What is Reiki?

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 The word   Reiki   is a combination of two Japanese words,   Rei    and   Ki.

"Ki" describes an energy that supports the body's innate or natural healing abilities,  roughly the same concept as "Chi" in Chinese or "Prana" in Sanskrit:  Life Energy.

"Rei", in simplest terms, means 'universal', but as with many Japanese words, the actual usage and meaning can vary.  A more precise interpretation of Rei as it applies to healing might be 'universal wisdom' . . . which suggests a higher wisdom in a spiritual sense:  Divine, or Spiritual Wisdom.

Reiki, then, as a single word, describes Spiritually or Divinely guided Life Energy.
This concept of Divine or Spiritual Guidance of Life Energy is what differentiates Reiki from most other forms of healing, because the healing power is guided by its recipient's need . . . not by the 'Practitioner'.    Truly, a conscientious Reiki practitioner has no attachment to the outcome of the work and acts as a mere conduit or channel for the Reiki energies.

Because of this Divine Guidance, pure Reiki (as a healing force) can only be used for the recipient's Higher Good, and can cause no harm for either the recipient or the practitioner.  The outcome of a Reiki healing session will always be positive; and, ultimately, outside of human control.