What is Reiki?

Essentially the word Reiki is made up of two symbols Rei and Ki from the Japanese Language. As with the characters it is possible for the symbols to have more than one meaning.

Rei can mean ghost, spirit, soul; supernatural, miraculous, divine or ethereal body and Ki can mean air, breath, energy, force, atmosphere, mood, intention, emotion, or attention. Combined they mean "Universal Life Energy" which pretty much sums up exactly what Reiki is.

It uses the energy of the universe that is all around us and from which we come, to heal and energize our bodies. Disease is said to be unbalanced energy and Reiki helps balance the energy via a Reiki Medium. The healer is not generating new energy, but merely tapping into the already existing energy of the universe.

Dr Mikao Usui is credited with rediscovering the healing energy of Reiki in 1922. It is believed that after 21 days of meditating, fasting and praying on Mount Kurama he had the vision of the Reiki Healing Symbols.

Some prefer to be told the full story at the time of initiation so I will not spoil it for you here. After this Usui moved to Tokyo and in April 1922 he founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai or the Usui Reiki Healing Society.

After his death Chujiro Hayashi took over the work and was also responsible for initiating Hawayo Takata into Reiki. She was the one responsible for the spread of Reiki healing to America and consequently to the rest of the western world.

The 22 Reiki Masters she trained before her death in 1980 are still working in the world with their healing magic today. Almost all Reiki being practised outside Japan is credited to her work.

There are two main types of sessions in Reiki Healing.

Full Body Treatment and Localised treatment.

In the Full Body Treatment you will have all seven major chakras cleansed, energised and balanced by the Reiki Medium.

In the Localised Treatment what ever problem area you may be nursing, such as a lower back ache, a kidney stone or any other problem is dealt with by the Reiki Medium.

Reiki Symbols can be used for both healing purposes. It is possible to do touch and distant healing with the Reiki Symbols. Being some what worried about how they will be reviewed here, I am not putting up the healing Reiki Symbol Images.

Reiki is merely energy healing. It is not a massage. It is using universal energy for the purpose of balancing the body's energy and healing its diseases.

As most of you are aware there are Energy Vortexes in our bodies which regulate our state of health. These are known as the energy “Chakras”. The principle charkas are seven in number and are given the colours of the rainbow or VIBGYOR. I will try and give a few details of the seven primary charkas individually in this post. Their various names have been listed below I will be referring to them with their English names for the simple fact that I am writing in English.

1. Sahasrara or Crown Chakra
2. Gyan or Ajana or Third Eye or Brow Chakra
3. Vishudha or Throat Chakra
4. Anahata or Heart Chakra
5. Manipura or Nabhi or Solar Plexus Chakra
6. Swadhisthana or Hara or Sacral Chakra
7. Mooldhara or Root Chakra

Crown Chakra

It is symbolized by a flower of thousand petals. The colour assigned to it is Violet. This is where life force comes into us. We stay connected to the life force from here. If developed, it gives the power of voluntarily leaving our bodies. It’s from here that the Reiki Master opens the Reiki Channel and lets Reiki flow into your body till it reaches the root chakra.

Third Eye Chakra

It is said to have two petals only. The colour is Indigo and has nothing to do with Tata Motors. It helps develop logical thinking and the ability to see beyond the obvious. If developed it gives us the power of clairvoyance and intuition. It helps us empathize with others. Associated with supreme consciousness, pituitary gland and controlling body functions.

Throat Chakra

This Chakra has sixteen petals. It is assigned a deep Blue colour. It develops creativity, quality of speech, truthfulness, etc. Along with the Heart Chakra it plays an important role in our ability to connect to the outside cosmos and move above our basic survival, food and power needs. These two chakras help us seek divine help, enabling us to connect to the source of all things, which is why when we pray our hands are always folded and raised at the level of these two chakras.

Heart Chakra

Said to have twelve petals this chakra is supposed to be Green in colour. It generates feelings of love, caring and nurturing. From this chakra upwards our higher self becomes visible. We become less obsessed with material things and start thinking of the world, others, our interconnectedness, etc.

Solar Plexus Chakra

Ten petals are assigned to this chakra, as is the colour Yellow. It provides you the feelings of assertiveness or submissiveness. The exertion of power and authority over others is controlled by this chakra.

Sacral Chakra

The number of petals is six and the colour of the chakra is said to be Orange. It is associated with sexual energy, sensuality and sensitivity.

Root Chakra

It has four petals and is symbolized by the colour RED. It provides the basic will to live, fear, survival instinct, etc. It is also associated with the excretory functions of the body.
So there you have it…the seven chakras!

First Degree

The first initiation helps you do touch Reiki. You can use your hands to direct the energy to the required part of the patient's body.

Second Degree

Now you are taught the Reiki Symbols for distant healing. Three main symbols for connecting, breaking blocks and energizing.

Third Degree

The fourth symbol taught here will help you to magnify the power of the previous symbols ten times. It is the master symbol.

Reiki Master

Now you are initiated to be able to intitiate others into Reiki.

Choosing the right Reiki Master is a concern these days as many Reiki Masters are self proclaimed. To get a Reiki Master from the Takata lineage is important.