Seeing that there has been a fair amount of curiousity about Reiki amongst members here, Metamorphosis plans to carry an article on Reiki in one of the upcoming issues. However, rather than make it the usual essay-type affair, I thought it would be better if we did a Q & A type thing instead. Since, readers may have varying levels of knowledge or interest in the subject, a general article may not really do justice to your curiosity. So, you're welcome to post your questions here or mail them to metamorphosis@consciousevolution.com and we'll carry the answers in a future issue of Metamorphosis.

I may not have all the answers, but I can try and find useful sources for you to refer to, so shoot away!

Where does the word "Reiki" come from and what does it mean?

Halo Ani...

Reiki (Ray-kee) is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Force Energy, very similar to the Chinese "chi".
The Rei is Japanese for Spirit, Ghost or Soul...The Chinese interpretation, Lei, means subtle influences, the Force, Etheral, or Supernatural Power. IN it's simplest form, it is the stuff we are made of....the healing Force within each of us, acted out through touch...Everyone contains Reiki... and uses it every time we get injured.
The first thing we do is "touch or rub" the spot we hurt....healing ourselves on a deeper subatomic level.

I hope this helps.

Well, looks like Chaldean already covered that one. Yes, what he says is pretty much it. I'm not familiar with Japanese, but the break-down I have for the word Reiki differs only slightly from the one Chaldean just gave you.

From most of the material I've come across, I gather that the syllable "Rei" means Universal. I guess, it intends to describe the all-pervading, boundless nature of the energy. Ki means Life Force Energy and is as Chaldean mentioned an equivalent for the Chinese "Chi" or the Indian "Prana".

Chaldean, I didn't know you were into Reiki too. Have you gone through the attunements or do you just find it a fascinating subject to learn more about?

Hi EOS and b`day partner Chaldean .

When I receive Reiki, I have intense visuals. Like a movie screen in front of me. I believe the visuals are past life related. I also feel like my spine, arms and legs are moving and something is shooting out of my feet. The gal giving the Reili says I don`t move at all. Why does this occur?

juniperb

How does Reiki differ from other hands on healing methods? Or are they all basically the same?

Love, Connie

Hi Juniperb!

Can you describe the feeling in your spine, arms and legs in a bit more detail? What exactly do you mean by move? Like they actual moved from their resting place or is it more like a intense throbbing or tingling? There are times, when I can even feel a kind of sucking sensation. As if something is being sucked right out of my hands. The area that the Reiki is being directed to, may also experience a piercing sensation. I felt that when practicing at home after one of the Reiki workshops I took. I asked my Reiki master about it and she said, it was probably an energy block being cleared.

The way I understand Reiki is that it raises the very vibration of your cells, setting right the energy system of your body by clearing any blocks that there may be. Releasing pent up feelings and emotions that have been causing dis-ease in your body.

It is also known to have increased or aided intuitive abilities. So, that might explain the flashes of visuals. As to whether they were past-life memories, I cannot comment. I think no one except you can ever tell if that's true.

Did you write down what you saw during those sessions? Be sure to do it, if you haven't yet. Those visions may not make much sense to you now, but someday, you may be able to read them again and see them in a new light and learn something from them. Whether they are past life memories or just your higher-self speaking to you about something important, the purpose is for you to understand and decipher the message, because it may be something you need to know at that point in your life. Very much like interpreting dreams Trust your intuition and let the answers come to you.

That something shooting out of your feet could be Reiki again. Were your feet in contact with the ground when you were getting the treatment? I may not be able to explain this very well, but it's something like the principle of earthing. I've gotten this feeling myself. Like something tingling under my feet while they rest on the ground. I find that this often happens to me when I'm thinking intensely about something and trying to use my intuition (I'm still a novice when it comes to that). Maybe at these times, I end up intensifying the flow of energy in my body and when I pay attention, I notice these tell-tale signs. Infact, at this very moment, when I'm racking my brains trying to answer your questions as best as I can, I'm feeling this tingling under my feet.

Connie, do you have any specific techniques in mind? I don't know much about other such techniques beyond whatever little I've read. So, I'll probably need to find out a little about the basic premises of these other techniques to tell you exactly how they differ from Reiki.

I think a whole lot of them have common elements like working with a very basic form of energy, an energy that makes up all the matter around us. They also emphasise the Chakras or the energy centers of our bodies. So, yes, there are some basic similarities between all these techniques that fall under the category of "energy work". But, if you're looking for a more specific comparison with another technique, you'll have to let me know, so I can find out enough to answer your question.

Halo EOS....it is all ways good to see You weaving about on the threads...

Yes, I am a practicing Reiki Master who received my Third Degree several years ago....and use it from time to time to attune those in need and who ask. I hope to find more Time to apply this Onederful Art and "pass it along...' but again, in due TIme I suppose.

Halo Juniperb! Yes...it is that TIme of Year again isn't it? With all this cold, I intentionally will NOT see my shadow this Time for the sake of Spring.

If I may, I will attempt a quick summary of Reiki and it's origin....

In the mid 1800's, Reiki was revived and REdiscovered by Mikao Usui. He was said to have been a Christian Monk and a Principal in a seminary in Kyoto, Japan. Being an excellent Teacher, Usui asked his students many quest-eons....one Being" Why cannot we heal others with our hands like Jesus did?" Having no answer in return, Usui resigned from the seminary and left in a Mystical search for the Truth.
He is said to have then ventured to the United States, the University of Chicago and obtained a Doctorate in Theology. There are more stories in the Japanese folklore that prove he was a Buddhist Monk who was fluent in many languages including, Japanese, Chinese, English and Sanskrit. Studying the religions of these cultures and still not having his answer, Dr. Usui traveled to India and researched their HOly Works.
As Time passed, Usui returned to Japan, where he discovered some Sanskrit formulas and symbols in ancient Buddhist sutras, which may have held answers to his Quest. THese "symbols" perplexed the Dr. as to their formation and sense of Power he sensed while drawing them. To gain clarity of Mind, Dr. Usui did as any good monk might in searching for answers...he left the monastery again in Kyoto, and went to the holy mountain of Kuriyama to fast and meditate. He fasted and meditated for 21 days..using 21 stones as his abacus to measure Time.
During this Time, nothing extraordinary happened to Usui until the last day....Just before dawn...he saw a distant Light rushing toward him...rushing to his Third Eye...the light had turned to millions of small rainbow bubbles....forming into One Light...and again splitting into large bubbles containing the sutra symbols he had studied in the Sanskrit teachings. Real eyesing the message and making it clear, Dr. Usui committed it to memory.
Several hours later,...upon Sunset, Dr. Usui, gained normal consciousness and felt a great strength. He rushed down the mountain to share his new discovery with those in the World. Upon his haste, he tripped and fell, cutting his toes and began bleeding. Instinctively, he grabbed his toes with both of his hands...and as he did so the bleeding stopped simultaneously. He knew then, he possesed this Gift.
Upon reaching civilization, Usui had gotten multiple chances to "practice" using his new Gift on the needy and the poor, the lame and the dis-eased. See ing effective results, he began combing the slums of Japan for those in need, but found the same needy people returning for healing. Perplexed at this, Usui asked a man why he returns again and again for healing? And his answer was....
"it is easier to beg than to work for a living..."
Feeling troubled nad deflated, Usui felt that he had only possesed a part of the Gift. That healing was work...and that the profane needed to want the Gift and to be healed. Gratitude was missing from the healing process...so began his work we know today.
Dr. Usui developed Reiki....and it's priciples.
" Just for today....do not worry.
Just for today, do not anger.
Honor your parents, teachers and elders.
Earn your living honestly
Show gratitude towards all living things."

With these principles withstanding, Dr. Usui now began the journey of attracting those who wished to BE in the Light...and carry the Light to those in darkness.... tranforming the Gift of the Universe from the ancient books of Sanskrit, to the slums of Japan to the Emperor and Temple of Japan, where he is buried under the Kyoto Temple.

The History continues until it was brought to the United States (Western World) by a woman of Hawaiian descent..Hawayo Takata. More on that at another Time.

Basically, like Radionics or Light Energy, Reiki is filled with powerful symbols that are inscribed unto us by another filled with it's essence....the Whole hearted givingness of Purity upon one in need, in a Time of need activated the Oneness of Us all. Quantum physics has shown Us that All matter is really just energy.....and allm ost all geometric designs emit energies of various frequencies....even when just drawn on paper. These designs,,,,cones...spirals( ), crosses and abrupt right angles have some molecular-elelctric influence on the neuromuscular system of our flesh.
Whew. Haven't typed this much in a while... Sure...hope I didn't bore anyone out there!


I hope this helps.



Chahlie

No, you didn't, Chaldean. The story of how Dr. Usui discovered Reiki is one of my favourites. Especially, all the little incidents that happened after he returned from his meditation in the mountains, that proved to him that he had come back a changed man.

Yes, I've heard about the variation that says he was actually a Buddhist monk and the Christian version came about when Reiki started spreading through the West. I guess, it got westernised a bit, so Americans could relate. The other version claims that Dr. Usui never went to America to study theology.

That was a cool insight into the Reiki symbols. I never quite understood or trusted the use of these symbols. I thought it was just a psychological ploy to aid concentration. Kind of like chanting or visualising.

Wow! So, you are a Reiki Master, huh? Who would have guessed we had one right under our noses? lol.

Hi EOS, yes, I actually feel like my limbs are moving. Almost like they`re flexing, stretching out and my foot (left) feels like it is stretching out with toes pointed straight out. Then a feeling, a rush, pushing out of my toes then it feels relaxed. It is an actual feeling of physical movement yet she says I don`t so much as move a hair. It feels so real!!

I recognize it as being completely different that the energy moving thru my chakras and in my spine. Very perplexing Thanks,

juniperb

How does one begin cultivating/practising Reiki?

To practice Reiki on your own, you need to just get in touch with a Reiki master who can help you undergo a set of attunements to open up your chakras. This intensifies the flow of Reiki through your crown chakra (the topmost chakra that is supposed to be on the top of your head or just a little above it) and you can begin to heal yourself or others by simply placing your hands on them.

There are generally, three levels of Reiki attunements. At the first level, you get the most basic attunement that I mentioned above. At the second level, you get further attunements and are taught the Reiki symbols that will help you practice distance healing. This means, you no longer have to place your hands on a person to channel Reiki to them. You could be on opposite sides of the earth or you could channel Reiki to a past event to bring about healing. This level sort of helps you break past the space and time barrier. The third degree involves the final set of attunements along with training to become a Reiki master yourself. Once you're through this level, you can begin to help attune others and teach them about Reiki.

I've been through the first two levels and don't think I'm ready for the third, yet.

Some people are of the opinion though that one need not have to go through these attunements to really practice Reiki. If you remember that Reiki is everywhere and part of everyone of us and open to us all unconditionally, that knowledge in itself and enough faith may be all you need to get started. I personally feel that channeling Reiki is not much different from sending white light to someone or participating in a visualisation meditation to bring about healing. It all boils down to faith.

That's MHO of course and it's always good to boost your efforts by actually undergoing the attunements. Just wanted to emphasise that these attunements are not what suddenly gift you the ability to channel Reiki. They just magnify the already existent ability by opening up the right channels.

My opinion is reiki attunements are more akin to putting "valves" on it so you don't get any backwash - although to be honest I don't know all that much about it.

The amount of headaches i've "absorbed".......not to mention other stuff

Quote:

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The amount of headaches i've "absorbed".......not to mention other stuff

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While channeling Reiki?

Hey Guys

I think it's excellent that you are doing an article on Q & A's of Reiki. It is something that I have been interested in for a few years. I myself would go through the attunements if I could afford to, but it's not in the cards monetarily right now, so instead, I have been doing chakra work and studying as well (on and off that is) as reading what I could find to read about Reiki in bookform. I even have a Reiki book that shows the symbols.

That's awesome that you are a Reiki Master Charles! How long have you been doing it?

I was told several years ago that I should get the book "Hands of Light" by an Astrologer who was trying to do a past life regression with me that didn't work. I'm one of those people that are very difficult to put under hypnosis. She told me that it's in my chart that I am a healer (Chiron in Pisces cj MC within one degree) and very strongly suggested that I get that book, and even showed it to me. I never have gotten it, but have looked through it more than once at bookstores... Some day I will get it and follow through with these studies. It's just hard to find the time to devote to it with a busy household and a home business.

I had a Reiki session once, and it was a very experience. The lady who did it picked up information on me through my guides and shared it with me... which was pretty wild at the time (this was over 5 years ago). I wish I could remember everything she said now.

I have used my hands to do healing work other than Reiki with Hara work on people and massage, and have been told that heat radiates from my hands. Rena even told me something to that effect. I guess, I'd better get to it, huh? Looks like this thread is a reminder to me. Thanks Suchi.

Sounds like that lady you did the Reiki session with has skills I don't That's the cool thing about Reiki. You can blend it with so many other techniques and it will enhance them to give better results. Some use it in conjunction with crystals and some with massage. You can channel Reiki to your food or your rundown car. There's plenty of room for creativity. I've personally tried it on the pencil cells in my walkman when they started to go down.

technically while what i do is channelling energy it's probably not the Reiki technique. I Still haven't had the chance to look more closely into it.

Then again.. with a near-perfect chiron-ceres-sun T-square healing was always going to be interesting with me

Could you tell me more about this technique you use, wEvil? Maybe we can find points for comparison.

And anybody else with any questions on Reiki is still welcome to ask them.

Hi everyone!
I saw an interesting video at a New Age fair not long ago. It showed a woman doing Reiki filmed by an Aura Camera. You could actually see the energy moving from her hands and going into the other person. First, the other person seemed reluctanct to accepting it and quite stiff, and then as they relaxed and accepted it, their whole aura started to change colour, from red to blue. Quite amazing.
Kel, I am familiar with the book "Hands of Light"
I've never really learnt the Reiki technique, but I too "Channel Energy" and work with it to help heal myself and others.

Yes, I have a book on Reiki that has copies of pictures taken by using a technique called Kirlian photography that shows the heat emanating out of a person's fingers before and after acquiring Reiki attunements. It's really cool that you could see something like that.

How do you go about channeling energy, Evy? Are you referring to sending white light?

Yes, I just imagine it flowing from the sky in through my head and out of my hands.

Just as I thought. That's how Reiki's supposed to work too.

This is kind of like the Da Vinci code thread. One thing referred to and approached differently by different people.

My technique involves more tuning in on someone and... is more invasive.

It's like annealing a part of myself to them and "operating"

All i know is that it works and its very real, im not sure if its an established "school" of healing.

hmm...sounds intriguing. How did you end up using your technique?