What Is Reiki?

Reiki is the union of two Japanese words, “Rei” (meaning “spiritual/divine consciousness”) and “Ki” (meaning “life force energy). Reiki is “Divinely Guided Life Force Energy”. The Chinese call this energy “Chi” and the same energy is known as “Prana” in Sanskrit.

Reiki was founded by Mikao Usui, born on August 15, 1865 in Japan. Usui was fascinated by medicine, psychology , religion and metaphysics. He was also an accomplished master of Kiko, the Japanese version of the Chinese “Chi Kung” or “ Qigong ”).
Although renowned and respected for his knowledge Usui was a simple and humble man who was continually on a personal quest to find the purpose and meaning of life and further enlightenment. In his quest, Usui decided to climb Mount Kurama for a 21 day meditation and fast known in Tendai Buddhism as “The Lotus Repentance”. Mt. Kurama was known as a holy mountain near Kyoto and it is here that Usui expected to find “Satori” (enlightenment). On the 21st day Usui was struck with a bolt of energy “ReiKi”. Through this he gained a clear understanding of how to work with this energy as a medium for both healing and self-development. This technique is now known as "Usui Reiki Ryoho" which means that it is the Usui method of Reiki healing. It is said that Usui Sensei died of a stroke in March of 1926.

A retired Japanese Naval Officer and physician, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, was seeking a meaningful path in life when he met Mikao Usui. Hayashi studied with and was attuned by Usui. Dr. Hayashi then opened and ran a Reiki clinic in Tokyo where he later treated Mrs. Hawayo Takata, a US citizen born in Hawaii of Japanese parents. After being treated by Hayashi, Takata studied with him and was later attuned by him. Mrs. Takata brought Reiki to the West and went on to attune 22 Reiki Masters here in the United States and Canada. Since then Reiki has spread throughout the world.

Activation of Reiki is made through an "attunement" which is a ritual energy transfer passed down in person from Master to student. Just as Usui received Reiki on Mt. Kurama through attunements this energy was passed to his students and then to their students.

Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive, intelligent energy healing technique that accelerates the body’s self healing mechanism where the practitioner acts as a channel between the energy and you. Thus, dissolving energy blockages in a gentle and effective way so that the life force energy can flow abundantly and unrestricted through your body maintaining balance, harmony and wellness .

Reiki facilitates healing on all levels – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Reiki has shown to be effectively used as a complimentary modality with chiropractic, acupuncture and reflexology , just to name a few. Everyone is capable of being a channel for Reiki.

During a Reiki session, the recipient remains fully clothed as the practitioner administers Reiki. The recipient may experience heat or tingling, as the Reiki energy begins to travel through the body restoring balance and positive energy to the recipient's whole being. Reiki treats both practitioner and client at the same time. Giving a treatment always increases the practitioner’s energy and leaves one with a feeling of well-being and balance.

It is unfortunate that often 'Reiki' is inaccurately attached to all types of so-called 'energetic' healings. Reiki is solely the therapeutic system created by Mikao Usui Reiki is not a massage or connected to massage in any way. Reiki is not a religion , dogma or belief syste