| If you're looking for a hands-on technique to help you | | | | Unlike many other type of self-characterized "spiritual |
| relax and feel better, Reiki massage may be for you. | | | | healing", Reiki is actually very simple and |
| But if you're looking for a scientifically-proven | | | | straightforward. The recipient has a brief chat with |
| program of healing which uses tried-and-tested | | | | the practitioner, then lies on a comfy couch. There is |
| methods that have rigorously examined in clinical trials | | | | no need to disrobe as practitioners claim their energy |
| - and passed with flying colors - look somewhere | | | | is able to pass through any type of clothing |
| else. | | | | whatsoever, and can even permeate plaster casts (!). |
| Developed in Japan but refined in the West, Reiki | | | | Next, the practitioner will place his or her hands over |
| massage is a "laying on hands" type of healing based | | | | the recipient's body, concentrating, if wished, on |
| on belief: the belief that a trained Reiki practitioner | | | | areas that need special attention - if there is tension |
| can channel energy through his or her hands to a | | | | in the back or neck, for example. The whole process |
| recipient, allowing the recipient to heal from within. | | | | takes anywhere from one to two hours, with each |
| Reiki practitioners believe that this energy transfer | | | | position being held for several minutes or longer. |
| can help not only with minor complaints, but also | | | | Some recipients claim they can actually feel heat |
| assist people with long-term or terminal illnesses relax | | | | emanating from the practitioner's hands. |
| and find peace. | | | | Reiki followers claim the massage can help people |
| History of Reiki | | | | resolve health complaints ranging from heart |
| The word Reiki is actually made up of two Japanese | | | | problems, rheumatic pain and skin problems to |
| words: Rei means "God's wisdom," or "the higher | | | | depression and chronic fatigue. They say it also can |
| power", and Ki means life force energy. Most people, | | | | help with a variety of ailments, including: |
| therefore, translate Reiki as "universal life energy" - a | | | | Physical problems |
| way of people-to-people healing which leaves both | | | | Mental problems |
| healer and recipient with high energy levels. | | | | Emotional problems |
| Reiki was developed by Dr Mikao Usui, who was born | | | | Spiritual problems |
| in 1865. Legend has it that he was a gifted spiritualist | | | | Acute injuries |
| - but a failed lover and businessman. So one day he | | | | Chronic illnesses |
| began to ruminate about his life underneath a | | | | Does Reiki Work? |
| waterfall (as one does). As cascades of water | | | | There is no doubt that people who are feeling low |
| flowed over his head, he believed that it activated his | | | | and tired can benefit from having someone listen to |
| crown chakra, or the spiritual energy in his head. | | | | their complaints and give their undivided attention to |
| As a result, Dr Usui found that his healing abilities | | | | them. Studies have also shown that skin-to-skin |
| were purportedly heightened, while his energy levels | | | | contact, or positive physical contact in general, even |
| remained constant. A Usui disciple, Dr Chujiro Hayashi, | | | | through clothes, can make us feel better and more |
| further developed the technique, but it wasn't until | | | | alive. |
| Hawayo Takato from Hawaii began hearing voices in | | | | However, there is no conclusive scientific proof that |
| her head that the West took notice. | | | | Reiki can help anyone at all, apart from the supply of |
| Takato, the daughter of a Japanese sugar plantation | | | | human contact which it provides. A review into Reiki |
| worker, was visiting her parents' homeland when she | | | | research carried out by the University of Exeter, the |
| became ill. She was on the operating table facing an | | | | most comprehensive review so far which was |
| operation to cure her of tumors, emphysema and | | | | published into January, 2008, found that evidence "is |
| gallstones when she heard a voice saying "The | | | | insufficient to suggest that reiki is an effective |
| operation is not necessary." | | | | treatment for any condition," according to the |
| Instead, Takato turned to Reiki, and when she was | | | | Quackwatch website, run by Dr Stephen Barrett. |
| "cured" of all her diseases she eventually brought | | | | In an article titled "Reiki is Nonsense" on his excellent |
| Reiki back to Hawaii, and eventually the US mainland. | | | | website, Dr Barrett deplores the use of this age-old |
| The rest, as they say, is history. | | | | practice, saying it has no scientific basis whatsoever, |
| The Four Paths of Reiki | | | | and that practitioners simply receive an "initiation" or |
| Although there is no real belief system or even - God | | | | "attunement" from a Reiki Master. |
| forbid - religious aspect to Reiki, it nonetheless works | | | | "Reiki has no substantiated health value and lacks a |
| on the principle of a universal life force, and a divine | | | | scientifically plausible rationale. Science-based |
| energy. With this in mind, the art of Reiki, according | | | | healthcare settings should not tolerate its use, and |
| to Dr Usui, is divided into four sections, including: | | | | scarce government research dollars should not be |
| Personal development. Developing a deeper sense of | | | | used to study it further," Barrett writes. |
| self-love and self-awareness through Reiki. | | | | If you or someone you know wishes to try Reiki go |
| Healing practice. Using the hands-on technique to help | | | | right ahead - as long as you do not forsake |
| others and yourself channel the universal life energy. | | | | conventional treatment, as did sugar cane girl |
| Mystic order. Bringing a sense of connection with | | | | Hawayo Takato. While the "massage" may or may |
| others who practice Reiki, and thus developing a | | | | not cure you of any health problems, you will |
| common bond with them. | | | | probably find the experience pleasurable and even |
| Spirituality. Awakening a sense of spiritual discipline in | | | | entertaining, if perhaps for different reasons than |
| your life through following the practices of Reiki. | | | | intended... |
| Having a Reiki Treatment | | | | |