What the heck is Reiki?
Reiki is considered to be a spiritual and healing art.
Reiki stems from the early 1900s, when a Japanese monk called Mikao Usui, developed the Reiki healing method. Usui did this through study, research and his own experiences.
Usui devoted the rest of his life to the practise and teaching of this healing method until he died in 1926.
Reiki Australia describes Reiki as being “a non-invasive, gentle, hands-on, yet powerful method of healing”. It is sometimes referred to as “universal life energy or spiritual energy”. It is not a religion.
Reiki is not massage or manipulation of the body. You are always fully clothed during a session. The practitioner places their hands sequentially over your head and areas of your body. This is the most common approach.
Rather than go into any further detail here, you may wish to learn more (or find a Reiki practitioner near you) by visiting the Reiki Australia website.
What does Reiki have to do with men's health?
We need to take care of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
The spiritual aspect of our being can mean different things to different people. It may mean spending time in the bush or on a beach. It might mean belonging to a religious group, or meditating to still your mind and find the spirit within.
The more you look after your spiritual needs, the more of that centred, focused feeling you can bring into your everyday life.
My Reiki path began back in 1985, when I had my initial instruction with Beth Gray, from the USA. In the mid 1990s, I completed my Reiki teacher training with Ginny Bydder in Albury-Wodonga.
Fiona and I use Reiki regularly on each other (especially when one of us is feeling a bit stressed or irritable) – it works wonders.
What might you experience during a Reiki session?
You may experience warmth, tingling, coolness, even some muscle twitching (which, in my view, is the body letting go of physical tension or stress).
Some people go to sleep or experience a sort of meditative state of stillness and deep relaxation. You may feel a general sense of relief and calmness.
It is important to know that Reiki is not a “cure” for any disease. It can assist the body and mind, but it cannot eliminate illness.
Each session will be different and each person will have a different experience each time. Generally speaking, I believe that whatever you experience is what your body needs at the time of the session.
Interested in knowing more?
There are different Reiki teachings, and no one is better than another. It is always a good idea to enquire about the practitioner’s background and their experience in Reiki. It really comes down to whether or not you feel comfortable with the practitioner and their approach.
Feel free to contact me if you would like to know more, have a session, or if you would like to learn for yourself. If you learn Reiki, you will then be able to give Reiki to your family and friends.
For some interesting and useful websites regarding Reiki, check out our Resources page.
