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WHAT IS REIKI?
Reiki is thought to have originated thousands of years ago and was considered lost until the early 1900’s when Mikao Usui rediscovered it in Japan. Since then, the ancient teachings of Reiki have been brought to the North America and the rest of the world.
The word Reiki comes from two Japanese words, “REI” and “KI”. The word “REI” means universal energy and is interpreted to mean the higher knowledge or spiritual consciousness and is the all knowing wisdom of the universe.
The word “KI” means life energy or vital life force energy that animates all living things. KI is the nonphysical energy used by all healers to be guided during a healing. The REI guides the KI; therefore Reiki literally means “spiritually guided life force energy.” Although Reiki is spiritual by nature—it is not a religion.
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HOW DO OUR BODIES USE VITAL LIFE FORCE ENERGY(KI) ?
As energy beings, our bodies are vessels through which Ki is channeled. Like our hearts’ ability to beat with no conscious thought, we breath Ki through many areas of our bodies automatically.
The Ki that enters the body is processed in centers called chakras. The chakras store, regulate and distribute Ki into our subtle and physical energy bodies.
There are three principal channels through which the Ki flows. These channels are known as the Ida, Pingala and the Shushumna. These three distribution channels carry Ki between the chakras and also to the finer channels known as nadis. The Ida, Pingala and the Shushumna can be likened to our arteries, and the nadis can be likened to our veins. In contrast to the arteries and veins carrying blood, the Ida, Pingala, Shushumna and the nadis are carrying Ki. Our mind, endocrine system and nervous system “step down” the Ki for use in the physical body.
From a Reiki point of view, disease begins when there is a disturbance to the flow of Ki along any of these pathways. The disturbance can occur at any point between the chakras and one of the systems that distributes the energy, thereby causing a lack of Ki in the physical body, leading to physical ailments and disease. These disturbances are commonly referred to as blocks.
Energy blocks can be the source of much anguish in our lives that is frequently difficult to resolve with traditional medicine alone. |
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WHAT IS THE “FIGHT OR FLIGHT” INSTINCT?
As a survival mechanism, stress is meant to alert us to danger by activating the “fight or flight” instinct. When the perceived danger is over, our bodies should come out of stress. In today’s world, we are so bombarded with daily stresses that our bodies are perpetually in “fight or flight” mode. The alarm activating this instinct does not seem to shut off, so we remain on high alert.
For most of us, we just cope with the perpetual stresses of life; we may not even notice that we are incrementally layering stress all over our bodies until we become overwhelmed, resulting in our bodies becoming sick or diseased! These layers of stress reduce the flow of Ki entering the chakras and traveling through the body, thereby creating blocks. Our bodies need to calm down in order to rejuvenate and heal. |
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HOW DOES REIKI HEAL?
Reiki is expansive by nature. This means that once the Reiki enters the body, it begins to expand and will push against any blocks that may have formed; the blocks begin to dissolve and break down, resulting in less resistance for Ki to move through the body.
Reiki energy helps to restore balance to the body, mind and spirit. The deep relaxation and peace, resulting from the restored balance, activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This component of the nervous system is generally activated during sleep when we are the most relaxed.
Reiki does not dictate, harm or control; rather, it works for the highest good of all. Because Reiki is universally controlled, it knows where to go. It knows where the negative energy is and will flow there to release it.
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WHAT DOES A REIKI TREATMENT FEEL LIKE?
The person receiving the Reiki treatment lies fully clothed on the Reiki table, allowing themselves to observe their body on the inside and outside during the treatment, not censoring any thoughts, emotions or memories that may come up.
The practitioner will place her hands lightly on the body in a series of gentle hand placements directed at specific areas of the body. Although the hands can be placed on the body, Reiki is not massage, there is no muscle manipulation. Reiki is not invasive, no chemicals or needles are used and it is generally painless.
Reiki can also be transmitted with no touch by holding the hands a few inches above the body. So areas of the body that are too sore to touch or anyone that may have touch issues can still receive a Reiki treatment.
The Reiki energy is channeled through the practitioner’s body and exits through the practitioner’s hands; it is then drawn off by the client. Reiki works to dissolve blocks, balance the energies within the body and induce a deep state of relaxation, which triggers the body’s own natural ability to heal itself. During a Reiki treatment, a variety of sensations may be experienced, some of which may include
· sensations of heat or cold, · tingling, · itching, · pressure, · rushing energy movement internally, · a breeze blowing across the body, · emotional release, · or old memories or thoughts surfacing.
Depending on the person, some or none of these sensations may be experienced. Generally, depending on the nature of the blocks your ability to feel, or perceive sensations during a treatment can be affected. Trying to listen through blocks can be like trying to listen through water. This by no means indicates that nothing happened during the treatment, some people even fall asleep. Reiki is extremely relaxing and calming. It is important to remember that each treatment will be different.
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WILL REIKI WORK FOR ANIMALS?
When treating animals, it is usually best to conduct the healing session in surroundings that they know and in which they feel safe. Animals are very sensitive to energy and enjoy Reiki; the extra attention and feeling of the energy generally draws them to the Reiki Healer. During a Reiki treatment, animals will usually experience total relaxation, sometimes even falling asleep, but the experience is unique to each animal and to each situation.
Since Reiki can also be sent effectively from a distance, this means it can be used on animals that are skittish or aggressive without distressing them or risking injury to them, their owners/handlers, or the Reiki healer.
Domestic animals' close contact and bond with humans can cause them to internalize and reflect their people's problems. This sympathetic connection can manifest as a problem for the animal on the physical, emotional or spiritual level, often mimicking their person’s illness or disease.
Treatments involving animals do not generally last as long as human sessions. Animals are not conflicted with thoughts of “what is this and will it work for me?” They are more open and absorb Reiki energy much more easily than we do.
Animals will experience the same sensations during a treatment and will gain the same healing benefits as people. Also, like people, depending on the nature of the problem or illness, multiple treatments may be required.
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HOW DOES A DISTANCE/ABSENTEE TREATMENT WORK?
We are more than a physical body; in fact, our physical body is comprised of energy. We have additional energy bodies as well that are comprised of the emotional, mental and spiritual bodies; we cannot see them because they are vibrating at a high rate. Each of these bodies vibrates at its own particular frequency or speed. These varying vibrations create a field around them that is called the energy field or aura. The energy field is like an information center and is a highly sensitive system that transmits and receives messages internally and externally.
Our energy field is permanently “plugged “into a universal consciousness. A Reiki healer that has been trained to access this connection can send Reiki energy through this connection to another person over distance. Reiki is not hindered by time or space; if you cannot get to a Reiki healer for a treatment in person, you can still receive the benefits of a treatment via a distance/absentee treatment.
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WHAT CAN REIKI HELP WITH?
Reiki goes beyond the symptoms to treat the root cause of the disease, illness or behavior. Reiki is a safe, simple and natural technique that is used to reduce stress and tension and promotes relaxation. The major systems such as the nervous, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, lymphatic, reproductive and the musculoskeletal systems are all treated with Reiki. Additionally, common medical conditions such as
· fatigue, · aching muscles, · pre and post operative procedures, · wounds, · stress/anxiety, · insomnia · Fibermyalgea · intestinal disorders, · migraines, · pain management, · glandular dysfunction, · broken bones, · emotional difficulties, · birthing, · auto-immune disorders, · and chronic disease, etc can be treated.
These are just a few of the ailments that benefit from this powerful therapeutic treatment. Additionally, Reiki works in conjunction with all other healing modalities and increases the therapeutic effects of both conventional medicines and alternative remedies. It is not meant to replace conventional medical treatment but, rather, to complement it.
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HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?
Although many people begin to feel results after just one treatment, deeply rooted issues require more frequent treatments.
If you are suffering from a long term illness, pain, emotional difficulties or other problems, then you must realize that your body did not become this way over night and you will also not heal over night. At first you may begin your healing program receiving multiple treatments in a week for a few weeks and then reduce the frequency of treatments as you and the practitioner assess your healing.
As you become a clearer channel to move your Ki (you can actually feel this happen), you are well on your way to healing. You may decide to use Reiki treatments proactively and just receive a “tune-up” treatment every month or so.
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