By channeling positive energy through his hands and into the body of the patient, a reiki practitioner performs stress relief, relaxation, and healing techniques. In order to heal the patient, the reiki practitioner places his hands on the patient’s body and concentrates on increasing the patient’s life flow energy. The word “reiki” means “spiritual or universal life force energy,” and a reiki practitioner believes he can manipulate that energy for the better. There are several types of reiki, and practitioners claim that it can effectively treat, if not cure, almost any ailment.
A reiki practitioner is not a doctor and does not have the authority to issue prescriptions. Anyone who is open to the idea of tapping into life force energy for the purpose of healing others can become a practitioner. Although many reiki masters and practitioners live a natural lifestyle, there are no limitations on who can become a practitioner.
A reiki master “transfers” the ability to be a reiki practitioner to the aspiring practitioner. A transference can only be performed by a reiki master, and the ritual is usually kept private. Would-be practitioners become attuned to the life force during a session or sessions with a reiki master, and are then able to raise and channel that energy for healing.
Traditional and Western reiki each have three levels: a first degree, a second degree, and a master level. A second-degree practitioner can heal others from a distance, whereas a first-degree practitioner must be in close proximity to a patient in order to heal them. Once a practitioner has mastered the first degree, a master can grant second-degree transference, but this typically takes years of practice, and most practitioners never reach the master level.
When a reiki practitioner “gives” reiki, he gently places his hands on or above specific points on the body, depending on the area he feels needs adjusting, or he places his hands over the entire body for a general wellness treatment. Heat or cold sensations in the affected area are common, but the majority of treatments are soothing. Treatments can last anywhere from a few minutes to more than an hour, depending on how long the practitioner feels it is necessary to work on the patient. During treatment, old emotions may surface and be released, resulting in a strong reaction or tears from the patient. This type of release is both cathartic and beneficial to one’s health, and it often aids in the healing process.