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What is Reflexology?    History of Reflexology    Benefits of Reflexology    Reflexology Sessions  

 

Commonly Asked Questions

For Christians Questioning Reiki, please read in particular the questions in blue.  General questions are in green.

Q. How do we know that healing is appropriate for Christians to do?
A. In I Corinthians 14:1 Paul tell us to eagerly desire spiritual gifts. In I Corinthians 12: 28 Paul says that healing is one of the gifts. Paul also says that each of the gifts is best expressed with love. Also, Jesus is quoted in John 14:12 as saying, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father." We know that Jesus practiced laying on hands type healing, therefore, it is scriptural for Christian to practice healing by laying on hands.

Q. What is the best way for a Christian to practice Reiki?
A.. Reiki provides a very wonderful way for Christians to make use of God's power. When giving or receiving Reiki attunements or treatments, call on God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to work directly through you and do the healing for you. This can be done through prayer before Reiki sessions, attunements or classes etc. Christians have also found praying for additional healing power from Archangel Michael, Gabriel and the other angels of God to be very effective. In this way your connection with God's love can become very powerful and act as a source of guidance, healing and love that will always be available to you.

Q.. Why is the Reiki attunement necessary? How does it work?
A. The attunement is a process that turns on your healing energy. During this process God is able to connect you more strongly to his power which strengthens the healing energy coming from your hands. While everyone has some healing ability we know from experience that those who receive a Reiki attunement have noticeably stronger healing energies coming from their hands and are able to help others in a more effective way with their Reiki treatments. As a Christian it is recommended that you say a prayer at the beginning of the attunement process asking that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will perform the attunement through the Reiki master. Christians have found this to be a very valuable and uplifting experience that strengthens their connection to God and increases their healing ability.

Q. How do we know that Reiki comes from God? I've heard some people say Reiki comes from Satan. How can I know the truth?
A. Our understanding about Satan comes from the Bible. No where in the Bible do we find an instance where Satan healed someone. Satan tempts people to sin but Satan does not heal people. Furthermore, in Luke 6:44, Jesus says, "Each tree is recognized by its own fruit." Which is to say that if something is beneficial and helps people, and those results are long lasting such as the healing people receive from Reiki, then it must be good and come from God.

Q. Is Reiki a religion?
A. Religions are usually involved with issues such as heaven and hell, sin and salvation etc. and have a doctrine or code that one must believe in in order to be a part of the religion. Reiki does not deal with these things. Reiki is a simple healing technique. It does not require one give up ones religion or changes ones religious beliefs in any way to practice it. Most Christians who practice Reiki state that Reiki brings them closer to God, to Christ and to the Holy Spirit and because it is a method of healing, it helps them fulfill their Christian calling to help others.

Q. Is Reiki a cult?
A. In order for something to be a cult, it must have certain detrimental effects on its members. A usual requirement is that they must give up their previous religious beliefs and accept the new beliefs of the group without question. In Reiki, this is not required. People are free to continue with any religious belief they have previously chosen and in fact people of all religious beliefs practice Reiki. In most cults, there is a leader to which members must follow and obey. Reiki has no leader. Practitioners can practice anyway they want and are not controlled by anyone. In addition, in most cults, members are asked to give all or most of their possessions to the group, they often live communally and contact with the outside world is discouraged. None of these conditions exist in Reiki. Reiki is religiously neutral.

Q. I understand Reiki uses symbols. I've been told that Christians shouldn't be involved with anything that uses symbols.
A. Keep in mind that symbols are part of Christianity. The fish and the cross are Christian symbols. Note also that Catholics make the sign of the cross over their chests for protection and to become empowered with Christ. Symbols are used in Reiki to connect with different kinds of Reiki energy and since Reiki healing energies all come from God, the symbols are a way to connect with God. However, if a person doesn't like the idea of symbols, they are not necessary to use with Reiki as in Reiki I there are no symbols.

Q. I've heard of Reiki practitioners speak of Reiki guides. What's this about? I've been told that Christians should avoid contacting spirits.
A.. The idea of Reiki guides is not actually part of the original Reiki teaching, but was added later by Western practitioners. Therefore, one doesn't have to contact a spirit guide to use Reiki as Reiki energy comes directly from God and spirit guides are not necessary. However, it is possible as a Christian to use a similar concept when practicing Reiki. Keep in mind that Jesus, Mary and other Biblical figures received help from spiritual beings in the form of angels. Angels are spiritual beings that God has created to be his messengers and it is possible for Christian Reiki practitioners to make use of their help. God's angels can help heal and also provide guidance. It is also possible to call on God directly and especially Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to be present and provide healing energy directly from them, but sometimes God will send an angel to do this also. Remember, the entire book of Revelations was given to John by an angel - indicating the responsiblity God sometimes gives to angels to act as spiritual guides.

Q. Is Reiki wizardry, black magic etc?
A. Wizardry and black magic etc. is always used with the idea of gaining power over others or gaining some personal benefit regardless of God's will. It does not call on God but on lower powers or other lower beings to help fulfill ones desires. Reiki does not operate in this way. It cannot be used to fulfill ones personal desires unless they are part of God's plan. Reiki can only be used to heal and to help people and is always guided by God.

Q. Can Anyone Do/Learn Reiki?

A. In a word, yes. As mentioned above, Reiki knows no boundaries. This is true for all people, regardless of ones intellectual capacity or spiritual development. There are no prerequisites such as previous healing or medical experience. Since it is not dependent on anything, it is available to everyone. It has been successful for millions of people of all ages and backgrounds.

Q. What is Reiki Energy?

A. We know that there is a "life force" within all of us and it is this that keeps us alive. This is the "KI" part of Rei-ki. It is called by various names in different parts of the world: "prana" in India, "qi" or "chi" in China, "spirit" in Western traditions, etc. When the life force is "blocked" we experience disease, sickness, mental/emotional stress, etc. When our life force is depleted in our bodies, we are no longer alive, i.e. death.

Reiki draws upon the universal life energy so we can apply it to specific needs. In so doing, Reiki clears, straightens and heals the energy pathways, thus allowing the life force to flow in a healthy and natural way. This is not unlike the concepts and theories of acupuncture. By harnessing the universal energy, we replenish some of the lost energy.  Reiki can heal by flowing through the affected parts of the energy field and charging them with positive energy. This causes the negative energy to break apart and fall away

Q. What Does Reiki Energy Feel Like?

A. Most often, during a treatment, the energy experienced is a warmth. That is, the practitioner will feel some warmth or heat on their palms and the patient will feel some warmth or heat on the area that the practitioner is treating. However, Reiki can be felt in other ways as well, such as a mild tingle (as when an arm or leg has "fallen asleep"), a throbbing, or a pulsing.

The energy comes through in what is referred to as a "rise and fall." It may take a minute or two before you feel anything in your hands. Then, you'll feel the warmth, heat, or other sensation. This can last for another minute or two. Lastly, there will be a drop-off of the energy and you will not feel the same heat intensity. One rise and fall is called an energy cycle and is usually between 3-5 minutes.

Keep in mind that you may not feel anything during a treatment and vice versa for the person you're treating. For example, you may not feel anything in your hands, yet the person you're treating may feel a lot of heat. Don't be discouraged. Treat an area for a completion of one energy cycle (i.e. 5 minutes).

Some people, especially healthy and stable, may not feel any physical sensation but may feel mental or emotional changes, such as a sense of calm or peace, and very relaxing. Most of us, however, feel discomfort somewhere in our lives, and can benefit from receiving Reiki.

It is also sometimes difficult to feel the energy during a self-treatment. This is probably due to an equilibrium of energy coming through your body, out of your hands, and back into your body.

Q. How long does a session last?

A. A session will usually last for about an hour.  Please arrive a few minutes early to discuss any particular areas of interest you would like to focus on.  If you have questions, you might find it helpful to make a list to bring with you or email Christi at Christi0921@aol.com before your appointment.

Q. What do I wear?  Do I have to take any clothes off?

A. There is no need to undress.  For your comfort, it's best to take off your shoes or any restrictive clothing.

Q. Does it hurt?

A. Reiki does not harm anyone.  After a treatment, you may feel extremely relaxed and sleepy.  If you feel you are unable to drive safely, I suggest you bring someone with you.  For some conditions, you might find your symptoms worsen for a short period (hours or a day) until it has worked out of your system.

Q. I don't really understand how this works.  It seems very unlikely to me that something so simple can help me.  Can you explain this to me?

A. Approaching new ideas with an ounce or two of healthy skepticism is always a good thing.  Common sense provokes us to question any new undertaking or belief system.  We certainly don't feel good when we fall victim to any miraculous claims that don't hold true in the end.  It is simply good rational thinking to be cautious of anything being promoted as a "magic pill" or "cure-all remedy".  On the other hand, there are those who reject new ideas, poking fun at idealist thinkers.  Skeptics consider supporters of Reiki as gullible people.  Sadly, these people will never experience the benefits that Reiki may have to offer them. 

Simply put, Reiki treats imbalance.  Because each person has his or her own specific imbalances, using Reiki will bring about a unique response in each person.  This is how explaining Reiki to someone who has not experienced it can be difficult.  One recipient will claim it cured her addiction to nicotine, while another recipient might say that, although the treatment was relaxing, it didn't offer a cure.  A third person's account of Reiki might be something completely different.  It's really no different than how one particular medicine might affect various people.  It might cure the first person's illness, not do anything to the second person, and it might have adverse affects for the third person.

If you curious for a deeper knowledge of Reiki, I offer instruction (see Reiki Classes).  If you completed the first & second degree Reiki, you could learn to maintain your health yourself if this were your desire.  The ability to learn Reiki is not dependent on one's intelligence.  You do not have to know how to meditate or study for years to learn.  It is simply passed on from teacher to student.  See What is Reiki? for a detailed explanation about this healing energy.

Q. What Can be Treated?

A. Reiki can be either powerful or gentle, depending on the need. It has aided in healing virtually every known illness and injury, including serious problems like multiple sclerosis, heart disease, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and cancer. People, who do Reiki, also use it in treating common ailments such as migraine headaches, colds, flu, sore throats, and "everyday" aches and pains. Others use Reiki as a technique for stress reduction and relaxation.

Reiki also goes past the physical body and can help in treating emotional and mental concerns such as anxiety and depression, lack of confidence, hyperactivity, confusion, negative programming, and can help create optimism, etc.

Sometimes it is difficult to remember all that Reiki can do. However, once you are in the habit of using Reiki, you will probably find its uses unlimited. Try Reiki on cuts, bruises, broken bones, sunburn, etc.

It is nearly always beneficial and works to improve the effectiveness of all other types of medical treatments. It will reduce negative side effects, shorten healing time, and reduce or eliminate pain.

Also, Reiki is a terrific health maintenance system. Use as much Reiki as you can in the hope that you do not become sick. So even if you do not have a specific problem to treat, Reiki can be of tremendous value.

Q. Reiki can never cause Harm

A. Reiki is guided by a Higher Power, therefore, does no harm. It is pure "good" energy. Unlike medicine, you can't overuse it. Reiki is always helpful and should be used whenever and wherever possible. The energy cannot be depleted, so use as much as necessary. It knows what a person needs and will adjust itself to maximize treatment of that need.

Reiki never violates the free will, so it will work to the degree that one is willing to receive the energy. If a person, for whatever reason, is not willing to receive a treatment, no energy will be transferred.

Q. Reiki Warning

A. Reiki is not a substitute for appropriate medical or emotional treatment. Reiki is a complementary treatment, and should be used only as a supplement when other forms of treatment are necessary. Reiki can only enhance whatever natural healing is taking place and it cannot be used to guarantee outcomes.