I tend not to blog about Reiki because it is so simple. That simplicity fools me into thinking there is not much to write about, but maybe that is where its value lies...
Reiki is a spiritual healing technique that was discovered by Mikao Usui in pre-war Japan. Reiki healers draw on Rei (divine intelligence) and Ki (life force energy) bringing that energy through their Crown and Heart Chakras, down their arms and out their palms. Once we are attuned to Reiki, it switches on whenever we need it - "Hands On, Reiki On" - we don't even have to think about it!
Giving yourself or someone else Reiki is so simple that it is sometimes (sadly) mocked by energy healers that have invested a great deal of time learning complex healing modalities (like the one that I also studied and practice) but I have to say that the simplicity comes in handy when you're in a pinch. Just this week, I have been saved by Reiki twice!
Scenario 1: Stressed Out Pets
I had been dreading our yearly trip to the veterinarian for 11 months, three weeks and six days, ever since my two-year old Yorkie lost it at her last check-up: clawing, growling and biting with heart beating a million miles a minute. Let's say this dog and needles are not friends. We can't even walk past the vet, let alone go into the building. Then came the day when her vaccines were due and this time, I decided to fill my pockets with crystals to see if she would chill out. I also carried her all the way there, giving her Reiki on the way and again when we were in the vet's office. She did snap at me once or twice but it was nothing like the nightmare we had last year.
The cool thing about Reiki you don't have to think about what you are doing while you are channeling Reiki, so you can hold onto a squirming and scared dog without having to put yourself in a meditative state!
Scenario 2: Reiki In Traffic
If you have ever been to Mexico City, you'll know that traffic jams become an Olympic sport when rain is involved. Last week we had a downpour and what would've, could've, or should've been a 20 minute drive turned into THREE LONG HOURS. For a while I had been wanting to focus on healing my "lower chakras" and I did just that, Reiki-ing my Root Chakra for an hour, my Sacral for another, and my Solar Plexus the rest of the way home. The funny thing is that by the time I got out of the car, I was in the best of moods. Reiki has always felt like a burst of sunshine, cheering up my day.
The other fantastic thing about Reiki is that being so easy to teach, children pick it up very quickly. Once a child has been attuned to Reiki they have it for life, and they can use the "Hands On, Reiki On" concept to calm their nerves through their stomach, or to fall asleep peacefully by placing their hands over their hearts. At that age we tend to be curious and adventuresome, which helps the process immensely.
Want to Know More?
To practice Reiki we have to sign up for class and be "attuned" to the energy by a teacher, which is just a fancy way of saying that the Reiki Teacher activates the pathways in our Crown, Heart and Hand Chakras so that we can give ourselves and others healing. The attunement itself only takes a few minutes although the class is a full day. Once you have been attuned, I would suggest following up with Penelope Quest's book, Reiki for Life. The amount of information given in Reiki courses can vary and this book is an excellent resource for all Reiki levels (even for Teachers...)
With time we can also get creative with our Reiki uses. Follow the link to read a funny blog post of mine: Invisibility Spells & Magick {Click Here}; I had fun with this one!