If you watched the 1st showing of Channel 4's "Big Brother" then you will have seen 'Nasty Nick' giving Reiki sessions to the other housemates. Many people have only just heard about Reiki for the first time since watching "Big Brother" but it has been around for years and people like me were already receiving treatment.
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What is it?
It was developed in 18th-century Japan by a Buddhist monk named Usui Sensei and is pronounced 'ray-key'. Reiki is Japanese for "Universal Life Force Energy". It is the essence of life that flows through all living things. Reiki is drawn by the receiver, through the Reiki Healer's hands, and aids in balancing and healing on all levels.
Reiki is hands-on healing treatment, which can only be passed on by a person who has been attuned to the Reiki energy by a Reiki Master. It uses specific hand positions along the Chakras (energy "meridians" of the body), and also to areas of pain and discomfort, helping to unblock the flow of energy through a person's body.
The theory is that a Reiki practitioner heals by conducting 'positive energy' through your energy field, so raising its vibratory level and dispersing negative energy, thus allowing the life force to flow freely and healthily. Reiki also complements orthodox medical treatments and is said to speed up healing and reduce pain. Some patients compare it to a spiritual experience and even reported altered states of consciousness during a session.
What can it do?
You do not have to be ill to benefit from Reiki!
Reiki can ease pain, help with emotional problems, past, present and future. It strengthens the immune system, detoxifies the body and it can help you to cope with stress.
Reiki is non-invasive and you remain fully dressed for the treatment. It does not use manipulation and it does not create dependency.
It is good for:
- lack of energy
- depression
- poor circulation
- insomnia
- panic attacks
- cancer
- MS
- respiratory problems
- low self-esteem
- digestive problems
- nervous tension
About treatments
A normal treatment session is about 1 hour, although this may vary depending on the condition.
It is normal for the receiver to lie down on a bed or couch, but it is possible to sit if necessary. You will not be required to remove any of your clothing, though you may want to remove ties and shoes.
The practitioner simply lays their hands on your body, or in your aura, and allows energy to flow. This is not consciously directed to anywhere specific, but is said to be pulled by the body to whatever parts of it need healing.
A session can last anything from 25 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, depending on your health needs and what you have agreed with the Reiki healer. During treatment you may become aware of the generation of heat, or feel a tingling sensation, from the healer's hands. You may also feel a sense of peace and well-being, or you may feel nothing at all, which doesn't mean that you are not been healer.
Afterwards you may feel relaxed and sleepy or relaxed but invigorated. Most healers will not talk during the session but may discuss things afterwards with you.
For best results a minimum of 3 sessions is advisable. You draw what you need to help break the cycle. Chronic conditions may take longer. Energy pathways can be very scrambled, hence resultant illnesses.
My experiences
I was first told about Reiki at a self help group for Panic, Phobias and Anxiety (H.O.P.E.) and at the time I was filming for the BBC 2's programme "Private Investigations". I found a Reiki Master in Luton and went along for 1 session. It was a weird, but not frightening experience, as the heat generated from the healer's hands is quite incredible.
That was in April 1999 and at the beginning of September 2000 I decided to go back and have 3 more Reiki sessions.
I began by laying on a couch on my back and then half way through the session, turn over and lay on my stomach. It is difficult to explain how it feels but it is quite relaxing, not at all frightening and gets me to stay still for 1 hour!
I usually feel a bit strange after the Reiki but apparently that is quite normal as the body starts to heal itself. I am hoping that as time goes on I will feel the full benefit of the healing and that my body will heal itself with the help of the Reiki energy.
Contacts
Whilst in training, Reiki practitioners must work their way through a series of set levels, or 'attunements' - of which level 4 is the final one. You need to find a practitioner who is not only trained but one that you feel comfortable with. As the treatment can be hands-on, you may want to find someone of the same sex.
If you want to experience Reiki then find a practitioner who is a member of a recognised body, such as "The Reiki Association". Contact them on 01981 550829 or visit their Web site at www.reikiassociation.org.uk.
You can also contact "The International Reiki Association" on 0709 1214521 or "The UK Reiki Federation". Their email address is enquiry@reikifed.co.uk and their Web site is at www.reikifed.co.uk.
If you live in the Luton, Bedfordshire (UK) area, then you may wish to contact the lady I used to see for Reiki. Her name is Les Eames and you can call her on (01582) 459060. Her email address is "les@activehealing.co.uk " or you can visit her Web site at www.freewebs.com/activehealing33.
One other contact that I have is Paddy King who lives in Potton, Bedfordshire (UK). Her phone number is (01767) 261083.
Unfortunately I have no other contacts for Reiki so all I can suggest is that you look in the "Yellow pages" under "Reiki" to see if anyone in your area offers treatment.
Related Sites
I thought it would be easy to find a good Reiki site on the Internet that didn't just promote the individual Reiki Master's services, but explained Reiki in detail - I was wrong, and all I found was:
www.reiki.org/FAQ/FAQHomepage.html
www.reikikauai.comwww.coerdelion.demon.co.uk/Reiki1.html
Some of these sites have "Reiki Links" as well so they may be of interest.
Most of the Internet search engines found hundreds of hits for Reiki but a lot of them were for paid services (particularly in the USA) and did not give much detail about Reiki itself.
If you find a 'good' Reiki site then please email me and I will add it to this list of links!
(npwebsite@btinternet.com)