WellSpring Practice Guides

Reiki
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Reiki is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life (Rei) Energy (Ki). It is a spiritual healing discipline and has its roots in ancient Buddhist teachings. The founder of Reiki, Dr Mikao Usui, spent many years seeking the knowledge of healing and found information on Reiki in Sanskrit texts. He received information on Reiki through a vision when meditating on a Japanese mountain.

Reiki is the vital life energy which flows through all living things and which can be activated for the purpose of healing. Reiki practitioners believe that everyone has the ability to connect to their own healing energy and use it for the purposes of strengthening the Ki (or life energy) of others.

The Reiki therapist channels the Ki through his or her hands to the recipient, activating the body’s natural ability to heal itself. When a person’s Ki is strong and flowing freely, the body and mind are in a positive state of health. However, the vital energy may become weak or blocked, and this may lead to symptoms on a physical or emotional level.

A Reiki practitioner will have received ‘attunements’ to open their healing channels. The guidelines for the practise of Reiki are concerned with ethics and behaviour and include living in harmony with others, taking responsibility for one’s own health and happiness, helping others, and being positive about all things.