What is Reiki

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy." Reiki is a Japanese form of healing for stress reduction that promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, we are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, which can manifest physically. When “life force energy” is at optimal level, we are happy and healthy. Reiki treats the whole person; mind, body and spirit. Reiki is noninvasive. While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not tied to any religion. Nothing is required of you prior to receiving a Reiki treatment. 

History of Reiki

During a meditation several years after developing Reiki, Mikao Usui decided to add the Reiki Ideals to the practice of Reiki. The Ideals came in part from the five principles of the Meiji emperor of Japan whom Mikao Usui admired. The Ideals were developed to add spiritual balance to Usui Reiki. Their purpose is to help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience. For the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, the client must accept responsibility for her or his healing and take an active part in it. Therefore, the Usui system of Reiki is more than the use of the Reiki energy. It must also include an active commitment to improve oneself for it to be a complete system. Ideals are both guidelines for living a gracious life and virtues worthy of practice for their inherent value.