Reiki - A technique for Stress Reduction and Healing

Reiki,a Japanese technique for stress reduction and for healing purposes introduced in Canada and US in 1970s by Mrs.Hawayo Takata. Reiki is made up of two Japanese words,"Rei" means God's wisdom "ki" means "life force energy. So Reiki means "Spiritually guided life force energy" a technique based upon the idea of unseen life force energy flows through us.Reiki was founded by Dr Mikao Unsi,a Japanese Buddhist in 1870s. He experienced a profound spiritual enlightenment after a 21 days period of fasting and meditation. He began to deliver this technique to other people as well and opened his teaching clinic in Japan.

Reiki treats the whole person with his physical and spiritual problems. It is a lying on hands healing technique to balance subtle energies within the body. During the treatment patient is laid down on massage table dressed in loose garments. Atmosphere during session is kept relaxing using dimmed lights with complete silence or with light music. Reiki master places his hands on different parts of body for 2-5 minutes. Energy flows through the palms of his hands to the recipient's body. During session It is not necessary to touch the patient body. Some reiki masters hover their palms few inches above the body. Energy flow to the effected part is automatic regardless of hands position and sequence of hands placements.

Unlike other techniques it is not learned but is transferred from reiki master to his students during class. It is taught in three levels,level 1 & 2 in one day class. Level 3,more intensive,longer involves a ritual(Attunement) and learning of placing hands for treatment. Attunement is the initiation to open up crown,heart and palm chakras to allow "Rei" energies to flow through. The time period for its training can be varied. This technique is not difficult to learn as it does not depend upon intellectual capacity of a person. No specific belief or intellectual capacity is required to learn it. An important reason for its unique way of learning is to avoid its misuse by people for illicit purposes so it is transferred to student not learned through written material to keep its spiritual nature sacred.

There are also some myths and misconceptions about this technique. First one is that it is a related to religion or any dogma or belief. No it is not true,as it is purely spiritual in nature and promotes spiritual growth of person. Second misconception is that after treating a patient the energy level of reiki master get lowered. It is again wrong as "rei" energies are infinite and can not run out. If somebody feels tired after treating a patient it is because of his or her own internal weakness not because of reiki treatment. Thirdly it is considered a massage therapy as it is also used in massage therapies but it is not true as well. As discussed earlier it is energy based technique not involving bones and tissues. Another misunderstanding is about the process of attunement that it will open the doors of spiritual world and a person will be able to find solution about all spiritual problems. It is not so as well though reiki promotes spiritual growth but assuming it the way to spiritual world would be an exaggeration.