To answer the question of what Reiki is might be as difficult as trying to determine the true origin of it. The word Reiki means universal life force energy by one interpretation. Others feel that Rei actually means spiritual consciousness, and thus that Reiki is spiritually guided life force energy. Ki is the Japanese word for life force and equates with Chi in Chinese, with Prana in Sanskrit, and with Mana in Hawaiian. It has many other names in other cultures and generally refers to the vital life force that animates all living things. The Chinese have studied Chi for many thousands of years and have developed many healing modalities from this study including Tai Chi, Chi Gung, and Acupuncture. A Reiki practitioner receives several levels of training. Each level of training further opens the channel for focusing this energy. The more it is used, the stronger it gets. The energy flows through the affected parts of the energy field of the client clearing, balancing, and healing pathways that are blocked, misaligned, or otherwise out of balance. This raises the vibrational rate of the energy field, which clears negative energy out of the body, as well as the emotional and mental fields.

Reiki is useful for every ailment of the body, mind, and spirit. It is gentle and powerful, and is best used in a series of treatments which gradually ease the body back into alignment and balance. It is a very powerful synergistic modality to use with other methods of healing, including allopathic treatments, and all forms of alternative healing such as herbs, reflexology, chiropractic, hypnotherapy, flower essences, and aromatherapy.