Reiki is a gentle form of energy healing that began in Japan and is now practised around the world. During a session, a practitioner channels what is often described as universal life force energy to encourage deep relaxation, ease stress and restore a sense of balance.
It is not tied to any religion, and it can be experienced by anyone whatever their background or beliefs. Below we explain what reiki is, where it comes from, what happens in a session, and what people most often use it for.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki is a natural healing practice based on the idea that a life force energy flows through all living things, part of the same subtle energy that makes up your aura. The word itself is often translated as universal life force, though some describe it as holy spirit or simply as energy. The name matters less than the principle behind it, which is that this energy can be gently guided to support relaxation and wellbeing.
In practice, a reiki practitioner acts as a channel for that energy rather than the source of it. They place their hands on or just above the body, allowing the energy to flow to wherever it is needed. Many people find the experience calming and restful, and it is this sense of ease that draws them back.
Importantly, reiki is not a religion and it does not require any particular belief to take part. Much like yoga or meditation, it is something people from all walks of life can share.
The Origins of Reiki
Reiki as we know it today was developed in Japan by Mikao Usui, a Buddhist practitioner who had trained in the samurai tradition. According to the tradition passed down through reiki teaching, Usui undertook a period of fasting and meditation lasting twenty one days, after which he received an understanding of the symbols and energies that form the basis of the practice.
From there, reiki was taught and passed on through a system of attunements, spreading first across Japan and later throughout the world. While the practice has evolved and branched into different styles, the core principle of channelling healing energy has remained the same.
How Does a Reiki Session Work?
A reiki session is designed to be calm and unintrusive. You remain fully clothed throughout, usually lying down on a treatment couch or sitting comfortably in a chair. The room is typically quiet, sometimes with soft music, so that you can relax as fully as possible.
The practitioner will place their hands lightly on or slightly above different areas of the body, moving through a series of positions. There is no massage or manipulation involved, so the experience is very gentle. Many people report a feeling of warmth, a light tingling, or simply a deep sense of relaxation. Others drift close to sleep. There is no single correct way to experience it, and every session is a little different.
A typical session lasts somewhere between forty five minutes and an hour. Reiki can also be given from a distance, where the practitioner channels energy to someone who is not physically present, which some people choose when an in person session is not practical.
What Is Reiki Used For?
People turn to reiki for a wide range of reasons, though most are looking for a sense of calm and balance rather than a cure for a specific ailment. The most common reason is relaxation and stress relief. In busy or difficult periods, a session can offer a rare pause and a chance to switch off.
Beyond relaxation, many people use reiki to support emotional well-being, feel more grounded, or work through periods of change and uncertainty. Some find it helpful alongside other wellbeing practices such as meditation and mindfulness, seeing it as one part of a broader approach to looking after themselves.
It is worth being clear that reiki is a complementary practice focused on relaxation and wellbeing, and it is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. If you have a health concern, we would always encourage you to speak with a qualified medical professional. Where reiki tends to add value is in how it makes people feel, offering space, stillness and a moment to reconnect with themselves.
The Reiki Precepts
Alongside the healing practice sits a simple set of guiding principles known as the reiki precepts. Each one begins with the phrase “just for today”, a gentle reminder to focus on the present rather than being overwhelmed by everything at once.
- Just for today, do not worry.
- Just for today, do not anger.
- Just for today, earn your living honestly.
- Just for today, be grateful for your blessings.
- Just for today, be kind to every living thing.
Even set apart from the energy work itself, these principles offer a thoughtful framework for daily life. If we all took them to heart, the world might feel a calmer and kinder place.
Our Experience of Reiki
One of our own readers, Robbie, first came to reiki while working at a disability resource centre alongside a Japanese colleague who translated the practice as holy spirit. Robbie’s healing work is also shaped by a strong connection to their spirit guides, whose guidance has deepened over the years. That early introduction grew into a deeper journey through the traditional reiki attunements.
The first attunement opens your ability to work with the energy for yourself, supporting your own balance and wellbeing. Robbie recommends this first stage to anyone curious, describing it as genuinely enjoyable and good for the spirit. Later stages allow a practitioner to send energy over a distance and, eventually, to attune others and teach. What stays with most people who take this path is not the ceremony itself but the sense of living more calmly and in the moment that comes with it.
Speak to a Reader About Your Wellbeing
If reading about reiki has sparked an interest in exploring your own path to balance and calm, our readers are here to help. Whether you are seeking clarity, comfort or a fresh sense of direction, a reading can offer gentle guidance when you need it most.
You can also explore our full range of psychic readings to find the right fit for you.
Posted: 09/07/2020
Related Category: Health
