Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – Rei which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which is “life force energy”. So Reiki is actually “spiritually guided life force energy.”
A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.
Reiki is a simple (Pet Photo), natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.
An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an “attunement” given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of “life force energy” to improve one’s health and enhance the quality of life.
Its use is not dependent on one’s intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.
While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.
While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.
Recall that the word Reiki means “Universal Life-Force Energy”. This energy is everywhere all the time and can be channeled by anybody at any time. So what is it which makes a Reiki Practitioner different from the others? Should a Reiki Practitioner be thought to be more special than the rest of the world?
Recall that the system being talked about here is properly called “The Usui System of Natural Healing” and that “Reiki” is the common nickname. Therefore the question really is:
What makes a practitioner of the Usui System of Natural Healing? This is much simpler. An Usui System of Natural Healing Practitioner is one who has received the attunements to the Reiki energy. These attunements are generally only given in a Reiki class. A Reiki attunement is the ceremony through which a Reiki Master gives to the student the ability to access Reiki.
A. In I Corinthians 14:1 Paul tell us to eagerly desire spiritual gifts. In I Corinthians 12: 28 Paul says that healing is one of the gifts. Paul also says that each of the gifts is best expressed with love. Also, Jesus is quoted in John 14:12 as saying, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.” We know that Jesus practiced laying on hands type healing, therefore, it is scriptural for Christian to practice healing by laying on hands.
Q. What is the best way for a Christian to practice Reiki?
A.. Reiki provides a very wonderful way for Christians to make use of God’s power. When giving or receiving Reiki attunements or treatments, call on God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to work directly through you and do the healing for you. This can be done through prayer before Reiki sessions, attunements or classes etc. Christians have also found praying for additional healing power from Archangel Michael, Gabriel and the other angels of God to be very effective. In this way your connection with God’s love can become very powerful and act as a source of guidance, healing and love that will always be available to you.
Q.. Why is the Reiki attunement necessary? How does it work?
A. The attunement is a process that turns on your healing energy. During this process God is able to connect you more strongly to his power which strengthens the healing energy coming from your hands. While everyone has some healing ability we know from experience that those who receive a Reiki attunement have noticeably stronger healing energies coming from their hands and are able to help others in a more effective way with their Reiki treatments. As a Christian it is recommended that you say a prayer at the beginning of the attunement process asking that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will perform the attunement through the Reiki master. Christians have found this to be a very valuable and uplifting experience that strengthens their connection to God and increases their healing ability.
Q. How do we know that Reiki comes from God? I’ve heard some people say Reiki comes from Satan. How can I know the truth?
A. Our understanding about Satan comes from the Bible. No where in the Bible do we find an instance where Satan healed someone. Satan tempts people to sin but Satan does not heal people. Furthermore, in Luke 6:44, Jesus says, “Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.” Which is to say that if something is beneficial and helps people, and those results are long lasting such as the healing people receive from Reiki, then it must be good and come from God.
Q. Is Reiki a religion?
A. Religions are usually involved with issues such as heaven and hell, sin and salvation etc. and have a doctrine or code that one must believe in in order to be a part of the religion. Reiki does not deal with these things. Reiki is a simple healing technique. It does not require one give up ones religion or changes ones religious beliefs in any way to practice it. Most Christians who practice Reiki state that Reiki brings them closer to God, to Christ and to the Holy Spirit and because it is a method of healing, it helps them fulfill their Christian calling to help others.
Q. Is Reiki a cult?
A. In order for something to be a cult, it must have certain detrimental effects on its members. A usual requirement is that they must give up their previous religious beliefs and accept the new beliefs of the group without question. In Reiki, this is not required. People are free to continue with any religious belief they have previously chosen and in fact people of all religious beliefs practice Reiki. In most cults, there is a leader to which members must follow and obey. Reiki has no leader. Practitioners can practice anyway they want and are not controlled by anyone. In addition, in most cults, members are asked to give all or most of their possessions to the group, they often live communally and contact with the outside world is discouraged. None of these conditions exist in Reiki. Reiki is religiously neutral.
Q. I understand Reiki uses symbols. I’ve been told that Christians shouldn’t be involved with anything that uses symbols.
A. Keep in mind that symbols are part of Christianity. The fish and the cross are Christian symbols. Note also that Catholics make the sign of the cross over their chests for protection and to become empowered with Christ. Symbols are used in Reiki to connect with different kinds of Reiki energy and since Reiki healing energies all come from God, the symbols are a way to connect with God. However, if a person doesn’t like the idea of symbols, they are not necessary to use with Reiki as in Reiki I there are no symbols.
Q.. I’ve heard of Reiki practitioners speak of Reiki guides. What’s this about? I’ve been told that Christians should avoid contacting spirits.
A.. The idea of Reiki guides is not actually part of the original Reiki teaching, but was added later by Western practitioners. Therefore, one doesn’t have to contact a spirit guide to use Reiki as Reiki energy comes directly from God and spirit guides are not necessary. However, it is possible as a Christian to use a similar concept when practicing Reiki. Keep in mind that Jesus, Mary and other Biblical figures received help from spiritual beings in the form of angels. Angels are spiritual beings that God has created to be his messengers and it is possible for Christian Reiki practitioners to make use of their help. God’s angels can help heal and also provide guidance. It is also possible to call on God directly and especially Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to be present and provide healing energy directly from them, but sometimes God will send an angel to do this also. Remember, the entire book of Revelations was given to John by an angel – indicating the responsiblity God sometimes gives to angels to act as spiritual guides.
Q. Is Reiki wizardry, black magic etc?
A. Wizardry and black magic etc. is always used with the idea of gaining power over others or gaining some personal benefit regardless of God’s will. It does not call on God but on lower powers or other lower beings to help fulfill ones desires. Reiki does not operate in this way. It cannot be used to fulfill ones personal desires unless they are part of God’s plan. Reiki can only be used to heal and to help people and is always guided by God.
Q. I’ve heard that Reiki is a Buddhist practice. Is this true?
A. While Mikao Usui who founded Reiki was a Buddhist, he had respect for all religions including Christianity which he had studied. At one point in his life he lived with a Christian family and had Christian friends. He did not want Reiki to be a religious practice but wanted it to be a simple healing technique that anyone could use. Because of this there are no Buddhist practices in Reiki. Reiki is religiously neutral. Reiki energy comes from God, which is understood to be the one or Universal God.
Q.. Is Reiki right for all Christians to practice?
A. As we can see from the information presented on this website, Reiki is in alignment with the teachings of the Bible. Yet, it is not likely that that all Christians will be drawn to practice it. If you are interested in Reiki and are in the process of making a decision about receiving a Reiki treatment or attending a Reiki class, it is suggested that you pray about it and then follow the guidance that comes to you from God.
