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Reiki is a form of energy healing, a type of alternative medicine. Reiki practitioners use a technique of hands-on healing through which a “universal energy” is transferred through the practitioner to the recipient in order to encourage emotional, spiritual, or physical well-being.
What does Reiki mean?
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – Rei which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which is “life force energy”. So Reiki is actually “spiritually guided life force energy.”
Who can practice Reiki?
Anyone who has completed their First Degree Level of Reiki can practice. There is a Second Degree Level, and then a Master Level, and after this you can begin certification as a Teacher of Reiki. The Office of the Grand Master was founded in 1993 after Phyllis Lei Furumoto, the recognized Grand Master, (and granddaughter and successor of Hawayo Takata) and Paul David Mitchell, recognized as Head of Discipline, formed a partnership to maintain the strength of the system brought to them by Hawayo Takata. On March 15, 2019 Johannes Reindl from Austria was recognized by Phyllis Lei Furumoto as successor and Lineage Bearer for Usui Shiki Ryoho.
Are you certified?
I am certified as a First Degree Level in the Usui Shiki Ryoho, which translates roughly as the Usui System of Reiki Healing.
Is Reiki cultural appropriation?
The short answer is no. The longer answer takes a bit more history to explain…
Despite rumor and rhetoric, the practice of Reiki is not an ancient cultural discipline, instead it is only just around 100 years old. Starting with Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, and then Hawayo Takata, the lineage is passed down from Master to student. It is meant to grow and “develop gradually through the influences of the changing world, the passion of each lineage bearer, and the guidance of Reiki”. (from www.usuishikiryohoreiki.com) Mikao Usui developed his form of Reiki and intended for it to be taught to others so that there could be Healing Practice, Personal Development, Spiritual Discipline, and Mystic Order. It is taught that his hopes for this practice were that it be never-ending, and pass down through the lineage of Reiki Masters.
In 1935 Hawayo Takata had this to say about Reiki:
“The power is unfathomable, immeasurable, and being a universal life force, it is incomprehensible to man.”
The use of Reiki is bigger than merely a Japanese practice, it is Universal, transcendental. The spirit of the practice is to make an exchange between the practitioner’s higher self and that of the recipient. I venture that the exchange supersedes borders drawn by man.
Can I use Reiki instead of what my Doctor says?
It is important to note: Reiki is absolutely NOT a substitute for proven treatments for life-threatening conditions. Generally speaking, Reiki is offered in the realm of massage therapy, hot stone treatment, and fire cupping. There is no empirical evidence that what one experiences during a Reiki session is real. That is for the recipient to decide on their own.
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What to expect from a Reiki session with Cass:
We will begin each session with a conversation, during which our higher powers will be checking one another out! If it is our first session this part will be longer, and during subsequent visits, as we get to know one another, we may be able to skip it entirely. I will offer options of incense and soft music, this is about your comfort and relaxation. Scents and sounds will not alter the Reiki.
Next you will sit in a chair in front of me, or lay on a massage table (whichever you choose is perfectly fine, again this is about your comfort, the Reiki will not be different for any position). I will then ask you to close your eyes. If you are anxious I may begin with some meditation phrases, but generally the session will be carried out without words, unless I am guided by my higher power to share insights with you. Feel free to share anything that comes up for you — if it is pressing to do so during the session, that is fine, or if you’d rather wait until the end, that’s okay too. The more we can connect over these sessions, the deeper the work will be.
Note: A normal 50 minute session may run anywhere between 40 and 60 minutes, depending on the work we are doing together, so please plan for this.
What to expect from a virtual Reiki session with Cass:
Most of the first session will be carved out for us to get to know one another. The more details I can learn about your life and history and future goals, the deeper a connection we will be able to create, and the Reiki will happen as we speak.
At some point I may suggest a meditation process, but this is not always required.
Note: A normal virtual session can be short or long, depending on our rapport. If we connect well and there is room in our schedule, there’s no need for the conversation to end abruptly at the 50 minute mark, especially since Reiki at a distance can be a little jumbled. The longer we can stay, the deeper it will be. Expect anywhere from 40 to 75 minutes, depending on the work we are doing together.
Does Reiki really work on pets?
The simple answer is yes*. A little more in depth, pets like cats, dogs, and small furry creatures, like rats, gerbils and guinea pigs, all have similar Chakra points as humans. (Other pets do, too, I’ve just never worked with snakes or birds or other creatures, but I’m willing if they are! I must be able to lay my hands on them.) Reiki therefore can be used to help calm a pet’s anxiety around strangers, soothe the zoomies, and uplift the sullen. Pets can get scared and confused when there is a move to a new home, or a break in a regular routine, or the family has recently experienced a loss.
Reiki for pets is one of many tools that can help a pet restore balance to their lives. I offer a free first consult for pets — if we can find a common foothold to connect, then I will recommend future sessions, but some pets just wont be ready to connect with a complete stranger no matter how much I love them! And it should go without saying, these sessions are only available in person. A virtual Reiki pet session just isn’t possible.
* Only you know your pet best. Reiki can be a heavy experience (usually followed by a lot of sleeping from the pet). Please choose this service wisely.
