| REIKI FAQ's
called Reiki (pronounced RAY-kee), these frequently asked questions are designed to help demystify Reiki and provide you with the information you need to determine if it's an appropriate wellness tool for you.
Reiki, a Japanese word that means "universal life force energy", is a centuries-old, eastern method of healing that uses energy to help restore health and well-being. While many people are aware of their own body’s energy, they may not realize that there is a greater source that can be tapped into. Reiki is one method of accessing this source. Reiki comes, not from the practitioner, but through the practitioner. It has a wisdom all its own and directs the one administering it to the areas that require healing. What can Reiki do for me? The effects of Reiki are very far-reaching. Western medicine in general, deals mostly with treating the physical cause and resulting symptoms of a given ailment. But often the problems of the physical body do not originate from a physical source. Treating a physical ailment that has it’s root in a different “body” can be frustrating and the success of the treatment can be temporary. Reiki can access all of the “bodies” that comprise our being - the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies, thereby addressing the needs of the whole being. Many people would agree that a good deal of their common ailments are related to the stress of daily living. Problems like ulcers, high blood pressure, depression, and muscle aches are often stress related. This is because stress causes us to lose energy or store negative energy within our bodies. This inhibits the natural flow of energy through the body and creates a prime environment for illness or disease to flourish. Periodic Reiki sessions can help to diminish or eliminate these energy anomalies, thereby restoring the natural flow of energy that enables the body to remain healthy or to heal itself. Because it helps counteract the physical effects of everyday stress, Reiki promotes the health and well-being of the body, mind and spirit. Keep in mind that although Reiki has been used to provide relief and improvement in the case of illness and disease, I do not advocate using it as a substitute for medical treatment of serious disorders. Despite the astounding results achieved by regular Reiki sessions, the degree it will help an individual is very dependent upon their desire to heal, their willingness to release what pains them, and whether or not it is spiritually appropriate for them to be rid of their ailment at this particular time. If you have a serious or chronic illness, common sense dictates that this variable could put your health at risk. However, Reiki can serve as a powerful supplement to medical treatment, often accelerating the healing process and improving one's attitude and outlook during the recovery period. Reiki can also be used to help heal issues not related to the physical body, but rather ones of an emotional or spiritual nature, improving a person’s sense of well-being and balance. People who are going through a difficult emotional time often find that Reiki sessions lift that heavy feeling and help them to find a greater peace. Again, in the case of serious emotional upset or mental illness, Reiki should not be used in lieu of therapy or medication, but can be a very useful supplement to treatment. Is Reiki safe for everyone? Yes. Reiki is safe for anyone of any age. It cannot do harm to you. At worst, you may feel it did not help, but most often, a person will feel some benefit from it. What happens during a healing session? A Reiki healing session usually takes places in a quiet, serene atmosphere. Most practitioners will use soft music and some type of aroma therapy to create an environment conducive to the comfort and relaxation of the client. Normally the client would be asked to lie down for the session. There is no need to remove any clothing except for the shoes. Once the client has settled into a relaxed state, the session will begin. The Reiki is administered to the client by the practitioner through the placement of the hands on certain key energy points of the body. The practitioner should go over these hand positions with you prior to the session. The basic hand positions are not usually considered intrusive by most people’s standards. However, since this is a very personal matter, it should be addressed before the session so that you and the practitioner can come up with an alternative method or hand position that is acceptable to both of you. The practitioner may work only on the front of the body, or both front and back. During the session you may experience a tingling feeling, a feeling of heat emanating from the practitioner’s hands, or you may just feel incredibly relaxed without any other noticeable physical sensation. A full session usually takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. What can I expect following a healing session? The effects of a Reiki session vary widely from person to person. Also a person who has had several sessions will likely find that the effects vary for each one. However, some of the most common feelings reported after a Reiki session are: a feeling of great relaxation or calm; a feeling of being energized; a feeling of floating or “lightness”. Some don’t feel any different right after a session, but feel the effects of it over the next couple of days. Depending upon the reason you are seeking assistance you may experience an emotional release, such as a need to cry, or physical signs of cleansing, such as sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, or temporary digestive upset. These symptoms are not widely experienced but if they occur, be assured they are short-lived and indicative of the detoxifying effects of Reiki energy. How often can I receive Reiki? The answer would depend upon the individual as well as the reason you are seeking assistance. For stress management, most people feel that twice monthly is sufficient. However, a person may have more frequent sessions if they feel it is necessary. If Reiki is being used to supplement medical treatment in the case of illness, disease or injury, then once or twice weekly would likely be recommended. These are just some standard guidelines and ultimately you and your practitioner will determine when you need or are ready for another session. What is the difference between a Reiki session and a Reiki attunement? A Reiki session is what is described earlier in this FAQ. An attunement is a hands-on ritual that is performed by a Reiki Master on an individual seeking certification to become a practitioner. An attunement expands one’s energy channels, increasing the amount of energy they can draw in. This provides the practitioner with an ample "overflow" of energy and enables them to channel that overflow into another for the purpose of providing a healing benefit. If you have any additional questions that have not been covered in this FAQ list, please click on the button labeled “Contact Me” to send an email with your inquiry. |
| Music: Riley Lee: Ocean Mist from the CD Buddha's Dream |
Reiki FAQ's
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