What is Reiki?

Reiki is a method of "hands-on" healing and spiritual development which was developed as "the way to make mind & body healthy on the basis of Universal Reiki" by Mikao Usui.
Though virtually every culture throughout history has some tradition of hands-on healing, Reiki differs from them in the respect that hard training is not necessary and anyone can use it, once attuned to the energy.

Usui-sensei said "each and every thing that exists in the universe possesses Reiki" - the Universal energy which is the essence of all existence, also known by many names - Aura, Qi, Vitality, Prana, Ki.

When we resonate in harmony with this universal energy, we have health. When our body or mind is on a different wavelength from the rest of the universe,either our health breaks down or we suffer misfortune.

Reiki as we know it today, was developed in Japan by Mikao Usui in 1922, after 21 days of a fasting retreat on Mt Kurama. It is said that on the 21st day he suddenly felt a great REIKI go through his head, awakening him spiritually and bestowing a healing ability on him. (Reiki was a traditional Japanese term for Universal Energy)
On his return from Mt Kurama, Usui-Sensei established an institute where Reiki healing treatments were performed and Reiki was transmitted to interested students.
After Usui-Sensei's death in 1926, Reiki continued to be developed in Japan through the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, and in the West through the teachings of Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman who took Reiki teachings to Hawaii.
Naturally enough, these two traditions have evolved in somewhat different ways over the last 80 years, and there is now an international movement to re-discover all the different aspects of Usui-sensei's teachings.

What is Gendai Reiki-Ho?

Gendai Reiki-Ho has been developed by a Japanese Reiki Master, Hiroshi Doi, who has received both Western and Japanese Reiki training. His book Iyashino Gendai Reiki-Ho or Modern Reiki Method for Healing is a wonderful introduction to this style of Reiki practice. Though it is currently out of print, we hope an updated version will be published in the near future. Gendai Reiki-ho is a synthesis of both Japanese & Western traditions. It aims to embody the original spirit of Usui-Sensei - purifying mind, body and spirit so we can live in perfect harmony, peace and wellness.
It focuses on developing your spiritual path through Reiki and its practice is very flowing - developing your ability to work with the body's energy field and intuitively follow with your hands,to where the Reiki energy needs to flow.

Experiencing Reiki

Reiki treatments are deeply relaxing and work on the energetic, mental, emotional and physical levels.
Reiki is particularly effective for problems associated with anxiety, stress or mental exhaustion.
Reiki works on the energetic level first, then the mental & emotional, finally filtering into the physical. As many of our physical ills stem from mental or emotional sources, Reiki is a very gentle way to address them.
Reiki is effective whether you believe in it or not. Children, babies and animals respond very well to Reiki, without any understanding of it!

Gendai Reiki-Ho Training

At it's simplest level, Reiki is a wonderful gift,
to yourself and to share with others.

It is both a method of hands-on healing and a personal spiritual path. How you choose to use it, is up to you. Some Reiki practitioners focus on using Reiki for healing, while others focus on its spiritual aspects for their own personal spiritual journey. Of course these two aspects are complimentary to one another and can be developed simultaneously.

The essence of "learning" Reiki is receiving energy from a master, which enables you to connect with Reiki in an instant, anywhere, at any time, to perform healing for yourself or others.
The ability to receive energy is given to each person through a standardized process known as attunement, which opens the pathway for the Universal energy and enables you to resonate as a "little universe within the great universe".
You become able to contact the Universal energy of Reiki at anytime and make use of it. Once attuned to the Reiki energy, using it is as simple as placing your hands on the area to which you wish to send energy.

I offer all levels of Reiki training as well as Reiki Share Sessions - regular gatherings to practice Reiki techniques and receive Reiju (booster attunement).

Gendai Reiki-Ho training builds knowledge, technique
and connection to Reiki energy in a gentle and thorough process,
allowing time to assimilate the energy fully,
hand-in-hand with understanding.

Level 1 - Shoden - Opening the Reiki channel

Shoden is given over two days, during which you will receive three attunements, as well as information about the history and practice of Reiki. We also practice self-healing techniques and techniques for healing others. A workbook and CD of self-cleansing meditations is provided.

Level 2 - Okuden - Healing beyond Time & Space

Okuden is given over two days, during which you receive three atunements - for focussing the Reiki energy, for mental & emotional healing & for distant healing over time and space. The use of symbols and kotodama (mantras) will help you focus on these energies until you can access them automatically. Self-healing techniques and Reiki practices are developed further in this workshop.
Pre-requisite: Shoden

Level 3 - Shinpiden - Developing your Spiritual practice through Reiki

Shinpiden is given over two to three days. You are attuned to a higher level of Reiki energy and are given a final symbol and mantra to aid your connection to this energy.
Self-development and self-healing are the main focus for this level. Self practice techniques are developed further, and blocks to growth are explored.
Pre-requisite: Okuden

Level 4 - Gokukaiden - Becoming a Shihan / teacher

Learn the attunement process & teaching methods for sharing Gendai Reiki-Ho with others.
Not everyone is called to Shihan level. No further attunements are required for this level as the highest attunement is given in Shinpiden. The focus of Gokukaiden is clearing yourself so that you can hold the Reiki energy and transmit a clear and pure Reiki energy to others.
The attunement process for Gendai Reiki-Ho is taught, and materials are provided for use when teaching others.
The timespan for teaching this level will depend on the student and their needs, and training can be arranged after individual consultation.
Pre-requisite: Shinpiden

Reiju Workshops for Shihan's - Learn the Reiju attunement for enhancing and developing the Reiki pathway

Reiju is a form of attunement that can provide a temporary connection to the Reiki energy, act as a booster for those already attuned, or provide full attunement if given repeatedly over a period of time.
Reiju returns to the original Japanese attunement practices, though this version has been developed by Doi-Sensei and is not exactly the same as that originally practiced by Usui-Sensei.
Reiju is offered only to existing Reiki masters as it is a form of attunement.

Reiki Share Sessions

Our Reiki Share is a regular gathering of Reiki practitioners and students.
It is held once per month in Maleny, and quarterly in Brisbane.
In each session, participants are given Reiju to strengthen their connection to Reiki and self-cleansing techniques may be practised or discussed.
Group healing is practiced (we take turns at receiving!) and students have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

Some Useful Links & References

These are some of the websites and books that I have found interesting and a useful resource.

Websites

Gendai Reiki Network Australia
Sheila Neville - The Energy Beam - Victoria
Rick Rivard - Threshold Reiki - Canada
Gendai Reiki Network Japan
Gendai Reiki Kurabu

Books

Iyashino Gendai Reiki-Ho   Modern REIKI METHOD for Healing
by Hiroshi Doi;         Fraser Journal Publishing, Canada 2000
(this was out of print last time I tried to get a copy, however Amazon books sometimes has one available).
The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr Mikao Usui
by Dr Mikao Usui & frank Arjava Petter;         Lotus Press, Shangri-La 1999
Reiki Best Practices
by Walter Lubeck & frank Arjava Petter         Lotus Press, Shangri-La 2004
The Spirit of Reiki
by Walter Lubeck, Frank Arjava Petter & William Lee Rand         Lotus Press, Shangri-La 2001
Reiki with Gemstones
by Ursula Klinger-Omenka         Lotus Light, Shangri-La 2004
The Hidden Messages in Water  The Secret Life of Water  The True Power of Water
and all other books by by Masuro Emoto         Beyond Words Publishing / Atria Books

©2010 Katie White