What is Reiki?
How I discovered Reiki
When I first heard about reiki I was very dismissive about it – in fact, I was dismissive about anything I perceived to me ‘alternative’. Back in 1999, when I was diagnosed with M.E, the term ‘New Age’ was used as a way to describe complementary therapies. I found it hard to relate to the media image portrayed of people who were into these types of things and I can even recall a friend refer to such people as ‘yoghurt weavers’ and their practices referred to as ‘woo’. Yet, there was no known cure for M.E. and so my GP recommended exploring various therapies as a way of relaxing my body and mind.
I initially started out with homeopathy, before exploring acupuncture and then discovering mantra meditation. All of these modalities had the common theme of working with the resonance of the body and mind to effect changes. Despite finding these were certainly bringing positive changes to my own chronic condition I was still resistant to exploring reiki, however this all changed in 2002 with a chance encounter at a Virgin Vie party.
At this point, I had left my job within an assurance company and to fill the time I had started working as a Virgin Vie consultant. Within the business training, it was recommended we give out free prizes of either a free make-over or facial, with the theory that on a one-to-one basis the prize winner was more likely to buy more of the products than they would at a party. None of the selling tactics sat very well with me and instead I approached the whole business with the idea of having fun and getting to meet new people. If anyone purchased the products as a result, it was an added bonus.
On one particular day, I was visiting a lady who had won a free facial. When I arrived, she explained to me how she wasn’t going to be buying any products, and that she knew I would be OK with this. Instead, she would like to offer me a reiki treatment as a way of thanking me for my time. Looking at her, she didn’t fit the New Age bracket and so I decided to put my preconceptions to one side and agreed to give it a go. For twenty minutes I sat on a chair and she simply placed her hands on my shoulders. At first I wasn’t sure if anything was happening, but after a few minutes I could feel a pleasant feeling coursing like waves through my body. When I left, I was determined to try it again and deep down I had a feeling that this would be an important piece of the jigsaw puzzle for my health and well-being.
After experiencing regular treatments, I could feel the cumulative effects it was having on my body and mind – with M.E. I often felt no more than a shell of previous self, yet with each treatment I was beginning to feel a deep reconnection. It felt like a natural decision to take the next step with a Reiki One course so I would be able to benefit self-treatments which was so empowering for me – no longer did I have to rely on others to fix me. The attunement to Reiki had meant I was able to access the energy myself and finally I started to feel like my inner lights were being switched back on. In fact, combining it daily with my meditation practice, a year later I was enjoying the optimum of health and well-being – I was finally M.E. free.
What is ‘energy’?
Energy is how things change and move – we often use the word to describe levels of tiredness or fatigue, but it is also used to describe energy sources such as gas and electricity as well as food.
Einstein and Quantum Physicists explain energy in atoms – everything in the Universe is energy which is vibrating at different rates, so physical matter and energy are two forms of the same thing. Energy is part of the electromagnetic spectrum – you will already be familiar with the speed of sound and light, as well as radio waves and x-rays. The only difference between them is that they oscillate at a different frequency or rate of vibration.
Human beings are comprised of electromagnetic energy – every cell, atom and subatomic particle in your body is oscillating at different rates. It is why we can measure the brain on an ECG and the heart on an EEG.
Science has confirmed that an unseen energy flows through and connects all living things. This has also been a spiritual wisdom for 1000s of years, knowns as Ki (Japanese); Chi or Qi (Chinese) and Prana (Indian, often used as a term in yoga) or life force energy.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is an unseen high vibrational healing energy which is used as a hands-on healing technique. It can be used on the self, on others (including pets and animals), plants and in-animate objects. Anyone and everything can benefit from Reiki.
Although used 1000s of years ago, it was rediscovered by Dr Mikao Usui in the late 1800s who developed it as a holistic practice for balancing and harmonising all aspects of the self – the mind, body and spirit.
The translation of Reiki is Universal Life Force Energy:
Rei = all the wisdom and knowledge of the Universe
Ki = life force energy which flows through every living thing – plants, animals, people & inanimate objects too
It is pronounced as ‘Ray Key’.
How can Reiki help you?
The amount of Ki, or life force, within you varies from day to day. Sometimes we absorb Ki and ‘top up’ through food and drink (all animal and plant life as well as water is filled with Ki). We take it in from the air we breathe and absorb it through or auric field (that is the energy field which surrounds the physical body). So, when your Ki is high and free flowing, you will feel strong, fit and healthy as well as confident and ready to face life’s challenges. When you feel like this, you are less likely to become ill.
Your Ki holds the blueprint to all your experiences and you may find it contains blockages or restrictions. These can be caused by being around toxic or needy people who can lead us to feel drained and flat. It can also come from the toxins in our food as well as stress, shock, and trauma. When we are blocked we will feel tired, listless, and lethargic and maybe at dis-ease.
Reiki will break down the blockages and restrictions due to it being a high vibrational energy which can flow into, over and through anything. With an influx of high frequency energy, it can stimulate and accelerate the body’s own natural healing. Reiki will release the blockage, which in turn will release the toxins as well as promote a more positive attitude. This can lead you to make better lifestyle changes to bring more balance and harmony to your life.
Healing does not work in a linear line, and so it will work on what is best for you at that time either physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.
Get in touch if you would like to find out more
I knew I wanted to support others who were going through their own tough time, and so after extensive training I set up a holistic business 20 years ago which gradually evolved into training those who wanted to help others. Nowadays I am a full time trainer providing training in Reiki One, Reiki Two, Reiki Practitioner and Reiki Master as well as all aspects of Meditation.
If you would like to find out more about how a Reiki treatment can help you, I can put you in touch with Reiki Practitioners who have attended my approved and verified Practitioner Course. Or if you would like to access the amazing self-healing benefits, get in touch to find out more about my Reiki courses. Email info@sarahpresley.co.uk.
