The term “reiki” is made up of two Japanese words. “Rei” refers to the source of life, the higher intelligence behind everything that exists, and “ki” refers to the energy which flows from this source and gives life to living things. Reiki, then, denotes the life force or energy from the ultimate source, and this energy is what nourishes the vital functions of all beings.
Negative thoughts and feelings, particularly those which root in the unconscious, disturb the flow of reiki energy throughout a person’s body and mind, causing maladies such as disease, depression, and malaise. Reiki healing is based on the idea that a person can attune to this energy so as to restore in themselves as well as in other people, whether by laying on hands or from a distance, the proper flow of energy throughout the body and mind and to boost this energy to higher frequencies in areas where it has been disturbed. Reiki treatment promotes inner peace, relaxation, and a sense of well-being, and it facilitates healing on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
All healers use life force in their work, but it is usually life force that can be influenced by the human mind. Since reiki energy comes from the infinite source of all life energy, it is of a higher level and cannot be influenced by the mind. Wisdom is part of the inherent nature of reiki energy, so it is self-directing and knows where to go and what to do while flowing throughout a person’s body to effect healing. Reiki energy is both transcendent and part of all living creatures. Because it comes from the ultimate source of life, it cannot cause harm.
To tap into reiki energy, a person must receive attunement from a Reiki Master. A person, once attuned to reiki energy, can then use it to heal himself/herself and others. Use of reiki energy can enhance healing when used in conjunction with modern medical procedures. Ability to use reiki energy increases as a student progresses through three degrees of training.
First Degree: The student receives attunement from a Reiki Master so as to tap into reiki energy and treat himself/herself and others. He or she also learns the basics of reiki principles and procedures and how to place hands on the body to effect healing and heighten energy flow.
Second Degree: The student learns symbolism which is used to form a connection between the self and people at a distance. This connection allows the student to send reiki energy to those people for healing and well-being. Another attunement is received from the Reiki Master, which increases the student’s ability to conduct reiki energy. Emphasis is placed on emotional and mental healing.
Third Degree: The student receives additional attunements, the results of which are unlimited ability to use reiki. He or she is now a Reiki Master and can attune other people to reiki energy, teach others about reiki techniques, and guide them through the three degrees. There are two kinds of Masters: Master Teachers and Master Practitioners. Both are Masters of Reiki, but Master Practitioners do not teach.
Reiki techniques are spiritually-based, but reiki is not a religion. Along with using reiki energy, however, comes the responsibility to live in harmony with other people and other beings as well as the obligation to further one’s own spiritual development in the ways of compassion, kindness, and virtue.