Reiki is a Japanese word, and when used in the context of Mikao Usui’s Healing Art or Method, it means sacred or transcendental universal energy of heaven and earth. What is that?
Reiki is life, your existence, mine, plants, and animals. It is the basis of all existence and also the essence of our being. Some would call it our true nature, our bright light, or Buddha nature. We are born with Reiki, but we have forgotten it is there. When we are hurt, we intuitively place our hands on injured body parts automatically or when someone else is hurting, we comfort them with our hands. This is offering Reiki.
Reiki is an energy that is beyond the intellect. It is more an experience or a feeling of the energy itself. Many have tried to categorize Reiki & yet they still have not quite captured its’ essence because it is beyond words, beyond the human condition of judgement & dualistic thinking. It is also very much a personal experience & not yet quantifiable by science. It exists; otherwise, you, me, and any living things would not be here. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence of physical and emotional benefits, but science hasn’t defined what it actually is…..yet.
Luckily for us, we can tap into this energy, generally through spiritual practices that focus on our inner being by shifting the focus away from the external to the internal or, more to the point, away from our thinking mind. Why is this a good thing? In many ways, our thinking is the source of unease, anxiety, stress and stress-related disorders. The mind is a hamster wheel, moving fast when we are agitated and slower when we are more relaxed. With Reiki practice, there is an opportunity to reset after a challenging day, slow the hamster wheel, and rest in a calmer place.
Reiki is just one of many spiritual practices using universal energy. Other practices include yoga, pranayama or breathing practices, meditation (especially the yogic or Buddhist practices), Tai Chi, Qi Gong & some martial arts. Of course, these practices call universal energy by a different name, prana or chi. There are a lot of spiritual practitioners out there who have found their bliss in their practice regardless of what form or modality that taps into universal energy. It all depends on what feels right to each individual. Reiki feels right to me because it sits well with my intellect & it settles me.
Reiki helps me find a little stillness, helps me into a meditative state & helps me unwind. This stillness is something that is missing from many people’s lives. Most do not know how to return to their inner self, as our culture is based on the development of the mind from early childhood to look at the external for answers. Nothing is wrong with that, but the balance between mind, body and inner being gets lost. We become slaves to the mind & its’ incessant thoughts. This is the price we pay for the investment in knowledge alone.
Reiki balances and soothes. It brings back the connection of mind, body, and inner being. Reiki is a heart-based practice that returns me to my inner sanctuary.
Try a Reiki Treatment or enrol in a Reiki Course. It was the best thing I ever did.
Photo credit: Bart Larue
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