reiki2u Universal Energy Healer

Reiki History

 Reiki and it's founder Dr Mikao Usui is constantly moving forward.

Thanks to the work of Reiki Masters like Frank Arjava Petter, William L. Rand and many others we get more complete and factual information about Reiki.

The facts and new information about Reiki in Japan is also helping the understanding of Reiki, it's history and methods.

"Reiki" with many origins
Hands on healing has been around for many centuries and has been known in many cultures. When you read about Reiki in books or on the Internet you will find several different theories about where Reiki came from: the stars, Lemuria, Atlantis, Egypt, India, Tibet etc. What we do know for a fact is that Reiki was "rediscovered" in Japan by Dr Mikao Usui during the beginning of the 20th century. For us westerners there are 3 persons that play a vital role in the history of Reiki:

Dr. Mikao Usui,  Dr. Hayashi and Mrs. Hawayo Takata.

Reiki history in the western world
A couple of years ago we only had Mrs Takata's version of the Reiki story.

This version is still widely taught although there seems to be many points in her story that cannot be verified. When Mrs Takata brought Reiki to the western world after Word War II,  it might have been possible that she had to modify and westernise the Reiki history to better suit the times.

Reiki in Japan
It was for many years believed that the practice of Reiki had died out in Japan.  Now new information about Reiki in Japan is coming to light. The Japanese Reiki system is slightly different from the Reiki that is used in the west. Written and oral information is translated from Japanese as it becomes available, including Dr Usui's manual. There are now a few books available covering these new findings.

What is Reiki ?

Reiki (pronounced Ray-key) is a Japanese name consisting of 2 words
Rei and Ki meaning spiritually guided life energy (commonly known as Universal Life Energy), an energy which animates us all and is found all around us.
Reiki is a form of spiritual healing using "universal life energy" channelled through the practitioner to the recipient.
Reiki helps to harmonize body, mind and spirit for yourself or anyone you want to help.

Reiki treatment
You relax, fully clothed, on a couch or seated while the healer holds his hands on or above you. A treatment can last an hour or longer depending on the treatment required. In the western world many practitioners use the standard hand positions and commonly a full treatment is given covering all the important organs of the body.
There is no pressure on the body making it ideal for treating all ages and conditions, sometimes hands are even held away from the body. The energy flows wherever it is required (spiritually guided) and can normally be felt as a warm sensation or tingling in the body. Receiving Reiki is a very relaxing and soothing experience!

Reiki is an effective healing method
Reiki can be used for many ailments like reducing stress, relieving pain, headaches, stomach upsets, back problems, asthma - respiratory problems, PMT, menstrual problems, sinus, anxiety and many more. 

(Please observe that Reiki should never be used instead of medical treatment, it should be used as a compliment and a way to become and remain healthy.)

There is no belief system attached to Reiki so anyone can receive a Reiki treatment or a Reiki attunement. As in any healing the first step towards a healthier life is a desire to be healed.

Reiki - a powerful and gentle healer

• Promotes natural self-healing
• Balances the energies in the body
• Balances the organs and glands
• Strengthens the immune system
• Treats symptoms and causes of illness
• Relieves pain
• Clears toxins
• Adapts to the natural needs of the receiver
• Enhances personal awareness
• Relaxes and reduces stress
• Promotes creativity
• Releases blocked and suppressed feelings
• Aids meditation and positive thinking
• Heals holistically

Reiki will enrich your life and give you happiness and health on all levels.

The Reiki Principles/Ideals taught by Dr Usui

These principles were introduced by Usui Sensei and taught to his students as their first spiritual teachings and were to be followed and be a guide in his/her life. By practicing these principles one would embark on the path of self healing.

"The secret of inviting happiness
The spiritual medicine for all illness
Just for today,  do not get angry
 Do not worry
Express your thanks
Be diligent in your work, and be kind to others
Do gassho and repeat them in the mind at the beginning and the end of each day.

Usui Reiki Ryho - Improve your mind and body
Founder
 Mikao Usui"

These teachings are open for anyone to learn regardless of religious beliefs, actually no belief is needed. Personally I do not consider them mandatory with the use of Reiki. These principles are worth a thought and certainly they can be a guide in life.

What does it mean?

Here is one possible interpretation:

The secret of inviting happiness This was the receiving of many "Reiju" or empowerments.

The spiritual medicine for all illness Mental, physical and spiritual health.

For today only: Value today! The present is now, life is not in the future or in the past, there is only now!

Do not anger Realize that anger and other selfish emotions like resentment, hatred, envy are harmful, avoid such emotions. 

Do not worry Do your best, believe and trust in the universe.

Express your thanks In this world it is easy to lose ourselves when we forget gratitude for being alive.

Be diligent in your work, and be kind to others.  It is not important what we do, it is important what we learn from what we do.

"Be kind to others" also means take good care of yourself, there is no difference between self and others in a universal dimension.

Do gassho and repeat them in the mind at the beginning and the end of each day. This practice starts at the beginning and end of each day by reciting these Principles.

 You will find many versions or translations of Dr Usui's Ideals. Personally I feel that this version of the Reiki Ideals comes very close to the essence of what Usui Sensei wanted to teach.

Reiki attunements/initiations

When attending a Reiki course the participant gets attuned/initiated by a Reiki master through a simple process, this opens him/her to receive and utilize more of the Universal Life Energy. The attunements have in themselves a very powerful balancing and healing effect. Since energy spins at different levels Reiki is normally split into 3 levels: Reiki 1, Reiki 2 and Master level.
Today many Reiki masters give Reiki 1 and Reiki 2 initiations in one weekend course. Personally I find that this method gives a more powerful attunement.

During the attunement/initiation process the Reiki master acts as a mirror to help the student adjust to the Reiki energy. This energy creates an open "channel" for the cosmic or universal life energy. From the top of the persons head and through this "channel" the energy flows down through the body and back out through the hands when Reiki is "given".

The Reiki attunement is almost always a very special spiritual experience for the receiver and sometimes also for the Master.

Reiki 1 - benefits physical body
The Reiki 1 attunement seems to mainly benefit the physical body in opening it up to channel more Reiki energy. Once attuned one will never lose the ability to use Reiki. In Reiki 1 the history of Reiki and the hand positions are taught. There are normally 4 initiations for Reiki 1 (depending on system there might be less initiations). A Reiki attunement takes about 20-30 minutes and is a very relaxing and beneficial experience.

Reiki 2 - benefits subtile body
The Reiki 2 attunement gives an even higher possible level of energy vibrations in the student. Here one also learns 3 Reiki symbols: The Power Symbol, The Mental Symbol and The Distance Symbol these can be used to help focus energy for specific purposes. For Reiki 2 there is normally only one initiation. The Reiki 2 attunement seems to have the greatest effect on the subtile body also known in the western world as the Aura.

Reiki Master
This initiation is given to attune persons who have Reiki 2 and wish to be able to teach and initiate others into Reiki. In this process the vibration level of energy is once again raised and the Master symbol is taught. To become Reiki Master one does not have to dedicate oneself to teaching others, the Reiki Master level can be taken for your own pleasure or benefit.