Reiki is becoming very popular in India - people say it makes them more
at ease with themselves. I got this off the Internet:

What Is Reiki?
A Brief Introduction
By the Center for Reiki Training

   The knowledge that an unseen energy flows through all living things
   and is connected directly to the quality of health has been part of
   the wisdom of many cultures since ancient times. The existence of this
   "life force energy" has been verified by recent scientific
   experiments, and medical doctors are considering the role it plays in
   the functioning of the immune system and the healing process.

   Reiki is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that allows
   everyone to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to
   improve health and enhance the quality of life. The word Reiki is made
   of two Japanese words - Rei which can be translated as "the Wisdom of
   God or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy." So Reiki
   means spiritually guided life force energy. Reiki is also a technique
   for transmitting this energy to yourself and others through the hands.
   Thought to have originated in Tibet thousands of years ago, Reiki was
   rediscovered by a Japanese Buddhist monk in the nineteenth century.

   An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is
   not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student by
   the Reiki Master. Its use is not dependent on ones intellectual
   capacity or spiritual development and, therefore, is available to
   everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of
   all ages and backgrounds.

   A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through
   you and surrounds you. Reiki treats the whole person including body,
   emotions, mind and spirit and creates many beneficial effects
   including relaxation and feelings of peace, security, and well-being.
   Many have reported miraculous results. Reiki is a simple, natural, and
   safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone
   can use.

                            Contact Information

                  For questions regarding our trainings or
   Reiki in general, please call or write the Center for Reiki Training:

                  Phone: (800) 332-8112 or (810) 948-8112
                            Fax: (810) 948-9534

                                  Address

To send a message, click here: e-mail to [log in to unmask] Center Home Page

                                 Reiki Energy

    What is it? How does it heal?

    by William Lee Rand

   The word Reiki is composed of two Japanese words - Rei and Ki. When
   translating Japanese into English we must keep in mind that an exact
   translation is difficult. The Japanese language has many levels of
   meaning. Therefore the context the word is being used in must be kept
   in mind when attempting to communicate its essence. Because these
   words are used in a spiritual healing context, a Japanese/English
   dictionary does not provide the depth of meaning we seek, as its
   definitions are based on common everyday Japanese. As an example, Rei
   is often defined as ghost and Ki as vapor and while these words
   vaguely point in the direction of meaning we seek, they fall far short
   of the understanding that is needed.

   When seeking a definition from a more spiritual context, we find that
   Rei can be defined as the Higher Intelligence that guides the creation
   and functioning of the universe. Rei is a subtle wisdom that permeates
   everything, both animate and inanimate. This subtle wisdom guides the
   evolution of all creation ranging from the unfolding of galaxies to
   the development of life. On a human level, it is available to help us
   in times of need and to act as a source of guidance in our lives.
   Because of its infinite nature, it is all knowing. Rei is also called
   God and has many other names depending on the culture that has named
   it.

   Ki is the non-physical energy that animates all living things. Ki is
   flowing in everything that is alive including plants, animals and
   humans. When a person's Ki is high, they will feel strong, confident,
   and ready to enjoy life and take on it's challenges. When it is low,
   they will feel weak and are more likely to get sick. We receive Ki
   from the air we breath, from food, sunshine, and from sleep. It is
   also possible to increase our Ki by using breathing exercises and
   meditation. When a person dies, their Ki leaves the physical body. Ki
   is also the Chi of China, the prana of India, the Ti or Ki of the
   Hawaiians, and has also been called odic force, orgone, bioplasma and
   life force.

   With the above information in mind, Reiki can be defined as a
   non-physical healing energy made up of life force energy that is
   guided by the Higher Intelligence, or spiritually guided life force
   energy. This is a functional definition as it closely parallels the
   experience of those who practice Reiki in that Reiki energy seems to
   have an intelligence of its own flowing where it is needed in the
   client and creating the healing conditions necessary for the
   individuals needs. It cannot be guided by the mind, therefore it is
   not limited by the experience or ability of the practitioner. Nether
   can it be misused as it always creates a healing effect. ( It must be
   kept in mind that Reiki is not the same as simple life force energy as
   life force energy by itself can be influenced by the mind and because
   of this, can create benefit as well as cause problems including ill
   health.)

   The source or cause of health comes from the Ki that flows through and
   around the individual rather than from the functional condition of the
   physical organs and tissues. It is Ki that animates the physical
   organs and tissues as it flows through them and therefore is
   responsible for creating a healthy condition. If the flow of Ki is
   disrupted, the physical organs and tissues will be adversely affected.
   Therefore, it is a disruption in the flow of Ki that is the main cause
   of illness.

   An important attribute of Ki is that it responds to ones thoughts and
   feelings. Ki will flow more strongly or be weakened in its action
   depending on the quality of ones thoughts and feelings. It is our
   negative thoughts and feelings that are the main cause of restriction
   in the flow of Ki. All negative or dis-harmonious thoughts or feelings
   will cause a disruption in the flow of Ki. Even Western medicine
   recognizes the role played by the mind in creating illness and some
   Western doctors state that as much as 98% of illness is caused
   directly or indirectly by the mind.

   It must be understood that the mind exists not only in the brain, but
   also through-out the body. The nervous system extends to every organ
   and tissue in the body and so the mind exists here also. It is also
   known that the mind even extends outside the body in a subtle energy
   field 2 to 3 feet thick called the aura. Because of this, it is more
   appropriate to call our mind a mind/body as the mind and body are so
   closely linked.

   Therefore, our negative thoughts are not just in the brain, but also
   collect in various locations through-out the body and in the aura. The
   places where negative thoughts and feelings collect is where Ki is
   restricted in its flow. The physical organs that exist at these
   locations are restricted in their functioning. If the negative
   thoughts and feelings are not eliminated quickly, illness results.

   The negative thoughts and feelings that are lodged in the unconscious
   mind/body are the greatest problem as we are not aware of them and
   therefore, are we are greatly hampered in changing or eliminating
   them.

   The great value of Reiki is that because it is guided by the Higher
   Intelligence, it knows exactly where to go and how to respond to
   restrictions in the flow of Ki. It can work directly in the
   unconscious parts of the mind/body which contain negative
   Ki-inhibiting thoughts and feelings and eliminate them. As Reiki flows
   through a sick or unhealthy area, it breaks up and washes away any
   negative thoughts or feelings lodged in the unconscious mind/body thus
   allowing a normal healthy flow of Ki to resume. As this happens, the
   unhealthy physical organs and tissues become properly nourished with
   Ki and begin functioning in a balanced healthy way thus replacing
   illness with health.

   This non-invasive, completely benign healing technique is becoming
   more and more popular. As western medicine continues to explore
   alternative methods of healing, Reiki is destined to play an important
   role as an accepted and valued healing practice.