WHAT IS REIKI?

Reiki (Rei: Spirit / universal - Ki: Life force energy) is a Japanese non-invasive, holistic, energy healing therapy.

Reiki may be practised in person or from a distance with the same effect. The energy flows through the Chakras (Sanskrit: 'wheel' / energy points) to balance the mind, body and spirit.

Stress in our lives manifests itself in so many forms; feeling low, anger, creativity blocks, frustration, not knowing what path to take, lack of sleep, hormonal imbalances, illness, pain - unfortunately the list goes on.

Reiki can help with uplifting, energising or/and relaxing you, both mentally and physically. With it's gentle nature of energy, the healing unlocks blockages in your body, to allow the energy to flow.

Reiki is a wonderful healing system to accompany you on your spiritual journey also. At times, we may question ourselves and everything around us, as we transition to being more spiritually aware and connected to our highest self. For many, what arises during and after their session can be surprising, nourishing and give insight into where you are in your self development journey and where you are going.

A treatment can feel like a wonderful, glowing radiance that flows through and around you.

Although there are many significant pioneers within the history and present day of Reik, below are three prominent people the community are thankful for.

Reiki was founded by Sensei Mikao Usui (1865-1926) in the early 20th century. Born in Tanai, Japan, he was a student of Buddhism from the age of four years old and throughout his life, he studied and practised many healing techniques and martial arts practices, but also as an adult, held many different jobs, including being a secretary for the Mayor of Tokyo!

There are many versions of how Mikao Usui founded Reiki, most likely because within Japanese culture it was practice to protect such sacred information. However one of the more recent stories (1990's) was that he was encouraged by his Buddhist teacher to undergo a 21 day meditation and fast, to reach enlightenment (or death). The story continued that on the last day of his 21 day fast, he was struck by Reiki, enlightenment to allow him to discover his healing abilities and share this with others.

Reiki has been practised and taught as a healing system in the West since the late 1930s. Reiki Practitioners can trace their spiritual lineage to a trail back to Mikao Usui and have been attuned by their respective Teacher.

REIKI: THE ORIGINS

REIKI: THE BRIDGE

Chujiro Hayashi (林忠次郎, Hayashi Chūjirō; 15 September 1880 – 11 May 1940), a disciple of Mikao Usui, played a major role in the transmission of Reiki out of Japan.

Hayashi was a naval physician and employed Reiki to treat his patients. He began studying with Usui in the early 1920s. He made his branch, Hayashi Reiki Kenkyu-kai in Tokyo, Shinano-machi while his master Usui was still alive, and has kept the way of Usui's teaching.

Hayashi initiated and trained Hawayo Takata and helped her bring Reiki to Hawaii. He also trained

Chiyoko Yamaguchi, the founder of Jikiden Reiki.

In 1940, Hayashi committed seppuku,[1] a Japanese form of ritual suicide.

REIKI: THE JOURNEY TO THE WEST

Chujiro Hayashi (林忠次郎, Hayashi Chūjirō; 15 September 1880 – 11 May 1940), a disciple of Mikao Usui, played a major role in the transmission of Reiki out of Japan.

Hayashi initiated and trained Hawayo Takata and helped her bring Reiki to Hawaii. He also trained

Chiyoko Yamaguchi, the founder of Jikiden Reiki.

In 1940, Hayashi committed seppuku,[1] a Japanese form of ritual suicide.

GOKAI: THE REIKI PRINCIPLES

The five Reiki principles / precepts, were created by Sensei Mikao Usui. in Japanese, for his students to follow and integrate in their daily life and their spiritual path. They were the foundation of his teachings, adapting the precepts from a similar teaching used in the Tendai Buddhist sect of Shugendo from the 9th century. They work alongside Reiki practice, not instead of it.

Variations of the principles have developed over time, shaped by culture and teaching lineages, however, the intent will stem from the original principles. They have been created for students to reflect upon, and chant daily, to promote health and happiness.

Anyone may embrace this code of practice, not just Reiki Practitioners, citing the precepts each day, just as you would with affirmations or mantras. They are essentially a mindfulness practice to bring us into the present moment, and to refrain from self judgement.

Usui Reiki was created by Dr.Mikao Usui (1865-1926) in the early 20th century. He was a student of Buddhism from the age of four years old and throughout his life, he studied and practised many healing techniques and martial arts practices, but also as an adult, held many different jobs, including being a secretary for the Mayor of Tokyo!

Usui Reiki originally focused on self treatment, healing and spiritual development toward a path of enlightenment.

Reiki is a wonderful way to support you living a high vibrational life! Living life with a higher frequency means feeling lighter, joyful, balanced and feeling gratitude towards yourself and others.

Love, kindness and authenticity helps you to tune into manifesting all that you desire.

Prioritising your wellbeing and mental and physical health is of the utmost importance, but understandably, it can be difficult to manage this if you are busy all of the time.

Digital overloads, such as working on a computer all day, hours spent on a phone or social media can also put a strain on us, leaving us tired or on empty for what seems like no reason at all, causing energetic imbalances.

Reiki, essentially, fills in the gaps - the healing energy that is received allows us to manage everyday life in a balanced, calm flow state. It's gentle nature of healing benefits us in the long term.

Distance Reiki is when a Practitioner connects to Reiki and sends healing energy to a person without physically placing their hands above or on the body, or needing to be in the same room! The Practitioner serves as the channel or vessel for life force energy to be directed through the palms of the hands, to the receiver.

This means Reiki may be sent to you wherever you are based in the world, at any time, with the same effect and benefits as hands-on-healing.

Ki - life force energy (known as chi or qi - Chinese, prana - Indian, spirit - Christian) knows no physical barriers and Reiki travels with only love, light and for the highest intention.

Distance Reiki allows you to be in the comfort of your own space and time.

The Reiki principles were created by Dr. Mikao Usui for his students to follow and integrate in their daily life and their spiritual path. They were the foundation of his teachings, adapting the precepts from a similar teaching used in the Tendai Buddhist sect of Shugendo from the 9th century.

JUST FOR TODAY

Just for today, I will not worry

Just for today, I will not anger

Just for today, I will be grateful

Just for today, I will do my work honestly

Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing

Anyone may embrace this code of practice, not just Reiki Practitioners, citing the precepts each day, just as you would with affirmations or mantras. They allow us to be in the present moment and to refrain from self judgement.

The Sanskrit word 'Chakra', translates as 'wheel' and refers to the energy points in the body. There are many chakras in the body, however most Reiki Practitioners focus on the seven major energy centres, from the tailbone to the crown, which are:

Muladhara Chakra (Root, base of spine)

Swadhisthana Chakra (Sacral, below the navel)

Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus, above the navel)

Anahata Chakra (Heart)

Vishuddhi Chakra (Throat)

Ajna Chakra (Third Eye - between the brows)

Sahasrara Chakra (Crown, top of head)

When any one or more of our chakras are blocked, our body, mind and spirit become unbalanced. This negatively impacts our life force energy and can manifest as illness, pain, emotional and / or spiritual imbalance.