Reiki (pronounced as "RAY kee") was derived from RAY KEY, which is basically like a key that opens the "door" for the "rays" of healing energy to enter in.  This energy originates from God.  It is indeed a valuable Christian technique that virtually everyone can be trained to do.  It is GOD that does the real work.  The therapist merely allows himself or herself to be used as a CONDUCTOR of this holy energy.  You can also think of it as a way of "funneling" energy into a needed area, for God is omni-present.  There are two modes of Reiki -- Checking for existence of problems and actually treating them.  There are also three "levels" of Reiki.  These include level 1, 2, and 3.  While a proper initiation rite and training are necessary to achieve better results and to be recognized as a quote "reiki practitioner," I found out that some good results can occur even with no formal training.  Slow music that is suitable for massage is also good to play in the background here, too.  Since this is a holy thing, DO NOT PLAY QUOTE "NEW AGE" MUSIC, for the New Age Movement is NOT of God.  It is so evil that it even has been known to bring the Roman Catholic Churck down to its knees (Many New Age believers think that they themselves are God)!  Nicely enough, you can also carry on a nice conversation with the person that you are treating.  Moreover, reiki energy will just go right through clothing.

    As for the modes of Reiki, the first is for checking to see if problems are present.  This is done by scanning (NOT TOUCHING) the body at this time.  You hold your hands out flat and together side-by-side and move both hands together and hover over the body by just a few inches at the most.  When you feel tingling, heat, cold, or anything unusual, there is a problem in this area of the body.  However, be careful that the person's breath and air currents in the room don't give you false alarms.  When in doubt, scan back over the area in question.

    The other mode is the treatment mode.  Please be aware that Reiki SHOULD NOT be used in place of other medicines, but to AUGMENT it.  The treatment is simpler than the scanning.  Basically, you just lay your hands over a particular area of the body ideally for about 3-5 minutes at a time, and then change to another location.  It is also often beneficial to place each hand on opposite sides of a part.  Also, the fingers should be together in order to reduce excessive staggering of the energy.  Here are some good hand positions to use:

        - One hand over each ear

        - One hand over the forehead and the other on the back of the head

      - Both hands on front of the upper chest, just below the neck

        - One hand on front of the mid chest and the other on the back in about the same vertical
          position as the hand over the chest.  In the case of female recipients or patients, the hand
          that is normally placed over the mid chest should be place over the top part of the breasts.
          When dealing with women, DO NOT make any remarks or such about the breasts, and
          be SURE to treat them with diginity, for this is a sensitive part of her body.  Also, a person
          that has been sexually abused may be very uncomfortable with touch, particularly in the
          chest area.

        - One hand in front of the upper or lower leg, and the other hand behind (no picture included)
 
 

While there are other hand positions, the first four are probably the most beneficial unless he or she has limb problems.  In addition, there is debate over "standardized" hand positions and whether if these need to be adhered to.  From my logic, I would say that quote "standardized" hand positions are not necessary.

    Luckily, no person can "overdose" on Reiki.  The body acts a lot like a capacitor; Once full "charge" is reached, no more energy transfer will occur.  If you have the desire to lay your hands on a certain area, do not worry whether if a problem has been detected in that area.  In fact, when doing stress relief, the scanning part is omitted.

    Like other medicines, there can be side effects, but none of these are fatal.  Especially when working on the chest area, some people may unexpectedly break down and start crying.  This is caused by acculumated tension and "horse crap" being let or purged out.  Just have tissues handy for the person and be sympathetic toward him or her.  In a few cases, past addictions may temporarily resurface and then disappear.  Also bizarre problems may pop up if the person has suffered very long periods of no touch (like around a year or more).

    If you feel some bad "energy" radiating from a person, just cross your fingers (like your ring and index finger) and/or your legs, but do this inconspicuously.  This will allow you to continue treating the person without worrying about "bad energy" going into you.

    Like other Christian aspects of life, Satan just can't seem to keep his stinkin' nose out of things.  Contrary to what Satan may have you to believe, reiki is NOT to be used for controlling or manipulating others.  While I read that you cannot transfer bad energy into the person that you are treating, just say a short prayer asking the Holy Spirit to come through you and heal this person in the name of Jesus Christ.  Catholics may pray for something in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; This is fine.  If bad energy becomes a concern, by all means pray about this.

    There is a controversial issue in the field of reiki.  Many practitioners, including the inventor, believe in charging a fee for rendering services.  Some people believe that reiki should be treated as a precious thing, and doing it without payment would erode this image.  I personally am hesitive about this, for Jesus healed people WITHOUT CHARGE!  Jesus healed people out of LOVE.  When I do reiki on someone, I can sense the love that is going through me and into the recipient.

    After doing a treatment, there is one problem that may occur at the end.  If you feel unwanted energy clinging around your fingers after a treatment, just tap your fingers together and/or wash in cold water.  This will break the energy bond.

    As for the levels of Reiki, the first level requires being in phsyical contact with the person.  This is my favorite level, for today's society has gone basically to extremes--either have sex or no touch at all.  The second level allows a therapist to treat someone remotely using a "third eye."  The third level allows a person to teach and certify others in the field of reiki.  I am currently certified in level 1 reiki.  I particularly like this level because of its extended use of touch.