Reiki is a form of spiritual practice used as a complementary therapy for the treatment of physical, emotional and mental diseases.
Practitioners use a technique similar to the laying on of hands, which will channel healing energy. The method can be used for self-treatment as well as treatment of others.
Reiki teachings state that there is a universal “life force” spiritual energy which can be accessed by practitioners to induce a healing effect. It is claimed that anyone can gain access to this energy by means of an process carried out by a Reiki Master.
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.
A second level of training, including another initiation, is said to equip the practitioner to perform Reiki treatments from a distance.This method, it is stated, involves the use of special to form a temporary connection between the practitioner and the recipient, regardless of location, and then to send the Reiki energy. Techniques are also taught whereby Reiki can be sent to a specific point in time, either in the past or the future.
Whole body treatment
In a typical whole-body Reiki treatment, 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, which is usually carried out without any unnecessary talking.
The treatment proceeds with the practitioner placing his hands on the recipient in various positions. However, some practitioners 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.
Some practitioners use a fixed set of hand positions. Others use their intuition to guide them as to where treatment is needed, 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.
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.
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. 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.
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, 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. However, other practitioners prefer to use the whole body treatment for all chronic conditions, on the grounds that it has a more holistic effect. Another approach is to give a whole body treatment first, followed by a localized treatment.
Self treatment
A Reiki practitioner can treat himself or herself with any of the methods described above.
In this case, the practitioner is also the recipient.
Group treatment
A group treatment involves two or more Reiki practitioners treating the same recipient, simultaneously.This is said to have a significantly stronger effect than treatment from a single practitioner.
Treatment of animals and plants
Animals and plants are usually treated for shorter periods than humans. The duration of treatment, and number of hand positions used, depends on factors such as the size of the recipient and the severity of the condition being addressed. In the absence of disease, some practitioners enjoy giving Reiki to animals or plants, as a loving interaction.
