This lesson introduces Reiki, an ancient Japanese healing technique. It discusses the meaning and history of Reiki, which originated with Dr. Mikao Usui over 100 years ago. Key aspects covered include the three degrees of Reiki training, Reiki principles, and the anatomy involved - including chakras, aura, and meridians. Reiki channels universal life energy through light touch by a practitioner to promote balance and well-being.

1. Unit 5 CAM Project
Lesson 1 Lecture
LessonSummary: This lesson addresses the question, “What is Reiki?” by going over the
meaning, history, and principles. Also, the anatomy, chakras, aura, and meridians that Reiki
practitioner will use as a guide during a Reiki session.
LessonContent:
What is Reiki?
Usui Reiki Ryoho is an ancient hand on healing art that intentionally channels Ki energies to
promote balance and well-being. The term Reiki comes from two Japanese syllables, Rei and Ki
meaning Universal Life Energy. Rei stands for the source of this energy and Ki represents the
energy’s movement within and around us (Desy, 2012). The Reiki practitioners put their hands
lightly on or just above a person to facilitate the individual’s healing response. Reiki may relieve
pain, anxiety, fatigue, depression and other illnesses. There is no hard evidence that Reiki cures
diseases or illnesses. Reiki does not replace medical treatment. An individual with chronic illness
must consult a physician.
History
Usui Reiki is a simple and natural system of touch healing that originated in Japan through the
discovery of a Zen Buddhist named Dr. Mikao Usui. He was born on August 15, 1865 (Jones,
2009). He has searched and traveled for answers about Jesus healing techniques. Also, he had
learned that Buddha also healed people just like Jesus. He fasted and meditated on the top of
Mount Kurama Yama for twenty-one days and had a vision. A vision was about symbols, color,

2. and power of the energy healing process. Dr. Usui started traveling, lecturing, and teaching the
Reiki system. He met Dr. Chujiro Hayahi, a medical man and taught him the Reiki system. Dr.
Usui died from a stroke on March 9, 1926 (Jones, 2009). Dr. Hayashi took the teaching and
started clinics in Japan. Later, he taught Hawayo Takata, a Hawaiian woman. She spread The
Reiki teachings throughout the United States. She taught 22 students at master level, and Reiki
spread throughout the world (Jones, 2009). The history and healing techniques used in Reiki are
continuously passed down from teacher to student through a unique attunement process. Today,
there are a variety of different lineages, all of which stem from this one man’s influence (Jones,
2009).
There are three degrees of training:
 The First Degree is centering on physical healing and self-healing
 The Second Degree is focusing on healing at the mental and emotional level
 The Third Degree is focusing on health and healing on the Spiritual Soul level and
teaching of Reiki (Zion, 2008).
Reiki Principles
The Reiki Principles are also known as Reiki Precepts. They are spiritual ideals of the practice of
Reiki. Dr. Mikao Usui is the founder of the Usui Reiki System of Healing, came up these
principles that were based on Buddhist teachings on living in the moment and not worrying
about life circumstances. Also, it is good to pray, meditate and live an ethical life. There are
many variations of the Reiki Principles. Here is one version of it:
 Just for today, I will not be angry
 Just for today, I will not worry.

3.  Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings.
 Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
 Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbor and every living thing (Desy, 2012).
Anatomy
Front Body:
 Thyroid
 Bronchial to Lungs
 Heart
 Lung
 Liver
 Stomach
 Gallbladder
 Spleen
 Pancreas
 Small Intestine
 Colon
 Bladder
 Female- Uterus & Ovaries or Male- Prostate (Zion, 2008).
Back Body:
 Brain Stem
 7 Cervical Vertebra

4.  Ribs
 12 Thoracic Vertebra
 Left Kidney
 Right Kidney
 5 Lumbar Vertebra
 Sacrum (Zion, 2008).
Chakras
Chakra is Sanskrit word meaning wheel, disk or vortex. It is an energy center at various points
around the energy body where the spiritual energy of our aura, the Ki, or life force, circulates
actively. There are seven major chakras located on an energetic line running down the center of
the human body (Quest, 2007).
The Seven Major Chakras, Colors, and Meanings:
1. Root, the base of the spine. Red. Grounding.
2. Sacral, abdomen. Orange. Emotions.
3. Solar Plexus. Yellow. Personal Power.
4. Heart, the center of the chest. Green (sometimes pink). Unconditional Love.
5. Throat. Blue. Communication.
6. Brow (Third Eye), the center of the forehead. Indigo. Clairvoyance.
7. Crown, top of the head. Purple, Violet, or White. Knowledge (Quest, 2007).
Aura
Aura is spiritual energy, life force or Ki. It is an energy field or light that surrounds the physical
body. It has seven layers, with the inner layers closest to the physical body with the densest

5. energy. Each succeeding layer being finer and higher vibrations to the outer layers that are
linking to all chakras in the center of the body. Also, there are different colors of the aura’s
energy field (Quest, 2007).
Meridians
Meridians are the small energy lines that carry life force energy or Ki around the whole physical
body that connect all parts of the body to the chakra system (Quest, 2007).