Misty Evans

Reiki Level 1 Initiate Course Lesson 1 – What is Reiki?

Reiki, pronounced ray-key, is a Japanese term that translates to “universal life force energy.”

This energy flows through all living things, connecting and sustaining life. In Reiki practice, we harness and channel this energy to promote healing, balance, and well-being.

At its core, Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive healing method that supports the body’s natural ability to heal itself. By placing hands on or near the body, a practitioner acts as a conduit for this universal energy, helping to dissolve blockages and restore the free flow of energy in the recipient’s body.

Reiki is both incredibly simple and profound. You don’t have to be an experienced healer or spiritually advanced to access this energy—it is available to everyone, and through Reiki, we learn how to channel it effectively.

 

Basic Principles Behind Energy Healing

The foundation of Reiki and energy healing is the belief that we are more than just our physical bodies. We are composed of energy that moves and interacts within and around us, often called our “energy field” or “aura.”

When this energy flows freely, we experience balance, vitality, and health.

However, when there are blockages, stagnation, or imbalances in our energy, it can manifest as physical pain, emotional distress, or mental discomfort.

Reiki addresses these energetic imbalances by promoting the smooth, unrestricted flow of energy. It doesn’t directly cure ailments, but instead, supports the body’s natural healing processes by:

– Releasing energetic blockages

– Reducing stress and anxiety

– Restoring energetic balance

– Enhancing relaxation and peace

Because everything in the universe is made of energy, when we attune ourselves to Reiki, we are learning to influence and harmonize this energy within ourselves and others.

 

How Reiki Works with the Body’s Energy System

Reiki works on multiple levels—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. It is believed that all disease (dis-ease) begins in the energy field before it manifests in the body, so by working on this energetic layer, Reiki helps prevent illness, as well as support healing once illness has appeared.

The body’s energy system includes the chakras, or energy centers, which are like wheels that regulate energy flow throughout our bodies. Reiki helps align and balance these chakras, ensuring that energy moves smoothly through the body.

Chakras and Meridians: These energy pathways are vital to maintaining health. When they are clear and balanced, energy flows freely. Reiki clears blockages that might cause emotional or physical imbalances, promoting well-being.

Aura: Reiki can help cleanse and repair the aura, which is the energy field surrounding the body. When the aura is strong and healthy, it acts as a protective shield against negative influences and external stressors.

Mind-Body Connection: Reiki promotes a deep state of relaxation, which in turn, activates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest mode). This relaxation helps the body shift out of stress mode and into healing mode, where repair and regeneration can occur more effectively.

During a Reiki session, the practitioner places their hands either lightly on or just above the recipient’s body, starting at the head and moving down through the major chakra points. The energy intuitively goes where it’s needed most, whether to relieve physical pain, release emotional blockages, or promote mental clarity.

Reiki only helps – it never harms. It’s safe for people of all ages and for pets.

In the next lesson, we’ll learn Dr. Usui Sensi’s Principles and how to integrate them into our everyday life.