What is Reiki?

What is Reiki?  Reiki Practitioners are taught during our training that the translation of the word Reiki is Universal Energy.  But, does that really clear anything up for you?  

I will try to explain Reiki to you as simply as I can.  Think about when you were a little kid and you hurt yourself, not a broken leg, but a skinned knee or elbow.  What if you were excluded from the kick-ball game?  What if you broke your favorite toy?  What made you feel better?  Was it a loving little pat on your back or a rub on your head?  Maybe it was a big hug.

That hug from your mom or dad didn't magically make the injury disappear, but it sure did make you feel better.  All that love (insert "energy" here) when you were wrapped up in your parent's arms, or snuggled on their lap made you feel much better.  The energy calmed you.  It made you relax. Maybe you even fell asleep in their arms.  For me, that is what Reiki is like, a big love-filled hug!  

When you have a Reiki session the practitioner shares energy with you through gentle touch.  During the session your body relaxes and your mind clears and your spirit is calmed.  As the noise and stimulation of the world fade away, you will probably feel less stressed and more grounded.  You may notice your blood pressure drop as you deeply relax.  You may fall asleep.  That state of deep relaxation allows all of the systems in your body to balance.  You may gain clarity on an issue you had been wrestling with as your thoughts stop racing.  The results of Reiki are always positive, you receive the energy which you need at that particular time.

So for me Reiki, Universal Energy, is the same as "Hug Energy" and everyone can use a hug.