This page is the first of a three part set exploring angels and healing energy:

Reiki: Usui Reiki, Shamballa Reiki, Angelic Reiki and the Universal Life Energy or Force.

The body, its energy system and natural healing

The human body depends on energy flows that link the brain, the nerves and all the organs of the body - as well as an overall energy flow that helps us maintain our health and wellbeing. There are times in our life when our energy level and flow are not regular. At such times, our body's natural defences (the immune system) and healing process needs help and support. Many of the complementary therapy modalities focus on trying to rebalance and enhance our natural energy flow to help the body's natural healing process.

Reiki therapy

Reiki practitioners are trained to recognise and use the Universal Life Energy. In fact Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Energy. The form of reiki that is practised most is traditional Usui Reiki. It is a method of maintaining your sense of well-being on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. It has been claimed that anyone can learn and practice reiki, but that trainig from a Reiki Master is needed to develop the skills.

History of Reiki - its origins

A Japanese Tendai Buddhist named Dr. Mikao Usui developed Reiki in early 20th century Japan.

He sought to rediscover how spiritual leaders such as the Buddha and Christ were able to perform miraculous healing through mere touch without depleting their own energy reserves. He spent time in Tibet and India and learned Padmasutra (Lotus sutra) written by one of the disciples of Sree Buddha. He got all theoretical knowledge about an energy work which Sree Buddha performed.

In 1914, Usui undertook a meditation called Isyu Gyoand, together with fasting and prayer for 21 days on Mount Kuram, when he said he received the ability of 'healing without energy depletion' by mystical revelation. He had gained the knowledge and spiritual power to apply and attune others to what he called Reiki.

Reiki practitioners use a technique similar to the laying on of hands, which they say will channel healing energy (ki) known as the universal life force energy. Reiki therefore uses a channeling technique and is based on the belief that thoughts have the power to direct this energy. Reiki has been described as a form of Shinto-Buddhist Qigong. Practitioners state that energy flows through their palms to bring about the healing process and that the method can be used for self-treatment as well as treatment of others.

This life force is said to be 'from the Universe,' rather than the personal energy of the practitioner and is therefore inexhaustible. (Some teachings say that the energy enters the practitioner through the crown chakra at the top of the head, before being emitted from the hands.) As a consequence, Reiki practitioners are encouraged to treat themselves with Reiki and that anyone can gain access to this energy by means of an attunement process carried out by a Reiki Master.

The Usui System of Reiki Healing encourages regular self-treatment. Daily practice balances and strengthens the functions and health of the physical body, enhances relaxation and self-awareness and quietens and nourishes the spirit. It then becomes natural to treat family, friends and others with the same benefits. (Based on Wikipedia)

How reiki grew and developed

In 1922 Dr. Usui opened a Reiki clinic in Harajuku, outside Tokyo. In the same year he also founded a reiki society called Usui Shiki Reiki Ryoho Kenkykai (this original society still exists), in order to teach his system to others, so that they might spread the healing to those who needed it. It is thought that he trained about 2000 students to the reiki practitioner levels and sixteen to reiki teacher level (Reiki Masters), before he died on March 9, 1926.
Dr Usui was succeeded by Dr. Hayashi who had been initiated in 1925. Up to this point, the Usui system of healing consisted of the energy itself, the symbols, the attunement process and the Reiki ideals. Dr. Hayashi developed reiki further, adding the standard hand positions, the three degrees and their attunement processes.

Reiki has evolved substantially since that time and has spread throughout the United States, Europe and India. Many reiki masters have added or taken away some techniques and modified the original reiki teachings. Some have added Tibetan Techniques, Chi Kung, New Symbols and whole new styles have been created. (source; www.reiki.org)
There are now an estimated 200,000 Reiki Masters with as many as 2 million people having been initiated into Reiki throughout the world.

Reiki symbols and the attunement process

Reiki symbols are sacred and secret. It is a part of the reiki tradition that they are kept confidential. They are only revealed to those who have taken second degree reiki and received the reiki attunement that empowers them. The reiki attunement actually empowers the reiki symbols so that they will fulfill their intended purpose.

A person does not have to be in an altered state for the symbols to work. The symbols work automatically, every time they are used. They are like keys that open doors to higher levels of awareness/ manifestation.

The reiki symbols must be drawn and used correctly to activate them. You can discover new uses to these reiki symbols by simply meditating on them and seeking guidance. By studying the Japanese history of the four traditional Reiki symbols and mantras, it is possible to discover what they signify in practical terms.

Source: www.1.cheeb.com/photo2.html I recommend you take time to look at this very readable Indian web site - lots of useful information.

Attunement & Reiki classes: training to become a Reiki Master

There are two basic levels of reiki training and many courses use this standard structure:
Reiki I and II are often taught together during an intensive weekend course. Both attunements are given. All the information and techniques are covered including:

The classes are typically a combination of lecture, discussion and experience. Practice time includes giving and receiving a complete Reiki treatment using all the hand positions, the self -treatment, practice using all the level II symbols including distant healing, and practice using all the Japanese Reiki Techniques mentioned above. It is expected that students will set aside additional time to practice after the class is over to gain the experience and confidence needed to fully utilize the Reiki training.

Further levels of training include Advanced Reikl (typically an intensive 1 day course) leading to a 2 day course for Reiki III/ Reiki Master. See www.reiki.org for the typical course content.

This energy attunement occurs in four ceremonial acts shared by the Reiki Master with each student.

If you are interested in reiki classes, there are reiki courses and training for Reiki I & II given by Healer Foundation members. See the workshops and courses page.

What happens during a reiki healing session

Reiki treatment is usually performed with the client fully clothed, laying on a treatment couch. It is a light, hands-on process, where the practitioner places her or his hands on the client's body to direct or channel the energy flow. There is no complicated ritual although Reiki practitioners are taught to use a series of hand positions.

Some practitioners treat the whole body, since the energy goes where it is most needed - other practitioners focus on that particular area which needs treatment. Many people experience a feeling of warmth and relaxation during and after the treatment process.

Shamballa Reiki or Shamballa Multi Dimensional Healing

What is Shamballa Healing? Shamballa Healing is a form of energy healing using both hands-on techniques and symbols. Shamballa Healing is said to be an expansion of the traditional Usui and Tibetan energies of the Reiki healing system. Shamballa uses many of the symbols found in Usui, Tibetan and other forms of Reiki, but creates a complete system of healing. Shamballa Healing is also referred to as Shamballa Reiki and Shamballa Multidimensional Healing. The foundations of Shamballa is found in the basic teaching and principles of Reiki.

Shamballa healing comprises several energy systems: Universal Life Force (as is used in traditional Usui reiki), Mahatma energy (the awareness of the Self, as the Universal Source) and The energy of Ascended masters. (They are beings who have completed their reincarnation cycles and now exit in spirit form as teachers of humanity. Their purpose is to assist others in their spiritual evolution and the evolution of the planet as a whole).
You can read more on the following web site: http://magicaura.com/eng/article/92/shamballa-mdh/
The system is said to be derived from the Ascended Master Germain.

Now on to page 2 : Angelic Reiki: >>

2. Angelic Reiki -what it is; the origins of angelic reiki; Kevin Core its founder; how it is developing in UK; the training courses and a listing of Angelic Reiki practitioners. Page 2: Angelic Reiki