The Reiki Path

REIKI HISTORY

The word Reiki is a combination of two Japanese kanji, Rei and Ki, meaning "Spiritual Energy" or "Universal Life Force Energy".

The system of Reiki (pronounced ray kee) was developed in Japan by Mikao Usui in the early 1900s. It was originally intended as a spiritual path, a means of achieving satori or enlightenment, and grew out of Usui's practice of Tendai Buddhism, Shintoism, Shugendo and the Martial Arts.

Although teate/tenohira or palm-healing has always been a part of many different religions, it was not a significant part of Usui's original teachings, which revolved around the gokai or precepts, meditation, mantras and reiju, the spiritual blessing which later became what we know as attunement in the west.

Chujiro Hayashi, a student of Usui's who was a medical doctor, began studying with Usui in 1925 (the year before Usui's death) and used Reiki in treating his own patients. Given his knowledge of anatomy and physiology, he stressed the use of palm-healing and this became part of his teaching of the system of Reiki.

In 1936, Mrs. Hawayo Takata became a student of Dr. Hayashi's and in 1937 set up her own Reiki practice in Hawaii and eventually began teaching the system of Reiki to others.

TRADITIONAL JAPANESE REIKI

Traditional Japanese Reiki works with Earth Ki, Heavenly Ki and Heart Ki.

Earth Ki originates in the hara which is located just below and behind the navel and is the main energy centre in our body. It is what keeps us feeling safe, strong and grounded.

Heavenly Ki is associated with the head and is responsible for our intuitiveness and sense of spirituality.

Heart Ki is available to us as that perfect balance of feeling grounded and able to access that which is outside of ourselves, beyond ourselves, - a blend of Earth Ki and Heavenly Ki.

WESTERN REIKI

Mrs Takata, who brought the system of Reiki to Hawaii from Japan, is thought to have worked with the hara system as well.

With the popularity of New Age practices rising in the 1980s, after Mrs. Takata's death, the chakra system became a much more popular way of understanding the energy within and around us and it continues to be a popular part of Reiki teaching in the west.

HOW REIKI WORKS

When we practice Reiki, whether on ourselves or someone else, we are drawing on the Universal Life Force that exists within and around each one of us to promote physical, emotional and spiritual health and wellbeing for ourselves. In doing so, we facilitate healing for everyone and everything around us.

For example, if you are:

*Feeling stressed, overwhelmed by the day-to-day demands of life
*Experiencing symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, muscular aches and pains
*Using food and/or other substances to cope
*Just looking for a way to relax and restore balance to your life

Reiki can help!

Reiki can also be used in conjunction with other therapies, i.e. medical and psychological, to enhance the benefits and results that these modalities provide. It has been shown to help manage side effects of medications and other treatments and to provide comfort to terminally ill patients.

Reiki is not intended to replace any other treatment you may be receiving.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A REIKI TREATMENT

During a Reiki treatment, you remain fully clothed and can either be seated in a chair or laying down on a massage table. The Reiki Practitioner rests his or hands gently on or above specific areas of your body and energy is drawn into your energy field and physical body, assisting your body in re-balancing its own energy and healing capacity.

During a Reiki treatment, you may feel any number of sensations such as warmth, tingling, or coolness. You will most likely feel deeply relaxed and peaceful and you may even fall asleep. You may begin to feel emotional. You may not feel much of anything. All are completely normal and you can rest assured that whatever you feel is what you are meant to feel at that moment and trust that Reiki is working for your highest and greatest good.

REIKI AS A SPIRITUAL PATH

The system of Reiki offers so much more than hands-on healing. Through daily meditation practices and self-treatment, Reiki offers us a way of being in the world, a way of being one with all that is.

....where the focus is on empowering you as you journey to physical, emotional and spiritual health and wellbeing by offering:

*Information about the system of Reiki and how it can help you.

*Reiki Treatments, both distant and in person (for you and your pets), that will provide you with a profound sense of relaxation and balance.

*A forum to facilitate and deepen your exploration as you connect with and learn from others interested in and practising the system of Reiki.

*The Reiki Path Blog a place to share thoughts, hopes, dreams, fears questions (and maybe the occasional rant!) from our journey along The Reiki Path.

Whatever it is that you may need as you seek to reconnect with the healing energy that exists within and around each of us - to become that great bright light - you will find it at The Reiki Path.

Find out more at http://www.thereikipath.ca or call 416-655-8007.