:: SOUL BALANCE ::

REIKI (My Friend)

I felt hugely guided this month to write an
article on Reiki. Some of us know what its all
about and some are left wondering what this
treatment really involves. A client recently
said to me ‘I know its something to do with
Energy but I’m not sure what that means.
I’d love to learn it but I’ve never been good
at that sort of stuff … ‘ Needless to say I
went on to explain how Reiki works and she
was happier leaving with the additional
understanding of this wonderful therapy. It
got me thinking about how many others
would like to learn Reiki or have a Reiki
treatment and would like to know more.
When I looked at a general definition of Reiki,
it said ‘ Reiki is a system of natural healing
that involves channelling energy through the
hands to promote balance and good health.
Great! But what does that even mean. What
is balance and good health and how does it
apply to our every day life.

When we talk about Energy we are talking
about the basic make up of everything in the
Universe. There are many different names
for this including Ki, Qi, Chi, prana,
bio-energy etc. When you break down a
hand or an organ or a plant or a star or a
galaxy to its basic level, further than cellular
level, further than molecular level, right
down till there is almost nothing else, all that
remains is Energy. So essentially, we are all
energy , moving around our environment,
that is also energy and our world is governed
by an intelligent source, namely God or Spirit
or whatever name your belief system puts
on it. And this wonderful intelligence is also
energy. Everything is Energy.

To visualise this, imagine yourself in a
garden. You are energy. The tree in the
garden is energy. The plants are energy.
The sky is energy. The spaces between you
and all these is energy. What you are
thinking is energy and what you are feeling is
energy.

This energy is moving and flowing through us
every minute of every day. What Reiki
teaches us is how to focus or channel this
energy and use it for a specific healing
purpose. So you see anyone can do it once
you know how. There is no special
requirements or intellectual power needed to
go and learn Reiki.

During a Reiki 1 workshop, the teacher will
attune you so that you can channel this
energy, firstly onto yourself and then maybe
family, friends, animals, plants if you like. We
have 7 major energy centres or chakras in
the body. This is where energy is received
and transmitted to our environment. The
attunement process opens the top 4
Chakras to the Reiki energy. Level 1 is the
basic level and if you decide to proceed with
Reiki training and become a practitioner or
teacher you can progress through the levels.

The system itself originates in Japan where
Dr. Mikao Usui became empowered to use
this energy and symbols to heal. He named
the system Reiki (pronounced ray-key) which

is translated directly as Universal Life Energy. The
tradition was passed down through a few grand
masters and made its way to the west. It is now a
worldwide therapy used to treat a variety of
conditions. It can be used in conjunction with other
therapies including conventional medicine.

During a Reiki session, the practitioner will place their
hands over the main energy points. There is no
physical manipulation involved. Normally the therapist
will work a few inches above the body but on occasion
may be drawn to place her hand on a specific area.
The client may feel heat or tingling sensation which is
considered normal and is just energy moving.
Energy is channelled through the practitioner on to
the client where the energy is absorbed by the body.
The energy then works with the intelligence of the
body and aims to bring balance to any area that
needs it, whether it’s a physical, emotional, mental or
spiritual aspect. The Energy will find that area that is
out of balance and endeavour to bring harmony to
that area. The treatment itself is extremely relaxing
and promotes that lovely feeling of well being.

My journey with Reiki started in 2004 when I went for
a Reiki treatment. My life was starting to change
direction and I felt this connection with the Reiki and
myself really helped me to make this transition in the
gentlest way possible. I went on then to train with
Caitriona, Reiki Teacher at Walmer and have
completed level 3 to date.

The beauty of Reiki is its integration into my day to
day life. Its not something that I pick up in the
morning on the way to work and hang up in the
evenings. Its very much with me every step….. My
Eternal Friend. Moving with me as I move. Growing
with me as I grow. Comforting me when I need it and
assuring me that I am eternally connected to the
wonderful intelligence and love that literally makes the
world go round.

Reiki gives itself to you 100%. You can make your
own of it and it is forever changing and moving you
along your path in life.

I now give Reiki Treatments at Walmer Clinic on
Saturdays incorporating crystals and colour into my
sessions. To make an appointment, please contact
Walmer @ 01 8329645 / 8329648.

Michelle Burke Delaney
Jan 08