Reiki – College Essay Example

1840s by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Christian minister in Kyoto, Japan. Through an extensive amount of research, he began a study of the healing phenomena of history's greatest spiritual leaders.

He also studied ancient sutras. He discovered ancient sounds and symbols that are linked directly to the human body and nervous system which activate the universal life energy for healing. Usui then underwent a metaphysical experience and became empowered to use these sounds and symbols to heal. He called this form of healing, Reiki, and taught it throughout Japan until his death around 1893 (Stein, 1995). Since then Reiki has changed and evolved, however, the methods are still working and are all derived from the early teachings of Usui.

Reiki has become increasingly popular worldwide. Stein (1995) states, “the origins of Reiki need to be honored, while at the same time respecting the changing world and the changing needs of people and the Earth” (p. 15). “As western medicine continues to explore alternative methods of healing, Reiki is destined to play an important role as an accepted and valued healing practice” (www. reiki. org). The Reiki technique can be passed on to anyone who is willing to learn and anyone who is able to connect into the life force energy of Ki.

Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but rather passed on to the student through attending a Reiki class. “The ability is passed on during an attunement given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of life force energy to improve one’s health and enhance the quality of life” (www. reiki. org). This gives the healer an increase

in life energy or Ki for her own healing, but becomes connected to the source of all universal Ki (Stein, 2005). With Reiki, all it takes is the attunement, and the student is immediately a healer (Stein, 1995).

From the time of the attunement and through the rest of her life, all she needs to do to connect with healing Ki is to place her hands upon herself or someone else and it will flow through her automatically” (Stein, 1995, p. 17). The process of attunement sets Reiki apart from every other form of touch healing. In Reiki I, the student receives the first combined attunement. She receives an additional attunement in Reiki II, and one more attunement in Reiki III (Stein, 1995). “Each degree’s attunements increase the positive power of her ability to channel Ki.

It is the attunements themselves that are Reiki and without this process, the healing system is not Reiki but something else” (Stein, 1995, p. 17). Once you have achieved Reiki III you can receive the Masters degree and go on to teach other students. Reiki is taught in three levels or degrees. “In Reiki I, the attunement itself heals physical level diseases in the person who receives it” (Stein, 1995, p. 17). Health often improves for the better in months following the treatment. The first degree is primarily focused how to do full body treatments on self and others.

Stein (1995) states, “The Reiki II attunement measurably increases the amount of healing energy, and the attunement focuses upon emotional, mental, and karmic healing in the person who receives it” (p. 18). This primarily involves learning the sounds and symbols which are used

during Reiki. Once the second attunement is complete, old emotions, unhealed former situations, negative memories, any past lives will resurface to be healed at last (Stein, 1995). This process may take up to 6 months; however, the process is positive and necessary.

Healing with Reiki II adds a considerable amount of power to each Reiki session. “In Reiki II, three of the Reiki symbols are introduced and used consciously for the first time. Whereas, In Reiki I, the symbols are already in the healer’s aura and they emerge unconsciously through her hands when she heals” (Stein, 2005, p. 18). Reiki II is required in order to channel the energy needed to pass the attunements for Reiki III. Reiki III is the Masters degree which is also known as the teacher’s degree. This level is primarily taught for personal growth.

Once one has reached this level, one has mastered the disciples of Reiki. In turn, the Reiki III healer is able to channel an increase in healing energy. Stein (1995) states, “Reiki III includes two more symbol keys, more esoteric information on the symbols, and the method of passing attunements” (p. 18). This degree is only recommended for someone who is a serious healer, and for those who wish to pass on Reiki through teaching and make Reiki a major part of their lives. Reiki can be considered a safe practice.

It is gentle and noninvasive and does not cause harm. A healer’s role is simply to channel the energy, which the receiver can use in any way that is best for her [sig. the clients] needs” (Stein, 1995, p. 22). Healing can be considered a three way agreement,

between the healer, the receiver, and the goddess or source of energy (Stein, 1995). The healer does not do a healing to someone, but only with them. No healing can take place without the receiver’s agreement and participation in the process (Stein, 1995). If the client does not believe in Reiki they can actually cause the energy to be blocked.

This will cause the healer to receive a message indicating the client is not willing to partake in the Reiki treatment. Reiki is totally positive and can never cause harm to any living thing, whatever their condition or status. It is valid for use on anyone, no matter how young, old or frail (Stein, 1995). Reiki has also been effective on every known illness or malady and always creates a beneficial effect (www. reiki. org). During a Reiki treatment the whole body achieves relaxation. It facilitates the removal of blockages in energy flow and the dispersal of toxins.

Long term practice of whole body Reiki will restore the general condition of the body. The energy channels are opened to allow the body to deal properly and naturally with both stress and the build-up of toxins (Stein, 1995). It will help you to cope with anxiety and depression. Some side effects from the body detoxifying itself are diarrhea, odorous or discolored stool, increased urination, body odor, temporary skin rash, runny nose, and cold symptoms (Stein, 1995). This process should be supported not stopped as it is the body’s own way of getting rid of toxins.

If the client wishes, they may suppress the symptoms with medication. Reiki will not interfere with the metabolism of medications or other procedures other

than to make them more effective and the patient more comfortable (Stein, 1995). Reiki therapy is also useful when you are recovering from an illness. Reiki will provide the additional energy required to recover from the illness. It will also reinforce the effects of any other method of natural healing. It can be used as an alternative method of therapy as it is a truly complementary system of treatment.

Many other alternative therapies are used in combination with Reiki. These can include meditation, massage, aromatherapy, reflexology and much more. The benefits definitely outweigh the complications, but in order to ensure your safety it is important to check with a physician prior to starting a Reiki treatment. Claims have been made stating that Reiki can realign and strengthen the flow of energy, decrease pain, ease muscle tension, speed the healing of injuries and burns, improve sleep, and generally enhance the body's natural ability to heal itself (www. eiki. org).

Reiki is also said to promote relaxation, decrease stress and anxiety, and increase a person's general sense of well being (www. cancer. org). Reiki is not used to diagnose or treat specific diseases but to correct any and all underlying physical and emotional problems or imbalances. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Several case studies and pilot studies have been used to test the theories of Reiki; however, we are limited as to the information and results of these studies.

One controlled study done on people after having a stroke found that Reiki offered no benefit in their recovery, although mood and energy levels were better in people who had received Reiki than in those who

received the placebo treatment. More clinical research is needed to determine the benefits of Reiki (www. cancer. org). More studies need to undergo testing in order to improve the research available to the public. In doing so, Reiki may become more widely used by those who believe in alternative medicine. In researching Reiki, I have discovered that it is a harmless and uplifting alternative therapy.

Although it is not supported through substantial research, there are real stories written in literature of people’s miraculous results. Having experienced Reiki myself, I support the use of this alternative therapy in improving ones energy level. I felt rejuvenated and relaxed after my Reiki session. Some describe the feeling as a “wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you” (www. reiki. org). I can not support the claims of improving disease as I did not require this type of healing. However, I am certain the elevated feeling of energy contributes to the reduction in stress and disease.

The reason why Reiki is such a wonderful healing energy is because it can only create good among those who use it. It is a primal life energy guided by the highest spiritual wisdom, and it can not be affected by our conscious minds or by anything negative (Rand, 2005, p. 28). Reiki is an ancient art but has become more popular and used more widely in the last decade. It can be considered a holistic, hands-on energy healing system as it touches on all levels of body, mind and spirit. Reiki belongs to everyone in some way, shape or form and it belongs to earth itself.

It is the greatest single potential for good

that can be given to the people of this planet. Reiki was universal, it was wired into our genetic systems, our DNA, and was never meant to be lost” (Stein, 1995, p. 142). Others can discover Reiki within themselves through attunements, which will bring back what was once common among all people. The more people who can be taught this method of healing and are attuned to the Ki energy, the easier the coming years of Earth change will be (Stein, 1995). Now is the time to bring Reiki back to a commonly practiced therapy.