What types of things can Reiki assist in healing?

I am often asked what types of things can Reiki assist in healing?

In Asian cultures, many healing disciplines exist.  In China, for instance, people do Qigong (Chi-Kung) both to maintain optimum health and to recover from illness.  Likewise, Reiki can be applied not only to those who are ill to regain health, but also to healthy people to maintain health and prevent illness.

Reiki has aided in healing virtually every known illness and injury. There are countless documented testimonials of Reiki assisting in healing serious problems like cancer or cardiac disease.  It can also be useful in assisting in the healing of skin problems, wounds, dental problems, fractures, headaches (including Migraine), colds, sunburn, insect bites, insomnia and PMS.  It also helps with mental or emotional things like anxiety, depression or lack of confidence, etc.  In fact, Reiki can be used to help heal anything.   Reiki can also be used to relieve stress, to overcome unwanted habits, to achieve desired goals, and to protect from harm.  All living things will respond to Reiki, including animals!

Mind, Body, Spirit - past, present, and the future. 

While Reiki is very powerful, yet it is also quite gentle. 
Although there are many healing miracles documenting Reiki‘s effectiveness, it is important to realize that Reiki is not like a magic pill that instantly cures everything. It's simply a healing modality that should be used in conjunction with other healing modalities to help heal.

What are Chakras?

The Seven Major Chakras and Their Colors

All things in the Universe are made of energy.  If you look at the model of an atom, you will see that it is comprised of Protons, Neutrons and Electrons.   The part that is often not thought of is what is in-between those things.   What holds it together?   What holds collections of atoms together to form larger pieces of matter?  The answer is Energy.   A sea of energy surrounds all things.   Some energy can be measured, others can't.   Just because something can't be measured yet, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist!

This Universal energy enters and nourishes our Auras and physical bodies through portals called Chakras. Mankind has had knowledge of the Chakras long before the modern age.  For thousands of years they have been an integral part of yoga philosophy in India. In Sanskrit, the word "chakra" (correctly pronounced chock-ruh but commonly called shock-ruh) means wheel.  These wheels turn or spin is specific directions and are said to resemble whirlpools.  In addition, our seven major chakras are associated with different colors of the spectrum of light.

Reiki and the Chakras

The conventional hands positions associated with Reiki healing focus on the actual 7 main chakras.   These Chakras may become have become imbalanced, due to stress, illness, or other factors.. Restoring order and health to the Chakras is very important to the wellness, simply because interferences within power circulation can result in sickness.

Reiki can clear the chakras of discordant energy and blockages, restoring the harmonious flow of Ki.

Energy flows both into and out of the aura through the chakras.  You can read my post on the Aura here for more information on the Aura.

For each major chakra on the front of the body, there is its pair on the back. Together they are considered to be the front and rear aspect of one chakra. Some consider the root and crown chakras can be pairs.

The seven major chakras are described here:

1. Root chakra (Red)
   
   The Root Chakra is associated with the core survival aspects of life. A balanced root chakra will result in a healthy desire for basics needs for survival (food, warmth, shelter, etc.)
2. Sacral chakra (Orange)
   
   The second Chakra corresponds to “gut feeling” emotions, creativity, sexuality and libido.
3. Solar plexus chakra (Yellow)
   
   This Chakra is associated with self confidence, intellect, and a clear sense of purpose.  It is also the source of our personal power.  When this chakra is functioning properly, its energy helps us to manifest our hopes and dreams into reality.  When this Chakra is not functioning properly, it can psychologically manifest as insecurity about physical or financial matters.  Physically, an imbalance can lead to digestive disorders.
4. Heart chakra (Green and sometimes Pink)
   
   The heart chakra is associated with love and emotional well being.  When it is healthy, our ability to give and receive unconditional love and compassion is optimal.  When not healthy this chakra often results psychologically in feelings of sadness, fear and anger and can physically manifest as heart disease.
5. Throat chakra (Blue)
   
   The throat chakra is associated with communication and expression of mental creativity. When this chakra is functioning properly, we are able to communicate or ideas and express our truths.  When not functioning properly, communication can suffer.  This can lead to stress and frustration. We may over eat and drink. Physical manifestations of a dysfunctional Throat Chakra may be respiratory diseases, dental disorders, and low self-esteem.
   
   
6. Third-eye chakra (Indigo)
   
   This Chakra is often associated with intuition and clairvoyance, as well as our ability to visualize and manifest.  An imbalance in this Chakra can manifest itself persistent headaches, insomnia, anxiety and depression.
7. Crown Chakra (Violet or White)
   The crown chakra is our direct connection with God.  When it is balanced we feel at one with the universe.   Many spiritually advanced people believe that expansion of the crown chakra enables us to tap into the highest sources of spiritual wisdom.  Blockages can result in feeling lonely, fearing death, and needing to compare ourselves to others.

Symbols Used In Reiki Energetic Healing

Reiki Symbols

A Reiki Practitioner commonly uses “Reiki Symbols” as a method to focus healing energies.   There are four symbols in Usui Reiki.   Other systems of Reiki have created more symbols to be used in addition to the original four Usui Symbols.   Each symbol has a purpose.   

It is my opinion, however that Reiki symbols are not entirely necessary.  The focus of energy comes from the practitioner, not the symbol.   The symbol is, however, very useful to assist the practitioner in focusing the energy.   In theory, once a Reiki Practitioner gets really accomplished in focusing energy, the symbol is no longer required.    It is kind of like training wheels on a bicycle.  The caveat is that it may take a few decades to lifetime to aquire that level of proficiency of focusing energy. With that said, I use Reiki Symbols all the time.

Please Note:   There are variation in Reiki Symbols from one teacher or another.   That doesn't diminish the effectiveness of a symbol.   One version of Cho-Ku-Rei is not better than another version...  

*Note:  For information on Reiki, please look at my post called What is Reiki.




Secrecy of Reiki Symbols

With the first Reiki attunement, no symbols are taught.  The Reiki level 1 attuned individual is able to do energetic healing using hands on methods to focus energy.   The energy of a Reiki 1 practitioner is the same energy of a Reiki master!   Remember, the energy does not come from the practitioner.  The practitioner simply is a conduit of energy.   A channel of energy.   The energy comes from the Universal Divine Source, what some people call God.
Reiki students are actually taught the first three symbols after they are attuned to Reiki Level 2.

Flourite Crystals with Engraved Reiki Symbols

 
The first symbol they are taught is Cho-Ku-Rei. ( Top Left )

Cho-Ku-Rei roughly translates to “Put the energy of the universe here”   Some call it the Power Symbol.   It is used to focus the energy to a specific location, or to amplify the energy.    I believe it to be the most commonly used of all the Reiki Symbols.  

The next symbol taught is Sei-He-Ki ( Top Right )

This symbol is also known as the Mental Emotional symbol.   It’s translation is 'God and humanity become one.'    It is also used for physical or emotional dependency issues, such as addictions.  Commonly used to ease fears, reduce anxiety, calm, etc.   This symbol is very effective with Autistic Children,  and those suffering with anxiety disorders.

The Third Symbol is Hon-Sha-Ze-Sho-Nen ( Bottom Left )
 
Known as the Distance Symbol .   It translates as “May the Buda in me connect to the Buda in you”.   This is used for distance healing.    While many practitioners of Reiki know this to be true, it is also used for transcending time. 

How could this be used?   

Here are some scenarios:  

• Let’s say a patient is going to get surgery in two weeks.   A Reiki practitioner can send healing energy to the person in the future, to be received in two weeks during the surgery.  
• A person is traumatized by an event that happened in the past.   You can send healing energy with the mental/emotional symbol to the person in the past when the event happened.   This often has a profound effect of the person in the present.
• You are going for a job interview tomorrow!   You can send yourself the same mental/emotional energy into the future, with the intention of supreme confidence.

When using the Distance Healing symbol, often the practitioner uses something to represent the person receiving the Reiki…  For instance, a picture of the person, a stuffed teddy bear representing the  person, etc.  

Master Level 

When the practitioner reaches the level of Reiki  Master (Reiki 3), they are taught the last symbol. 

Dai Ko Myo ( Bottom Right )
Which translates to “Great Spirit of the Universe, Be My Friend.”  This symbol is used to amplify the power of the other symbols, in addition to being used to attune new Reiki students.
For several years, these symbols were secret, and the students sworn to secrecy. Today, diagrams of the Reiki symbols can be readily found printed in books and on the Internet.
There is still controversy among Reiki practitioners over whether or not these symbols should be kept private.
Whenever any Reiki symbol is to be used, the practitioner recites it three times. This may be done aloud or mentally, as the practitioner traces the symbol in the air over the recipient's body.

The Aura - Human Energy Field

WHAT IS THE AURA?

We are Spiritual Beings having a Human Experience!

Just as I have defined Ki, Chi or Prana in a previous post, I will present my definition of the Aura:

The Aura is the electromagnetic field that surrounds every organism and object in the Universe.   Now that I have presented a dry and scientific sounding definition, I will expand on this.

My belief is that we are much more than our physical bodies.   In fact, our physical bodies are the smallest part of us.  When someone goes through the process of dying, we can see that something is definitely missing from a person after death, regardless of your religious beliefs.   A body may weigh the same, and be the same a minute before one dies, versus a minute after one dies, but there is most definitely something missing in the later.  What’s missing has no mass, no weight, but is definitely what we are.  What’s left behind is the physical vehicle in which our spiritual selves ride.

I have heard Wayne Dyer say that we are not Human Beings having a Spiritual Experience, but Spiritual Beings having a Human Experience.   How profound!  Yet, how very obvious.  

And so, our Aura has no mass, no weight, but is there.  With a special type of photography, Kirlian photography, some believe you can photograph the Aura.

The aura is believed to have several layers, that correlate to the Chakra Energy centers.

The Layers Of The Aura:

1. The ‘Etheric Body’ is the first layer.  It has the same shape as the physical body, including all the anatomical parts and organs. It holds information about our physical health. This layer connects primarily with our first chakra, our organs, glands and meridians. It extends from one quarter of an inch to two inches from the physical body.
2. The ‘Emotional Body’ is the second layer and is associated with feelings.  Its structure is more fluid than the etheric, and it roughly follows the outline of the physical body. It is primarily connected to our second chakra.  The second layer of aura reflects our current mood, and is therefore constantly changing. If one had intense negative feelings for prolonged periods of time, problems in this layer can have a negative impact at some point in all of the layers and can eventually manifest itself as problems in the physical body... It extends from one inch to three inches from the physical body.
3. The Mental Body is the third layer of the Aura.  It extends beyond the emotional body and is associated with thought and mental processes. It is most commonly associated to our third chakra. This layer contains our conscious and unconscious thoughts, ideas and mental processes.  In this layer, ideas and thoughts are rationalized and validated.   It is possible to see how dis-harmonious thoughts in this layer can effect the emotional layer, which can effect the physical body.   Conversely, happy and harmonious thoughts in this layer can effect the other layers and physical body in a much more constructive and life affirming way. It extends three to eight inches from the physical body.
   
4. The ‘Astral Body’ is the fourth layer.  It is lacking a defined shape.  It is commonly associated with the heart chakra and the energy of love. This layer extends from six to twelve inches from the physical body.
5. The ‘Etheric Template Body’ is the fifth layer, and is so called because if contains all the forms that exist on the physical plane in a ‘blueprint’ form.  It is associated to the throat chakra, and is commonly believed to have a link to creativity and communication, on the physical and spiritual planes. It extends from one and a half to two feet from the physical body.
6. The ‘Celestial Body’ is the sixth layer of the Aura, and is the emotional level of the Spiritual plane.  It is the level through which we experience Spiritual ecstasy and can be reached through deep meditation and it extends two to two and a half feet from the physical body.  Many associate this to the sixth chakra – the third eye.
   
7. The ‘Ketheric Body’ or ‘Causal Body’ is the seventh layer.  This is the mental level of the Spiritual plane. When we bring our consciousness to this level, we know we are at one with the Creator.  It extends from two and a half to three and a half feet from the physical body.  Related to the Seventh Chakra.

What Is Reiki

What is Reiki?

 

Several cultures worldwide believe that there is an energy or life force that flows through all living things.   Some refer to it is Qi, Chi, Ki, Prana, Mana, etc.  Reiki (pronounced Ray Key) is Japanese in origin. The word “Rei” means Universe or Spirit.   The word “Ki” refers to the Life Force Energy that flows through all living things.

Many healing modalities work on the concept of balancing the body’s  Ki.   Accupuncture, Accupressure and Reiki are a few examples.   The main belief is that if energy is free to flow within our bodies, that we will have healthier bodies.

Reiki addresses physical, emotional, mental and spiritual imbalances.  It is used to balance the life force energy of a person to heal.  A Reiki practitioner does not personally heal anyone, nor do they take credit for any healing!  A Reiki practitioner simply acts as a conduit, so that the healing energy flows through them to their subject, and supplies the healing energies where they are most needed.

It is an important fact of Reiki that the healing energy doesn’t come from the practitioner.  It comes from the Universe.   That is a nice way of saying it, without specifying a specific religion.   You may say it comes from God or Buda or whatever you believe in.   Regardless of a specific religion, just about all religions believe in a Divine Universal  Source of Energy.  One that is responsible for all creation.   It is that energy that a Reiki practitioner taps into an channels to the receiving person.

With that said, I will say this:  Although the energy does not come from the Reiki practitioner, the Reiki practitioner does expend some energy!   Look at it like this…   A firefighter does not put out the fires.  The water puts out the fires…  The firefighter is not the water, and the water does not come from the firefighter.   What the firefighter does is tap his hose into a Source of Water, allows it to flow through his hose.   Where the firefighter expends a lot of energy is focusing the output of the hose on the fire.   It is exactly the same thing with Reiki, in my experience.

Reiki can be delivered in many ways.   A very common way is through laying hands on the recipient.   This is just one of many ways of delivering the energy.  Another way of focusing the energy is through the eyes.   It can also be delivered over a distance or into the past or future, transcending time and space.