Widespread awareness of the benefits of Reiki is on the increase. Health gurus and celebrities, such as Gwyneth Paltrow and others are jumping on the Reiki bandwagon in increasing numbers and raving about it. Reiki is fast becoming the go-to wellness practice that everyone wants to try.
One of the beauties of the system is that it can be self-administered (after receiving the proper training from an experienced teacher) as well as by a qualified practitioner. Reiki is non-invasive and has no negative side effects, so can be used in all instances. No need then to worry about possible harm if it’s used in the wrong way or on the wrong condition. Such concepts don’t apply to Reiki.
It’s worth stressing that Reiki is not at all about removing negative energy. This approach has no place in the system of Reiki. Negative energy is not ripped out and replaced with positive energy. In Reiki, the state of being is embraced, just as it is. Love and acceptance are brought to it, and the Reiki energy essentially takes the hand of the client and leads them on their own healing journey until the condition can be released.
7 Benefits of Reiki
All of the benefits that can be received through the application of Reiki energy can be considerably enhanced by the inclusion of a good mindfulness meditation practice. The system of Reiki is built on mindfulness which is receiving huge scientific support for its healthcare and therapeutic applications. Add mindfulness to the Reiki mix and you turbo-charge the healing process.
1. Reiki can be used to treat physical as well as mental and emotional issues and is gaining traction in established healthcare settings across the Western world. As a method of channeling energy, most of its benefits are generally believed to be associated with relieving stress, depression, or anxiety. Reiki can indeed be a powerful method for soothing these conditions as it brings to the surface the underlying causes that can then be addressed more readily, perhaps with the practice of mindfulness meditation, which is also known for its ability to deal with these mental health issues in an effective way.
2. It can also help with physical pain. Personally, I find this to be its greatest asset as a method of self-treatment. Whenever I have pain, my hands go straight to that location and the pain is eased almost immediately. This is also true when I use it on my clients. By engaging in regular mindfulness practice, the pain is further eased through specific methods that bring the meditator's focus to the site of the pain.
3. As already mentioned, Reiki can be self-administered as a general self-care practice. You don’t need to have anything wrong with you to practice Reiki. Reiki works to maintain a state of equilibrium and balance in the mind-body complex so ensuring a better state of health overall. But if you do hurt yourself, or you are feeling down or stressed for any reason, Reiki is there to soothe and support you and help to bring inner peace and a feeling of calm. Again, mindfulness meditation is the perfect adjunct to this, supported as it is by copious research evidence for its ability to help in managing many diverse health conditions.
4. In one study it was shown that Reiki can increase white blood cell production. White blood cells are a part of the immune system's defenses and help to fight off viruses and bacteria. Early indications are then that Reiki can help to support and balance the immune system.
5. Reiki is widely known for its ability to boost intuition and creativity. In almost every class that I teach, I find that at least one, and usually two or three people, find that the energy has a profound impact on their intuitive abilities. This feeds directly into their creative processes as creativity is deeply intertwined with the ability to be intuitive. The more Reiki is applied, the deeper the creative engagement can become as the intuitive ability strengthens and creative blocks are broken down.
6. Reiki is increasingly being used in hospitals with those who are suffering from cancer. Those patients that have tried Reiki report that their tiredness, pain, and anxiety significantly decrease. Again, this can be supported and enhanced by the inclusion of a mindfulness meditation practice.
7. Reiki helps to calm the mind and this is where Reiki and mindfulness as a double-edged practice can really come into their own. Reiki is often described as meditation with the hands. Practicing Reiki can really help you connect to your true centre and bring awareness to any negative patterns that you might be holding on to, helping to clear and stabilise your emotions. Reiki can help you face and release long-held patterns appropriately and this can help bring clarity and calmness to the mind. The outcome of all of this is that it can strengthen your relationships and enhance your ability to love and connect to yourself and others.
How Long Do the Benefits of Reiki Last?
This is a hard question to answer. It really depends on the person and the condition that is being treated. If the condition they are seeking treatment for is severe it can take several or more treatments. It’s best to start with two or three treatments in the first week and then drop this down to two or one a week after that for a period until it’s clear that the healing process is well underway. The more Reiki, the more the healing process builds up. If the treatments are close together this can create a healing momentum that has a lasting impact. If on the other hand, the treatments are sporadic then the healing process could take a lot longer.
In cases where the problem is less severe, one or two treatments can either completely resolve the issue or give several weeks of relief.
Why Do I Feel Worse After a Reiki Treatment?
It’s quite common for recipients of Reiki to complain that their symptoms appear to worsen after Reiki treatments. Sometimes symptoms that weren’t there before can manifest. It’s a common reaction in many holistic and complementary therapies.
This apparent worsening of the symptoms is what is known as a healing crisis or healing reaction. This is a temporary situation that lasts for the time that the body-mind complex is eliminating toxins (this can be on a mental and emotional level, as well as a physical one). It’s very important for any Reiki practitioner to be aware of this potential outcome of giving treatments and alert their clients to this possibility.
This apparent worsening of the condition should actually be seen as a welcome part of any effective deep healing process. Although it might be uncomfortable or even alarming for the recipient of Reiki, it’s actually a good sign that the body and mind’s healing mechanisms are working at optimum capacity and trying to restore a natural state of balance.
So, there you have it. Lots of reasons for giving Reiki a try.