Reiki is a Japanese system of energy healing that involves the channeling of Ki – the universal life force energy to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and facilitate the body’s innate self-healing abilities. The word “Reiki” is a combination of two Japanese words: Rei, which can be translated as “universal” or “divine wisdom,” and Ki, which is the “life force energy” that flows through all living things. The practice is therefore the application of divinely guided life force energy.
Definition of Reiki
Reiki is a spiritual healing art with its roots in early 20th-century Japan. The word “Reiki” is a combination of two Japanese words: Rei, historically denoting “soul” or “spirit,” and Ki, the “life force energy.” It is a non-invasive complementary therapy, most commonly administered by a practitioner placing their hands lightly on or just above the recipient’s body. The core principle is that the practitioner, having been specially trained and attuned, acts as a conduit for universal life force energy. This energy is then drawn by the recipient to the areas where it is most needed, helping to clear energetic blockages and restore balance. It is important to note that Reiki is not a religion and requires no specific belief system from the recipient to be effective—Reiki works regardless of one’s personal views.
History and Origin
The modern practice of Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist, in 1922. Following a period of extensive study of ancient texts and a prolonged spiritual quest, Usui undertook a 21-day meditation and fast on Mount Kurama. On the final day, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening, or satori, during which he was gifted the ability to channel the healing energy and was given the knowledge of the Reiki symbols. He established a clinic and school in Tokyo to practice and teach his method, which he called Usui Reiki Ryoho (Usui Reiki Healing Method). The practice was passed down through a lineage of masters, including Dr. Chujiro Hayashi and Hawayo Takata, the latter of whom was instrumental in bringing Reiki to the Western world.
The Core Principles of Reiki
The practice of Reiki is built upon several foundational principles that guide its application and philosophy.
- Universal Life Force Energy: This is the intelligent, healing energy that is the source of all life. Practitioners do not use their personal energy but act as a channel for this limitless, universal source.
- The Attunement Process: A person can only become a channel for Reiki after receiving an attunement, or initiation, from a qualified Reiki Master-Teacher. This is a sacred ritual that opens and aligns the student’s energy channels, creating a permanent connection to the Reiki source.
- The Five Principles (Gokai): Mikao Usui established five ethical principles for practitioners to live by, which serve as a spiritual foundation for the practice. They are:
- Just for today, do not be angry.
- Just for today, do not worry.
- Just for today, be grateful.
- Just for today, do your work honestly.
- Just for today, be kind to every living thing.
The Reiki Session: What to Expect
A typical Reiki session is a gentle, peaceful, and deeply relaxing experience. The recipient lies fully clothed on a massage table in a quiet and comfortable environment. The healer will then place their hands lightly on or just above a series of specific positions on the body, including the head, torso, and limbs, holding each position for several minutes. There is no massage or physical manipulation involved. Common sensations reported by clients include warmth, tingling, coolness, or a gentle pulsing where the practitioner’s hands are placed. It is also common to see colors, experience emotional releases, or simply drift into a deep, meditative state. The energy works regardless of what is felt.
Reiki Systems and Other Healing Modalities
While the Western (Usui Shiki Ryoho) and the traditional Japanese lineages (Usui Reiki Ryoho) form the practice’s bedrock, the modality has diversified, forming various branches, forks (e.g., Karuna Reiki, Tera Mai), and even distinct systems based on entirely different fundamentals (such as Pranic Healing for instance). As a Reiki Master-Teacher trained and certified in multiple systems—including Usui, Kundalini, Tibetan, Tachyon, Gold, Aurora, Dragon Reiki, and more—I have found that each offers a distinct path to healing.
- Traditional Lineages: Jikiden Reiki preserves the original, un-Westernized teachings and cultural context of Usui and Hayashi, emphasizing the Reiju (empowerment) method over Western attunements and focusing on treatment rather than ritualized hand positions.
- Western & Evolved Systems: Kundalini Reiki (founded by Ole Gabrielsen) focuses on awakening the root chakra and the central energy channel (Sushumna). Tibetan Reiki integrates anthropological symbols (like the Raku) and the “Violet Breath” technique into the Usui framework.
- Esoteric Modalities: Modern derivatives like Tachyon Reiki and Dragon Reiki integrate external metaphysical concepts—such as zero-point energy theory or elemental archetypes—diverging significantly from Usui’s original focus on spiritual cultivation to target specific frequencies.
Reported Benefits of Reiki
While Reiki is a spiritual practice, its recipients report a wide range of tangible benefits for the mind and body. It is an excellent complementary therapy that can support conventional medical treatments. The most common benefits include:
- Deep relaxation and a significant reduction in stress and anxiety.
- Relief from physical pain, tension, and discomfort.
- Improved sleep quality.
- Enhanced sense of emotional balance and overall well-being.
- Support for the body’s natural self-healing processes during illness or after surgery.
Exploring Reiki, whether through receiving a session or learning to practice it yourself, can be a profound step on one’s healing journey.
Scientific Context and Safety
From a clinical perspective, Reiki is categorized as a biofield therapy. While empirical studies regarding its efficacy remain inconclusive—often attributing results to the placebo effect or parasympathetic nervous system activation—it is widely accepted in integrative oncology and palliative care for distress management. It is non-invasive and generally contraindication-free, though individuals with pacemakers or severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia) should consult medical professionals prior to energetic manipulation.
