Essential Reiki FAQs

Welcome to the Essential Reiki FAQs. I aim to cover all the most common questions about Reiki Healing. Click on one of the questions below to jump straight to it.

1. What is Reiki?
2. How Does Reiki Work?
3. Who can benefit from a Reiki treatment?
4. What is a Reiki attunement?
5. Will Reiki ever run out?
6. What is the purpose of the Reiki hand placements?
7. Do I need to direct the flow of Reiki?
8. Should be a gap between receiving Reiki attunements I, II & III?
9. Who is entitled to receive the Master's degree?
10. How long do the Attunements last?
11. Who is a grandmaster, with regards to Reiki?
12. Reiki Energy - What Is It?
13. Who Can Learn Reiki?
14. Are Distant Attunements Effective?
15. Is Reiki a form of faith healing?

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What is Reiki?

One of the oldest and most powerful and effective forms of natural healing, Reiki dates back thousands of years in the outlandish territories of Tibet. Reiki is a Japanese name for the "Universal Life Force" energy that flows through everything around us. "Universal Life Force" energy also flows inside us, through the energy channels bringing peace of mind and vital healing energy to the mental and physical body. Using a technique commonly called "palm healing", the practitioners of this form of complementary medicine are actually transferring healing, vital energy through their own palms to the recipient (the patient). Reiki healing technique is easy to learn. Not only that, but it doesn't take years of training to master this art. There is another Reiki healing technique, which is called distance healing. It doesn't involve a personal one-to one healing, but it is just as effective. Reiki system has nothing to do with religion or philosophy. It has no doctrine, no religious concepts or beliefs. On the other hand, Reiki cannot be confined to a form of laying-on of hands, or Touch Healing as Reiki involves a process of initiation and attunements, which consist, essentially, in creating a connection between the student and the Reiki source.

How Does Reiki Work?

To give an good answer to this question, let's consider this ancient wiwdom: life force flows within the physical body through pathways called chakras, meridians and nadis. It also flows around us in a field of energy called the aura. Whenever the energy flow of life force is disrupted, vibrational energy is diminished, which causes illness and anxiety. Reiki can remove the emotional or spiritual blocks that cause illness. So, rather than focusing on treating the symptoms of a disease, Reiki healing techniques work on the causes of the emotional, mental or physical ailments. Reiki healing technique consists in flowing through the affected areas of the energy field and charging them with positive energy. What Reiki does is raising the vibratory level of the energy field in and around the physical body during the healing session. The energy blockages created by negative thoughts are effectively cleared. During a healing session, Reiki clears, straightens and heals the energy pathways, thus allowing the life force to flow in a smooth and natural way. Once the energy channels are opened, the body is ready to receive the Reiki healing energy.

Who can benefit from a Reiki treatment?

Since Reiki is a non-invasive treatment which can be used simultaneously with other complementary therapies or traditional medicine, practically everyone can benefit from its healing techniques. Increasing the body's energies and clearing any blockages that might exist are some of the main Reiki's benefits. Therefore, whoever feels his vital energy is at its wits' end, latent and inactive, can require Reiki healing techniques. That will reconnect the patient with the Universal energy, so that he gains an inner state of harmony, physically, mentally and spiritually. To be more specific, Reiki treatment is good for the health of woman (even pregnant), man, children and it is also excellent to be used on animals (dogs, cats, horses), plants, water, etc. During the years, Reiki healing techniques have not only helped patients with serious physical ailments but also helped those with minor psychological problems. Reiki healing system is not only a successful physically healing technique, but also an excellent remedy for changing of any negative mental habits. All those who feel somehow trapped in their own social dramas, with low vital energy, anxious and depressed can benefit from Reiki healing techniques, no matter what age they are or what complementary treatment they use. Reiki substantially reduces the level of stress, inducing a state of relaxation. The patient's perception towards Reiki healing energy is as a benefic peace of mind.

What is a Reiki attunement?

Practically anyone can get attuned, whatever their spiritual or religious beliefs are. Becoming a Reiki practitioner is the Reiki attunement procedure. Attunement gives the Reiki practitioner the ability to easily access the Universal Life Force energy, so that he can gain Reiki healing power. The Reiki attunement process is a complex ceremony during which the participant gets initiated by a Reiki Master. During Reiki attunement the students' energy pathways are opened so as to receive Reiki energy healing. Moreover, Reiki attunement means acquiring the knowledge of Reiki symbols: The Power Symbol, The Mental Symbol and The Distance Symbol. The person who is attuned also gets the ability to use these Reiki symbols to focus the Universal Life Force energy for specific purposes, such as healing others, either physically, mentally or spiritually. The Reiki ceremony of attunement is a ritual during which the Reiki master uses the Reiki symbols and other gestures in a prescribed way, so as to create an energy pattern around the recipient of the attunement. This procedure allows the Universal Life Force energy to be accessed by the Reiki practitioners. Reiki attunements create a strong connection between the students and the source of Reiki its self, which is limitless and eternal.

Will Reiki ever run out?

Absolutely not. Since Reiki is an indefinite supply of an Universal unlimited energy that flows through everything that exists, it is obvious that Reiki will never run out. Reiki healing practice only requires time and assistance to aid the recipient, along with the knowledge of Reiki symbols that become powerful healing tools in the hands of the initiated. On the other hand, no matter how much the practitioner uses Reiki, he is not losing any of his own energy, because no mental involvement is ever needed with Reiki. The amazing thing about Reiki practice is that the Universal energy flow will automatically be directed to the specific purposes, without mental engagement. There is still the possibility to access mental involvement during Reiki healing treatment so that Reiki energy flows more effectively to the body that needs cure. But this is entirely the practitioner's choice. With or without this mental engagement, the Reiki healing system will bring successful results to the patient's physically, mentally and spiritually condition. What Reiki healing system gives to humanity is the access to the infinite Universal Life Force energy, an ancient energy which ever existed and will always exist. This is nothing but an incredible gift that anyone can benefit from.

What is the purpose of the Reiki hand placements?

Since the Japanese word "Reiki" means "Universal Life Force Energy", it refers to an energy form, and not the specific techniques taught by Reiki Masters. The techniques are more properly called the "Usui System of Natural Healing". One of these Reiki healing techniques is the so-called "palm healing". Reiki hand placements is a spiritual practice which allows the practitioners to develop "palm healing", a method of transferring vital Universal Life Force energy through their own palms. This is, in fact, a method of sharing Reiki using the hands, one of the most effective Reiki treatments. There are no less than twelve basic hand placements used when conducting a Reiki healing session. The hand positions are sets that some of the early masters of Reiki practiced during Reiki healing treatments of the meridian, chakra and important parts of the body. Considering all these facts, the purpose of the Reiki hand placements is to ensure that the emphasis is placed on devoting about five minutes, more or less, on each hand placement so that no part of the body is neglected and to give to each body part equal consideration. Reiki healing techniques are powerful tools in the hand of the attuned, because Reiki works at very fundamental levels of reality.

Do I need to direct the flow of Reiki?

What does the flow of Reiki means after all? Where can we find it and how can we "capture" it in order to heal others and ourselves? Reiki is essentially the universal life energy that flows throughout the universe and through the body, especially through the seven chakras. No matter if its name is "chi" in China, "prana" in India and "ki" in Japan, Reiki is a continuous energy flow. Reiki energy flow doesn't need to be directed. It will automatically go to wherever it needs to go with no mental engagement of either the practitioner or the recipient. If the practitioner chooses to mentally involve into Reiki energy flow during the healing session, the effect will be a more effective energy flow, to that area of the body where attention is most desired. Although Reiki palm healing consists in the fact that life force energy is drawn through the practitioner's hands, Reiki energy flow doesn't need to be directed since it will automatically go to the part of the body that needs cure. The Reiki energy is so powerful and so natural that it doesn't need to be directed by anyone.

Should be a gap between receiving Reiki attunements I, II & III?

The Reiki attunement is a powerful spiritual ceremony, a ritual during which the Reiki master uses the Reiki symbols and other gestures in a prescribed way, so as to open the students' crown, heart, and palm chakras and creates a special connection between the student and the Reiki energy source. There are three levels of Reiki attunement, and it is important for the student to receive the Reiki Levels in order - I, II and III (Master). It is up to him how far he wants to go. It is not necessary to complete all three levels of Reiki attunement. A minimum 21-day waiting period between Level I and II, and at least six months between Level II and Master/Teacher Level attunement are recommended. To overcome the gap between receiving Reiki attunements I, II and III, the students should understand that the student cannot get the attunements done all in one weekend, or even on one day. A "Reiki cocktail," is rather harmful than benefic, both for the students and for those people they will teach.. A Master Teacher/Practitioner Certification ennobles the completion of each attunement level.

Who is entitled to receive the Master's degree?

No matter how good it may sound, the Master's degree is not a fulfillment of our ego, but an enormous responsibility. However, Reiki is not an exclusive club. Practically anyone who wishes and has shown themselves to be ready is entitled to receive the Master's degree. Another question comes up. How do I know when I am ready to receive the Master's degree? Whenever these steps are followed: the feeling you are ready to take on the responsibility of being a Reiki Master, Find a teacher that feels right for you to undertake the final degree with, take your time over your decision, and last but not least, go with your instincts, the student is ready to receive the Master's degree. The Master's degree is an incredible gift that anyone can receive. However, the Master's degree should be handed out sans the time and effort it takes to learn Reiki, the 30 days periods between receiving each of the three levels of Reiki attunement is recommended. Since Reiki healing technique is simple to learn and is not dependent on one having any prior experience with healing, meditation or any other kind of training, anyone can learn it and then receive the Master's degree

.

How long do the Attunements last?

Attunement is an ever-lasting spiritual experience. Once attuned, the attunements remain with the person who has been initiated by a Reiki Master for the rest of the life, and beyond. It is impossible to remove the attunements by anyone, at any price. The general perception towards gaining Reiki attunements is that it is a precious gift for the practitioner. Well, sometimes it can turn into a curse. Let us consider the following situation. If a patient has severe a skin problem or any infectious diseases, is the healer prone to catching that disease, if he heals by the palm healing method? Unfortunately, unless the Reiki practitioner is immune to the disease or skin problem, absolutely. Being a Reiki healer does not mean that you will never be ill, or that you are automatically immune to any infectious diseases. Considering these facts, it is obvious that the decision to achieve Reiki attunements is not so easy to make. Remember, Reiki attunements are not for one month, nor for one year, but forever. To make the decision to attain the Reiki attunements, one should be fully prepared for this experience and to take over this great responsibility.

Who is a grandmaster, with regards to Reiki?

Although a large number of Masters call themselves Grandmaster, the titles "Grandmaster" or "Lineage Bearer" were not and are not in use in the Reiki system that had been previously been called Usui Shiki Ryoho, or Usui Kai as it is now called. Thus, the titles "Grandmaster" or "Lineage Bearer" were never passed on to Mr. Chujiro Hayashi as is currently believed in the west. It is known that the Occidentals tend to mystify the beliefs and the principles of the East, as a consequence of the gap between their ways of thinking. This means that it was never passed on to Hawayo Takata either, nor could it have been passed on to Takata's grand-daughter, Phyllis Furumoto. Yet Phyllis is claiming herself to be Grandmaster, Lineage Bearer. Practically, anyone who is a Reiki Master can become "grandmaster", if he/she proclaims him/herself to be one, over time and with experience. We all have the potential to become "grand-masters" whatever our prior experience and training are. Reiki is by no means an exclusive club, everyone who has the will to heal others and himself is welcome to attain Reiki attunements and then to become a Master, or, why not, a Grandmaster.

Reiki Energy - What Is It?

Reiki is a Japanese word. It's literal definition is "Universal Life Force energy". This definition is so suggestive that it gives us more than a glimpse of what Reki energy is. Reiki energy ever existed and will always exist. Essentially, Reiki energy is a dynamic life force. Its dynamism consists in flowing through the universe, through everything around us. When Reiki energy's dynamism ceases, it means it doesn't flow anymore. Energy stagnation causes energy blockages. Reiki energy not only flows through the universe, it also flows within the physical body through pathways called chakras, meridians and nadis and around us in a field of energy called the aura. The fascinating thing about Reiki energy is that it is limitless, an infinite supply, since it is everywhere around and inside us. Reiki energy is a powerful tool in the hands of the initiated/attuned. Reiki can restore a person's energy pathways, balance and harmony before disease, anxiety, burnout or injury can occur. Reiki energy manages to effectively clear energy blockages, and also to balance energy pathways, and to heal the parts of the body that needs cure. These actions strengthen the body who receives Reiki healing energy.

Who Can Learn Reiki?

Reiki is an incredibly simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-development. Practically everyone can learn Reiki; it does not depend on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual improvement and therefore is available to everyone. If we consider the Reiki experience and practice, we will discover that thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds were successfully taught Reiki. To learn Reiki is an amazing experience, it is not the usual sense of a lesson, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class, directly from the Reiki Master. Consequently, anyone can learn Reiki, and the completion of learning it is a ceremony of attunements, a spiritual ritual that involves symbols and procedures performed by the Reiki Master in a prescribed way During the attunements, a connection is created between students and the Reiki source. This ritual gives the students the quality to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" in order to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life. Neither a person's age, nor its cultural background is of any importance in learning Reiki healing techniques. All that matters is one's determination to learn it and to practice it.

Are Distant Attunements Effective?

The source of Reiki is an infinite, eternal supply of energy. Since distant attunements are just as closely connected with the source of Reiki like a personal one-to-one attunement, then Reiki Long Distance Attunements are just as effective. Reiki Long Distance Attunements are relatively new; traditionally Reiki attunements were always carried out by a Reiki Master in person. Reiki distant attunement appeared with the 1990's growth of Reiki Masters who gave up the traditional path and taught out of the box, as to develop new techniques. The majority of these techniques are a direct consequence of the Internet's expansion. Since any distance is an illusion on the Internet, or rather it as been aborted, some Reiki Masters thought that if one can send distant healing why not should one be able to do distant Reiki attunements. However, there are voices who say that distant attunements are not as effective as in person Reiki attunements. Since Reiki energy is limitless, and it flows through the whole universe, Reiki Long Distance Attunements can work just as well. The only requirement for a distant Reiki attunement to be effective is that the person doing the attunement is legit.

Is Reiki a form of faith healing?

There are voices who say that Reiki healers are nothing but faith healers. Faith healers and are known to be unauthorized healers, whose promises and "miracles" never happen. On the other hand, Reiki is a legitimate form of energy medicine or "healing touch therapy" which is by no means practiced by ministers or preachers. Reiki system has nothing to do with religion, it has no doctrine, no good and evil or bless and sin concepts. Reiki has nothing to do with the religious beliefs, neither the practitioners, nor the recipient's religious background is important in the process of developing Reiki healing techniques, since Reiki deals with energies, with Universal Life Force energy, to be more specific.. Reiki is a healing energy whose source is limitless and eternal. The process of overcoming negative thoughts and attaining positive thinking is indeed one of Reiki most effective healing techniques. But it is about self improvement through positive thinking, not about the faith in its religious sense. Reiki healing techniques are developed only by licensed massage therapists, nurses and practically anyone who is interested in learning to tap into the "universal life force energy".

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