Reiki is a combination of two Japanese words, the first part (REI) means “God’s Wisdom” or “The Higher Power”. The second part (KI) meaning “life force energy”. So REI-KI is God/Higher Power guided – life force energy.
So what is life force energy?
Exactly what it says, the spiritual energy component that gives us our life force or vitality. The human aura is the most subtle (invisible to most people) area where we connect to and are nourished by this universal life force energy, and the beginning point of it coming into our physical bodies. However life force energy is also in the food we eat, and the water we drink. So we receive this energy in a number of ways, however the area that Reiki healing works with is the subtle auric field which surrounds our individual bodies.
So what is the Aura?
The easiest way for me to explain this (given my nursing background) is to say it is the subtle energy field that nourishes our bodies via an external energy field, in much the same way that our blood vessels nourish our bodies via our internal circulatory system.
So what happens to this external energy field or aura that causes problems with a persons life force energy?
Well in much the same way that an unhealthy diet, a lack of water (or unclean water), and not enough physical movement amongst other things, can cause issues within the blood vessels and circulatory system of the body, so everyday mental stress, emotional or spiritual trauma, unhealthy beliefs about self and others (both conscious or subconscious), as well as negative thoughts cause the life force energy within the aura to not flow as well as it should. In both cases the quality of the flow of energy (blood within the circulatory system, and life force energy with the aura) has a direct impact upon the health, wellbeing, and vitality of the individual.
Just like the circulatory system the auras energy is at optimal levels when its clear of obstructions. And just like the circulatory system, should blockages occur or contraction of the blood vessels (either from within the blood vessel itself or from pressure imposed from outside the blood vessel), its ability to supply nutrients and transport out waste from the cells is impeded, and of course the longer it has been there and more severe the blockage or pressure on the vessel, the less it is able to work. It is the same with the aura, the life force energy will not be able to flow correctly into and out of the chakras or the meridian lines of the body if it is blocked by stress, emotional trauma, unhealthy beliefs or negative thought patterns.
Okay well how does Reiki work?
Reiki gently heals the areas affected by flowing through those parts of the aura, and bringing positive energy to raise the vibration and heal that area within the auric field. It effectively releases the negative energy by causing it to break apart and be swept out of the aura while at the same time restoring and strengthening the area. By doing this the energy to this area is reestablished and the cause is released from the auric field and no longer impedes the flow of life force energy to the individual.
To bring this back to the circulatory system metaphor I have been using, it would be the same as a surgeon breaking up plaque within a blood vessel and reinforcing this area with a stent to ensure the flow of blood was reestablished, and the area strengthened so that the flow would be able to continue uninterrupted, although reiki is obviously non intrusive to the physical body unlike surgery.
Reiki is not directed to a specific area by the healer but is guided as described within the words meaning by God wisdom or The Higher Power, therefore going to whichever area is most in need and can never do harm to the client.
Reiki is truly universal in nature because it is not dependent on a persons intellectual capacity, age, faith or spiritual development.