Reiki

How does Reiki work?

There is energy all around us as well as inside us. We are alive because this life force is flowing through us. Life force flows within the physical body though pathways called meridians and concentrates in energy centres called chakras. It also flows around us in a field of energy known as the aura. The life force nourishes the organs and cells of the body, supporting them in their vital functions. When this flow of life force is disrupted, it causes diminished function in one or more of the organs and tissues of the physical body.

The life force is responsive to thoughts and feelings. It becomes disrupted when we accept, either consciously or unconsciously, negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves. This diminishes the vital function of the organs and cells of the physical body.

Reiki heals by flowing through the affected parts of the energy field and charging them with positive energy. As has been scientifically proven it raises the vibratory level of the energy field in and around the physical body where the negative thoughts and feelings are attached. This causes the negative energy to break apart and fall away. In so doing, Reiki clears, straightens and heals the energy pathways, thus allowing the life force to flow in a healthy and natural way.

Reiki involves active participation on the part of the person who needs a session. They must request it, and they must be willing to take responsibility for their own healing. Virtually all physical ills have psychological, spiritual or emotional components. The goal for our health is strong clear chakras. When this is achieved our energy system is balanced, energy is flowing smoothly and unblocked and can get to where it is needed for healing, building and nourishing the physical body.

The chakra system is made up of a single vertical power channel, running from the top of the head (crown centre) down the spine, to the base centre. Along this vertical current are five chakras (sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, 3rd eye), forming horizontal intersections evenly distributed along its length.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND REIKI

What Happens in a Treatment?

Dr. Robert Becker. Prof. of Medicine, New York University and Dr. John Zimmerman, University of Colorado, researched Reiki treatments during the 1980's. They found that brain wave patterns of practitioner and receiver became synchronised in the alpha state, characteristic of deep relaxation. Pulsing in unison with the earth's magnetic field, known as the Schuman Resonance, the biomagnetic field of the practitioners' hands is at least 1000 times greater than normal.

Zimmerman (1990) in the USA and Seto (1992) in Japan further investigated the biomagnetic field emitted from the hands of practitioners during treatments. They discovered that the pulses are in the same frequencies as brain waves, and sweep up and down from 0.3 - 30 Hz, focusing mostly in the 7 - 8 Hz, alpha state. Independent medical research has shown that this range of frequencies will stimulate healing in the body, with specific frequencies being suitable for different tissues. For example, 2 Hz encourages nerve regeneration, 7Hz bone growth, 10Hz ligament mending, and 15 Hz capillary formation. Physiotherapy equipment based on these principles has been designed to aid soft tissue regeneration, and ultra sound technology is commonly used to clear clogged arteries and disintegrate kidney stones. Also, it has been known for many years that placing an electrical coil around a fracture that refuses to mend will stimulate bone growth and repair.

Becker explains that 'brain waves' are not confined to the brain but travel throughout the body via the perineural system, the sheaths of connective tissue surrounding all nerves. During treatment, these waves begin as relatively weak pulses in the thalamus of the practitioner's brain, and gather cumulative strength as they flow to the peripheral nerves of the body including the hands. The same effect is mirrored in the person receiving treatment, and Becker suggests that it is this system more than any other, that regulates injury repair and system rebalance. This highlights one of the special features of Reiki (and similar therapies) - that both practitioner and client receive the benefits of a treatment, which makes it very efficient.

It is interesting to note that Dr. Becker carried out his study on world-wide array of cross-cultural subjects, and no matter what their belief systems or customs, or how opposed to each other their customs were, all tested the same. Part of Reiki's growing popularity is that it does not impose a set of beliefs, and can therefore be used by people of any background and faith, or none at all.