HOW DO REIKI AND OTHER METHODS OF HANDS ON HEALING WORK FROM A SCIENTIFIC STANDPOINT:

 

People around the world have been using Reiki and other hands-on healing methods to assist individuals in improving their health and state of well-being for centuries. As humans and technology have evolved, we began to take a more medical approach to health and wellness (at least in the western world); therefore, Reiki and other alternative methods of healing have been perceived as unrealistic or “mystical”.  We are now at the point in our human evolution where we are uncovering the science behind formerly “mystical” approaches.  Much the same as once thinking the stars in the sky were all Gods or the world was flat, we now have the technology to look beyond the mysticism and see the reality of what is before us.

Reiki practitioners often describe how their healing modality works as bringing Source energy (God energy, Love energy, Chi, etc.) in through their crown chakra (top of the head), down through their heart chakra, into their arms (extensions of the heart chakra), out their hands and into the body & energetic field of their client — healing, balancing and cleansing them.  While this explanation is certainly valid, it is difficult for people who need a more scientific or logical explanation of how Reiki works to accept this explanation. To view this from a logical standpoint we need to understand the electromagnetic field, the myofascial system, chakras, and biophotons.  Once these are understood separately we can put them together to understand the science behind holistic energy healing.

 

The Electromagnetic Field:

To grasp the basic concepts of energy healing understand first that everything

is made up of electromagnetic energy, or simply put, energy.  All energy vibrates

at different frequencies that correspond to sound, light and color. The Eastern

explanation of energy refers to this energy as ‘Chi’ (pronounced Chee), the vital

life force energy of the Universe, present within every living thing, whereby the

Western explanation of energy within the body typically refrains from explaining

what energy is but instead states that we need energy within our bodies to sustain

life and that energy cannot be destroyed or eliminated from our being. Western

medical science is now beginning to take a serious look at ancient Far Eastern

traditions that focus on Chi, the life force energy which flows through the body

pathways – known as meridians and chakras – of all living forms, in order to

maintain health and wellness, energetically, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

This life-force energy, or Chi, moves within, from and around our bodies through

what is known as an electromagnetic field (see picture above). An electromagnetic

field (also known as EMF or EM field) is a physical field produced by electrically

charged objects. Humans, animals, plants, cell phones, even planet Earth has an

EMF and this Chi flows from all parts in the Universe, in and throughout this EMF

continually. The Institute of HeartMath is currently conducting enlightening

research on the EMF and their findings on how the EMF affects and is affected by

our emotions and thoughts, or intention.  It is this field that energetic healers work

within to bring about clearing, balancing and healing of the body.
 

The Myofascial System

The Myofascial System, which makes up 60% of your body, consists of fascial tissue

(fascia). In the photo (right) you can see that fascial tissue is actually made up of

tiny microtubules of callogen, similar to fiber optics, which are hollow and fluid-filled

and carry information about proprioception as well as carrying your consciousness

throughout your body.

This tissue is a white or clear connective tissue that supports, envelops, and connects

our organs, bones, muscles, and tissue together.  The fascia provides a sliding and gliding

environment for muscles, suspends organs in their proper place, transmits movement

from muscles to bones, and provides a supportive and movable wrapping for nerves and

blood vessels as they pass through and between muscles. If you ever dissected an animal

in your high school biology class, you would have cut through this white, skin-like tissue

to get to whatever organ, muscle or bone you were trying to find.

 

Fascia also conducts your energy; you might consider it an energy highway.  When we send

energy from our body to another body it is moving through and from the fascia.  This fascia

also creates our chakras or energy centers within the body. These energy centers are where

the fascial tissue actually congregates in horizontal bands (see diagram to the left) creating

a concentration of energetic vibration and internal power.

 

Biophotons:

By understanding your electromagnetic field and fascia, you can now see how this life-force

energy moves throughout and around your body, both physically and energetically.  However,

to fully understand energetic healing we must add the variable of biophotons and their role in

this fascinating process.

 

All living organisms emit a constant current of biophotons, which are elementary particles of

light coming from a biological being. Pictured to the right are biophotons in a drop of water.

These particles are emitted and direct instantaneous signals to multiple locations at once, from

one part of the body to another, and to the outside world. They are stored in the DNA and their

function is cellular communication.  Physicists actually call these light particles the

“communicators” in the body because they use your intention to direct other particles to rearrange

into either a healthy or non-healthy pattern.  In biology every cell in your body has over 100,000

biochemical reactions per second, all of which must be carefully timed and sequenced with each

other. Research has provided evidence that this cellular dance is not random, but rather controlled

by these biophotons.  To further explain, science is showing us that biophotons are in control of

virtually every biochemical reaction that occurs in your body through our thoughts, emotions, and

intention, including supporting your body’s ability to heal, releasing old patterns or forming new

supportive ones.
A direct intention manifests itself as an electric and magnetic energy producing an ordered change

of photons. Our intentions operate as highly coherent frequencies capable of changing the

molecular structure of matter.
In short, it is the biophotons that allow for our patterns to form and break, allow our emotions to hold a negative charge or balance into a positive experience, and allow our body to be in a state ofhealth or dis-ease.Taking this explanation of biophotons one step further, we’re going to look at images of biophotonsin a drop of water (below). In February 2006, using a Somatoscope, which is a darkfield microscop with a magnification of 30,000x, researchers were able to observe the inside structure of biophotons for the very first time. What was discovered when focusing on a single biophoton was that in the center of this spark of light a six-pointed star was contained within a hexagonal geometric shape,as is seen appearing in photo 4.  By photo 6 you can see a Merkaba form in the middle with a hexagon around the edge and by photo 9 you can see the Flower of Life form.  If you connect Sacred

Geometry with healing, you may come to the conclusion that at the center of the flower of life is our consciousness, the consciousness directs the photons, the photons direct our patterns and positive or negative state of being, which means – we completely control our own state of being. 

We are not a victim to anyone or anything, we hold all the cards and only we can heal ourselves.

 

Putting it all togetherReiki works when biophotons are brought in from source energy, through the fascia, into the heart and then into the hands of a practitioner or ones’ own hands.  When a practitioner and a client have a shared intention or when the self has a clear intention on what is wanted the biophotons travel through the fascia of the client or self, moving into the DNA and communicate with other biophotons within the body to allow healing, clearing, balancing, etc.  In other words the biophotons are directed to restructure the chemical reactions and molecular makeup of the body for health and wellness to occur.
 

Conducting a healing session

Anyone can heal and everyone has the power to change the course of their physical, mental and

emotional well-being.  The following is an explanation of one method of conducting a healing

session on others, but can easily be applied to the self.  Methods vary from practitioner to

practitioner and each method has value and worth.  If you are not finding success with your

own self-healing, seek a local energy healer who can guide you through your release.
To begin, take a few deep breaths with your client to help engage the Vagus nerve which triggers

a signal within your nervous system to slow down the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and

decrease cortisol, the stress hormone. Then guide them into their heart center (chakra) asking

them to connect their heart to yours so that a partnership is formed while conducting the healing

process.  Remind the person you are working on that the practitioner is a conduit to move the

energy and set the space for healing to occur—the true healer is the self.

Once hearts are connected begin by placing your hands on your client –go where you feel called

to go, listening to your intuition or when releasing old emotion, place one hand on the heart and

one on the solar plexus.  Set an intention for the energy and ask to bring in the right energy for

the client’s highest and greatest good. By setting that intention you bring in the correct

arrangement of photons into your crown chakra, down through your heart, out your arms, and

through your hands.  What leaves your hands are biophotons that are in perfect arrangemen

t for the client’s healing and balance. Once these particles of light enter your client’s body,

they communicate with the client’s own biophotons to assist in rearranging molecules into a

healthy pattern. Continue to set these intentions together as you work on various parts of the

body or on particular emotional releases, moving this energy through the fascia.  By doing this

rearranging of molecules, energy blockages and old emotions can be released, leaving the client

in a healthier, balanced state. There are particular techniques and symbols that are taught in

Reiki classes and can increase frequency and direction for the healing sessions; seek a local Reiki

instructor for further training to assist either yourself or others.

 

Conclusion:

Although it is typically very difficult for many to accept changes in the way we view the world and the advances we are making that assist us in understanding it, we know that we have much to learn and our growth is not nearly complete. As a society, the more open we are to looking beyond what has been and open up to what we are currently learning, the more progress we will make as an evolving species.

 

Reiki, Questions & Answers:

 

Q. Where does Reiki energy come from?

A. Reiki energy is a subtle energy. It is different than electricity or chemical energy or other kinds of physical energy. Reiki energy comes from the Higher Power, which exists on a higher dimension than the physical world we are familiar with. When viewed clairvoyantly, Reiki energy appears to come down from above and to enter the top of the practitioners head after which if flows through the body and out the hands. It appears to flow this way because of our perspective. However, the true source of Reiki energy is within ourselves. This does not mean that we use our personal energy when we do Reiki, but that the energy is coming from a transcendental part of ourselves that is connected to an infinite supply of healing energy.

 

Q. Is Reiki a Religion?

A. Although Reiki energy is spiritual in nature, Reiki is not a religion. Practitioners

are not asked to change any religious or spiritual beliefs they may have. They are free

to continue believing anything they choose and are encouraged to make their own

decisions concerning the nature of their religious practices.

 

Q. How is a Reiki treatment given?

A. In a standard treatment Reiki energy flows from the practitioners hands into the

client. The client is usually laying on a massage table but treatments can also be given

while the client is seated or even standing. The client remains fully clothed. The

practitioner places her/his hands on or near the clients body in a series of hand positions

. These include positions around the head and shoulders, the stomach, and feet. Other,

more specific positions may be used based on the clients needs. Each position is held for

three to ten minutes depending on how much Reiki the client needs at each position.

The whole treatment usually lasts between 45 and 90 minutes.

 

Q. What does a Reiki treatment feel like?

A. What one experiences during a Reiki treatment varies somewhat from person to person.

However, feelings of deep relaxation are usually felt by all. In addition, many feel a wonderful

glowing radiance that flows through and surrounds them. As the Reiki energy encourages one

to let go of all tension, anxiety, fear or other negative feelings a state of peace and well-being

is experienced. Some drift off to sleep or report floating outside their bodies or have visions and

other mystical experiences. At the end of the treatment, one feels refreshed with a more positive,

balanced outlook.

 

Q. What can be treated with Reiki?

A. Reiki has had a positive affect on all forms of illness and negative conditions. This includes minor things like head or stomach aches, bee stings, colds, flu, tension and anxiety as well as serious illness like heart disease, cancer, leukemia, etc. The side effects of regular medical treatments have also been reduced or eliminated. This includes the negative effects of chemotherapy, post operative pain and depression as well as improving the healing rate and reducing the time needed to stay in the hospital. Reiki always helps and in some cases people have experienced complete healings which have been confirmed by medical tests before and after the Reiki treatments. However, while some have experienced miracles, they cannot be guaranteed. Stress reduction with some improvement in ones physical and psychological condition are what most experience.

 

Q. Does one have to stop seeing a regular doctor or psychologist in order to receive a Reiki treatment?

A. No. Reiki works in conjunction with regular medical or psychological treatment. If one has a medical or psychological condition, it is recommended that one see a licensed health care professional in addition to receiving Reiki treatments. Reiki energy works in harmony with all other forms of healing, including drugs, surgery, psychological care or any other method of alternative care and will improve the results.

 

Q. Who can learn to do Reiki?

A. Reiki is a very simple technique to learn and is not dependent on one having any prior experience with healing, meditation or any other kind of training. It has been successfully learned by over one million people from all walks of life, both young an old. The reason it is so easy to learn that it is not taught in the usual way something is taught. The ability to do Reiki is simply transferred from the teacher to the student through a process called an attunement that takes place during a Reiki class. As soon as one receives an attunement, they have the ability to do Reiki and after that whenever one places their hands on themselves or on another person with the intention of doing Reiki, the healing energy will automatically begin flowing.

 

Q. How long does it take to learn Reiki?

A. A beginning Reiki class is taught on a weekend. The class can be one or two days long. I recommend that the minimum time necessary be at least six to seven hours. Along with the attunement, it is necessary that the student be shown how to give treatments and also to practice giving treatments in class.

 

Q. What is a Reiki attunement?

A. A Reiki attunement is the process by which a person receives the ability to give Reiki treatments. The attunement is administered by the Reiki Master

during the Reiki class. During the attunement, the Reiki Master will touch the students head, shoulders, and hands and use one or more special breathing techniques. The attunement energies will flow through the Reiki Master and into the student. These special energies are guided by the Higher Power and make adjustments in the students energy pathways and connect the student to the source of Reiki. Because the energetic aspect of the attunement is guided by the Higher Power, it adjusts itself to be exactly right for each student. During the attunement, some students feel warmth in the hands, others may see colors or have visions of spiritual beings. However, it is not necessary to have an inner experience for the attunement to have worked. Most simply feel more relaxed.

 

Q. Can I treat myself?

A. Yes, once you have received the attunement, you can treat yourself as well as others. This is one of the unique features of Reiki.

 

Q. I have heard that Reiki can be sent to others at a distance. How does this work?

A. Yes, in Reiki II, you are given three Reiki symbols. These symbols are empowered by the Reiki II attunement. One of these symbols is for distant healing. By using a picture of the person you would like to send Reiki to or by writing the person’s name on a piece of paper or simply by thinking of the person and also activating the distant symbol, you can send Reiki to them no matter where they are. They could be hundreds of miles away, but it makes no difference. The Reiki energy will go to them and treat them. You can also send Reiki to crisis situations or world leaders and the Reiki energy will help them too.

 

Q. What does it feel like to give a treatment?

A. When giving a Reiki treatment, the Reiki energy flows through the practitioner before leaving the hands and flowing into the client. Because of this, the practitioner receives a treatment also. As the Reiki energy flows through the practitioner, she/he will feel more relaxed and uplifted. Spiritual experiences sometimes take place. The practitioner sometimes receives insights about what the client needs to know to heal more deeply.

 

Q. Can children learn Reiki?

A. Yes, Reiki can be taught to anyone. I recommend that a child be old enough to understand what Reiki is and that the child request to receive Reiki.

 

Q. Is it safe for pregnant woman?

A. Since Reiki is guided by the Higher Power, the Reiki energy will know the condition of the client or student and adjust appropriately. Reiki can only do good. Many pregnant women have received treatments with great benefit to them and their unborn child. It has also been used during child birth. Pregnant women have also taken the Reiki training and received the Reiki attunement with beneficial results.

 

Q. What about babies?

A. Babies love Reiki. It is very healthy for them. Do not worry about it being too strong. Reiki automatically adjusts to what the baby needs.

 

Q. Can I treat animals or plants?

A. Animals love Reiki too. They seem to have a natural understanding of what Reiki is and its benefits. Once a pet has received a Reiki treatment, they will often let you know that they want more. Plants also respond well to Reiki.

 

Q. Are there any side effects from a Reiki treatment?

A. Most of the time a person will feel relaxed and uplifted by a Reiki treatment. However, sometimes a person will have what is called a healing crisis. As a person’s vibration goes up, toxins that have been stored in the body will be released into the blood stream to be filtered by the liver and kidneys and removed from the system. When this happens, sometimes a person can get a headache or stomach ache or feel weak. If this happens, it is a good idea to drink more water, eat lighter meals and get more rest. The body is cleansing as part of the healing process so this is a good sign.

 

Q. Can it be used to help groups of people or even global crises?

A. Yes, this is one of the wonderful benefits of Reiki and is why it is such a wonderful technique for the new millennium. It allows individuals and groups to do something positive about the challenging situations we see on the news involving so many people all over the planet. Reiki can be used to reduce suffering and help people any where in the world. On our Reiki web site at www.reiki.org we list major world events to send Reiki to. As more and more people send Reiki to help the world heal, we will move quickly to a world of peace and harmony.

 

Q. How much does a treatment usually cost?

A. A Reiki treatment usually will cost between $25.00 and $100.00 depending on the area of the country. However, some practitioners offer treatments free of charge or for a donation.

 

Q. Can one become Licensed to practice and teach Reiki?

A. There are no governmental licensing programs at this time. However, the Center does have a licensing program for Reiki teachers.

 

Q. Does insurance cover Reiki treatments?

A. Reiki is just starting to be recognized by insurance companies. While not many are covering Reiki treatments, some are. Check with your local insurance company for details.

 

Q. Can you get more than one attunement?

A. Once you receive a Reiki attunement, it will last your whole life. However, if you get additional attunements for the same level, it will act to refine and strengthen your Reiki energy.

 

Q. What is lineage?

A. Reiki is a technique that is passed on from teacher to student over and over. If one has Reiki, than she/he will be part of a succession of teachers leading back to the founder of the system of Reiki one is practicing. In the case of Usui Reiki, the lineage would lead back to Dr. Usui.