Various energy healing practices have a variety of origins. Although from my understanding, they all stem from a similar, if not, the same concept of universal energy. A popular name for this or the particular one practiced is Usui Reiki Ryohou (臼井霊気療法), directly translated as ‘Usui Spiritual Energy Therapy’. Usui Reiki Ryohou is known to be developed by a Japanese man called Mikao Usui (also written as Usui Mikao). This spiritual energy therapy was developed and passed on by him during the early 1900s. It was developed through his various practices, experience and teachings stemming from Mikkyo (esoteric Tendai Buddhism), Shugendo (mountain ascetic practices), Japanese philosophy and culture, and cosmology.
Throughout the years, the essence of the system remains, though with various experiences and understanding from numerous energy healing practices a variety of Reiki systems have developed, such as Holy Fire Reiki, Angelic Reiki, Jikiden Reiki…
The basis of Reiki and energy practices are being able to connect to the universal energy through meditation and be at peace with nature and all the energy and particles around us. With the connection, practitioners develop the healing aspects by channelling the energy around us into a recipient (human, animal, plants or situations) to help balancing and infusing them with the universal energy to promote healing, relaxation and assists them in putting them in a meditative state for the healing to take place within the body.
To aid the learning and focus each practitioner in using our innate gifts, Mikao Usui developed 5 elements in Usui Reiki Ryohou:
- Reiki Precepts (Gokai)
- Reiki Meditations and Techniques (i.e. Joshin Kokyou Hou)
- Hands-On Healing (Tenohira)
- Reiki Symbols and Mantras (Shirushi and Jumon)
- Reiju (blessings) and Attunements
With the above practices mixed with exercise and a healthy diet, we are all capable of practicing Reiki and giving Reiki. The most important part to it all is to have daily self-practices to be able to delve deeper to the understanding and achieve more from the Usui Reiki Ryohou for oneself and for promoting good health to others.
Reference
Some information has come from my own experiences and other information on this page are from International House of Reiki, who I am training with. As a member of UK Reiki Federation, it is important for practitioners to maintain connected with new and old fellow practitioners whilst keeping ourselves up to date with knowledge and happenings around the world.