Reiki Health Article

Research and general acceptance

Reiki has been used in major clinics and hospitals as part of alternative healing practice, and doctors, dentists, nurses and other health professionals have been trained to use its gentle touch techniques as part of their practice. To date, the little scientific research that has been conducted with reiki implies that its techniques bring about the relaxation response, in which stress levels decrease, and immune response increases. Reiki practitioners claim that the most important measurement of their technique is whether the individual feels better after treatment. They also claim that science cannot measure the subtle energy changes that they are attempting to make.

Training and certification

Reiki practitioners undergo a series of attunements, which are sessions with reiki masters that teach the basic methods of energy healing. Several organizations provide resources for reiki training. Reiki practitioners believe these attunements are necessary for correct technique. The masters teach each person how to activate the universal life energy in themselves before they can pass it on to others. These initiations often are held during weekend workshops. Trainees can achieve up to four levels of attunements, until they reach the level of master themselves. The certification process is not a formal one; masters approve students when they feel satisfied with their progress.

BOOKS

Baginski, B. J. and, S. Sharamon. Reiki: Universal Life Energy. Mendocino, CA: LifeRhythm, 1988.

Barnett, Libby, and Maggie Chambers. Reiki: Energy Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1996.

Brown, Fran. Living Reiki: Takata's Teachings. Mendocino, CA: LifeRhythm, 1992.

ORGANIZATIONS

The International Association of Reiki Professionals. P.O. Box 481, Winchester, MA 01890. <http://www.iarp.org>.

OTHER

American Reiki Masters Association (ARMA). PO Box 130, Lake City, FL 32056-0130. (904) 755-9638.

Center for Reiki Training. 29209 Northwestern Highway, #592, Southfield, MI 48034. (800) 332-8112.

Global Reiki Healing Network. <http://www.reiki.org>.

The Reiki Alliance. P.O. Box 41, Cataldo, ID 83810–1041, (208) 682-3535.

Douglas Dupler

MIKAO USUI (1865–1926)

Mikao Usui, born in the Gifu Prefecture (Japan), was an ethereal child who sought to unravel the mysteries of the universe. As an adult he developed an interest in the metaphysical healing talent of Buddha. Usui became determined to regenerate the healing secrets of Buddha in order to improve the lot of humanity. He traveled to many temples and spoke with holy people, but all said that the secret of Buddha's powers were lost to the world due to lack of use.

Eventually the abbot of a Zen monastery encouraged Usui to study the ancient writings containing the secrets on healing. Usui learned two new languages, Chinese and Sanskrit, in order to understand the writings better, and from his reading he obtained the formula for healing. The Sutras in particular provided the enlightenment that he sought.

Usui next set out to obtain the power to heal. It is widely believed that he developed that ability after spending 21 days in retreat and in fasting on the holy Mountain of Kori-yama, where he had a vision of light and received the knowledge of the symbols of reiki and their use in healing. He officially formulated Usui Reiki therapy in 1922 and touted as many as one million followers during his lifetime.

Prior to the transition (death) of Usui, he imparted the secrets of healing to 16 teachers in order that the secrets would not be lost again.

KEY TERMS

Attunement—Life energy teaching given by Reiki master to a student.

Chakra—One of seven major energy centers in the body, as defined by Hindu and yoga philosophy.

Relaxation response—Body's response to relaxation techniques, during which metabolism and stress levels decrease and immune response increases.