Lesson 2: What is Reiki?

Reiki is a form of hands-on healing, with its origins in India and the East dating back many thousands of years to the time before Christ and Buddha. The original name, disciplines, and techniques of Reiki were lost due to the traditional method of passing knowledge from generation to generation by word of mouth. Exactly when this ancient art of healing disappeared is difficult to determine. However, we do know that it was rediscovered by a Japanese Scholar and monk named Dr. Mikao Usui. It was in fact Dr. Usui who fashioned the name REIKI.

Reiki is a two-syllable Japanese word meaning universal life force. Although the proper Japanese pronunciation is RYE-KEY, it has been westernized to RAY-KEY.

Rei means universal, omnipresent – present everywhere at the same time. Esoterically Rei means spiritual consciousness, the omniscient wisdom from God, or the higher self.

Ki is the nonphysical vitality that gives life to all living things. Many cultures understand and recognize the importance of Ki energy and how it impacts our lives and well-being.

Ki energy can be activated for the purpose of healing. When you feel healthy and full of enthusiasm, the flow of Ki energy in your body is high and unencumbered. Life seems easier to deal with and you have a higher resistance to illness and disease.

However, when your Ki energy is low because maybe you are under stress or feeling unhappy and tired you will be more susceptible to disease and sickness. Your attitude will be generally negative and you will find it difficult to deal with life’s challenges. Ki is the very essence of the soul; it leaves the body when a person dies.

Reiki is holistic; it works on the body mind and spirit by stimulating a person’s own natural healing abilities. The blocked emotional and physical elements that lead to illness and disease are cleared. Reiki is neither positive nor negative; it is in fact the highest and most profound vibration of life. Divine in origin, it allows us all to become one with all things alive in our world. Reiki is pure unconditional love and joy bringing all who experience and embrace it principles together in harmony.

The skills and techniques associated with Reiki are simple and easy to learn. Small children and adults can equally comprehend and incorporate this ancient form of healing into their lives. Regular contact with Reiki will bring the recipient’s mind body and spirit into balance. It will also help prevent future creation of illness and disease.

“Reiki is the greatest secret in the science of energetic.” – Madam Hawayo Takata

The human body is made up of over 50 trillion cells. Each cell contains omniscient wisdom and is connected to the universe and every living thing within it. A good analogy is to think of the universe as a huge ocean of water. Every living thing within that ocean is like a tiny droplet. Together these droplets make up and are part of Reiki the universal life force.

Reiki is part of our genetic structure. An inbuilt intelligence that energizes the mind, body, and spirit. Reiki stimulates growth, health, life, and healing. When it is freely allowed to flow around the body it can keep us alive and healthy for over one hundred and twenty years.

Unfortunately, bad habits and poor choices result in the flow of Reiki being stifled. It is important to note that Reiki cannot be destroyed. Even when we die and the life force leaves our body it continues to exist as part of the universe. Through neglect and ignorance, we abuse this vital component of life.

When the mind, body, and spirit are in harmony the biological intelligence that governs the body’s resources and allows it to heal itself and function correctly are intensified. Reiki is the key that unlocks the body’s optimum capabilities. There are seven main energy centers in the body that control the flow of the universal life force. They are called the Chakras. Each chakra is responsible for supplying energy to specific parts of the body. When they are blocked or clogged the body becomes sick and the flow of energy is diluted.

A full Reiki treatment reopens the chakras and re-balances the flow of the universal life force around the body. A person will normally need four full treatments on four consecutive days to boost the flow of Reiki energy. This will stimulate the body’s immune system and natural healing abilities. Normally the body will begin by cleansing itself of toxins. As the poisons are removed, the body becomes re-balanced and the healing process can begin.

Many cultures have developed techniques and disciplines that stimulate the flow of KI energy around the body. However, Reiki is the easiest to learn and administer. The techniques are simple to master. The results are profound.

Reiki is ever-present in our bodies. This means anyone can harness this profound inbuilt intelligent energy for healing.

However, without being attuned to the universal life force you will only be using about 10-20% of its capacity for healing.

Madam Takata explained it best when she described Reiki as being similar to radio waves. We cannot see them but we know they are everywhere around us. When we turn on a radio and tune into the radio waves we can pick up a signal. That signal is turned into a radio program. Similarly, the universal life force is everywhere, although we cannot see it unless we use Kirlian photography.

When we are tuned into the energy by a Reiki Master we are able to harness Reiki to heal ourselves and others. This gift of healing remains with us for the rest of our lives. We can only lose it if we use it for negative or destructive purposes. Reiki is pure and it needs to be treated as such.

Reiki is channeled through the hands. When you place your hands on your own body or the body of another person for the purpose of healing you connect with the universal life force. The wisdom of Reiki then goes to work to bring about healing, balance, and whatever is needed on a holistic level.
The best way to understand how Reiki works is to experience it

And you can without formal training. Using Crystal energy makes it easier. You can practice on yourself and gain some of the benefits.

To start out and test this for your self here is a simple way.

We will start with a helper crystal or two. We will start at the beginning with the Root or Base chakra. We will use a simple Crystal Reiki symbol ~ the basics of all of them and all of life ~ the circle. We will use two small spheres and 5 or 6 small stones. They need to be red. We suggest a simple Red Jasper.

We are beginning with a very simple Crystal Reiki ceremony.

Your root or base chakra is located in your subtle body near your genitals. To balance this chakra we find that a sitting position with a small lap tray of some sort works best. It can be a small piece of wood, a plate, a tray, or something similar that will sit on your lap and hold a few stones.

You will need:

1. A few small red stones such as Red Jasper (we recommend a Mookaite Tumbled Set)
2. (Optional) A base chakra balancing candle
3. Two small to medium spheres of Carnelian or another orange/red sphere.
4. A lap table or tray of some kind

Find a quiet place. Put your candle nearby and light it. Now sit down and place your lap tray in your lap and get comfortable.

Sit quietly and breathe very slowly and purposefully for about 3 minutes. Now take the small tumbled red stones and make a small circle of them on your lap tray. Next, look directly ahead and close your eyes. Now with an index finger draw a circle in front of your face. Draw it very slowly and as you do see it actually seems to be made of flames. Draw it three times and each time watch the flames go out before you draw it again.

Now take two small red spheres, one in each hand, and place your hands palms up just above your lap table. Hold them there and call upon the Universal Life Force to bring the balance to your chakra that will sustain you. Rest the back of your hands on the lap table and breathe slowly. As you do see your aura begin to shimmer with a bit of red light from above. Let it surround you. Sit and allow the balance to grow. Five to ten minutes is a good estimate.

Repeat this exercise for four days. Keep a log. You will find you have a much more balanced outlook and are much more “connected’ to the Earth and the reality of life while being much more in tune with your inner self.