Reiki & Energy
What is energy and what is Reiki? Do I need to believe in God, subscribe to a religion, or practice various forms of faith? No! Reiki is concentrated in energy work so there is no deity or religion attached to it. Everyone and anyone can receive Reiki and benefit from it and it will not go against your religious or spiritual beliefs. Pretty great right!?
All things are infused with energy, even from a scientific standpoint (think sound waves, light waves, frequencies). As a species, we have always been fascinated by this energy and the power it has within our own bodies and the world around us. This energy that permeates our bodies coined many names such as consciousness or chi. At the point of conception, this energy infuses our bodies and is the intelligence that helps each cell to divide and find purpose to become the trillions of cells that make up our amazing body. Yes cellular division creates energy!
So you are a full on facts, data, research, science studies kinda person? Well, science has confirmed the presence of this energy and can capture visual evidence using tools such as Kirlian photography (developed in the late 1930’s). With this understanding, practices have arisen to help develop and balance this personal energy. Reiki, Qigong, Tai Chi, Meditation, Yoga, Crystal Healing, and Feng Shui are just a few of the ways one can enhance the flow of this energy. We are all born with the power to heal ourselves - I promise!
Our bodies are in a constant state of maintaining balance; internally this biological process is homeostasis. It is that energy within that helps the body to repair and replace aspects of itself. Way back when, our ancestors had this innate wisdom that they used to heal themselves and maintain vitality. This did not just stop at humans! Our ancestors used it to help heal animals, crops, plants, soil, and more. Over time, with our focus shifting to what is outside of ourselves, we have lost the ability to dive within. In comparison to our own personal energy, Reiki is the energy that connects our higher self with everything around us. We can use Reiki energy to help us balance our own energy and bodies. We are in a time where science is beginning to validate the existence of the energies that surround and exist within each of us. How great it this?
Reiki Energy
Reiki has traditionally been used as a healing system, however, it is also effective as a way to help individuals increase awareness, insight, wisdom, and personal growth. Our bodies are energetic in nature. Our bones resonate at lower frequencies while other parts vibrate at higher frequencies. This magnetic pulse is known as a bio-magnetic field - I’m sure you have heard the term before. In Eastern traditions, this pulse is also known as Prana or Ki. Did you know: scientists have found that measuring the magnetic fields of the body with magneto encephalograms and cardiograms often provides a more accurate indication of what is happening in the body than traditional electrical measurements? Whoa! When a practitioner is performing a healing session, the energy that emanates from their hands produce a significantly larger bio-magnetic reading (7-10Hz – Theta and Alpha range) than a non-practitioner. These frequencies are associated with physical healing. Contentment, relaxation, decreased feelings of stress, fear & anxiety as well as a reduction (and in some cases elimination) of physical illnesses & persistent conditions are common observations from individuals after a Reiki session. There are countless case studies and anecdotal research verifying the effects of Reiki sessions. Take some time and dive into it for those science nerds out there!
How does the body use Reiki energy?
We must first understand the concept that every particle vibrates at a specific frequency. That frequency in more esoteric terms can be called consciousness. This consciousness is what activates all parts of our body (mind over matter) and synchronizes the events within our body. We have discussed how this happens with parasympathetic eating before even taking a bite of food!
Each day, our body is working to maintain balance. When we consider exercising, our body begins steps to prepare before we even begin our workout. Even the thought of cutting oneself ignites a series of reactions in those extracted cells because it is the same frequency that animates them and the body. Your body has a natural electromagnetic frequency that it resonates with. When all levels of the body are in harmony with that frequency, your mind & body are connected. The body loses its effectiveness to heal and maintain homeostasis when the lines of communication within the body are disrupted. These disruptions occur when we store energy that is dissonant with our natural resonance. We tend to store energy in the form of memories and beliefs, as well as trauma, and as they accumulate, the strong dissonance begins. Where the body once operated as in beautiful harmony, with conflicting energy stored, we have many instruments out of tune and sync.
When a body receives Reiki energy, it is like having a light to make the body aware of the energy that is not serving it. The practitioner does not decide what needs to be released or when, the wisdom of the body does. As a practitioner we do not tell energy where to go. If you are struggling with an injury the body will take the energy to where it is most needed. Sometimes that is not even the area you have begun feeling physical pain in! The practitioner holds the space for the body-mind to see the possibilities it can choose from with regard to healing so that your body is no longer tied to a dysfunctional way of being. Once the body has chosen what it is ready to address, it can systematically release the stored energy at a cellular level connected with the imbalance. The cells then begin functioning as intended and the healing occurs on a physical as well as emotional, and mental level. Many individuals report spontaneous crying, sneezing, coughing, warming, tingling out of nowhere. This is the energy releasing and re-balancing - you are achieving homeostasis and alignment! The body does not need to be consciously aware of what beliefs and memories it is working with. This is one of many reasons why Reiki can be so effective. Many of our strongly held beliefs were developed in early childhood or even in utero. The individual - you - simply needs to ensure that as the releases occur that they are aware of the process and allow them to fall away. If you want to cry in a Reiki session let it out! The best thing about attuned Master Reiki practitioners, is that you are in a safe space with safe and welcoming support! With the body vibrating at a more natural state, harmony and peace on all levels can be restored.
The Buddhist proverb, “When a student is ready, the teacher appears,” is often true in the case of Reiki. Are you ready?
…to our next post, Show Me the Reiki!, where we talk about using Reiki on other things like animals, plants & vegetation, technology, food & drink, and more. We also feature a video from a LIVE session where we do Reiki on our fur baby (dog) Archie!
