What is Reiki?
Reiki is an ancient, gentle form of energetic healing that has always existed & was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui in Japan in the mid-1800’s by studying Sanskrit texts. He then fasted for 21 days on Mount Koriyama & was given a vision of the Reiki symbols - ‘a psychic discovery of an ancient method’. He passed it down to his students & the lineage has continued to this day. The practice of laying on of hands to channel healing energy exists in all cultures in some form. Reiki is a set of symbols placed into your Auric field by a Reiki master that helps to open you up more & gives you greater access to this modality. Channeled with the understanding of the different energy systems of the body & Chakras, Reiki can empower & provide a new way of looking at our ability to heal ourselves & others. Once you learn the hand positions & place your hands on yourself or others to heal, the Ki energy does the rest without direction & flows where it needs to go. It does not come from the healer, it comes from Source.
The form of Reiki that many people practice today is Usui Reiki. The full name is ‘Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki’ & can be described as Traditional Reiki. Reiki is a gift of the Universe, it is Life Force Energy - Mana, Prana, Ch’i, Ki - available & beneficial for all. When you receive the attunement it will open & align what is already a part of you. You may feel different sensations or see colors. You may experience some detox type of symptoms as your readjust to the influx of energy & your Chakras clear. Focus on self care. As Diane Stein says in her book ‘Essential Reiki’ - “If you receive Reiki in this lifetime it’s probably because you had it before in other incarnations. Reiki is remembering, it is part of our genetic heritage & part of all of us.”
History
Here is a brief history of Dr. Mika o Usui the founder of Usui Reiki from the International Association of Reiki Professionals.
The history of Usui Reiki begins with its founder, Dr. Mikao Usui. Sometimes called the Usui Sensei, Dr. Mikao Usui was born to a wealthy Buddhist family in 1865. Dr. Usui’s family was able to give their son a well-rounded education for the time. As a child, Dr. Usui studied in a Buddhist monastery where he was taught martial arts, swordsmanship, and the Japanese form of Chi Kung, known as Kiko.
Throughout his education, Dr. Usui had an interest in medicine, psychology and theology. It was this interest that prompted him to seek a way to heal himself and others using the laying on of hands. It was his desire to find a method of healing that was unattached to any specific religion and religious belief, so that his system would be accessible to everyone.
Dr. Usui traveled a great deal during his lifetime. He studied healing systems of all types and held different professions including reporter, secretary, missionary, public servant and guard. Finally, he became a Buddhist priest/monk and lived in a monastery.