What is Reiki? Reiki is a form of Japanese energy healing, in which the practitioner transfers energy to the recipient through the palms of their hands. Written as a traditional Japanese Kanji, the word Reiki is composed of two parts. Rei means Spirit or Higher Power, and Ki refers to life force energy, or the energy that gives us life. The concept of Ki is not unique to Japanese culture, as life force energy is also one of the founding principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, for Reiki, Ki refers to the energy channeled by the practitioner during a session. Put together, Rei and Ki means ‘Spiritually Guided Life Force Energy’, however translation to another language often strips the kanji of some essential meanings. The essence of Reiki is an intimate connection to Universal life force energy. This connection is usually strongest on the side of the practitioner, who acts as a channel during a session. The practitioner, or ‘Reiki Master,’ goes through a series of attunements and lessons before completing their training. These attunements intimately connect the practitioner to the power of Universal energy. Attunements also allow the practitioner to be a clear channel for the energy. This does not mean that the practitioner is better or more spiritual than the client. Instead, the attunements serve as a way to clear the practitioner of their own spiritual dust, allowing energy to flow through them without becoming polluted. During a session, the practitioner channels Universal energy to flow through their bodies, eventually exiting through their hands. Because the hands serve as an exit point, Reiki sessions often rely on the ‘laying on of hands’, in which the practitioner either places their hands just above or lightly rests them on the recipient’s body. This connection allows the energy to flow through from practitioner to recipient. This flow activates the innate healing power of the recipient’s body. While many Reiki sessions are performed in-person, Reiki can also be performed at a distance, across space and time. This means that the practitioner does not need to be in the same room, or even the same moment, as the recipient. I will explain this more later, but for now, think of distance Reiki as a form of energetic prayer. The practitioner is not ‘healing’ the recipient. Instead, the recipient’s body heals itself as a result of exposure to the clarity of Ki energy. Because Universal energy is pure, exposing an ailing client to the energy creates a healing effect.