Find out more about Reiki. Links to books, music and videos.
How does Reiki work?
Everything in our universe is made up entirely of energy. Einstein formulated this knowledge in his well known equation E=mc2 (Energy=mass times speed of light squared). Light is energy, our emotions are energy, our thoughts are energy, and even our physical bodies and the physical world surrounding us are energy. When we keep that in mind it will be easier to understand how the healing energy of Reiki works. Our body is not only the physical body that we observe; we are made of energy and the physical body is the part of us that we can see. We are not a physical body that also has an energy field around and inside it; we are beings of energy, with energy fields that we normally can not see, and a physical body (a dense form of energy) as a part of the whole body. Besides the energy that we obtain through eating, drinking and breathing, we also obtain energy through are energy fields. This energy is very important for our body, without it our physical body would not be able to exist.
Knowing that our body is made up of energy fields, with the physical body as one of these, we can explore the origin of disease. What we experience as diseases (mental, emotional, physical) are the manifestations of imbalances in our body. The source of the problem can often be found in imbalances in our energy fields. What can cause these imbalances? Our thoughts, emotions and attitudes play an important role in the fitness of our body. Thoughts and emotions are energies, and when we have pessimistic and negative thoughts we create imbalances in our body. We often repress many of our thoughts and emotions because it is often taught to us in our society. We have been taught that we should not show certain emotions, or that we should feel guilty of certain feelings. By not expressing these thoughts, emotions and feelings we build blockages in our energy system, which can result in a disturbed flow of energies through our body. Other causes of imbalances in our body can be found in our environment.
Reiki works on the energetic level. Most healing methods work only on the physical level, but Reiki works on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels. Our body is a complex system with different levels interacting with each other. If a treatment is done that only works on one level, the healing is not complete. True healing must be done at all levels, and that is what Reiki does. If healing is only done on the physical level temporary results can be obtained, but the underlying cause is not treated. Reiki balances on all levels where our energy flows are blocked. It helps to release underlying thoughts and emotions that caused the disease, and it heals the physical symptoms of the disease.
Holistic Health Care
During the last three decades the number of Reiki practitioners in the Western world has steadily increased. Especially in North America, where Reiki was first introduced by Reiki Masters from Japan, there are many Reiki practitioners and many people take Reiki treatments. Reiki is practiced by a rapidly increasing number of nurses in hospitals all over the world. Numerous hospitals have included Reiki in their health care services. Nursing personnel and doctors are stimulated to do Reiki courses and practice Reiki with their patients. There are hospitals that prefer to hire nursing personnel who are qualified Reiki practitioners.
In 1998 the United States Congress established the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in response to the growing interest and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the United States. A published survey shows that the number of Americans using an alternative therapy rose from about 33 percent in 1990 to more than 42 percent in 1997. In addition, Americans spent more than $27 billion on these therapies in 1997, exceeding out-of-pocket spending for all U.S. hospitalizations. A survey published in 1994 reveals that more than 60 percent of doctors from a wide range of specialties recommended alternative therapies to their patients at least once. In addition, 47 percent of the doctors in this study reported using alternative therapies themselves. Indeed, 75 out of 117 U.S. medical schools offered elective courses in CAM or included CAM topics in required courses, according to an article published in 1998. Another survey found that people used CAM not only because they were dissatisfied with conventional medicine, but because these health care alternatives mirrored their own values,beliefs, and philosophical orientations toward health and life.
Investigations in Reiki
The scientific world has started research in the energetic fields of our body, and the effects of alternative healing methods on the body. In scientific studies several conditions have been succesfully treated with Reiki, and several physiological effects of Reiki have been observed. The following examples are only few of the studies performed in numerous hospitals and universities.
Dr. Ahlam Mansour, of the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Canada received a research grant from the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative (CBCRI) to conduct a feasibility study of the effects of Reiki on the level of anxiety, physical problems, spiritual well-being, and complete blood counts in breast cancer patients undergoing their initial (AC) chemotherapy. (Source: Office of Communications, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, http://www.usask.ca/communications/ocn/Apr24/news8.html).
Scientifical publications can be found in the online databases of Medline from the National Library of Medicine. The Medline databases can be accessed for free at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/. Here are some examples of scientifical publications related to Reiki.
- Kennedy, P. 2001. "Working with survivors of torture in Sarajevo with Reiki." Complementary Therapies in Nursing & Midwifery. Vol. 7: pages 4-7.
- While working as a nurse/therapist in Sarajevo, I had the opportunity to work in an experimental situation at a center for torture survivors. This was to see if the use of Reiki would have a beneficial effect on this type of patient. It involved a rethink on traditional Reiki hand positions, music, and the general set-up of the room being used. It was a challenge, and one I was delighted to have had. The people I worked with were wonderful, and the changes in them over the period were so positive. The staff at the Center were delighted; I was delighted; but so much more importantly, the patients were delighted. The ground has now been broken and hopefully will be considered in a positive light for other traumatized patients. Complete Article.
- Mansour AA, Beuche M, Laing G, Leis A, Nurse J, 1999. "A study to test the effectiveness of placebo Reiki standardization procedures developed for a planned Reiki efficacy study." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. April, Vol. 5(2): pages 153-64.
- The purpose of this study was to test the standardization procedures developed by our research team for placebo Reiki, before going ahead and conducting our planned full-scale randomized and placebo-controlled Reiki efficacy study. The placebo practitioners were trained in Reiki by the study Reiki Master and the principal investigator, but were not initiated. The belief in Reiki is that only practitioners that are initiated could give Reiki, thus making it possible to have a placebo arm in efficacy studies. The findings of the study indicate that the developed standardization procedures were successful because none of the final participants in round 4 (4 breast cancer patients and 4 observers) could differentiate between the identity of placebo and Reiki practitioners. It was concluded based on these findings that it is safe to go ahead and conduct the planned randomized 3-arm Reiki efficacy clinical trial. It is recommended that scholars interested in Reiki research could incorporate our techniques to strengthen their designs by adding a placebo arm.
- Olson K, Hanson J, 1997. "Using Reiki to manage pain: a preliminary report." Cancer Prevention Control 1997, June, Vol.1(2): pages 108-13.
- The purpose of this study at the Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada was to explore the usefulness of Reiki as an adjuvant to opioid therapy in the management of pain. Since no studies in this area could be found, a pilot study was carried out involving 20 volunteers experiencing pain at 55 sites for a variety of reasons, including cancer. All Reiki treatments were provided by a certified second-degree Reiki therapist. Pain was measured using both a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a Likert scale immediately before and after the Reiki treatment. Both instruments showed a highly significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in pain following the Reiki treatment.
- Brewitt, B., Vittetoe, T, and Hartwell, B., 1997. "The Efficacy of Reiki Hands-On Healing: Improvements in spleen and nervous system function as quantified by electrodermal screening". Alternative Therapies, July 1997, Vol.3, No.4, pg.89
- Improvement in spleen, immune, and nervous system function were quantified by electrodermal screening, and a reduction of pain, an increase in relaxation, and more mobility was reported in patiens with chronic conditions as multiple sclerosis, lupus, fibromyalgia, thyroid goiter.
- Aladydy, Patricia and Kristen Alandydy, 1999. "Using Reiki to Support Surgical Patients". Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 1999 Apr;13(4): pp. 89-91.
- Surgical patients at Columbia/HCA Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire are given the option of a 15 minute pre- and post-surgery Reiki treatment. In 1998 more than 870 patients participated. As a result there was less use of pain medications, shorter lengths of stay, and increased patient satisfaction. This article discusses how this program was set up. Plans for the future include documentation of the benefits and the further use of complementary therapies.
- Sawyer, Jeannette, 1998. "The First Reiki Practitioner in Our OR". AORN Journal (Association of Operating Room Nurses), Mar; 67(3): pp. 674-7.
- A patient at Dartmouth-Hitchock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire requested that her Reiki practitioner be present for her laparoscopic procedure. This article discusses the steps taken to fulfill this request and to develop requirements for allowing complementary healers in the operating room.
- Bullock, Marlene, 1997. "Reiki: A Complementary Therapy for Life," The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care. 1997 Jan/Feb; 14(1): pp. 31-3.
- This article describes the treatment of a 70 year-old man with an aggressive cancer using palliative radiation and medication, and Reiki. Through her hospice experiences the author concludes that, "Some general trends seen with Reiki include: periods of stabilization in which there is time to enjoy the last days of one's life, a peaceful and calm passing if death is imminent; and relief from pain, anxiety, dyspnea and edema. Reiki is a valuable complement in supporting patients in their end-of-life journey, enhancing the quality of their remaining days."
- Motz, Julie, 1998. "Hands of Life". New York; Bantam Books, 1998
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Reiki was used in the operating room of the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. The New York Times magazine reported about the use of Reiki during open-heart surgeries and hart transplantations performed by Dr. Mehmet
Oz. None of the 11 heart patients treated with Reiki by Reiki Master Julie Motz experienced the usual postoperative depression, the bypass patients had no postoperative pain or leg weakness; and the transplant patients experienced no organ rejection.
- "Reiki Technique Study to Control Chronic Pain in Diabetic Neuropathy", The Department of Public Relations & Marketing Communications, University of Michigan, http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/topics/alt03.htm
- The University of Michigan Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Center is studying Reiki, to determine whether chronic pain in diabetic neuropathy can be controlled, thereby increasing the patients' quality of life. This is one of the first studies of this technique funded by the National Institutes of Health, and has the full support of the University of Michigan Health System.
Reiki & Healing Books
Reiki and Other Rays of Touch Healing
by Kathleen Milner who developed the Tera Mai system. The history of Reiki and in particular Tera Mai Reiki and useful tips on healing. Also includes Reiki and non-Reiki symbols and their use in healing.
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Tera, My Journey Home: Alternative Healing for the Body & Spirit
by Kathleen Milner, who developed the Tera Mai healing system. This book continues with additional information on metaphysics - shamanism, symbology, healing techniques, reincarnation, etc. The foreword on the back cover was written by one of Kathleen's students, a Tibetan Buddhist Monk.
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Hands of Life
by Julie Motz; is about the application of Reiki in hospitals, and especially in the operating room. Her work together with Dr. Mehmet Oz in the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York during heart surgeries was reported on the cover of Time Magazine in 1995. She describes the possibilities of the use of Reiki with hospital patients, and also explains the difficulties in the acceptation of a holistic healing therapy like Reiki by modern medical doctors. The experiences detailed in this book show that it is possible to combine modern medicine with holistic healing methods. Reiki is being practiced by a growing number of nurses and medical doctors in hospitals all over the world.
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Healing from the Heart: A Leading Surgeon Combines Eastern and Western Traditions to Create the Medicine of the Future
Mehmet Oz is a Renaissance man of cardiac care, combining yoga, aromatherapy, hypnosis, energy healing (Reiki), music therapy, acupuncture, and visual imagery into his surgery practice at the Complementary Care Unit of New York City's Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. He's adamant that the relationship between traditional and alternative medicine should be symbiotic, not mutually exclusive. His patients are proof of this: when treated holistically, not as just "another transplant patient" with a plaque-addled heart, they perceive less pain during surgery and recuperation, are less likely to suffer depression, and heal more quickly. His joined work with a Reiki practitioner in the OR was reported on the front of Time Magazine in 1995.
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Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art
by Diane Stein. "This is the most comprehensive book on Reiki that I have ever come across. I was so fascinated that I stayed up and read the whole book in one night--and I have read it, or even single chapters, again and again. Diane Stein's experiences in trying to find a way to learn Reiki (since her financial means were limited) were especially intriguing to me."
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Entering The Circle
'Entering the Circle' by Olga Kharitidi explains the spiritual journey that this doctor experienced. She was born and raised in a family of medical doctors and scientists, studied psychiatry and worked in a psychiatric hospital in the former Soviet Union. She knew that modern medicine was not able to heal all the problems that she encountered with her patients, and when she was introduced into the ancient healing methods by a shaman woman from the mountains of Altai in Siberia she intuitively knew that this would bring great healing, not only to herself, but also to her patients.
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Hands of Light : A Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy Field
by Barbara Ann Brennan; is a scientist's look at the field of bioenergetic healing, offering specific techniques towards expanding perceptual tools of healing, seeing auras, understanding psychodynamics and the human energy field, and spiritual healing.
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The Seat of the Soul
by Gary Zukav. Zukav's American Book Award-winning The Dancing Wu Li Masters masterfully introduces the layman to quantum and particle physics, as well as Einstein's relativity theories. With a similar dose of amiable, easy-to-understand prose, Zukav guides readers into the spiritual realm in his bestselling The Seat of the Soul.
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Divine Guidance
by Doreen Virtue. Readers learn how to access divine guidance to answer everyday life questions by tapping into what everyone calls either the conscience, that "little voice", a guardian angel, or the voice of God. The daughter of a Christian Science spiritual healer, Dr. Doreen Virtue is a fourth-generation metaphysician who blends psychology, psychic practices, and A Course in Miracles spiritual principles into her counseling practice and writing.
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Chakra Clearing
by Doreen Virtue Ph.D. Dr. Virtue guides you through meditations and visualizations to clear you chakras, which activates your inborn healing and psychic abilities. Simultaneously guiding and instructing listeners, this book is a unique experiential guide to activating their natural spiritual powers of psychic and spiritual healing through the opening, cleansing, and balancing of the body's energy centers or chakras.
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The Original Reiki-Handbook
by Mikao Usui & Frank Arjava Petter. Now that the original handbook has been translated into English, Dr. Usui's hand positions and healing techniques can be studied directly for the first time.
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Spiritual Healing: Scientific Validation of A Healing Revolution
by Daniel J. Benor M.D. As author of the Healing Research series, he is an internationally recognized authority on the scientific study of spiritual healing. Review by Bernie Siegel, M.D., author of Love, Medicine and Miracles, "This excellent collection is sure to open minds and help us see all healing is scientific."
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Reiki Fire
by Frank Arjava Petter. Currently living in Japan has enabled him to comprise five years of heartfelt research.This book is the result of much news about Dr. Usui, his personal life, the Japanese Reiki movement and those who came after him.
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Reiki: The Healing Touch
by William Lee Rand. This revised and expanded edition includes important new information on the theory and practice of Reiki, including the Japanese Reiki Techniques taught by Dr. Usui as well as the Hayashi healing guide. This book is a must for anyone wanting the latest information on Reiki. Its referenced history of Reiki contains the most detailed and verfiable information currently available. Written with inspiration, clarity and vitality, it captures the essence of Reiki and is an excellent introduction to the subject as well as a user-friendly manual for the experienced practitioner.
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Reiki & Healing Music
Reiki: Hands of Light
This bestselling CD, loved by therapists and healers around the world, is excellent music for any kind of deep work: Reiki, meditation, massage, or relaxation. Long sonorous tones and a rhythmic underlying pulse create a gently supportive, ambient soundscape. An essential addition to any healing collection. Reviews "...an exquisite creation of sounds to promote deep states of relaxation." --New Age Retailer magazine Finalist: Best Meditation/Healing --New Age Voice Music Award |
Reiki Chants
New Age Retailer named Goldman one of the Top 5 Most Popular New Age Musicians of All Time. Reiki Chants is the first album to use Kotodama (an ancient oriental system of sound healing) to create the sounds that encode and manifest the power and energy of the Reiki symbols for accelerated healing. Reiki Chants is both powerful and eminently listenable a therapeutic musical masterpiece for healing and vibratory acceleration. The exotic sounds of these chants are beautiful to listen to and truly powerful to experience for healing and meditation or simply as gentle, relaxing music. |
Cho Ku Rei
New Age Voice (NAV) Awards: "Meditation/Healing Album of the Year" Winner Reiki is the guided movement of Ki or life energy. Everyone of us has currents flowing through our bodies. Reiki assists the body in maintaining a healthy flow of energy. Energy currents in motion create vibrations. The art of combining vibrations harmoniously is called Music. Reiki and Music share a common principle of healing: Attunement. The Cho Ku Rei can assist us in focusing within, taking us into the Labyrinth of our true being. When we walk the Labyrinth we walk the Passage of Healing. Applying the method of sacred geometry to the first of the Reiki symbols, along with ancient tunings, chakra intervals, overtone frequencies, resultant rhythms, Tibetan chant and angelic melodies, Cho Ku Rei is shared with love and respect to all beings on a path of healing. |
Reiki: Touch of Love
Listener's review: "I listened to Touch of Love at a Reiki session I took for relational purposes and the music made me so happy and it put my body in such a relaxed state. Love this CD and recommend it. |
Reiki & Healing Videos
Discover Reiki. This Japanese healing technique, known for thousands of years, works for modern ailments and stress reduction by directing vital body and universal life force energy. When she was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer twenty years ago, Merle Sunde' decided to dedicate herself to learning alternative therapies that would enhance self-healing. Now a renowned therapist and teacher, she gives here an overview of Reiki and demonstrates how hand placements direct the life force in nature.
Note: Reiki videos are not substitutes for receiving the Reiki instructions from a qualified Reiki instructor
The Energetics of Healing
Beyond the threshold of your physical anatomy lies another type of anatomy--invisible to the eye, yet critical to your health. Composed of pure energy, this vast network not only determines how your body functions and heals, but also serves as a connection to divine power and life. In this twin set of videos (running a total of about 3 hours), Caroline Myss outlines seven energy centers in the body and instructs viewers in how to focus the energy positively.
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