Reiki is a specific application of “universal energy” to enhance healing and self-discovery. It originated in Japan more than 100 years ago and is now done throughout the world, yet is probably is similar to processes which have been practiced by people for many centuries. I've practiced Reiki since 1989, and continue to be awed at the beauty and power of this work.

"Reiki" is a Japanese word meaning “universal life force energy”, as does the Chinese word “chi” and the Sanskrit word “prana”. These and all other forms of energetic healing come basically from the same universal root. There are many applications, techniques, philosophies, and the like, but the root of all is universal energy.

I recommend Reiki to anyone for any kind of healing - either as a primary technique or to support other forms. Not that one should discontinue other forms of treatment. That's definitely not recommended, and isn't necessary. Reiki is a great companion therapy for practically any healing modality. Reiki supports and enhances other forms, including the allopathic medicine developed primarily in the west.

Universal energy flows through all of us from Source. It’s received by each of us as we breathe and go about our lives here. We can learn to increase this flow of energy through our bodies and improve our health and well-being. Universal energy is seen and felt in various ways, but what’s important is that it’s the energy which makes all life possible, and that we can use it consciously for our benefit. Practicing Reiki is one way to do that.

We can learn to clear our bodies of unwanted debris accumulated over years by beginning to sense the energies of the body and going inside to where they're located. However one sees or feels energy, the important thing is that we learn to use it for our own highest good. The very issue of having to deal with one's body is the reason we've incarnated. It is no accident that we're in these bodies. To learn to access and clear one's body leads directly to healing on both emotional and physical levels, and ultimately to full realization of oneself on the spiritual level. For what better reason than this could one choose to be in human form?

When you begin healing the physical, you often notice many energies arising in the body. This is because your body has been storing all these energies until it's time to release them. Often, these energies are there as the result of pain endured on some level, whether emotional or physical. You release them when it's time. Until then, you hold onto them. Energetic healing, the kind I'm talking about when I say Reiki, is a very powerful energy that helps us unleash our body's normal healing energy.

When we allow universal energy to come to us in its natural form, whether through the efforts of another person, or directly from Source, through a form such as tai chi, yoga, working out, etc., we're allowing ourselves to sense the stuff of which we're made. We are the same energy that flows through everything. We are a physical incarnation of universal energy.

You can access healing energy alone via your body's own natural abilities, yet it’s often easier to let someone help you with the process. This is where the role of healer comes in. I don't use the word "healer" to mean that such a person is fully in charge of the process. Quite the opposite, really. The genuine healer simply applies her or his skills to the healing process, channeling whatever energy is most appropriate for the client's highest good. The “client” works consciously with the energy, or hopefully, keeps his or her conscious mind out of the process and lets the energy do the healing. The most important thing is that the new energy be allowed to access those places in the body where old energy is trapped, and to release that energy through natural processes.

It's very easy to let universal energy work within the body. We need only to suspend any judgments we may have about the process, and let it happen. The wisdom of the universe, which comes naturally with universal energy, is far greater than that of any individual human. This is why this energy can access and heal places and conditions we never even knew we had. This is also why it's important for both practitioner and client to stay out of the way and let the process happen naturally. The universe knows how to heal, when we allow it.

I have been a Reiki practitioner since 1988 and a master since 1993. I have taught Reiki to many and have done thousands of individual sessions. Today, my major form of energy work is distant sending. I began this circle on a Reiki discussion list way back in 1997, to facilitate people in practicing and sharing energy weekly with each other, and with anyplace they choose. It is open to all who have learned distant sending through any form of Reiki, using the technique of their choice. We send and receive Reiki energy every Friday at 6 pm U.S. Pacific time zone – wherever that is in your area. See world clock site for your time.

In this particular circle, we focus on sending and receiving with each of us in the circle, as well as to people and places you wish. I often focus on sending energy to our world in general, or even to the universe, as I believe this can benefit all of us and much more. You may join in anytime that's convenient for you. If you can't participate at the appointed time, you may also use a time capsule - or future time technique – whereby one visualizes energy going & coming at the time of the circle. I provide one such technique below if it may serve you. 

The energy generated by this circle of Reiki friends has been very strong and always puts me in a nice relaxed, meditative state - a highlight of my week! Many others have reported similar experiences. Drop me an email if you want to know more about the circle. If you are a facebook member you may want to join the newly created Circle Friends Page. I hope you can participate in the circle!

Sending Reiki to Future or Past

Here is a technique for sending energy to another time and place, in case your time zone doesn’t work for our appointed weekly Reiki Distant Circles. I call it Future Time Reiki, or FTR. Whether you’re sending back to the future or forward to the past, I suggest you begin with whatever ritual and centering process you like, just as you would with a regular distant session. For this technique, once I get centered, I remind myself that in the greater perspective time is an illusion; that everything I send into space can be received when and where it's appropriate.

I then imagine sending Reiki through my hands or my body or energy field, using a distant technique of preference which you have probably learned elsewhere. You may use the Reiki symbols as you usually do, if that‘s your preference. For me, it helps to know that the Reiki is going where it needs to be. I like to see the energy encircling the globe, ready to go to each participant at the time our Circle meets. I imagine the Reiki waiting in that timeless place until it can serve each participant to her or his highest good.

One can use this technique for receiving Reiki as well as sending. Simply reverse the process and let the energy come to you, at the time the circle is in session. If that's in the middle of your night, you may program yourself to receive Reiki while you sleep. You may also incorporate the "time capsule" method while you're sending if you like. An easy way to do this is to imagine Reiki being stored in a time capsule, until it's time for it to open for an individual, or place, or in this case, for the time when the circle convenes. Give the capsule whatever properties or appearance you like, to make it real for you.

While those who participate during the circle are significant in creating the strong vortex of energy in “real time“, I think those who send to the circle at other times help generate this energy. If time and space are arbitrary concepts, then we all could ideally send and receive Reiki with each other any time. I hope this helps, and you have a really great circle experience, wherever and whenever the Reiki finds you!