What is Reiki?
Reiki is a holistic therapy that aims to promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance. Originating in Japan, the term “Reiki” is made up of two Japanese words: “rei”, which means “universal”, and “ki”, which refers to the vital energy that flows through all living beings.
Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist monk, at the beginning of the 20th century. Usui was looking for a form of healing that could be accessible to everyone and that was not linked to a specific religion. After a period of meditation and fasting on Mount Kurama, Usui received the ability to channel this universal energy and use it to promote well-being and healing.
The principles of Reiki are based on five ideals that aim to guide the practitioner on their path of self-transformation and healing. They are:
- Just for today, don’t get angry: the practitioner is encouraged to cultivate calm, patience and compassion, avoiding anger and resentment.
- Just for today, don’t worry: the practitioner is encouraged to trust in the flow of life and to release unnecessary worries, keeping a calm mind.
- Just for today, be grateful: gratitude is valued as a way of cultivating a positive attitude and appreciating life’s blessings.
- Just for today, work hard: the practitioner is encouraged to dedicate themselves to their tasks and responsibilities with diligence and commitment.
- Just for today, be kind to others: the practice of compassion and respect for others is emphasized as a way of promoting healthy and harmonious relationships.
Reiki works through the laying on of hands on the recipient’s body. The practitioner serves as a channel for universal energy to flow to the recipient, helping to unblock and balance the body’s energy centers, known as chakras. This energy promotes a feeling of deep relaxation, stress relief and can assist in the process of physical, emotional and spiritual healing.
Reiki is not linked to any specific religion and can be practiced by anyone, regardless of their belief or origin. There are no contraindications to Reiki, and it can be used in conjunction with other forms of medical treatment and complementary therapies.
Benefits of Reiki for well-being
Reiki is an energy therapy that offers a number of benefits for physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. By channeling universal energy into the body, Reiki promotes balance and harmony, providing a positive effect in various areas of life. Below are some of the main benefits of Reiki:
Stress and anxiety reduction
Reiki is known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. During a Reiki session, universal energy flows into the body, helping to balance and calm the mind. This can lead to a feeling of deep relaxation and relief from accumulated stress. Reiki can also help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, bringing a sense of calm and tranquillity.
Emotional balance
Reiki is a powerful tool for promoting emotional balance. During a Reiki session, universal energy works to unblock and release negative emotions, promoting a state of balance and emotional well-being. Reiki can help release feelings of sadness, anger and fear, allowing energy to flow freely through the body, bringing a sense of inner peace and emotional clarity.
Strengthening the immune system
As well as promoting emotional balance, Reiki can also strengthen the immune system. The universal energy channeled during a Reiki session can help strengthen the immune system, making it more efficient in the fight against illness and infection. This is because Reiki balances and revitalizes the flow of energy in the body, allowing it to function more effectively.
Relief from pain and discomfort
Another benefit of Reiki is the relief of physical pain and discomfort. The universal energy channeled during a Reiki session can help reduce pain and promote healing. Reiki can be effective in relieving chronic pain, such as headaches, back pain and muscle aches. It can also help in the recovery process from injuries and surgeries, speeding up healing and reducing discomfort.
Improves sleep
If you have trouble sleeping, Reiki can be an option for improving the quality of your sleep. During a Reiki session, the universal energy promotes deep relaxation, reducing mental agitation and preparing the body for a peaceful sleep. Many people report that after a Reiki session, they experience a deeper and more restful sleep, waking up refreshed and invigorated.
Promoting healing and regeneration of the body
One of Reiki’s best-known properties is its ability to promote healing and regeneration of the body. The universal energy channeled during a Reiki session acts on a cellular level, stimulating the body’s natural healing process. Reiki can speed up recovery from injuries, reduce post-operative recovery time and strengthen the body as a whole.
Increased mental clarity and focus
Reiki can be a powerful tool for increasing mental clarity and focus. During a Reiki session, the universal energy helps to balance and harmonize the mind, dispelling confused thoughts and promoting a sense of clarity and concentration. This can be especially useful for people who struggle with concentration, lack of focus or mental confusion.
Promoting energy balance
Reiki works to balance and harmonize the body’s energy, promoting a state of energetic equilibrium. When energy flows freely and unobstructed through the body, it becomes healthier and more balanced. Reiki can help to unblock and release stagnant energy, stimulating the flow of vital energy and promoting a state of general well-being.
How do I receive a Reiki session?
To enjoy the full benefits of Reiki, it is important to receive a session from a qualified practitioner who has undergone a course and received channel opening initiations from a qualified Reiki Master. Here are some guidelines to help you prepare for and fully enjoy this holistic therapy:
Finding a qualified practitioner
Before booking a Reiki session, make sure you find a qualified and trustworthy practitioner. Look for references, read reviews and check that the practitioner has undergone the correct initiation process according to the Traditional Reiki system. A good practitioner, who we can call a Reikian, will have adequate knowledge of the technique and will follow a code of ethics. Remember that trust and the therapeutic relationship are fundamental to a successful Reiki session.
Preparing for the session
Before the session, it is recommended that you are in a relaxed and calm state. Wear comfortable clothes and avoid accessories that could hinder the application of the practitioner’s hands. If possible, avoid consuming heavy food or stimulants such as caffeine before the session. These precautions help to create a favorable environment for the energy to flow and enhance the effects of Reiki.
Position during the session
During a Reiki session, you will usually be lying on a massage stretcher or sitting in a comfortable chair. The practitioner will position their hands on different parts of your body, including your head, chest, abdomen and extremities. It is important to communicate any discomfort or unpleasant sensations to the practitioner so that they can adjust the position of the hands or the pressure applied.
Duration and frequency of sessions
The duration of a Reiki session varies, but generally lasts from 45 minutes to 1 hour. The frequency of sessions depends on your individual needs and goals. Some people opt for weekly sessions, while others prefer a longer interval between sessions. Talk to your practitioner to determine the best frequency for you.
Sensations during the session
During a Reiki session, it is common to experience sensations of deep relaxation, warmth, tingling or lightness. Some people report a sensation of energy flowing through the body or a feeling of peace and well-being. Each person experiences Reiki in a unique way, and sensations can vary from one session to the next. It is important to remember that there is no “right” or “wrong” experience during a Reiki session, as each person responds to the energy differently.
Distance Reiki
Distance Reiki is a practice that allows the transmission of Reiki healing energy to people, animals and even plants, regardless of their physical location. In this type of session, the therapist uses specific advanced level techniques (Reiki 2, Reiki 3 and Master) to send Reiki energy to the recipient, who can be anywhere in the world. This form of Reiki is based on the understanding that energy is not limited by time or space.
How distance Reiki works
To carry out a distance Reiki session, the therapist uses visualization and intention techniques to connect energetically with the recipient. The Reiki energy is directed through time and space, reaching the person, animal or plant receiving the session, but it is worth remembering that this technique only works as a Reiki channel if the person has already been initiated into the advanced levels of Reiki. The therapist can use Reiki symbols and meditation techniques to amplify the energy and make the connection stronger.
Benefits of distance Reiki
Distance Reiki offers many of the same benefits as face-to-face Reiki. This practice can help with stress relief, anxiety reduction, emotional balance, promoting general well-being and stimulating the healing process of the body and mind. In addition, distance Reiki can be a convenient option for those who do not have access to a local therapist or who prefer to receive the energy in the comfort of their own home.
**It is important to note that distance Reiki is not a substitute for professional medical care and should not be used as the sole treatment for serious illnesses.** However, it can be a valuable complement to other treatments and therapies, helping to promote a state of balance and well-being.
Distance Reiki for animals and plants
Reiki at a distance can be applied not only to humans, but also to animals and plants. Animals and plants have vital energy and can also benefit from Reiki’s healing energy. The Reiki therapist can send the energy to the animal or plant, helping to promote harmony, balance and healing in their energetic bodies.
**Many people report positive results when using distance Reiki on animals and plants.** Animals can experience relaxation, reduced anxiety and relief from physical discomfort. Plants can show an increase in vitality, healthy growth and greater resistance to disease and pests.
Distance Reiki and the energetic connection
Distance Reiki also highlights the energetic interconnection between all living beings. It reminds us that we are all connected by a universal energy and that we can send love, healing and positive intent to any person, animal or plant, regardless of the physical distance that separates us.
**This practice allows us to transcend the limitations of space and time, promoting a greater understanding and awareness of the unity of all life.** In addition, distance Reiki can be a way of contributing to collective well-being, sending healing energy to communities, regions or even the whole world.
