Author, Teacher, Coach & Psychic
Bola Abimbola
FAQ on Reiki
Q. What is Reiki?
A. Reiki (pronounced as Ray-key) is a form of alternative therapy developed in Japan in 1922 by Mikao Usui. The word Reiki comes from the Japanese word (Rei) which means “Universal Life” and (Ki) which means “Energy”. Reiki is the life energy that flows through all living things. Everyone has the ability to connect with their own healing energy and use it to strengthen energy in themselves and help others.
It is believed that a person’s “ki” or energy should be strong and free flowing. When this is true, a person’s body and mind are in a positive state of health. When the energy becomes weak or blocked it could lead to symptoms of physical or emotional imbalance. A Reiki treatment session can help ease tension and stress and can help support the body to facilitate an environment for healing on all levels – physical, mental, and emotional. A treatment session is pleasant and relaxing with the sole goal being one’s personal wellness.
Q. What is the Science of Reiki?
A. A literature review of completed studies shows an apparent link between Reiki treatment and the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). One of the most commonly reported effects of Reiki is that of relaxation or a reduction in stress. The ANS is the motor system for emotion; if Reiki were to ameliorate stress it would therefore also have some effect on the ANS.
A paper authored by Ramnarine-Singh (1999) states that the physiological system sensitive to energy-based therapies is the ANS, as it affects the body’s physiological response to stress, and suggests that physiologically Reiki flow can be measured by recording blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, electroencephalography, electrooculography, galvanic skin response, and hand temperature.
Wardell and Engebretson (2001) measured the biological effects of Reiki on the ANS and found significant reduction of anxiety and systolic blood pressure, and a significant increase in salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels, using healthy volunteers for their study. Anxiety was assessed through muscle tension measurement using electromyography as well as monitoring of salivary IgA levels. Vaughan (1995) also investigated the ANS, looking at systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and skin response, and found a definite trend towards the lowering of diastolic blood pressure.
Q. What is Distant Reiki?
A. Distant Reiki is when a Reiki Practitioner sends Reiki healing energy towards an individual,(or animal or plant), who is in another location to the Practitioner. Reiki healing energy can also be sent to a situation, event, place or group. Sending Distant Reiki transcends time, meaning that the healing energy can be sent to the past, present, or future.
Q. What can I expect from a Reiki Treatment session?
A. Bola will help you feel comfortable to get started for your face to face treatment session, either lying down or sitting. You will be clothed and can express whether you want Bola to place her hands on your skin or just above your skin. This does not matter in terms of efficacy of treatment. rather a personal preference. The rest is just for you to relax and give yourself permission to receive your healing. Bola will agree the time of the Reiki Treatment session with you beforehand in the case of distant treatments, it is adviced that you are calm and avoid distractions for the duration of the treatment. You can sit or lie down for the session. If you can have your eyes closed, relax and be in a quiet space, this is best.
It is also adviced that you avoid alcohol before the session. During the treatment, you may feel heat or warming sensations, tingling, slight pulsing sensations, coldness, or have the feeling of floating. You may also have auditory or visual experiences, such as seeing a range of colours and shapes while your eyes are closed, or hearing different tones. These experiences are all completely normal. It is also possible for you to not feel anything at all during the session, or even to fall asleep. This does not mean the treatment isn’t working for you, instead it means that the way your body, mind and spirit can receive the best healing possible is for it to work on a deeper level of consciousness that cannot always be felt in a waking or surface state.
Bola will end the treatment at the agreed time and leave you to continue in your experience, unless you wish to discuss any messages or ask any questions. You can also contact her afterwards after you have rested. If it is a distant treatment, you can send Bola any questions and she may also send you a message if something came up during the session intuitively that she wishes to pass on to you.
After the session, allow yourself as much time as you may need to gather yourself and feel comfortable. Bola does recommend drinking an extra glass or two of water for the next few days to help ground the experience and detoxify, especially if you experience 'a healing crisis' (explained below). Reiki is a healing modality that works on the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. It is Universal Life Force Energy that knows where it needs to go for the highest good. Your own internal intuition will help your consciousness expand to accept the Reiki treatment on the deepest levels that it needs healing. Your Reiki experience is always lovingly and completely tailored to you naturally, for the greatest needs at the time.
Q. What is a Healing Crisis?
A. Detoxification cleanses the mind, body and spirit. However the process of detoxification sometimes includes a healing crisis, where you feel even worse than before you started your detox. Conventional and Complementary treatments protocols can include a healing crisis. The good news is that this reaction is likely a sign that you are getting a deep and thorough cleansing. Environmental toxins accumulate in tissue throughout the body, especially fat tissue. When we cleanse, toxins dislodge and the body begins to flush them out into the bloodstream to be filtered and eliminated. This sudden circulation of toxins can temporarily impact our wellbeing such that symptoms of illness (sweating, low-grade fever, discomfort, fatigue etc) may occur. A healing crisis generally lasts around three days, or could be up to a week, depending on the individual and the severity of their situation. Remember to take it easy on yourself, do self-care and know that your body is working to flush out toxins and waste.
Q. Is Reiki linked to Buddhism?
A. Whilst Reiki was founded by Mikao Usui who was a Buddhist, he had respect for all religions including Christianity which he had studied. At one point in his life he lived with a Christian family and had Christian friends. He did not want Reiki to be a religious practice but wanted it to be a simple healing technique that anyone could use. Reiki energy comes from God, which is understood to be the one Universal God. If you are interested in Reiki and are in the process of making a decision about receiving a Reiki treatment, we suggest that you pray or meditate about it and then follow the guidance that comes to you.
Q. Is Reiki a religion?
A. Reiki is not a religion. It is not affiliated to any doctrines or creeds. Reiki is something that anyone of any culture, background, religion, belief or society can choose to be a part of if they feel drawn to it. It does not ask you to believe in any particular religious associated beliefs. Religions are usually involved with issues such as heaven and hell, sin and salvation etc. and have a doctrine or code that one must believe in in order to be a part of the religion. Reiki does not deal with these things. Reiki is an alternative healing therapy. It does not require one to give up one's religion or for one to change one's religious beliefs in any way to practice it. One can still practice one's chosen religion and remain open to accessing natural or alternative healing approaches which add to one's abundant living.