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Health Forum

• What is Reiki?

• Where does Reiki energy come from?

• What should I expect from a Reiki Treatment?

• How long does a treatment last?

• Can children be treated with Reiki?

• What are Chakras?

• Is Reiki a Religion?

• How to choose a Reiki Master?

• Benefits of Reiki degrees?

• Can Reiki I, II & III be given together?

• Why wait between 1st & 2nd degrees?

• Why wait between 2nd & 3rd Reiki degrees?

• Who is entitled to do a Reiki Master (Teacher) degree?

• What are the Reiki Symbols?

• Foot Note regarding reiki degrees

What is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is a Japanese term usually translated as "Universal Life Force". It is made up of two ideograms; Rei meaning "Universal" and Ki meaning "Life Force". However the Bhuddists refer to it differently - "The Indomitable Power of Being".

Reiki is based on the premise that there is a higher power (unlike religions, it does not then attempt to identify it) of which we are all part. We can access this life force, channel and then direct it in healing. 

Reiki energy is a subtle energy. It is different than electricity or chemical energy or other kinds of physical energy. Reiki energy comes from a Higher Source, which exists on a higher dimension than the physical world we are familiar with. 

When viewed clairvoyantly, Reiki energy appears to come down from above and enters the top of the practitioner's head, after which, it flows through the body and out the hands.  It appears to flow this way because of our perspective.  

However, the true source of Reiki energy is within ourselves. This does not mean that we use our personal energy when we do Reiki, but that the energy is coming from a transcendental part of ourselves that is connected to an infinite supply of healing energy.

What should I expect if I attend a Reiki Treatment?

What someone can experience during a Reiki treatment can vary somewhat from person to person. However, feelings of deep relaxation are usually felt by all. In addition, many feel a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and surrounds them as the Reiki energy encourages them to let go of all tension, anxiety, fear or other negative feelings.  A state of peace and well-being is experienced. Others report of experiencing heat or cold over certain parts of their bodies.  Some drift off to sleep or report floating outside their bodies or have visions and other mystical experiences. At the end of the treatment, the person can feel refreshed with a more positive, balanced outlook.

How long should a treatment last?

In a standard treatment, Reiki energy flows from the practitioner's hands into the client. The client is usually lying on a massage table but treatments can also be given while the client is seated. The client remains fully clothed throughout the treatment. 

The practitioner places her/his hands on or near the client's body in a series of hand positions. These include positions around the head and shoulders, the stomach, and feet. Other, more specific positions may be used based on the clients needs. Each position is held for three to ten minutes depending on how much Reiki the client needs. The whole treatment usually lasts 60 minutes.

Touch is the most natural thing in the world to a young child and combining it with Reiki can really enhance the quality of nurturing we give to our children.  Unless a child is seriously ill, Reiki treatments should not take as long as those outlined for an adult.  Babies and young children are generally much more sensitive and open to the energy than an adult.  Consequently, when they need the energy, they will naturally soak it up.  

You do not really need to do anything, except be open to its flow.  They will usually let you know when they have had enough by becoming restless or uninterested.  If a child is seriously ill, giving Reiki to them whilst you are holding them and whilst they are sleeping would be a good idea. 

Our body comprises many centres of energy.  These energy centres, or vortexes, are known as Chakras (Sanskrit meaning 'spinning wheel of energy') and are located in our body to help us to process the universal energies that are around and within us.

There are seven major energy centres in our body and they directly correlate with our physical body.  They are stacked together in a central column from the crown of your head to the base of your spine and when we open them and align the centres, we allow our vital life-force (also known as Ki or Prana) to flow freely through.   These centres can be instrumental in our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energies - relating and working with them.  

The purpose of working with these energies is to foster integration of all aspects of your life to create a more holistic being.  

Is Reiki a Religion?

Although Reiki energy is spiritual in nature, Reiki is not a religion. Practitioners are not asked to change any religious or spiritual beliefs they may have. They are free to continue believing anything they choose and are encouraged to make their own decisions concerning the nature of their religious practices.

How do I choose a Reiki Master/Teacher?

First off, you need to be clear about what you expect to get from your training so here is a list of some pointers to consider. Not all of them will be of importance to all of you, but the ones that are, make sure you get clarification from your teacher before you sign up or part with any hard earned cash.

·         How much is the training course and how many days or hours does it last?

·         Is lunch or accommodation provided?

·         Will I get a certificate upon successful completion?

·         Will I be assessed during the course?

·         Is the teacher qualified and insured?

·         Is the teacher a member of a related professional body (therefore governed by their code of conduct)?

·         Do I get course notes or do I have to remember everything during the course?

·         Is ongoing support available to the student outside of the course (perhaps via email or phone)?

·         Does the teacher hold regular Reiki sharing groups (in which other Reiki practitioners meet to share and discuss their experiences and concerns and to give and receive Reiki with each other)?

·         Do you feel you connect with the Reiki teacher - do you feel you could work with, and learn from them?

If some of these points seem a bit direct, just ask yourself what else you would purchase without asking some direct questions. And remember, any teacher or practitioner who has an issue answering any of these is less prepared than you are!

Reiki is a very simple technique to learn and is not dependent on one having any prior experience with healing, meditation or any other kind of therapy. 

It has been successfully learned by over one million people from all walks of life, both young an old. The reason it is so easy to learn that it is not taught in the usual way something is taught. The ability to do Reiki is simply transferred from the teacher to the student through a process called an attunement that takes place during a Reiki class. 

As soon as one receives an attunement, they have the ability to do Reiki and after that whenever a student places their hands on themselves or on another person with the intention of doing Reiki, the healing energy will automatically begin flowing.

They can be given at the same time. However, this can be a dangerous thing to do and not something that should be practiced. Too much energy too fast can cause problems and the true meaning of Reiki can be disregarded and lost. 

I would not teach all three at the same time for that reason and for a practical reason, too: being a teacher of Reiki means much more than just being able to do the attunements. It means that you have had the time to learn to heal yourself and others - this doesn't happen overnight!  At that time, you should become a Reiki Master. You can't teach something that you don't know.

Ideally, I prefer to see students working with the first degree for at least 90 days. If good results come from this (if they have been working hard on themselves and with Reiki) and they feel ready, then they can complete the second degree. After a year at the second degree, if they have developed their ability to heal themselves and others and are ready to take the final responsibility of the third degree, they are invited to develop into a Reiki Master. 

The reason for a month waiting period between 1st and 2nd Degree, is to allow the body to adjust to the fine tuning that occurs in the initiation which can result in an inner cleaning, on either a physical, emotional/mental level.

If you are a person who holds a lot of personal illness or issues (which many of us can) the waiting period is to allow the body to adjust to the physical and emotional change which can sometimes be a little traumatic.

 Allow the Reiki to work and heal you, before moving onto the next degree (at least one month)

Principles are the same as for 1st and 2nd Degree, this is to allow yourself to be healed first.

Consult a Reiki Master of your choice for guidance in taking you through the 3rd Degree/Masters.  It is advisable to wait a minimum of 1 year between 2nd and 3rd Degree before you consider teaching.

Anyone who wishes and has shown themselves to be ready.  They must also be ready to take on the responsibility of being a Reiki Master.

I give students a certificate on completion of their third degree and they must then co-teach a first and second level class with me, finally holding a first degree course on their own. 

The third degree will vary amongst Teachers on what will need to be completed.

The main points are:

·         Be ready in yourself; 

·         Find a teacher that feels right for you to undertake the final degree with;

·         Take your time over your decision, and;

·         Go with your instincts.

There are three symbols learnt in the second degree and another in the third degree or Master. These symbols can be used to strengthen or target specific treatment.  Below is the list of symbols, to get an idea of each symbol and what each can be used for.

The fourth symbol is used by the Reiki Teacher to attune someone to the Reiki energy. Attunement means that this new practitioner now has been granted access to the energy.

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Site updated  - 09 February 2008

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