Reiki
Topic: Reiki FAQs
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: Do I need to take off my clothes to receive Reiki?

A: Absolutely not!!! You may be more comfortable removing your shoes and loosening your belt if you are wearing one but there is never any need to disrobe in order to receive Reiki. If you are ever uncomfortable or wish more information about something your Reiki practitioner is doing, just ask.

Q: How many sessions will I need?

A: This depends entirely on you and how you feel. In the beginning 2-3 times per week for 3-4 weeks may be helpful. Once a plateau of relief has been reached you may wish to taper off. Once per month is the ideal schedule to maintain and promote balance, creativity and well-being.

Remember you didn't get the way you are overnight. Reiki stimulates your body's ability to self-heal. The Universal Life Force Energies are intuitive and go where they are needed not necessarily where we want them to.

Q: I would like to experience a Reiki session but I can't afford the fees?

A: Talk to your practitioner. Most practitioners will be willing to make flexible payment arrangements that fit your budget. You will most likely need more sessions in the beginning which can add up quickly and so flexible payment arrangements make a lot of sense. Barter is a possibility also. Ask me, I have a 2 page list of items I am willing to barter for. It's the exchange of time that is important to seal the commitment. Any carpenters out there?

Remember: Reiki is a complementary health modality. It works wonderfully well as a complement to, not a replacement for, conventional medicine. If you have a health problem, consult your doctor or conventional health care worker.

Angels
Topic: Angels
The Archangel Michael -(He who is as God...)

(author: T.M. Blakeley, R.P., Calico Tales

The Archangel Michael is known as being Chief of the Archangels, Prince of the Presence, Chief of the Order of Virtues. He is also known to many as the Angel of Righteousness, Sanctification, Repentance and Mercy, as well as being the ruler of 4th Heaven.

In Christian lore, Michael is Saint Michael, the benevolent Angel of Death (deliverance and immortality). He therefore is said to lead the souls of the faithful home 'into the eternal light' of heaven. He has more recently become the patron of Police Officers (in 1950 by Pope Pius XII).
Archangel Michael is also a healer, protector, and loves to tinker with mechanical things. He is very talented at fixing electronic or mechanical items.
He can help you to find motivation, courage, direction, spirit releasement, protection.

He can also help you to find a sense of commitment and dedication to your beliefs, help you to find your life's purpose (any and all aspects of it) if you feel stuck in a rut or lost, help you to realize a sense of worthiness and increase your self-esteem.

Angels are all around us. They are willing and able to help. All we have to do is ask.

He will come to any and all who request his help. Unlike others, he does not require you to use a formal invocation. Simply ask for him to come with as many of his helpers (other angels and/or his 'Light Workers') to help with any situation and he will gladly come to help you.

For instance, my car wasn't starting properly...I took my hand off the key for a brief moment and said "Archangel Michael please help me with my car..." and it started on the next try. Ever since each time I have had trouble with my car due to the cold weather, or what have you, I have said, "By the grace of the Archangel Michael..." and have had no problem.

Chakras
Topic: Chakras
The Seven Chakras

The energy centres of the body, each chakra is like a set of fan blades, spinning in a clockwise direction, which creates a vortex or funnel drawing energy inwards at each location point.

Chart - The 7 Main Chakras

1. Root - base of the spine Red Survival; Money Worries; Food; Shelter; Basic Needs

2. Sacral -4 inches above Root Orange Creativity; Reproduction; Sexuality

3. Solar Plexus - `pit' of the stomach area Yellow Self Will; Personal Power

4. Heart Green or Pink Relationships; Compassion; Feelings; Love

5. Throat Blue Communication; Self-Expression

6. Third Eye -between eyes Indigo Intuition; Decision making; Wisdom; Enlightenment

7. Crown - top of head White or Violet Spirituality; Divine Guidance

History of Reiki
Topic: History of Reiki
Mrs. Hawayo Takata

Mrs. Hawayo Takata was born on the island of Kauai on December 24, 1900. Her parents were Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. Her father worked in the sugar cane fields.

She married Saichi Takata, the bookkeeper for the plantation and had two daughters. Her husband died in 1930.

Life for her was not easy. She developed nervous exhaustion and severe abdominal pain. When one of her sisters died, she traveled to Japan to give the news to her parents. Her physical condition worsened. It was reportedly discovered that she had a tumour, gallstones and appendicitis.

While she was being prepared for an operation, she asked the doctor if there was any other way she could be healed. The doctor told her about Hayashi's clinic. There, Mrs. Takata received daily treatments. Four months later, she was healed.

She received her level one degree in 1936. She worked with Dr. Hayashi for one year before receiving her second degree. She returned to Hawaii.
Soon after her return to Hawaii she received her master level from Dr. Hayashi.

Mrs. Takata crossed over December 11, 1980 having initiated 22 Reiki masters.

History of Reiki
Topic: History of Reiki
Dr. Chujiro Hayashi

One of these teachers was named Chujiro Hayashi, a retired naval officer who was deeply interested in spirituality. He became a Reiki master at the age of 47 and opened a clinic in Tokyo. His students worked on clients in groups.

Dr. Hayashi established the hand positions and the three levels of Reiki, and designed an initiation for each level.

History of Reiki
Topic: History of Reiki
History of Usui Reiki

Dr. Mikao Usui

The founder of Reiki was a Buddhist monk named Dr. Mikao Usui. In the beginning Reiki was passed from teacher to student with little or no written records. Thus, there has been much confusion and controversy over some of the details but what follows here is a summary of events pieced together as they were passed on to me from my teacher and from further research of various sources.

Dr. Mikao Usui was born August 15, 1865, in Taniai, Japan. He sought the truth about the ancient ways of healing through spirituality. He practiced Kiko, a set of breathing exercises, meditation and movement. He studied medicine, psychology, spirituality and religion. He was a member of Rei Jyutu Ka, a metaphysical group. He travelled extensively. Dr. Usui was a secretarial assistant to Shinpei Goto (head of Health and Welfare who later became Mayor of Tokyo). He began a business, which did not succeed.

He was 49 years old when he became a Buddhist Monk, 1914.

Dr. Usui embarked on a 21-day fasting retreat on Mt. Kurama. On the final day of the retreat, he channelled or received a spiritual awakening in the form of an intensively strong bolt of Reiki energy. During this event, he was attuned to the Universal Life Force Energies and was intuitively shown the symbols and how to use them.

As he hurried to return to the temple to share this discovery, he stubbed his toe on a rock. He placed his hand on his toe and it healed very quickly. He stopped at an inn and ordered a very large meal. After a 21-day fast, eating such a large meal would have made anyone ill. Dr. Usui ate his meal without any trouble. A lady at the inn was sick. Dr. Usui healed her using his newfound knowledge of Reiki. He found his teacher bedridden on his return to the temple. Dr. Usui was able to heal his teacher as well. These are known as the 4 miracles.

In the beginning, Dr. Usui went to the poor and deformed and healed many of them. It is reported that he became discouraged because he found that many of the poor would rather remain ill and beg for a living than be healed.

It is from this period that it is purportedly where the idea of an `energy-exchange' emerged. He had people bring him a gift, no matter how small, in exchange for the gift of his time spent healing or teaching them his method of healing.

Dr. Usui moved to Tokyo in 1922, with his wife and children, where he founded a healing society called "Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai". Not long afterward, he opened a clinic in Harajuku where he gave Reiki sessions and taught classes.

On September 1, 1923, the Kanto earthquake struck killing over 140,000 and leaving thousands injured and homeless. Dr. Usui and his students worked day and night giving Reiki aid to as many as possible. Mikao Usui was honoured by the Emperor for his dedication to his country.

He opened a larger clinic in Nakano in 1925 at the age of 60. Dr. Usui crossed over on March 9, 1926 from a massive stroke. Dr. Mikao Usui is buried at Saihoji Temple in Suginami-ku, Tokyo.

His students erected a memorial to Usui Sensei, describing his life and work. His dream was that this simple, gentle healing technique be made available to everyone, everywhere. He had taught some 2,000 students and trained 16 teachers.

What is Reiki
Topic: Reiki
What is Reiki?

Reiki is a non-invasive healing art. Reiki (pronounced Ray-key) is a Japanese kanji meaning (rei) universal, all that is or all-knowing and (ki) life force energy. Ki energy is unlimited. It flows through every living thing. A form of relaxation therapy, Reiki stimulates our body's own, natural self-healing abilities.

Recipients of Reiki have reported feeling more relaxed, a decrease in pain, an increase in creativity, quicker recovery times following illness or surgery, an increase in energy and feelings of joy, more restful sleep patterns and a decrease in stress.