What Is Reiki?

Because of the distance between the countries and the major differences in language and culture, people in Europe and the United States don’t know a lot about Japanese culture. But enough communication has taken place between these areas of the globe for some people to know about Reiki.

Reiki is a technique for reducing stress, so that an individual can relax and allow the body to heal naturally. Developed by an individual in Japan, Reiki involves laying hands on the body, and transferring life-force and energy. In simple terms this technique tries to change the energy from a low state to a higher state so that the individual feels much more “alive.”

The term “Reiki” is really a combination of two words from the Japanese language. According to most encyclopedia descriptions and guidelines for the technique, “Rei” implies the wisdom of God or a higher power. “Ki” refers to life force and energy. With proper technique an individual is said to feel radiance or a glow that isn’t there without the contact of Reiki. This is meant to relax the individual, giving them a feeling of peace and well-being.

Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui in 1922, according to encyclopedia information. The history of the technique shows that Usui was involved in a lengthy Buddhist training program and he received inspiration that gave him knowledge and spiritual power. He then created the techniques to transfer the power and feelings of peace to others. He eventually moved to the huge city of Tokyo so that he could provide the program to a larger part of the population.

Records show that Usui himself taught Reiki to thousands of people while he was alive and passed the teaching techniques on to several students. These individuals continue to practice the techniques as Masters or Teachers. Usui died in 1926.

Reiki is considered a natural method of spiritual healing that can be part of general self-improvement. People have used it to help them get through an illness. It is known to be helpful for those in stressful or extremely difficult circumstances. Reiki may work in combination with many other therapy programs or medical treatments. It is sometimes used specifically to reduce the side effects of more aggressive medical treatment.

One thing that is unique about Reiki is that students don’t “learn” it in a traditional classroom sense, just as the Master doesn’t “teach” Reiki in the classic sense. In fact, the ability to produce the feelings of peace and security are passed to the student in a process that attunes the student. The Master shows a student how to make contact with life force and energy so that they improve their quality of life. This is then passed on to others during the use of the techniques.

Reiki is considered spiritual in a general way but it is not viewed as a religion. The basic difference is that Reiki has no required beliefs as established religions do. Masters urge individuals to use Reiki in combination with a way of life that encourages natural healing and harmony.