Understanding Reiki: From Self-Care to Energy Medicine answers long-standing questions about Reiki, explained within the context of Energy Medicine. From this vantage point, the discussion expands, a deeper understanding of what affects healing emerges, and the role Reiki plays in our well-being and self-care becomes clear. This book is insightful, easy to read and sure to give the reader a few "ah-ha" moments.


This book comprises 8 chapters, and each one builds upon the other to help students at all levels and curious seekers feel confident in their understanding of what Reiki is, why it is necessary, and how to use it. "Chapter 1: Breaking Away" is just that, which means it breaks with convention in that it focuses the instruction of Reiki on the feeling of Reiki and its experience, not on its history. For readers new to Reiki, this chapter is less useful than those who were taught learning its history, but it is still a valuable introduction. "Chapter 2: Introducing and Explaining Reiki" introduces Reiki as energy medicine and concisely answers, "what is Reiki" and explains "why Reiki is necessary". It also discusses Reiki as a self-care practice, a home remedy, and an advanced care practice. "Chapter 3: Reiki's Place in Energy Medicine" outlines what energy medicine is and provides insights that will further help the reader understand Reiki as a form of energy medicine. It then goes into a deeper discussion of energy to further explain how it helps to support your energy. "Chapter 4: The Benefits & Limitations of Reiki" goes into greater detail about how Reiki helps us as well as what Reiki doesn't do to help students and curious seekers set expectations for what they can get from a daily Reiki practice and what they can't. The section on limitations includes information providing insights and explanations to set minds at ease, making it both useful and useable. "Chapter 5: Getting into Reiki" expands on the instruction of the previous chapters to include "Why Reiki Helps Us Feel Better", the "3Rs of Reiki", the attunement process, the adjustment period that follows and daily practice. "Chapter 6: Receiving Reiki and Chapter 7: Giving Reiki" discuss use from both perspectives. Chapter 6 includes A Special Note to Energy Sensitives, which will interest both people who consider themselves energy sensitive and those who know people that do. Chapter 7 includes sections on setting intention and healing with indifference that will be helpful to anyone who wishes to practice either on themselves or others. Finally, "Chapter 8: Things that can Impede Healing" tackles some personal issues that can inadvertently impede the healing process while also providing strategies on how to confront those gently and push past them all while using Reiki.


Using Reiki: Practical Essays that Bring Reiki into Daily Practice is also by Chyna Honey and is the follow-up to this book.