What is Reiki?The word "Reiki" simply means spiritual energy. It is also used to describe the system of healing which utilizes this energy, The Reiki System of Natural Healing. It is a Japanese hands-on touch therapy technique, which was brought to the United States in the 1930’s.There is Reiki in all things in the Universe, in all of us and in all creation. We all have access to that energy and its supply is unlimited. When you have a Reiki session, you are sharing Reiki with an experienced Master and deepening your connection to Self and the Universe. When you learn to practice Reiki yourself, you study how to utilize its teachings and philosophy to bring harmony and balance into your life, and to strengthen your overall health.Reiki is not massage in that there is no pressure applied during a session. Work is usually performed directly on the body, although I can also work above or away from the body, while still within my client's energy field.During a session, I am working intuitively to follow the guidance I receive in terms of what my client may need in that particular session. It is also the practitioner’s responsibility to create a nurturing and open environment, allowing the client to experience relaxation and connection.Uses of Reiki
From a Japanese perspective, Reiki facilitates enlightenment – the personal practice of the system is the goal unto itself. In the West, the focus is on the connection to the energy having beneficial effects on mind, body and spirit. In the East, there is truly no division – we are one creature, one being and all facets must be in balance for true health and harmony to exist. The two approaches complement one another very well. Some of the benefits and uses of Reiki may include:
~ Supporting the body’s natural healing processes
~ Energizing your mind, body and spirit to address daily concerns
~ Facilitating emotional stability and growth
~ Using Reiki with Affirmations, which generate positive thought forms that work with Reiki to support your desired goal
~ Detoxification of physical and emotional toxins
~ Overall stress reduction
~ Strengthening one's commitment to Self-Care and Awareness through regular practice
Reiki is being used more and more in medical settings, to assist with patients during surgery, in hospices and with family members. There are some studies that seem to support that patients are calmer before operations, have fewer side effects and experience faster recovery times. There are currently three large NIH studies regarding energy work that are ongoing.Reiki also complements other alternative treatments very well, including acupuncture, hypnotherapy, chiropractic, and aromatherapy, as well as astrology and Tarot readings, and conventional psychotherapy and counseling.Reiki is an alternative and complementary form of medicine and should not be used as a substitute for conventional medicine. Always consult with your personal physician for any health questions or concerns you might have. No claims are made for diagnoses or healing of disease. History of Reiki
Mikao Usui, a Tendai Buddhist lay monk, discovered Reiki on a spiritual retreat on Mt. Kurama near Kyoto, Japan, in 1922. He soon founded a school nearby, emphasizing the strengthening of one’s connection to the Reiki energy, meditation, mantras and chanting, and the Reiki Principles – all were tools to create a practice for personal growth and finding the path to one's True Self. This practice required commitment, inner work and depth – though he had over 2000 students, only 20 were advanced to the Master level. Master Usui passed away from a stroke in 1926.One of Master Usui’s students, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, codified and founded the Reiki System of Natural Healing, creating the hand positions and emphasizing health and healing. The story of Reiki began to change.In 1935, Mrs. Hawayo Takata, a resident of the US territory of Hawaii, traveled to Japan seeking healing for a wide variety of illnesses, including uterine tumors, abdominal pains and emphysema. Though it was unheard of that an outsider receive Reiki, Dr. Hayashi began to work with her daily, and after four months, she was completely cured. Mrs. Takata studied with Dr. Hayashi for over a year, then brought the Reiki System of Natural Healing to the West. She created a Western version of Reiki, changing its tenets and teachings to make it more accessible to Westerners and the Japanese / Buddhist aspects and origins were de-emphasized. And so two branches of Reiki were now in existence. Mrs. Takata also did not train many Master level practitioners, and when she passed away in 1980, this branching out continued, creating different systems and approaches. Many in the West grew more curious about the original teachings of Master Usui and returned to Japan to seek them out. More information has come to light since ~2004 regarding Master Usui himself, his school, the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, and how the teachings are regarded and utilized today. The system and teachings of Reiki can be confusing – it has gone through many changes in a very short period of time. Yet it continues to not only thrive, but easily lends itself to reinterpretation. But I believe it is important to know its roots and origins. I have sought out the most in-depth, factual and grounded of teachers in order that I might bring the highest quality information and guidance to my clients and students.Web site designed & hosted by Claire M. Schwartz © 2009-2011 at Homestead™
Miriam's Well Healing LLC
Claire M. Schwartz
Morristown, New Jersey
917-202-0475
