About Reiki
Reiki, pronounced ray-key, is the Japanese word meaning "Universal life force". This life force is an energy which is found in all living things, from people to plants and animals.
Reiki is a natural healing system that uses variable frequency energies to help heal ailments, stress, mental disorders, chronic or acute conditions, and more. Healing energy is electromagnetic in nature and can work on any level, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual. It involves the transfer of energy from the practitioner to the client/patient until the energy of the area in question feels more balanced.
Reiki helps restore this balance through the stimulation of the body’s natural ability to heal itself. The body can heal itself through achieving a sense of deep relaxation, which aids the recipient to feel relief from pain and anxiety, while improving heart rate, digestion, breathing and sleep quality. These effects assist energy that is low or blocked to break apart and restore. When energy is restored, it has been raised and feels lighter and higher in space and in time; meaning that a healing has occurred in the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. It is in this respect that Reiki gets to the root of the problem, therefore, eliminating symptoms at the deepest level.
The continued use of Reiki provides benefits such as increased focus, self-assurance, and an overall greater well-being in life. When a person has reached this level of flow or is already in good health, Reiki increases their vitality and known to help the aging process, allowing room to age gracefully.
Reiki will help to heal only what the client is able to deal with at the time. It can bring to light what needs to be addressed, but it will only work according to the level of acceptance that the person is ready for. Reiki may address an emotional issue you had no idea was related to the physical pain you were originally there for; however, it is an important aspect to consider if you really want to relieve reoccurring pain. When introducing to a client the possibility that an emotional or mental connection is related to their physical pain, the client may be taken aback but often sees the relation once they have become open to the idea. Your Reiki practitioner will help get you there, as they are the ones who brought the issue to light.
Also because of this truth, awareness and the path to enlightenment often begins. To become aware of emotional trauma, mental stress, and repeated dramas is the first step, then being inclined to deal with issues is the true inner work. Just like anything else, the path to enlightenment is a practice, it must be applied or studied repeatedly.
The 5 Reiki Principles
The path to enlightenment is not always easy or evident. Some people do receive what they call an “A-ha” moment, but even that is just the beginning. This should then be followed by a practice of mantras and self-care. That which is required is a willingness to begin a journey of self-discovery and an open mind to channel in the life energy of the Universe.
The 5 Reiki Principles have proven to help in that regard. These principles or mantras can be repeated daily or when needed. They were designed by Dr. Mikao Usui, the Grand Master of Reiki, to clear negative energy and allow new energy in. These principles are now practiced and taught by Reiki Masters around the world.
When saying these phrases to yourself or aloud, try to grasp their intention with the purest of energy.
1. Just for today, I will let go of anger.
2. Just for today, I will let go of worry.
3. Just for today, I will be grateful.
4. Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
5. Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.
What I love the most about these mantras, is that they begin with the words “just for today”. This is so important because it allows us to stay in the present moment. It avoids misconceptions that one has to let go of anger forever or let go of worry forever and somehow become an expert at the same time they became enlightened. It doesn’t work that way and that way of thinking is sure to overwhelm. Instead, use the words “just for today”- the only day we truly ever have. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow has not arrived, therefore, handle today. Take charge of today, then handle each new day as such.
The 3 Levels of Reiki
Reiki is taught in 3 different levels, where each level reaches a higher degree. A higher degree in understanding, open-mindedness, self-love, connecting to the Divine and in-turn, healing.
The 1st degree of Reiki:
Known as “Shoden” in Japanese, is the entrance to self-discovery. Level 1 is said to be the moment you go from platitude to altitude, meaning going from an unconscious state to a conscious state. Consciousness is the beginning of one own’s awareness in their existence, surroundings, thoughts, and sensations. The mental activity one goes through during this process is extensive and can be exhausting. There can be many layers to shed during this time and must be understood before continuing to the next degree. Time spent in nature helps with this transition.
The 1st degree of Reiki is intended for one own’s self. Having said that, this means anyone who is attuned to the 1st degree of Reiki only is not considered a practitioner nor has the rights to practice on others. A simple attunement or a paper certificate does not mean one has reached oneness. One must go through many self-realizations for this process. Only once we have learned to fill up our own cup, can we consider giving to others.
The 2nd degree of Reiki:
Known as “Okuden” in Japanese, is the introductory to the 3 power symbols used in Reiki to balance energy. These symbols help heal the past, promote peace in the present, and assist manifestations for the future. These symbols transcend everything in space and time, they hold a higher intelligence that go beyond fear, limitations, and illusions. They promote peace and illumination within and in others.
These symbols can be practiced on any living being, including one’s self, when energy needs to be heightened or balanced. The 2nd degree of Reiki is when one evolves into becoming a practitioner, however, drawing the symbols and gaining experience with using them in the right situation should also be fine-tuned before practicing professionally. It is encouraged to practice on family and friends in the beginning, plus it can be practiced on pets, plants, and the environment too! Giving way for many opportunities to gain experience.
(For tradition’s sake I will not disclose the symbols here, although they can be found on the world wide web, I leave that up to the reader to further inquire.)
The 3rd degree of Reiki:
Known as “Shinpiden” in Japanese, is the first branch of this degree and it attunes one to the Master level. The second branch of the 3rd degree is known as “Gokuikaiden” in Japanese, and it is taught when one is ready for the Teacher level.
The Master’s degree must be attained and practiced before one is ready for the Teacher degree; just as the 1st degree must be attained and practiced before being attuned to the 2nd degree. It is also said that 1 year must pass between level 1 and level 2. Then, the time it takes to go from the 2nd degree to the Master’s degree is different and unique to everyone, but some significant time should pass in honoring tradition.
The term Reiki Master should be held with high regards as it is a level one should only attain when one fully understands the dynamics of energy in the Universe. Energy is everywhere, energy is transferable, energy is mutable, and energy is a language; likewise, energy can be unpredictable. This is when the mind may start to wander or when emotions run high. For all that, there are actions to take and tools to use repeatedly so that one does not stray from their own inner peace. If you struggle with inner peace, seeing a Reiki Master where they can use the Master symbol is one of those tools that can help healing at the level of the soul.
Once again, I believe in the traditions of these teachings that one must master themselves before receiving the Master symbol and directing it others.
My journey
I have waited 6 whole years to be attuned to the Master symbol in all its glory. I have been attuned to the 1st degree of Reiki since October 2014; however, this is not to say that was the beginning of my self-discovery. I came into conscious awareness at a very young age through trauma, followed by many years of pain. Pain is indeed a great motivator and teacher, in that, I launched myself into an education and career of the body and mind.
At the time of my first attunement of the first degree, I had already been a professional massage therapist for 9 years. The first degree helped me into feeling deeper sensations in my body and a deeper connection with my mind. As I learned to further heal myself, I knew this method had to be applied in my massage therapy practice for my clients. I became attuned to the second degree in March 2015 and have been practicing mind, body, and energy work full-time ever since.
When I'm not working, I live a disciplined and active lifestyle. These are some of the healthy decisions I choose to make everyday; that which all Reiki Masters should practice! They include:
Choosing to eat healthy foods.
Making time for meditation, breathwork and/or yoga.
Getting plenty of exposure to sunlight.
Getting plenty of physical activity.
Getting plenty of sleep.
Respecting Mother Nature (I am always thoughtful of my impact on the planet).
Being open to culture, being open-minded.
Practicing inner peace amongst family, friends, and society.
Being grateful for what I already have.
Some of these things are set into my schedule so that I may work on them in a guaranteed time-frame; while others I use as needed. Building a disciplined routine for the body and mind results in living a healthy lifestyle. The benefits are very rewarding and only keep progressing.
The results of using Reiki plus massage are also rewarding, and astonishing, to say the least. I have seen the transformations in not only my clients, but my family, friends, marriage, and myself. Reiki energy and massage therapy promote feelings of contentment, peace, tranquility, and positivity. These sensations release mental AND physical blockages combined. Releasing suppressed emotions allows us to release tension. The more we’re able to let go of stress, the more the body and mind can feel calm and focused. When we’re calm, we can focus on positive thinking and personal awareness. In fact, we even end up making time for it!
Final thoughts
Personal awareness facilitates making healthy decisions and promotes the courage in making positive changes needed in one’s life. Each time a positive change or decision is made for your well-being, life will show you the next possibility. Each time you follow this path, it will deepen your connection with your Higher-Self. The more we connect to our Higher-Self, the purer we become. The purer we become, the higher our energy can vibrate.
When we learn to consistently breathe in this higher level of energy, the more beauty we see. This is often the state of oneness or Zen that can be perceived and even felt by others, but most importantly yourself.
If there were at least one reason to try Reiki, let it be this one. Let it be the possibility of enhancing your own personal growth. Let it be to begin your journey to self-discovery and oneness with the Universe.
Finally, at this time I would like to thank my friend and colleague who I got initiated with, Sophie Gagnon. Having fun, as always, as the Universe intends. Please check out her YouTube page for accurate tarot readings which can help guide your path in life.
Also, many thanks to our Reiki Master and Teacher (who took the picture), Pina Vizzi. Please check out her website as well if you would like to take a class and discover this magical gift of Reiki energy for yourself. https://www.reikibalance.ca/
If you have any questions or concerns you would like to discuss, please click on Contact Me, and send me a message. If you would like to book an appointment with me, please click on my Services page. Let’s connect!
"Reiki is love, love is wholeness." -Dr. Mikao Usui, The Grand Master of Reiki.
Namaste.
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