Hil Ohrstrom Reiki Healer

by Hil Ohrstrom		print version
		print version (graphics)

Ancient peoples from all of the continents knew about the effectiveness of energy healing centuries ago. This can be seen through studies of many different cultures and in many spiritual teachings from all around the world. It’s not surprising when one considers that we live because of energy. Modern physics confirms this and many modern medical tests are based upon energy and vibration.

Each and every one of us has life force energy flowing through us and around us. This is referred to in martial arts as “chi” and in India as “prana”. Reiki is a Japanese form of healing that refers to this energy as “ki.” The word Reiki has been defined or translated in several ways. The most common definitions are “universal life force energy” and “spiritual energy.” Reiki is also the commonly used name for the Usui System of Natural Healing that was developed by Mikao Usui of Japan in the 20th century.There has been a great deal of information coming out of Japan regarding his history and process that is beyond the scope of this article. I feel it is important to honor him as having been a very learned, caring and spiritual man who worked without ego involvement.Much of Usui Sensei’s information came from ancient teachings of Buddhism and Sanskrit, but Reiki is not a Buddhist religious practice. Instead, it is a natural way of healing that is available to people of different belief systems in the same way that allopathic medicine is available to all.

The Usui System/Reiki works with a person’s energy system to help to bring the flow of ki into balance, to remove the blockages that we can pick up on physical, emotional and spiritual levels. This relaxes the person, clears the energy pathways and supports the conditions that support health and supports the inner healer of the recipient. Reiki is holistic and very gentle form of healing that provides healing for body, mind and spirit.

A Reiki practitioner prays for a connection with the Source of the “universal energy” or “spiritual energy” and to serve as a vessel or conduit for that energy for the health and well being of the client in the client’s highest good. They also express thanks for the opportunity to be of service. Like Usui, they work without ego, knowing that the healing work is between the client and Source, that they the practitioner are serving as a vessel. My view, and others certainly may view it differently, is that when one asks to be connected to the source to become a vessel for the channeling of energy is that one is asking the Creator to send healing to the client. The client may be lying on a massage table or they may be seated. The practitioner may then apply what are known as standard hand positions or intuitive placements that are made known to them during the course of the session. The healing energy knows what is best for the client and goes where it is needed; it can do no harm. As such, the Reiki practitioner has no particular outcome in mind other than to serve as a vessel for healing energy in the client’s highest good. The result is between the healing energy and the client. A client could come for a Reiki session seeking one thing and receive healing at a different level that works better for them as Reiki works with the underlying causes as well as the “symptoms.” Interestingly enough, I have not heard of anyone complaining that they did not receive what they wished in the way of healing although I have talked with many Reiki practitioners and recipients! Some people may receive just what they asked for if that is what is what they need. Some people experience relief after one session and others are more responsive to a series of Reiki treatments.

Many people ask what Reiki feels like. It could be different for each person. Some have expressed a sense of relaxation. Most recipients talk of the warm hands of the practitioner as the energy is channeled through them. Others have talked of feeling bathed in love and/or a sense of peace. Many have talked of physical relief or spontaneous and needed information come to them during a session and others have talked of emotional and spiritual growth opening up for them. Some talk of rapid healing of physical concerns. Surgery patients and their physicians have talked of the patients being better prepared for surgery and having quicker recovery periods. People dealing with stress have talked of relief and feeling better able to be in the day and deal with life as it comes to them. Although it may seem that way, there is nothing magical about Reiki, but rather about remembering and returning to where we originally came from and what we are made up of before the impact of a sometimes chaotic seeming world. Always a good thing, I believe! But, what do you believe?

Reiki North Idaho provides Usui Reiki treatments, sound healing/chakra balancing with tuning forks, and healing sessions that combine Reiki healing with sound healing. All levels of Usui Reiki training are available to students as well as a class in specific Japanese Reiki techniques. Hil Ohrstrom can be contacted at 208-946-1686 or by email at hil@reikinorthidaho.com. Check out Hil's website for much more information.