My Experience with Reiki
Written by Emma Andersson
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a traditional Japanese stress-reduction and relaxation technique dating back to the Meiji period that promotes healing, physically and emotionally. Composed of two Japanese characters, “Rei”, the higher power, and “Ki”, life force energy, the word loosely translates to “spiritually guided life force energy”. The practice of Reiki is independent of intellect and complements any existing spiritual practice, as it is not its own class of religion, but rather a supplementary approach to boosting balance and wellbeing.
The tradition of Reiki derives from the idea that all beings experience vital energy flow through the body that gives life, ki, similar to the Hindu concept of prana and the Chinese concept of chi. When one faces low ki, sickness and stress follow. When one faces high ki, happiness and health follow. Increasing our ki therefore leads to the achievement of a high state of wellbeing, which is promoted by Reiki.
Reiki masters directly transfer the ability to use Reiki to students via an attunement. Following attunement, individuals develop the capacity to act as an energy channel, redirecting source energy to raise one’s ki. The ultimate goal is to return ki to its natural point so that we arrive at our highest form of being. The palms serve as the point of connection to this energy; Reiki is administered by the laying of the palms on various parts of the body.
The Influence of Reiki on my Life
I stumbled into Reiki for the first time one year ago during my yoga teacher training, though my relationship with it was short-lived due to pandemic-related shutdowns. A few weeks ago, I reconnected with the practice after returning to my former studio and completing my Reiki training.
The fundament of Reiki that I resonate most strongly with is the principle of acting in accordance with one’s authentic self. Authenticity is my deepest core value, and guidance from the Reiki tradition has increased my awareness to the people and activities that promote the sense of authenticity and also to the people and activities that obstruct the sense of authenticity. Feeling more in touch with my highest self permeates positively into my work, my relationships, and my wellbeing.
Additionally, I am fortunate enough to have a Reiki master that I trust and go to for healing. When stressed, having Reiki performed on me has enabled me to move past that emotion and reconnect with my best self, allowing me to return to a relaxed and productive state of mind. Starting Reiki has expanded my toolkit for managing stress, making me altogether more resilient.
How to Incorporate Reiki into your Life
Though I am fortunate enough to have a relationship with a Reiki master that I trust, Reiki need not be restricted to those with access to that resource. The guiding principles of Reiki are quite beautiful and can find a place in the day-to-day life of anyone. They are as follows:
Just for today, no anger
Just for today, no worry
Just for today, be grateful
Just for today, be true to yourself and your work
Just for today, be kind and compassionate to yourself and all beings
Reiki calls for authenticity, gratitude, forgiveness, and connection, amongst other attributes. Being mindful of these principles is one way to easily incorporate Reiki into everyday life.
If interested in more deeply engaging with the practice by finding a Reiki master, I recommend reaching out to nearby yoga studios and healing centers. Finding someone that you trust and connect with is essential in achieving a productive practice, though what constitutes that person is distinct for everyone. Be particular and trust your intuition.
Reiki, in any capacity, has the potential to benefit the lives of all. Even just choosing one core principle to bring awareness to may improve your life immensely, so do not be intimidated by the expansiveness of the practice. At its core, Reiki is about connecting with the highest self, which can be achieved in many ways. Be open to this method of healing and decipher what reconnects you with your authentic self for improved relationships and productivity.