The Unseen Force: A Roadmap to Understanding Reiki Energy

Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) is a holistic therapy that originated in Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui in the early 1920’s. The word "Reiki" combines "Rei” which means “universal life force” and “Ki” which translates to “life energy”. Reiki uses a non-invasive approach to transfer Universal energy through the practitioner’s palms to the recipient to break down blocked energy – strengthening the body’s self-healing abilities and igniting its natural detoxification process.

Essentially, Reiki is sacred geometry, comprising of three major symbols, and two master symbols. When Reiki is “transferred”, the practitioner is meditating and drawing the symbols to the desired object. The symbols clear negative energy and ignite the body’s natural healing abilities through activating the chakras (centers of energetic flow within the body) and revitalizing the physical, mental, and emotional health of the recipient. Reiki can be shared with any living being or space – including animals, plants, or the land – but is commonly used on people to support their overall health.

Understanding How Reiki Works

For individuals receiving Reiki energy, it is important to understand this foundational concept: the less you do, the more that happens. Receiving this energy requires trust in yourself to relax, your Reiki practitioner and your higher power (whatever you believe hung the moon). The internal transformation that occurs from the transfer of the sacred geometry begins when you slow down fully and enter a delta brain wave state.

During a reiki healing, the guidance from the practitioner will cultivate a heat sensation within the body, breaking down blocked energy and accelerating the body’s detoxification process. Humans are constantly detoxing – when you exhale, sweat, and use the restroom – your body is detoxing. Due to the stressors and complexities of daily life, the natural detox process can slow, hindering your energy and forming blockages.

Energetic blocks can be represented as a physical disease, or emotional ailment, creating stress or discomfort in one’s wellbeing. Blocks in energy are formed from stagnant emotions, poor nutrition, weak self-esteem, or unprocessed trauma. When neglected for a prolonged period, energetic blocks can damage an individual’s state of wellbeing and hinder the ability to live in peace and harmony. Reiki is a heat that dissolves these blockages.

During a Reiki session, the recipient will drift into a deep relaxation as their nervous systems begin steadily slowing down. Throughout the session, one may experience heat in their body or a tingling sensation – a response to the body receiving the energy. The heat will subside when the Reiki energy minimizes any energetic block in the recipient. This process will occur several times throughout the healing, depending on where the body is holding pain and tension.

The Benefits of Reiki

Reiki stands out in the healing arts as it benefits both the practitioner and the recipient. Although the recipient will receive all the healing of the session, the practitioner will not experience fatigue or energetic depletion. This is due largely in part to the energy being passed from a higher power with intention. The energy does not, and will never, come directly from the practitioner. Be wary of healers who claim responsibility for the creation of the energy. This healing art differs from various styles of therapy, massage, body work, or counseling in which the energy originates from the practitioner, holding the potential to energetically deplete the clinician.

The full benefits of Reiki are received after a session, positively influencing one’s physical and behavioral health, for several weeks. Despite the benefits of Reiki being contingent on the individual and their current health, the majority receive a similar response from the treatment – which is a generally improved sense of physical and emotional wellbeing. The benefits typically appear as a release of tension in the body and mind, improved circadian rhythms, revitalized energy, a more optimistic perspective on life, and stronger faith. Furthermore, Reiki is one of the most empowering tools one can learn for themselves and their community. It is a coping mechanism to rely on divine guidance for support through the challenges in life – by calming your mind, restoring your body, and uplifting your spirit.  

Becoming a Reiki Practitioner

Dr. Usui developed four levels of Reiki Training, incorporating an attunement – which is the process of instilling the symbols to the practitioner’s spine – at each level. The first level educates the student on the history of Reiki, comprehension of Source energy, and the benefits Reiki sustains one’s physical and emotional wellbeing. The second level delves into the process of sharing Reiki energy through ignition of the symbols, understanding the energy channels in the body, and the business component of the energetic exchange between practitioner and recipient. After completing these two levels the student is now prepared to share Reiki energy – as a solid foundation of the course material and intention of this healing modality is taught.

The third and fourth levels of Reiki training are intended for students who feel called to advance their training and expand their healing skills. The third level of Reiki training is the Holy Fire level, which is designed for practitioners who have been practicing for several years and have developed a clientele. Holy Fire training attunes practitioners to the first master symbol and delves into the twelve heavens – touching on the expansion of consciousness coinciding with spiritual expansion. The final level, or ART (Advanced Reiki Training), attunes practitioners to the second master symbol, provides training to attune new students to levels one, two, and three, and fully prepares to teach the application of Reiki healing to willing students.  

These four levels were developed by Dr. Usui in the early 20^th century and are still used to this day. The levels must be taken in order but can be repeated at any point after completion.  In fact, repeating any level is highly encouraged as Dr. Usui emphasized the importance of growing with one’s consciousness and continuing to explore one’s psyche throughout their life, especially if called to partake in the healing arts.

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If you feel called to explore this healing modality further – either receiving a Reiki session or becoming a Reiki practitioner – please connect with Sarah, the founder of The JIM, for more information.

With Love –

The JIM