The word Reiki is Japanese and literally translated to mean universal life force or energy. Often called by different names in different parts of the world, "chi" in China, "prana" in India, "spirit" in Western traditions. Often desribed as the energy we sometimes sense in ourselves and others. An example might be knowing someone being described as "intense" or someone who is "mellow". These terms would be describing a facet of our personal and unique energy "fingerprint". The Reiki theory is that we can draw our energy from a larger, greater energy source in the universe. Healing begins when we are taught how to "tap into" that universal energy source when the need arises, rather than draw energy from ourselves or those around us. If you've ever been inexplicably exhausted after a stressful day or around someone who "made you tired", you might understand the concept.

In the mid-1800's, Dr. Mikao Usui discovered a method of training individuals to draw on this universal energy, channel it through their bodies and into the bodies of others; to become a conduit for drawing on energy in order to aid in healing.

The doctor developed the Usui Method of Reiki training, assigned levels of learning and competency, and called these levels attunements. There are three levels of "attunements" to become a Reiki Master.

The First Degree Reiki Practitioner is taught how to do self-treatment and to do hands-on treatment on others. The basic practitioner training includes several initiations which open energy channels and ensure that the energy being drawn is from the proper source.

The Second Degree is only given after a student has been practicing First Degree for some time and is ready to learn some special techniques for enhancing energy transference levels. This level also teaches a method of "distance" treatments.

The Third, and final degree is the Master level. At this level, students become teachers, and are qualified not only to treat clients, but to train and qualify others to become Reiki practitioners. This is very intensive training, usually over a considerable period of time and includes supervised teaching methods.

A Reiki treatment is a literal "laying on of hands". In a standard treatment, a client lies down (fully clothed) on a padded treatment table. Treatment starts at the client's head then down to the lower body in standardized positions. The client turns over and the practitioner works from the top of the back to the tailbone and on to the feet. The hands are simply rested on the client at each placement. There is no massage or pressure involved. A full treatment takes about an hour.

Because Reiki works on an energy level, it can aid healing on all kinds of problems including physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual. Reiki is not a substitute for standard medical or emotional treatment, but a complementary treatment used with other forms of treatment. It is not a "religious" experience per se, but rather an "energizing of the spirit" that is beautifully simple and natural.

It is a fact that more and more "medical" doctors and nurses are finding that Reiki is a wonderful aid in their work with patients and many of them have seen incredible results. Nearly every reputable publication including Time, Life, and Newsweek magazines have had articles involving "hands-on healing" and the professionals now using it. Remember too, that Reiki can be used on every living thing, and there are few times in our lives that we couldn't use a little "energy healing".

The Reiki healing process works best if it is used as soon as possible after a trauma, when the body is pulling in all available energy to stabilize itself. This is why we so often feel so very tired during a healing process. The body will take what it needs first in a natural survival instinct, and it needs energy to fight the trauma. The benefit of using a Reiki Practitioner at this time is that the practitioner has the ability to channel the energy that the body needs from the outside environment so that available energy is virtually limitless. Reiki works in many different ways, but it does not guarantee outcomes or change fate. When a trauma is extensive sometimes, the highest level of healing that Reiki can provide is a peaceful death. Reiki simply helps the body to draw on all available energy to "jump start" a healing process if a healing is possible.

People respond to Reiki in different ways. Sometimes they describe Reiki as feeling warmth. Others describe a tingling, pulsing or throbbing sensation. Some people simply feel very calm or peaceful. In nearly every case, the treatment is considered extremely relaxing. Sometimes, they don't feel anything at all, but in the next few days, experience a sense of well being.

Please feel free to contact me if you are in the South Bend, Indiana area and would like a treatment or to learn more about becoming a practitioner.

For a link to a good Reiki site try Center for Reiki Training.