COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT
REIKI THERAPY
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WHAT IS REIKI?
Reiki is a form of energy healing that originated from Japan. 'Rei' means universal/vital and 'Ki' means Energy.
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The core principles of Reiki Therapy is that it is:
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A practice of transmitting healing energy (Vital Life Energy) through the hands
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Passed on from Teacher to student in person through the Attunement process
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Not guided by the Reiki Practitioner, but guided by your own energy body's innate wisdom to guide the Reiki where it is most needed.
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Reiki energy is not based on religious belief, faith or suggestion
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WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF REIKI?
Reiki was first discovered by Mikao Usui in 1922 in Tokyo Japan.
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Mrs. Hawayo Takata brought the original Reiki teachings of Usui from Japan to the West in 1937 and continued to practice and teach until her passing in 1980. Because of her devotion, Reiki has been passed on to millions of people all over the world, and the numbers continue to grow. If it wasn’t for her, Reiki most likely would never have been discovered by the West and available to you today. ​ Read the extraordinary story of how Mrs. Takata secured the survival of Reiki.
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In order for Takata Sensei to ensure the proliferation of Reiki during World War II in the West, she removed some of the core spiritual practices. To this day, many Western Reiki Practitioners are unaware of these missing practices. If you are interested, you can read more here about the difference between Japanese and Western Reiki.
HOW DOES REIKI WORK?
The Reiki Practitioner is 'attuned' to the Reiki, allowing them to access Reiki much like an antenna on a radio tuning into the correct channel.
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The Reiki Practitioner acts as a conduit between the Reiki and yourself, 'plugging you in' to the Reiki using a series of hand positions (mainly on the torso and head) which are the main energy centres of your body.
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Your energy body innately knows where the Reiki is needed and via the Reiki Practitioner, draws the Reiki for as long as it is needed. ​​
IS REIKI A RELIGION ?
No, Reiki is not a religion nor does it require any spiritual belief system whatsoever.
WHAT TYPES OF REIKI THERAPIES CAN I HAVE?
There are two ways you can receive Reiki:
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In-person Reiki Therapy ('Hands-On Reiki') where you attend the Reiki Session in person or
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Absent Reiki ('Distance Reiki') where you do not need to attend your session in person, and can be anywhere in the world whilst receiving Reiki.
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Read more specific FAQs about Hands-On Reiki here and about Distance Reiki here or head to the pages of this website which go into detail about what Hands-On Reiki Therapy and Distance Reiki Therapy respectively are.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DOES A REIKI PRACTITIONER HAVE?
A person may call themselves a Reiki Practitioner without having any formal qualifications or having undertaken questionable training.
It is recommended that you engage a Reiki Practitioner that has:
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Completed an 'in-person' training course (as opposed to online),
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Holds a certificate in Reiki and has completed the Second Degree (Reiki II) Practitioner level training,
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Has trained and practices the original, unmodified system of Reiki (Refer to 'SYSTEMS OF REIKI' for more detail.​​
SHOULD I SEEK A REIKI SHIHAN (MASTER) TO FACILITATE REIKI FOR ME?
Both a Reiki II Practitioner and a Reiki Shihan (known as 'Master' in the West) have the same capacity to channel Reiki for clients as they have received the same level of attunement and training needed to practice Reiki professionally.
Level II Reiki training which earns the Practitioner the title of Reiki Master focusses soley on preparing and 'attuning' the Reiki II Practitioner to teach Reiki to others and to pass Reiki down to students via the attunement process.
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When seeking a Reiki Practitioner, it is recommended that you seek a Second Degree Reiki Practitioner (Reiki II) or a Level III Master as both have the same capacity to access Reiki and facilitate Reiki for others. ​​​
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KNOW A REIKI PRACTITIONER'S LINEAGE?
It is important to know your Reiki Therapist's Lineage, as this is a way that you can verify and ensure that they are qualified and practicing authentic Reiki Therapy. It may also help inform you about the form they use.
Reiki is passed on in person from Teacher to student in a process called Reijy (Attunement/Initiation) over and over. An authentic Reiki Practitioner will have a succession of Teachers leading directly back to the founder of the system of Reiki one is practicing (this is called 'Lineage').
I Practice Komyo Reiki Do as in my research, studies and experience, it teaches only the original, whole system of Reiki (including all the known practices originally taught by Dr Usui), and therefore is one of the most authentic, unmodified system of Reiki founded by Father of Reiki, Dr. Mikao Usui.
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There are hundreds of new systems of Reiki around these days. At the very least, it is recommended that you seek a Reiki Practitioner whose lineage traces directly back to Dr. Mikao Usui. Read more about 'The Training of your Reiki Practitioner'.​​​
HOW DO I KNOW THE REIKI PRACTITIONER IS PRACTICING AUTHENTIC REIKI?
These days there are some practitioners practice modified systmes of Reiki, use crystals and incorporate other forms of energy healing and call it Reiki.
In order to ensure that you are receiving authentic Reiki Therapy, it is recommended that you find a Reiki Therapist that has a Certificate of training in a verifiable lineage (and practices).
There are many different systems of Reiki and you can read more below about what factors to consider when finding the best Reiki Practitioner For You.​​​
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A PROSPECTIVE REIKI PRACTITIONER
When trying to find a suitable Reiki Practitioner for you, it is recommended that they answer 'yes' to these questions:
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Have you attended 'in-person' Reiki Training (as opposed to online)?
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Do you have a Certificate of Training in Level II or Level III Reiki
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Can I see your Reiki Lineage (make sure it traces back to Reiki Founder, Dr. Usui?)
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Do you practice Reiki daily on yourself and do you have any other spiritual Practices as a matter of daily routine to help you be a clear and strong Reiki Channel?
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Do you use a 'hands-on' technique for the Reiki hand positions (as opposed to hovering)?
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Do you practice flexible timing of the hands positions until I have drawn all the Reiki I need in each position (as opposed to timing the positions)?
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It may also help to ask
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Have you added any other modalities apart from Reiki to your Sessions and do they take time or focus away from pure hands-on Reiki
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What system of Reiki have you trained in? (In order to determine how modified their practices are from the traditional form of Reiki)
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For more detail on the reasoning behind those questions, read 'Tips For Finding A Reiki Practitioner'.
CAN REIKI TREAT ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION?
Reiki can be incredibly effective as a complimentary therapy for anxiety or depression. Clients who are on medication and/or seeing a trained professional such as a Psychologist or Counselor are strongly encouraged to continue with them whilst having Reiki Therapy and to consult their Treating Physician to discuss any changes or modifications they may with to make to their mental health regiment following Reiki Therapy.​
DO YOU HELP TREAT TERMINAL OR CHRONIC ILLNESS?
Reiki can be used as a Complimentary Therapy in addition to any treatment you may be receiving for cancer or any chronic illness. It can be a particularly powerful and effective way to help reduce, minimise and manage side effects of treatment and/or the symptoms of any medical condition as well as helping you retain a calm and peaceful state of mind during treatment.
CAN REIKI INTERFERE WITH MY PRESCRIBED MEDICATION?
No. Reiki can do no harm and is complimentary to any medical treatment you may be receiving. As a result of the significant improvement some clients experience following Reiki Therapy, they may wish to modify their medical treatments. In such cases, it is strongly recommended that this only be done via consultation with their treating physician.
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CAN I USE REIKI THERAPY FOR MY PET?
Yes. Reiki works for animals in the same way that it works for humans. In fact, Reiki can also be used for plants, geographical areas, personal or business issues, situations and even world events.
As Reiki works with energy and frequency, Reiki can be used for anything that has energy resonance.
CAN I USE REIKI THERAPY FOR MY PET?
Yes. Reiki works for animals in the same way that it works for humans. In fact, Reiki can also be used for plants, geographical areas, personal or business issues, situations and even world events.
As Reiki works with energy and frequency, Reiki can be used for anything that has energy resonance.
WHAT ELSE CAN REIKI BE USED FOR?
Reiki works on every element of our being, the physical, psychological, mental, emotional and the spiritual.
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Reiki, amongst many other things, can be incredibly effective for:
Depression
Anxiety
Pain & symptom management (including for life-limiting illnesses)
Side effects from treatments (including chemotherapy & radiation)
Physical ailments or injuries
Insomnia or sleep issues
Constipation
Burns & wound healing
Fatigue
Stress
Migraines & headaches
Palliative & End of Life care
Spiritual connection and growth and
General health & wellbeing
CAN REIKI BE USED FOR PALLIATIVE AND END OF LIFE CARE?
Yes. Reiki is an extraordinarily powerful and effective tool in management of palliative and end of life care. As Reiki works on so many different levels (the physical, psychological, mental, emotional and spiritual), it can be an incredibly beautiful and useful Complimentary Therapy.
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Throughout the various stages of end of life, clients who have utilised Reiki Therapy have reported some of the following benefits:​
Significant reduction in side effects of medications and treatments
Reduced pain
Increased vitality
Increased energy and reduced fatigue
Greater overall feeling of happiness and wellbeing
Reduced fear
Increased sense of calm
More relaxed
Greater sense of feeling at peace ​
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS OF A REIKI TREATMENT
Whilst most clients find Reiki relaxes and uplifts them and they feel wonderful in the days following their session, some clients can experience some uncomfortable side effects for a short period as the Energy shifts and adjusts and moves things that no longer serve them. For more details, you can read more about the possible side effects of Reiki.
