Ryan F. Wagner
Professor G. Irvin
Reiki is a
special gift. It can help in the healing
process of many “ailments.” Those who
obtain the gift, use it to help those in need.
It is powerful, yet soothing.
Reiki is universal. It does not
matter what religion you practice or do not practice, Reiki is good for
everyone. What is Reiki? According to Quest, “it is a
holistic system for balancing, healing and harmonising all aspects of the
person - body, mind, emotions and spirit - and it can also be used to encourage
personal and spiritual awareness and growth.” (“What is Reiki?” 1). Since, Reiki can help in spiritual awareness
and growth, it is special because it helps heal in ways traditional medicine
can not. “Reiki may be the key you
discover that allows you to take responsibility for your own healing… you open
yourself to your own healing powers and become ready to accept the illness or
the problem and to understand its message” (Honervogt 38). Allowing ourselves to accept the illness and
by our own natural healing, we can improve ourselves mentally and physical
without traditional medicine.
Quest continues to explain
the meaning of reiki:
The word “Reiki” (pronounced “ray-key” in the West, and “lay-key” in
Japan) is Japanese, and it is made up of two parts: Rei is the Higher Intelligence which guides
the creation and functioning of the universe, the wisdom which comes from God
(or the Source, the Creator, the Universe or All That Is) which is all knowing
and understands the need for and cause of all problems and difficulties, and
how to heal them. Ki is the life-force
energy which flows through every living thing – plants, animals and
people. When these words are put together,
the meaning of “Reiki” is simplified as “Spiritual Energy” or “Universal Life
Force Energy”, meaning a specific band or frequency of healing energy which
comes directly from the Source and is directed by that Higher Intelligence for
healing (or wholing) any living thing.
Life-force energy (Ki or Chi) flows within the physical body through
pathways called chakras and meridians, as well as flowing around the body in a
field of energy called the aura. This
life-force is responsive to thoughts and feelings, and it becomes disrupted or
blocked whenever we consciously or unconsciously accept negative thoughts or
feelings about ourselves. Reiki helps to break through blockages, flowing
through the affected parts of the energy body and the aura, charging them with
positive energy and raising the vibratory level of the whole energy field. It clears and balances the chakras and
straightens the energy pathways (meridians), allowing the life force to flow in
a healthy and natural way around the whole body. This accelerates the body's own natural
ability to heal physical ailments, and opens the mind, emotions and spirit to
an acceptance and understanding of the causative issues which have led to
“dis-ease” in both the physical and energy bodies. Because Reiki is guided by a Higher
Intelligence, it always finds its way to those areas of the physical body
and/or the energy body most in need of healing, without any conscious direction
from either the healer or the person being healed, and it adjusts to suit the
recipient, so that each person receives as much or as little healing as they
need. (“What is Reiki?” 1)
It
may seem that Reiki is difficult to acquire and understand. On the contrary, it is not. Although, Reiki is unfamiliar with the
“western world”, “everyone” can learn to use it; to use it on themselves and on
each other. How does a person obtain the
gift of Reiki?
Quest feels that reiki “is probably
the simplest and easiest holistic healing method available to us, so anyone can
learn to use Reiki, whatever their age or gender, religion or origin. No specific knowledge or experience is
required - only a desire to learn, a willingness to let this healing energy
flow through you, and a little time to attend a weekend course” (Quest, “What
is Reiki?” 2). The whole family has
become interested in Reiki. Reiki has
become a household word and a possible career.
Acquiring reiki must come through an attunement experience/process. Quest explains that “the ability to channel
Reiki can only be acquired by being transferred to the student by a Reiki
Master (Teacher) during a special attunement process (a form of spiritual
empowerment) during a Reiki course (“What is Reiki?” 2). But, with this energy
turned on, it might be thought that this energy might elapse in time. Apparently, it does not.
Quest
goes on to say:
That this attunement process makes
Reiki unique and is the reason why the ability to heal can be developed so
quickly yet so permanently. It activates
a Reiki channel through which the Reiki healing energy can flow, and once you
have been attuned you will be able to use Reiki for the rest of your life - the
ability to channel Reiki doesn’t wear off or wear out!! From then on, whenever you intend to use
Reiki, simply thinking about it, or holding your hands out in readiness to use
it, will activate it – there are no complicated rituals to follow. (“What is
Reiki?” 2)
While
studying Reiki, it was found that there is more than one level, each providing
more chi. To be exact, there are three
levels.
Quest explains each reiki degree:
There are three levels of training, usually referred to
as "degrees" - but this does not refer to (or confer) any academic
level or qualification! At First Degree you
normally receive four “attunements” which gradually open up your inner healing
channel, allowing Reiki to flow through.
The emphasis at this level is on self-healing, although you will also be
taught how to carry out a treatment on family, friends and animals. Second Degree is generally regarded as
practitioner level, and the course includes another attunement which enables
you to access even more Reiki, and you learn three sacred symbols and their
mantras (sacred names) and some special ways of using them, including a form of
distant healing which enables you to “send” a Reiki treatment to anyone,
anywhere, with the same effectiveness as if that person was with you. The Third Degree is the level of a Reiki Master (Teacher), and is
essentially making a life-long commitment to the mastery of Reiki, which
requires a lot of personal and spiritual development and learning, in addition
to working with Reiki every day. Reiki Master training can be a short course,
or it may be an apprenticeship over a longer period of time with an experienced
Master. (Quest, “What is Reiki?” 2)
Each
attunement experience/process will take additional training, time and
money. “When you decide to follow the
path of the Reiki Master and take the Third (Master) Degree you must feel a
vocation to give and receive healing.
You may have the urge to find out more about yourself and to use this
experience to help others to discover and to love themselves” (Honervogt 56). But, what happens during and after the
attunement experience?
Many Reiki Masters and students have
said that they have “seen” extraordinary events during an attunement. “The attunement process makes Reiki unique,
and is the reason why the ability to heal can be developed so quickly, yet so
permanently… a sacred ceremony of spiritual empowerment, and the actual process
is kept secret until someone becomes a Reiki Master (Quest, “The Attunement”
35). Though the process is kept secret,
the importance lies within the personal experience of the individual as well as
what the Reiki Master “brings” to the attunement. “The attunement forms a connection between
the student, the Master level of Reiki energy and it is carried out in “sacred
space”… on some occasions… the whole room seems to be bathed in violet light...
another effect is that the Reiki Master becomes filled with Reiki” (Quest, “The
Attunement” 35).
Since
the attunement process is secret, Quest explains the process without revealing
any furtive information:
Reiki Masters differ in the way they
arrange things for the attunements… some work one-on-one, others like to work
with groups… but each attunement is usually carried out in silence, with
perhaps some soft, relaxing music playing in the background, with each student
sitting with their eyes closed and their eyes held in the “gassho” or prayer
position, palms together in front of their chest. At various stages during the process there
may be some gentle touching on the student’s head and hands, and they may be
asked to raise their hands above their head for a few moments, but everything
is very gentle, supportive, and restful.
The attunement is a very special, meditative experience. (Quest, “The Attunement” 36)
The
process is simple, not complicated. It
is a time of prayer, discovery, and healing.
After an attunement a variety of
things may happen to the person. “At
each level of attunement (Reiki 1, 2 or 3) you become able to tap into a
higher, wider channel of that Universal Energy (Quest, “The Attunement” 36).
It
is possible and many times reported that:
Students often describe the beautiful
spiritual or mystical experiences they have received, such as “seeing”
wonderful colors, visions… receiving personal messages or profound healing,
sensing the presence of guides or angelic beings, or simply having a feeling of
complete peace. (Quest, “The Attunement” 36)
According
to Vennels, other students may feel “increased energy, gentle tingling
sensations, especially in the hands, which may also feel hot, a sense of energy
flowing in and around the body, clearer senses, less stress and emotional
problems [and] improved physical health” (42).
However, it is important to note that having these experiences is not
the most important part or process of Reiki.
Vennels continues to say that “Colors, lights and amazing experiences
are very nice, but not always necessary… regular daily practice and long-term
personal experience is more valuable. We
need deep, long-lasting benefits, instead of short-term highs” (43). In many cases, not just Reiki, this would
apply well to any situation. Since
students have multiple experiences, would it be possible that an attunement
experience does not work? Amazingly, “an
attunement always works. The success
rate is 100%. All the time. It is not possible to fail a Reiki course,
provided a qualified Reiki Master carries out the attunement process with you”
(Quest, “The Attunement” 37).
Reiki should be experienced by every person. “From the time of performing the simple motions, a new healer is created- or awakened may be the better word… the ability to do Reiki is part of the human genetic code, wired into our DNA… The attunement turns on the ‘Light’” (Stein 106). Reiki will help every person and will shed light on a new way of serving and healing humanity. “Just be open minded, and if you are willing to receive the Reiki (belief in it is not a prerequisite) healing will take place, although it might not always be in quite the way you expect” (Quest, “What is Reiki?” 1). It is surprising that there is not a higher interest in Reiki, especially in the “western world.” “Ultimately, Reiki is inexpressible or indescribable, only experiential, boundless loving kindness, wisdom, beauty, and perfection” (Vennels 5).
Works Cited Page
Honervogt,
Tanmaya. Reiki An Ancient Hands-on Healing
Technique. New York: Henry Holt and
Company, Inc. 1998.
Quest,
Penelope. “The Attunement Experience.” Reiki
News Spring 2003:34-38.
Quest, Penelope. “What is Reiki?” Vol.2, Issue1, p34. 17 Apr. 2003. 15 Apr. 2003. http://www.reiki-quest.co.uk/1518.html
Stein, Diane. Essential Reiki-Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art. Freedom: The Crossing Press Inc. 1995.
Vennells,
David, F. Reiki for Beginners. St. Paul, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 2001.
Works Consulted Page
McKenzie,
Eleanor. Healing Reiki-Reunite Mind,
Body and Spirit with Healing Energy.
Great Britain: Hamlyn, 1998.
Morris,
Joyce, J. Reiki Hands That Heal. Contr. William R. Morris. York Beach: Samuel Weiser, Inc. 1999.
Quest,
Penelope. Email interview. 15 Apr. 2003.