Reiki
Reiki (Japanese, "universal life energy") is a Japanese energetic healing system founded in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui. It works channelling subtle energy through the hands of the practitioner towards the body of the consultant, to restore energetic balance, relieve physical and emotional pain, and promote relaxation and well-being.
Origin and history
Reiki was founded by Mikao Usui (1865-1926), Japanese university teacher and Tendai Buddhism practitioner. According to traditional history (with romanticised elements probably), in 1922 Usui retreated for 21 days of fasting and meditation on the sacred Mount Kurama in Kyoto. On the last day, in mystical experience, he received the system of Reiki — energetic healing technique that he immediately began to share. He founded clinic in Tokyo where he attended hundreds of patients, with reported beneficial effects in the disasters of the great Kanto earthquake of 1923.
After Usui, the system was transmitted by Chujiro Hayashi (medical surgeon of the imperial navy) and was brought to the West by Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American Hawaiian who introduced it to the United States in the 1930s. Takata trained 22 "Master teachers" who diffused Reiki worldwide from the 1970s onwards. Today, multiple Reiki branches exist (Usui original, Tibetan, Karuna, Lightarian, etc.), with millions of practitioners worldwide.
How it works
According to Reiki theory: there is a universal life energy (the "Rei" universal "Ki" of the term — the name fuses the Japanese word for the cosmic divine and the Eastern vital energy chi). The Reiki practitioner, after receiving from a teacher specific energetic "attunements" in the corresponding initiation level, becomes channel of this energy. By placing their hands on or close to the body of the consultant, they channel the energy to where it is most needed.
Reiki has four standard levels: Reiki I (basic technique, allows treating oneself and others by direct contact), Reiki II (introduces three sacred symbols — Cho Ku Rei, Sei He Ki, Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen — which allow specific applications and treatment at distance), Reiki III/A (introduces the master symbol Dai Ko Myo), Reiki III/B Master Teacher (capacity to initiate other practitioners). A complete Reiki session lasts 60-90 minutes; the consultant is dressed lying on a table while the practitioner places hands in standardised sequence of positions.
Considerations
Documented benefits (in studies of varying quality): deep relaxation, decrease of perceived pain, decrease of anxiety, sleep improvement, sense of peace and well-being. Many patients in oncological treatment, chronic illnesses or post-surgical use Reiki as complementary therapy with reported benefit. The mechanism is not clear — there is debate between vitalist (real energy channelling) and psychophysiological (placebo effect, conscious touch, deep relaxation by attentive presence) explanations. Both interpretations may be partly true.
Important: Reiki is complementary, NEVER substitute of conventional medicine. A serious Reiki practitioner does NOT diagnose, does NOT prescribe medication, does NOT promise miraculous cures of grave conditions, recommends conventional medical treatment. To consult Reiki for relaxation and pain relief is reasonable; to abandon a chemotherapy by Reiki is dangerous. Choose ethical practitioners trained, with reasonable rates, with humble and serious approach.
Also known as
- Universal energy
- Energetic healing technique
- Japanese touch