The Comprehensive Guide To Reiki: Holistic Healing
Reiki is an alternative healing practice that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. The word “reiki” means “universal life energy” in Japanese. Reiki practitioners use a technique called palm healing or hands-on healing as a form of complementary and alternative medicine. The practice involves placing the hands lightly on or just above a person’s body to facilitate the person’s own healing response.
The History and Origins of Reiki
Reiki was developed by a Japanese Buddhist named Mikao Usui in 1922. Usui claimed to have had a spiritual experience on Mount Kurama where he discovered the ability of using life force energy to heal others. He then spent several years developing the Reiki method and founding the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai organization to spread his teachings.
Reiki was introduced outside of Japan in the mid-1930s by Chujiro Hayashi, one of Usui’s students. An American woman named Hawayo Takata learned Reiki from Hayashi and introduced it to Western cultures in 1937. Since then, Reiki has spread globally and branched into different schools and styles, but they all follow the same basic principles set forth by Usui.
The Practice and Techniques of Reiki
Reiki relies on the idea that a “life force energy” flows through all living things. If someone’s life force energy is low or blocked, it can lead to illness. A Reiki practitioner can channel life force energy into the patient by placing their hands lightly on or over the body. The goal is to increase the flow of energy, remove energy blockages, and help the body heal itself.
In a typical Reiki session, the client lies down and relaxes comfortably, usually on a massage table or mat. The practitioner places their hands in a sequence of positions lightly on or over different parts of the body. The hands remain in each position for 2 to 5 minutes or more until the practitioner senses the flow of energy in that area is balanced. The whole body is treated in this manner using 12 to 15 positions. Sessions can last 45 to 90 minutes.
Reiki can be practiced in different levels or degrees. Reiki Level 1 is for learning basic techniques for healing yourself and others. In Level 2, students learn advanced techniques for mental/emotional healing. Reiki Master/Teacher Level empowers students to pass on the ability to practice Reiki to others.
Benefits and Uses of Reiki
Reiki is used to promote stress reduction, relaxation, and an overall sense of well-being. It aims to help the body strengthen its ability to heal itself. Reiki has been studied for a variety of possible uses and benefits, including:
- Reducing anxiety, depression, and pain
- Improving sleep
- Lowering blood pressure
- Supporting recovery from surgery or illness
- Easing side effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments
- Improving overall quality of life for those with chronic health conditions
- Accelerating wound healing
- Enhancing spiritual growth and emotional wellness
Reiki is also sometimes used on animals, especially pets (pet Reiki), to promote behavior balance, relieve anxiety, improve injuries and illnesses, and strengthen the human-animal bond.
Additionally, Reiki can be used to energetically cleanse spaces like homes or offices (Reiki space clearing). It involves techniques for clearing stagnant energies and promoting positive vibes in buildings and rooms.
Reiki complements medical care and other therapies but does not replace them. More research is still needed to scientifically validate Reiki’s effectiveness for specific uses. However, many report beneficial experiences with Reiki for a variety of conditions. It is considered safe when performed by a trained and certified Reiki practitioner.
The Seven Levels of Reiki
There are traditionally said to be seven levels of Reiki training that students progress through as they advance in their mastery of this healing art. Each level expands upon the skills learned in the previous level to provide deeper understandings of how to work with universal life force energy. Here is an overview of the seven levels of Usui Reiki Ryoho, from beginner to advanced practitioner:
Level 1 – Shoden:
This first level of Reiki training focuses on learning to safely channel Reiki energy to heal yourself and others physically. Students are attuned to Reiki by a Reiki Master and taught the standard hand positions used to treat different parts of the body. They learn the theories behind Reiki and receive activations to permanently connect them to Reiki energy. Basic scanning and energy clearing techniques may also be covered. This level establishes a solid foundation for sharing Reiki with those close to you.
Level 2 – Okuden:
The second level builds upon Level 1 by introducing advanced techniques for mental and emotional healing. Students learn sacred Reiki symbols and their uses, distant healing methods to send Reiki across space and time, and intuitive skills to sense energy field disturbances. Level 2 expands the focus from physical healing to include the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of wellness.
Level 3 – Shinpiden:
At this practitioner level, students gain the title of Reiki Master/Teacher and the ability to teach and attune others to Reiki. They learn advanced tools for scanning energy fields and clearing negative energy from spaces, people, and objects. Level 3 also focuses on developing expertise in using Reiki across multiple healing modalities and with crystals, sound healing, and reiki-infused objects.
Level 4 – Gokuikaiden:
This advanced practitioner level aims to expand consciousness and manifest goals using Reiki energy. Students discover inner paths to meet their Reiki guide and develop a deeper connection with their healership abilities. They explore intuitive development, crystals grids, sacred geometry, psychic shields, lightwork, and advanced Reiki energy channeled for spiritual transformation.
Level 5 – Kenyoku:
At this high level of training, practitioners advance their purification and healing abilities. They learn the Usui Master symbol and how to activate it within themselves and others. Students also practice connecting with ancestors to heal generational trauma and using Reiki energy for world service. This level brings inner peace and powerful healing.
Level 6 – Shinpi-den:
Level 6 focuses on applying Reiki to achieve balance across multiple dimensions. Practitioners develop skills in healing the aura and chakra system, aligning the spiritual bodies, and accessing inner wisdom through crystal grids. This level brings a mystical understanding of Reiki energy and the nature of reality.
Level 7 – Kotodama:
The final level of Usui Reiki Ryoho is said to be reserved for those who have mastered all other levels and devoted themselves completely to sharing Reiki teachings and healing through Reiki. There is little known about the specific techniques taught at this high level of initiation. It is sometimes referred to as the “Way of the Light” due to Reiki’s transcendent spiritual awareness and profound energetic abilities cultivated.
Crystal Benefits
Crystals are believed to absorb, store, release, and regulate energy within the body, helping to balance the chakras. Different crystals have different properties that can benefit the mind, body, and spirit in various ways:
- Rose quartz can open the heart chakra to unconditional love and self-trust. It promotes feelings of inner peace and emotional healing.
- Amethyst purifies the mind, calms the nervous system, and connects to intuition and psychic ability. It opens the third eye and crown chakras.
- Citrine boosts creativity, confidence, and willpower. It energizes the solar plexus and sacral chakras.
- Green aventurine stimulates prosperity, luck, and abundance. It activates the heart chakra.
- Clear quartz amplifies energies, healing, meditation, and focus. It brings light and clarity to all chakras.
Chakras and Crystals
There are seven main chakras, or energy centers, aligned throughout the body from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each chakra corresponds to specific organs as well as physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of life. Crystals of certain colors can help open, balance, and heal each chakra:
- Root Chakra (Red) – Located at the base of the spine, it grounds body and feelings of security. Recommended crystals are red jasper, garnet, hematite.
- Sacral Chakra (Orange) – Below navel, it influences pleasure, creativity, and relationships. Recommended crystals are carnelian, orange calcite, tiger’s eye.
- Solar Plexus Chakra (Yellow) – Located above the navel and below the rib cage, this chakra relates to our personal power and strength. Recommended crystals are citrine, yellow jasper, golden topaz.
- Heart Chakra (Green) – Located in the center of the chest, it governs love and connection. Recommended crystals are rose quartz, green aventurine, jade.
- Throat Chakra (Blue) – Located in the throat, it influences communication, expression, and truth. Recommended crystals are blue lace agate, lapis lazuli, blue topaz.
- Third Eye Chakra (Purple) – Located between the eyebrows, it rules intuition and wisdom. Recommended crystals are amethyst, purple fluorite, azurite.
- Crown Chakra (White/Clear) – Located at the top of the head, it connects to spirituality and pure light/energy. Recommended crystals are clear quartz, selenite, diamond.
When the chakras are balanced through practices like energy healing, meditation, and crystals, the body’s energy flows freely and can be more balanced, energizing, and peaceful.
Final words
In summary, Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive form of energy healing that originated in Japan. It involves laying hands lightly over different parts of the body to balance energy flow and help the body relax and heal itself. Reiki is used to reduce stress, ease pain, support emotional wellness, and complement medical care for various conditions. While more research is still needed, many people report positive experiences with Reiki for improving their overall health and wellbeing.