Articles
Approach to Reiki
Recently, I have been taken very much back to my initiation into Reiki in the '90's. My Reiki journey over so many years has simply been so life-changing and so important to me that I often wonder if others who hear about it, really understand what it is about. So, I thought I would write a little about it and a little about my approach.
Reiki is kanji for Spiritual/Universal Energy. It was discovered by sensei (meaning teacher) Mikao Usui in the late 1800's. He was an amazing man, he was educated in a Buddhist School and became a Tendai Priest ; he was very learned, a true mystic, and showed a real interest in many subjects including medicine, psychology, metaphysics and the martial arts. His existence was steeped in Ancient teachings.
What is so amazing about the true blessing Usui received and the system he developed, is that Reiki recognises that each person has their own individual, unique pathway and this enhances that - there are no religions involved, no specific cultural race to be a part of, and there are no leaders. It simply is an enhancement of your own heart and spiritual connection. Which is really rather amazing. It is also very rare, and truly beautiful.
Our Planet, our Universe, and every living thing has energy - humans, thoughts, animals, plants, trees, rocks, stones, water, etc. We connect and interconnect through this Universal energy to exist and to live and to communicate. Reiki works on balancing and harmonising our energies to help with our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. It enhances our personal development and our growth, and our awareness. It really is a true Healing Art - for both ourselves and others.
The way that it is taught is usually in three stages and over a period of time which feels right to both the individual and the teacher. The first stage is about the very connection to Reiki and enables a person, as a practitioner to practice on themselves, friends, family, pets etc. It is often a life changing moment, but is experienced entirely individually and appropriately. As Edward Bach of the Bach Flower Remedies said so eloquently, 'Physician, heal thyself' and this very first stage brings opportunity to bring the beautiful Reiki healing energy to yourself but also to channel it very purely to others, it wont involve your own physical energy. That's one of the wonderful things about it. As a practitioner, one is enhanced by its process. So in giving, one truly receives.
Reiki is often experienced as a warm, truly loving, relaxing and soothing energy, giving the whole person a chance within that peaceful state for one's body mind and soul to come to a place of healing. So much of our lives are filled with stress; physical, mental/emotional stress, environmental, financial and the list goes on.
We live in challenging, changing times and we may find our health or our emotions suffer under the onslaught of many overwhelming experiences. It could be that we have a disability already, or an ilnness or dis-ease. Reiki can truly bring peace amidst the turmoil and soothe the stress, it can enhance a true state of well-being, optimism and bring the understanding we need.
I teach the three stages of Reiki with an option to specialise in sending Reiki specifically to the Animal Kingdom. Our beloved pets, animals we may work with, or care for. Or to wildlife. More than ever, so many animals need our help; help to connect with loving people who can provide them loving homes and lives and often that healing alone is truly remarkable. However, Reiki can enhance and help bring about that peaceful state of harmony, well being and the healing we talked of above. They sense it so beautifully, they know when someone has Reiki and they respond in incredible ways to it. Our pets may come to us for that healing touch, it also enhances our connection in profound and beautiful ways.
Animals can suffer at the hands of man in unspeakable ways. Physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. Sometimes through ignorance, sometimes intentionally. Remarkably, however, they sense when a loving hand is offered (metaphorically) and can respond in the most incredibly loving, forgiving ways even after years of abuse. Reiki can soothe and heal, by laying on of hands directly or by sending distantly which we learn at the "oduden' or Second Degree of the Reiki process, and which is a great help for those animals who may prefer not to have hands on healing or who we are unable to physically reach.
I know that Reiki enhances Love, enhances life. It will often change the way we see things, but I welcome that in my life - I love the magic of mystery but also to take the opportunity to change when my ways are outmoded now and bigger, more loving and beautiful pictures await me. I love to see the ways animals interact with me and how my perception of these beautiful creatures has changed profoundly over time. I always had deep love for them, but this is truly different.
It is my privilege to teach Reiki, and to help people understand more of the multi-faceted nature of animals; how Reiki can help us see them as our Teachers and our Healers.
Having done so many healings with both humans and animals over the past 15 years, I look forward to passing on this truly remarkable healing Art for both yourself and the animals who may come into your life, for a moment, or for a lifetime; may it bring a truly holistic healing to you, your loved ones and the animals we are privileged to engage with in our lives.
I sometimes bring Art into the Reiki teaching process; even people who wouldn't say they are artistic, have found great creativity as part of this process.
Reiki - the Gift which Keeps on Giving.
Rosi Farrell (c)