Reiki is Divine Love directed through the intention of the practitioner for the purpose of healing.
To explain:
Divine Love — unconditional love; love without agenda, expectation, or demand (the Higher Power, God, Universal Energy, Universal Law, Spirit—whatever you consider to be the force that encompasses all of creation).
Directed — the energy is directed when you place your hands on yourself, on another person or living being, or when you initiate the protocol for sending Reiki distantly.
Intention — the intention of the practitioner to be an instrument of healing grace by allowing Reiki to flow and by being as open a channel as possible, placing ego, attachment to outcome, and judgment aside.
Healing — the healing that takes place is determined by the recipient and Divine Love, not by the practitioner.
Healing always takes place in some form. It may be dramatic or subtle. It may show up as complete relief from pain, or it may happen that neither the recipient nor the practitioner is aware of anything having taken place beyond a deep sense of relaxation. Because it is directed by the HIgher Power, whatever the outcome, it is the healing the recipient needs at that time.
© 2009-2013 Marianne Streich, Reiki for Living, all rights reserved. For re-posting permission, please contact Marianne.
Marianne is a Seattle-Area Reiki teacher and practitioner. She is the author of Reiki, A Guide for the Practice of Levels I and II and a former editor, contributor, and columnist for Reiki News Magazine (2004-2010). See her current class schedule.
I really appreciate the explanation of the statement about Reiki. You paint a very clear picture of the foundation of Reiki.