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Reiki
Healing Energy
by
Jeff
Hotchkiss
You
lie on your back, covered with a warm blanket, fully
clothed and secure. Like butterflies landing, two
hands settle softly on your forehead. The hands become
still. Their presence is deeply relaxing, as a mother's
hand on the brow of her child.
Then you notice - something is happening! Tingly warmth
emanates from the hands, and spreads throughout your
head and the rest of your body. It feels RIGHT, and
deeply, deeply peaceful, like coming home. As the
hands move around your body, resting gently and respectfully
where they are needed, tense muscles wake up to this
peaceful warm feeling and, just maybe, they decide
to let go.
Areas of disease or injury may receive more intense
warmth. The heat feels almost like burning, but you
know that it's GOOD, and will help you. In some areas
you feel tingly, and areas of inflammation may feel
blessed coolness. Or, you may just feel deeply calm
and peaceful.
Old emotional hurts may surface gently for you to
review from this place of calm and loving awareness,
so that you can let them go. The voice above the hands
asks you to breathe deeply, and as you do so, the
hurts fall quiet.
Just before you fall asleep, you marvel at how relaxed
you feel. You don't remember such ease in your body
since you were a child.
The session lasts an eternity, yet it is over all
too soon. When you finally, slowly, open your eyes
and sit up, an entire layer of stress and ill-feeling
has effortlessly washed away. You feel at peace.
You've
just received a Reiki session.
Reiki emerged in Japan in the early twentieth century,
discovered by Dr. Mikao Usui. Before World War II,
it was brought to the West by Mrs. Hawaya Takata.
Now, it is practiced by millions around the world,
to treat themselves, friends and family, and paying
clients.
What is Reiki? It is hands-on healing energy, which
awakens and empowers your self-healing abilities.
This means gaining the energy and confidence to make
steady, step-by-step progress physically, emotionally
and spiritually. Many people feel they have been helped
dramatically in their health and wellbeing with Reiki.
What is it NOT? Reiki is not a religion - people from
all religions and worldviews may practice and share
Reiki with each other (see www.christianreiki.org
for a Christian perspective). Neither is it a magic
formula, quick fix, or replacement for trained and
licensed medical care.
How does it work? "Rei" is often translated as "divinely
guided" or "from the universe", and "ki" translates
as "essential life force energy". So, a Reiki practitioner
is creating an opening for life force energy to flow
in a concentrated way from the universe into your
body. Your body's wisdom guides the energy to where
it is most needed.
Reiki is finding its way into the medical community.
A number of hospitals have instituted Reiki programs.
In Maine, I personally know nurses and emergency medical
technicians who are trained in Reiki. It has many
benefits in medical settings, and is very gentle and
non-invasive. For a good website on Reiki and medicine,
see www.pamelamilesreiki.com.
You've never tried Reiki, but now you're interested
- where to start? Some websites, such as www.iarp.org,
have directories of Reiki practitioners and teachers.
You can read local wellness journals - often practitioners
will advertise there. Bulletin boards in natural food
stores and coffee houses will also have business cards
and flyers. Ask a friend for a referral. Some doctors
may also give referrals, as Reiki becomes more known
and accepted. Many practitioners combine Reiki with
other services such as massage therapy.
Beyond receiving sessions, you can quickly learn to
treat yourself and others. Classes are taught by a
Reiki Master, generally in one-day or weekend workshops;
you can learn the basics in a Level I workshop, and
continue on for more in-depth classes if you wish.
Many Reiki Masters teach and also give sessions. I
encourage you to take a class or receive sessions
- the more people who receive peace and healing with
Reiki, the more peaceful the world will be!
Jeff's
web site can be viewed at jeffreiki.com.
About
the Author
Jeffrey
Hotchkiss is a Reiki Master Teacher. He teaches and
practices in Yarmouth, Maine, and travels to bring
Reiki to elder communities.
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