Unlocking the Power of Reiki: Principles and Basics for Beginners
By Dennis Bluthardt, Namaste Studios
Reiki began in Japan and is now a universally practiced healing art. Its practitioners believe that a universal life force energy shared by all people permeates everyone. By directing this energy, its practitioners say, one can effect healing, emotional and physical.
In one line, it’s about understanding those principles and how to apply them to an alternative therapy session. Because the popularity of alternative therapies (or drug-free therapies) continues to rise each year, understanding this homeopathic practice is essential if you’re interested in energy healing.
There’s more to Reiki than energy healing; it’s a part-whole relationship between the mind, body, and spirit. As stated, every living being shares a core source of energy. Some actions that you might do with your body (e.g., Reiki hand positions) will change the course of your internal energy flow, hopefully offering you a bigger (and wiser) perspective on the world. Operating off basic principles of the practice of Reiki (such as the one just mentioned), the practice teaches that techniques such as visualization and meditation can be adequately performed to learn how to make these changes for the good; for now, that won’t mean much to you (if you’re new to Reiki/Holistic Healing). This article was built to offer the user an experience or even a snapshot of what a holistic healing therapy (Reiki) session will do for someone else.
You’ll be able to read sections about:
The History of Reiki, Information about the Anatomy of Energy Healing, why every major muscle group contributes to human anatomy, Explanations of the “Mind, Body, Spirit” principal
Information about hand positions, An explanation, and discussion on visualization and meditation
What is Reiki?
Reiki is considered an alternative therapy. The word ‘Reiki’ combines two words: ‘ Rei’ and ‘Ki’ (Universal Life or Healing Energy). After a spiritual experience on Mt. Kurama, Usui received the skill to channel this universal life force energy for healing on command. From there, he developed his system of spiritual healing and enlightenment. It quickly gained popularity in Japan but has evolved into several forms as it spread west.
The lineage and exact history (because it has evolved somewhat) are complex. After Usui passed in 1926, Chujiro Hayashi took over the teaching rights of the system, and Reiki in the United States became an adaptation of Hayashi’s teachings. Hayashi, in turn, had sent a student, Hawayo Takata, who brought Reiki to the United States around 1937; what most people in the West know as Reiki is an evolution of Hayashi’s and Takata’s teachings. In Japan, Reiki evolved into an even more indirect approach known as the Radiance Technique.
Reiki is based on the idea that a universal life force (pneuma, prana, vital force, mana, you get the idea) gives us life and connects the mind, body, and spirit. Emotional, mental, or physical pain and disease are symptoms of imbalance. Reiki is a means of connecting with the energy to bring balance and healing. Reiki concerns the presence of the universal life force. Can I get an amen? The method is peaceful and passive (although internal results can be quite moving.)
The Five Reiki Principles
In the context of Reiki energy healing, the five principles serve as a mantra or philosophy that guides practitioners back to their foundational practice. Here’s what each principle teaches us:
“Just for today, I will not be angry.” Let’s face it: anger never made anything better. Anger blocks energy, disrupts personal happiness, alters our cellular health, and even blocks our ability as practitioners to allow energy to flow through us for the healing purpose of others. When we treat, we consciously create an energy-enriched environment that is harmonious, peaceful, and loving.
“Just for today, I will not worry.” Humans have a terrible habit of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. This principle reminds us always to remain present. Live in the now!
Let go of anxiety about the future. Worrying shifts our ability to allow energy to flow freely, so we must channel energy with clarity and intention. The more present you are during your healing session, the more profound the experience will be for you and the person you treat.
“Just for today, I will be grateful.” This principle intends to get practitioners in the right frame of mind and shift them into a positive frequency. With the laws of attraction, whatever energy you put into the universe is what you’ll get back, so naturally, leading with positivity will attract positive energy. Like attracts like, and love attracts love, so saying you’re grateful and leading with love will open your heart chakra to give love and attract love in a higher frequency when treating.
The other two principles go hand in hand: “I will do my work honestly, just for today” and “I will be kind to every living thing, just for today.” With this philosophy, you build trust, a reputation, and a sense of community and clientele with honesty and kindness principles. As practitioners, it is our ethical responsibility to do this work authentically and honestly, with integrity, and to be kind, gracious, and compassionate.
Reiki Basics and Fundamentals
Reiki is all about energy. This hands-on healing technique uses life force energy to create balance and promote healing.
Did you know that your body is electric? Everything, from your heartbeat to your thoughts, runs on an electromagnetic current. Even the universe has it. Known as prana “ki” or “chi,” this vital life force energy flows through every living thing, and you can use it to heal.
As a Reiki practitioner, you will serve as a conduit for the energy to flow through and into the recipient, allowing their body to use it to heal and restore balance. You will learn many techniques to deliver energy during a Reiki session, such as where to hold your hands, what energy centers you can assist with, and how to balance chakras!
Some of my most amazing experiences have been receiving distance healing and sending distance healing to my friends and family members. There are no blocks or barriers to energy healing. You can send healing energy to someone thousands of miles away.
Don’t let me forget the best part, though – you will also learn to self-heal during training to become a Reiki healer. You cannot extend your energy if your balance is out of whack.
Finally, meditation is an integral part of Reiki. Meditation practice will develop your energy to flow better and improve your intuition. You will feel more at ease and peace. And, chances are, you will begin to discover your path in life. High energy is aligned with truth, joy, and love. Who wouldn’t want that?
Getting Started with Reiki
Reiki Training is usually divided into the following three levels (1, 2, and 3):
Level One training usually involves learning about the basics related to hand positions and how to deal with energy that flows in and out of one’s body. A great deal of this beginning level involves self-healing and using others (generally classmates) to practice Reiki techniques, which are usually non-existent, given that one mostly channels energy into specific areas of the body rather than applying a particular set of skills.
Level Two allows practitioners to familiarize themselves with symbols and mantras representing a specific healing aspect, such as sending Reiki energy over long distances (i.e., practitioners can send energy to any area of the world needing healing). Simply put, this level usually focuses on healing the emotional self and the self-characterized by previous traumas.
Level Three graduates receive a master’s designation. To qualify for entry into this level, individuals must have received a minimum of one year of practical experience and have completed Level Two studies. During this level, students learn how to pass specific tests. (Note: Individuals who have reached two or more levels of Reiki training generally train others and have a greater connection to their practice.)
Credentials: Clients are strongly encouraged to check the qualifications of professionals. Do some research. (How long has this person been providing training sessions? What levels have they completed? What is the most effective technique while delivering sessions? What other modalities have they used to supplement their practice?) (Examples: Massage, Yoga, Ariel Yoga, Acupuncture, Cranial Sacral, etc.)
Clients are strongly advised to review what these individuals have written when determining whether they should hire someone to provide a healing session. Free Google searches can provide information on practitioners to assess their fit. Deciding push and pull factors can also influence your decision. (Does acupuncture give you the eeks? Are you deathly afraid of needles? Does this individual provide training on the weekend?) Explore your options.
Benefits of Reiki
Reiki, another form of energy healing, is considered a fantastic aid for physical healing and pain relief when used with other treatments. By bringing more universal life energy into the client, practitioners believe this energy is used as needed for recovery from illness or injury. It’s very gentle. Many people living with arthritis, migraine sufferers, etc., experience less pain following each treatment. A Reiki-based approach to pain relief involves only a practitioner and the clothes you wear.
Besides the profound effects on any physical issue, Reiki will reduce all emotional suffering. Clients typically explain that after the sessions, their heads are clear: they enjoy deep relaxation (and a drop in cortisol levels); they are excited about life (deep relaxation is an excellent tonic for your body); all the tension is gone from their muscles; they are at peace with life; they feel lubed up on the inside. The spirit that guided them was at peace and in balance.
Likewise, all individuals’ spiritual aspects are significantly improved if they have intuitive processes they fail to act on. If the body has a great idea, it should evolve to listen.
Any Reiki practitioner should know the basics and principles. This is the start of their journey to a new art of healing. I say art because there is so much more to Reiki than placing your hands on a body. Reiki is about obtaining a new life balance filled with more harmony and peace. It is one of those things that can separate the old you from the new you.
How should you learn more about Reiki? Let us discuss.
Do it yourself: Just like me, you may consider going out there and finding ways to learn about this new practice yourself. There is nothing wrong with putting your head in the books, and this can often keep you interested in the subject at hand. Books, online courses, websites, or videos can show you the tips to make this dream a reality.
Attend a workshop: Many of these workshops are available. You may find all of the books and videos too mainstream. Get some one-on-one experience and see your impact on people right in the room!
Try the new practice: You may not even have to stick the tips of your toes in the water just yet. Make your dreams a reality by contacting one of the many helpful specialists who make alternative medicine a reality. See if this is right for you, and you may notice a new passion waiting for you down the road!
To learn more, visit Reiki at Namaste Studios to book a Reiki session. Additionally, you can find more of our Reiki Blogs here.
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