What is Reiki Healing? A Beginner's Guide to theAncient Art of Energy Healing
Do you feel overwhelmed by stress? Sometimes when there is too much work pressure and nothing seems to ease your stress. The pressure on the mind makes your body tense as well. What if we tell you there is a way to get that well-deserved relaxation? Developed in Japan over a century ago, Reiki is a gentle, hands-on energy healing technique. It is a gentle touch energy healing practice that helps people relax and decreases stress and anxiety.
Reiki practitioners use their hands to transfer energy to your body. It was right after the breakout of the global epidemic of COVID-19 that people finally realized the value of Reiki healing. Reiki energy healing became very popular as it was the need of that stressful and anxious era. People were scared and people were dying. The survivors were lucky at that time but this pandemic affected the mental health of the entire world.
After the onset of COVID-19, distant Reiki energy healing has become very popular. Everyone at some point needed healing. When nothing seemed to work, reiki came as a savior.
It is based on the belief that every one of us possesses an invisible "life force energy" that runs through our bodies. Life force energy can be considered as a vital spark that has its value in every culture. It is universal because it is found in all living things, including humans and plants. We cannot see this energy as it is invisible and even with the help of scientific instruments, we cannot detect it. Life force energy is essential for life and the overall well-being of the living. Although there is no agreement in the scientific community regarding life force energy, a significant number of people believe that it moves through pathways within the body, such as the meridians in traditional Chinese medicine.
The flow of energy is thought to be affected by blockages or abnormalities, which could contribute to the development of illness. Meditation, yoga, and acupuncture aim to balance and enhance this energy flow. According to a 2008 National Institute of Health (NIH) survey, 161,000 children and 1.2 million adults in the US had undergone energy healing treatments like Reiki the year before.
Roots of Reiki
So, the origin of Reiki goes back to the early 20th century, when a former Christian preacher and spiritual seeker named Mikao Usui founded Reiki. He committed himself to re-discovering this ancient medical practice by following a profoundly life-changing encounter.
The fundamental idea of Reiki is Ki, also known as Chi, which is the vital life force and is said to exist in all living things. You can think of Ki as a river that flows freely and in balance; this promotes general well-being. Blockages or imbalances in the life force energy (Ki), however, might show up as mental or physical illnesses.
Reiki practitioners believe that imbalances can be corrected by accessing universal life force energy. They work on these five straightforward ethical practices for their professional and personal lives:
1. Just for today, focus on not being angry.
2. Just for today, try not to worry about anything.
3. Just for today, be grateful for what you have.
4. Just for today, be honest with your work.
5. Just for today, show kindness to people.
Reiki: More Than Just Relaxation?
Reiki practitioners channel universal life force energy instead of using physical pressure to manipulate muscles as a massage therapist might. The in-person therapy session is held in a serene setting with soothing music or ambient noises. You can comfortably lie down on a massage table or sit in a chair while wearing comfortable clothes only. Then, the practitioners lightly rest their hands just above particular body spots that correlate to energy centers, or chakras, which are said to be entry portals for the flow of Ki.
Reiki not only benefits your physical health but it is also considered a complimentary method of treatment that can enhance your mental and emotional well-being as well. That is why it is more than just a means to relax at the end of the day.
Conclusion
Stress, worry, and physical discomfort can have a negative impact on our well-being in this fast-paced world of today. Reiki provides a peaceful and all-encompassing solution to these exact problems. Reiki helps people sleep better and have a calmer mind because it encourages relaxation and possibly lowers stress hormones. This will allow your body and mind to fully recover. A study revealed that college students who had six 30-minute Reiki sessions reported better stress, mood, and sleep than the control group—especially those with higher levels of anxiety and despair.
Intrigued by the possibility of Reiki enhancing your well-being?
Veena Manchanda is a certified Reiki practitioner passionate about helping others discover the power of this ancient practice. She can guide you through a Distant Reiki healing session, creating a serene environment conducive to relaxation and stress reduction.
