MIND & SPIRIT: Healing hands

by darreck on December 9, 2010

New Straits Times
Mind & Spirit Coulumn
Author : Chim Li Yen

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Just for today, I will let go of anger.

Just for today, I will let go of worry.

I will give thanks for my many blessings.

I will do my work honestly.

I will be kind to my neighbour and every living thing.

— Dr Mikao Usui (Reiki Principles)

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MADAM Tang, 69, has been using reiki for an hour everyday to heal herself since learning the technique two years ago. She used to have trouble walking after a fall. Reiki has helped her regain strength in her legs and boost her self-esteem. She is now able to walk with the help of a cane. Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is an energetic healing practice that uses hands-on touch. It aims to balance and amplify positive energy on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual planes. This simple yet powerful technique can be easily learned and applied by everyone.

The word reiki comes from two Japanese words — rei and ki that means “universal life energy”. Rei refers to the greater universal energy that permeates the entire cosmos while ki refers to the vital life force that animates all living things. Hands-on healing has been practiced throughout history, spanning from ancient China to ancient Greece. Dr Mikao Usui rediscovered this method in the mid-1800s when he was searching for a way to heal the sick. He travelled to the holy mountain of Kuriyama, near Kyoto, where he fasted, meditated and prayed alone for 21 days. On the dawn of the last day, he saw a light that struck him in the centre of his forehead. This represented Dr Usui’s initiation into the system of reiki. He practised and taught reiki in Japan for the remainder of his life.

Today, reiki is practised by millions worldwide to relax and release stress. We all know that physical disease begins with imbalance in the emotional and mental states. Reiki helps prevent physical illness by restoring harmony before illness manifests in the physical body. “Most people experience a sense of peace after a reiki treatment session. Some experience an increased sense of vitality and mental alertness. Practitioners have reported that reiki aids in healing every known illness and injury ranging from asthma and arthritis to more serious life-threatening diseases such as cancer,” says reiki master Hoi Kok Wai. Reiki is a great addition to allopathic medicine and works safely with prescription drugs, surgery and medical procedures. It has been found to be effective in reducing the side effects of radiation and drugs as well as to quicken the healing process. Reiki energy is intelligent and flows to the affected parts of the energy field to boost the positive energy in that area. It knows exactly where to go and what to do. It is not necessary to direct the energy with our mind and the best results are achieved when the practitioner is relaxed.

Reiki is not affiliated to any religion or dogma. It is merely the process of tapping into a rich source of universal energy to help us heal. It embraces the spiritual dimension of healing, leading to spiritual transformation and insight.

“Anyone can learn reiki for treating oneself or others by attending a class. The basic class or Level 1 takes about six to eight hours. Reiki energy is simply passed on from the teacher to the student during an initiation process called attunement which creates a link between the student and the reiki source. After the attunement, all the practitioner has to do is to place their hands on the person to be healed with the intention of healing and the reiki energies will flow automatically,” explains Hoi, 44, who has been practicing reiki for several years.
For the past two years, he has been teaching the art. He was exposed to reiki during a rough patch in his life when he was seeking answers to the many questions he had about life following his father’s death. Reiki helped him transform in many ways. Previously diagnosed with stress-induced hypertension, his blood pressure stabilised after practising reiki for a few weeks and life became more meaningful. Hoi facilitates one-to-one reiki sessions and conducts workshops to empower others with this beautiful gift of healing. See www.meditation.com.my for more details.

Come to The Violet Flame in Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar at 7.30pm this Thursday to experience reiki healing with Hoi who will be giving a free talk and demonstration. Please call 03-2095 9868 to register. – The writer is co-founder of The Violet Therapy Centre in Bangsar. Check out www.thevioletflame.com.my for details