Reiki For Dummies E-Book

Nina L. Paul

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Seitenzahl: 412

Beschreibung

The fun and easy way to explore the power of this popular energy-healing technique Millions of people seek ways to relax, promote healing, or connect with their soul. Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a simple but profound healing system that was originally developed in Japan. Reiki means "spiritual energy" or "universal life-force energy." The Reiki system is universal because it can be used by people of any background or religion. Reiki For Dummies explains how you can harness this energy for yourself. Reiki For Dummies is a plain-English Reiki guidebook. Discover what Reiki is, where it came from, and how to: * Find and get the most from a Reiki treatment * Use Reiki to boost your physical and emotional health * Locate a Reiki class and become a Reiki practitioner Reiki For Dummies is amply illustrated and full of useful information on: * Reiki symbols (plus nontraditional symbols) * Reiki hand positions (for giving Reiki to yourself or others) * Reiki for pets and animals * Reiki for children and adults * Reiki and surgery or medicines * Reiki at birth or end-of-life * Reiki in the house, in the car, or at work When you're ready to go further, Reiki For Dummies covers: Western and Japanese Reiki techniques; crystals, long distance Reiki, and setting up a successful Reiki practice. Reiki For Dummies is for you whether you are just finding out about Reiki or you are a seasoned professional who is looking for a clearly written, up-to-date, inclusive, and comprehensive source of Reiki information. Nina Paul, PhD (New York, NY), is a Reiki Master who uses Reiki to help herself and others. She has a doctorate in immunology and epidemiology and she believes in a holistic approach to health and wellness . Nina is also the author of the compassionate guide: Living with Hepatitis C For Dummies (0-7645-7620-8).

Leseprobe

Reiki For Dummies®

by Nina L. Paul, PhD

Reiki For Dummies®

Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.111 River St.Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2005932584

ISBN-13: 978-0-7645-9907-1

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7

1B/RV/RR/QY/IN

About the Author

Nina L. Paul, PhD, has worked in the field of science and health communication for over 20 years. She started down this path at SUNY Purchase, where she received her bachelor’s degree in biology and performed research in the field of neuroimmunology. She also published articles for her college news-paper on scientific research topics.

After working in medical publishing at Rockefeller University Press (Journal of Clinical Investigation), she received her master’s degree and PhD in infectious disease epidemiology (the study of diseases) and immunology from Yale University.

After leaving Yale, Nina pursued postdoctoral research in London and Oxford, England. Nina’s research focused on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and related viruses and their interaction with the immune system.

Nina also taught science to schoolchildren of different ages and abilities in New Mexico and volunteered at a hospital-based Cancer Information Centre in England. She worked in the field of evidence-based medicine and contributed to the Cochrane Library (a medical database). She is also the author of Living with Hepatitis C For Dummies.

Nina believes in a multifaceted approach to health. She became a master of Reiki, which is a universal life-force energy that is transmitted through the hands. She is both a practitioner and a teacher of Reiki and uses Reiki as a way to help herself and others. Check out Nina’s Web site at www.ninapaul.info.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my father, Marvin Paul, the greatest of them all.

Author’s Acknowledgments

I thank my teachers:

In England, to Sissel Fowler, my yoga and meditation teacher in Oxford with whom I first studied energy work.

In New Mexico: the amazing Ivan Scheier who ran the Stillpoint Healing Center in Truth or Consequences (T or C), New Mexico and still provides Reiki training and healing to many; Rose Kennedy and Jane Alderson who were my first Reiki teachers.

In Oregon: Kathleen McKevitt on the Oregon coast taught me about mastering Reiki.

In New York: Kathie Lipinski, with whom I learned to teach Reiki and pass attunements to others.

My friends and Reiki pals who, as Reiki teachers, practitioners, masters, students, or recipients, have taught me so much and whose wisdom has landed in these pages:

Anna Maria Soto; Anita D’Onofrio; Barbara Baudouin; Barbara Cali; Barbara Leete; Barbara Lynch; Barry Goodman; Bonnie Caponi; Caroline Aldiss; Laura Maglio; Donna and Al Maldonado; Jada Prane; Joan Schwart; Joseph Cassles; Joseph Natoli; Katie McGowan; Nathan, Noah, and Anna Kasmanoff; Raven Valencia; Rebecca Sularski; Robin and Charlie Liffman; Teri and Sandy Sarin; Vicky Lewis; Wendy Nine, and many others not named here.

I acknowledge the Reiki historians and authors who have sought to keep Reiki alive and healthy for the benefit of all.

I thank the excellent editorial staff at Wiley: Mikal Belicove, acquisitions editor, who got this project started; Natalie Harris, project editor, who calmly kept the ball rolling through thick and thin; and Tina Sims, copy editor, who caught the inconsistencies. I also thank Jill St. Ambrogio for her technical review of the book and Kathryn Born for her wonderful illustrations. I thank my agent June Clark for her guidance and support.

I am particularly grateful for the love and support of my family and close friends, furry and otherwise, who have kept me going in every which way.

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development

Project Editor: Natalie Faye Harris

Acquisitions Editor: Mikal Belicove

Senior Copy Editor: Tina Sims

Editorial Program Assistant: Courtney Allen

Technical Editor: Jill St. Ambrogio, RMT

Editorial Manager: Michelle Hacker

Editorial Assistants: Hanna Scott, Nadine Bell, David Lutton

Illustrator: Kathryn Born

Cover Photos: © image100/Getty Images

Cartoons: Rich Tennant, www.the5thwave.com

Composition Services

Project Coordinator: Adrienne Martinez

Layout and Graphics: Andrea Dahl, Lauren Goddard, Stephanie D. Jumper, Barbara Moore, Melanee Prendergast, Heather Ryan, Mary Gillot Virgin

Proofreaders: Leeann Harney, Aptara

Indexer: Aptara

Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies

Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies

Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies

Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel

Kelly Regan, Editorial Director, Travel

Publishing for Technology Dummies

Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User

Composition Services

Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services

Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services

Contents

Title

Introduction

About This Book

Conventions Used in This Book

What You’re Not to Read

Foolish Assumptions

How This Book Is Organized

Icons Used in This Book

Where to Go from Here

Part I : Discovering Reiki

Chapter 1: Reiki: The Art of Channeling Life-Force Energy

Discovering What Reiki Is and Isn’t

Understanding the Spiritual Foundation of Reiki

Examining the Energy of Reiki

Exploring the History of Reiki

Getting Connected with Reiki

Choosing a Reiki Practitioner or Master

Experiencing the Benefits of Reiki

Looking at the Reiki Symbols

Combining New Age and Reiki

Chapter 2: Navigating Your Body’s Subtle Energy Systems

Describing Subtle Energy

Discovering Your Body’s Energy Anatomy

Detecting Your Subtle Energy System with Reiki

Chapter 3: Exploring Reiki’s Roots and Branches

Mikao Usui: Founder of Reiki

Exploring the Medical Approach: Chujiro Hayashi

Bringing Reiki from East to West: Hawayo Takata

Reiki in Japan and the West

Looking at Reiki Branch Lineage

Choosing a Reiki Branch for Yourself

Letting Reiki Branches Differ

Picturing the Future of Reiki

Chapter 4: Looking at the Reiki Principles

Describing the Reiki Principles

Incorporating the Reiki Principles into Your Daily Life

Additional Versions of Reiki Principles

Part II : Experiencing Reiki for Yourself

Chapter 5: Getting the Reiki Treatment

Finding the Right Reiki Practitioner for You

Preparing Yourself for Your First Reiki Session

Exploring a Reiki Session from Beginning to End

Repeating Your Reiki Experience

Using Reiki in Tandem with Other Therapies

Committing Yourself to Healing with Reiki

Chapter 6: Letting Your Entire Family Experience Reiki

Helping Yourself with Reiki

Cycling through Life with Reiki

Using Reiki for the Family Pet

Part III : Becoming Well-Versed in Reiki

Chapter 7: Seeking Reiki Training and Classes

Examining Reasons to Study Reiki

Asking the Right Questions about Reiki Classes and Teachers

Knowing the Reiki Classes and Certification

Defining Reiki Master

Answering Questions about Attunements

Chapter 8: Discovering the Reiki Symbols

Understanding Reiki Symbols

Taking a Close Look at the Four Reiki Symbols

Memorizing the Reiki Symbols

Activating the Reiki Symbols

Looking at More Symbols, Reiki and Otherwise

Chapter 9: Getting Ready to Channel Reiki Energy

Connecting with the Reiki Energy

Combining Prayer and Intention with Reiki

Meditating to Connect with Reiki Energy

Receiving Guidance through Intuition

Chapter 10: Healing Others with Reiki Positions and Techniques

Examining Full-Body Hand Positions

Knowing Where to Go and When to Leave

Using Reiki without Touching the Body

Balancing Chakras with Reiki

Chapter 11: Applying Reiki to Yourself

Putting Yourself First

Preparing to Give Yourself Reiki

Treating Yourself with Reiki

Chapter 12: Reiki Rocks! Using Crystals with Reiki

Exploring the Healing Power of Crystals

Distinguishing between Crystals, Rocks, and Gems

Finding the Right Crystals for You

Staying Crystal Clear: Cleaning a Crystal’s Energy

Giving Your Crystal a Reiki Charge

Bringing Crystals to the Reiki Table

Part IV : Sharing Reiki with Others

Chapter 13: Putting Together a Reiki Healing Session

Finding Your Reiki Style

Preparing Yourself to Give Reiki

Getting Your Surroundings Ready

Merging Different Healing Practices

Considering Ethics and Boundaries

Going through the Session

Receiving Guidance through Intuition

Cleaning and Protecting

Chapter 14: Experiencing Reiki in a Group

Participating in Reiki Events

Harnessing the Power of Group Reiki

Going on a Reiki Retreat

Taking Reiki to the Community

Chapter 15: Sending Reiki Where Needed

Like a Prayer: Understanding How Reiki Can Be Sent

Getting Permission to Send Distant Reiki

Getting Prepared for Distant Reiki

Performing the Distant Reiki Session

Using Distant Reiki to Heal Yourself

Sending Reiki to Many at Once

Chapter 16: Combining Reiki with Other Health Practices

Discovering How Reiki Heals

Integrating Reiki into Medical Care

Using Different Reiki Techniques for Illness or Pain

Using Reiki in Special Situations

Matching Reiki with Bodywork

Using Reiki with Counseling

Using Reiki to Change Habits and Heal Addictions

Chapter 17: Becoming a Professional Reiki Healer

Making a Business out of Reiki

Maintaining High Standards

Planning Your Reiki Business

Being Part of the Reiki Community

Part V : The Part of Tens

Chapter 18: Ten Uses for Reiki in Everyday Situations

Helping Plants Reach Their Potential

Boosting Your Food’s Fortitude

Shoring Up Your Water

Making the Most of Your Medicine

Calming Computer Problems

Managing Money with Reiki

Bolstering Up Your Automobile

Cleaning and Clearing Out Clutter

Protecting Loved Ones

Shielding Your Home

Chapter 19: Ten Uses for Reiki as a Tool for Personal Growth

Receiving Healing with Reiki

Going Inward with Meditation

Honoring the Reiki Principles

Getting Attuned to Reiki

Keeping a Journal

Empowering Your Affirmations with Reiki

Giving Reiki to Others

Setting Your Intentions

Letting Your Intuition Blossom

Living with Integrity

Chapter 20: Ten Common Myths about Reiki

Mikao Usui Was a Christian Minister

Dr. Mikao Usui Studied at the University of Chicago

You Must Believe in Reiki to Benefit from It

You Must Pay for Reiki for It to Benefit You

You Should Not Charge for Reiki

There Is Only One Right Form or School of Reiki

Reiki Is a Religion

You Know How Reiki Will Heal You

Reiki Can Cure Anything

Reiki Can Be Used Instead of Medicine

Chapter 21: Ten Non-traditional Reiki Symbols

Double Cho Ku Rei

Tibetan Dai Ko Myo

Tibetan Fire Serpent

Raku

Zonar

Harth

Halu

Antakharana

Om

Shoshana

Appendix: Great Reiki Resources

International Association of Reiki Professionals (IARP) Codes of Ethics

Reiki Organizations

Reiki Magazines

Reiki Branches

Reiki Chat Forums and E-Mail Lists

Reiki History and Usage Information

Reiki Schools and Teachers

Other Related Information

Glossary

Introduction

T he touch of a hand is increasingly recognized as being important and also absent in much of modern medicine. Reiki as an alternative and complementary therapy provides the soothing comfort of human touch. This can make a world of difference to someone in pain. Reiki is the energy of love that never ends. You can experience the bliss of Reiki as a recipient and receive healing that is channeled through another. Or you can learn Reiki yourself to boost your personal growth and enlightenment.

Reiki has gained in popularity as more people seek solutions to personal and global problems. You might have tried meditation and yoga or even massage. Reiki is a natural partner to these and other healing practices. The person to thank for the Reiki healing system is a Japanese man named Mikao Usui (1865–1926). He developed the original Reiki system that has blossomed into a multitude of worldwide branches. What is common to all Reiki systems is the channeling of the Reiki life-force energy.

Reiki comes from a higher source — call it God, higher power, creator, or spirit. A series of simple initiations turns on your Reiki “light switch,” which gives you the lifelong ability to channel Reiki energy. The benefit you get from Reiki and how much you can help others depend on how often and with what intent you use Reiki. The more you use Reiki, the more you get out of it.