What is Reiki?

 Reiki therapy
 encourages 
deep relaxation and healing
of body, mind and spirit
promoting physical, mental and emotional
harmony and good health

Reiki is an ancient, gentle yet powerful system of natural healing. During Reiki therapy, energy is channelled through the practitioner’s hands to the client, replenishing their essential, life-force energy and stimulating the body’s natural ability to balance and heal mind, body and spirit. 

Reiki therapy reduces susceptibility to illness and the effects of stress.  Reiki can reduce pain caused by physical trauma or emotional distress. It can also support the recognition and resolution of problems, along with beneficial changes in attitude, life style or direction.  

Reiki does not interfere with orthodox medicine; Reiki is well-known to complement all other forms of healing.

It is believed that this way of healing was first used by Tibetan Buddhist monks.  Reiki was rediscovered in the late 1800’s by Dr Mikao Usui.  

He then passed Reiki on to Dr Chujiro Hayashi.  When he in turn entrusted all the knowledge to Madame Hawayo Takata, he  especially chose a woman because she was less likely to be killed during the war, making it less likely that Reiki would be lost again. Madame Takata introduced Reiki to the Western world.  

Rei – Universal/Spiritual Wisdom  The word Rei means universal.  However, this is a very general definition because Japanese Kanji have several levels of meaning. This can be interpreted as the Higher Spiritual (or All-knowing) Consciousness which understands the root cause and therefore the cure for all problems and difficulties.

Ki – The Life Force  Ki is the vital Life Force that flows through all living things.  This has been identified by all cultures, and therefore has many other names eg. Chi in Chinese, Prana in Sanskrit, Mana in Hawaiian.  Ki surrounds and animates all life and is the primary source of our thoughts, emotions and spiritual existence.

Ki is used by all healers, regardless of their belief systems.  It is the non-physical energy that can be accumulated by the body and guided by the will.

Rei – ki  therefore, can be defined as the spiritually guided Universal Life Force.  This is the most accepted interpretation of the word, and sums up the experience most people have of the energy.

Karuna Reiki

Karuna is a Sanskrit word that can be translated to mean any action that is taken to diminish the suffering of others. It can also be translated as "compassionate action."   Karuna Reiki is also known as the Reiki of Compassion.  

Through helping and healing others, all beings benefit; in enlightenment, all beings are one.  Karuna is not only extended to others out of love, but also because it is the logical thing to do; just as you would want to heal yourself, you also want others to heal.

Karuna Reiki was developed by William Lee Rand, with other healers, as he was guided to extended his knowledge and use of Reiki healing.  The system of Karuna Reiki was refined until its current form was established in 1995.  

The energy in Karuna Reiki has a higher vibrational frequency than that used in Usui Reiki, and is usually experienced by both practitioners and recipients as more powerful and deeply effective.  Healing is, however, still very gentle, and receiving it is definitely very enjoyable. 

Karuna is not a substitute for Usui Reiki; it is used with Usui to further empower and promote healing.  Usui Reiki practitioners must achieve Master status before they can progress to learn and use Karuna.