What is Reiki, part one

Simply and forwardly translated, reiki means light energy. Ki- Qi- energy, Rei- Light.

What is it to recieve a reiki treatment?

Reiki is known to be, as taught by Dr. Usui from Japan, all that is around us, the simple breath upholding life, a hand held, a smile, a kind word. All these things comprise the essence of Reiki. You can learn reiki for yourself— to treat yourself and bring about more fastidious healing. Truth is, from my point of view, we heal individually and collectively in different ways. I always remind whomever I am treating  the reiki treatment is also beneficial for me. I am glad to treat others with this modality of bringing balance, harmony and expeditious wellness to the whole system.

It is a non-manipulative form of hands-on work. So, comparatively, with massage as modality which is hyper-awesome for lymph nodes (clearing them) and tension in muscular networks as well as breaking up old neuronal patterns in the body on a Fascial level (as a teacher called it recently, one's skin suit), Reiki as modality is much more subtle.  I can't tell you how many people I meet in my life who do not or cannot prioritize massage as a doctor's medicine. Either it is far too intimate or it is too much to ask for help in this regard. Or the idea… "I don't know, I should be able to work out the kinks for myself by myself…" Truth is, in my point of view again, this is a narrow scope, when the body comes to a receptive place, when the body allows one to recieve benefit facilitated by another, the return is enormous, unfathomable even. 

Reiki is even more subtle or elusive in my own mind to that of 'more' traditional types of massage. I love thai massage, as well as, other strategies (breath work, posture work) for bringing relief and blood flow and equanimity, simultaneous.

For something less tangible like Reiki often brings more question to the fore. I recommend it highly for the restless, for the wounded, for those who believe they cannot be healed. Some say you have to understand Reiki to allow it to work, or you must believe it works in order for its subterraneanous contingency to be relevant to those being  served. 

I feel this is unnecessary because even though I have been practicing Reiki for five plus years on myself and others, I still find it mysterious and elusive. Yes, I have built up a sense of trust to the process. Yes, I realize it is as intimate as massage, and/or even the simplicity of holding a dear one’s hand, but it is our society that has imbued touch with taboo and sensuality. There is nothing sensual about reiki. Although it may be  close physically in proximity to another sentient being, I cannot stress enough, what a person or practitioner looks to heal is personal and unique, our stories may converge here and there, an interaction that threads our suffering to a unanimous voice of woe and compassion. But I do pray, that nothing will barr you from recieving healing supplements such as bodywork or Reiki. No, the East cannot miraculously bring wellness to the emergent medical care systems of the 21st century, but it can be most complementary and often
I find what Western medicine can't solve,  eastern modalities, refreshingly, make up for in spades.

Reiki Precepts

           Kyo dake wa | For today only
                   Ikaru na | Do not get angry
           Shinpai suna | Do not worry
           Kansha shite | Express gratitude, be humble
    Gyo wo hage me | Be honest in your work, work with diligence on meditation and spiritual development
 Hito ni shinsetsu ni | Be compassionate to yourself and others
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