In a word

What it is Reiki is a Japanese word meaning “Universal Life Energy”, made up of two syllables: Rei, the energy that permeates the entire universe and Ki, the life energy of all living creatures. Reiki is a method of natural healing whereby energy is transmitted through the hands, laid on or close to the body, in order to rebalance energy and restore physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing. What Reiki means for us can be summed up in the expression “DOING AND NOT DOING”; in other words, it means both doing (that is, being willing to transmit energy by laying your hands on your own or someone else’s body) and not doing, in other words knowing when to stand aside and be guided by the intelligent and harmonious energy of Reiki which flows naturally into the areas that need it most. The Reiki experience is precisely that of discovering, treatment after treatment, how this energy makes its own way without the need for mental concentration. It is essentially intuitive, an experience of inner listening, of profound relaxation, that sets off a healing process involving the entire being.

The benefits Reiki therapy, that is the mere placing of hands on or close to the body, induces a state of relaxation and wellbeing, helps to release blocked energy, stimulates natural healing processes, enhances energy retrieval, reduces stress and anxiety and improves the quality of sleep. From a psychological and emotional aspect, it rebalances and transforms altered emotional states into a sense of peace and wellbeing that enhances relations with oneself and others. In spiritual terms, it develops and boosts the empathetic aspect of compassion, the ability to listen and to be responsible for oneself and one’s health. Reiki can be also practised as self-treatment (self-help), stimulating the capacity for proprioception and strengthening awareness of yourself and your capacities.

If you want to know more about how to learn it click here.

FURTHER INFORMATION: The history of Reiki The principles