The Reiki Treatment Experience
Reiki can be given as a "hands on" treatment or at (any) distance. Please note: By "hands-on" we can mean literally that the Channeller's hands actually touch the (clothed) recipient or that they hover over the recipient. Also: anything can have Reiki channelled into it: animal, vegetable or mineral.
Hands On
A Reiki treatment is given fully clothed. Recipients' privacy, modesty and dignity is always respected. For enhanced relaxation, the recipient is usually lying down, but could be sitting or even standing. There are seven classic positions where the practitioner will place his hands on the recipient. They cover the seven main charka areas of the body. However, since a basic tenet of Reiki is that "the Reiki (healing energy) will flow where the Reiki needs to go" these positions do not need to be adhered to in order to receive full benefit.
What the recipient will feel during a treatment will vary with each individual and from session to session. Treatments are very relaxing and recipients often fall into a lovely drifting state or fall asleep. These states may be accompanied by dreams, floating sensations, warmth, tingling or a general sense of security and peace. Sometimes, if the healing is on a mental level, the recipient may shed a few tears as the emotional pain is released. This will be followed by calmness and later by a sense of increased energy as the body is freed from the weight of the stored distress.
Sometimes the benefit from a Reiki treatment is obvious and at others little seems to be happening. Trust and patience are needed. Healing may not always manifest in the way the recipient wanted. For example a "patient" presenting with an ear problem may simply leave the Reiki session with some vague idea about listening to someone's complaints more sympathetically. (The site of bodily dis-ease can be a good clue as to its' underlying mental/emotional cause. Addressing the cause is where healing will start).
Distance Healing
This is done at any distance from the recipient. A mutually convenient time is arranged although a Reiki Master can send healing to anyone at any time.