What is Reiki???

Reiki (pronounced Ray-key in America) is an energy healing system from Japan, which can be used to clear energy blockages and relax the body promoting wellness.  Some hospitals employ Reiki professionals to help with their patient’s recovery.  There are four levels with Reiki I being the body, Reiki II the mind, Reiki III the spirit and the Reiki Master which is training beyond all these as well as learning to train and impart the healing power to others. 

This energy/spirit based tool uses the universal life force.  Practitioners who are initiated into the work use this power, not their own power.  The body work from Reiki I is also used in other healing methods which are usually procedurized such as Healing Touch and Healing Hands.  These are taught to nurses and other health care professionals and may or may not use the universal power source.

Reiki originally  came to United States in the 50's by Hawayo Takata.  Think what life was like in the 50's coming off the war with Japan with housewives still wearing dresses to clean the home.   In order for the healing style to be accepted Reiki was Americanized, made quiet Christian where some of its roots stem back to Tibetan healing.   It lost lots of it basic powers; so many new schools of study were formed with each master who discovered additional powers.  So here in the states we have about 13 schools or systems of American Reiki some refer to this as Western Reiki.

In the 90's Frank Petter and his new Japanese wife honeymooned on Japan.  They went the originator’s, Dr. Usui's, tomb.  Part of the headstone said the principles for a happy life which each Reiki student learns through their education process.  It also said for more information to go into the village where the couple found Usui's granddaughter who held all of the doctor’s notes.  She introduced them to the Japanese Reiki School where they learned the American systems was very different than the original Reiki.  It took some convincing, but they received permission to learn the original Reiki and to translate the doctor’s notes.  We have this couple's perseverance to thank in bringing the original work back to America. 

Often Reiki is described as a hands-off therapy.  This is not true; the original Reiki includes hands on tasks including rocking, pummeling and rubbing.  The treatment is done fully clothed and depending on the level and skill of your practitioner can be done in the office or remotely over thousands of miles.

Some clients will feel energy changes immediately, some get dizzy or have a natural high, others just feel more at peace and yet others feel nothing but notice their life seems to run a bit better after a session.  Doctor Usui's work is targeted towards improving all different types of illness from bed wetting to allergies and chronic illness.  While it can help your broken bones mend faster or help your body recover from surgery better it is not designed to set a bone or replace the need for surgery.  

Just ask your friends if they ever heard of Reiki and you will find there are many out there who practice various forms at various prices.  One warning is there is a possibility for some teachers/practitioners to pass on bad energy instead of the universal life source.  I often wonder if that is why some of the American systems are said to be not that powerful.  Not all systems are the same and as I advise in all energy healing systems, trust your gut.  If you are not feeling good about the healer, do not work with them. Every Reiki practitioner is taught ‘a Japanese system from Usui’.  You can ask who brought this Reiki from Japan to American since we are all taught our lineage and if Frank Petter is the answer, you have a practitioner trained in the traditional Japanese Reiki.

At Bender Healing we have the Japanese Reiki and the Egyptian Reiki. Clients have found both to be extremely beneficial and relaxing.  Currently science still has not proven Reiki to be effective and part of it is said because they do not know how to test the effectiveness, some say there is only a placebo effect, which could be what science can measure.   Ultimately only you can see if it works for you.

Linda Bender is a metaphysical doctor trained as a medical intuitive. She uses over 20 life coaching and touch therapy techniques from Reiki to personal training to help you reduce stress and pain so your body invokes its natural healing ability. She is at on Church Street in Phoenixville. See www.BenderHealing.com or call 800-706-1354 for more information.