In fact, the more practitioners an individual talks to, the greater variety of definitions that he’ll find. Is Reiki really that hard to define or are these specialists ignorant of their own trade?
The Scientific View of Reiki
The answer to this quandary actually has more to do with perspective than any sort of lack of knowledge. Scientifically stated, Reiki is a bio-energetic technique used for stress reduction and relaxation purposes. The basis of this methodology is that by giving the body a much needed break from daily stress and anxiety, the system will be able to repair any damage and in essence heal itself. Since the process is bio-based, soothing energy is conducted from practitioner to client though person to person contact via the hands on healing method or by a distance technique that works at the quantum subatomic level through vibration of certain frequencies of wavelengths.
The original version of Reiki, as founded by Mikao Usui, was intended to serve as a method of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing that transcended religion, culture, or any sort of beliefs. In this way, the effectiveness of Reiki did not and does not rely upon faith in the practice or adherence to any specific religion, cultural values, or belief system. Essentially, the Reiki energies were seen as self directing, able to work with the specific needs of the individual based upon his or her understandings, experiences, and world view. Even today, those practitioners whose Reiki lineages stem from Master Usui generally agree with this intuitive design philosophy.
Over the past century, however, a number of Reiki variations have been founded. Some of these systems include modifications in technique or the addition of new healing frequencies. Others explain Reiki based upon particular religions or belief systems or even amalgamate Reiki and traditional healing knowledge.
Reiki Variations Create Complications
This is where the confusion over the exact definition of Reiki begins. For instance, a Christian or Gnostic based form of Reiki may describe these healing energies as the Christ Consciousness or life force. Therefore, Angels, Jesus, Mary, or God may provide extra blessings to cure illness.
Other systems describe the energy as chi, ki, mana, or unconditional love. In most of these cases, this substance is seen as infinitely available. Disease, on the other hand, is caused by blockages, stagnancies, or depletion of this matter.
As there are hundreds of Reiki variations, all with their own interpretations of what these energy frequencies represent and how they affect the body, it is easy to see why Reiki is not so easily defined. The definition or definitions that one receives will primarily be based upon the particular type of Reiki that a practitioner practices. Although this may seem needlessly complex, it does allow individuals to essentially customize their Reiki experience to mesh with their religious beliefs, cultural values, or world views.
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