Reiki: an art of healing [Archives:2004/784/Education]
Dr. P.A.Abraham
Professor of English
Faculty of Education
Sana'a University
[email protected]
Reiki ('Ray-key') is a Japanese word for Universal Life Energy. It is an ancient healing art rediscovered more than hundred years ago by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Priest. It is defined as the power, which acts and lives in all created matter. This energy is everywhere in the universe and in abundance.
In this system Reiki practitioners or channels can pass on Universal Life Energy to themselves and others thereby energizing and healing them. Once a person has been opened up to become a “channel” of Reiki, life energy will flow through his/her hands of its own accord and he/she will retain this ability for the rest of the life. This energy can then be passed on to self or others simply by laying on hands. It is a simple “touch and heal” system. In fact, we are all born with this Universal life energy, but that our negative reaction to life events causes us to become less open with the result that the natural flow of energy is less pure and less available. Science recognizes the fact that the so-called solid objects are just densely vibrating energy that in fact there is no solid matter. Hermetic science also states “all is energy”. Energy is all around us and inside us as well. We constantly react and respond to energy without realizing it. Around us is an energy field which is referred to as “aura'. The aura has mainly three levels; emotional, mental and spiritual.
The attunement process of Reiki enables one to get in touch with the true essence. We tend to feel this essence or core self at times in our lives when we are in a heightened state of awareness. Reiki can provide the boost to help you develop that sense of awareness and with a daily practice of self-treatment, enables this awareness to grow. But Reiki needs a receptive ear. Our inner voice is the natural spokesperson for the wisdom of Universal Life Force Energy.
How does Reiki work?
The body is in fact energy vibrating at a certain frequency, and all its frequencies have their own natural flow. However, when we make a judgment about something (rather than discernment), the judgment gets stored in the cellular structure of the body in the form of a physical and/or emotional block. Emotions are a reaction to our thoughts or judgments about people and life's situations. Since they distort the natural frequencies, negative thoughts or judgments are experienced as dense or uncomfortable vibrations. Such thoughts may turn into headaches, tension, stomachaches, ulcers etc. Anger, jealousy, greed, guilt, grief and other negative emotions can cause physical ailments. Plato has rightly pointed out that if you want to heal your body you must first heal your mind.
Through constant practice Reiki may actually heal all of these blockages by exposing them to the much higher vibratory frequency of Universal Life Force Energy, which can then penetrate and dissolve any blockages. Thus Reiki heals by calming the mind and raising the life force energy in the body. When we treat ourselves or someone with Reiki, we do this by laying our hands gently on various parts of the body with our fingers closed. We soon feel a kind of sensation in our palms like something flowing, warmth, pulling tingling etc. Each person reacts in a different way to Reiki and no general rule can be said to exist. The most common experience during a treatment is a sense of peace and relaxation and some even fall asleep. The effects of Reiki can be listed as follows:
– Reiki supports the body's natural ability to heal itself. When practiced regularly it develops good health and resistance to sickness
– Reiki works on all levels- physical, emotional, mental and spiritual
– Reiki loosens up blocked energy and promotes the flow of energy thereby, providing a total relaxation
– Reiki energizes and balances body's energy
– Reiki cleanses the poisons and toxins from the body
– Reiki is an extremely pleasant, holistic method of healing
Characteristics of a Reiki Treatment
– Reiki is always drawn and never given. Do not take credit or blame for the final result
– Reiki is an intelligent energy and follows its own logic, knowing where and to what extent it is required. Therefore it is not necessary to diagnose before treatment.
– There is no overdose of Reiki and it can never do any damage as it only flows in the area and quantity required by the recipient.
– No special kind of power or ability or knowledge is required for Reiki. It is simple and natural enough for anybody to learn and make use of.
– Reiki is passed only on request. Not without asking, except in case of family members and children, accidents and emergency.
Reiki Treatment
– Wear loose dresses comfortable for sitting or lying positions. Remove watches, Jewelry, rings, belts, wallets etc. Relax your mind and body and close your eyes.
– Wash hands before and after treatment
– You can sit in a comfortable position or lie down on a blanket or any sheet. Avoid sitting directly on ground. As far as possible keep the surrounding peaceful and serene and if possible, make a regular place for practicing Reiki.
– Start with an Attitude of Gratitude (Thank God for all the Blessings that you have, Thank yourself, Thank the Cosmic energy, Thank your parents and teachers
– Start with keeping your hands in cup shape, gently on various positions on your body. Follow from top to bottom wherever you feel the need of energy. Keep your hand for 3-5 minutes on each position. Problematical areas can be treated for more time (10-15) minutes, as required. If you know the positions of “Chakras”*on the body, try to give reiki on them.
– At the end once again thank yourself and Reiki.
Five Principles of Reiki
The first principle is: ” Just for today I will live with an attitude of gratitude”.
If we try to follow an attitude of gratitude, life becomes a never-ending expression of abundance. It is the tendency of human beings to concentrate on what we don't have. Then we continue to experience the state of not having. As the saying goes “Count your Blessings'. If we begin to focus on all the good things that we have; our family, the beauty of nature, your education, your talents etc. a positive shift in our life will begin to occur. The greatest challenge is to maintain an attitude of gratitude when things go wrong.
The second Principle is: “Just for today, I will not worry”.
It is said that worry, hurry and curry are the root causes of all illness. Worry is a signal, which shows how stuck you are in the ego and its attachment to having things its way. It is one thing to have concern about our loved ones, or about taking care of business properly etc. It is quite another to keep on worrying about all these. Worrying over the past is also futile, as the past never exists. If you regret something you did in the past, feel your remorse fully until it dissipates and move on. Do not carry any guilt feelings, which are negative. If we brood over some past grievances, we start generating and experiencing negative emotions associated with the event, and though the event may be long gone, the emotions are refreshed and regenerated. The more we brood on this, more negative energy is generated. Each experience, whether good or bad should be considered as an opportunity.
The third Principle is: “Just for today I will not anger”.
Anger arises when the ego notices that things are not happening as you wish. An angry person generates negative vibration not only on himself but also in others. When you are angry, your blood pressure goes up and the whole atmosphere gets affected. The best emotional option is: 'letting go' of judging yourself and 'the other'. It is really healing.
The fourth Principle is: “Just for today I will do my work honestly”.
Honesty is not only the best policy; it is also the safest policy. This principle addresses the need to choose a vocation, which helps you grow, and gives you a sense of fulfillment and you do the job that is allotted to you with commitment and sincerity. It also means that you need not be afraid of speaking the truth when required. To be true to yourself also means that we need to take time for ourselves, not be interrupted by anyone when you wish to be alone and it is essential for maintaining a peaceful existence. Eventually, the more we are willing to give to ourselves, the easier it will be t give to others in a natural way. Life is simpler, when we are true to ourselves.
The fifth Principle is: “Just for today I will show love and respect for all living beings”
Plants, animals, birds along with human beings are all parts of God's creation and it is very important that we love and respect all living things. The weaker a living being is, the more sympathy and kindness it deserves.
The five Reiki principles given by Dr Usui, in fact, help us to improve the quality of our lives, even if you do not practice reiki. Dr. Usui probably recognized that, if used wisely, they would remove the cause of suffering and disease. If followed faithfully, these principles will lead to a more positive outlook towards life because, though they appear to be mere concepts and beliefs, they are totally wholesome and life affirming when integrated with daily practice of reiki.
*The word “Chakra” is derived from Sanskrit and means “Wheel”. Chakras are spiral energy centers, which exist in subtle energy body of ours and are responsible for the flow of energy throughout the body. It is said that there are seven major chakras and many minor chakras in our body. The seven major chakras are Root Chakra, Hara Chakra, Solar Plexus, Heart Chakra, Throat Chakra, Third Eye Chakra, and Crown Chakra. The chakras also correspond to mental and emotional states of a person and decide various aspects of ones behavior and development. A blockage in the energy flow of the chakra and excess energy can lead to imbalance and disharmony on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual values. These disturbances are often caused by psychological stress and trauma and painful experiences or excess of joy.
(The author of this article is a reiki practitioner)
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