What is Reiki?
by Michelle McCarthy
Reiki is traditionally billed as a stress reduction and relaxation technique. It's a centuries old 'laying on of hands' modality that helps reduce stress and essentially bring one back to a state of balance physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The technique can be done hands-on or hands off the
body according to ones' personal preference. It is painless, easy to do and has been known to have profound results.
Everything is energy. Thoughts, feelings, emotions are energy. Food is energy. WE are energy. There are different vibrations of energy from the very high to the very low. For example, happiness, joy, peace, love, contentment, ease - would be considered very high energy. Likewise, phrases like "you can do anything", "you're wonderful" will produce high vibrational energies within the body. These will produce feelings of self-confidence, self-worth, etc. Low energy vibrations are those like sadness, anger, resentment, jealousy, fear. Low vibrational phrases like "you're no good", "you can't do anything", "how can you be so stupid" will produce feelings of low self esteem and low self-worth. High vibrational energies (thoughts, feelings, emotins) help keep the Chakras open - while low vibrations will close them down. The same with the foods we eat; high vibrational foods are much better for the body than low vibrationals foods. Think about it - your body feels better when you give it fresh fruits and vegetables, free range chicken or fish, etc - than when you give it a steady diet of chocolate and McDonald's hamburgers and fries.
Ideally, we function best when our energy centers (Chakras)are clear and open, spinning at an appropriate level. This allows us to 'take in' and 'put out' energy in the perfect way. When this
happens, we are able to go through life with ease. Life just 'happens' - we feel as if we are in the perfect flow with life. However,the process of life gunks up our energy centers or Chakras. (Chakra is a sanskrit word meaning spinning wheel.) When our energy centers (Chakras) are blocked, we are less able to take in or release energy appropriately. This will cause us to become out of balance, feel the effects of stress, become physically ill, etc.
Reiki is a tool that we can use to release the blocks in the energy centers that keep us from living life with ease. It is often a gradual process that takes place. So gradual, sometimes that until we stop to take stock of where we are - and where we have been, we can almost think nothing has changed.
I have found that every physical illness or dis-ease has an emotional root (or cause). Reiki gets to the root of problems, releases the blocks and as this happens, we are able to move more freely in life. We begin to express the truth of who we are; our divinity within begins to shine forth. Life changes.
There are many schools of Reiki. There's the traditional Usui Shiki Ryoho, developed my Mikao Usui, There's Karuna Reiki. This was developed by William Rand. There is Reiji-ho Reiki, Angelic Reiki, Lightarian Reiki and many many others. The one you choose for you is not as important as choosing the one
that feels appropriate.
My own thoughts here are that regardless of which lineage we choose, Reiki heals. We have all come here with a purpose that is expressly our own and therefore, no one else can do it. That means that we MUST express our truth, live our purpose. As we begin to release the blockages that are keeping us from being who we are meant to be, we are able to get in touch with our hearts desire. As we move toward living that desire, we really empower others as well. In my own life I tell people that as I have healed the things that held me back, I am able to move forward
toward the reason I am here. I may not know exactly what that is even yet - but for now, I am happy where I am, because it's definitely closer to where I want to be. I am not complacent - I am still moving. And as I move, people around me want to do the same thing. Frankly, healing ourselves, heals the world - one
heart at a time. When we move toward self-healing, others will do the same. And actually, all healing is self-healing. It's quite empowering, this self-healing thing. And if I can do it, anyone can!
So, I have digressed. I apologize. But, in a nutshell - Reiki heals. It has been known to heal all illnesses known to man kind. I have used it extensively with cancer patients, people preparing for surgery (and after surgery as well). It's been wonderful in reducing pain, swelling, healing broken bones, giving greater mobility for arthritis sufferers. It has brought ease in life to Bi-Polar clients. The list goes on. I could talk for days about the effects of Reiki - but perhaps that's another column.
Michelle McCarthy has been involved with energy work since Reiki saved her life in 1996. In 1999, she closed a thriving business, sent 6 employees off to self-employment and gave her life over to the healing energies. She has taken several different healing modalities to heart and incorporates a combination of Reiki, Integrated Energy Therapy, Healing Touch and the voice of spirit in her private sessions. Today, in addition to her active client practice, she teaches all levels of Reiki and Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Levels of IET. She is a Hospice Volunteer and also volunteers at The Hampshire Sheriff’s Office teaching Reiki to the inmates. Michelle has been interviewed by the Hampshire Gazette for her work in the Hampshire Sheriff’s Office, News 40 and a variety of local town papers. She was recently interviewed on “It’s all about healing” with Laura Epstein on WARE 1250 AM as well as on The Dr. Norman Roy Show – an Access Cable show in Easthampton.
Please visit her website: www.heart2hearthealing.com
You can contact Michelle for more information on Reiki or Integrated Energy Therapy at 413-737-9443 or
