The Usui Tradition of Natural Healing which roots are in the Buddhist Sanskrit scriptures has been practiced with great benefits by many for centuries. Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is a very powerful yet subtle energy healing tool. It can help empower you to help yourself and others anytime, anyplace, with healing energy through touch or at a distance. Reiki is simply a technique for transferring healing energy from a giver to a receiver. The practice of Reiki is like opening oneself to a huge river in flow with the universal life force current.

The Reiki calligraphy in Sanskrit was used in meditation by Tibetan holy men while meditating in monasteries. Reiki symbols were painted upon large wall hangings in the monasteries and were focused upon in the practices by monks who were striving for enlightenment.

What is now called Reiki was rediscovered in the 1870’s by Dr. Mikao Usui. As the story goes Dr. Usui, was the director of a small Christian university in Kyoto, Japan. One day, some of his students asked him if he believed in the healing miracles of Christ and whether he was able to demonstrate such healings. Dr. Usui was unable to answer. This question led him on a quest that lasted for approximately ten years. His search for the answer to how Christ healed sent him on a journey to many parts of the world where he studied different languages and religions. His quest finally brought him to the original Sanskrit Buddhist sutras where he found ancient symbols that he believed to be a formula for healing.

These symbols are what we as Reiki Master Teachers pass on to our students today when teaching the traditional Usui method of Natural Healing.  There are three symbols that are taught in the combined Reiki 1 & 2 Training and one more symbol that is provided in the Reiki 3 or Master Level Training. These symbols are used when providing a client with an energy healing session or when sending Reiki energy. The symbols are drawn in the air by the Reiki practitioner by using their hands over their client’s body. The symbols may also be visualized. There are many styles of Reiki practiced in the world today. Other Reiki Masters offer different symbols to use when clearing specific illnesses and symptoms in their clients. These different styles by different Reiki Practitioners and Masters may utilize different tools to conduct the flow of energy during a session, attunement or healing.

A Reiki Attunement is a Blessing or Initiation given to a Reiki student by a Reiki Master Teacher who passes on the gift of Reiki energy. It is a very holy space for a Reiki Master Teacher and student. The Reiki Attunement or Blessing allows a student access to a reservoir of Reiki energy through all the past Reiki Masters and Healers. Receiving a Reiki Attunement helps to increase the flow of life force energy coming through a Practitioner and benefits not only their clients but themselves. A consciousness within us is created that will help us to connect with the symbols for the rest of our lives. Reiki is always readily available to a student who has been trained and attuned.

A Reiki Practitioner or Master is a channel for Reiki – The Universal Life Force Energy does not come from us, it comes through us. Thus, whenever we give a Reiki treatment or send Reiki energy, we also will feel the peaceful, healing energy. We receive it when we give it. The more Reiki we give to ourselves and others, the more Reiki energy will flow through us. Reiki is the vibration of Love and Joy and we get to be along for the ride!