The Science and Metaphysics of Reiki
“What is Reiki?”
As a Master Reiki Practitioner, I get asked this question so very often. Sometimes, I have struggled with my answer because for some, talking about “energy” and “healing”, can be a hard concept to understand… or believe. Some may have trouble with grasping this notion based on their religious beliefs, or non belief.
While I am not here to convince anyone, I decided to write this to explain what is Reiki from a very practical, and even scientific, perspective; to provide knowledge without agenda. Maybe, when one can understand the practical applications, they may be more open to explore.
When chiropractic, acupuncture and acupressure therapies began to emerge (in the Western world), they were also received with doubt and misunderstanding. Today, more and more people across the entire globe, are now turning to these alternative methods of therapy and healing modalities, regardless of religious convictions or spiritual belief, to find relief for physical ailments. While Reiki is becoming more accepted, many are still dubious. So, I hope this will help more understand this healing modality which is non-invasive and mostly touch-free… and can also be practiced at distance, and in “absent healing”.
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What is Energy?
In order to understand the basic principals of Reiki, it is important to look at the scientific basics of what is “energy”…
“In physics, energy is the quantitative property that is transferred to a body or to a physical system, recognizable in the performance of work and in the form of heat and light. Energy is a conserved quantity; the law of conservation of energy states that energy can be converted in form, but not created or destroyed…”1
The other night, I rewatched the movie Phenomenon2 for the first time in many years. The movie discusses a man who has a seemingly phenomenal experience on his birthday, which awakens areas of his brain which now gives him extraordinary mental abilities. He becomes a genius and is now able to display telekinetic abilities. In a particular scene in the movie, George attempts to discuss the connection of energy, and energy with matter, and how we are all made up of the exact same energy, while presented in different kind of matter. Hence, the ability to move an object with the mind is simple once we can connect with and align the energy despite the presentation of matter.
“Mass and energy are closely related. Due to mass-energy equivalence, any object that has mass stationary (called rest mass) also has an equivalent amount of energy whose form is called rest energy, and any additional energy (of any form) acquired by the object above that rest energy will increase the object’s total mass just as it increased its total energy…
… The total energy of a system can be subdivided and classified into potential energy, kinetic energy, or combinations of the two in various ways. Kinetic energy is determined by the movement of an object – or the composite motion of the components of an object – and potential energy reflects the potential of an object to have motion, and generally is a function of the position of an object within a field of may be stored in the field itself.”1
“Living organisms require energy to stay alive, such as the energy humans get from food. Human civilization requires energy to function…”1
“Reiki is a pseudoscience, and is used as an illustrative example of pseudoscience in scholarly texts and academic journal articles. It is based on qi (“chi”), which practitioners say is a universal life force…”3
As we have learned so far, our Selves… our physical bodies, as well as our astral bodies (often described within the Aura and auric field), are made up of energy, as well as matter. As one would go to see a chiropractic doctor to have a physical adjustment of the physical body, Reiki provides an adjustment of the energy field of the physical body. This is why chiropractic and Reiki therapies are often complimentary alternative healing modalities, especially when used in conjunction one with the other.
“Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing, a type of alternative medicine. Reiki practitioners use a technique called palm healing or hands-on healing through which a “universal energy” is said to be transferred from the palms of the practitioner to the patient in order to encourage emotional or physical healing.”3
In looking at the science of human nature, human beings need physical energy to stay alive, and that energy (or fuel) is contained in food as well as water. However, humans also need Universal energy to keep their auric, or energy field, fueled and balanced to regain or maintain physical and emotional health and balance. Utilizing the Universal energy, Reiki practitioners will scan the patients auric field, which is relayed from the physical body, and can identify dis-ease and blockages. As a chiropractor will manipulate the patients physical body to bring alignment back into order via physical adjustment, a Reiki practitioner will bring the energetic body back into alignment order and balance, via transferring Universal energy.
It is important to remember that the physical body matter, and the energy body field, is connected and is one and the same. In understanding this basic and fundamental truth, it is easy to understand how a physical ailment can affect the energetic body field. The same way that emotional (psychological) illness can manifest as a physical ailment, dis-ease and dis-order in the body, as well as in the energetic body field. For example, if a person has a lot of stress and anxiety, it can manifest as digestive illness, heart dis-ease, etc… etc… etc…
What should you expect to experience in a Reiki session?
When you enter into a practitioners office, you will see a massage table upon which you will lay down. You may hear gentle relaxation music, and smell the light scent of aromatic oils being diffused in a diffusing sensor. The lights will be low, and you should feel relaxation and a near meditative energy when you walk into the office. This is a healing environment filled with love and peace-filled energy. In my own practice, I will also infuse the room space with Reiki energy, and I will call in Angelic and Ancestors healing energy to be present.
The session is about you, and should help you to relax, heal and recharge. The practitioner should create a sacred space for you to feel safe. A space where you feel comfortable to release any emotions, and energies associated with physical and emotional pain and dis-ease.
In my practice, I will have my client lay on their stomachs first, and I apply weighted and heating massaging pads, and allow my client to enjoy 15 minutes of release and physical relaxation of the world outside of my office. If guided to do so, I will also gently use a wire head massager to gently stimulate the scalp, which brings even more relaxation and stress relief to my client.
I provide a space where my client is able to drift into a meditative state and start the process of Self adjustment, because Reiki practice is not a one sided energetic transfer, but also works in accordance with my client connecting with themSelves, on a deeper level. Sometimes, during this stage, I will channel through information to relay to the client, often going into ancient physical history of their present lifetime to address issues, which may have been stored in the physical body and now presenting as physical illness, discomfort, pain and dis-ease. Depending on the needs of my client, I may also use the singing bowl to raise energetic vibration, and guide my client in meditation.
When this initial relaxation of the physical Self is complete (approximately 15 minutes), I then ask my client to turn onto their back. I lay a Reiki charged chakra sheet over their body, and I begin a gentle scan of their body. I may ask about certain areas which I have felt a “blockage of energy”, and what physical ailments in that area my patient may be experiencing, or has been diagnosed. Sometimes, a client may not be aware of any issue in that particular area, only to experience dis-ease in that area or receive a diagnosis from a medical doctor, at a later date. When I come across any areas of blockages, which I can feel as a direct blockage of energy flow, I will ask about that area and any diagnoses. If my patient has not had a formal diagnosis from a medical doctor, I will suggest that they see their medical doctor and have that area seen to medically especially if issues begin arising after a treatment with me.
In working in alliance with medical doctors, Reiki practitioners will also gain more ground in acceptance and healing conjunction.
Remote aka “Distance” (or Absent) Healing…
Because Reiki works within the energy field, it is not uncommon for a Reiki practitioner to offer long distance and remote, Reiki sessions. Like a tele-health conference with a medical doctor, a Reiki patient does not have to be physically in the same room to receive healing and adjustments. The difference is that in a tele-health conference with a medical practitioner, the patient will relay all their symptoms and ailments, and the medical professional is then left to make a diagnosis based on the information the patient has relayed. If the patient forgets to mention an ailment or symptom, the medical professional may miss a crucial aspect in diagnosis.
In a distance healing session, the Reiki practitioner will usually have an initial meeting with their patient via video conference call or via phone. This delivery is not as important as the Reiki practitioner will “call in” the Reiki energy and ask the patient to relax. This will often comprise of the Reiki practitioner leading the patient in a gentle simple meditation, and connect the patient with breathing and becoming aligned in that breath.
The Reiki practitioner will then “tune in” to the energy field of the patient and connect with the energy field of the patient. In this manner, the Reiki practitioner will conduct a “scan” of the patients auric energy field and may suggest issues which the patient may overlook, or not feel is “important” to mention.
Often, the video conference call or phone call is very short as the Reiki practitioner simply aligns with the energy, and then directs the patient to hang up and lay down. I often will tell my patients that if they fall asleep during the distance healing, to not fight it as it is easier for a sleeping body/cognitive mind to receive the incoming Reiki energy. Once the session is over, the Reiki practitioner will either give a call back, and/or will send a detailed written report of findings, and what treatment they provided for the patient. The patient will feel the same effects as if they had experienced an in-office, treatment. The Reiki practitioner will then answer any questions, or address any issues, that the patient may experience during the session.
What to expect after a Reiki treatment…
When I have clients come to see me for a Reiki treatment, I will always advise them to drink plenty of water the rest of the day of treatment, and throughout the following week. Just like seeing a chiropractor or an acupuncturist or acupressurist, adjustment to the energetic body will release toxins; drinking plenty of water, and eating fresh and raw vegetables and fruits, will help flush out those toxins and energies that have now been “loosened and retired”, from the energetic as well as the physical body.
While a patient will feel relaxed and refreshed after a Reiki treatment, it is not unusual for the patient to feel tired or sluggish several hours later, and indeed the following day. This is because of the restoration of energetic balance in the energetic field, and the physical body reacting and adjusting to the alignment of the energetic healing. So too, a patient may also experience headaches, and the need for more bowel movements than usual, as well as increased need to pass urine. While these may be slight annoyances, it is why it is so important to stay hydrated with pure water, or raw fruit and vegetable infused drinking water in the hours, and week after a treatment. Dehydration is a common issue for headaches or feeling light headed, and the Reiki treatment can definitely amplify this if one does not drink enough water following treatment.
I liken a Reiki treatment and drinking water, to going to see a dental hygienist. When you see a dental hygienist for a teeth cleaning, or even brushing your teeth daily, you flush your mouth with water and swish the water around your mouth. This removes the debris that has been loosened and cleaned away by the dental hygienist. In looking at this treatment in relation to Reiki; in Reiki, the practitioner cleans away and loosens energetic toxins in the energetic field, and through this modality, the physical body. To cleanse the body and remove any and all debris that has been loosened and cleaned, it is important to flush with lots of water.
In conclusion…
Reiki works in conjunction with the basic principals of science and physics. While it is considered a pseudoscience and relays to metaphysics in its genre, it has a practicality which works. While it is still considered a “metaphysics”, many traditionally trained medical professionals are now combining its positive healing effects, with traditional medical practices… because, it works.
People had turned to Reiki practice for eons, through its ancient Tibetan Buddhist origins. It had a resurgence since it was “rediscovered” in the 1800s by the Japanese Reiki Master, Mikao Usui4.
During his lifetime, Mikao Usui attuned and taught more than 2000 people in this Reiki modality, until his death in 1926.
Of these people whom Mikao Usui attuned and taught, was Chujiro Hayashi5, who is credited with creating a branch of this practice in Tokyo, while Mikao Usui was still alive.
Chujiro Hayashi, was a navel medical physician who utilized Reiki in the treatment of his patients.
The first Reiki clinic in the United States was started in Hawaii in 1970 by a student of Chujiro Hayashi, by the name of Hawayo Takata6. In the lineage of this training tradition, Hawayo Takata is often referred to as “Reiki Grand Master Teacher Hawayo Takata”.
I hope that this information has helped you understand the healing modality of Reiki, and will inspire you to experience a Reiki session, for yourself.
With Love and Light,
Dr. Leyla Hur
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Contact Me…
If you would like to experience a Reiki session with me: I offer a weekly in-person clinic in Williams, Arizona; and I am also available for distant Reiki sessions, worldwide.
Please contact me, to schedule an appointment:
Facebook: ReLevel with Dr. Leyla Hur
Instagram: drleylahur23
Website: www.relevel.me
Phone: 928.233.5618
Weekly Clinic (by appointment only):
Amanda’s Beauty Box
101 N. 5th Street
Williams, Arizona, 86046
Sources
: 1 Wikipedia “Energy”
: 2 Phenomenon, Distributed by: Touchstone Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture, 1996. Director: Jon Turteltaub; Starring: John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, Forrest Whitaker, Robert Duvall, Jeffrey DeMunn
: 3 Wikipedia “Reiki”
: 4 Wikipedia “Mikao Usui”
: 5 Wikipedia “Chujiro Hayashi”
: 6 Wikipedia “Hawayo Takata”
