NCCAM Reiki Backgrounder - Revised

[Jackie M]

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) recently posted newly revised Reiki content on their website. NCCAM is the center in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that studies the safety and effectiveness of complementary and alternative therapies such as Reiki.

This document can be a useful tool to share with clients and colleagues as a way to present the facts of Reiki from a scientific, non-judgemental point of view, and initiate discussion. I think that it is written very simply and objectively.

Read it here - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/reiki/

 

[Philip H]

The word "Reiki" is derived from two Japanese words: rei, or universal, and ki, or life energy. Current Reiki practice can be traced to the spiritual teachings of Mikao Usui in Japan during the early 20th century. Usui's teachings included meditative techniques and healing practices. One of Usui's students, Chujiro Hayashi, further developed the healing practices, placing less emphasis on the meditative techniques. An American named Hawayo Takata learned Reiki from Hayashi in Japan and introduced it to Western cultures in the late 1930s.

The type of Reiki practiced and taught by Hayashi and Takata may be considered traditional Reiki. Numerous variations (or schools) of Reiki have since been developed and are currently practiced.

and

No special background or credentials are needed to receive training. However, Reiki must be learned from an experienced teacher or a Master; it cannot be self-taught. The specific techniques taught can vary greatly.

I am always amused when methods that were originally self-taught are later described as something that "cannot be self-taught." This traditional contradiction is found in many arts.

It's hard to believe that no one else could self-teach a similar method. There's over 6 billion people on the planet. Original duplication is more likely than not.

 

[Tater Salad]

I am always amused when methods that were originally self-taught are later described as something that "cannot be self-taught." This traditional contradiction is found in many arts.

Including the art of a good relaxing massage!