Reiki: A Brief Introduction |
Back in 1999, I began working at a charter school for at-risk middle school kids. It was there that I met Robin, my future great friend and Reiki teacher. Although I knew of Reiki, it was only by reading about it, or hearing second-hand stories about Reiki circles. All accounts of it were positive and affirming that results can happen from it. But, like any skeptic, I never take anyone’s word about anything. Unless I can experience something first-hand, I will not believe that something “works,” especially when it comes to a practice that sounds like something close to faith healing when just hearing about it.
One afternoon, a student fell over a table while being disruptive and ended up spraining his wrist. He was shaking and crying so much he could hardly catch his breath. Robin, who was the science teacher, took him into the office and I ran to the kitchen to get some ice and let the behavior specialist know that we were going to need an accident form. When I walked back in, I felt as if I were walking into a spa rather than a cramped office -- there was this overwhelming feeling of calm. Robin was sitting next to the student with her hands on either side of the boy’s temples. Not only had his crying and panic ceased, but his entire body seemed completely relaxed. I learned later that Robin was using one of the five hand positions that are often used by Reiki practitioners to alleviate stress and panic.
The word “Reiki” is actually two Japanese words: “rei” meaning “universal (or ‘God’ or ‘Higher Power’) life force” and “ki,” which means “energy. Universal Life Energy. It based on the theory that a universal energy flows through all of us and is what keeps us alive. When this energy is low or unbalanced, we are susceptible to illness and disease. Reiki is a practice used by trained individuals that channels the universal life force to assist in reestablishing or maintaining a balance, creating relaxation and stress reduction in the recipient, which in turn promotes healing of body and spirit.
Some of the prominent energy centers in our body are points that are utilized by acupuncturists during treatment. Several of these points coordinate with our charkas, the seven energy wheels that are located from the base of the spine and travel up to the crown. Each chakra has its own frequency and interacts with universal energy in its own way and all are connected to parts of our endocrine system -- the body’s tool of defense against illness, as well as the regulator of energy use.
Through the use of hand positions on different charkas, as well as acupuncture points (meridians), the universal life force is passed through the Reiki giver to the receiver. If the person receiving the Reiki feels benefits from sessions, s/he can take classes toward practicing it as well. In the classes, students not only learn the process of a Reiki session, but receive “attunements,” which consist of a Reiki teacher using hand positions and mentally sending sacred symbols to them. These symbols are revealed during different levels of Reiki and have remained throughout the history of the practice.
Reiki was discovered (or “rediscovered” as its history often point out) in the late 19th century by Mikao Usui, who had a mystical experience while trying to find a means to end suffering atop Mt. Kurama, a mountain considered sacred that is located outside of Kyoto. After meditating for 21 days on top of the mountain, Usui learned that he had the ability to channel life force energy to others and help allay their mental and physical ailments. Soon after this revelation, Usui founded Japan’s Reiki organization, which is still active and considered Reiki’s global headquarters.
During Usui’s travels, he met Dr. Chijiro Hayashi, a Japanese naval officer and physician who enhanced the practice and with Usui sensei’s permission, went on to develop the Usui Reiki system of healing and opened a clinic in Tokyo. This is where Hawayo Takata came in search of a way back to wellness. Mrs. Takata was a resident of Hawaii who had fallen victim to many of life’s hardships that resulted in stress related illness. Takata is credited with bringing Reiki to west and attuning the first western Reiki practitioners.
Although much mythology surrounds the practice within both Christian and Buddhist communities (e.g. Usui sensei was in search of Christ’s healing powers when he attained enlightenment, or that Reiki is derived from Buddhism), it is of general consensus that Reiki is a religiously neutral practice with a sole aim of balancing one’s energy with the universe. A Reiki master is not a healer, only a learned conduit of this universal energy that has the power to make us feel more at ease and balanced. I encourage everyone to attend a local Reiki circle at least once to receive some of this energy first-hand. Since everyone’s experiences are different, each person’s reaction to Reiki is unique because, as Robin always tells her students, “it gives you what you need.”
Since studying and practicing Reiki, I have found that I have more confidence in myself and my chronic anxiety has (somewhat) subsided. Through my positive results with it, my desire to “pay it forward” has increased. I think my experience nine years ago in that school with children who offered daily challenges happened for a reason. I believe that just by accepting this positive and life-affirming practice, I have opened doors that offer tools toward true wellness and freedom. Regardless of personal beliefs or distaste of religious dogmas, it’s difficult to criticize a practice whose only principals are the five that Usui ascribed over a century ago:
Just for today, do not worry
Just for today, do not anger
Honor your parents, teachers, and elders
Earn your living honestly
and show gratitude to everything.
Source:
www.reiki.org
(Please visit this site for more information!) |
Kristie Vullo |
| About the author: |
| Kristie Vullo is a South Florida native and writes poetry, short story, and creative non-fiction that focus on women’s issues and spirituality. Currently, she is co-authoring a novel with her writing partner and long time friend. She has been part of the feminist movement for sixteen years and has studied reiki and various religious paths during her physical existence on earth. Believing that we are here to make a difference, she works at a vocational charter school that recovers young adults who have dropped out of high school and wish to obtain their GEDs and a better future. She lives in Boynton Beach, Florida with her husband, young daughter, and two cats |
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