History
Researchers had looked deeper into the matter of where Reiki started, in an effort to unearth the true origin of Reiki and how it came into existence. There are books and formal writings that refer to Reiki as a Tibetan or Buddhist way of healing.
However, a lot of modern Reiki masters will say that their art was discovered and developed by the Japanese meditation expert, Dr. Mikao Usui. To settle things, it is best to resolve these seemingly two different histories of Reiki to determine where this effective art of healing truly originated.
It was believed that the concept of energy healing was used thousands of years ago. Recent discoveries have shown that it was widely performed in ancient Tibet. Tibet had seers who used visualization, sounds, and symbols to summon the universal healing energy and provide treatment for certain diseases. However, there is no physical proof that can be recovered from this concept which can be compared to modern conception of the practice of Reiki.
In the late 1800's. Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese educator and meditation master, came up with the concept of modern Reiki called the Usui Reiki.
This discovery actually occurred as an accident. When Dr. Mikao Usui was at Mt. Kurama attending a 21-day meditation course, he was able to open up his crown chakra. At this point, he successfully unleashed an insurmountable amount of energy. This led him to the discovery of Reiki and the use of symbols in relation to the universal life energy.
What he had rediscovered could be the same type of energy that wasand is used by Tibetan monks centuries ago and in some belief today. When Dr. Usui left Mt. Kurama, he was inspired by this power and began teaching his students about it.
This is how Usui Reiki began. Over time, Dr. Mikao Usui's lineage continued with several Reiki masters following his footsteps and continuing his teachings. The instruction of Usui Reiki continues even to the present day.
Usui Reiki uses at least four major symbols to summon energy, control it, and channel it to the recipient for healing. These symbols are distinct to Usui Reiki and can only be practiced under the Usui Reiki system. There have been other types of Reiki developed since then. Some of them work independently from Usui Reiki. Others are regarded to be an advancement or development of what Dr. Mikao Usui had started.
Usui Reiki is taught in different levels and students are given titles after completing each level. Every aspiring Reiki practitioner or master has to start with Level I training where they are introduced to the concept of Reiki up until they are able to connect to the Universal Life Energy. This energy is the focal point of the movement. Level II Reiki gives the student the power to practice Reiki professionally. Level III is when the students are able to become masters. This will enable them to teach other students in the art of Usui Reiki.
Reiki may seem to be a very complex concept. But Reiki can actually be learned in a few days. In fact, there are now methods of teaching Reiki remotely. These types of self-help, self-attunement processes may be completed in as fast as 24 hours.
Ancient Art of Healing
Reiki is the process of healing using the power of energy. It is very much different from conventional healing therapies. Because in a Reiki, there are no medicines or tools needed to heal diseases. All a practitioner has to do is to direct energy towards the body through the hands and the power of meditation.
Reiki and Reiki Healing are relatively the same. However, the concept of healing is broader than that of therapy, which usually pertains to the practical applications of healing. To receive Reiki, all you have to do is to go to a Reiki practitioner and allow him or her to conduct sessions on you.
Reiki works by transferring energy from the practitioner and directing it towards the patient. The energy is summoned through the proper visualization of Reiki symbols known to contain energy. However, these symbols are simply representations of the energy - it is not the main source of the healing power itself.
Our bodies are governed by energy. That energy can either be free flowing, or are stuck in certain points. The ultimate life energy source, which is called the Universal Life Energy, is the main foundation of Reiki. The whole idea of this art is to control that enormous energy, using it to heal, improve, and balance one's self as well as others.
Reiki is known to improve one's spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being. It has the power to initiate deep relaxation and help relieve a person from all his pains and sufferings. After a therapy session, the patient's energy balance is restored. At this point, the body's natural healing process commences.
Reiki can provide enormous help to patients, especially to the terminally ill. If all conventional medicines and healing methods fail, Reiki can step in and help improve the quality of that person's life. The Reiki therapy is widely used these days in aiding people with cancer, autoimmune diseases, and multiple sclerosis for them to manage their diseases better.
It can also help in addressing addictions, mental concerns, and emotional problems. Those who are suffering from episodes of depression, anxiety, and panic attacks can benefit greatly from this therapy as well. It can also help eliminate bad and destructive habits such as drugs, alcohol, and smoking.
A Reiki session is normally a full-body treatment procedure. It can last for 30 minutes or more, depending upon the capabilities of the practitioner. After this, the treatment will be directed towards the exact area of the problem and the energy will be made to flow through that spot for another 10 minutes.
It is normal to feel warmth or a tingling sensation on certain points of the body during the Reiki session. In this session, the client is usually asked to lie on a mat, table, or couch. The practitioner will then place his/her hands on or above the client. Through his/her hand movements, energy is channeled from the body's chakras, starting from the head and working its way down. It will move to dissipate all the bad elements that are causing diseases and spiritual concerns in the client.
