13/11/2023
So what is Reiki?
The word 'Reiki' (Pronounced Ray-Kee) is Japanese and is written with 2 Japanese Kanji - meaning Spiritual Energy. Rei = Spiritual, Ki = Energy. Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing, an alternative medicine. Practitioners are a conduit for this energy and use symbols and mantras (aloud or within the mind), along with palm healing or hands-on healing, through which the 'universal energy' is transferred via the palms of the practitioner to the client, to encourage healing.
Reiki is classed as a pseudoscience. It is based on "chi", a universal life force. However, Reiki should not replace conventional medical treatments and should not be used solely as a treatment for any medical condition, including cancer, diabetic neuropathy, anxiety or depression. It is recommended that you should consult your GP before embarking on a Reiki treatment - for example, if you suffer from Epilepsy, the energy movement can manipulate brain activity and bring on a seizure. So Reiki should be used as a last resort and under guidance. The Practitioner may ask you to sign a waiver on the understanding that there may be serious side effects.
Energy:
Our bodies are constantly flowing with energy - by way of thermal energy helping maintain a constant body temperature, mechanical energy helping us to move, and electrical energy sending nerve impulses and signals to and from our brains. Energy is stored in foods and in the body as chemical energy. Remember when you feel a static charge when you touch something? If you have built up energy through friction for example either from your own supply or external charge, you will 'ground' that energy through yourself or an object in contact with the ground. We are streaming energy all of the time, though most of the time we are not aware of it, but it's there.
Sometimes that flow is interrupted through injury or illness which can stem from stress, trauma or burn out. This can manifest in many ways and cause disease (dis-ease) in the body, so by unblocking and freeing up our 'natural energy flow', our body has a chance to do what it does naturally - repair and heal itself.
This is where the Reiki Practitioner comes in. A treatment basically moves 'energy' and allows the body to take it to an area it is needed or wants to go. The Practitioner is simply the conduit to channel the Universal energy for your body to do just that. The Practitioner is not a 'healer', they are simply the means of focus for the energy around us and pass it to you.
The human body is an amazing machine, it can heal itself in many ways. An obvious example of this is a cut healing while the body's cells repair the damage a layer at a time. But much of the healing is unseen, hidden within and can vary in time and degree. But even a cut sometimes needs a little help, beit it a plaster and creams, the body sometimes needs assistance with an energy treatment, and there can be many reasons why it can't heal alone.
Energy blockages, either physically, mentally or emotionally, can obstruct the body's ability to renew and repair cells, including the brain where our thoughts and mind reside. Reiki manipulates the energy so that it 'flows' better, giving the body a chance to 'work' through the healing process. Think of it like an electrical current - if the wire is 'pinched' the energy can't flow correctly and diminishes its ability to perform to its full capacity - i.e, the bulb is dimmer. But clear that blockage and the flow will return and the bulb will shine brightly.
We live in a busy world, with demands on our time and energy in all forms, depleting us, causing stress, fatigue and exhaustion, throwing us out of balance. So as a Practitioner I not only want to aid your body to heal itself, physically, mentally and emotionally, I also want you to take time for yourself, to give you a brief moment in your day, to 'stop', relax, feel safe and just 'be' if nothing else. You deserve it after all.
I aim to give the best experience I can, to allow you time to totally unwind and let your body recover, if only for a brief pause. It is so important to give ourselves time to heal, time to be peaceful, rest and recharge. If we cannot care for ourselves, how can we care for others? If our vessel is running on empty, we have nothing to give and in the world we live in today, with such busy lives, it is all too easy to neglect ourselves due to lack of time or energy.
I myself come from that very past, I have been burnt out and often need time out from all the negative energies that surround us. I have been known to leave a gathering because I'm overwhelmed by the energy within that space. So I have long wanted to return to my spiritual self and help those who need that support too. Everyone goes through tough times and having something that helps to balance your life, give you that 'breather' to recharge, someone to support you and help you work toward your true and full potential is sometimes all you need to reignite your own being.
I am a big believer that the Universe provides what we need rather than what we want, which may not be what we think we 'need'. The ideas of need and want are very different, and often what we want is not really what we actually need for our peace and happiness.
I also truly believe that nothing is a mistake, or a bad experience, but a lesson to learn from. We can allow the world to crush us, or we can allow ourselves to change and become a better person from what we have learnt. I myself do not necessarily know what I want from life or encounters, but I know what I don't want or won't tolerate. And I am learning more about myself everyday and honouring what feels right for me. The same for you too, we never stop learning.
We all have the ability to balance our mind and body, find a way to start our journey of healing. Life is a journey, love and happiness is the journey, not the destination. If we have inner peace, contentment and happiness will radiate from within, we will shine. Give yourself that time to stop, breath and just be, listen, see and feel - then see where your journey takes you.
