There is a Japanese energy system that started coming in to prominence in the 1980's but has recently picked up in popularity. Reiki is a powerful system that includes energy healing which utilizes Reiki energy to help a person balance their own energy to promote health.

The word Reiki is made up of two Japanese words that loosely translate to 'Universal Life Force Energy.' Reiki is an energy that comes from the Universal Source. There are many ancient systems around the world that recognize life force energy of all living beings. These systems all recognize that this energy is the source of life; and without it, we would die. They also recognize that any and all illness starts as an imbalance or blockage in the life force energy first. Reiki energy is used to replenish the life force energy and correct any imbalance or blockage that are present.

The system of Reiki, referred to as Reiki-Ho in Japanese - more accurately translated as Reiki Method, is a system of practice developed by Mikao Usui in the early 1900's. The method involves many aspects, but most know it for the hands on healing practice. In addition to the hands on healing, there are meditative and contemplative practices, as well as self-healing. Most people feel that the core of Reiki is the Five Admonitions or Principles. These five are 1. Don't get angry, 2. Don't worry, 3. Be grateful, 4. Work hard, and 5. Be kind.

Reiki hands on healing consists of the practitioner places his hands lightly on - or over - various parts of the body. There is no need for the recipient to get undressed; they simply sit or lie in a comfortable position and relax. The practitioner, rather than attempting to focus their own life force energy as some systems do, channels energy from the Universal Source into the person receiving the treatment. By working this way, a Reiki treatment is beneficial to both the recipient and the practitioner.

Receiving Reiki does not require any special beliefs or religious practice. Equally so, practicing Reiki is open to everyone. Reiki is non-denominational and can easily be integrated into anyone's religious or spiritual practice. Reiki practitioners are taught that they didn't create the energy, they are merely channeling it. Any results that happen are not attributed to the practitioner, only to the recipient and the Universal Source.

Reiki is part of a larger family of energy healing systems that have existed for hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of years. Reiki is a wonderful energy healing system that has been used for many years to bring a relaxed, peaceful state to individuals - many of which have seen dramatic healing results afterwards.