What is Reiki?

General information about Reiki

Anne Reith, PhD, Reiki Training, Orange County, California

Reiki (which is usually pronounced “RAY-kee”) is a form of “energetic” healing.  The word Reiki is a Japanese word meaning “spiritually guided life force energy.” 

This means that the source of healing energy is God/Source/Spirit, but it is ultimately God/Source/Spirit that uses the energy for the highest good of the recipient. Because the energy used during Reiki is coming from God/Source/Spirit, it is totally natural and cannot cause harm. 

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Who can learn Reiki?

This simple and yet profound healing technique can be learned by anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, culture, or religious background. 

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Who can receive Reiki?

It can be used on yourself, others, animals, and plants.  It can be done in person or sent from a distance, and it can be done hands-on or hands-off. 

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What else can Reiki be used for other than healing?

In addition to its use in health settings, Reiki can also be used to empower and cleanse objects (e.g., crystals) or clear the energy in a specific area (e.g., your home or office).

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Does Reiki work with other healing methods?

The beauty of Reiki is that it works in harmony with all other forms of treatment (e.g., medical, psychological).  It is a healing modality that is well known and well respected in the East, and it is becoming increasingly recognized in the Western world. 

For example, in the United States (a) licensed mental health professionals, registered nurses, massage therapists, and athletic trainers can now take Reiki for continuing education units and (b) an increasing number of hospitals, medical clinics, and cancer treatment centers are offering Reiki to patients.

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How does Reiki work?

The “goal” of Reiki is the same as for accupuncturists and accupressurists.  Energy is flowing throughout our bodies.  This energy is often referred to as “chi,” and it is the same energy that is channeled by healers during Reiki sessions. 

This energy flows through pathways in our body called meridians.  It is believed that if the life force energy within the body is balanced, then the person will experience health and well-being.  However, when the life force energy flowing through the meridians is blocked or unbalanced, then dis-ease (e.g., illness, emotional issues) can result.  Reiki uses energy (rather than needles or pressure) to balance the recipient’s energy systems.

When someone receives Reki, it is most often felt as warmth, although other sensations are commonly reported (e.g., coolness, tingling, slight pressure).  The most common outcome is relaxation, because increasing our level of relaxation promotes all types of healing.

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Types of Reiki

One of the most commonly taught forms of Reiki is Usui Reiki, which has its origins in Japan with Dr. Mikao Usui.  Tibetan Reiki is fundamentally similar to Usui Reiki.  Tibetan Reiki is taught either separately from or in combination with Usui Reiki.

Usui and Tibetan Reiki are often described as the trunk of tree upon which many branches can grow.  In other words, these healing modalities provide the practitioner with a good foundation upon which to explore the many other forms of Reiki that are now taught around the world, including Karuna Reiki®, Rainbow Reiki®, Tummo Reiki, Kundalini Reiki, and many more.  There are now healing modalities that combine Reiki with drumming, singing bowls, and the use of crystals during healings.  Additionally, there are other energy healing modalities that can be used in conjunction with Reiki (e.g., Huna, shamanistic practices).

The form of Reiki that is taught through IMPART is Usui Reiki.  However, in addition to traditional Usui Reiki symbols, Dr. Anne also teaches some Tibetan Reiki symbols and several non-traditional Reiki symbols. She also includes techniques that come from various other healing modalities (e.g., Karuna Reiki, Pranic Healing, Hands of Light).

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How is Reiki taught?

Millions of poeple around the world have now been attuned to the Reiki energy.  Classes are taught in-person by a Reiki Master.  (Distance classes are available but are not recommended by IMPART or the International Center for Reiki Training.)  During Reiki classes, the student is taught how to serve as a conduit for the life force energy, which flows from God/Source/Spirit and then through the healer and into the recipient.

Because of the power of the energy involved and the breadth of the information that needs to be covered, Reiki is taught over a series of levels:

During each class, the student is taught sacred Reiki symbols that facilitate the flow of the healing energy.  They are also attuned at each level, which activates the healer’s ability to use the Reiki symbols and to serve as a channel for increasingly powerful levels of healing energy.  Different Reiki Master/Teachers structure their classes in different ways; but here at IMPART, each class is taught on a single day for 6-8 hours at each level.

NOTE: See our online Calendar for upcoming classes, or contact us at Anne@AnneReith.com.

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How are Reiki and psychic skills connected?

Although the majority of Reiki practitioners do not use psychic skills during healings, Reiki is actually one of the easiest ways to “jump start” your psychic skills.  Why?  Because the Reiki attunement that is received during Reiki classes is designed to open up the same energy channels (i.e., chakras, meridians) through which psychic information is received (e.g., clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, claircognizance).  For this reason, Dr. Anne recommends that her psychic development students take Reiki classes, at least through Reiki II.

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By Anne Reith, Ph.D.