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Reiki, pronounced ray-kee is a lovely, ancient healing art that
originated centuries ago in Tibet. As you probably already know,
Tibet is located in what is now China. You also know that acupuncture
began in China, and that acupuncture is centered about the concept
of a life-force energy called chi. So we are talking about ancient
cultures that regarded disruptions in the body's chi as a source
of dis-ease. Today this concept is being given more attention, as
science begins to accept the idea that there is more to physical
disfunction than just germs and broken bones.
About a century ago, the precepts of Reiki were re-discovered by
a Japanese Christian monk, physician and teacher named Dr. Mikao
Usui. He gave the healing system, which he found after many years
of study of the ancient Tibetan Buddhist sutras, the Japanese name
of "Reiki". The word rei means "spirit" or "soul", and ki is the
Japanese equivalent of the Chinese chi. The term Reiki, therefore,
embodies the concept of a universal life force appropriate to healing
the all-enveloping energy of body, soul and spirit.
Reiki brings healing energy to wherever it is needed in the body
or soul. It is given in treatments by practitioners who are trained
in the system of Dr. Usui,. Because we believe that Reiki healing
comes from God, or the Supreme Being, or the Great Spirit, or however
one conceives of the dynamic force that governs the universe, the
Reiki practitioner understands that he or she is just a conduit
for this healing energy. A healing always occurs, but a healing
is not the same thing as a cure. For this reason, it is not up to
the practitioner to decide what form the healing will take, but
she knows and trusts that it will always serve the highest good.
Reiki treatments involve very light hand pressure over affected
parts of the body. Most people find Reiki very relaxing, and while
it is advisable to remove watches and jewelry, treatment can be
given through clothing, bandages, casts or whatever. A full-body
treatment can last up to an hour for a person; it will usually take
less time for a horse or a pet. Animals often become very calm and
still during a session, and sometimes will show a strong preference
for certain areas of treatment.
In summary, Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive healing system. While
it is believed that the healing comes from God, Reiki has no specific
religious affiliation and involves no doctrines or creeds. It is
appropriate for all living things and can never do harm. Reiki is
beginning to find its way into mainstream medicine, as more and
more nurses, and even doctors, are becoming trained practitioners.
( In our own area, you can find a neurologist at the University
of Florida Vet School, named Dr. Clemmons, who practices and teaches
Reiki.) It would seem that in the near future, Reiki will be as
widely recognized and accepted as acupuncture, chiropractic and
massage are, in their ability to augment and complement conventional
medical treatment.
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