Reiki is a Japanese word meaning Spiritual Energy. Rei in Japanese means Spirit. Ki means energy, or life force. Reiki may be interpreted as spiritual energy, universal energy, cosmic energy, pure consciousness! It is related to other healing methods such as Qi gong, Tai Chi, Kiatsu, Huna, Shiatsu, and acupuncture. All involve manipulating energy in the body's energy centers and channels.

The difference is that the person receiving Reiki energy first draws it from the universe via the Reiki practitioner/channel -- and soon is able to draw it directly. This channeling can be transferred quickly, whereas such methods as Qi gong require long periods of practice before one can feel and transfer energy to another. And since the Reiki practitioner channels energy from the universe, transferring energy energizes rather than depletes the giver.

Reiki's origin dates back thousands of years to Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. Reiki concepts have many things in common with Vajrayana Buddhist empowerments and transmissions. Secret symbols and mantras are also common to Reiki and tantric yoga.

Ancient methods of healing using spiritual/universal energy have been practiced in Tibet, but were revealed only to students who traveled with the master, served, practiced, and provided themselves worthy to receive the empowerment, energy, and teaching. The method was lost over time until rediscovered in the 1800s by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese scholar. He named it Reiki.

Dr. Usui, a Christian and Dean of a seminary in Kyoto, Japan, wanted to learn to heal people as Jesus Christ had. After a long quest, he learned the mental directions to use the symbols and secret verses to invoke spiritual energy and use it for healing. But he still had found no master to pass to him the empowering energetic transmission essential to activate his chakras and empower his channeling healing energies. Without an initial empowerment, his knowledge of the method was practically useless.

A monk advised him to ask for the empowerment during a meditation retreat. Dr. Usui went into seclusion on Mount Kurayama to meditate and fast for as long as he could; he would die if no answer came. On the 21st day, he had a vision. A ball of light appeared before him, and entered into his third eye and crown chakras/energy centers. This was the empowerment he sought! Sanskrit letters and symbols also appeared before him as in bubbles. His entire mind and body were energized in a way impossible to describe. He knew he had received the empowerment from the ultimate Source.

More about Reiki:

Reiki is a powerful energy that works gently upon physical, emotional, and mental levels to enhance health and harmony in life. It is transferred from master to student in a series of transmissions and empowerments called attunements. These activate chakra energy centers and attune students to the energy. Once the chakras are activated, Reiki flows through palm chakras and can be used on oneself and others.

Description of the process. What to expect:

* Please remove all jewelry, watches and barrettes in preparation for the initiation.

* Place chairs in a circle, backs toward the middle. This creates a mirror effect, and facilitates the creation of a greater connection to the energies.

* Close your eyes and go into a meditative state.

* I'll use Reiki Power Symbols to clear the area, clear my mind and heart, and start Reiki energies flowing. In a meditative state, I invite God, Christ Spirit, Higher Powers, Ascended Masters and Mistresses, Light Beings, Angels, Teachers, and Guides to

* Most effective, I've found, are progressive attunements. One step at a time, first with one person and progressing to the next until everyone has received Step One. There are 19 steps to my attuning the Crown Chakra; 19 for the Third Eye Chakra; 19 for the Throat Chakra; 19 for the Heart Chakra; 19 for the Solar Plexus Chakra. And seven more "wrap-up" steps.

We'll repeat this process at least twice, and perhaps three times until your attunement comes through strongly! On the second round, we'll work with essential oils.

The energy transfer opens you, the initiate, to the universal Reiki energy.

It also initiates a 21-day clearing cycle of your major chakras - one chakra a day, starting at the root, and repeating three times. The initiation and clearing cycle opens you to healing and psychic channels. You become more balanced after completing the process.