What is Reiki, how does it work and what types exist?

Reiki is a therapy that channels universal energy to harmonize body, mind and spirit. During a session, the Reiki practitioner lays hands on specific areas of the patient’s body, using prayers and symbols to enhance healing. In this article we explore in depth what Reiki is and how it can help us.

What is Reiki and how does it work?

Reiki is a therapy based on the channeling of universal energy through the hands of the practitioner to the receiver. The objective is to balance the energetic fields of the body, mind and spirit to promote relaxation, a sense of well-being and the capacity for self-healing.

The word Reiki is formed by two Japanese words: Rei, which means “wisdom of God or higher power” and Ki, which refers to the life force energy that flows through all living beings. Thus, Reiki means “spiritually guided life force energy”.

What can be treated with Reiki?

Reiki treats the whole person, including the body, emotions, mind and spirit, creating beneficial effects that include stress reduction, relaxation and feelings of peace, as well as security and well-being.

It is not appropriate to use Reiki as a definitive cure for illness or disease, but it is very helpful in creating an environment that facilitates healing.

Reiki is a great tool to use as an adjunct to traditional medicine and is practiced in many hospitals and healthcare settings.

What is a Reiki session like?

During a Reiki session, the patient lies on a couch and remains with his or her eyes closed during the entire treatment. The session can also take place with the patient seated if preferred.

Unlike massage therapy, the patient remains fully clothed, only removing his or her shoes. The sessions take place in private rooms, with dim lighting, soft music and perhaps, some relaxing aroma covering the environment.

Once the patient is comfortable and relaxed, the reikist begins to transmit the energy channeled from the universe. This is achieved through a technique of laying on of hands. That is, the reikist brings or rests his hands on specific areas of the patient’s body.

In general, about 12 to 15 hand positions are used per session, starting at the head and moving down to the feet.

The Reiki practitioner stays about 3 to 5 minutes in each position, or as long as he/she considers necessary depending on the energy flowing through your body. In total, a Reiki session lasts 50 minutes, but it can be more or less.

It is common that during a session the reikist pronounces prayers in a low voice and draws symbols on the palms of his hands and on specific points of the patient with the intention of stimulating and enhancing healing.

Learning Reiki is extremely simple

In addition to attending a Reiki session, another option you can consider is to learn and incorporate this technique into your daily life.

Reiki is an extremely simple form of healing that we can all take advantage of, both to treat ourselves and to treat others.

If you want to become a Reiki energy channel you only need to take a course in which a Reiki Master “attunes” you to the universal vital energy.

The Reiki Master is someone who has attuned to the highest level and is qualified to initiate others in this practice.

Once you receive this attunement you will be able to transmit Reiki energy, which you can use to treat yourself or others.

Reiki attunement courses usually last between 4 and 8 hours. Therefore, in just one day you can learn everything you need to have this healing power at your fingertips.

After receiving the level 1 attunement, you can receive the level 2 attunement, which will open up new possibilities. On the one hand, you will be able to use the Reiki symbols that will enhance your practice and on the other hand, you will be able to send Reiki energy at a distance.

Finally, at level 3 Reiki practitioners become a Master. There they receive the attunements necessary to initiate others and new symbols are added to further enhance the healing capacity.

History and origin of Reiki

Reiki originated in Japan in the 19th century. It was developed by Mikao Usui, who after an intense spiritual search and study of different healing techniques, received a revelation and discovered how to channel universal energy to heal the body, mind and spirit.

Usui taught this technique to his students and it soon became a popular practice in Japan. As it spread around the world, different approaches and styles of Reiki have developed, but all are still based on the same technique of channeling universal energy for healing.

Reiki has become increasingly popular around the world as a form of complementary healing and is used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, spas and in the home. Many people find it helpful in relieving stress, improving health and promoting an overall sense of well-being.

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