There was a time recently when I found it hard to accept or relate to the metaphysical practices of old cultures because I lived in a Renaissance society which is competitive, fast-paced and logic-based. So when I was told about Reiki, my skepticism was natural.

In 1993 my business failed and I lost everything. Burdened with worry, pressure and tension, my health deteriorated. When my doctor told me I would die within a year if I did not have heart surgery, I was scared out of my wits. I had diabetes, high blood pressure and an enlarged hear; my health was declining rapidly. Mary-Jane, a dear friend, told me about Reiki, and sensing my skepticism, asked, “What do you have to lose?”

That remark brought me face to face with my own mortality causing me to look at life in a way I had never done before and to ask what I was prepared to do to maintain a healthy body. I didn’t want to die. So I received my fired Reiki treatment. I am more than glad I did.

Reiki came about when Dr. Mikao Usui, a 19th century Christian scholar, while conducting a research on ancient healing forms practiced by the great healers of the past, including Jesus and the Buddha, came upon energy channeling through the hands. He called it Reiki, which simply meant universal life energy.

Today, Reiki is being revived around the world. Through the hands of the Reiki channel (practitioner) flows the universal “ki” or “chi”, a powerful healing energy. To the sages of the east, ki is the all-empowering energy of the universe and the source of life. Without it, nothing lives. As the Reiki channel places their hands on the recipient, this energy is transmitted through their palms and ki is passed to the receiver.

When activated, Reiki relaxes and aligns the body, mind, and spirit awakening each to its own inherent ability to heal in the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The ki energy eliminates stress and tension leaving one with a deep sense of peace and tranquility.

At this point the body relaxes and is drawn into a state of balance. This is extremely important, for when the physical is in balance it compels the mind to come into balance as well. A person in this frame is more prone toward acceptance and less toward anger and judgment. When one attains balance in the physical, mental and emotional, one cannot help but find that the spirit is also drawn to the balance. This helps the individual rediscover and accept the soft human emotions – love, compassion, and charity – which exist within.

As I continued to receive Reiki treatments, my health improved remarkably. I learned to accept my life and began to pick up the pieces. In gratitude, I became a channel and ultimately a Reiki master. I wanted to spread the word and help others discover healing and wellness through Reiki. My wife, awed by my experience, became a believer and a Reiki master as well. Together, we worked with the many who came for healing and wellness. We witnessed the improvement of people who were diagnosed with depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, anxiety, cataracts, stroke paralysis, HIV, fibromyalgia and many others.

We worked with the terminally ill and saw how Reiki brought them acceptance, love and peace. The universal ki is love as well. Reiki complements and augments modern or alternative medicine intended to restore health and wellness. But one must bear in mind that there is no earthly prescription that can thwart the course of nature.

It is important to note that the Reiki channel is not a healer but a mere vessel – a conduit – through which the universal ki flows. They simply facilitate the process of bringing Reiki to someone who wants healing and allows himself or herself to be used as a conduit for the universal ki. As the energy flows within and through them, they derive as much healing benefit as the person receiving the treatment. If anything, the channel experiences a heightened sense of exhilaration with each treatment they give; healing can occur for them as well. The Reiki energy is not a mind power; therefore, the channel cannot direct or manipulate it in any way.

A Reiki treatment usually lasts between one to two hours depending on the flow of the energy. Normally the recipient would lie on a Reiki (massage) table to receive treatment but Reiki can also be administered with the recipient sitting or standing depending on the circumstance. The channel places their hands on various areas of the recipient’s body, their hands remaining at each area for some time to allow the energy to flow. When the energy begins to ebb, they then move to the next area. Hand positions do vary from Reiki group to Reiki group. However, the hand positions are not meant to be invasive or intrusive.

A treatment usually beings with the recipient lying on their back on the Reiki table. A tissue paper is placed over the eyes of the recipient for hygienic reason, as part of the treatment calls for the channel to place his hands over the eyes. The recipient is encouraged to breathe deeply and relax. After a minute or two, the channel begins the treatment by asking the recipient to specify the purpose of the treatment as this establishes the focus for both the giver ad the receiver.

I have been asked many times by recipients as to what they should be doing during the treatment. My answer has always been to believe and trust the universal ki; to relax and go with the energy as it flows to the body. The channel’s palms are usually warm, different channels have different intensity of warmth in the palms. The degree of warmness within the palms should not be used as a yardstick to measure the competency of the Reiki channel. I have always stressed to all the channels we work with that it is far more important to be clear channels. That means learning to step out of our own consciousness (or ego) so that the ki energy can flow through unobstructed.

The impact of ki varies from person to person, seldom do two persons experience or react to the energy in a similar manner. Normally when ki flows, the recipient feels a sensation within the body; sometimes tingly or pulsating or rushing but always comforting. When the recipient accepts the energy and goes with the flow, the body is lulled into a state of relaxation. Many receiving treatment fall asleep. I enjoy looking at the faces of recipients when treatment is over. They are so completely relaxed; relieved from stress and tension, they look like they have just awakened from a deep slumber, their eyes bright, expressing awe and wonder. For the majority, a Reiki treatment makes them feel like they have had a very deep, comfortable and relaxing sleep; invariably most would choose to lie on the table for some time before getting up.

There are many mysteries within this wonderful universe of ours, mysteries which are well beyond the realm of human understanding. Ki is one of them and Reiki is one of its extensions. Words can hardly express the depth and intensity one feels when ki flows during a Reiki treatment. Undoubtedly, receiving a Reiki treatment is the best way to experience this natural flow of healing energy.

This article was written by John Chew, for the Toronto Real Estate Board magazine, “The Professional”, published in January 2001. We thank TREB for permission to reproduce the article for distribution to our Reiki group members.