WHAT IS REIKI?
Reiki (pronounced "ray-key") is a philosophy and a type of energy work. The first part, "rei", has several similar meanings, but is generally translated as spiritual, sacred, divine, or universal. The second part, "ki", is the life force energy, so a simple definition of the word "Reiki" would be universal life force energy. The Chinese call it "chi", Hindus use the word "prana"; whatever work is used, it is the energy which comes from the Divine.
Reiki was developed in the early part of the 20th century by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist monk, who re-discovered the ancient technique of energetic, hands-on healing while on a spiritual quest to gain enlightenment about healing. Dr. Usui honed his skills and healing practices, also incorporating meditative and spiritual aspects into what he later called the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (p. 44 The Reiki Sourcebook by Bronwen and Frans Steine). Dr. Usui passed his teachings on to Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, who in turn passed the knowledge on to Mrs. Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman from Hawaii, who is acknowledged as the first "Westerner" to be taught the techniques. She is credited as the person who introduced Reiki to the Western world.
Reiki, at its essence, is a hands-on, energy healing technique, but is also a philosophy and way of life. The Reiki practitioner channels the Universal Life Force energy through his/her hands and directs it to the client. Reiki is an intelligent energy, will go where it is needed most, can be sent distantly, and can do no harm. Some possible benefits of Reiki are relaxation, stress reduction, pain relief, reduction in symptoms of chronic illnesses, more restful sleep, and increased positive feelings of well-being.