Why Reiki Works

[Guest guest]

 

Reiki - Why Reiki Works

by Shamal Durve

One of India’s first and most

respected reiki masters traces the progressive path of reiki by

synthesizing it with tantra and other Indian systems

Reiki is universal life force

energy. Naturally, we are all a part of this energy, but because of our

karmas and samskaras, we block the flow of this energy, which leads to

an imbalance. Our aura gets blocked, the mind struggles and the body becomes fatigued and sick.

In India, all existing systems of healing aim at strengthening the process of receiving energy and creating a balanced flow in the body, so that the mind is at peace. Reiki also works in a similar way. To begin with there is an initiation based on mantras. These mantras activate our chakras and we receive universal life force in the appropriate manner and are also able to channelise it.

Chakras and ReikiWhen we are in tune with the universal life force the following things happen:

Union

of individual energy and universal energy. The individual energy that

is kundalini is in the root chakra (muladhar). This energy is restless

until it meets the universal life force. Uniting the two is the purpose of human birth, so this process is ongoing within each human being.

Tantra

believes that today the collective energy of mankind has settled in the

solar plexus (manipur) which means that it has moved from the root

chakra, passed through the hara and reached the solar plexus. This has

resulted in power issues erupting everywhere, characterized by

competition, pride, jealousy, and a sense of personal inadequacy. The

next movement is toward the heart chakra (anahat). We can see that society on the whole is tired of ego hassles and struggles and the search for peace and clarity has already begun.

This impetus towards the heart chakra has its correspondence with the reiki system where the first initiation lies in activating the heart chakra. The heart chakra is the home of consciousness. It is said that a kalpavruksha exists in the heart chakra, granting all wishes. As I understand it, the reiki heart initiation signifies

not just wish fulfillment, but also the ability to accept what is,

which I call appropriateness. Appropriateness in my lexicon means

receiving all that is required for our growth and completion. We may

like it or we may not, but once the heart chakra

is activated, everything begins to happen exactly the way it is

required. The question is how to accept this? This is the job of the

throat chakra (vishudhi). Therefore, the second initiation activates the throat chakra, which brings in awareness and balance. We become aware of what we have chosen in life and

a sense of balance helps us to complete the energy exchange without

resistance. We trust the appropriateness of whatever befalls us. We

completely accept what we receive. To remain in this knowledge is

awareness.From the throat chakra the energy moves upwards so the next initiation activates

the third eye chakra(ajna). The third eye chakra gives us the power of

altruism. It empowers us to focus as much on the growth and completion

of others as on our own. We cannot be happy if people around us are

unhappy. Activation of the third eye begins the process of healing the past, enabling you to overcome your karmas and samskaras. The third eye chakra is also connected with the guru tatva. Its activation enables the seeker to find his guru (this happened in my life and I can see it happening with many, many more) either in another or within himself or in nature.

The fourth initiation

activates the crown chakra (sahasrar) where we can experience the union of the individual and life force

energy. At this stage, the antennae are fine-tuned and the human being

receives the energy directly in the required quantity.Reiki IThe

lower chakras have a correspondence with one or other of the higher

chakras. The root chakra where the energy that wants to meet the

universal life force

resides – is connected with crown chakra where this meeting actually

takes place. The hara, the zone of desires and emotions, is connected

with the third eye chakra. At this higher level desires expand to

include all humanity. Similarly, the solar plexus is connected

with the throat and reconciles power issues through awareness, as

explained earlier. When one experiences oneself as source, all power

issues fall away, leaving no chance for imbalance.Reiki works as follows: From the heart chakra,

energy goes into the hands, palms and the small chakras, which are at

the centre of the palms and finger tips, activating them in the

process. Wherever the initiated one touches, energy flows, as he works

like an antenna. It can be a body or an object or part of nature, for

everything is cosmic energy. This transmission of energy by the

initiated causes healing to happen. Purification is the process and healing is

the result. The power of this touch comes from its holistic nature,

emerging from a deep acceptance of everything, combined with

compassion. It has the capacity to contain both the positive and

negative, akin to our stories about Sri Ram and Sri Krishna, where

negativity is always depicted as generating positivity.This

ability to call forth the positive from the negative is what I call

healing. Thus, the so-called positive is for us to learn to trust the

providence of God and

get energy from, and the so-called negative is for learning and

completing issues of the past. Each of us, healer and the healed,

undergoes this process, which means that receiving reiki energy is an act of completing something in the past.

Each iota of existence goes through this process leading to the healing of all incompletion and opening to the present. Continuous and consistent reiki practice enables you to achieve this aim without judgments and interpretations. All this is at reiki one level.

As

higher levels of consciousness are reached, resistance will keep

blocking the path with simple and stupid reasons telling the mind not

to practice. But this is the test one has to undergo to overcome

resistance.Reiki IIAt the second level, one is

taught mantras that are attuned to the energy of the third eye chakra.

The second level signifies the expansion of chitta or mind. This

expanded mind can reach anywhere with the help of intention. The power

of the mantras arises because they embody swayambhu (self-created) and

swayamsidha (self-sufficient) energies. Chanting a mantra creates

certain energies. The symbols too generate energy. The ultimate purpose

of these energies is to promote the tantric goal of union between

individual and universal energy (prakruti and purush). Drawing the

symbols creates the mechanism for drawing energy, while mantra chanting

activates it so that it draws from the universe whatever energy is

required for purposes such as purification, protection or charging.These

symbols and mantras have no limitation and when used with the intention

of healing, they can heal the past. Only then can the present open up

and create a future that is not a repetition of the past. This is the

greatest boon a human being has – of healing the

past through all births and forms. A person reaching the second level

can heal herself or himself, other people, a group of people, family,

any object, city, country, earth and the universe. This is the greatest

service a human being can do.Continuous practice at this level

expands the mind so much that it becomes attuned with global mind,

enabling you to act according to the requirement of the moment. We are

able to receive the messages (relayed constantly by the global mind but

otherwise blocked by the ceaseless activity of the mind), and perform

accordingly.One of the traps of reaching this stage is the

strengthening of the ego. You will feel special, different, better and

higher than others. However, everyone has to go through and be healed

of this stage.MastershipThis is the time one

will start wanting to do the third level. This is a very complicated

state. On the one hand, you have some experiences you want to heal

while on the other, your ego is on the rise. The third level is the key

towards mastery of your life, which is why it is known as the master

symbol. However, this does not mean that you are a master. Only an

enlightened soul is called a master. But the third level can be the

first step in the direction of becoming a master if you choose it with

awareness and gratitude. Once again, a deep purification and cleansing

happens, possibly triggering big changes in one’s life. One who is

taking the third level initiation should be prepared for this. This is an ongoing process.

You

will have to undergo more healing, more purification and also make all

this available for others, wherein they can also choose the

responsibility of healing. This, according to me, is how the reiki system functions.Contact: shamalpradeep@...