What is Reiki? 

Reiki Principles:

Just for today,

Don’t get angry,

Don’t worry,

Be grateful,

Work hard,

Be kind to others.

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing by removing energy blocks. This is a ‘laying on of hands’ technique that was discovered by Dr. Mikao Usui in the early 1900’s. Reiki is a very simple yet powerful technique that can be easily learned by anyone.

The word Reiki comes from two Japanese words – Rei and ki. 

The word ‘Rei’ means spiritual wisdom. The most accepted definition is that it means universal. However, that interpretation is a very general one. Research into the esoteric meaning of the Japanese character can be more accurately interpreted to mean a higher knowledge or spiritual consciousness. This is the wisdom that comes from the Source. It understands each person completely. It knows the cause of all problems and difficulties and knows how to heal them.

The word ‘Ki’ means the same as chi in Chinese, prana in Sanskrit. It has been given many other names in various cultures. Ki is life energy. This is the non-physical energy that animates all living things. Ki is also the primary energy of our emotions, thoughts and spiritual life. Ki is the energy that is used by all healers.

It is the spiritual wisdom of Rei that guides the life energy called Ki in the practice we call Reiki. Therefore, Reiki can be defined as spiritually guided life energy. Reiki guides itself with its own wisdom, rather than requiring the direction of the practitioner. The practitioner is a channel for this energy.

There are many kinds of healing energy. All healing energy has Ki or life energy as one of its important parts. All healers use Ki, but not all use Reiki. Reiki is a special kind of healing energy that can only be channeled by someone that is attuned to it. While it is possible that some people are born with Reiki, most people need to receive a Reiki attunement to be able to use Reiki. Therefore, most healers that have not received an attunement from a Reiki Master are not using Reiki, but another form of healing.