Reiki Energy Healing

by Leslie Aguillard, RN, CRRN

I first received a Reiki attunement in 1980 while attending a healing seminar in Oregon and was impressed by physical sensations I felt though the "master" giving the attunements made no physical contact with me, and I was healed of an aching shoulder I had coped with for several months.

Reiki is transmitted in a meditative way, that is, the receiver draws whatever energy she or he needs from the channeling practitioner in a quiet, meditative manner. Reiki is taught in the same way. It is peaceful, safe, and though many people like the warm hands of a Reiki practitioner, there need not be any contact whatsoever.

There are, of course, many types of energy therapy, with many names and procedures. What makes Reiki different from other forms are the specific attunements, symbols taught and the Japanese techniques devised by Usui. The energy, however, in all these various energy therapies, I believe, to be the same, the one source of all energy and all healing - call it Universal Life Force, call it God, call it Nature - there is the ability to heal out there and within us - learning to focus it, direct it for our good, is the challenge. Luckily, it is not difficult to learn or to use and does not require a change in one's religious or philosophical point of view... unless you don't really think healing is possible...then it would become a leap of faith. This type of person, however, is not generally drawn to energy healers.

Reiki works on babies and animal and plants which makes me think that one's philosophy doesn't matter too much, unless one is negative towards the effects of any such energy. Studies have shown that medical patients who do not believe even a proven drug or procedure will help them can negatively impact that drug or procedure so they do not receive the full benefit. To have an open mind is important, therefore, in any form of healing. So the only suggestion I can make to prospective students and recipients is to give yourself a break and be open to the good that is waiting to come to you, be it from Reiki, from your doctor, from wherever in life.

I have been teaching Reiki since 1990 and using it for myself, my friends, family and clients as well. It has become a valuable tool for me and I tell others that if they are comfortable with being still and quiet as in prayer, then Reiki will probably become a valuable tool form them as well.

I have certifications as "master" in both Usui and Karuna Reiki, though the designation of "master" is a Western convention and not original to Japan where a teacher is simply called a teacher. I use the title only because that is what Western people are familiar with but prefer "teacher." When I teach others, I also give certifications for the various degrees achieved: First Degree (treating self and family); Second Degree (distant healing techniques); Third Degree (the first half of the master level, the power-love-light symbol is taught) and the Master level is for those who also want to teach, though few are really called to do this. Karuna Reiki, a copywritten energy system of the International Center for Reiki Training, has it's own attunements and symbols and is taught to those who have been an Usui Third degree level practitioner for at least one year. There are many versions of Karuna and Reiki around as well, and they may be quite effective even though they have been mutated or adapted to a particular teacher's desires and wants. From what I have been able to tell, most energy methods work quite well when all the intents are positive and lovingly motivated. Not everyone wants certification or wants to teach and this is perfectly fine. Healers are needed at every level of society and in every corner of the world.

Basic Reiki techniques can be learned in a few hours - the practice never ends. It began as a small select teaching and has spread world wide thanks to Hawayo Takata, who died in 1980, and who brought Reiki to the West. Like so many Japanese arts, Reiki has circled the globe and now returns to Japan with great enthusiasm and interest.

As in any system of knowledge, Reiki is plagued with politics, but this can be also avoided by those who are interested more in the healing than in the power traps of human organizations. Since the world is in such great need of healing, I extend my hope and wish that all who read this and feel drawn to it will want to lend their help to the healing of the planet, the people and the self. One by one we will heal all together.