Learning Reiki
Everything is energy. You are energy. Your friends are energy. You parents, your spouse, any children you may have…everyone is energy. This is a fact that goes down to your molecular buildup. In fact, Albert Einstein himself realized this as fact: everything is energy. But what does that have to do with Reiki? A lot, actually.
Reiki is a type of meditation and therapy that can help you become more attuned to the energy of your body. Some people also believe that Reiki is a spiritual experience. However, that does not mean it is a religion. Religion and spirituality are not one in the same.
What Exactly is Reiki?
In order to properly learn Reiki, you must first have an understanding of this healing practice. Any skepticism aside, people have had success with Reiki healing them. The practice works by helping you better utilize your body’s natural healing abilities.
By definition of its derivative words—the Chinese “Rei” and “Ki”—Reiki allows you to tap into the body’s vital spiritual energy. To do this, instruction is necessary. At least initially.
While you can practice Reiki on your own body, it is more common to have someone else do it to you. You might even find it more relaxing. It’s kind of like a message, except there is little to no touching involved.
Instead, the practitioner, someone who has studied how to utilize Reiki, will meet with you. This includes such study methods as those offered through Chikara-Reiki-Do online classes.
The practitioner, or Reiki Master, will run their hands over your body, many times taking a hands-off approach where their palms hover just above your body.
The idea is that practitioners are helping to shape and redistribute the energy—possibly the electromagnetic energy—already present in your body. Another understanding is that the energy from the practitioner flows from their palms and into the person resting on the table.
Either way, it is meant to be a cleansing practice. The understanding of how exactly Reiki works is a little hazy. It is like how a purring cat is said to help speed up the healing process. We don’t know exactly why it works. We only know that there are people who have found it helps.
How Do You Learn Reiki?
There are a few options which have already been touched on in the previous section. The following will offer a more detailed understanding of those options.
A Reiki Master
Many people believe this is the only way to learn how to do Reiki. This is not actually the case, but it is a good place to start.
Reiki Masters are those who have a full understanding of what Reiki is and how to practice it. To teach those new to the healing art of Reiki, there are usually 3 different level classes: 1, 2, and 3.
- Class level 1 is more an overview of the practice. It will usually include the basic concepts and hand positions, as well as the history of Reiki.
- Class level 2 builds on the concepts learned in the first class level. It also usually introduces the different symbols, attunements, emotional aspects, and mental aspects of Reiki.
- Class level 3 is considered the Master Class. This class must be completed in order for someone to be considered a Reiki Master. It teaches the student how to become the teacher.
There may be variations in how specific Reiki Masters decide to teach their students, but this can offer you a good general idea of what to expect.
It is important to note that you should do research on local Reiki Masters before choosing one. There have been cases where someone posing as a Reiki Master is not actually a Reiki Master. Be careful.
Reiki Online
Alternatively, you can learn Reiki by taking online classes. Chikara-Reiki-Do puts out an option for taking this route to learning. With online courses you might see more variation between teaching style than you would if you went to Reiki Masters.
That is not to say that one way would be more successful than another, only that you might notice some differences in approach to teaching.
The argument set forth by individuals like the founders of Chikara-Reiki-Do is that you already have the ability within you. They fully believe that, like with the originator of the practice, Mikao Usui, you just have to unlock your understanding. They teach you how.
Conclusion
Learning Reiki can take time and dedication. It also takes someone who knows what they’re talking about. Follow the path to understanding that makes the most sense to you and your needs. Will you find a local Reiki Master? Or will you learn online with the help of individuals like the founders of Chikara-Reiki-Do?
