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Reiki
Reiki
is believed to be the spiritually guided universal life force. The actual word ‘Rei’ and ‘Ki’ have
been originated from the Japanese language, and refer to ‘Raku’ the Vertical energy flow, and ‘Kei’
the Horizontal energy flow through the body.
This
universal form of energy is abundantly available to every living thing, creating a source of positive life flow, and running
freely through the different parts that form one’s existence. However, at the times of physical or mental ailment one
or more of the seven energy centres in the body are negatively affected or blocked, therefore creating an imbalance of energy,
which will affect the person not only in the area directly concerned with the issue, but also her general being in terms of
physical, mental and emotional sense. If the cause for the imbalance of energy, by any necessary means, has not
been removed, the problem gradually builds up and with the passage of time it will only deepen.
Through the Usui system of natural healing, known as Reiki, which involves the simple
positioning of the hands on the different parts of the head and body, these blockages from the energy centres are removed,
the energy is able to flow freely once more, and therefore the balance and harmony is restored.
A
brief history of Reiki
Reiki came to the western world via California and Hawaii from Japan. Reiki
evolved from the experience and dedication of Dr. Mikao Usui, a Christian Professor of Theology at Doshina University, who
lived in Japan in the ninteenth century.
Dr.
Usui one day was asked a question by one of his students which he found himself unable to answer. The question posed was,
“How exactly did Jesus heal?” Realizing that he could not answer the question, Dr. Usui is said to have understood
that he had accepted the beliefs of Christianity without investigating them for himself. He decided to leave his post and
travel and study in the hope that this would help him find the answer to the student’s question.
During his travels, Dr. Usui
studied in the United States of America, spending seven years in Chicago and earning a doctorate in scripture at university.
Dr. Usui eventually returned to Japan, where he studied the ancient language at Sanskrit, which has its origin in India, and
began reading the scriptures of Japanese Buddhism.
The Birth of Reiki
While studying in a Buddhist monastery Dr. Usui is said
to have come across a manuscript containing a formula for healing, represented by symbols. He believed these symbols could
reveal the healing of spiritual leaders, such as Jesus Christ and the Buddha. As nobody in the monastery could explain the
symbols to him, he decided to meditate on a holy mountain to see if he could discover the answer from within. On the twenty-first
day, he is said to have experienced an expansion of consciousness that not only revealed the meaning of the symbols to him
but left him with a heightened awareness and a capacity for healing himself and others.
A healing system
Dr.
Usui spent the rest of his life healing the sick and troubled and teaching the healing system that he called “Reiki”.
After some years, he came to believe that people needed to play an active part in their own healing if the effects were to
be long lasting. He therefore also began teaching the five Precepts of Reiki. These aimed to help people foster a positive
mental and spiritual attitude which complemented the healing.
The
Reiki Precepts
Do not worry…
To release yourself from worry and anxiety is the first
precept. Worry and anxiety are understandable human responses to various situations, but it is a fact that worry never improved
any situation or exerted a positive influence over its outcome. Worry brings with it fear and blocks your emotions as well
as your hopes for the future. It is helpful to think about what you can do, rather than what you can’t. If you release
yourself from even some of your worries, you will notice a growing sense of calm.
Do not anger…
To
release ourselves from anger for many people is the most difficult act. Most of us recognise that anger is destructive, negative,
and exhausting, as well as being symptomatic of a lack of self-control. It makes sense then to learn to control your anger and to negotiate sensible outcomes to any conflicts. If you manage to stay calm, others will be
more likely to respond constructively to you and difficult situations are less likely to escalate. All disputes, however large
or small, will have originated with anger and then spun out of control. Look at disputes between neighbours, physical violence,
riots in the streets, and disputes between neighbouring countries. War itself is a symptom of
anger that has evaded resolution through diplomatic channels. One must ask oneself what is achieved through anger. Generally,
it is little more than a waste of energy that could be better directed elsewhere.
Honour your parents,
elders, and teachers…
Our parents gave us life, and without them we would not be here
in any sense – physically, mentally, emotionally. The third precept encourages us to learn from our parents, and from
other elders, and to respect their wisdom. We can learn from them not only how to develop in ourselves the qualities that
we like and respect in them but also how to modify any qualities that we do not like.
Earn your living honestly…
Self-respect
is an essential element of a happy and fulfilled life: let your work be your fulfilment. Most people know whether or not they
are in the right employment or actively to help them express themselves and find self-esteem. The forth precept encourages
us to take the first steps to cleanse and recognise your life. This may mean taking steps to change your career, such as retraining,
or simply being open to new possibilities. You may not be in a position to change your work, but you can work on developing
a positive attitude towards it and fulfilling your responsibilities in the best way you can. Remembering to start afresh with
this each day will help you to focus on being positive.
Show gratitude to every living thing…
By giving thanks to all that we have, we help
to expand our hearts and increase our sense of joy in life. This may mean showing our gratitude to others, giving thanks to
the people who help us, and valuing the animals, plants, trees, and oxygen around us. It may
even be something as simple as appreciating a beautiful sunset or a flower. Noticing all these things helps us to acknowledge
that we are part of a larger world and reminds us to respect it.
Reiki masters and practitioners believe that Reiki brings integration and order to your life and allows a change of consciousness.
This enables new opportunities to develop and present themselves. It could be said that life is like walking a tightrope and
that Reiki has power to steady us so that we acquire a sense of balance. It helps us, motivates us, and energizes our spirit.
Some supporters regard Reiki as a safety net for life, which we can use to support us on the journey from sickness to health,
stress to relaxation, and difficulty to happiness or resolution.
During my experience of Reiki since March 08 while studying my first degree, then in Jan
09 when I completed my second degree in the Usui System of Natural Healing, I have worked on a number of people, starting
from the students with whom I studied the course, friends and family, and later on my clients. Each of these individuals experienced
Reiki relatively in a different way, but they all described a deep sense of relaxation throughout the treatment. The differences
in their forms of experiences were related to the nature of their issues in their physical, mental or emotional sense. Naturally,
how or where exactly the healing takes place, is not within the area of expertise of the Reiki Practitioner, as the energy
itself finds its way to the places that is needed, and brings the lost balance back into the person’s life. The practitioner
is merely a passage of this abundantly flowing energy.
I have found the practice of Reiki one of a very interesting, motivating and harmonising
experience, and seek to develop my skills within this field.
Making an appointment
If you wish to arrange an appointment for a session, including
a free consultation, please refer to the contact page for my details.
Thank You…
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