Some Key Reiki Concepts

• The Aura
• The Chakras
• The Power of the Universal Energy
• The Master

The Aura

The entire physical world is surrounded and permeated by an energy field, which is constantly vibrating. This has been proved scientifically and these electro-magnetic fields around the body can be measured with a sensitive device called the SQUID. This device does not touch the body while measuring the energy field around it. Dr. Samuel Williamson of New York University says that the SQUID offers more information about the state of brain functioning than an EEG. Kirlian photography has made it possible to capture the image of the aura in a photograph. This is a special high frequency photography process developed by two Russian scientists; Semjon. D and Valentina. K. Kirlian. Kirlian photography is a way of representing the energy of the body in visual form. Since its initial development in 1939, the technique has been researched and refined by independent labs and health practitioners throughout the globe. The aura is a storehouse of all that we are. It contains the essence of who we are. Which is why, very often, we feel comfortable in the presence of some people who may be total strangers. Similarly from others we receive negative vibrations leaving us uncomfortable. Often the presence of a truly spiritual person brings about a sense of calm and peace to hundreds of people in the vicinity. That is because the aura of that person contains the essence of his spirituality and inherent goodness and is said to stretch over a large area. Negative emotions and thought patterns create blocks in the aura.

The Chakras

Apart from the aura our energy body also consists of chakras and nadis [energy channels].

The chakras are swirling, funnel shaped vortexes that open out from our physical body into the aura. These constantly rotating funnels are the energy processors of our body. They draw in energy from the outside into our body. There are innumerable chakras in our body of which a large majority are small ones. We will concern ourselves with only the seven main chakras.

The seven main chakras correspond to the endocrine or glandular system in our body. Each chakra is in charge of supplying energy to a particular gland, which in turn is in charge of a particular set of organs. Besides this physical aspect each chakra is also responsible for specific emotional and mental aspects.

Just as blocks are created in the aura they are also created in the chakras. These blocks cause the chakras to slow down their rotation or become overactive which interferes with the amount of energy being supplied to the body so that the glands and the corresponding organs are adversely affected. This also has a negative effect on our mental-emotional health, creating diseases, which are psychosomatic in nature.

When Reiki energy is given to the chakras at specific positions in the body, blocks are cleared off, so that the chakras rotate at the ideal speed and provide optimum energy to the organs ensuring physical and mental-emotional well being.

The aura and chakras are very vast subjects. Given here is very basic information. There is no need for detailed knowledge of chakras though it would help the layman understand how healing takes place. The best way of understanding Reiki is to practice it. Given below is a depiction of the seven major chakras, the colours surrounding the body are of the aura.

1. Root Chakra

Location:	Between our legs.
Colour:	Red.
Indian name:	Muladhara.
Gland governed:	Adrenal. Deals with the excretory system and also blood distribution. It has a dominating influence on body temperature.
Mental-emotional aspect:	It is our rooting chakra. Gives us the will to live life enthusiastically.
Malfunctioning results in:	Lack of enthusiasm and stamina. Life is viewed as a burden. Over functioning often results in aggression, violence and a need to dominate.

2. Sacral Chakra

Location:	Two inches below the navel.
The colour:	Orange.
Indian name:	Swadishta.
Gland governed:	Gonads. Deals with reproductive system and its organs.
Mental-emotional aspect:	Balances the yin and yang, i.e. the masculine and feminine aspects present in everyone. Our relationship with other people and our sense of self is also controlled by this chakra. Creative expression of being is dealt with by the sacral chakra.
Malfunctioning results in:	Unfulfilling relationships, uncertainty, lack of confidence and emotional paralysis.

3. Solar Plexus

Location:	Upper part of the abdomen.
The colour:	Yellow.
Indian name:	Manipura
Gland governed:	Pancreas. Controls digestive system . Associated with lower back. Plays an important role in the digestion of food. The pancreas secretes insulin, which regulates the amount of blood sugar in the body. So this is an important chakra for diabetics.
Mental-emotional aspect:	This chakra plays an important role in the formation of our personality. It is also our mood centre. When the chakra is open we feel joy and inner richness but a blocked solar plexus results in gloom and depression. This acts as our shock absorber where trauma shocks are absorbed so that we do not collapse.
Malfunctioning results in:	A desire to manipulate and control. Frequent mood swings occur resulting in an unstable personality.

4. Heart Chakra

Location:	Centre of the chest.
Colour:	Green.
Indian name:	Anahata
Gland governed:	Thymus. Organs-heart, lower area of the lungs. Regulates circulation. Also strengthens the immune system .
Mental- emotional aspect:	unconditional love, emotional warmth and sincerity, generosity. A very important chakra, which is at the centre of the chakra system. Once this chakra is open it helps in the healthy functioning of the other chakras.
Malfunctioning results in:	An inability to give and receive love. It could also make one vulnerable and overly dependent on the affection of others.

5. Throat Chakra

Location:	the throat.
Colour:	Light blue.
Indian name:	Vishuddha.
Gland governed:	Thyroid. Governs the neck, throat, ears, trachea, bronchial tubes, upper lungs and oesophagus.
Mental-emotional aspect:	Communication and creative expression. An open throat chakra helps us to effectively communicate our innermost thoughts and feelings without fear. Creativity is also an aspect of this chakra. Outward expression of this creativity requires an open throat chakra.
Malfunctioning results in:	Inability to express oneself. Fear of and dependence on the opinions of others resulting in withdrawal into oneself.

6.Third Eye Or Forehead Chakra

Location:	Centre of the forehead.
Colour:	Indigo.
Indian name:	Ajna
Gland governed:	Pituitary. The left eye, nose, ears, sinuses, cerebellum and the central nervous system , all come under this gland.
Mental–emotional aspect:	It is our intuition centre. An open third eye chakra results in a composed mind. Advanced intellectual skills are present when this chakra is healthy.
Malfunctioning results in:	An over dependence on rationality and the intellect and a lack of spirituality. There is a rejection of everything that cannot be proven scientifically. A considerably large block in this chakra causes a low intellect and a confused mind. The person will be overly materialistic.

7. Crown Chakra

Location:	The top of the head.
Colour:	Violet.
Indian name:	Sahasrara
Gland governed:	Pineal. Affects the upper brain and right eye.
Mental-emotional aspect:	Spirituality. A sense of unity with the divine. The consciousness is completely calm and open.
Malfunctioning results in:	A feeling of separation and a feeling of being abandoned. An uncertainty and lack of purpose ensues. Such people could become hyper active since they feel they have to justify their existence.

The Power of the Universal Energy

Since Reiki is spiritually guided, it has its own intelligence. This explains why a Reiki practitioner need not possess any knowledge of medicine. Thus, even children can be attuned to first degree Reiki. The practitioner has only to place his/her hands on a person and Reiki does the healing.

The difference between life force energy and universal life force energy:

Life force energy is also called ‘ki’ in Japanese, ‘chi’ in Chinese and ‘prana’ in Sanskrit and other Indian languages. This is the non-physical energy that flows in every thing and ensures life. When the level of this life force energy is high a person they are healthy, strong and confident but a lowering of this energy level results in weakness and ill health. Upon death this life force energy or ‘prana’ leaves the body rendering it lifeless. This life force energy is present in everything.

Universal life force energy, on the other hand is spiritually guided energy that comes from a ‘higher intelligence’ or higher source. It is available to the healer to apply where there are cases of disease mental, physical or emotional, caused by the depletion of life force energy. Being spiritually guided it has it’s own intelligence, starts healing at the root cause and compensates the depletion of life force energy. Reiki Master, William Rand says in an article on Reiki “It must be kept in mind that Reiki is not the same as simple life force energy as life force energy by itself can be influenced by the mind and because of this, can create benefit as well as create problems including ill health.” Universal life force energy, on the other hand, is spiritually guided and cannot be influenced by the mind. Because of its spiritual nature Reiki also acts as a guiding force in our lives and is available to help us in times of need. It acts for the highest good at all times.

The Reiki Master

The Reiki master is somebody who has undertaken to teach others Reiki, thereby helping them to help themselves. It is not necessary that the teacher is somebody who is spiritually enlightened. What is needed is a commitment to teach and help others on to the path of personal growth and healing. It certainly helps to have an inspiring teacher. It would also be helpful If the teacher is available for interaction after the course.