| It is always good to clarify definitions at the beginning | | | | the energy of everything. |
| of any article. | | | | Within universal energy we always channel negative |
| * The system of Reiki is a spiritual practice that was | | | | and positive energy. In Japan these two elements |
| developed by a Japanese man called Usui Mikao in the | | | | are called In and Yo and in China, Yin and Yang. |
| early 1900s. It includes 5 basic practices: reiju | | | | In and Yo are not words for 'good' and 'bad' but |
| (attunement), palm-healing, techniques and | | | | rather representations of dual elements - the two |
| meditations, precepts, and symbols and mantras. | | | | flipsides of a coin. In and Yo also represent other |
| * Reiki, the energy, is the name of the energy used | | | | dualities such as Earth and Heaven, female and male, |
| within the system and is literally translated from the | | | | the moon and sun. By balancing and blending dual |
| Japanese to mean 'spiritual energy' or 'sacred energy'. | | | | elements within ourselves we are creating a non-dual |
| One variation used in the West is 'universal energy'. | | | | existence, one where we begin to resonate fully with |
| Generally these terms represent the concept of 'the | | | | universal energy. |
| energy of everything'. | | | | Therefore, when we work on ourselves or others it |
| When a Reiki practitioner works with energy it is | | | | is not about taking the negative away and filling |
| sometimes called channelling the energy. The reason | | | | ourselves up with positive energy. True healing takes |
| why we channel energy is to support the movement | | | | place as the two forces balance harmoniously out. |
| of that which is stagnant in order to live life in its | | | | Why then do some like to believe that Reiki is |
| natural flow. | | | | positive energy only? Perhaps we are too scared to |
| When we are not at One with this natural flow of life | | | | see that which might be labelled as 'bad' within |
| (or energy) we come up against obstacles: physical, | | | | ourselves. |
| mental, emotional and spiritual. Often where one of | | | | To heal we need to face all sides of ourselves, |
| these elements ends and the other begins we do not | | | | including our fears and darkest issues. By working on |
| know. All we know for sure is that these elements | | | | ourselves, and by taking responsibility for our |
| are interdependent of one another and together | | | | personal spiritual progress, we learn to let go of |
| they create the filters through which we experience | | | | self-condemnation and work toward balance instead. |
| our lives. | | | | Take this responsibility into your own hands, own it |
| The practices taught within the system of Reiki | | | | and live life in acceptance. Move away from the need |
| affect these obstacles, thereby supporting change | | | | to label your experiences. Move instead into a state |
| and affecting every aspect of our lives. So, does this | | | | of union with the universe; it is there that your |
| mean that we are in fact channelling positive energy? | | | | obstacles have the opportunity to dissolve. |
| No. Not if we are truly experiencing universal energy, | | | | |