What is Reiki?

Reiki is an ancient Buddhist healing modality. Reiki energy works on the entire human energy field, as well as on all levels — physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. It is a specific healing ray that is accessed & flows through the provider into the patient. Even when a person comes with a particular concern or complaint, we do Reiki on the entire body first, then afterward may focus upon a certain area. Reiki most specifically focuses upon the endocrine system in clearing the major glands of the body. In covering the glands, we also address the major organs.

As humans, energy often gets “stuck” in certain areas of our being — often it starts first on an emotional or mental level, then eventually affects the physical. Sometimes it is the other way around. There are many ways we can work to help clear out energy blocks. One of these ways is Reiki. There are many traditions that utilize hands-on healing energy; Reiki is only one of those traditions. It should be noted that any energy healing modality is accessing the same energy, as it is all from one Source — the Universal Life Force, which has many names in many cultures & faiths. Reiki is a Japanese word meaning “Universal Life Force Energy.” The Reiki practitioner is not doing the healing. She is simply a conduit, or catalyst, for the healing energy to flow into the patient.

Reiki has its own intelligence and knows where it needs to go, and where you need it most. It may or may not be where you consciously believe you need it most. Actually, your own unconscious “pulls” Reiki into the areas most in need. That is why sometimes you may feel the energy more strongly in one area or another, or why I, as the sender, might feel it more strongly in one area than another. During a Reiki session, a person will lie down, fully clothed, upon the Reiki table. Soft music, candles & essential oils will be used to help create a soothing, relaxing & rejuvenating experience. Most people find they are extremely refreshed after a Reiki session.

It is possible that Reiki will bring up unresolved emotional issues. If that happens, it should be considered in your highest good & understood that these issues need to be addressed and cleared. We can also schedule time to process through this “stuff.” Reiki always works toward the highest good of the receiver. A person should drink a lot of water afterward & continue to do so for a day or two. A session can stimulate a lot of cleansing, and so sometimes people get a little diarrhea or go through some purging of the system (not uncomfortably).

For more intensive healing (such as in cases of major illness or disease, or serious mental/emotional healing), it is good to get Reiki three or four days in a row. Many people like to experience Reiki just for the stress reduction & relaxation benefits. Others have more serious healing in mind. Regardless of the reasons, the energy will go where it is needed, and you can be assured that you have received healing & clearing, whether you are aware of the exact areas that have been healed. I often think of Reiki as a “tune-up” of the body’s energy system & chakras. I have also seen some very dramatic results with certain conditions, and will happy to share these with you.

There are some very good books on Reiki, as well, by such authors as Fran Brown, Paula Horan & Diane Stein (click here).

— Namaste
(“The spirit in me honors the spirit in you.”)

Some examples of Reiki Energy at work

Steven was a friend who had been told he would need surgery to correct a throat condition that caused him to breathe unevenly when he slept. After one Reiki session, he and I both felt a huge release of energy in his throat area. He never had to have the surgery, and reports still feeling fine, five years later. Stephanie had a very serious muscle spasm in her back that caused her a great deal of pain. Shortly after receiving my Reiki level II certificate, I worked on Stephanie, and took extra time to keep hands on that area of her back that was in so much pain. After a few minutes, I felt something like a little lightning bolt shoot out from under my hands, and Stephanie sat up, reporting she felt much better. She called the next day to say the pain was completely gone.

Ethan was a 2-year-old boy diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor that had probably been growing since he was in utero. It was too large and complex to remove surgically, although some of it was removed. Following the surgery, Ethan was not doing well, and was not expected to live more than another week. The family asked me to do Reiki with Ethan. Ethan’s eyes were crossed and he was very uncomfortable and cranky (understandably!). I sat with him in the hospital several times, putting hands upon him wherever I could reach, in between the tubes. After the first session, his eyes un-crossed. The second time I visited, he was much more alert and interested in what I was doing. I also spoke soothingly to him of angels, and whatever was in his highest good. Soon, he was released from the hospital, and doctors were amazed at how well he was doing. Ethan was not destined to live a long life, but he did survive and have a good quality of life for two more years, which gave his family that much longer to love him, and gave him that much longer to teach them about love and gratitude. He died at the age of four, and is remembered by a tree planted in his name in the park near his home.

While at the Renaissance Faire one year, Ellen came down with a huge headache that threatened to ruin her day. I placed hands on her head for about 15 minutes. She was amazed that her headache was completely gone, and continued to enjoy herself at the Faire.

Edward complained of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms, and especially “brain fog.” After one Reiki session, he noted that his “brain fog” had cleared considerably and that he felt much more articulate and clear in his thinking and communications. He began a regular meditation practice again, something he had done many years before but had finally given up. He feels Reiki helps him maintain his clear level of thinking, and has an occasional “tune-up,” partaking of Reiki’s refreshing, healing energy.

These are mostly examples of Reiki’s affects on the physical body. The mental, emotional and spiritual effects are more subtle and perhaps less dramatic to read about, but important to the one who has experienced a shift or change for the better after receiving Reiki. I have seen people completely re-prioritize their lives and take steps to create a more positive future for themselves after working with Reiki energy. Reiki facilitates a letting-go of old hurts & issues, and an openness to a positive & lighter way of thinking. Its soothing, calming energy helps people take a step back & see things from a new perspective, and often even the most difficult problems seem to resolve themselves. Pay attention after receiving Reiki, to any shift that may occur in your own thinking, or in how you feel about your life and your purpose. Reiki will enhance & support anyone’s healing process, regardless of the issues, and will facilitate relaxation and rejuvenation even if no major concerns of worries are present.

Disclaimer: As with any situation in life, it is important to consult a health care professional if you feel you are experiencing a life-threatening or potentially harmful physical or mental condition. While Reiki will support the healing process, and may even produce dramatic healing results, it is not necessarily a replacement for medical care. Thank you.