W h a t I s R e i k i ?
Mikao Usui, founder of Usui Reiki ~
"Reiki is love, Love is wholeness, Wholeness is balance, Balance is well being, Well being is freedom from disease"
~ Dr Mikao Usui
Often we here about Reiki and the Chakras and you might be a regular receiver of Reiki or simply intrigued into how Reiki might be able to support you. If this is the case then welcome and please enjoy!
Reiki derives from a Japanese technique founded by Mikao Usui, in the early 20th century, a Japanese Buddhist to help reduce stress and promote relaxation and healing and way of life, a reminder that we are all connected.
The word “Reiki” is derived of two words :
Rei (Ray)– Universal Life energy/ spiritual wisdom
Ki (Kee)– Vital life energy (known as prana, chi, or life force).
Thus together Reiki means “spiritually guided life force energy”.
The healing is through a practitioner who either places hands on you (Reiki is a fully clothed treatment FYI) or just above your energy points/ Chakras and you either lay on your back or on your front… whichever way is more comfortable for you.
When we talk about the life force energy we are talking about that energy within our body that flows through us. If this energy is low or stagnate it can lead to blockages that make us ill, feel sick, or stressed thus we are unable to perform at optimum levels and be our higher selves full of vitality and energy.
Each treatment/ session is unique for the person receiving the healing as we all receive differently and have different blockages that affect us differently making the treatment unique. Some will feel a glowing feeling running throughout their body, some may feel pressure, and you may become overwhelmed with emotions or simply nothing at all which doesn’t mean it’s not working just that we receive differently.
It’s also important to note that each session is never the same, as we are working with what is currently going on in the body and the person receiving is going through in their energetic field. It’s simply about being open to receiving and not forcing anything, trusting the body knows what to do and even if you fall asleep during the session that’s okay, you are still receiving and that’s what you needed during the time.
Reiki works as a holistic approach….healing and treating the body as a whole e.g. mind, body, and spirit that can help our emotions, our sense of peace, security, and wellbeing. It’s a way of supporting ourselves and others, connecting back to our inner world and having tools to support ourselves by grounding and calming ourselves.
It also promotes a way of living that creates harmony with others and this can be a daily reminder from the Five Principles of Reiki: a way of living consciously, a reminder we are connected to something much bigger than ourselves.
A mantra if you will, in the way to live, in a chaotic and unnerving world where it is easy to feel lost and overwhelmed, these principles can be your guiding light and anchor.
My personal favourite is: I will be kind to every living being …
This is the reminder that we are all connected - the seen and the unseen, that we are all made of energy no matter what form, that we should treat everything with kindness as it has a ripple effect onto the world. The more we spread kindness the more it can help elevate the collective, bringing an awareness to how we move in the world.
The 5 reiki principles, and how to incorporate them into your life
1. Just for today, I will not worry
2. Just for today, I will not be angry
3. Just for today, I will be grateful
4. Just for today, I will do my work honestly
5. Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing
Perhaps you can ask yourself which principle you are connecting with for the day and at the end of the day write out how your day turned out and how you were able to embody that principle.
Reiki is a magical thing and the connection between yourself and the universe only grows and we can see and find the magic in every day life and know we are part of something bigger than ourselves.
I know from my own experience and journey with Reiki, I have found myself calmer and more present and patient for others, I am not all “love and light” I have raw and BIG emotions that my face does not hide (perhaps thanks to my Aries placements) but when I am consistent with my daily practice I notice the difference on remaining more patient and calm not only with others but also myself and I am grateful for the journey it has taken me on.
If you are interested in a Reiki session I offer 1:1 sessions and training for Level 1 and Level 2 Reiki and happy to answer any questions you might have!
With love and resonance,
Assunta x
The Five Principles of Reiki
The Five Principles of Reiki serve as daily reminder of how we can try move more consciously in the world, to support us living in the moment and here and now.