Reiki: Where did it come from, what is it, and how does it work?

Where did it come from? 

Reiki originated in Japan and its name comes from two Japanese words. 

Rei translates to soul/spirit and Ki translates to life/spirit/energy. So Reiki as a whole word can be understood as "spiritually guided life force energy."

The story goes that a man named Usui was frustrated with the current agitation in his life. He went up to a mountain determined to find enlightenment. While he was on his journey; which included meditation, prayer, and fasting, he discovered Reiki. Some stories say he was gifted with this knowledge of working with the energy around us. 

He came back to his town and started sharing the technique with fellow students who wanted to learn this healing energy. Usui had a few students who went on to mentor others after he passed. Among these students was Dr. Hayashi who added the hand placements to the Reiki practice and instructed Hawayo Takata. Takata is credited with bringing Usui Reiki to the states. 

What is it?

I honestly don't have "the answer" for you. I can tell you that evidence only thinkers call it pseudoscience, flexible minds will tell you it is a placebo, and spiritual detectives will tell you it's simply undiscovered science. 

Some Reiki Masters call Reiki energy work. Working with the energy around us and directing it to a person, chakra, or even a situation. Others prefer to call it a spiritual practice. Reiki can be a way of being. Remembering the principles of Reiki and simply connecting with others as a conduit for Reiki energy.

Because I have felt the effects of Reiki myself, and continue to see the benefits for my clients, I am on the side that Reiki is unexplained science. There is so much that used to be thought impossible until it was proven to be true. Why can't Reiki be one of them? Instead of relying on others to tell you what is real or works, why not try it yourself? Much like trying a different form of exercise to see if it works for you - despite some swearing by the results and others proving that there is no reason this exercise works over others. Sometimes you just have to try it out for yourself.

There have been a lot of studies to show that the placebo is sometimes as effective if not more than conventional medicine or surgery. There are even studies showing the effectiveness of Reiki both in lieu of and combined with medication, massage, or therapy. Much like with most of our options in the world, I would not say Reiki is a one size fits all. I do think it is highly beneficial for everyone but if you're skeptical and not connecting with the idea of it, you may find more benefit from another form of relaxation and healing such as meditation, yoga, therapy, or massage. I personally find the best results from incorporating all of the above into my selfcare routine. 

How does it work?

Now remembering everything from above, I can't tell you how it works scientifically. But I can tell you how it works according to my experience as a Reiki Master. 

Reiki to me is like an active form of prayer. I tap in, I clear my mind, and I wait for the energy to flow through me. During a self healing session, I will feel instant calm and let messages come to me. Usually the answers I've been looking for hit me instantly in an obvious way. In a session with clients, I invite my guides and the guide team from my clients. They help lead the session in the best way for the client. As a Reiki practitioner, my job is not to heal or manipulate anything for the client. It is to be a vessel, hear the messages, go where I'm guided with the Reiki energy, and later help the client piece the experience together. 

During a session, I will either place my hands lightly on a client or hover my hands above. I feel guided through the energy on where I should direct Reiki, usually a chakra or body part. For a distance session, I will imagine all this happening in my mind. Once I tap into this meditation the rest of the session works just like an in person session. 

The hardest part of my job is explaining how Reiki works. It needs to be experienced in order to get the full picture. Much like any emotion, you can try your best to explain in words but you won't understand it for yourself until you feel it personally.

Reiki is a form of love. It helps us connect to spirit and heal ourselves and others simultaneously. There is no wrong or harm that can come from Reiki. It is always working in the highest alignment for everyone involved.