Reiki is a spiritual healing practice that enhances wellness by encouraging the system toward balance at all levels: body, mind and spirit. This is how I have come to understand Reiki after practicing daily self-treatment and sharing Reiki with family, friends and clients for 21 years. Reiki is subtle. It arises from spirit, both practically, every time we practice, and historically, in that Reiki practice came from the meditation of Mikao Usui. Usui was a spiritual teacher in early 20th century Japan who offered this practice to his students as part of his spiritual teachings. Reiki is balancing on every level. Since most of us are unbalanced in the direction of stress, Reiki treatment is typically experienced as relaxing. But that doesn't mean that Reiki is a relaxation technique. Reiki is balancing. Each Reiki treatment meets us right where we are and gently encourages us toward our unique balance. Some Reiki treatments put us to sleep while others are enlivening; some treatments help us release an emotion we've been holding, while others clarify feelings we couldn't get into focus before. Each experience is nuanced and varied. How do you answer the question, What is Reiki? If you don't have a response that is clear and true to your experience and understanding, why not try an experiment? Commit yourself to three weeks of daily practice at the same time of day (perhaps when you wake up or before going to sleep). Keep a journal of all your treatments--to yourself and to others--and of any changes in how you experience yourself and your life that might be related to your disciplined practice. Stay present with each Reiki practice session. Deeply contemplate your experiences. Notice your assumptions and question them. Continually revisit the question, What is Reiki? Excerpt from Pamela Miles, www.reikiinmedicine.org Posted, October 2007 Reiki In Medicine LINK to Pamela Miles site Reiki for Mind, Body, and Spirit Support of LINK to ADVANCES Fall 2007, VOL. 22, NO. 2, article by Pamela Miles Pamela Miles Reiki LINK to (beautifully designed) site providing information, resources,training classes, etc. Second Article on Reiki (Pamela Miles) LINK to February 8, 2007 article Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.