Reiki FAQs
What is the Usui System of Natural Healing?
The word Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is a Japanese kanji for universal
life-force energy.
Reiki is a Japanese holistic, light-touch, energy-based modality. Working
as a support mechanism to the body, Reiki re-establishes a normal energy
flow of ki (life force energy) throughout the system, which in turn
can enhance and accelerate the body's innate healing ability. Through
a series of hand positions either directly on or just above the body,
the energy worker allows for the flow of energy through their body.
The client’s body then draws off the amount of energy that is
required. The simplicity of a Reiki session may raise some skepticism,
however, after experiencing it, many clients keep coming back for more
of those relaxing feelings.
Reiki is simple and produces measurable results. It is power, light
and love. Reiki transcends the man-made divisions of religion, economics,
location, gender, and race.
What is the history of Usui Reiki?
It has only been in the last 10-15 years that members of the Reiki
community in Japan have opened their hearts to us in the west and supplied
us with truthful information about how Usui Reiki came to be on our
planet. Prior to this time, the facts were either distorted or not disclosed
and we were left in the dark.
Here is the history, in a nutshell…
Mikao Usui was born on August 15, 1865 in Taniai, Japan. He was always
a spiritual seeker. He practiced Kiko, which is similar to Qi Gong or
Chi Kung. Kiko consists of breathing exercises, meditation, and movement.
It could be described as a ‘moving meditation’.
He studied medicine, psychology, religion, and spiritual development.
He was a member of a metaphysical group called Rei Jyutu Ka. Mikao Usui
became secretary to Shinpei Goto (the head of the Health and Welfare
Department who went on to become the Mayor of Tokyo). Usui sensei started
a business, which failed.
In 1914, at the age of 49, he decided to become a Buddhist Monk. In
1922, he went on a 21-day retreat of meditation, prayers, chanting and
fasting at Mount Kurama in Kyoto, Japan. While standing under a waterfall,
he did a meditation designed to open and purify the Crown Chakra. This
caused him to have a spiritual awakening on the final day of his retreat.
A powerful light entered the top of his head. His awareness was expanded
and he realized a great power had entered him. He intuitively knew he
could now heal others without depleting his own energy, as he had when
he practiced Kiko.
Mikao Usui moved, with his wife and children, to Tokyo in April 1922.
On the basis of his lifelong spiritual journey and his more recent spiritual
experience, he developed “The Usui System of Natural Healing”.
He then started a healing society named "Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai".
Shortly afterward, he opened a clinic in Harajuku and began doing Reiki
sessions and teaching classes.
Just before noon, on September 1, 1923, the great Kanto earthquake
struck with a force of magnitude 8.3 and killed over 140,000 people,
leaving thousands more injured and homeless. Usui sensei and his students
grieved for their people and decided to take Reiki to the survivors.
They worked day and night, giving Reiki to help as many as they could.
The need for healing continued for many years, as you can imagine. The
Meiji Emperor honored Mikao Usui for his dedication and contribution
to their country.
At the age of 60, in 1925, he opened a larger clinic in Nakano and
then began traveling and lecturing until he crossed over from a massive
stoke on March 9, 1926. In four short years, he taught over 2,000 students
and trained 16 teachers. He wanted this simple technique to be available
to all people worldwide.
Mikao Usui is buried at Saihoji Temple in Suginami-Ku, Tokyo. A large
memorial stone was erected by his students, describing his life and
work with Reiki. We all owe Mikao Usui a deep debt of gratitude for
what he has done for our world.
What are the five principals or precepts of Reiki?
They offer a simple guideline for daily conduct with others and self.
They are:
- Just for today, I will not anger
- Just for today, I will not worry
- Just for today, I will be grateful
- Just for today, I will work hard on myself
- Just for today, I will be kind to others
What is Reiki training all about? Generally speaking…
The focus of Level One is on self-healing and helping others.
After the student completes the required training, which may take one
to four days, they are able to practice Reiki and do self-healings.
At this level, the student learns the history of Reiki, the energy system,
the nature of the Reiki energy, the Reiki Ethics, the five principles
or precepts, the three pillars of Reiki, the hand positions, how to
do a self-healing and how to provide a session for others.
At Level Two, the focus is on learning the Japanese healing
symbols and on sending Reiki from a distance (we must always get permission
to send a distant healing). It is suggested that a student wait at least
21 days so that level one can be properly instilled and grounded within
the student.
There is an in-depth discussion on clearing unwanted habits, empowering
personal goals, and manifesting permanent change in the student’s
life. The Japanese healing techniques are introduced and practiced.
Distant sending is practiced.
Level Three: In some lineages,
the levels of training are taught in four instead of three sessions.
This level can include meditation techniques, a Healing Attunement,
the Hui Yin, the Violet Breath,
Aura Clearing, and Reiki Crystal Grids.
The Master symbol is given but the student is not taught how to attune
others or teach Reiki.
Level Three Master/Teacher: Here, the focus is on attuning others
to the Reiki energy and on teaching Reiki to others. An essay is written
on why the student wishes to become a Reiki Master/Teacher. It is discussed
at length. The master symbol is introduced and practiced. The benefits
of living a spirit-based life are discussed, as well.
What does the term Reiki Master mean?
In Reiki, master means teacher. Master also means that the student
has come far enough along in his or her development that troublesome
lifestyle habits and limiting belief systems are taking less and less
time and energy away from living a fully conscious life.
A Master has taken the responsibility to become Master of himself or
herself. It is not a designation used for ego inflation or to manipulate
others.
One does not have to base their life on spiritual practices to be a
Reiki Master. Everyone has his or her own belief system and is quite
free to maintain it and still be considered a Reiki Master. The mastery
is in dealing with oneself so that one is able to stay in his or her
own energy and not interfere with the path of another being.
What can Reiki do?
This list has been comprised through anecdotal research. Clients have
reported feeling:
- More creative
- More balanced
- Less emotional
- Less stressed
- More relaxed
- More vitality
- More awareness
- Less or no pain
- More ability to fall asleep quickly
- More ease of movement
These reported benefits generally lasted at least three to ten days,
and often the original problem did not re-occur.
What happens during a session?
The client, fully clothed, lies on the treatment table. The practitioner's
hands remain in a stationary position, gently on or slightly above the
body through several positions from head to toe. Some practitioners
do not use the prescribed hand positions, preferring to use a more intuitive
approach. The private areas are worked on 4-6” above the body.
There is no manipulation of the skin or tissue. Reiki is not massage.
Many individuals report feeling cold, pulsating heat, or a tingling
sensation during a session, and most enter a calm, relaxed state. In
some, chronic or acute pain can diminish or completely vanish. Sometimes
allergies and other infirmities completely disappear. It's different
for each person.
It's important to remember that, whatever is troubling us, 'we didn't
get this way overnight’ and we won't 'recover overnight’,
either. Reiki is not any more magical than any other modality or allopathic
medicine. Healing takes commitment and it takes time... one moment at
a time.
What can be expected after a session?
Directly after a Reiki session, you should allow yourself time to come
fully back into your awareness. You may feel so relaxed that you are
spaced-out. It is suggested to sit for 15 minutes and sip a cool glass
of purified water. Becoming in touch with the soles of your feet and
their placement on the floor also helps a great deal.
Over the next little while, you may notice that you are de-toxifying
the waste that has built up in your system. You may want to allow more
time in the ‘little room’ (the washroom) in the morning.
You should increase your water and/or herbal tea intake so that the
toxins are flushed out more readily. You may want to rest more, so allow
time for that.
Most people feel an immediate improvement in their level of pain. Energy
and alertness increase daily and a feeling of overall well being may
be noticed.
How many sessions do I need?
To begin with, three or four sessions over ten to fourteen days are
recommended to remove entrenched blocks in your energy system; then
once a week or once every two weeks until the issue has resolved. You
will begin to notice some improvement after the first session. Long-standing
health issues are usually cleared up in five to six visits. Dis-ease
generally begins in the energy field so if we keep our subtle bodies
healthy using Reiki, and our physical bodies healthy with good nutrition
and exercise, we should be able to remain active and whole.
How is Reiki a holistic approach to my well being?
It is strongly recommended that you do not discontinue any medications
or session plan your medical practitioner or other holistic healer has
deemed necessary, unless you first speak with them personally. Reiki
energy works in concert with all other forms of therapy. It is a wonderful
complement to other treatments. We can all work together to get you
feeling healthier, happier and more whole. This is the holistic approach.
The Reiki energy goes to exactly where it is needed so a Reiki Practitioner
never needs to diagnose nor prescribe – nor does ethics or law
allow them to.
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