Reiki is a Japanese art of healing, which has its origin in ancient Indian knowledge. It has become popular in the West as well as in the East in the last couple of decades. After an in-depth study of the subject, Dr. Mikao Usui of Japan invoked his own energy centers through strenuous meditation and fasting regimes, thus developing it as an art. He has made an intensive research on the writings of the disciples of Gautam Buddha.
It 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.
It’s a very easy, divine natural healing system without any side effects. It involves flow of powerful positive energies through the touch of hands on the problem areas of the body. It has done wonders and has treated lay person as well as highly-qualified doctors. It has become so popular that many people have opted to learn this simple technique of healing for their benefit. And the best part of Reiki is that anybody can learn it in a very short period of time and heal his/her own self and others.
In its original form, Reiki was a path to enlightenment, and this spiritual aspect has never really left Reiki, though it is usually presented as a treatment technique. So for many people, Reiki helps to fill that ‘spiritual void’, and also helps to find the true life purpose. It makes oneself feel more connected spiritually no matter what the religious beliefs might be. And because Reiki is not attached to any religion, it is not attached to any belief system.
Reiki helps one to feel calmer, content, and serene. It helps one feel more positive, better able to cope, and not so affected by stressful people and situations. So people might come for a treatment with everything from depression to a pain in their big toe. And they all go away feeling calmer and content.
Reiki does not mean overnight transformation. It usually means something is experienced, which can make oneself feel lighter and peaceful. It gives one a sense of clarity and helps detach from all the clutter that surrounds people’s lives nowadays. Concentration power increases, bringing more focus on the things that are really important. In simpler language, it’s a “kick start” that gears the tyres of life and helps to make the necessary alterations required.
Various hospitals in India, like Apollo, use Reiki widely. Reiki Healing Foundation, the world’s largest non-profit institute of Holistic Sciences, Delhi, has created wonders. People have experienced a life transforming sessions, which have revolutionized their inner selves.
Reiki and Spa
Although Reiki is a spiritual practice, it is also considered to be an alternative therapy. Reiki treatment in spa centers is gaining wide popularity. It is becoming a premier choice of the customers along with massage therapies in spas. Reiki treats the whole body, mind, spirit and emotions while invoking the feelings of wellbeing, peace and security on the flip side.
Reiki sessions generally start with an individual lying down fully clothed, with relaxing music in the background. The Reiki practitioner gently rests their hands in a series of positions, from the crown of the head to the feet. He holds the position for several minutes, then moves to the next position. A good Reiki session is deeply relaxing, calming and balancing. Also, the practitioner’s own energy blockages are cleared during a session. Within a few minutes of the therapy, people experience stress relief, pain relief, deep relaxation, balanced chakras, and an enhanced ability of body to heal.
After a Reiki session of 40- 60 minutes, one finds it easy let go of tensions, anxiety, fear or other negative feelings. Individuals at the end of the session have generally reported a feeling of freshness, positivity, and calmness. The ‘big three’ sensations that are generally felt after receiving Reiki are bottomless relaxation, heat from the practitioner’s hands, and colour in the air. Reiki is paired with the treatments like skin-calming facials where people pay to de-stress their mind, body and soul. Such relaxing therapies have left people asleep completely.
A lot of heat is experienced from the practitioner’s hands. Another common experience is visualization of colors in the air with the closed eyelids. It is quite common to see colors like blue, lilac, violet and purple.
In addition to stress-reduction, many other profound effects may unfold over time if one continues with this practice. Reiki starts from a point in the body, where imbalance begins. All superficial symptoms disappear and the body’s healing capacity gets enhanced.
Reiki from a practitioner’s view
Generally, Reiki practitioners feel a tingling sensation in their fingers after the session. A kind of heat is augmented which raises the energy flow in the body. Some people experience only the tingling sensation, while some experience both. Tingling isn’t so much like pins and needles, but more of a fine ‘fizzing’ in the hands. There is a whole range of different feelings like throbbing, pulsing, heaviness, magnetic feelings, coolness, or even a breeze blowing under the hand.
Giving a Reiki treatment is an exquisite experience. Particularly if there’s a lot of energy coming through, one can really ‘merge’ with the energy. It gives a complete sense of meditation that can take anybody in the different world of purity. And because one’s energy does not get drained, the practitioner does not even feel exhausted after the session.
Overall, it’s a lovely experience and should be tried by all!
Dr. N. K. Sharma
The author is a Spiritual Mentor and Founder of Reiki Healing Foundation (RHF), world’s largest organization in the field of Reiki Healing & Mystic Sciences. This is world’s largest non-profitable institute of Holistic Sciences and also the first ISO 9001: 2008 certified Reiki Organization. He can be reached at [email protected]
