Reiki

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Definition

Reiki is a form of therapy that uses simple hands-on, no-touch, and visualization techniques, with the goal of improving the flow of life energy in a person. Reiki (pronounced ray-key) means "universal life energy" in Japanese, and Reiki practitioners are trained to detect and alleviate problems of energy flow on the physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Reiki touch therapy is used in much the same way to achieve similar effects that traditional massage therapy is used—to relieve stress and pain, and to improve the symptoms of various health conditions.

Description

Reiki was developed in the mid-1800s by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese scholar of religion. According to the story that has been passed down among reiki teachers, Usui was a Christian who was intrigued by the idea that Christ could heal sick people by touching them with his hands. Searching for clues that would explain the secrets of healing with hands, Usui made a long pilgrimage around the world, visiting many ancient religious sects and studying ancient books. Some reiki teachers claim that Usui found clues leading back nearly 10,000 years to healing arts that originated in ancient Tibet. During his intense studies, Usui claimed he had a spiritual experience, which enabled him to heal with his own hands by becoming aware of and tapping into the universal life force. After that, he dedicated his life to helping the sick and poor. His reputation grew as he healed sick people for many years in Kyoto, Japan. Before his death, Usui passed on his healing insights using universal life energy to Dr. Chujiru Hayashi, a close acquaintance. Hayashi, in turn, passed on the healing techniques in 1938 to Hawayo Takata, a Japanese woman from Hawaii, whom he had cured of life-threatening illness using reiki methods. Takata became a firm believer and proponent of reiki, and during the 1970s formed an initiation program for training reiki masters to preserve Usui's teachings. Before she died, she prepared her granddaughter, Phyllis Lei Furumoto, to continue the lineage. Takata had personally trained 21 practitioners before she died at the age of 80 in 1980. Along with other reiki masters authorized by Takata, Furumoto formed the reiki Alliance. A faction led by Barbara Ray, formed the American Reiki Association, which was known as Radiance Technique Association International. Today, there are over 1,000 reiki masters practicing around the world, whose methods can all be traced back directly to Dr. Usui.

The basic idea of reiki is that the body has an energy field that is central to its health and proper functioning, and this energy travels in certain pathways that can become blocked or weakened. This idea of energy flow in the body is also a central concept in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture.

Reiki practitioners believe that everyone has the potential to access the universal life energy, but that over time most people's systems become blocked and the energy becomes weakened in them. A reiki practitioner is trained to be able to detect these blockages, and practitioners will use their hands, thoughts, and own energy fields to improve the energy flow in a patient. Reiki is one of the more esoteric alternative medical practices, because no one is sure exactly how it works on the physiological level. Practitioners claim that it works on very subtle energy levels, or possibly works on the chakra system. The chakras are the system of seven energy centers along the middle of the body believed to be connected with the nervous and endocrine systems, as defined by yoga and Ayurvedic medicine. Reiki masters claim that healing energy can even be sent to a person from far away, noting that reiki works on the same principles that enables praying to work for some patients, although a practitioner needs advanced training to be able to send energy from afar.

According to the original principles of Usui, patients must also have a proper attitude for reiki to work most effectively. Patients must take responsibility for their own health, and must want to be healed. Furthermore, when energy is received from a reiki healer, patients must be willing to give back energy to others, and to compensate the healer in some way, as well. Finally, Usui claimed that a healing attitude was free from worry and fear, was filled with gratitude for life and for others, and placed emphasis on each person finding honest and meaningful work in their lives—all this, in order to complete the picture of overall health.

Reiki sessions can take various forms, but most commonly resemble typical bodywork appointments, where the receiver lies clothed on his or her back on a flat surface or massage table. A session generally lasts from an hour to an hour and a half. Reiki is a simple procedure, consisting of calm and concentrated touching, with the practitioner focusing on healing and giving energy to specific areas on the receiver's body. Practitioners place their hands over positions on the body where the organs and endocrine glands reside, and the areas that correspond to the chakra centers. Practitioners also use mental visualization to send healing energy to areas of the receiver's body that need it. In special cases or with injuries, a no-touch technique is used, where the practitioner's hands are sometimes held just above the body without touching it. Advanced practitioners rely on intuition and experience to determine which areas of a body need the most energy healing.

The practitioner's hands are held flat against the receiver's body, with the fingertips touching. There can be over 20 positions on both sides of the body where the hands are placed. The positions begin at the crown of the head and move towards the feet. The receiver usually turns over once during the session. The practitioner's hands are held in each position for a usually five minutes, to allow the transfer of energy and the healing process to take place. In each position, the hands are kept stationary, unlike typical massage where the hands move, and both the giver and receiver attempt to maintain an attitude of awareness, openness, and caring.

Reiki practitioners recommend that those receiving reiki for the first time go through a series of three to four initial treatments over the course of about a week, to allow for cleansing and the initial readjustment of energy. Reiki sessions can cost from $30–100 per session. Insurance coverage is rare, and consumers should consult their individual policies as to whether or not such therapies are included.

Although reiki practitioners believe that formal training is necessary to learn the proper methods of energy channeling and healing, individuals can still use some of the basic positions of reiki to relieve stress and to stimulate healing on themselves or another. The positions can be performed anywhere and for however long they are needed. Positions generally move from the top of the body down, but positions can be used wherever there is pain or stress. Mental attitude is important during reiki; the mind should be cleared of all stressful thoughts and concentrated on compassion, love, and peace as forms of energy that are surrounding, entering, and healing the body.

The following positions are illustrated in Reiki: Energy Medicine:

• Position one: Hands are placed on the top of the head, with the wrists near the ears and the fingertips touching on the crown of the head. Eyes should be closed. Hold for five minutes or more, until the mind feels clear and calm.
• Position two: Cup the hands slightly and place the palms over the closed eyes, with the fingers resting on the forehead.
• Position three: Place the hands on the sides of the head, with the thumbs behind the ear and the palms over the lower jaws, with the fingers covering the temples.
• Position four: Place one hand on the back of the neck, at the base of the skull, and put the other hand on the head just above it, parallel to it.
• Position five: Wrap the hands around the front of the throat, and rest them there gently with the heels of the hands touching in front.
• Position six: Place each hand on top of a shoulder, close to the side of neck, on top of the trapezius muscle.
• Position seven: Form a T-shape with the hands over the chest, with the left hand covering the heart and the right hand above it, covering the upper part of the chest.
• Position eight: The hands are placed flat against the front of the body with fingertips touching. Hold for five minutes or so, and repeat four or five times, moving down a hand-width each time until the pelvic region is reached, which is covered with a v-shape of the hands. Then, for the final position, repeat this technique on the back, beginning as close to the shoulders as the hands can reach, and ending by forming a T-shape with the hands at the base of the spine.

— Douglas Dupler

Definition

Reiki is a form of therapy that uses simple hands-on, no-touch, and visualization techniques, with the goal of improving the flow of life energy in a person. Reiki (pronounced ray-key) means "universal life energy" in Japanese, and Reiki practitioners are trained to detect and alleviate problems of energy flow on the physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Reiki touch therapy is used in much the same way to achieve similar effects that traditional massage therapy is used—to relieve stress and pain, and to improve the symptoms of various health conditions.

Origins

Reiki was developed in the mid–1800s by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese scholar of religion. According to the story that has been passed down among reiki teachers, Usui was a Christian who was intrigued by the idea that Christ could heal sick people by touching them with his hands. Searching for clues that would explain the secrets of healing with hands, Usui made a long pilgrimage around the world, visiting many ancient religious sects and studying ancient books. Some reiki teachers claim that Usui found clues leading back nearly 10,000 years to healing arts that originated in ancient Tibet. During his intense studies, Usui claimed he had a spiritual experience, which enabled him to heal with his own hands by becoming aware of and tapping into the universal life force. After that, he dedicated his life to helping the sick and poor. His reputation grew as he healed sick people for many years in Kyoto, Japan. Before his death, Usui passed on his healing insights using universal life energy to Dr. Chujiru Hayashi, a close acquaintance. Hayashi, in turn, passed on the healing techniques in 1938 to Hawayo Takata, a Japanese woman from Hawaii, whom he had cured of life-threatening illness using reiki methods. Takata became a firm believer and proponent of reiki, and during the 1970s formed an initiation program for training reiki masters to preserve Usui's teachings. Before she died, she prepared her granddaughter, Phyllis Lei Furumoto, to continue the lineage. Takata had personally trained 21 practitioners before she died at the age of 80 in 1980. Along with other reiki masters authorized by Takata, Furumoto formed the reiki Alliance. Today, there are over 1,000 reiki masters practicing around the world, whose methods can all be traced back directly to Dr. Usui.

Benefits

Reiki claims to provide many of the same benefits as traditional massage therapy, such as reducing stress, stimulating the immune system, increasing energy, and relieving the pain and symptoms of health conditions. Practitioners have reported success in helping patients with acute and chronic illnesses, from asthma and arthritis to trauma and recovery from surgery. Reiki is a gentle and safe technique, and has been used successfully in some hospitals. It has been found to be very calming and reassuring for those suffering from severe or fatal conditions. Reiki can been used by doctors, nurses, psychologists and other health professionals to bring touch and deeper caring into their healing practices.

Description

The Basic Philosophy of Reiki

The basic concept underlying reiki is that the body has an energy field that is central to its health and proper functioning, and this energy travels in certain pathways that can become blocked or weakened. This idea of energy flow in the body is also a central concept in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture.

Reiki practitioners believe that everyone has the potential to access the universal life energy, but that over time most people's systems become blocked and the energy becomes weakened in them. A reiki practitioner is trained to be able to detect these blockages, and practitioners will use their hands, thoughts, and own energy fields to improve the energy flow in a patient. Reiki is one of the more esoteric alternative medical practices, because no one is sure exactly how it works on the physiological level. Practitioners claim that it works on very subtle energy levels, or possibly works on the chakra system. The chakras are the system of seven energy centers along the middle of the body believed to be connected with the nervous and endocrine systems, as defined by yoga and Ayurvedic medicine. Reiki masters claim that healing energy can even be sent to a person from far away, noting that reiki works on the same principles that enables praying to work for some patients, although a practitioner needs advanced training to be able to send energy from afar.

According to the original principles of Usui, patients must also have a proper attitude for reiki to work most effectively. Patients must take responsibility for their own health, and must want to be healed. Furthermore, when energy is received from a reiki healer, patients must be willing to give back energy to others, and to compensate the healer in some way, as well. Finally, Usui claimed that a healing attitude was free from worry and fear, was filled with gratitude for life and for others, and placed emphasis on each person finding honest and meaningful work in his/her life—all this, in order to complete the picture of overall health.

A Reiki Session

Reiki sessions can take various forms, but most commonly resemble typical bodywork appointments, where the receiver lies clothed on his or her back on a flat surface or massage table. A session generally lasts from an hour to an hour and a half. Reiki is a simple procedure, consisting of calm and concentrated touching, with the practitioner focusing on healing and giving energy to specific areas on the receiver's body. Practitioners place their hands over positions on the body where the organs and endocrine glands reside, and the areas that correspond to the chakra centers. Practitioners also use mental visualization to send healing energy to areas of the receiver's body that need it. In special cases or with injuries, a no-touch technique is used, in which the practitioner's hands are sometimes held just above the body without touching it. Advanced practitioners rely on intuition and experience to determine which areas of a body need the most energy healing.

The practitioner's hands are held flat against the receiver's body, with the fingertips touching. There can be over 20 positions on both sides of the body where the hands are placed. The positions begin at the crown of the head and move towards the feet. The receiver usually turns over once during the session. The practitioner's hands are held in each position for usually five minutes, to allow the transfer of energy and the healing process to take place. In each position, the hands are kept stationary, unlike typical massage where the hands move, and both the giver and receiver attempt to maintain an attitude of awareness, openness, and caring.

Reiki practitioners recommend that those receiving reiki for the first time go through a series of three to four initial treatments over the course of about a week, to allow for cleansing and the initial readjustment of energy. Reiki sessions can cost from $30–100 per session. Insurance coverage is rare, and consumers should consult their individual policies as to whether or not such therapies are included.

Self-Treatment With Reiki

Although reiki practitioners believe that formal training is necessary to learn the proper methods of energy channeling and healing, individuals can still use some of the basic positions of reiki to relieve stress and to stimulate healing on themselves or another. The positions can be performed anywhere and for however long they are needed. Positions generally move from the top of the body down, but positions can be used wherever there is pain or stress. Mental attitude is important during reiki; the mind should be cleared of all stressful thoughts and concentrated on compassion, love, and peace as forms of energy that are surrounding, entering, and healing the body.

The following positions are illustrated in Reiki: Energy Medicine:

• Position one: Hands are placed on the top of the head, with the wrists near the ears and the fingertips touching on the crown of the head. Eyes should be closed. Hold for five minutes or more, until the mind feels clear and calm.
• Position two: Cup the hands slightly and place the palms over the closed eyes, with the fingers resting on the forehead.
• Position three: Place the hands on the sides of the head, with the thumbs behind the ear and the palms over the lower jaws, with the fingers covering the temples.
• Position four: Place one hand on the back of the neck, at the base of the skull, and put the other hand on the head just above it, parallel to it.
• Position five: Wrap the hands around the front of the throat, and rest them there gently with the heels of the hands touching in front.
• Position six: Place each hand on top of a shoulder, close to the side of neck, on top of the trapezius muscle.
• Position seven: Form a T-shape with the hands over the chest, with the left hand covering the heart and the right hand above it, covering the upper part of the chest.
• Position eight: The hands are placed flat against the front of the body with fingertips touching. Hold for five minutes or so, and repeat four or five times, moving down a hand-width each time until the pelvic region is reached, which is covered with a v-shape of the hands. Then, for the final position, repeat this technique on the back, beginning as close to the shoulders as the hands can reach, and ending by forming a T-shape with the hands at the base of the spine.

Side Effects

Reiki generally has no side effects, as it is a very low-impact and gentle procedure. Some receivers report feeling tingling or sensations of heat or cold during treatment. Others have reported sadness or anxiety during treatment, which practitioners claim are buried or repressed emotions being released by the new energy flow.

Research & General Acceptance

Reiki has been used in major clinics and hospitals as part of alternative healing practice, and doctors, dentists, nurses, and other health professionals have been trained to use its gentle touch techniques as part of their practice. It appears to offer particular benefits to special-care patients and their caregivers. Reiki has also become increasingly popular among veterinarians in small-animal practices for treating behavioral disorders as well as physical illnesses in dogs and cats. To date, the little scientific research that has been conducted with reiki implies that its techniques bring about the relaxation response, in which stress levels decrease, and immune response increases. Reiki practitioners claim that the most important measurement of their technique is whether the individual feels better after treatment. They also claim that science cannot measure the subtle energy changes that they are attempting to make.

Training & Certification

Reiki practitioners undergo a series of attunements, which are sessions with reiki masters that teach the basic methods of energy healing. Several organizations provide resources for reiki training. Reiki practitioners believe these attunements are necessary for correct technique. The masters teach each person how to activate the universal life energy in themselves before they can pass it on to others. These initiations often are held during weekend workshops. Trainees can achieve up to four levels of attunements, until they reach the level of master themselves. The certification process is not a formal one; masters approve students when they feel satisfied with their progress.

Resources

Books

Baginski, B.J. and S. Sharamon. Reiki: Universal Life Energy. Mendocino, CA: Life Rhythm, 1988.

Barnett, Libby and Maggie Chambers. Reiki: Energy Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1996.

Brown, Fran. Living Reiki: Takata's Teachings. Mendocino, CA: Life Rhythm, 1992.

Periodicals

Feary, A. M. "Touching the Fragile Baby: Looking at Touch in the Special Care Nursery (SCN)." Australian Journal of Holistic Nursing 9 (April 2002): 44-48.

Rexilius, S. J., et al. "Therapeutic Effects of Massage Therapy and Handling Touch on Caregivers of Patients Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant." Oncology Nursing Forum 29 (April 2002): E35-E44.

Organizations

The International Association of Reiki Professionals. P.O. Box 481, Winchester, MA 01890. .

Other

The American Reiki Masters Association (ARMA). P.O. Box 130, Lake City, FL 32056–0130. (904) 755–9638.

The Center for Reiki Training. 29209 Northwestern Highway, #592, Southfield, MI 48034. (800) 332–8112.

Global Reiki Healing Network. .

Reiki Alliance. P.O. Box 41, Cataldo, ID 83810–1041. (208)682–3535.

[Article by: Douglas Dupler; Rebecca J. Frey, PhD]

A Japanese healing system built around the use of ki, the universal life energy, analogous to the Hindu prana and the od force described in the research of Baron von Reichenbach. Reiki can be traced to the discoveries of Mikao Usui, a Christian minister working in Kyoto in the 1880s. Challenged by his contemporaries concerning the Christian claims of biblical miracles, he began a search that led him to the United States to study at the University of Chicago, where he worked toward a Ph.D. However, he did not find answers to his questing until he investigated Buddhism.

Unable to find any Buddhists practicing healing, he learned Chinese and Sanskrit in order to read the early Buddhist sutras in their original languages. There he found a discussion of the healing power, and during a 21-day retreat he welcomed the power into himself. Soon afterward he was able to be the facilitator for several spectacular healings and he settled down in Kyoto to learn about this new power he had discovered and to perfect the techniques for using it. He eventually passed his knowledge to Chijuro Hayashi.

An event of great importance to the spread of reiki occurred in the 1930s when a young Japanese American, Hawayo Takata, ill and believing herself soon to die, returned to her native land. There she met several reiki healers and they facilitated her complete recovery. As a result she became the first woman, and first American, reiki master. She returned to Hawaii and taught quietly for many years. Then in the late 1970s she moved to the Midwest, where she began to share reiki healing with a larger audience of metaphysically-oriented Americans. Virginia Samdall of Chicago became the first of a new generation of reiki masters. In 1978 Takata initiated Barbara Ray of Atlanta, Georgia, and went on to teach her the secrets of initiating other reiki masters. She had previously taught the secrets to her granddaughter, Phillis Lei Furomoto.

Takata died in 1980. Both Ray and Furomoto, as reiki grand masters, assumed leadership for the development of the movement built around what Takata had taught them. Ray founded the American Reiki Association (later renamed the Radiance Technique Association International) and Furomoto founded the Reiki Alliance. Both have initiated further masters who formed different lineages of reiki practice.

Reiki is taught in three degrees. Students having mastered the first degree are equipped to use the reiki technique to heal others. The second degree provides a deeper knowledge of the reiki work. The third degree must be taught by a reiki grand master and allows one to become a reiki master and a teacher of reiki at the first and second levels. Today, an individual may learn reiki through classes or workshops at any number of special institutes or centers designed to teach reiki healing energy and educate the public. Each institute may teach its own unique system or interpretation of reiki based on traditional teachings. Completion of a reiki class usually leads to a certificate.

Legal requirements to practice reiki usually depend on the place where it is practiced. Regulation varies from state to state and any licenses are issued primarily by governmental bodies.

There are certain procedures and guidelines that are recommended with reiki treatments and therapy, although some reiki masters claim that reiki cannot cause harm or be performed incorrectly (it is possible to perform reiki illegally if there is inappropriate touching). Some masters also claim that it makes no difference if the person receiving treatment has Eastern or Western beliefs. Several styles of reiki are practiced around the world. Different reiki styles apply different methods to conduct the flow of energy during a treatment or therapy session. Methods or tools may include meditation, prayer, use of colors or sounds, chants, mantras, applying hot and cold sensations, elements or healing rays (fire, air, water, earth), use of crystals, astrology, tantric healing, karmic body education, chakras, breathing exercises, and attunement openings.

Sources:

Arnold, Larry, and Sandy Nevius. The Reiki Handbook. Harrisburg, Pa.: PSI Press, 1982.

Barnett, Libby. Reiki Energy Medicine: Bringing Healing Touch into Home, Hospital, and Hospice. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press, 1996.

Henderson, Jaclyn Stein. "Insights to Reiki: Existing in a state of balance." Massage & Bodywork. June/July 1999. pp.96-99.

Ray, Barbara Weber. The Reiki Factor. St. Petersburg, Fla.: Radiance Associates, 1983.

Ray, Barbara Weber, and Nonnie Green, eds. The Official Reiki Handbook. Atlanta: The American-International Reiki Association, 1982.

Reiki Plus Institute of Natural Healing and Energetic Healing.http://www.reikiplus.com. June 15, 2000.

Stein, Diane. Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art. Freedom, Calif.: Crossing Press, 1995.

For the Japanese era name, see Reiki (era).

The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.

The neutrality of this introduction is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until the dispute is resolved. (June 2009)

A reiki treatment in progress

Reiki (霊気 or レイキ^?, English: /ˈreɪkiː/) is a spiritual practice^[1] developed in 1922 by Mikao Usui. After three weeks of fasting and meditating on Mount Kurama, in Japan, Usui claimed to receive the ability of "healing without energy depletion".^[2] A portion of the practice, tenohira or palm healing, is used as a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).^[3][4] Tenohira is a technique whereby practitioners believe they are moving "healing energy" (a form of ki) through the palms.^[5][6]

There is no scientific evidence for either the existence of ki or any mechanism for its manipulation, and a systematic review of randomized clinical trials conducted in 2008 did not support the efficacy of reiki or its recommendation for use in the treatment of any condition.^[7][8]

Energy therapy - edit
Energy (esotericism) Electromagnetic therapy Polarity therapy Reiki Therapeutic touch
NCCAM classifications
Alternative Medical Systems Mind-Body Intervention Biologically Based Therapy Manipulative Methods Energy Therapy
See also
Alternative medicine

Contents 1 History 1.1 Derivation of name 1.2 Origin 1.3 Early development 2 Teachings 3 Practice 3.1 Whole body treatment 3.2 Localized treatment 4 Training 4.1 First degree 4.2 Second degree 4.3 Third degree or master training 4.4 Variations 5 Scientific research 6 Safety and effectiveness 7 Internal controversies 8 Catholic Church concerns 9 See also 10 Notes 11 References 12 External links

History

Reiki
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese:	靈氣
Simplified Chinese:	灵气
Transliterations Mandarin - Hanyu Pinyin: língqì - Wade-Giles: ling2-ch'i4 Cantonese - Jyutping: ling4-hei3
Japanese name
Hiragana:	れいき
Kyūjitai:	靈氣
Shinjitai:	霊気
Transliterations - Revised Hepburn: reiki
Korean name
Hangul:	령기
Hanja:	靈氣
Transliterations - Revised   Romanization: ryeonggi - McCune-   Reischauer: ryŏngki
Vietnamese name
Quốc ngữ:	linh khí

Look up reiki in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Derivation of name

Japanese reiki 霊気 "mysterious atmosphere; spiritual power" is a loanword from Chinese lingqi 靈氣, which some Chinese-English dictionaries translate: "(of beautiful mountains) spiritual influence or atmosphere";^[9] "① intelligence; power of understanding ② supernatural power or force in fairy tales; miraculous power or force";^[10] "① spiritual influence (of mountains/etc.) ② ingeniousness; cleverness".^[11] This Japanese compound joins rei 霊 "ghost, spirit, soul; supernatural, miraculous, divine; ethereal body" and ki 気 "gas, air; breath; energy; force; atmosphere; mood; intention; emotion; attention", here meaning qi "spiritual energy; vital energy; life force; energy of life".^[12] Some reiki translation equivalents from Japanese-English dictionaries are: "feeling of mystery",^[13] "an atmosphere (feeling) of mystery",^[14] and "an ethereal atmosphere (that prevails in the sacred precincts of a shrine); (feel, sense) a spiritual (divine) presence."^[15]

English reiki or Reiki transliterates a Japanese loanword. Reiki is syntactically used as a noun (referring to either "the putative energy" or "the therapeutic method based upon it"), a verb, or an adjective. Some Western authors loosely translate reiki as "universal life energy".^[16] This coinage partially mistranslates: ki means "life energy" — rei does not mean "universal".

Origin

Mikao Usui (臼井甕男) originated Reiki in 1922 after a twenty-one day retreat on Mount Kurama, involving meditation, fasting, and prayer.^[2] Usui said that by mystical revelation he had gained the knowledge and spiritual power to apply and attune others to what is called Reiki.

In April 1922, Usui moved to Tokyo and founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (Usui Reiki Healing Society).^[17]

Usui was an admirer of the literary works of Emperor Meiji, and, in the process of developing his Reiki system, summarised some of the emperor's works into a set of ethical principles, which later became known as the Reiki Principles.("GOKAI" in Japanese) Many Reiki teachers and practitioners aim to abide by these five principles,^[18] one translation of which is:

"The secret method of inviting good fortune.

The marvelous medicine for all sickness

Just for today:

Do not be angry

Do not worry

Be grateful

Work with integrity

Be kind to others.

Every morning and every night, sit in the Gassho position [hands held palm-to-palm] and speak these words out loud in your heart.

For the evolution of body and soul, Usui Reiki Ryoho" — Mikao Usui, the founder.^[19]

Usui taught over 2000 students to use Reiki. Sixteen of his students continued their training to reach the Shinpiden level, equivalent to the Western third degree, or master level.^[20]

Usui died in 1926.

Early development

After Usui's death, Chujiro Hayashi, a former student of Usui, left the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and formed his own association. Hayashi simplified the Reiki teachings, stressing physical healing and using a more codified and simpler set of Reiki techniques.^[21]

Hayashi initiated and trained Hawayo Takata,^[22] who traveled widely in the US, practising Reiki and teaching the first two levels to others.^[23]

Takata stressed the importance of charging money for Reiki treatments and teachings. In 1976, Takata began teaching the Shinpiden stage and introduced the term Reiki master for this level.^[24] She also fixed a price of $10,000 for the master training.^{[citation needed]}

Takata died in 1980^[25] by which time she had trained 22 Reiki masters.^[26] Almost all Reiki taught outside Japan can be attributed to her work.^[27]

Teachings

Reiki teachings claim that there is an inexhaustible, universal "life force" spiritual energy,^[28][29] that can be used to induce a healing effect.^[30] Believers say that anyone can gain access to this energy^[31] by means of an attunement process^[32] carried out by a Reiki Master.^[33] Claims for such energy have no known theoretical or biophysical basis.^[5][34][35]

Reiki is described by adherents as a holistic therapy which brings about healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.^[36] The belief is that the energy will flow through the practitioner's hands whenever the hands are placed on, or held near a potential recipient, who can be clothed.^[37] Some teachings stress the importance of the practitioner's intention or presence in this process, while others claim that the energy is drawn by the recipient's injury to activate or enhance the natural healing processes.^[38] Going further, the belief is that the energy is "intelligent",^[39] making diagnosis unnecessary.

A second level of training, including another initiation, is said to equip the practitioner to perform Reiki treatments from a distance.^[40] This method, it is stated, involves the use of special symbols to form a temporary connection between the practitioner and the recipient, regardless of location, and then to send the Reiki energy.^[41] Techniques are also taught whereby Reiki can be sent to a specific point in time, either in the past or the future.^[42]

Practice

Whole body treatment

In a typical whole-body Reiki treatment,^[43] the practitioner asks the recipient to lie down, usually on a massage table, and relax. Loose, comfortable clothing is usually worn during the treatment. The practitioner might take a few moments to enter a calm or meditative state of mind and mentally prepare for the treatment,^[44] that is usually carried out without any unnecessary talking.^[45]

The treatment proceeds with the practitioner placing his hands on the recipient in various positions. However, practitioners may use a non-touching technique, where the hands are held a few centimetres away from the recipient's body, for some or all of the positions. The hands are usually kept still for 3 to 5 minutes before moving to the next position. Overall, the hand positions usually give a general coverage of the head, the front and back of the torso, the knees and feet. Between 12 and 20 positions are used, with the whole treatment lasting 45 to 90 minutes.^[46]

Some practitioners use a fixed set of hand positions. Others use their intuition to guide them as to where treatment is needed,^[47] sometimes starting the treatment with a "scan" of the recipient to find such areas. The intuitive approach might also lead to individual positions being treated for much shorter or longer periods of time.

It is reported that the recipient often feels warmth or tingling in the area being treated, even when a non-touching approach is being used. A state of deep relaxation, combined with a general feeling of well-being, is usually the most noticeable immediate effect of the treatment, although emotional releases can also occur.^[48] As the Reiki treatment is said to be stimulating natural healing processes, instantaneous "cures" of specific health problems are not usually observed. A series of three or more treatments, typically at intervals of 1 to 7 days, is usually recommended if a chronic condition is being addressed.^[49] Regular treatments, on an on-going basis, can be used with the aim of maintaining well-being. The interval between such treatments is typically in the range of 1 to 4 weeks, except in the case of self-treatment when a daily practice is common.^[50]

Localized treatment

Localized Reiki treatments involve the practitioner's hands being held on or near a specific part of the body. Recent injuries are usually treated in this way,^[51] with the site of injury being targeted. There is great variation in the duration of such treatments, though 20 minutes might be typical.

Some practitioners use localized treatments for certain ailments, and some publications have tabulated appropriate hand positions.^[52] However, other practitioners prefer to use the whole body treatment for all chronic conditions, on the grounds that it has a more holistic effect.^[53] Another approach is to give a whole body treatment first, followed by a localized treatment.^[54]

Training

The teaching of Reiki outside of Japan is commonly divided into three levels, or degrees.^[55]

First degree

The first degree Reiki course^[56] teaches the basic theories and procedures. Four "attunements" are given to the student by the teacher.^[57] Students learn hand placement positions on the recipient's body that are thought to be most conducive to the process in a whole body treatment.^[58] Having completed the first degree course, the participant can treat himself and others with Reiki. The course duration is traditionally four sessions, most often presented in 2, 3, or 4 consecutive days^[59]

Second degree

In the second degree Reiki course,^[60] the student learns the use of three symbols which are said to enhance the strength and distance over which the effect can be exerted.^[61] Another attunement is given, which is said to further increase the capacity for Reiki to flow through the student, as well as empowering the use of the symbols.^[62] Having completed the second level, the student can work without being physically present with the recipient.^[63]

Third degree or master training

Through the third degree, or "master training",^[64] the student becomes a Reiki Master. (In Reiki terminology, the word "master" does not imply spiritual enlightenment.) One or more attunements are carried out and the student learns a further master-level symbol, called Dai Ko Myo.^[65] Having completed the master training, the new Reiki Master can attune other people to Reiki and teach the three degrees of Reiki. The duration of the master training can be anything from a day to a year or more, depending on the school and philosophy of the Reiki Master giving the training.

Variations

There is much variation in training methods, speeds and costs. There is no accreditation body for Reiki, nor any regulation of the practice. Reiki courses can even be taken over the Internet, although Traditionalists state that attunement must be done in person in order to take effect, as the Reiki Master/Teacher doing the attunement must be able to actually touch the energy field of the person being attuned. Some traditionalists maintain that any method that teaches Reiki "quickly" cannot yield as strong an effect, because there is no substitute for experience and patient mastery of the art.^[66]

Scientific research

The strongest research conducted as of 2008 has failed to demonstrate that Reiki is an effective treatment for any condition. This systematic review assessed this evidence base, finding nine studies which fit their selection criteria.^[7] A modified Jadad score of methodological quality was used, taking into account the difficulty of blinding practitioners. Non-randomized studies were excluded, as the potential for intentional or unintentional bias in such studies is large, rendering the results uninterpretable. Overall, the methodological quality of the evidence base was found wanting, with even high-ranking studies failing fully to control for placebo effects and most studies suffering "methodological flaws such as small sample size, inadequate study design and poor reporting."^[7] As trials with such flaws are known to be likely to show exaggerated treatment effects, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that reiki is effective as sole or adjuvant therapy for any medical condition, or that it has any benefits beyond possible placebo effects.^[7][8]

Safety and effectiveness

Main article: Alternative medicine#Testing of safety

Concerns about safety in Reiki are similar to those of other alternative medicines. Doctors of medicine and allied health care workers believe that patients might avoid clinically proven treatments for serious conditions in favor of unproven alternative medicines.^[67] Reiki practitioners may encourage their clients to consult a medical doctor for serious conditions, stating that Reiki can be used to complement conventional medicine.^[68] Clinical trials have not reported any significant adverse effects from the use of Reiki.^[7]

The National Council Against Health Fraud suggests that any clinical effect of Reiki may be due to suggestion (the placebo effect),^[69] and Reiki has been labelled as a "feel-good" therapy, where recipients themselves do not expect any significant healing effects.^[70] The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has banned the practice of reiki at all Catholic hospitals and health care facilities, stating that it lacks scientific credibility and has not been accepted by the scientific and medical communities as an effective therapy.^[71]

Internal controversies

With the many varied ways that have been used to teach Reiki, there have emerged points of controversy between different groups, teachers and practitioners. Controversies exist on topics such as the nature of the Reiki energy itself, fees charged for courses and treatments, training methods, secrecy of symbols, and attunement methods.^[72][73]

Following the death of Hawayo Takata, through to the mid 1990s, there were rival claims to the title of "Grandmaster" of Reiki. However, this dispute largely evaporated when it was discovered that Takata herself had created the term.^[74]

Catholic Church concerns

In March 2009, the Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a decree (Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy, 25 March 2009) halting the practice of Reiki by Catholics, including Reiki therapies used in some Catholic retreat centers and hospitals. The conclusion of the decree stated that "since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, it would be inappropriate for Catholic institutions, such as Catholic health care facilities and retreat centers, or persons representing the Church, such as Catholic chaplains, to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy."

See also

• Complementary medicine
• Energy medicine
• Kinesiotherapy
• Qi
• Reiki history, a concise Reiki history timeline
• Vibrational Medicine

Notes

1. ^ Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 ch14,pp108-110; Ellyard 2004 p79; McKenzie 1998 pp19,42,52; Lübeck 1996 p22; Boräng 1997 p57; Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p72
2. ^ ^{a b} Usui's 21 day retreat: (Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 p14); What is the History of Reiki?
3. ^ National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. "Reiki: An Introduction", nccam.nih.gov/health/reiki/. Accessed November 13, 2008.
4. ^ Institute for Complementary and Natural Medicine. "BRCP Divisions & Practises", i-c-m.org.uk. Accessed November 12, 2008.
5. ^ ^{a b} National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. An Introduction to Reiki
6. ^ Reiki flows through hands: (McKenzie 1998 p18); (Ellyard 2004 p27); (Boräng 1997 p9); (Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p33)
7. ^ ^{a b c d e} Lee, MS; MH Pittler, E Ernst (2008). "Effects of reiki in clinical practice: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials". International Journal of Clinical Practice 62: 947. doi:10.1111/j.1742-1241.2008.01729.x. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1742-1241.2008.01729.x. Retrieved on 2008-05-02. 
8. ^ ^{a b} Henderson, Mark. "Prince of Wales's guide to alternative medicine 'inaccurate'", The Times. April 17, 2008. Accessed November 13, 2008.
9. ^ Lin Yutang, 1972, Lin Yutang's Chinese-English Dictionary of Modern Usage, Chinese University of Hong Kong Press.
10. ^ Ling Yuan, 2002, The Contemporary Chinese Dictionary, Chinese-English Edition, Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.
11. ^ DeFrancis, John, 2003, ABC Chinese-English Comprehensive Dictionary, University of Hawaii Press.
12. ^ Derivation of name: (Lübeck, Petter, Rand 2001 ch 6)
13. ^ M. Spahn and W. Hadamidtzy, 1989, Japanese Character Dictionary With Compound Lookup via Any Kanji, Nichigai.
14. ^ J. H. Haig, ed. 1997, The New Nelson Japanese-English Character Dictionary, Tuttle.
15. ^ T. Watanabe, E., R. Skrzypczak, P. Snowden, 2003, Kenkyūsha's New Japanese-English Dictionary.
16. ^ Lübeck, Petter, Rand 2001 p302; McKenzie 1998 p18; Shuffrey 1998 p1
17. ^ Founding of Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai: (Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 p14)
18. ^ Practice of 5 Principles: Part of Reiki Alliance membership agreement
19. ^ The 5 Reiki Principles: Reiki Principles; (Petter 1998 p29); (Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 p95)
20. ^ Number of people taught by Usui: (Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 p16)
21. ^ Hayashi's teachings: (Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 p17,ch19)
22. ^ Hayashi trained Takata: (Ellyard 2004 p13)
23. ^ Takata's Reiki practice and teaching in the US: (Ellyard 2004 p15)
24. ^ Start of Takata's teaching of Reiki Masters: (Ellyard 2004 p15)
25. ^ (Petter 1997 p21), (Veltheim, Veltheim 1995 p26)
26. ^ Takata trained 22 Reiki Masters: (Ellyard 2004 p14), (Veltheim, Veltheim 1995 p26), (Petter 1997 p20)
27. ^ Significance of Takata in bringing Reiki out of Japan: (Ellyard 2004 pp14,16), (Veltheim, Veltheim 1995 p26)
28. ^ Reiki is inexhaustible. McKenzie 1998 p18; Boräng 1997 p9
29. ^ Reiki as universal life force energy: Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 p62; McKenzie 1998 p18; Ellyard 2004 p75; (Lübeck 1994 p13); (Boräng 1997 p8)
30. ^ McKenzie 1998 p18; Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 pp14,68; Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p30; Ellyard 2004 p27
31. ^ Anyone can be attuned to Reiki: (Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 p8); (Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p35); (Ellyard 2004 p77)
32. ^ Note: The terms attunement and "initiation" are usually used interchangeably with regard to Reiki. Occasionally there is a slight difference of emphasis implied, with attunement used when discussing the gaining of access to the Reiki energy and "initiation" when discussing the personal (or spiritual) growth aspect. Both these aspects relate to the same physical procedure.
33. ^ Access is by means of attunement: (Ellyard 2004 pp27,31); (Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 p22); (McKenzie 1998 pp18,19); (Gollagher 1998 p26); (Boräng 1997 p12)
34. ^ The 'National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (October 13 2006). "Energy Medicine: An Overview". http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/energy/energymed.htm.  "
35. ^ Stenger, Victor J. (1999). "The Physics of 'Alternative Medicine' Bioenergetic Fields". Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine 3 (1): 1501. doi:10.1126/science.134.3489.1501. PMID 14471768. http://www.sram.org/0301/bioenergetic-fields.html. Retrieved on 2008-03-30. 
36. ^ Reiki is holistic, bringing healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels: (Baginski,Sharamon 1988 p35); (Gollagher 1998 p44); (Boräng 1997 p10); (McKenzie 1998 p81)
37. ^ Recipient may be clothed: (Lübeck 1994 p48); (McKenzie 1998 p81); (Boräng 1997 pp10,36)
38. ^ Reiki activates or enhances natural healing: (McKenzie 1998 p18); (Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 pp78,93); (Gollagher 1998 p24)
39. ^ Reiki is "intelligent": (Ellyard 2004 pp28,29); (Boräng 1997 p10)
40. ^ Second level allows distance healing: (Ellyard 2004 p107); (McKenzie 1998 p56); (Lübeck 1994 p155); (Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p119)
41. ^ Use of symbols for connection during distant healing: (McKenzie 1998 p39); (Ellyard 2004 p110)
42. ^ Reiki can be sent to past or future: (McKenzie 1998 p39); (Ellyard 2004 p115); (Lübeck 1994 p155)
43. ^ Whole body treatment: (Lübeck 1994 ch4,ch5); (McKenzie 1998 p84); (Ellyard 2004 p45); (Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 ch20); (Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p79); (Petter 1997 pp50,55); (Boräng 1997 p36)
44. ^ Mental preparation by practitioner at start of treatment: (Ellyard 2004 p46)
45. ^ Minimum talking during formal treatments: (Ellyard 2004 p45)
46. ^ Duration of whole body treatment: (Ellyard 2004 p41)
47. ^ Use of intuition: (Usui,Petter 2003 p17)
48. ^ Immediate effects of treatment: (Ellyard 2004 p44)
49. ^ Frequency of treatment of others: (Ellyard 2004 p41)
50. ^ Frequency of self-treatment: (Ellyard 2004 p41)
51. ^ Treatment of injuries: (McKenzie 1998 p110); (Ellyard 2004 p70); (Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p77)
52. ^ Hand positions for specific ailments: (Usui,Petter 2003 pp49-67); (Lübeck 1994 pp173-184)
53. ^ Whole body treatment for chronic conditions: (McKenzie 1998 p108); (Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p81)
54. ^ Localized treatment following on from whole body treatment: (McKenzie 1998 p105)
55. ^ Reiki is taught in 3 levels: (McKenzie 1998 p54); (Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p117); (Petter 1997 p38)
56. ^ First degree course content: (McKenzie 1998 p54); (Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p118); (Petter 1997 p38)
57. ^ Effect of 4 attunements in 1st level: (Ellyard 2004 p37)
58. ^ Teaching of hand positions during First degree course: (Baginski, Sharamon 1988 p48), (Petter 1997 p39)
59. ^ Duration of First degree course: (Baginski, Sharamon 1988 p46), (Petter 1997 p38)
60. ^ Second degree course content: (McKenzie 1998 p56); (Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p119); (Petter 1997 p43)
61. ^ Teaching of symbols in Second Degree: (Ellyard 2004 p81)
62. ^ Effect of 2nd level attunement: (Ellyard 2004 p81)
63. ^ Healing at a distance taught during Second Degree course: (Petter 1997 p43)
64. ^ Master training: (McKenzie 1998 p58); (Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 pp120-124); (Petter 1997 pp47-49)
65. ^ Content of master training: (Ellyard 2004 ch16,ch17)
66. ^ The levels of Reiki
67. ^ Lilienfeld, Scott O. (2002). "Our Raison d’Être". The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice 1 (1). http://www.srmhp.org/0101/raison-detre.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-28. 
68. ^ Reiki does not replace conventional medicine but complements it: (McKenzie 1998 pp7,18,105)
69. ^ A skeptical assessment of reiki: National Council Against Health Fraud article.
70. ^ Some Thoughts about "CAM" Beliefs
71. ^ Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy, Committee on Doctrine, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 25 March 2009
72. ^ "Charging for Reiki Healing". Indobase. http://www.indobase.com/reiki/info-for-practioners/charging-for-reiki.html. Retrieved on 2009-02-05. 
73. ^ Ray, Barbara (1995). "The Radiance Technique, Authentic Reiki: Historical Perspectives". The Radiance Technique International Association Inc.. http://www.trtia.org/histpers.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-02. 
74. ^ "Grandmaster" dispute: (Veltheim, Veltheim 1995 p106), (Ellyard 2004 pp21,23)

References

• B.J. Baginski, S. Sharamon. Reiki: Universal Life Energy (English print: Life Rhythm, 1988), ISBN 0-940795-02-7.
• Daniel J. Benor, MD Spiritual Healing: Scientific Validation of a Healing Revolution (Vision Publications - Dec 2000) ISBN 1-886785-11-2.
• Kajsa Krishni Boräng. Reiki (Principles of) (Thorsons, 1997) ISBN 0-7225-3406-X.
• L. Ellyard. Reiki Healer: A Complete Guide to the Path and Practice of Reiki (Lotus Press, 2004) ISBN 0-940985-64-0.
• Trevor Gollagher. Reiki: a Gift from the Universe (Pub. unknown 1998).
• Mark Hosak and Walter Luebeck. Big Book of Reiki Symbols (Lotus Press, 2006) ISBN 0-914955-64-0.
• W. Luebeck. Complete Reiki Handbook (Lotus Press, 1994) ISBN 0-941524-87-6.
• W. Luebeck. Reiki: Way of the Heart (Lotus Press, 1996) ISBN 0-941524-91-4.
• W. Luebeck, F. A. Petter & W. L. Rand. Spirit of Reiki (Lotus Press, 2001, 5th print: 2004) ISBN 0-914955-67-5.
• Oliver Klatt etc. Reiki Systems of the World (Lotus Press, 2007) ISBN 0-914955-79-9.
• Eleanor McKenzie. Healing Reiki (Hamlyn, 1998) ISBN 0-600-59528-5.
• Pamela Miles. Reiki: A Comprehensive Guide( Tarcher/Penguin, 2006) ISBN 1-58542-474-9.
• Nina L. Paul PhD Reiki For Dummies( Wiley Publishing Inc, 2005) ISBN 0-7645-9907-0
• F. A. Petter. Reiki Fire (Lotus Press, 1997) ISBN 0-914955-50-0
• F. A. Petter. Reiki: The Legacy of Dr. Usui (Lotus Press, 1998) ISBN 0-914955-56-X
• F. A. Petter, T. Yamaguchi and C. Hayashi. Hayashi Reiki Manual: Traditional Japanese Healing Techniques from the Founder of the Western Reiki System (Lotus Press, 2004) ISBN 0-914955-75-6
• Dr. Barbara Ray. The 'Reiki' Factor in The Radiance Technique(R) (Radiance Associates, 1983 -current Expanded Edition (c) 1992) ISBN 0-933267-06-1
• Sandi Leir Shuffrey. Reiki: A Beginner's Guide (Headway [Hodder & Stoughton], 1998) ISBN 0-340-72081-6
• Bronwen and Frans Stiene. The Reiki Sourcebook (O Books, 2003) ISBN 1-903816-55-6
• Bronwen and Frans Stiene. The Japanese Art of Reiki (O Books, 2005) ISBN 1-905047-02-9
• Bronwen and Frans Stiene. A-Z of Reiki (O Books, 2006) ISBN 1-905047-89-4
• M. Usui and F. A. Petter. Original Reiki Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui (Lotus Press, 2003) ISBN 0-914955-57-8
• Dr. John & Esther Veltheim. Reiki: the Science, Metaphysics and Philosophy (Parama, 1995) ISBN 0-9645944-0-4
• An Introduction to Reiki National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (retrieved on 3 July 2007)
• ABC of complementary medicine Catherine Zollman and Andrew Vickers, BMJ 1999;319:693-696, 11 September 1999, (retrieved on 3 July 2007)
• BRCP Divisions and Practises Institute For Complementary Medicine (retrieved on 3 July 2007)
• Miles, P., True, G. Reiki: Review of a Biofield Therapy (Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, March/April 2003, 9(2) pp62–72).
• Human Hemoglobin Levels and Reiki (Journal of Holistic Nursing, 1989, 7(1)pp47–54)
• Wardell, D.W., Engebretson, J. Biological correlates of Reiki touch healing, (J. Advanced Nursing, 2001, 33(4): 439-445)

External links

• Introduction to Reiki at the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• The International Center for Reiki Training Many articles on Reiki and research into Reiki.
• The International House of Reiki Excerpts from Tomita Kaiji's 1933 book and many other articles.
• Council of Australian Reiki Organisations Ltd. an Australian non-profit national body with approximately 22,500 members through affiliated organisations.
• National Council Against Health Fraud article on reiki
• Reiki - Skeptic's Dictionary

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