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Reiki Frequently Asked Questions

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Can children learn Reiki ?

Is it safe for pregnant woman ?

What is a Reiki attunement?

Is Reiki a religion or any other belief system?

Does one have to stop seeing a regular doctor or psychologist in order to receive a Reiki treatment?

Can I treat myself ?

I have heard that Reiki can be sent to others at a distance, How does this work?

How many levels are there to the Reiki training ?

Can Reiki be used on any illness ?

What does a Reiki treatment consist of ?

What will I feel or experience during a treatment ?

Can Reiki be used on animals ?

I feel better, can I stop using  medications ?

Are there any side effects from a Reiki treatment?

Can it be used to help groups of people or even global crises?

Can a person make a living from Reiki?

Can one become Licensed to practice and teach Reiki?

Can nurses or massage therapists get certificate for taking Reiki classes?

What is lineage ?

How do I find a Reiki teacher that is right for me?

What is Reiki ?

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."
A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.
An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.
Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.
While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.
While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.

Reiki is a comprehensive therapy that addresses the body, mind and spirit, going beyond the symptoms to treat the root of the disease. It helps us maintain balance in our own health and that of others. Reiki does not harm anyone as it adjusts naturally to the individual's needs, It can be used at any time, any place and in any situation. Even distant healing is possible. It is simple, safe, non-intrusive as no aids, diagnosis or medicines as required.

How does Reiki Work ?

We are alive because life force is flowing through us. Life force flows within the physical body though pathways called chakras, meridians and nadis. It also flows around us in a field of energy called the aura. Life force nourishes the organs and cells of the body, supporting them in their vital functions. When this flow of life force is disrupted, it causes diminished function in one or more of the organs and tissues of the physical body.
A Reiki healing treatment is simple to perform. The practitioner is taught hand positions in which they place his/her hands above the person's energy centers, with the intent that healing occur, the energy then begins flowing, accelerating the bodies own natural healing ability. The energy has an intelligence of its own and knows where the healing energy has to go and what is needed. It never does any harm. The Reiki practitioner is a channel for the healing energy.
The life force is responsive to thoughts and feelings. It becomes disrupted when we accept, either consciously or unconsciously, negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves. These negative thoughts and feelings attach themselves to the energy field and cause a disruption in the flow of life force. This diminishes the vital function of the organs and cells of the physical body.
Reiki heals by flowing through the affected parts of the energy field and charging them with positive energy. It raises the vibratory level of the energy field in and around the physical body where the negative thoughts and feelings are attached. This causes the negative energy to break apart and fall away. In so doing, Reiki clears, straightens and heals the energy pathways, thus allowing the life force to flow in a healthy and natural way.

Reiki Energy

The word Reiki is composed of two Japanese words - Rei and Ki. Rei can be defined as the Higher Intelligence that guides the creation and functioning of the universe. Rei is a subtle wisdom that permeates everything, both animate and inanimate. This subtle wisdom guides the evolution of all creation ranging from the unfolding of galaxies to the development of life. On a human level, it is available to help us in times of need and to act as a source of guidance in our lives.  Ki is the non-physical energy that animates all living things. Ki is flowing in everything that is alive including plants, animals and humans. When a person's Ki is high, they will feel strong, confident, and ready to enjoy life and take on it's challenges. When it is low, they will feel weak and are more likely to get sick. We receive Ki from the air we breath, from food, sunshine, and from sleep. It is also possible to increase our Ki by using breathing exercises and meditation. When a person dies, their Ki leaves the physical body. Ki is also the Chi of China, the prana of India, the Ti or Ki of the Hawaiians, and has also been called odic force, orgone, bioplasma and life force. Thus Reiki can be defined as a non-physical healing energy made up of life force energy that is guided by the Higher Intelligence, or spiritually guided life force energy.

An important attribute of Ki is that it responds to ones thoughts and feelings. Ki will flow more strongly or be weakened in its action depending on the quality of ones thoughts and feelings. It is our negative thoughts and feelings that are the main cause of restriction in the flow of Ki. All negative or dis-harmonious thoughts or feelings will cause a disruption in the flow of Ki. The negative thoughts are not just in the brain, but also collect in various locations through-out the body and in the aura. If the negative thoughts and feelings are not eliminated quickly, illness results.

The great value of Reiki is that because it is guided by the Higher Intelligence, it knows exactly where to go and how to respond to restrictions in the flow of Ki. It can work directly in the unconscious parts of the mind/body which contain negative. As Reiki flows through a sick or unhealthy area, it breaks up and washes away any negative thoughts or feelings lodged in the unconscious mind/body thus allowing a normal healthy flow of Ki to resume. As this happens, the unhealthy physical organs and tissues become properly nourished with Ki and begin functioning in a balanced healthy way thus replacing illness with health.

Where does Reiki energy come from?

Reiki energy is a subtle energy. It is different than electricity or chemical energy or other kinds of physical energy. Reiki energy comes from the Higher Power, which exists on a higher dimension than the physical world we are familiar with. However, the true source of Reiki energy is within ourselves. This does not mean that we use our personal energy when we do Reiki, but that the energy is coming from a transitional part of ourselves that is connected to an infinite supply of healing energy.

How is a Reiki Treatment given ?

In a standard treatment Reiki energy flows from the practitioners hands into the client. The client is usually laying on a massage table but treatments can also be given while the client is seated or even standing. The client remains fully clothed. The practitioner places her/his hands on or near the clients body in a series of hand positions. These include positions around the head and shoulders, the stomach, and feet. Other, more specific positions may be used based on the clients needs. Each position is held for three to ten minutes depending on how much Reiki the client needs at each position. The whole treatment usually lasts between 45 and 90 minutes.

Who can be treated with Reiki ?

Reiki has a positive affect on all forms of illness and negative conditions. This includes minor things like head or stomach aches, colds, flu, tension and anxiety as well as serious illness like heart disease, cancer, leukemia, etc. The side effects of regular medical treatments have also been reduced or eliminated. This includes the negative effects of chemotherapy, post operative pain and depression as well as improving the healing rate and reducing the time needed to stay in the hospital.

Who can Learn Reiki ?

Reiki does not depend on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone.

Reiki is a very simple technique to learn and is not dependent on one having any prior experience with healing, meditation or any other kind of training.. The reason it is so easy to learn that it is not taught in the usual way something is taught. The ability to do Reiki is simply transferred from the teacher to the student through a process called an attunement that takes place during a Reiki class. As soon as one receives an attunement, they have the ability to do Reiki and after that whenever one places their hands on themselves or on another person with the intention of doing Reiki, the healing energy will automatically begin flowing. Any individual can learn irrespective of his educational qualification.

Learning Reiki

Reiki is not taught in the way other healing techniques are taught. It is transferred to the student by the Reiki Master during an attunement process. This process opens the crown, heart, and palm chakras and creates a special link between the student and the Reiki source.

The Reiki attunement is a powerful spiritual experience. The attunement energies are channeled into the student through the Reiki Master. The process is guided by the Rei or God-consciousness and makes adjustments in the process depending on the needs of each student. The attunement is also attended by Reiki guides and other spiritual beings who help implement the process. Many report having mystical experiences involving personal messages, healings, visions, and past life experiences.

The attunement can also increase psychic sensitivity. Students often report experiences involving: opening of the third eye, increased intuitive awareness, and other psychic abilities after receiving a Reiki attunement.

Once you have received a Reiki attunement, you will have Reiki for the remainder of your life. It does not wear off and you can never lose it. While one attunement is all you need for each level to be attuned to that level, additional attunements bring benefit. Experimentation has found that additional attunements of the same level add to the value of that level. These benefits include refinement of the Reiki energy one is channeling, increased strength of the energy, healing of personal problems, clarity of mind, increased psychic sensitivity, and a raised level of consciousness.

The Reiki attunement can start a cleansing process that affects the physical body as well as the mind and emotions. Toxins that have been stored in the body may be released along with feelings and thought patterns that are no longer useful. Therefore, a process of purification prior to the attunement is recommended to improve the benefit one receives. See below for specific instructions on preparing for an attunement.

How long does it take to learn Reiki?

A beginning Reiki class is taught on a weekend. The class can be one or two days long. We recommend that the minimum time necessary be at least six to seven hours. Along with the attunement, it is necessary that the student be shown how to give treatments and also to practice giving treatments in class.

Can children learn Reiki ?

Yes, Reiki can be taught to anyone. I recommend that a child be old enough to understand what Reiki is and that the child request to receive Reiki.

Is it safe for pregnant woman and babies?

Since Reiki is guided by the Higher Power, the Reiki energy will know the condition of the client or student and adjust appropriately. Reiki can only do good. Many pregnant women have received treatments with great benefit to them and their unborn child. It has also been used during child birth. Pregnant women have also taken the Reiki training and received the Reiki attunement with beneficial results.

Babies love Reiki. It is very healthy for them. Do not worry about it being too strong. Reiki automatically adjusts to what the baby needs.

What is a Reiki attunement?

A Reiki attunement is the process by which a person receives the ability to give Reiki treatments. The attunement is administered by the Reiki Master during the Reiki class. The attunement energies will flow through the Reiki Master and into the student. During the attunement, some students feel warmth in the hands, others may see colors or have visions of spiritual beings. However, it is not necessary to have an inner experience for the attunement to have worked. Most simply feel more relaxed.

Is Reiki a religion or any other belief system?

Although Reiki energy is spiritual in nature, Reiki is not a religion. Practitioners are not asked to change any religious or spiritual beliefs they may have. They are free to continue believing anything they choose and are encouraged to make their own decisions concerning the nature of their religious practices.

Does one have to stop seeing a regular doctor or psychologist in order to receive a Reiki treatment?

No. Reiki works in conjunction with regular medical or psychological treatment. If one has a medical or psychological condition, it is recommended that one see a licensed health care professional in addition to receiving Reiki treatments. Reiki energy works in harmony with all other forms of healing, including drugs, surgery, psychological care or any other method of alternative care and will improve the results.

Can I treat myself ?

Yes, once you have received the attunement, you can treat yourself as well as others. This is one of the unique features of Reiki.

I have heard that Reiki can be sent to others at a distance, How does this work?

Yes, in Reiki level II, you are given three Reiki symbols. These symbols are empowered by the Reiki II attunement. One of these symbols is for distant healing. By using a picture of the person you would like to send Reiki to or by writing the person’s name on a piece of paper or simply by thinking of the person and also activating the distant symbol, you can send Reiki to them no matter where they are. They could be hundreds of miles away, but it makes no difference. The Reiki energy will go to them and treat them. You can also send Reiki to crisis situations or world leaders and the Reiki energy will help them too.

How many levels are there to the Reiki training ?
Reiki taught by our Center, there are four levels. These include one, two, three (Advanced) and Master.
Can Reiki be used on any illness ?

Yes, Reiki can be used on any illness but this does not mean everyone will be healed using Reiki. Reiki will help restore the balance in the body and can relieve or even remove symptoms. Reiki has successfully been used on conditions such as reducing stress, relieving pain, headaches, stomach upsets, back problems, asthma - respiratory problems, PMT, menstrual problems, sinus, anxiety and many many more. Remember that you as an individual have to have the firm intention of getting well before any real healing can take place.

What does a Reiki treatment consist of ?

You relax, fully dressed, on a couch or seated while the healer holds his hands on or above you. A treatment can last an hour or longer depending on the treatment required. In the western world many practitioners use the standard hand positions and commonly a full treatment is given covering all the important organs of the body.
There is no pressure on the body making it ideal for treating all ages and conditions, sometimes hands are even held away from the body.

What will I feel or experience during a treatment ?

It differs from person to person and possibly also between different sessions. The energy flows wherever it is required (spiritually guided) and can normally be felt as a warm sensation or tingling in the body. Receiving Reiki is a very relaxing and soothing experience!
Usually when receiving Reiki you will feel very relaxed and you may have a "floating" feeling. You may feel heat, a tingling or cold under the practitioners hands. These and other feelings come from what the Reiki energy is actually doing in and around your body i.e. adding energy, removing excess energy, balancing, removing blockages etc. It is also possible that you experience different emotions or thoughts you had forgotten might pop up. If they do you are probably supposed to learn something and release them. Some people receive insights on how to solve problems.
Remember that all healing starts a process of release, this could be emotions or even toxins in your body that you need to get rid of. You might initially even feel worse than before but this is soon passing. You can help your body by drinking lots of water.

Can Reiki be used on animals ?

Reiki works just as well with animals. Horses, cats, dogs, birds and other animals have been given Reiki with good results. Many pets want to be in the same room if you are giving or receiving Reiki. Reiki energies can be sent to animals or one can actually put the hands on the body of the animal.

You can even use Reiki on flowers, seeds, trees etc. (If one holds seeds in one hand and gives Reiki to the seeds they will grow better when planted.)

I feel better, can I stop using  medications ?

No! Reiki should never be seen as a substitute for medical care. Reiki is a complementary therapy that can help your healing process and in many cases improve both your physical and mental health. Many doctors do not believe in alternative therapies and are very skeptical about their patients use of alternatives. You stop or reduce medication only after consultation with your doctor.

Remember, Reiki cannot hurt you!

Are there any side effects from a Reiki treatment?

Most of the time a person will feel relaxed and uplifted by a Reiki treatment. However, sometimes a person will have what is called a healing crisis. As a person’s vibration goes up, toxins that have been stored in the body will be released to be filtered by the liver and kidneys and removed from the system. When this happens, sometimes a person can get a headache or stomach ache or feel weak. If this happens, it is a good idea to drink more water, eat lighter meals and get more rest. The body is cleansing as part of the healing process so this is a good sign.

Can it be used to help groups of people or even global crises?

Yes, this is one of the wonderful benefits of Reiki and is why it is such a wonderful technique for the new millennium. It allows individuals and groups to do something positive about the challenging situations we see on the news involving so many people all over the planet. Reiki can be used to reduce suffering and help people any where in the world.

Can a person make a living from Reiki?

Yes, if you put your heart into it, you can develop a Reiki practice combined with teaching classes that can bring a regular income. This is a very fulfilling way to earn a living. like any other assignment this one also require Sincere approach, dedication and hard work

Can one become Licensed to practice and teach Reiki?

There are no governmental licensing programs at this time. However, our Center does have a licensing program for Reiki teachers/ practitioners.

Can nurses or massage therapists get certificate for taking Reiki classes?
Classes taught by our Center Licensed Reiki teachers are approved to give certificate to nurses, massage therapists and athletic trainers.
What is lineage ?
Reiki is a technique that is passed on from teacher to student over and over. If one has Reiki, then she/he will be part of a secession of teachers leading back to the founder of the system of Reiki one is practicing. In the case of Usui Reiki, the lineage would lead back to Dr. Usui.
How do I find a Reiki teacher that is right for me?

Reiki teachers or Masters advertise in many magazines , new age bookstores and through internet . Once you find a Reiki teacher or practitioner you are interested in receiving training or a treatment from, it is a good idea to ask them some important questions.

Here are a few tips that will give you additional information to make a choice.

  • How long have you been working with Reiki?

  • What training have you had?

  • How often do you teach?

  • How do you personally use Reiki?

  • What is your lineage?

  • What do you cover in your classes?

  • How many hours of class time is included?

  • How much time is instructional, and how much is hands on practice?

  • What are the specific things I will be able to do after taking the training?

  •  What are your fees, and will I get a certificate and a manual?

  •  Can I take notes?

  •  How many symbols will I learn?

  •  Is there a Reiki support group in my area or can you help me establish one?

  •  Will the master openly support me in being a successful Reiki practitioner or Master?

Be aware of how you feel about their answers and if they are responding in a positive manner that is supportive and empowering. Listen to your heart and you will be guided to the right teacher or practitioner.