Reiki has been around for thousands of years and, in fact, many believe it has been around since the beginning of time. Many religions have referenced the concept of healing. Some have embarked on a quest to understand why the art of healing had faded from contemporary culture.
Mikao Usui rediscovered Bristol Reiki Therapy in the 1920's, a practice that had been lost over time. Usui, sought enlightenment, delving into Buddhist sutras in search of healing keys. It was only after mastering Sanskrit and deepening his studies that he unearthed what he believed to be the essence of healing within Tibetan Buddhist texts.
The word "Reiki" itself is a combination of two Japanese characters:
- "Rei" – meaning universal or divine wisdom.
- "Ki" – meaning life force or vital energy (similar to "chi" in Chinese or "prana" in Hindu traditions).
Ki, Chi, Prana, and Universal Life Force The concept of "Ki" (or "Chi" in Chinese and "Prana" in Indian Ayurveda) is a fundamental principle in many ancient healing traditions. These traditions believe that life energy flows through all living things and that this energy can become blocked or imbalanced, leading to illness or discomfort.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): This system is based on the idea of balancing life energy, or "Chi," which flows through the body’s meridians. Practices like acupuncture and Tai Chi aim to restore the flow of energy and promote health, much like Reiki’s goal of channeling energy to clear blockages and restore balance.
Ayurveda: In the ancient Indian system of Ayurveda, “Prana” is the vital life force that governs physical and mental processes. Practices such as yoga, meditation, and breath control (pranayama) are designed to balance this energy, which parallels Reiki’s focus on promoting balance and well-being through energy work.
Hands-On Healing and Laying of Hands The practice of using touch or hand movements to heal has existed for millennia. Ancient cultures across the world, including in Egypt, Greece, and India, practiced forms of "laying on of hands" to promote healing. These methods were often spiritual in nature and focused on channeling divine or universal energy to assist in healing.
Ancient Egypt: Healing practices involved the use of hands to transfer energy, with priests and healers performing rituals designed to align spiritual forces and restore harmony in the body.
Christianity: Early Christian traditions include the "laying on of hands" as a method of spiritual healing, where the healer’s hands would act as conduits for divine energy or blessings.
Reiki’s use of hands to channel energy echoes these ancient practices. Reiki integrates the hands-on approach to focus on spiritual and energetic healing.
Japanese Folk Medicine and Spiritual Practices Modern Usui Reiki is influenced by traditional Japanese healing methods and spiritual practices that date back centuries. For instance, Kiko (the Japanese equivalent of Qigong) involves exercises that cultivate and balance life energy, much like Reiki’s emphasis on the flow of "Ki."
Usui’s personal spiritual practice was heavily influenced by Tendai Buddhism and Shinto, both of which emphasize meditative practices and a connection with the spiritual and natural world. These ancient traditions shaped the philosophical foundation of Reiki, even though the system itself was modernized and formalized by Usui.
Why Reiki Is Sometimes Viewed as an "Ancient" Practice
Reiki draws on age-old concepts of energy healing, spiritual wellness, and the use of hands in healing. The connection to ancient medicine is less about direct lineage and more about shared philosophies regarding the flow of energy, spiritual balance, and the body's innate healing capabilities.
Reiki is often grouped with other holistic and complementary therapies that are based on ancient principles because it resonates with ideas found in traditional healing systems:
- Balancing life force energy (Ki, Chi, or Prana)
- Hands-on healing and energy transfer
- Spiritual and emotional wellness as integral to physical health
Reiki’s foundational belief in energy work and healing, while developed in modern Japan, taps into universal and ancient ideas that have persisted throughout human history.
In conclusion, although Reiki is often associated with a more modern healing practice, draws deeply from ancient traditions and philosophies that emphasize the flow of life force energy. These ancient systems, found in cultures such as traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and Japanese spiritual practices, all share a belief in the existence of an invisible energy that permeates all living things and can be harnessed to promote healing and balance. Techniques involving hands-on healing and the channeling of this vital energy are seen across civilizations, reinforcing the timelessness of the core principles Reiki embodies. In this way, Reiki is connected to humanity’s long-standing pursuit of holistic well-being through the restoration of energetic harmony, reflecting wisdom passed down through the ages.
Feel free to contact Fiona Williams (Reiki Master/Teacher) with questions regarding Reiki Therapy.
website: reikilife.co.uk
email: [email protected]
