Reiki for Dummies!

This info is worthwhile, so I’m sharing…Enjoy!

Reiki For Dummies

From Reiki For Dummies by Nina L. Paul, PhD

Reiki is a spiritual practice of healing. You can delve into the components of the system and the levels of training, as well as the traditional and non-traditional sacred symbols used in Reiki practice.

What Is Reiki?

The Reiki system of healing uses universal life force energy. Reiki originated in Japan, although one of the two branches is called Western Reiki. Both forms include the same basic features, including those in the following list:

  • Safe: No one can do any harm with the Reiki energy.

  • Intelligent: The energy knows where to go and what to do to help you.

  • Natural: No other tools or instruments are needed besides the Reiki practitioner, who channels the Reiki energy through his hands.

  • Gentle: The practitioner places her hands softly on the body or just above the body. Practitioners don’t use massage or manipulation.

  • Simple to learn: You can learn Reiki in three classes: first degree, second degree, and third degree (Master level) classes.

  • Lifelong: After you are attuned to the Reiki energy by studying one of the three degrees of Reiki, you have the ability to channel Reiki for life.

  • Compatible with all religions or belief systems: You can receive or practice Reiki no matter what your religion. People of all faiths use Reiki as a system for relaxation and healing.

Components of the Reiki Healing System

Reiki contains five central elements that the practitioner uses to prepare to channel Reiki energy and heal themselves and others. Go through this list when preparing to give or receive Reiki:

  • Attunements (initiations): Within a context of Reiki training, you are put “in tune” with the Reiki energy so that you have the life-long ability to channel the energy.

  • Hand positions: Use a set of positions to know where to place your hands during a Reiki session.

    • Self-Reiki hand positions: Use these positions to treat yourself with Reiki.

    • Treating others hand positions: Use these positions to treat other people with Reiki.

  • Meditation and focusing: Connect with the source of Reiki universal energy and concentrate the Reiki healing energy within yourself.

  • Symbols: Use the Reiki symbols and the sound of their name as a mantra to connect with Reiki energy.

  • Reiki Principles: The five principles of Reiki are used as the basis of a daily meditation practice.

The Three Levels of Reiki Training

Reiki is easy to learn, with only three levels of training to reach the level of Master. The following list decribes the three levels of Reiki training. Keep these in mind when training or when looking for a Reiki practitioner:

  • 1st degree: Also called Reiki I or Shoden in Japanese. This is entry-level Reiki training where you study Reiki history, learn how to perform self-Reiki, and how to give Reiki to someone else, and are initiated (attuned) for life to the Reiki energy.

  • 2nd degree: Also called Reiki II or Okuden in Japanese. You learn how to use the first three Reiki symbols and how to perform distant Reiki techniques. You receive further attunements to the Reiki energy. After this class, you are considered a Reiki practitioner.

  • 3rd degree: Also called Reiki III or Shinpiden in Japanese. This is the Master Teacher level of Reiki, and the class may be separated into two parts. You receive the Master Reiki attunement and learn the Master Reiki symbol and how to give the Reiki attunements to others.

Sacred Reiki Symbols

The sacred Reiki symbols can help clarify your personal meditation and may also help you channel the healing energy Reiki is all about. The sacred Reiki symbols and the realms they affect are shown in the following list:

image0.jpg

Non-traditional Reiki Symbols

Some of the symbols Reiki practitioners use do not directly derive from Mikao Usui’s original teachings. If you want to delve further into their use, find a Reiki teacher who can initiate (give attunements) to the non-traditional Reiki symbols in the following list:

image0.jpg