Reiki Associations
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It has already been mentioned that reiki therapy can be undertaken in conjunction with other methods of natural healing. In addition, it can be combined with activities such as meditation and crystal therapy. The following sections consider briefly a few of these combinations which for the present purpose have been called associations.
Reiki and the use of crystals
Crystal therapy is known to many people and involves the use of precious and semi-precious stones. The stones are thought to hold positive energy and they act as a conduit for healing from the practitioner to the recipient. It is also said that the stones generate a healing vibration that acts upon the body. In some cases the stone is placed on the body where treatment is focused, in others it may be positioned on the appropriate acupuncture point. Most therapists use quartz for physical healing, amethyst for spiritual healing and rose quartz to heal emotions. Fiuorite may also be used to develop awareness and knowledge of a spiritual nature.
In reiki, three varieties of quartz are commonly used-amethyst, rose quartz and ordinary quartz (or rock crystal). The crystal structure of quartz is often taken to be related to the six chakras and the tip of the crystal to the seventh chakra. Practitioners recommend using rock crystal to avoid feeling overpowered by changes, mounting pressures and the stress of everyday life. Carrying the crystal or wearing it is meant to bring light into your workaday routines.
Rock crystal can also be used in conjunction with reiki meditation (of which see later), being held between, or in, the hands. In this way the energy emanating from the crystal is thought to go into the palms and then the rest of the body via the reflex zones. It is recommended by some in a variety of applications such as relaxation, wound-healing with other therapy and treating particular organs.
Rose quartz, with its soft pink colouration, is used for mending emotional problems. This may be dealing with problematic emotions, such as shutting out certain desires or it may be facing trauma and stress brought about by a separation.
The use of amethyst with reiki is varied. It can help promote the proper function of an organ that has been under treatment; placed on the Third Eye (centre of the forehead) it facilitates clearer vision in one's path through life; and it can reduce tension and fear.
Meditation with reiki
Meditation in its own right is a useful therapy. It needs concentration and time and a will to continue with the practice. Some of the benefits may happen straight away (such as a lowering of the blood pressure) while others require some proficiency. It has been reported that it helps with insomnia, and a high blood pressure can be lowered significantly, enough to allow the dependence on drugs to be reduced. Meditation is undertaken in a quiet room and it must be at least half an hour after consuming food or drink. Sitting comfortably, the mind is then concentrated upon excluding the hustle and bustle, problems, tension and overstimulating thoughts of modem life.
Reiki assists in this concentration, with the flow of energy aiding relaxation. There are some positions that can be adopted in reiki meditation to achieve particular goals. In the first position the legs are drawn up and the soles of the feet put together with the knees falling apart. This can be done while lying down or sitting against a wall or chair. The hands adopt a praying gesture. This is meant to complete the circuit of energy, allowing a flow around the body. The reiki energy removes any blockages and performed regularly, this becomes a powerful meditation exercise. It can be done for short periods initially, just a couple of minutes, and then built up in small increases.
To achieve complete harmony with your partner, there is a meditation exercise which can be done together. Sitting facing each other, the legs are spread, with the knees raised slightly. Moving closer, the legs of one are put over the legs of the partner and palms are put together. This allows a joint circuit of energy which strengthens the harmonious and loving relationship between two people. Done properly, this meditation may take up to half an hour. Group meditation is also possible with reiki, in which the participants stand in a circle with hands joined.
Aromatherapy blended with reiki
Aromatherapy is covered in greater detail elsewhere in this volume {see page 295). It is essentially a healing method that employs essential oils extracted from plants, usually in a neutral oil base (carrier oil). The oils can be used in three ways: by direct application, bathing in water to which a few drops of the appropriate oil have been added, and inhalation.
When used in conjunction with reiki, some oils can be applied directly on particular areas of the body, or their aroma can be made to fill the room using an aroma lamp. Below a few oils are considered and their use compared to their therapeutic value in aromatherapy. It is very likely that someone with a knowledge of essential oils will be able to capitalize upon their experience and incorporate further oils in their reiki therapy.
- Lavender-m aromatherapy lavender is a tonic with relaxing effects. It is also antiseptic, antispasmodic and stimulates the appetite. It is a widely-used and versatile oil that is used for minor burns and wounds. Its soothing effects render it helpful for headaches, tension and similar conditions. In reiki, lavender is associated primarily with patients/recipients who are sensitive and easily hurt, essentially introverts. It can be used in long sessions of reiki when the lavender helps to promote the calm and confidence necessary for a period of building and strengthening of the life force energy.
- Sandalwood-this oil is used in aromatherapy for its relaxing and antiseptic effects. It forms a very effective oil for application to the skin (especially facial), particularly for dry or sensitive skin. The use of sandalwood in reiki therapy is quite different. Its benefit seems to be in producing an ambience conducive to the reiki therapy itself because the oil is considered to elicit trust and confidence, between practitioner and recipient.
- Clary sage-this is a very useful oil with a number of qualities including tonic, antispasmodic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and more. It is also used to treat colds, menstrual problems and its very low toxicity renders it suitable for general use. In a session of reiki therapy, clary sage has been used to open blocked channels and to enhance sensitivity.
- Patchouli-apart from being accredited with some aphrodisiac qualities, patchouli is more commonly used in aromatherapy to treat skin disorders and minor burns because of its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities. While patchouli is also used in reiki therapy for allergies and impurities of the skin, the fundamental use and aim is to enhance the sensual qualities and aspects of life.
Other reiki associations
Because reiki is very much a positive therapy and benign, it can be undertaken in conjunction with other therapies with no harm. However, there are some beneficial effects of reiki which may affect in some way the activity of other courses of treatment.
- Prescription drugs-many reiki therapists believe that reiki can readily affect the way in which such drugs work in the body. It has already been mentioned that side effects of drugs can be lessened through the use of reiki, and in some cases it is reported that the process will be accelerated. In addition, reiki makes the body more receptive and therefore therapy prior to a course of drugs may enhance the effect of the drug. The relaxed state engendered by reiki may also counter, to some extent, the efficacy of an anaesthetic. However, injections such as anaesthetics can more readily and easily be released from the body with the help of reiki.
- Although minor pains can often be remedied through the use of reiki alone, stronger pain killers do not have their effect lessened by reiki. The interaction between reiki and drugs is neither well tested nor documented, but the overall positive effect of the therapy means that it is not likely to cause any problems.
- Homoeopathy-in conjunction with this therapy, reiki provides a reinforcing effect by rendering the treatment more effective. Reiki can help avoid strain, improve the removal of toxins and increase the body's sensitivity. After treatment, whole-body reiki will help recovery. See page 402 for a full discussion of homoeopathy.
- Bach remedies-these are named after Edward Bach, an English doctor, who in the early years of this century gave up his Harley Street practice to concentrate upon finding plants with healing qualities. He identified 38 plants, the flowers of which he floated on clear spring water. This, he believed, transferred medicinal properties to the water which could be given to patients. This practice he developed to mimic the drops of dew on the plant which in the first instance were used. Intended for home self-help, the remedies are meant for treating the whole person. Stock solutions are diluted in water and a few drops taken.
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Natural Healing Therapies
Natural Healing Treatments
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Natural Healing Remedies