What is Reiki?
Reiki is a spiritual discipline and hands on healing art, is very gentle offering compassion and care to the receiver.
The system of Reiki is born out of the experience of the founder Mikao Usui. Born in 1865 Usui studied and travelled widely in search of healing methods used by historical spiritual leaders.
In the early 1900's, he rediscovered an ancient healing method. Through study, research and meditation, Mikao was empowered to pass on a healing system based on ancient teachings.
The word Reiki comes from two Japanese characters. Rei means ‘All-knowing or Universal wisdom’ and Ki is ‘The vital life energy which is in all things.’ Ki is called ‘Chi’ by the Chinese. Examples of other practices using the Life Force are Aikido and Tai Chi.
Reiki draws on this energy field within and all around us. This source may be described as the essence or life force behind every living thing.
A Reiki practitioner or teacher simply acts as a conduit for Reiki or universal life energy to flow. Dr Ranga Premaratna offers the following explanation of our connection to this source:
“The model system of ice and water helps to explain how Reiki works. If we think of Reiki as the water, and living beings as the pieces of ice, we can see that we are also Reiki, however, solidified to such a degree that we cannot recognize ourselves as Reiki any more. At birth, we are like ice with pores which allow the water to pass through. Infants and children are more open in their thinking and their energy centres and energy channels are more in contact with the surrounding energy field. As we grow older, we are more influenced by our environment and conditioning making us less and less aware of our inherent connection to the energy field.”
Experience a Reiki Treatment
Reiki is a form of hands-on healing. The contact is very gentle offering compassion and care to the receiver.
Reiki treats the whole person, addressing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of the person. Reiki is gentle, non-invasive, non-intrusive, non-manipulative and nurturing.
The sharing of Reiki with another does not require the recipient to undergo any special type of preparation before receiving. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Everyone remains fully clothed and in comfortable surroundings.
A Reiki treatment session is usually between one to one and one-half hours. Throughout a Reiki treatment we place our hands around the head and body of the person receiving.
Responses and effects are as varied as the people who come to receive and a person’s experience is as unique as the person receiving. Most people experience a deep level of relaxation, feeling calm and re-vitalized after a Reiki treatment. Reiki supports and nurtures, enhancing our wellbeing. This support gives us greater clarity, peace and the inner strength to help us on our life’s journey.
Receiving Reiki gives us the opportunity to return to a harmonious balance healing ourselves on all levels. Occasionally during or following a treatment a person may experience temporary physical or emotional discomfort. This can occur in either acute or chronic conditions and usually passes quickly and is simply as aspect of the healing process.
In the case of chronic and/or life challenging conditions we may recommend that a person commence with four treatments, preferably over four consecutive days, and suggest an ongoing treatment program to support their healing process.
Old and young alike, children of all ages, pregnant women, people with disabilities, well or unwell – Reiki can benefit us all.
Reiki is also a wonderful treatment for those who are in good health and who wish to maintain their wellbeing.
A deep sense of relaxation and peace often pervades during and post treatment.
When would you consider a Reiki treatment?
Are you are in pain, either physical or psychological pain?
Are you feeling ill?
Are you seeking ongoing health and wellbeing?
Are you feeling that overwhelming feeling that everything is too much?
Are you finding it difficult to create some space just for you?
Are you wishing you could look at things in a different light?
Then Reiki may assist you.
Some of the benefits of receiving Reiki can include:
relief from stress and feeling profoundly relaxed;
increased awareness, mental clarity and creativity;
relief from physical, emotional or psychological discomfort;
feeling clearer and more energised;
assistance for the body to release toxins;
assistance for the body to release unresolved emotions;
acceleration of a healing process;
balancing and harmonizing your whole being helping you to align your mind with your heart;
support to let go of old habits, thought patterns and addictions; and
Reiki can support you; opening your heart and giving you the confidence to be who you are.
Fees for a Reiki treatment:
Initial session 90 minutes $75
Following sessions 60 – 75 minutes $60
Depending on your needs, experience has shown that, where possible, four treatments over consecutive days is a very effective way to experience the benefits of receiving Reiki.
Ask about our concession price if you feel this applies to you.
Reiki Training
Reiki is simple and easy to learn, a desire to learn is the only pre-requisite.
Students learn methods to apply Reiki in their own lives. Reiki directly benefits the practitioner through daily self-treatments and the guiding principles.
People of all ages, diversity of ethnicity and backgrounds and cultures can learn Reiki.
First stage
The Japanese Oh Ku Den means ‘introduction into’. Students learn the principles and history of Reiki, basic hand positions for treatment and methods to apply Reiki in their own lives and others.
First Stage initiation requires four attunements, thereby awakening and opening the energy centers. Students learn how to share Reiki with themselves as well as others, through lots of practice under the nurturing and caring supervision of the initiating Master.
Second stage
Sho Den in Japanese means ‘going deeper into’. This initiation and further training is for persons who have completed First stage training and having actively used Reiki in their lives feel ready to deepen their relationship with Reiki.
Master initiation training
A student who has made a commitment to walk a deeper path of Reiki and cultivate greater compassion and wisdom, may choose to enter the journey of a master candidate.They must be able to demonstrate that they are living the Reiki way of life, have had years of Reiki experience,gained deeper insight and attained a level of wisdom.The timing from the beginning journey to the point of training and initiation into the master stage will vary from person to person.
Fees for Reiki Training:
First Stage $350
Second Stage $650
Reiki Jin Kei Do
The Reiki Jin Kei Do lineage was passed from Mikao Usui, Dr Chujiro Hayashi to a Japanese Zen monk, the Venerable Takeuchi. He in turn trained and initiated another Zen monk Venerable Seji Takemori, who later trained and passed on this ancient method of healing to Dr Ranga Premaratna, the present lineage bearer.
Reiki Jin Kei Do is a way of being in balance and harmony with the universal energy in one's own life.
Jin means compassion, Kei means wisdom and Do is a way or path. The Jin Kei Do lineage is a practice of Reiki with compassion and wisdom in a balanced way, integrating all three and applying them in one's life.
Studying these three aspects highlights how the qualities presented in the teachings of Reiki in this lineage apply to its practice.
Therefore as well as learning how to apply Reiki to one’s life, intrinsic to the practice of Reiki Jin Kei Do, is an emphasis on meditation and the development of compassion. These aspects in this lineage also enhance energy awareness.
As well as simple meditation methods Reiki Jin Kei Do students learn and practice purifying breaths. Reiki becomes a way of life rather than another healing method.
The only prerequisites for initiation and training in Reiki Jin Kei Do are: openness, desire to learn and commitment to life.
Usui Shiki Ryoho (Usui System of Reiki Healing)
Usui Shiki Ryoho also known as the Usui System of Healing was passed from Mikao Usui, Dr Chujiro Hayashi to Hawayo Takata. Hawayo trained and initiated 33 masters one of whom was her grand-daughter Phyllis Lei Furumoto the present lineage bearer. I
In 1932 Hawayo, a young Japanese-American, met Hayashi when illness forced her to return to Japan to seek treatment. Reiki healed her of her illnesses and as a result she stayed in Japan to train in Reiki. Takata was trained and initiated as Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki master in 1937.
In that same year and for the first time, the Usui System of Reiki Healing was taught outside of Japan by Takata's teacher, Chujiro Hayashi.
Takata is acknowledged as bringing Reiki to the west, spreading Reiki to all the Hawaiian islands through both treatments as well as classes. She also introduced Reiki to mainland USA. Hawayo committed her life to Reiki. Before her death in 1980, Mrs. Takata chose as her successor her granddaughter, Phyllis Lei Furumoto.
Phyllis has spent the last 30 years sharing her understanding of the Usui System of Reiki with students and masters throughout the world.
Phyllis’s experience has empowered her to make the following statement:
“A gift of Reiki is the feeling of being reconnected to my source of energy. Some say it is like being plugged in again. I have the sense that I knew this feeling in the past and now am fully in touch with the energy again, without effort. When I feel ‘whole’ it is easy to love myself. When I find that place in myself, it is also the part of me that is able to love each human being as a part of myself. In Reiki, you are given the gift of having your memory and your innate power reawakened.”
Reiki Testimonials
“I received Reiki before and during pregnancy. Everything went so well. My baby and I are healthy,
happy and very relaxed”.
Giselle
“Being raised in an abusive family I endured a very traumatic childhood and as a result have suffered a lifetime of post-traumatic stress. I have tried many forms of therapy however, Reiki has introduced me to a peace I have not experienced before, also a clarity of thinking and an in-depth understanding into a very confused background in a very non-confrontational and non-evasive way”.
Pam
“After Reiki with , I feel alive and energized, sometimes it feels like I have just woken up from a deep sleep. The sessions make me relax on a very deep level”.
Peter
“I first received Reiki treatments at a time when stresses in my life left me struggling with depression and anxiety. The treatments I received, twice a week initially and then weekly, had a profoundly soothing effect and assisted me to quickly move through this phase and regain my balance.”
Carolyn
Reiki and Pain Management
Reiki is gaining credibility for pain management for people requiring supportive care in chronic and life challenging illness. Therefore Reiki is growing in acceptance in health and community settings such as hospitals, hospices, corrective care, palliative care, chronic and cancer care units.
Reiki does no harm and can be safely applied in almost every instance! Whether a person is ill, in physical or psychological pain or seeking ongoing health and well-being, Reiki supports them.
Reiki addresses and opens the mind and spirit to the cause of disease and pain. Healing is defined as a state of the awareness of a state of grace and thereby promotes and accelerates the body's ability for taking responsibility for one's own life and the joys of balanced well-being.
Reiki is not aligned with any religion or belief system and is not psychic healing.
Reiki continues to be taught by masters from recognized lineages whose personal and professional lives are committed to the practice as a spiritual discipline, healing art and a way of life.
Reiki and Orthodox and Complementary Health Practices
Although Reiki treatment stands on its own as a healing practice, it is also widely used to support orthodox and complementary forms of healing.
Reiki complements other natural therapies such as acupuncture, massage, physiotherapy, reflexology, shiatsu, kinesiology, bowen therapy and other natural therapies.
Reiki works alongside western medicine and traditional chinese medicine enhancing their efficacy.
Want to Find out More?
Articles, interviews and additional information
Currently on the Reiki Australia website you can view Sharron on Sunrise tv to learn more about Reiki. ‘Dr Mehmet Oz says “Try Reiki”’ and Reiki as a healing option for mental well-being, click on:
http://www.reikiaustralia.com.au/
For downloadable papers from SolarisCare Cancer Support Centre Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Windana Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Centre, as well as articles on Reiki and Stress, Reiki as an Intervention and more click on:
http://www.reikiaustralia/ReikiResearch
For more Reiki in the media, an interview with Ian Mavor, Hopewell Hospice and several of the hospice patients interviewed on Insight SBS program ‘Last Rights’ in 2006. Reiki was highlighted in their pain management and supportive care program:
http://www.reikiaustralia/News
