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Reiki - Universal Life Force Energy

© T. Darlene Cheek

Dr. Usui passed the Reiki onto his students by a method known as "attunement" which is a ceremonial procedure where the Master attunes the student to the symbols and energy of Reiki. Dr. Usui passed the attunements on to his students as he received them (all at one time), and Dr. Hayashi broke the Reiki attunements down into three levels: 1) Reiki Level I - this level is attuned to the symbols and energy for physical healing; 2) Reiki Level II - this level is attuned to the symbols and energy for mental healing and remote healing; 3) Master Level - this level is attuned to the symbols and energy for spiritual healing, and at this level you are able to attune other students and teach Reiki.

Who can learn Reiki? Anyone. Reiki is practiced by people of all spiritual backgrounds and beliefs. Reiki is not limited to any particular religion or philosophy. Atheists are as free to practice Reiki healing as any other group of people. Reiki can be passed on to people in comas, children, or even to animals. As long as you are properly attuned to Reiki, anyone can have the Reiki activated in their hands, as it is already a part of us all.

There are different schools of Reiki. Some practices say the student must wait a 21 day cleansing period between attunements, and some practice the "unlimited" system where the attunements are given over a weekend period. There is a great amount of price difference between the different schools. Reiki I usually costs from about $150 for the first attunement, Reiki II usually around $450, and the Master Level can cost up to as much as $10,000 or more, while the classes given over a weekend are usually $500 - $1,000 for the weekend, and all three attunements. Others still will allow spiritual gifts as part of your payment. Another difference is that some schools teach the symbols should never be written down under any situation, and other schools don't think that is absolutely necessary.

What IS Reiki? Reiki (RAY-KEE) is a healing energy that channels through the hands of the practitioner and into the body of the client. The word Reiki is Japanese and means "universal" or "including all" (Rei) and "vital life force" (Ki) which flows throughout our very being. Once you have been attuned to Reiki, you will never lose it... you will have the ability to channel Reiki energy your entire life. I firmly believe that anyone who practices Reiki must hold the principles close to their heart and live the life of a Reiki Practitioner or Master in everything you do.