Reiki

Marita Aicher-Swartz

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that is administered by gentle touch. Techniques such as this have been practiced in most cultures for thousands of years. A Japanese Buddhist monk, Dr. Mikao Usui, rediscovered the ancient practice of Reiki in the early 1900’s and it has become more available here in the U.S. since the 1970’s. It is practiced all over the world by thousands of people.

The word “Rei” as it is used in Reiki means higher knowledge or spiritual consciousness. This is the energy that comes from Spirit and it is the God-Consciousness which is all-knowing. The energy understands each person completely, knows the cause of all problems and difficulties, and knows how to heal them.

The word “Ki” which means the same as “chi” in Chinese, prana in Sanskrit, light in Christian teaching, is life energy. It is also known as a person’s vital life force. This is the non-physical energy that flows and pulses through all living things. As long as someone is alive, Ki is circulating through and around the body. It is the God-consciousness called REI that guides the life energy called KI in the practice known as Reiki. Therefore, Reiki can be defined as spiritually guided life force energy. The Reiki energy has its own higher wisdom and goes where it is needed rather than requiring the direction of the practitioner.

Reiki is a natural and holistic healing method, which allows a person to absorb more life force energy and to release stored negative energy (pain/stress). The healing energy flows in a powerful and concentrated form through the hands of the Reiki giver to revitalize one’s life force and balance the energies in the body. It usually helps healing of all kinds (physical, emotional, and spiritual) and relieves pains and acute symptoms very quickly.

Each person is born with a certain amount of Ki that gets used up as we go about our daily lives. We are able to renew our Ki with good foods, positive life-giving relationships, walks in nature, physical activity, prayer/meditation, good reading materials, etc. Worries, stress at work, fear, family troubles, negative self-talk, violence and anger are all ways that our Ki leaks from our body. When unable to make up for our energy consumption for a prolonged period or if our supply of life force energy is very low and depleted, we suffer from physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion and tend to be more irritable, bad-tempered, and ill than usual! When our Ki is balanced we have a sense of well being, we are centered, have a positive outlook, and are able to accomplish our daily tasks.

Reiki is a natural healing method, which allows a person’s body to absorb more life force energy and to release stored negative energy (pain/stress). The healing energy flows in a powerful and concentrated form through the hands of the Reiki giver to revitalize your life force and balance the energies in your body. It usually helps healing of all kinds and can relieve pain and acute symptoms very quickly. It also has a positive influence on spiritual growth.

Here at IHC, a Reiki treatment is given for various reasons: for support in recovering from illness, for pain therapy, emotional release, and for on-going spiritual growth and personal development. Other people have a treatment for pure relaxation and the enjoyment of some personal quiet time. A treatment lasts from 60 – 90 minutes and we suggest the client wears comfortable clothing in order to be as relaxed as possible.

- Marita Aicher-Swartz, Reiki Master Teacher/Practitioner

Some resources for further information:

• Ellis, Richard. Practical Reiki
• Honervogt, Tanmaya. The Power of Reiki
• McKenzie, Eleanor. Healing Reiki
• Rand, William Lee. Reiki, The Healing Touch
• Lubeck, Walter; Petter, Frank Arjava; Rand, William Lee. The Spirit of Reiki
• The International Center for Reiki Training

Note: See our Calendar for available Reiki classes.

(This article is from our 4th Qtr 2005 Newsletter)

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