You may not know it by looking at them, but your hands have the power to heal. Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing that deals with physical illness through specific, hands-on touch techniques. It can be used on other people, in a group and on yourself.
Although it is not recommended as a replacement for traditional medical treatment, ongoing Reiki healing can help people with a wide variety of illness, disease and injury. It is also used by many as a preventative measure, ensuring that their clean bill of health does in fact stay clean.
What Exactly Is Reiki?
There are several different Reiki paths, but they all stem from the same teachings and the same general practice of energy healing. Reiki is the healing exchange of energy between two or more people, or between different parts of one’s own body during solitary practice.
Sessions feature light placement of a healer’s hands on the receiving person, but sometimes hands are kept just above a person’s body. The difference depends on the person’s comfort level with gentle contact.
How Can Reiki Help You?
From simple bouts of the common cold to more serious long-term illnesses, Reiki offers a universal healing power to anyone who is accepting of it.
Even if you aren’t sick, Reiki provides plenty of benefits, many of which aren’t limited to the body. Mental clarity, emotional calm and spiritual connectedness are frequently experienced by regular practitioners.
How Do You Start?
Begin by practicing on yourself when you are alone at home; self-healing is very similar to meditation practice and eases you into a relaxed state. Follow the steps for a basic introduction to Reiki healing:
1. Place yourself into a meditative state.
If you aren’t familiar with meditation, begin by drawing your attention to your breath. Breathe in for five seconds, hold for five and exhale for five seconds.
Try this at least 10 times. Focus on keeping your mind still and letting thoughts and worries fade away.
2. Take in a healing breath.
Take one more deep breath, visualizing the healing power of the earth rising from the ground all the way up into your body. Clasp your hands over your mouth and release a powerful exhalation into your palms.
This is largely symbolic of channeling your own healing power through universal connectedness.
3. Perform your self-treatment.
Place your hands on the parts of your body that need healing from illness and injury or stress and fatigue. Hold your hands over each body part for five minutes. This may seem like a long time at first, but you will begin to feel a warm sensation as the energy is transferred from your hands into other parts of your body.
Close your eyes, and visualize a warm white light gently soothing your pain or discomfort. Keep your mind quiet and continue your deep breathing. If you don’t feel any particular pain or stress in your body, start by placing your hands on the top of your head and slowly work your way down your body.
Don’t focus too much of healing each part of yourself and let your hands go where they want.
4. Bring yourself back.
After about 30 minutes, begin to draw yourself back into the present. Finish your self-healing session with a deep breath and a large exhale; if you feel the need, verbalize it with a long “Ahhh…”
Clap your hands as if you are shaking off sand. Do this on each side of your body to rid yourself of the negative energy you may have picked up from the distressed parts of your body; you can also snap your fingers quickly. (This is also typically done throughout your healing session when you feel the need.)
As you continue practicing Reiki you will become more and more in tune with your body.
Keep It Up
Keep treating yourself with Reiki, even if your condition improves. Continue healing yourself and holding your hands on your body for longer stretches of time. You will be amazed at how your new heightened awareness of your physical self can help to keep you healthy.
Practicing Reiki as a professional healer requires certification and training. If you find yourself being called to further your experiences with energy healing, seek out local Reiki healers in your area. If you can’t find anyone online, check around at alternative bookstores, medicine boutiques or spiritual centers near you for recommendations on how to move forward.
Connecting with Reiki circles (groups of three or more people participating in energy exchange) will also introduce you to like-minded people.