By far the most common question I am asked is “What exactly is Reiki?” Here is a wonderful explanation from the website The International Association of Reiki Professionals:”

“Reiki is a spiritual healing art with its roots in Japanese origin. The word Reiki comes from the Japanese word (Rei) which means “Universal Life” and (Ki) [also known as “Qi” or “Chi” – Jan]  which means “Energy.” Reiki is not affiliated with any particular religion or religious practice. It is not massage nor is it based on belief or suggestion. It is a subtle and effective form of energywork using spiritually guided life force energy.

Reiki is the life energy that flows through all living things. Reiki Practitioners understand that everyone has the ability to connect with their own healing energy and use it to strengthen energy in themselves and help others. It is believed that a person’s “ki” or energy should be strong and free flowing. When this is true a person’s body and mind is in a positive state of health. When the energy becomes weak or blocked it could lead to symptoms of physical or emotional imbalance.

A Reiki session can help ease tension and stress and can help support the body to facilitate an environment for healing on all levels – physical, mental, and emotional. A session is pleasant and relaxing and is often utilized for one’s personal wellness.”

The Usui Lineage

As iarp.org states, “Reiki is believed to have been associated with Mikao Usui who is credited with rediscovering the root system now called Reiki. His tradition and methods were passed through several grandmasters of Reiki. Today, Reiki takes many forms, however, The Usui System of Natural Healing is still the form most widely practiced. Practitioners and Master Teachers are trained through an initiation process where Masters pass on their knowledge and expertise to their students.”

My Reiki Lineage is the Usui Shiki Ryoho system of natural healing where I have been initiated into the second degree. In addition to that, my teacher, Rose De Dan of Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing has taught us to add in some shamanic techniques that compliment our Reiki practice. I will be learning more of these techniques, beneficial both to our animal companions and ourselves, come January when I attend her eight week Bones, Stones, Feathers, and Fur shamanic teleclass. This focus is not merely on me being a healer to the animals, but acknowledging that the animals are sentient spiritual beings in their own right and have healing abilities themselves. In both animal Reiki and Shamanic healing we look to the animals to be our teachers. As Rose states,

Open your heart to the Animal, Plant, and Stone Teachers.

Listen to their wisdom. Feel their love.

Experience their healing power.

Together we are strong!