Reiki is an energy healing technique that was rediscovered in Japan during the early 1920′s. It is Dr Mikao Usui who is recognized as the patriarch of the modern Reiki lineage, having learnt the technique after 21 days of fasting and contemplation atop Mount Kurama.

Dr Usui states that during meditation he received a vision, in which bubbles of light floated down from heaven into his hands, granting him access to a form of energy external to his own. As he came down from the mountain, Dr Usui injured his foot, as he held it trying to massage out the pain, he found that he was able to channel this ‘new’ form of energy into the injury, causing it to heal without depleting his own reserves. From that day forth Dr Usui would spend his life helping others learn of the force he had uncovered. Dr Usui called this force Reiki, the Universal Life Force.

In modern times Reiki practitioners can be found all over the globe. It transcends religious boundaries, as it does not impose a rigid belief structure upon its practitioners nor demand such from its recipients.

Unlike other energy healing techniques, Reiki does not require physical contact in order to be effective. True Reiki masters are said to be able to heal a person through their will even if they are on the other side of the planet, though most practitioners will require to at least be in the presence of the person to receive healing. A typical healing session will last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, during which time the practitioner will help place the recipient in a state of relaxation before channelling Reiki energy into the persons aura. Usually via the healers hands, around an inch away from any physical contact, moving slowly about the body looking for areas that may require additional concentration.