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Welcome to Reiki Retreat! A place for both the novice and seasoned Reiki practitioner to drop by for inspiration, information, and ideas. My hope it to have an engaging community where lightworkers gather and share what we are doing as we move ahead in these exciting days of spiritual evolution..

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Reiki FAQ 1: Basic Questions


BASIC REIKI QUESTIONS

This section of questions is for those just dropping by while researching or checking out the topic of Reiki.

What is Reiki?
Pronounced ray-kee, Reiki is a very gentle, yet powerful, self-healing modality, in which one channels the universal life force energy, for the purposes of restoring balance and harmony.

Rei- refers to universal consciousness, that higher power or source energy. It knows each living organism at its deepest level, understanding completely what creates balance and imbalance. Ki- refers to a non-physical energy that flows through all living things. When we are feeling good, the ki energy flows freely. When we begin to get out of balance, there is a restriction in the flow of this energy. When we become health challenged, there is a great slowing down of the ki. When a living organism dies, there is no flow of ki left in the body..

Where does Reiki come from?
Reiki energy is a subtle, non-physical energy coming from a Higher Source, which exists on a higher dimension than the physical world we are familiar with. We channel the energy into and through us, for healing purposes- to restore and balance.

What can Reiki do?
The simplest explanation is that Reiki reduces stress, allowing the body to go into a deep state of relaxation. In this state we are able to do many things to help ourselves access the healer within.
What can Reiki be used for?
There are so many ways Reiki can be used and incorporated into one's life. As a first aid tool, it is indispensible for immediate action until we can get other help, it compliments traditional medical treatment beautifully, it can be used to help restore an inner state of balance, manage or reduce pain, bless water and food, assist the healing of plants, animals, and the environment ... really the list can just go on and on.


What kind of training is necessary?
This is the beauty of Reiki, very little training is actually needed to get started with this healing modality. An open heart, a clear intention for working for the highest good, and your hands are enough to get you started.

Reiki does not require a big investment in money for education and materials. Since we channel the energy, we do not need to direct it. We do not diagnose. We simply allow the energy to flow through us. It goes to where it needs to go to get to the root cause of what is out of balance.
Reiki teachers, often called Reiki Masters, can determine how they wish to set up a class for teaching. Often a Level I class is taught in a full one day session. I personally, perfer to teach over a 4 week period of time.

As a retired educator, I often rely on good, general teaching practices. To me, it is difficult for an individual to fully attend and process all the information in one day, so I extend my class sessions. But each person is unique in their needs and wants. When looking for a Reiki teacher, you should select someone who aligns best with your preferred style of learning.

What is Reiki Level I?
If you are interested in taking a class in Reiki, this is where you start. It is about learning to access the healing power of Reiki, so you can work with the energy on yourself, first and foremost! You also are able to work with others--be it plant, animal, human- in person. It is where the foundation is set.

At Level I, you will learn the background information, general protocol of hand positions, receive a basic introduction to the chakra system, learn the 5 Reiki principles, be taught and practice self-treatments and working with others. Reiki is activated through an attunement process channelled by the Reiki teacher to the student. This helps you to access the reiki energy upon immediate request, as well as raising your vibrational level.

Is Reiki a Religion?
No, it is not a religion. It is a spiritual practice, when embraced fully into one's lifestyle. The Reiki principles which are taught, are really part of every culture's belief system. When these principles are used as a guiding light, peace and harmony become the mainstay of our lives.

What are the 5 Reiki Principles?
Glad you asked! Just for today...I let go of worry, I let go of anger, I live my life honestly, I give thanks for my many blessings and I am kind to all living things. If we get into the practice of reciting these principles each morning and evening, they become a central focus for our day.


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