For centuries, the art of spiritual healing has been an integral part of human wellness for many cultures. Every culture that is aware of, and believes in, this force has its own particular name for it, as well as its own way of healing the life force when it becomes damaged. The practice of Reiki is, in its simplest explanation, a healing of the universal life force that resides in every human being. Reiki teaches that all people are capable of healing themselves, and each other, once they have achieved a spiritual connection with the specific Reiki energy force.
Damage is done to the body when the paths on which the life force travels become interrupted.
Interruptions can be caused by injuries or negative thoughts and feelings about oneself. Once the life energy within the body becomes unable to flow freely, the cells, muscles, and organs within the body that were being sustained by that life energy will begin to suffer, and illness or injury will result. By using the art of Reiki, the practitioner taps into the patient's life force and attempts to heal it by using positive energy at the source of the negative energy blockage to remove and heal it. Reiki itself is believed to be a special kind of positive energy, and those who possess the ability to channel it believe it heals by resonating at a higher level than normal life force energy and is therefore capable of redirecting that energy as needed. Reiki healing is generally performed using one of three methods.