You lie on your back, covered with a warm blanket, fully clothed and secure.
Like butterflies landing, two hands settle softly on your forehead. The hands
become still. Their presence is deeply relaxing, as a mother's hand on the brow
of her child.
Then you notice - something is happening! Tingly warmth emanates from the hands,
and spreads throughout your head and the rest of your body. It feels RIGHT, and
deeply, deeply peaceful, like coming home. As the hands move around your body,
resting gently and respectfully where they are needed, tense muscles wake up to
this peaceful warm feeling and, just maybe, they decide to let go.
Areas of disease or injury may receive more intense warmth. The heat feels almost
like burning, but you know that it's GOOD, and will help you. In some areas you feel
tingly, and areas of inflammation may feel blessed coolness. Or, you may just feel
deeply calm and peaceful.
Old emotional hurts may surface gently for you to review from this place of calm and
loving awareness, so that you can let them go. The voice above the hands asks you to
breathe deeply, and as you do so, the hurts fall quiet.
Just before you fall asleep, you marvel at how relaxed you feel. You don't remember
such ease in your body since you were a child.
The session lasts an eternity, yet it is over all too soon. When you finally, slowly,
open your eyes and sit up, an entire layer of stress and ill-feeling has effortlessly
washed away. You feel at peace.
You've just received a Reiki session.
Reiki emerged in Japan in the early twentieth century, discovered by Dr. Mikao Usui.
Before World War II, it was brought to the West by Mrs. Hawaya Takata. Now, it is
practiced by millions around the world, to treat themselves, friends and family, and
paying clients.
What is Reiki? It is hands-on healing energy, which awakens and empowers your
self-healing abilities. This means gaining the energy and confidence to make
steady, step-by-step progress physically, emotionally and spiritually. Many
people feel they have been helped dramatically in their health and wellbeing
with Reiki.
What is it NOT? Reiki is not a religion - people from all religions and
worldviews may practice and share Reiki with each other (see
www.christianreiki.org
for a Christian perspective). Neither is it a magic formula, quick fix, or
replacement for trained and licensed medical care.
How does it work? "Rei" is often translated as "divinely guided" or "from the universe",
and "ki" translates as "essential life force energy". So, a Reiki practitioner is
creating an opening for life force energy to flow in a concentrated way from the universe
into your body. Your body's wisdom guides the energy to where it is most needed.
Reiki is finding its way into the medical community. A number of hospitals have
instituted Reiki programs. In Maine, I personally know nurses and emergency medical
technicians who are trained in Reiki. It has many benefits in medical settings, and is
very gentle and non-invasive. For a good website on Reiki and medicine, see
www.pamelamilesreiki.com.
You've never tried Reiki, but now you're interested - where to start? Some websites, such as
www.iarp.org,
have directories of Reiki practitioners and teachers. You can read local wellness
journals - often practitioners will advertise there. Bulletin boards in natural food
stores and coffee houses will also have business cards and flyers. Ask a friend for a
referral. Some doctors may also give referrals, as Reiki becomes more known and accepted.
Many practitioners combine Reiki with other services such as massage therapy.
Beyond receiving sessions, you can quickly learn to treat yourself and others.
Classes are taught by a Reiki Master, generally in one-day or weekend workshops;
you can learn the basics in a Level I workshop, and continue on for more in-depth
classes if you wish. Many Reiki Masters teach and also give sessions.
I encourage you to take a class or receive sessions - the more people who receive
peace and healing with Reiki, the more peaceful the world will be!
Do you have questions about Reiki? Please email me at
jefreiki@maine.rr.com.
We can include your questions with answers in an upcoming article.
Jeff's web site can be viewed at
jeffreiki.com. Thanks to
chinaglance.com for submitting this article for me.
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