Reiki

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Reiki

Reiki is a practice of spiritual healing in which practitioners use gentle touch and focusing of energy on appropriate parts of the body in order to heal. The term is a Japanese word translated, alternatively, as "universal energy" or "spiritually guided life-force energy." The philosophy of Reiki is that energy (ki) is universally available for healing and can be transmitted through the hands to heal. While we all theoretically have the power to heal in this way, Reiki offers a way to ensure a focused transmission of that energy, namely, a Reiki initiation by a teaching master. As part of that process, one learns to draw certain symbols with one's hand before beginning a healing, to focus the transmission of energy.

The Reiki practitioner, after drawing the appropriate symbol, places his or her hands on parts of the body that have been injured or that manifest illness. Frequently, practitioners and recipients of Reiki healing report intense warmth in the hands and areas of the body that are being treated. As a general rule, no specific thoughts or meditations are required in the practice, other than a general intent to use Reiki for healing. However, in recent years some American writers on Reiki have taught that it is helpful to focus one's thoughts and send positive mental energy as well.

According to Reiki's own traditions, this practice began in late nineteenth-century Japan as a result of the search of Dr. Mikao Usui (ca. 1865–1926), a Christian minister, for a healing method. He had learned from Buddhist traditions that the Buddha himself had been a healer but that the information on how to heal had been lost because Buddhism had emphasized spirituality over physical healing. After studying in a Zen monastery for a time, Usui discovered formulas in Indian sutras that he believed would lead him to the keys to healing. After a twenty-one-day purification involving fasting and meditation, he had an experience in which he received the power to heal and symbols that would channel this power. The symbols, with instructions on how to draw them in the air with the hand, were passed down to his initiates along with his teachings.

Reiki was brought to the West by Mrs. Hawayo Takata (1900–1986) from Hawaii. She apparently claimed to be the only survivor of World War II who knew of the art of Reiki, although this claim later proved to be unfounded. In recent years, American practitioners of Reiki have made contact with Japanese counterparts who trace a different lineage from Dr. Usui's teachings. Disputes have developed over whether the symbols are supposed to be kept secret and what fees can be charged for teachings and healings. Questions about the historicity of Mrs. Takata's account of the movement have been raised. Moreover, some practitioners have claimed to receive additional symbols beyond the original ones traced to Dr. Usui.

There are several levels of initiation into the practice of Reiki healing. Different lineages of Reiki vary as to the number of levels, but most have three or four. Generally, a higher fee is charged for the higher levels of initiation. Moving through the levels, a healer gradually acquires the "keys" or symbols that enable him or her to perform different types of healing. For example, healing of emotional or mental problems uses a different symbol than physical healing alone; healing at a distance (when the practitioner cannot touch the patient) requires its own key. A person who has all the keys of healing is a master. In addition, one can become a teaching master, who can initiate others. In 1996, the movement claimed 5,000 teaching masters (teachers who can initiate others) and 500,000 practitioners (healers from first level to master) worldwide, mostly in the United States and Western Europe.

To date, no significant scientific studies of Reiki as a healing practice have appeared, and virtually all the information about Reiki comes from practitioners themselves.