energy had no particular philosophical belief system attached to it. Instead, healing often took place on both the emotional and physical level as Dr. Usui's students continued to attune themselves to the healing energy of Reiki.

Who can be a Reiki practitioner?

Anyone - even those who closely affiliate themselves with conventional religions - can choose to be initiated into Reiki. Channeling and sharing Reiki energy does not conflict with any other belief system or spiritual practice. After being initiated by a Reiki master, a student can practice Reiki and channel its healing energy either to heal oneself or to send the energy to another in need, regardless of their spiritual beliefs. While Reiki healing energy and its effects correspond to the seven chakras (vortex of energy believed in by Buddhists) along the human spinal column, Reiki is in no way limited to Buddhists.

Reiki Certification and Levels

There are three levels of Reiki certification. A Reiki student who has completed the first level of training will be able to heal themself and to channel healing energy to others who are physically present. A second degree Reiki practitioner will be able to send healing energy to those who are not physically present. Third level Reiki practitioners are considered to be Reiki masters. They are able teach others how to attune to and channel Reiki energy and initiate people as Reiki healers. Reiki masters are particularly adept at channeling healing Reiki energy to a patient in need of physical or emotional healing.