The inducement of healing through the stimulation and use of 'energy' transmitted via a living person puts Reiki into the category of Energy Medicine - which is now a fast growing area within the practice of Complementary Medicine.

As such Reiki is recognised by the NHS Directory of Complementary and Alternative Practitioners and is recommended and used within Hospitals, Prisons, Hospices, GP Surgeries, Cancer Support Groups, Post-Operative Recovery, Drug Rehabilitation, HIV/AIDS Centres and for the Care of the Elderly. The profession is also in the process of setting up the procedures necessary for self-regulation.

Reiki is a natural, holistic, easily applied and completely safe healing therapy which can be given to others - as well as to the self.

History of Reiki.

There are literally hundreds of books and web sites covering the history and development of Reiki. See webs listed below and search through Amazon, Cygnus Book Club, Waterstones, Complementary Health Webs, Yellow Pages, Leaflets in Libraries, etc., to find the information you want.

Suffice to say here is that Reiki, whose origins lie in ancient Tibetan, Indian and Nepalese healing systems, was re-discovered by a Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist Monk and Master of Chinese Medicine towards the end of the 19th century. Dr. Usui then developed, practised and taught the system that he called Rei Ki Ryoho until his death in 1926.

At that time he had taught 16 Masters - they in turn carried on his work. One in particular, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, a Methodist and retired naval Commander, established a Clinic in Tokyo and it was he who taught and attuned Mrs. Hawayo Takato, a Japanese lady, whose home was in Hawaii, and it was she who brought Reiki to the west in 1938. After the 2nd World War she travelled, practiced and taught extensively in America and Canada until her death in 1980. Reiki first came to England and the West in 1980/81. Since then it has spread like wild fire through the whole of the world - and it continues be practiced and taught in Japan in both its original Dr.Usui form and further developed systems.

There are now many Reiki Systems - both western and eastern - and others incorporating varying spiritual and healing models. Specific regulations and rules relating to ethical practice are necessary. But it is impossible to impose limitations on anything, let alone try to quantify and regulate spirit! And Reiki is spirit! Change is growth, without growth there is stagnation and death. So it is totally impossible to stop evolvement through any form of control, even when that desire comes from the position of honour and care, of wanting to keep a system pure and perfect.

Again, all systems are valid - but do not fall for the illusion - or the security - that may be presented to you that -one particular system is better than another - that xxx is more powerful - or the only real Reiki that exists! This is not true - none are better - they are simply different with different or varying emphasis and ways of practice. All of us respond to and use the 'way' which we find of greatest value and support for ourselves - this does not make that 'way' better than any other.

It is the integrity, sincerity, qualification, experience and practice of the Practitioner and the Master that is the proof of the pudding - and that is where you need to take time to find the right one with the appropriate training and experience - and the right system that is right for you - before making the decision to 'go for it!'