Reiki – In Search of Deeper Meaning….

What is it?
Reiki is one of the most versatile, natural holistic healing methods still in use today because of its emphasis on balancing both the mind, body and spirit. It was originally developed in Japan in the early 1900s by Mikao Usui also known as Usui Sensei to his students. He was born on August 15th 1865 near Nagoya, Japan and always had a keen interest in learning, working hard at his studies. As he grew older, he traveled to Europe and China to further his education where his curriculum included medicine, psychology and religion. He took on a variety of job roles throughout his career where the depth and breadth of his experiences inspired him to direct his attention toward discovering the purpose of life.
I think so many of us are in search of greater meaning in relation to the purpose of life, I know I was. It’s a journey I’m still on. It fascinates me, the deeper aspects of life and the human condition, this planet that we’ve chosen to call home, our place in this world and the universe. The fact that so much of what we experience, in its simplest form, is based on energy, frequency and vibration. Usui understood this and also wanted to discover more, to be attuned or connected to a power greater than himself; a pure, universal, loving energy….the energy of creation.

And so he went on a journey to seek this out, in pursuit of deeper meaning, understanding, awareness and connection. I think so many of us have that yearning within us, to find balance, to embrace deeper self-love and acceptance for ourselves and each other, to discover what it truly is to be human, to uncover that which is hidden and face the truth so we don’t have to suffer so much or live in pain, to give ourselves permission to listen to our heart, to be guided by it and to understand why we are here on this planet. This and so many other questions have been answered along the way as I continue to walk this path as a ‘spiritual seeker’. It is a path of light that I walk and I don’t walk it alone - this and many other gifts have come from my connection to Reiki. It doesn’t mean that I haven’t travelled in darkness many, many times in my life experiencing countless dark nights of the soul that threatened to destroy my very existence but I know today, that light has always been there even when I couldn’t see it; it is always there.
I honestly felt like I couldn’t ‘see’ before, the world felt as though it was in black or grey. I was searching for that rainbow, to see life in colour, to really feel alive and just be myself! It has taken years of deep healing, dedication and commitment to reach this point and of course, this is still a work in progress, but for so long now, life = freedom/liberation.  And Reiki has been the cornerstone and catalyst for this transformation.
When I think about the word Reiki, pronounced ‘ray key’, its made up of two Japanese words; Rei which means "universe" and Ki which is "spirit energy or life force". So we can think of Reiki as "spiritually guided life force energy." A connection to this energy is what allows me to see life in colour, to embrace life, to choose life, to feel more comfortable in my own skin, at home and safe in my body no matter where I am in the world, to know what deep peace is and become more of who I truly am at the core of my being. And if I do find myself going off track, because hello it happens!!!, its great to have the awareness and tools to make the necessary changes so I can feel connected once again.
What I know to be true is that when the flow of your "Life Force Energy" is disrupted, weakened, impacted or blocked in some way, health problems tend to occur. Imbalances and illness can be caused from many situations occurring in our lives such as: trauma/abuse, stress, addiction, injury, negative self talk, thoughts and feelings, toxicity, nutritional depletion, destructive lifestyle and relationships, lack of love for yourself and others.
It doesn’t matter what an adult or child is going through, Reiki can be the remedy, the balm to soothe your soul; pure healing energy that can support you in such a way that it feels safe to let it in, to help you overcome any pain or suffering, to empower and guide you as you navigate life’s ups and downs. Ultimately, it can help you reconnect with your true self, unlocking your natural creativity and ability to heal by allowing you to reach your full potential.
The basis for Usui’s teachings along with the sacred Reiki symbols focus on 5 Precepts that he taught his students to support them on their spiritual path of self healing; the roots to what has become the system of 'Reiki'. These precepts are simple and often easier to say than actually do!! but it is important to make these the foundation of your daily practice in order to progress on your spiritual path.

Just for Today...

I release all anger
I release all worry
I work with honesty and integrity
I am kind to every living thing
I give thanks for all the blessings in my life

Experiencing Reiki

In Reiki, we use a healing touch where "pure loving, life force energy" flows through the practitioner hands and into the client. The Reiki practitioner becomes a channel through which this ‘healing/transformational’ energy flows, working to bring balance and harmony to your whole body. If one's "life force energy" is low, then you are more likely to get sick or feel stress but if it is high, you are more capable of enjoying health and well-being. Everyone has a natural ability to heal! Sometimes we just need a little help, guidance, love and support to reach this point!
A Reiki session treats the whole body focusing on the blockages that may occur within your energy centres (chakras) on an emotional, physical, mental and spiritual level. Everyone experiences Reiki differently. Some feel a slight tingling or sensations of warmth, others just a deep sense of relaxation. You may fall into a peaceful and refreshing sleep or find yourself in a deep meditative state whilst others can feel rejuvenated and energised. It can also help with releasing emotions and giving clients an opportunity to speak if they wish. Whatever your experience, know it is perfectly right for you in that moment.
A Reiki session will begin by the practitioner asking you to lie fully clothed on the treatment bed once you have removed your shoes, jewellery and any metal objects including belt. You are encouraged to close your eyes during the treatment and soft music is played to help you relax. The practitioner will place their hands on your body and move through the various positions allowing the beautiful, healing Reiki energy to flow.
A one hour Reiki session is the physiological equivalent of 3-4 hours sleep. This makes it one of the most advanced natural stress reduction modalities available. It is a simple, natural and safe method of healing and self-developement that everyone can take advantage of. It has been effective in helping almost every known illness and works effectively in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques, relieving side effects and promoting recovery.

Health Benefits from Reiki:

· Creates deep relaxation, assisting the body to release stress and tension
· Accelerates the self-healing abilities of the body
· Aids better sleep
· Reduces blood pressure
· Helps with acute injuries and chronic problems
· Relieves and reduces pain
· Removes energetic blockages bringing the body into balance and harmony
· Assists the body in releasing toxins
· Reduces some of the side effects of drugs
· Accelerated recovery after surgery, chemotherapy etc.
· Supports the immune system and increases vitality
· Raises the vibrational frequency of the body
· Helps spiritual growth and emotional clearing
· Supports substance abuse recovery
· Greater self-awareness and self-confidence
· Clarity of mind and improves focus
· Increased energy and vitality
· Promotes a more positive outlook

When we are relaxed and stress free, we are able to restore our natural ability to heal.  Long term practice of whole-body Reiki will restore the general condition of the body.  Reiki doesn’t just have to be used when we are feeling unwell or going through major periods of suffering. When a person is in good health, regular therapy will increase the built-in defences of the body, encouraging and boosting positivity, confidence, support and well-being. It is a healing modality that everybody can benefit from; women (even when pregnant), men, children and even animals.
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If you’d like to experience a healing session or become a Reiki student, please reach out to make an appointment or reserve your space at one of the upcoming Courses – it is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself!