| What is Reiki and Why Study It? | | | | appear to be derived from various Asian |
| Reiki is a form of "energy healing" that originated | | | | characters, and have special meanings in the Reiki |
| in Japan, but has become increasingly popular in | | | | system. They may be drawn in the air, used on |
| the rest of the world. The origins of Reiki and its | | | | physical objects, drawn on or over the patient, or |
| founder, Dr. Mikao Usui, are shrouded in some | | | | simply imagined in the mind. The symbols focus or |
| degree of mystery, and many legends and stories | | | | direct various kinds of healing energy. |
| abound to fill in the historical gaps. Whatever the | | | | Reiki Variations |
| truth may be, Dr. Usui set up a clinic in Japan in | | | | As Reiki moved into the West, several variations, |
| the early 1920s and began teaching students and | | | | types or schools or Reiki have developed. "Usui |
| treating patients with his Reiki healing system. As | | | | Reiki" generally refers to the original version. Other |
| Reiki spread to the rest of the world, it has | | | | teachers mix various elements of Tibetan spiritual |
| become recognized as an effective system of | | | | practice with Reiki. Other popular variations include |
| energy healing. | | | | Karuna Reiki, Lightarian Reiki, Seichim Reiki, Angelic |
| Characteristics of Reiki | | | | Reiki, and dozens more. Some of these variations |
| Hand positions: Reiki energy healing is done | | | | claim to have been "channeled" through various |
| primarily with the hands. In the standard | | | | spiritual beings, such as angels. Many of them add |
| treatment, the practitioner's hands are placed on | | | | various "New Age" elements to Reiki healing, |
| the body of the patient, either lightly touching or | | | | including sounds, crystals, additional symbols, |
| close to the body. The locations of the traditional | | | | aromatherapy, etc. |
| hand placements correspond in general to the | | | | How to Choose |
| "chakra" system known in yoga and the New Age | | | | Some of the following questions may be helpful. |
| movement in general. A complete Reiki treatment | | | | Do I have access to local Reiki traning? If not, |
| usually involves time spent allowing energy to flow | | | | then the various self-study programs are a good |
| into each of these locations. | | | | option. How much time and money do I wish to |
| Attunements: Reiki has several "levels",traditionally | | | | commit? If your resources are limited, then you |
| Beginners, Advanced, and Master (or First, | | | | can find very reasonable self-study programs |
| Second and Third degree.) Each of these levels | | | | available. |
| requires an "attunement" in which the keys for | | | | Do I wish to make a career out of Reiki? You |
| using Reiki are passed on from master to student. | | | | may not know the answer to this question |
| In the original mode of Reiki instruction, these | | | | immediately, but if you are considering it, make |
| attunements were done in person, and usually | | | | sure that the Reiki course you choose explains |
| after lengthy study. Some traditionalists still | | | | the mechanics and practicalities of seeing patients |
| believe this is the only proper way to pass on the | | | | professionally. |
| Reiki tradition. However, many western masters | | | | Am I attracted to a more traditional approach, or |
| offer distance-study materials and courses, and | | | | do I like incorporating other elements into my |
| often offer "distance attunements". In these | | | | training? If you opt for traditional, be aware that |
| attunements, master and student, even though | | | | you may need to seek local training to get it. |
| they are in different locations, set aside a time of | | | | How do I feel about the options I've looked at? |
| meditation in which the attunement is given. There | | | | Am I comfortable with the master and his or her |
| are some masters who offer CDs or DVDs that | | | | teachings? Is the approach too dogmatic or |
| will pass on an attunement by listening or | | | | fanatical? Is there a feeling of love or of |
| watching them. Finally there are several books | | | | competition? |
| and courses available which instruct the student in | | | | Ultimately, the advice of the Yaqui medicine man |
| "self-attunement", so that they initiate the | | | | Don Juan applies when considering learning Reiki - |
| attunement process entirely on their own. | | | | "Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path |
| Reiki Symbols: Very early in the history of Reiki, | | | | is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use." (The |
| special symbols with special names were used in | | | | Teachings of Don Juan - Carlos Castaneda). |
| the process of healing and attunement. These | | | | |