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Reiki

History

Derivation of name

Japanese reiki 霊気 "mysterious atmosphere; spiritual power" is a loanword from Chinese lingqi 靈氣, which some Chinese-English dictionaries translate: "(of beautiful mountains) spiritual influence or atmosphere"; "① intelligence; power of understanding ② supernatural power or force in fairy tales; miraculous power or force"; "① spiritual influence (of mountains/etc.) ② ingeniousness; cleverness". This Japanese compound joins rei 霊 "ghost, spirit, soul; supernatural, miraculous, divine; ethereal body" and ki 気 "gas, air; breath; energy; force; atmosphere; mood; intention; emotion; attention", here meaning qi "spiritual energy; vital energy; life force; energy of life". Some reiki translation equivalents from Japanese-English dictionaries are: "feeling of mystery", "an atmosphere (feeling) of mystery", and "an ethereal atmosphere (that prevails in the sacred precincts of a shrine); (feel, sense) a spiritual (divine) presence."

English reiki or Reiki transliterates a Japanese loanword. Reiki is syntactically used as a noun (referring to either "the putative energy" or "the therapeutic method based upon it"), a verb, or an adjective. Some Western authors loosely translate reiki as "universal life energy". This coinage partially mistranslates: ki means "life energy" — rei does not mean "universal".

Origin

Mikao Usui (臼井甕男) originated Reiki in 1922 after a twenty-one day retreat on Mount Kurama, involving meditation, fasting, and prayer.Usui's 21 day retreat: (Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 p14); Usui said that by mystical revelation he had gained the knowledge and spiritual power to apply and attune others to what is called Reiki.

In April 1922, Usui moved to Tokyo and founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (Usui Reiki Healing Society).

Usui was an admirer of the literary works of Emperor Meiji, and, in the process of developing his Reiki system, summarised some of the emperor's works into a set of ethical principles, which later became known as the Reiki Principles ("GOKAI" in Japanese). Many Reiki teachers and practitioners aim to abide by these five principles, one translation of which is:

"The secret method of inviting good fortune.

The marvelous medicine for all sickness

Just for today:

: Do not be angry

: Do not worry

: Be grateful

: Work with integrity

: Be kind to others and to yourself.

Every morning and every night, sit in the Gassho position [hands held palm-to-palm] and speak these words out loud in your heart.

For the evolution of body and soul, Usui Reiki Ryoho" — Mikao Usui, the founder.

Usui taught over 2000 students to use Reiki. Sixteen of his students continued their training to reach the Shinpiden level, equivalent to the Western third degree, or master level.

Usui died in 1926.

Early development

After Usui's death, Chujiro Hayashi, a former student of Usui, left the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and formed his own association. Hayashi simplified the Reiki teachings, stressing physical healing and using a more codified and simpler set of Reiki techniques.

Hayashi initiated and trained Hawayo Takata, who traveled widely in the US, practising Reiki and teaching the first two levels to others.

Takata stressed the importance of charging money for Reiki treatments and teachings. In 1976, Takata began teaching the Shinpiden stage and introduced the term Reiki master for this level. She also fixed a price of $10,000 for the master training.

Takata died in 1980 by which time she had trained 22 Reiki masters. Almost all Reiki taught outside Japan can be attributed to her work.

Reiki's systems

Today, many Reiki systems exist, though there are two major systems, respectively called Traditional Japanese Reiki and Western Reiki.

Traditional Japanese reiki

The term Traditional Japanese Reiki is normally strictly used to describe the specific system that formed from Usui's teachings, and that did not go out of Japan. Around the time of the 1990s, some Western teachers travelled to Japan in order to find this particular system of Reiki, but they found nothing. They therefore started to establish Reiki schools, and to teach Reiki to the Japanese. Immediately upon this, the Japanese who had been secretly practising Reiki announced themselves and started spreading their knowledge. Since then, several systems of Traditional Japanese Reiki now exist, the main systems of which are listed below.
Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai is the name of a society of teachers who established their own Usui. This style has survived to the present day, with Ushida being the one who, upon death, substituted the presidency of the association to Usui. This society remained secret for many years, and at present, the teacher, Masaki Kondoh, is the president of the Gakkai. Many of their teachings remain secret, though little by little, members of this association - such as Master Hiroshi Doi - have been sharing their knowledge with the rest of the world. In spite of this, it continues to be a hermetic society, difficult to access.
Reido Reiki Gakkai is the name given to the system that derives from the masters of the Gakkai, and is led by Fuminori Aoki. Fuminori Aoki added to the teaching of the Gakkai, though differences in teaching are minimal. In this system, the symbol of the Koriki that was inspired Fuminori Aoki was adapted.
Komyo Reiki Kai is the name given to the system that takes the name of a school of Japanese Traditional Reiki, and was established by Hyakuten Inamoto（稲本　百天） Sensei. It differs from other systems in that it does not come from the Gakkai, but instead from the Hayashi line, through Chiyoko Yamaguchi（山口　千代子） that remained in Japan. It includes more teachings and specialised skills, as well as Usui's original symbols of Zui-un, Fukuyu, Honja-Ze-Shonén and Dai-Kō-Myō. At present, Hyakuten Inamoto Sensei is considered the successor of Mikao Usui because of his high spiritual evolutionary level.
Jikiden Reiki is the name given to the system that is similar to Komyo Reiki Kai, and was developed by the son of Ms. Yamaguchi, Tadao Yamaguchi（山口忠夫）.

Western Reiki

Western or Occidental Reiki, is a system developed by Hawayo Takata. The principle difference between the traditions is the use of set hand patterns for internal treatments instead of Reiki Ho, the intuitive skill "of knowing where to place the hands." Western Reiki places more emphasis on the healing of ailments, and ascension to higher levels of attunement is more formalized.

The Western Reiki tradition spread to Hawaii first, then to California and the rest of the Western world. As a result of the second world war, Takata decided to modify Traditional Japanese Reiki system to make it more understandable and credible to the mentality of the West. Several variations followed. Additionally, there are independent teachers and small associations who continue Takata's system independent of the big associations. The several traditions have quarreled over the true definition of Reiki, the purity of various lineages, and similar matters.

Reiki Usui Shiki Ryoho is the name given to the Western system of Reiki, meaning "Usui's System of Natural Healing," and is a system that has tried to cleave true to the original practises of Hawayo Takata. It is taught today by for instance the Reiki Alliance, led by Phyllis Lei Furumoto, Takata's granddaughter. In this system, as with most Western systems of Reiki, there are levels, respectively called the First Degree, Second Degree, and Master/Teacher. This system uses Takata's versions of the four original symbols, which are Cho-Ku Rei (commonly called "the power symbol"), Sei-He-Ki (commonly called "the mental/emotional symbol"), Hon-Sha-Ze-Sho-Nen (commonly called "the distance symbol"), and Dai-Ko-Myo Usui (commonly called "the master symbol").

Usui/Tibetan Reiki is the name given to the system that was developed by an American, William L. Rand. This system is derived from Usui Reiki as taught by Takata and includes techniques from the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai such as byosan scanning, gyoshi ho, kenyoku, and gassho and also combines elements from the Tibetan Raku Kei system as taught by Arthur Robertson. A modified attunement method incorporating the Violet Breath and the use of two Tibetan symbols along with the four Usui symbols is used. The symbols are the Tibetan Dai-Ko-Mio and the Fire Serpent. Along with introducing more symbols and the violet breath, Usui/Tibetan Reiki incorporates psychic surgery(This style was developed by Rand and is different than the Philippine version). Unlike Reiki Usui Shiki Ryoho, it has four levels, called First Degree, Second Degree, Advanced Reiki Training, and Master/Teacher.

Gendai Reiki Ho, developed by Hiroshi Doi, incorporates elements of both of the above two systems. Doi was first trained in Western Reiki by Mieko Mitsui, a Master of the "Radiance Technique." In 1993, he was granted membership to Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai. This system complements the Traditional Japanese Reiki with the Western system, but in essence, it is still Western Reiki, since Doi does not have the correct qualifications of a traditional Japanese Master.

Teachings

Reiki teachings claim that there is an inexhaustible, universal "life force" spiritual energy, that can be used to induce a healing effect.McKenzie 1998 p18; Lübeck,Petter,Rand 2001 pp14,68; Veltheim,Veltheim 1995 p30; Ellyard 2004 p27 Believers say that anyone can gain access to this energy by means of an attunement process carried out by a Reiki Master. Claims for such energy have no known theoretical or biophysical basis. "
Reiki is described by adherents as a holistic therapy which brings about healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.Reiki is holistic, bringing healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels: (Baginski,Sharamon 1988 p35); (Gollagher 1998 p44); (Boräng 1997 p10); (McKenzie 1998 p81) The belief is that the energy will flow through the practitioner's hands whenever the hands are placed on, or held near a potential recipient, who can be clothed. Some teachings stress the importance of the practitioner's intention or presence in this process, while others claim that the energy is drawn by the recipient's injury to activate or enhance the natural healing processes. Going further, the belief is that the energy is "intelligent", making diagnosis unnecessary.

A second level of training, including another initiation, is said to equip the practitioner to perform Reiki treatments from a distance. This method, it is stated, involves the use of special symbols to form a temporary connection between the practitioner and the recipient, regardless of location, and then to send the Reiki energy. Techniques are also taught whereby Reiki can be sent to a specific point in time, either in the past or the future.

Practice

Whole body treatment

In a typical whole-body Reiki treatment, the practitioner asks the recipient to lie down, usually on a massage table, and relax. Loose, comfortable clothing is usually worn during the treatment. The practitioner might take a few moments to enter a calm or meditative state of mind and mentally prepare for the treatment, that is usually carried out without any unnecessary talking.

The treatment proceeds with the practitioner placing his hands on the recipient in various positions. However, practitioners may use a non-touching technique, where the hands are held a few centimetres away from the recipient's body, for some or all of the positions. The hands are usually kept still for 3 to 5 minutes before moving to the next position. Overall, the hand positions usually give a general coverage of the head, the front and back of the torso, the knees and feet. Between 12 and 20 positions are used, with the whole treatment lasting 45 to 90 minutes.

Some practitioners use a fixed set of hand positions. Others use their intuition to guide them as to where treatment is needed, sometimes starting the treatment with a "scan" of the recipient to find such areas. The intuitive approach might also lead to individual positions being treated for much shorter or longer periods of time.

It is reported that the recipient often feels warmth or tingling in the area being treated, even when a non-touching approach is being used. A state of deep relaxation, combined with a general feeling of well-being, is usually the most noticeable immediate effect of the treatment, although emotional releases can also occur. As the Reiki treatment is said to be stimulating natural healing processes, instantaneous "cures" of specific health problems are not usually observed. A series of three or more treatments, typically at intervals of 1 to 7 days, is usually recommended if a chronic condition is being addressed. Regular treatments, on an on-going basis, can be used with the aim of maintaining well-being. The interval between such treatments is typically in the range of 1 to 4 weeks, except in the case of self-treatment when a daily practice is common.

Localized treatment

Localized Reiki treatments involve the practitioner's hands being held on or near a specific part of the body. Recent injuries are usually treated in this way, with the site of injury being targeted. There is great variation in the duration of such treatments, though 20 minutes might be typical.

Some practitioners use localized treatments for certain ailments, and some publications have tabulated appropriate hand positions. However, other practitioners prefer to use the whole body treatment for all chronic conditions, on the grounds that it has a more holistic effect. Another approach is to give a whole body treatment first, followed by a localized treatment.

Training

The teaching of Reiki outside of Japan is commonly divided into three levels, or degrees.

First degree

The first degree Reiki course teaches the basic theories and procedures. Four "attunements" are given to the student by the teacher. Students learn hand placement positions on the recipient's body that are thought to be most conducive to the process in a whole body treatment. Having completed the first degree course, the participant can treat himself and others with Reiki. The course duration is traditionally four sessions, most often presented in 2, 3, or 4 consecutive days

Second degree

In the second degree Reiki course, the student learns the use of three symbols which are said to enhance the strength and distance over which the effect can be exerted. Another attunement is given, which is said to further increase the capacity for Reiki to flow through the student, as well as empowering the use of the symbols. Having completed the second level, the student can work without being physically present with the recipient.

Third degree or master training

Through the third degree, or "master training", the student becomes a Reiki Master. (In Reiki terminology, the word "master" does not imply spiritual enlightenment.) One or more attunements are carried out and the student learns a further master-level symbol. Having completed the master training, the new Reiki Master can attune other people to Reiki and teach the three degrees of Reiki. The duration of the master training can be anything from a day to a year or more, depending on the school and philosophy of the Reiki Master giving the training.

Variations

There is much variation in training methods, speeds and costs. There is no accreditation body for Reiki, nor any regulation of the practice. Reiki courses can even be taken over the Internet, although Traditionalists state that attunement must be done in person in order to take effect, as the Reiki Master/Teacher doing the attunement must be able to actually touch the energy field of the person being attuned. Some traditionalists maintain that any method that teaches Reiki "quickly" cannot yield as strong an effect, because there is no substitute for experience and patient mastery of the art.

Scientific research

The scientific study of Reiki is complicated by the fact that in order to conduct a placebo-controlled study, one must make the placebo look like the treatment in every respect.

The strongest research conducted as of 2008 has failed to demonstrate that Reiki is an effective treatment for any condition. This systematic review assessed this evidence base, finding nine studies which fit their selection criteria. A modified Jadad score of methodological quality was used, taking into account the difficulty of blinding practitioners. Non-randomized studies were excluded, as the potential for intentional or unintentional bias in such studies is large, rendering the results uninterpretable. Overall, the methodological quality of the evidence base was found wanting, with even high-ranking studies failing fully to control for placebo effects and most studies suffering "methodological flaws such as small sample size, inadequate study design and poor reporting." As trials with such flaws are known to be likely to show exaggerated treatment effects, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that reiki is effective as sole or adjuvant therapy for any medical condition, or that it has any benefits beyond possible placebo effects.

Safety and effectiveness

Concerns about safety in Reiki are similar to those of other unproven alternative medicines. Doctors of medicine and allied health care workers believe that patients might avoid clinically proven treatments for serious conditions in favor of unproven alternative medicines. Reiki practitioners may encourage their clients to consult a medical doctor for serious conditions, stating that Reiki can be used to complement conventional medicine. Clinical trials have not reported any significant adverse effects from the use of Reiki.The National Council Against Health Fraud suggests that any clinical effect of Reiki may be due to suggestion (the placebo effect), and Reiki has been labelled as a "feel-good" therapy, where recipients themselves do not expect any significant healing effects.

Internal controversies

With the many varied ways that have been used to teach Reiki, there have emerged points of controversy between different groups, teachers and practitioners. Controversies exist on topics such as the nature of the Reiki energy itself, fees charged for courses and treatments, training methods, secrecy of symbols, and attunement methods.
Following the death of Hawayo Takata, through to the mid 1990s, there were rival claims to the title of "Grandmaster" of Reiki. However, this dispute largely evaporated when it was discovered that Takata herself had created the term.

Catholic Church concerns

In March 2009, the Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a decree (Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy, 25 March 2009) halting the practice of Reiki by Catholics, including Reiki therapies used in some Catholic retreat centers and hospitals. The conclusion of the decree stated that "since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, it would be inappropriate for Catholic institutions, such as Catholic health care facilities and retreat centers, or persons representing the Church, such as Catholic chaplains, to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy."