Holistic Alternative Therapy
REIKI is a holistic alternative therapy based on Eastern concepts of energy flow and the seven chakras (energy centers) in the human body. Reiki was formulated by a Japanese teacher, Mikao Usui, around 1890, but incorporates meditation techniques, beliefs, and symbols that are considerably older.
Universal Spirit
"Reiki" comes from two Japanese words, rei, meaning universal spirit, and ki, meaning life energy. Other therapies based on the existence of such non-physical life energy (or auras) include Therapeutic Touch (the energy being called prana) and the traditional Chinese medical interpretation of acupuncture (based on chi). Interest in Reiki has been growing, leading some to use it within conventional healthcare settings.
Do Vitamins Really Work?
Healthcare professionals should have some information about Reiki to help answer patients' questions regarding the therapy, and to use in deciding whether to incorporate it into their practices and institutions. The purpose of treatment is the healing of emotional and spiritual, as well as physical, pain through the transmission of universal life energy, called ki in Japanese.
What Is KI
It is distinctive among alternative therapies in its emphasis on self- healing, its five spiritual principles, and its accreditation of healers through a system of initiation. It is believed that ki flows throughout the universe, but that Reiki connects humans in a more direct way to the universal source. Reiki is used for the healing of animals as well as people.
Reiki In-Services
Reiki is an alternative manual healing therapy that is reported to be growing in popularity among clinicians. Numerous hospitals and health care agencies have conducted Reiki in-services. Most commonly, Reiki is used to promote healing, wholeness, and enlightenment. One New England hospital offers Reiki to all preoperative patients (except those of one dissenting physician) to promote relaxation and general well-being.
Reiki Benefits
However, other proponents claim Reiki can be used for many other conditions, such as "treating heart attacks, emphysema, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, prostate problems, hiccups, nosebleeds, accidents, and emotional and mental problems." The difficulty in evaluating these claims is that very little controlled research has been conducted on Reiki.
Reiki Originated..
Reiki is an ancient healing practice, believed to have originated thousands of years ago in Tibet. It had fallen out of use until being rediscovered in Japan by a Buddhist monk, Mikao Usui, during the mid-1800s. Reiki is still practiced according to the "Usui System," although many variations of the practice exist. Usui allegedly earned a theology doctorate from the University of Chicago and claimed to be principal of Doshisha University in Japan.
Mrs. Hawayo Takata
No records exist of his involvement in any capacity with either university. Usui entered a Buddhist monastery searching for insight into healing. Reiki was revealed to Usui during a spiritual experience on a Japanese mountaintop after fasting for 21 days. One of his disciples trained Mrs. Hawayo Takata, who introduced Reiki to the Western world around 1940. Only Mrs. Takata was allowed to teach Reiki in the West until 1975. Since then, knowledge and practice of Reiki has grown substantially.
Non-Physical Energy
Reiki is based on the belief that all life depends on a universal, non-physical energy. Health requires a sustained and balanced flow of this energy throughout the body. Disturbances result in physical, emotional, or mental problems. Reiki allegedly corrects life energy imbalances and blockages, making people aware of the life energy flowing through them.
Liminal States Of Consciousness
By this is meant various altered states of consciousness, paradoxical sensations (such as simultaneously feeling heavy and weightless), disorientation to time, and sensations of energy. The latter descriptions of people's experiences with Reiki point to a controversy surrounding its practice. The researchers noted that, "Liminal states of consciousness ... are frequently associated with profound religious experience and have been linked to ritual healing practices across cultures."