Reiki is a way of being….

I’ve been practicing Reiki intentionally for almost ten years.

Before I was initiated through Level 1 + 2 attunements, I had been practicing Reiki unconsciously and unintentionally.

Reiki is a healing practice that works to harmonize the flow of energy inside the body. It is a way to attune to the unseen realm, create space within, and change one's electric charge to express light and compassion.

Before sharing my experience with Reiki, I will briefly overview energy based on my research and experience practicing and teaching yoga.

Energy is a necessity of life that had to be acquired….
The survival of life depended on the acquisition of needed energy sources of whatever forms were available.
— From Truth vs. Falsehood by David R. Hawkins.

Energy invigorates the body. This unseen force fuels appetite, sleep, physical and mental discipline, emotional rhythms, and spiritual sustenance.

When energy is high, stamina and strength are abundant.

The point of yoga, such as Hatha or Kundalini, is to increase the energetic capacity within the physical body. The postures, breathing, meditations, songs, and gestures are performed to attune one's physiology to sustain and contain energy.

The energy we develop during the exercises is not expended but retained and stored within us.
Consequently, we are not fatigued, but rather greatly refreshed by these exercises.
— From Yoga & Destiny by Elisabeth Haich, Selvarajan Yesudian.

After a yoga class, I feel motivated and buoyant. I am filled with energy to spend on the physical and mental activities that sustain my daily life.

I have spent over a decade researching, studying, and practicing working with energy.

Before my initiation with Reiki, I was unattuned to the rhythms of my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. My energy was sporatic. I was ignorant of the simple and subtle ways to refine how I spent my energy, especially with whom and where.

The spiritual energy shifts brain dominance to a more benign system processing by which stress hormones are replaced by endorphins and levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters.
— From Truth vs. Falsehood by David R. Hawkins.

Reiki was given to me to establish stronger, energetic boundaries.

It is a healing modality and technique to assist those suffering.

It is a way to live in harmony inside oneself and adjust to one’s inner and outer environment by listening and sensing the unseen rhythms and patterns with one ear low to the ground.

Reiki is a way of being….

About Reiki

Reiki is an ancient practice that originated in Japan. It is a healing modality to alleviate pain, disease, and stagnancy by making one aware of the energy body.

The practice and application of Reiki create an opportunity for flow and space within the individual. Appreciating this art highlights how energy moves, is consumed, spent, and exploited when one has not established boundaries.

In Japanese, Reiki translates as 'universal life force.' It is similar to the concept of Qi, Prana, and Nishat.

Reiki was pioneered by Mikao Usui in Japan and formerly introduced to America by Hawayo Takata Sensei in 1937. - Source.

Mikao Usui was raised as a Buddhist and incorporated Buddhist teachings, TCM, martial arts, and psychology into his lifestyle.

4 Reiki Principles

Practice is the only way to attain an experience of Reiki, though

Healing
Development
Discipline
Order

5 Reiki Precepts

Mikao created the following precepts as the secret to sustained happiness and a long, healthy life:

Just for today, I will not be angry.
Just for today, I will not worry.
Just for today, I will be grateful.
Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.

The Reiki Symbols

Three sacred symbols I’ve presented were given to me in the Usui Reiki practice in Levels 1 + 2.

The symbols are ways to activate a specific energy when performed with intention.

The symbols may be drawn by hand on paper as a practice. You can use your hands to create the symbol when doing Reiki on yourself or with another person. You may also visualize the symbol with light during a session.

Cho Ku Rei

The power symbol, Cho Ku Rei, translates as “Placing all the powers of the universe here.”

It represents the flow of Qi. The spiral expresses the movement of energy, and when activated, it aids the practitioner in working with energy. You may use the symbols on yourself or another person.

This is the symbol that I am most familiar with in my personal practice.

Sei He Ki

The mental/emotional healing symbol, Sei He Ki, translates as “God and man become one.”

It provides purification and protection, balances the brain's right and left hemispheres, and unites conscious and unconscious minds.

Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

The distance healing symbol translates as “Without past, present, or future.”

You may use this symbol when you are not doing distant healing to work with any of the following: transcends space and time, heals past events by refining one’s perspective, and sends healing intent into the future to achieve spiritual growth.

Reiki also includes hand positions to encourage the flow and balance of energy. The hand positions vary slightly depending on the lineage and teacher.

Conclusion

Reiki is a way of being. It’s a lens through which you can deepen your relationships with yourself and others. It’s a method to acknowledge your sensitivity, refine your awareness, connect to your intuitive body, and bring more light within.

Reiki Practice

Here are a few of my recommendations to start working with your energetic body:

Breathe deep
Focus on the inhale to inspire and elevate your energy
Focus on the exhale to create stability and clear your energy
Take a moment to assess how you feel at the beginning and end of your day
Meditate - sit in silence for a few minutes daily
Write, draw, paint, and dance what you feel during your meditation - give your sensation a language
Visualize light, color, or sound moving in and out of your body as you breathe and move
Notice the sensations (temperature, texture) moving through you as you meditate or move
Attribute a theme or word to what arises - use symbols to express what you feel
Record the energetic fluctuations you experience daily to see where you spend your energy.

Thank you for reading! Feel free to share your questions or experiences in the comments.