What is Reiki? Can it heal?
Reiki is a Japanese word formed from two characters;
rei = universal, all, god/source
ki = vital energy, life force
Joining these two kanji, or Japanese characters, gives us the meaning ‘universal vital energy’ which we understand to be the force which animates us all, gives us life.
Reiki is a secular enlightenment system and healing system. In the west it is primarily taught as a healing system. It allows you to heal yourself and others by the laying-on of hands. It was developed by Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 1900s. Reiki is very easy to learn and easy to use, and anyone can do it; Reiki healing is a process of being connected to the Reiki Energy through an attunement or empowerment. Healing is done either hands-on, or by distance work.
Reiki is pronounced “ray-key”. The word “Reiki” is made up of two separate kanji; “Rei”, meaning Universal, and “Ki”, which is spirit, energy or life force. The most common definition of Reiki is therefore “Universal Life Force”. Some say that it is life force energy that animates all life. This universal life energy is indescribable, in all things, everywhere. The two Kanji taken together can also mean enlightenment. They represent the universal spirit coming together with our own.
Still, what IS Reiki?
Energy is all around us. Reiki energy is life-force energy channelled through a healer in order to aid in the healing of another person, animal or plant, or even themselves. You do not “heal”; you help that organism’s inherent process of healing itself. If you have practised yoga, tai chi or an oriental martial art you may be familiar with the idea of Life Force Energy. The Chinese call it “chi”, and use acupuncture to regulate the flow of chi around the body, believing that blockages or imbalances cause illness and dis-ease. In India it is known as prana, in Hawaii it is mana, Christians may equate it with light, and now you know that in Japanese it is ki.
