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The History of Reiki Healing
Learn the Origins of the Reiki Healing Profession
Find Reiki Schools | Reiki Healing Training and Careers Guide
| | In Chinese, the word "rei" literally means a mysterious atmosphere or spiritual power, and "ki" means life force, mood, energy or spirit. Together they are loosely translated as "universal life-force energy." This describes Reiki, or the healing art made popular by a Japanese Buddhist devotee named Dr. Makao Usui in the 1920s after a 21-day retreat on Mount Kurama. There he meditated to gain knowledge and had a visionary experience that he considered a healing art. |
Dr. Usui also adopted five ethical principles that became known as the Reiki Principles, or "Goka." According to Dr. Usui, by practicing these principles, which he taught, one could embark on the path toward self healing:
- The secret method of inviting good fortune into your life
- The method of using Reiki as a marvelous medicine for all sickness
- The practice of sitting in the Gassho position (hands held palm-to-palm) and speaking the Reiki healing method words out loud in your heart, every morning and night
- The method of focusing and challenging your energy of the present day on the following thoughts:
- Do not be angry.
- Do not worry.
- Be grateful.
- Work with integrity.
- Be kind to others.
Defining Reiki Treatment and Belief Systems
Reiki is not a religion, but a healing philosophy, and although some consider it able to help the body heal itself, many consider it to be a "feel-good" therapy that encourages relaxation.
Reiki treatments involve the placement of the hand on or over the body in particular positions to adjust the "Chi" or life energy in the body. Twelve to 20 hand positions are used, either touching or just above the body for three to five minutes each, and the complete treatment takes from 45 to 90 minutes. Those who are treated say they feel warmth or tingling in the regions of treatment, with treatments being repeated every one to four weeks.
The idea is that when the body's energy is properly flowing and aligned, as in acupuncture and some types of massage, the body can heal itself from many ailments, as well as from the stress and anxiety that cause imbalances in health and wellness. The higher levels of training focus on treatments from a distance, with a belief that the Reiki Masters can send energy to those who are being treated.
The Growth of the Reiki Profession
Usui's 2,000 students spread the word of Reiki throughout Japan, Asia and the US, and sixteen of them reached the Reiki Master level, and those teachers spread the teachings to other generations of Reiki students.
Currently in the US, there are three basic levels of Reiki training:
- The first level usually takes a few days of training to learn the tenets and the basic treatments.
- The second level involves the use of symbols. For instance, "Sei He Ki" (translated as "man and God uniting") is a symbol used for emotional healing. At this level, the Reiki Master also "attunes" the student to empower the use of Reiki treatments from a distance.
- The third level, or master level, means that the graduate can teach other students.
Integrating Reiki into Your Professional Practice
Many Reiki treatment practitioners combine Reiki with other treatments, such as massage, acupuncture, nutritional counseling and holistic medicine. In combination with these other treatments, a Reiki career healer can earn a salary ranging from $20,000 per year up to $70,000 and above, depending on the location, competition in the field and Reiki training and experience you have, according to The International Center for Reiki Training.
Once you have your Reiki certification, which can take from one day for the basic Reiki school training, to one year for Reiki master level, you can use the skill to build your holistic health business. With the preeminence of health concerns in our society, more people will be looking for ways to supplement their good health, wellness and relaxation, and Reiki can be one factor in a successful holistic health career.
Sources:
Holistic Online, 1998-2007
The History of Reiki, 1996-2005
The International Center for Reiki Training, 2008
Indeed.com, 2008
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