What is Reiki - answers to some frequently asked questions

What is Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique for stress reduction and relaxation. It promotes physical emotional and spiritual healing. It balances the energy within the client. It can be transmitted by laying on hands, at a distance of 1 inch to several feet, or remotely. It is based on the idea that a universal healing source of energy. This energy can be transmitted through a trained practitioner to their client by means of intention. If the energy of a person is low or stagnant then they are more vulnerable to stress and disease. Reiki energy can be transmitted through the hands of the practitioner. Often the client will feel a sensation such as warmth, or buzzing in the area where the practitioner is working.

Reiki has been effective in helping heal all illnesses and always produces a beneficial effect, It is complementary to other medicine and healing modalities. It can work to relieve the adverse effects of medications.

Answers to some frequently asked questions about Reiki

How does Reiki work? Reiki works by transferring energy from the practitioner's hands to the recipient's body. The energy is believed to flow through the practitioner's hands and into the recipient's body, promoting relaxation and healing.

1. What should I expect during a Reiki session? During a Reiki session, you will typically lie down fully clothed on a table or mat, and the practitioner will place their hands on or near your body. You may feel warmth or tingling sensations in your body as the energy is transmitted. You may also feel deeply relaxed or even fall asleep during the session.

2. Is Reiki a form of massage? No, Reiki is not a form of massage. While both massage and Reiki involve touch, massage is focused on manipulating the muscles and soft tissues of the body, while Reiki is focused on transferring energy.

3. Can Reiki be used to treat medical conditions? Reiki is often used as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medical treatment. While there is limited scientific evidence to support its effectiveness, many people find that it helps them to manage symptoms of various medical conditions and improve their overall well-being.

4. Is Reiki associated with any religion? No, Reiki is not associated with any particular religion. While it has roots in Japanese spirituality, it is a secular practice that can be used by people of any religious or spiritual background.

5. Can anyone learn to practice Reiki? Yes, anyone can learn to practice Reiki. There are many classes and training programs available for people who are interested in becoming Reiki practitioners.

Relaxation and healing session

I am going to take you through a process to help you to relax. It will start at the top of your head and go down to your feet. Breath in for a count of 4 and out for a count of 8. If this feels awkward try a count of 3 for the in breath and 6 for the out breath instead. As you breath feel the belly expanding on the in breath and coming back in on the out breath. Keep up this breathing pattern throughout. Bring your attention to the top of your head. Relax the top of your head. Relax your forehead. Feel that this is smoothing out any wrinkles in your forehead. Feel the muscles around and behind your eyes relaxing. Relax your jaw and the muscles around mouth. You may feel your teeth starting to part as you relax. Rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Relax the muscles in your neck. The relaxation continues into your shoulders. Feel them dropping and any tension in them starting to release. Take your attention now to your arms. Relax the upper arms, the elbows and the forearms. Feel the wrists and hands relax. Your fingers may stretch as they relax. You may feel a tingling sensation in them as the blood flows to the area. Relax the chest and upper back. The relaxation flows down to the belly and lower back. Relax your waist, hips and buttocks. The relaxation continues down the thighs, the knees and the calves. Feel the ankles relax, the feet and the toes. The feet and toes may move as the tension is released. Now center your self and feel the breath slowly coming in and out. Now your are in a good frame of mind for the healing session.

I've created a healing session to help with Autumn and the Metal Element. In the body the Metal Element consists of the Lungs and Large Intestine. The Lungs take in air. In Chinese Medicine they take in the Qi from the Heavens. The Large Intestine lets go of waste material. On a more emotional level it's important to be able to freely accept gifts and compliments. To appreciate beauty in the world. It can be helpful to write a list of things in our life that we are grateful for. It's also important to let go of things we no longer need. In Autumn the trees let their leaves fall. They do not cling onto them. To receive the healing you will need to call it in. This is done via intention. Here is how to do it: relax, and state your intention out loud or silently, to receive this Autumn Healing Session from Geoff, for your highest good and highest healing. If you are visual you can concentrate on the picture above. Allow 15 minutes for the healing session to complete. If you enjoyed the relaxation and healing session feel free to leave a comment below.

The Wood Element in Chinese Medicine and a Healing for Spring Time

Lamb is Spring Time

Spring in Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine Spring is related to the Wood Element. The power of Wood is birth and as you can see in the picture above new plants and animals are born is Spring. The character of the Wood element is mu (Weiger, 1965). The vertical line is the tree trunk  and root, the horizontal line the earth and the diagonal lines are the roots. It is clear that much of the tree lies beneath the earth.

Spring is a time when the yang energy of warmth and the increased sunlight seeds begin to sprout and trees are growing upwards and outwards. Branches will bend towards the sunlight to help their growth. They are flexible.  

The Wood Element

In people Wood energy manifests as creativity, flexibility, determination, expression and growth, both physical and mental. Ideally the flow of energy is smooth like a flowing river. An example of this can be seen in the flowing movements of Taiji and Qigong. However sometimes like a growing tree we can become stuck and frustrated, we may have difficulty adapting. Though a plant or tree cannot shift it's location humans often need to change their work or living place in order to thrive (Hicks, Hicks and Mole, 2004).

Sound of Wood

The sound of Wood is shouting. A voice that is shouting may sound angry. The rising qi may give the voice forcefullness. It will either sound loud or certain words will have more emphasis than would be normal. If you can hear someone having a normal conversation from a distance they probably have an imbalance in the Wood Element (Hicks, Hicks and Mole, 2004).

Wind and the Wood Element

The climate of Wood is Wind. Wind is a potent force in Spring. Many people can feel unconfortable in strong wind. Other people find it bracing and exhilarating. Wind can invade the body causing symptoms such as aversion to cold, fever, sneezing. It can also becreated internally casuing symptoms such as irratability, cramps, dizziness and itching (Maciocia, 2005, p683-687).

Food and Springtime

Too many heavy fatty foods clog the Liver causing spring fits and fevers. Foods that help to stimlate the Liver include tumeric, cumin and black pepper (Pitchford, 2002, p326). Some foods such as beans can cause wind whilst others naturally decrease  it. These include fennel, pine nuts, peppermint and celery (Tan, 2018.)

Anger is the Emotion of the Wood Element

There are times when anger is the natural response to a hurt or injustice. If you are cut up in traffic or you see something you perceive as being wrong you may be angry. This is normal and natural. If the anger passes in a normal amount of time this is fine. However we may instead have no response to an injustice or get overly angry at a perceived. Frustration is another emotion related to the Wood Element. Frustration can lead to rage if the Wood energy is high or to resignation and apathy if it is low (Maciocia, 2005, p247).

Spring Cleaning

In the past spring cleaning often involved taking objects outside in the wind to air them and get rid of the dust and cobwebs. On a personal level Spring is a time that emotions come to the surface. It is a good idea if we can consciously release these feelings. It is a good time to face challenges and stop procrastinating (Marguilis).

Acupuncture and the Wood Element

Acupuncture can be used to help with the Wood element in people. It can help to reduce anger, clear frustration and to help smooth the flow of energy around the body. It can help to reduce the pain and the frequency of headaches caused by an imbalance in the Wood Energy (Russel and Koppelman). If a persons main imbalance is in the Wood Element 5 element acupuncture can be used to diagnose and treat this element. This would help to bring balance and all the other elements in turn (Hicks, Hicks and Mole, 2004).

Healing Session

Looking Down on Ladybower Reservoir

I've created a healing session to help with Spring Time and the Wood Element. To receive the healing you will need to call it in. This is done via intention. Here is how to do it: relax, and state your intention out loud or silently, to receive this Spring Time Healing from Geoff, for your highest good and highest healing. If you are visual you can concentrate on the picture above.

References

Hicks, Hicks and Mole, 2004, Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture, Churchill Livingstone, London

Maciocia, 2005, The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Churchill Livingstone, London

Pitchford, 2002, Healing with Whole Foods Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California

Weiger L 1965 Chinese Characters, New York, Dover

Marguilis, Living with the Seasons https://www.chinesemedicineliving.com/nutrition/seasons/spring/

Acupuncture for Pain https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/present-research/pain-2/

Tan, 2018, How to stay Healthy in Spring, http://straightbamboo.com/how-to-stay-healthy-in-spring/

Summer Solstice and Full Moon Healing

Today is the Summer Solstice and also a full moon called the Strawberry Moon. The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year. The name Solstice means "sun stands still." A full moon in June was described by Native Americans as the Strawberry Moon since it was thought to mark the beginning of the strawberry season. Pagans and non pagans alike gather at mystical sites, such as Stonehenge, to celebrate sunrise on the solstice. Through the ages there was often dancing and bonfires, which were thought to keep the dark at bay. Pagans consider the solstice to be a day when the veil between this world and the next is thought to be at its thinnest.

Stonehenge

Newgrange

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Healing Session

To receive the healing you will need to call it in. This is done via intention. Here is how to do it: relax, and state your intention out loud or silently, to receive this Summer Solstice and Full Moon Healing from Geoff, for your highest good and highest healing. If you are visual you can concentrate on the pictures above.

Sun and Wind Healing

Sun and Wind in Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine sun and Summer relate to the Fire Element, and Wind and Spring relate to the Wood Element. Wood is the mother of Fire. This can be easily imagined since wood can be burned to make fire. Sun is warming and yang in nature. Wind is dynamic and yang in nature. Some people of a Woody nature can find being out in windy weather to be exhilarating. As I write we are coming to the end of Spring, the Wood element and soon will be heading into Summer and the Fire Element.

Sun and Wind Healing

I was outside earlier in the week doing some exercises and stretches. I was in the sunshine but a fairly strong wind was blowing. I found that I was being warmed by the sun and cooled by the wind. I found that if I kept moving I was warm enough to stay outside. The combination of sun and wind was invigorating and it kept me out exercising longer than normal. I wanted to create a healing that gave a similar fealing, one of warmth and invigoration.

To receive the healing you will need to call it in. This is done via intention. Here is how to do it: relax, and state your intention out loud or silently, to receive this Sun and Wind Healing from Geoff, for your highest good and highest healing. If you are visual you can concentrate on the picture below: 

References

Hicks, Hicks and Mole, 2004, Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture, Churchill Livingstone

Woodland Healing

Tatton Park

To receive the healing session all you need to do is read through the passage below and look at the pictures to help you visualize the events.

Imagine walking into a deer park. The path is lined with large beech trees. The deer roam freely through the park. The sheep are newly shawn. Rabbits scatter and run for their warrens as you approach. A light breeze blows through the trees. In ancient times stone age settlers camped by the lake. You feel a deep connection to nature. You wander through the park until you reach a mill pond. A swan move gracefully through the water. You sit on a nearby bench, close your eyes and listen to the sound of rushing water. You have a deep feeling of relaxation and stillness.

You sit here for five minutes allowing your mind to wander gently. You feel transported back in medieval times. When you open your eyes you see that your clothing has changed. A wizard with a long grey beard dressed all in red leads you through the park to the lake. As he does so he imparts lost wisdom. Just being in his presence leaves you with a warm feeling inside. Crossing over a bridge you see a heron in the river searching for fish. The sun gleams on the water. You move through the trees and arrive at a large oak tree by the lake. The day is warm and you decide to bathe in the lake. You feel the water washing away your troubles. You sit in the sunshine to dry off. You feel energized with a new sense of purpose in your life. As you walk back towards the entrance you hear the sound of cars in the distance and realize you are back in the present day.

Winter Healing

Healing

Try out my free healing. To call it in just state your intention to receive the Winter Healing from Geoff for my highest good and highest healing. Use the picture to imagine a snowy scene. The rays of light show shine down through the clouds on to a hill top (Blencathra in the Lake District).