Is Reiki Right For You?

In a time of rising medical costs, an aging population and new technological advances, why would I be talking about an ancient healing art over 2,000 years old?

Why Reiki and why now?

What is it about this ancient Japanese healing modality that is so timely despite all of the options available right now, right here?

And how are you supposed to know if something like Reiki is appropriate for you?

First, let’s define Reiki and its basic principles.

Reiki is a Japanese word that can be translated as “Universal Life Energy”. Reiki energy can be thought of as the God energy that is present in each of us.  It is thought to have been originated in Tibet and then rediscovered in Japan, hence its Japanese name.

It is an ancient healing modality that involves no drugs, no incisions or surgery and certainly no hospital stay.  In fact, Reiki is practiced with the receiver being fully clothed and in a comfortable position.  The practitioner uses a series of hand positions either directly touching or hovering above the body.

The basic idea of Reiki is to balance a person’s energy through the “laying on of hands”- of using universal energy to subtly shift the energy flow or energy blockages of the individual receiving the treatment as it flows through the giver’s hands.

This concept is similar to the underlying principles of acupuncture, acupressure, yoga and tai chi.  A person’s energy flows through the body in certain channels and can be stimulated by specific movements, by pressing on specific points or by using an item such as a needle to encourage the healthy flow of energy.

So Reiki, in principle, is not a new concept to any of us.

But its practice hasn’t seen the same explosion as that of yoga or tai chi.  Why?

In my opinion, Reiki isn’t an obvious treatment modality and by obvious, I mean aggressively visual.

With acupuncture, you see needles.  That is obvious, that is how the treatment is issued.

With acupressure, you can feel the hands on you, you can see the hands on someone.  There is a very strong visual here.

You can see and do both yoga and tai chi. Both obvious and visual.

Reiki is more subtle.  Reiki is gentle and therefore needs an open mind to receive it.

With all of our current medical treatment options, surgeries and rehabilitation practices, you are receiving a very obvious, very specific “thing”.  But something is missing.

At least I believe something is missing.

There are several very important issues that come up whenever you embark on medical treatment of any kind.

They are, in no particular order- pain management, stress reduction and the maintaining of the mindset of hope and healing.

You can take drugs to control pain, but what if nothing helps or what if you get tired of taking pill after pill after pill?

What if stress reduction just isn’t happening through massage, exercise or any of the other usual channels?

And how are you supposed to think happy thoughts, thoughts of hope and thoughts of healing?

My answer- consider Reiki.

Consider adding in Reiki to your medical treatment.

Because Reiki works with the body’s energy, it is a great complement to traditional medicine.  It is deeply relaxing and can help to create a sense of well-being.  This is a perfect adjunct to the healing process.

How do you know if you should try Reiki or if it’s appropriate for you?

If you are even slightly curious, try it.

If you know of someone who has used it to complement their own treatment, try it.

If you are suffering and don’t know where else to turn, try it.

You have nothing to lose when you experience Reiki.

All that you need to do is approach it with an open mind.