The following are what we consider to be inadequate definitions of Reiki that you may find on many web sites.
"Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy."
— www.reiki.org
"Reiki is one of the more widely known forms of energy healing. Energy Healing involves direct application of Chi for the purpose of strengthening the clients energy system (aura). Chi is the term used by the Chinese mystics and martial artists for the underlying force the Universe is made of. Mystics in all cultures have talked about the physical universe being made of an underlying form of something, much as modern physics research is now coming to understand the Universe is made of energy which is subject to (or affected by) thought."
— www.reiki.7gen.com
These "definitions", and many more like them, are like stating that an automobile is a means to get to the grocery store. Even though they acknowledge the "life force energy" or the "underlying force the universe is made of", the Reiki practice itself is defined as something that heals or relaxes. These definitions are insufficient and often lead one to believe that the practitioner "channels" or "applies" or otherwise manipulates the Reiki energy.
Reiki is the animating force of the universe
Life on Earth, possible life on other planets: sentient, conscious beings, as well as all plants
Characteristics of the universal life force and sentient expressions in accordance with nature:
* Present moment existence
* Unconditional
* Creative
* Non linear
* Non dual
* Requires direct comprehension
* Reflectant
* Sensual
* Essential
* Fluid
How reiki "heals" or relaxes
The manner in which Reiki heals or relaxes a being is related to its essential nature. The life force energy flowing from within a being always will express the ideal form of that being. Disease and stress develop as the organism is conditioned to expect that what sustains life is all in the outer world and that the organism must exert conscious effort in order to acquire what it needs to live.
The practice of Reiki simply reminds the cells of the being that the life force is flowing from within and outward. The reorientation of the cells to the flow of life from within has a very relaxing effect on the organism. Effort to obtain happiness is discovered as futile.
Where does disease and stress originate?
Stress and disease occur when the organism dissipates energy into the past and future, and exerts effort to try to control situations to achieve a desirable outcome or avoid an undesirable outcome.
We are conditioned, or programmed, to seek our needs and acquire them from the outside world. This requires effort and often is frustrated by the programming that validates envy and greed. Also frustrating is that when we seek for spiritual or aesthetic qualities of life, such as happiness and fulfillment, in the outer world and focus on certain future event s that will "make" us happy or fulfilled, we often find that when those events do occur we do not sense the qualities we expected to sense.
Stress and disease are more likely to occur in a being whose energy is dissipated in the past and future.
Dissipating energy into the future:
1. Expectations
2. Ideals
3. Goals
4. Dreams
5. Beliefs
6. Faith
Dissipating energy into the past:
1. Regret
2. Knowledge based experience
3. Prior experience interpreting current events
4. Dreams