These recoveries are hard for us to understand in our traditional culture and medical context, yet they are quite feasible if one considers disease in a different way. From another perspective, illness manifests on the physical levels as a result of blockages in our energetic fields. 

     When we receive Reiki, it's healing energy is drawn to the causal level of dis-ease and works to create balance and harmony  in accord with our highest good. Many experience a gentle release of emotions, changes in habitual thought patterns, and enhanced circulation, relaxation, and energy as well as clearer thinking. 

     People from different backgrounds such as nurses, doctors, massage therapists, attorneys, psychotherapists, hospice workers and even priests are finding that Reiki has been able to help them immensely. Many feel that they have become more in touch with their spiritual nature, and report a greater dedication to their own unique religious traditions. 

   Reiki (pronounced ray-key), is a Japanese word which can be translated into English in a number of ways. The most common translation is "Universal Energy", a potentially confusing term when outside a meaningful context. There are many cultures around the world which have a deep understanding of what western scientists are now calling "subtle energy." This energy called "subtle" because there are currently no scientific devices which can accurately measure it. Yet despite this fact, there are many people who can feel, see, and even hear frequencies of energy which are not readily apparent to most of us.

     Traditional Reiki positions broadly correspond to seven major energy centers of the body called chakras - wheels of spinning energy described and mapped out thousands of years ago.  There are also many smaller centers that move and coordinate subtle energy throughout the body. 

     The seven major chakras are often pictured like wheels or lotus flowers originating along the spine. These seven main centers start at the base of the spine with only four spokes or petals and move to the crown with a thousand petals. Each of these centers has its own color and sound, as well as powerful attributes, starting from the bottom up, of instinctual knowing, creativity and sensuality, power and action, love and forgiveness, creative self-expression, intuition and cosmic consciousness and enlightenment.  Described in recent times, the transpersonal heart (the eighth major chakra) is the center of universal love toward all mankind.

     Reiki Training, through attunements, integrates our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical bodies. Through regular Reiki treatments, we open and purify the chakras and thus revitalize related nerve plexi, glands and organs. With the science and art of Reiki, we open ourselves even more to the divine flow of universal energy.

      The hand positions in Reiki also broadly correspond to the major endocrine glands of the body. These regulators, weighing less than a pound, are of utmost importance to our well-being.  They are catalysts for chemical reactions that regulate all important processes in the body: metabolism, aging, growth, stamina, weight, sexuality, moods, and the body's ability to reduce pain and heal itself. 

     The glands work together in harmony. For example, the thyroid gland produces thyroxin, which helps activate the adrenals: the adrenals in turn energize the sexual glands, and sexual excitement stimulates the thyroid. These intricate chains of reactions are directly and adversely affected by stress. In Reiki we give an overall treatment that reduces stress and allows the glands to rebalance body chemistry.

      With the head positions, we activate the pineal gland and the master gland, the pituitary. The pineal gland, in relation to the amount of light falling upon the body, regulates skin pigmentation and sexual development. The pituitary regulates sleep, growth, and body fluids, and stores mood-enhancing hormones. Treating the pituitary enhances state of mind, heightens the senses of smell and taste and encourages the body to replace aging cells.

      At the throat position, we balance the thyroid gland. This gland regulates the rate at which we burn the food we eat and the rate and intensity at which we live. The thyroid keeps iodine in the body at the correct level, regulates mucous membranes, aids digestion, and builds nerve and brain tissue. Proper working of the thyroid gland keeps us at the right weight for our body type. The parathyroid glands, sitting on the thyroid, regulate the calcium in our body. The right amount of calcium enables us to feel calm and keeps our bones strong, reducing the chance of osteoporosis.

      At the chest position we harmonize the thymus gland. The thymus is responsible for producing T-cells, one of the body's primary defenses against disease. This important gland is very responsive to our state of mind and can instantly correct imbalances in energy flow.

       At the solar plexus (two inches above the waist), we treat the liver, pancreas, and spleen, and with the back position, the adrenals. The liver, a major organ, metabolizes different foods, stores important vitamins and minerals, and detoxifies external and internal poisons from the body. The bile produced by the liver assists in fat digestion and keeps the  colon lubricated. 

       The pancreas controls carbohydrate metabolism and produces enzymes that promote good digestion. Throughout the pancreas are scattered the Isles of Langerhans. These little glands regulate the amount of sugar in the blood. Keeping blood sugar balanced helps us avoid diabetes, hypoglycemia and mood swings. 

      The spleen boosts our immune system by cleansing the blood of micro-organisms, producing white blood cells, and storing blood for use in emergencies.  Hormones from the adrenals provide the base for the digestive enzymes and  help the body fight infections, heal inflammations, and reduce pain. Proper functioning of  the adrenals stimulates sexuality and creativity. Consistently balancing the adrenals with Reiki treatments provides quick energy, stamina and muscle tone.

      At the sacral chakra  we treat the sexual glands-the ovaries and testes.  These glands regulate male and female sexual characteristics, fertility and emotional states.  When sexual energy flows through the whole body, we feel alive and happy.  When these hormones are out of balance, we may experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS), ovarian cysts, or prostate problems.

      This information is given in some detail in order to help us remember how much we can help ourselves when we use our hands to relax and harmonize each one of these tiny glands!

      There are 16 hands in positions during a Reiki treatment of about 1 hour. These positions balance and energize the chakra  and endocrine systems, resulting in a relief of tension, enhanced circulation, stimulation of the immune system, better digestion and assimilation, pain relief, and release of negative emotions.  Reiki can be done anywhere in the body, and you can learn to administer your own Reiki healing .

      The knowledge and understanding of Reiki with a dedicated practice will yield a lifetime of gifts. Reiki is a promise -- a promise of growth and fulfillment.