Reiki is a Japanese Touch Healing art that was re-discovered in Japan at the end of the last century by a monk named Dr. Mikao Usui. This healing art was brought to Hawaii in 1938 by Hawayo Takata and just in the past ten years has become one of the fastest growing alternative healing arts in the United States.
I found Reiki several years ago, and was so impressed with the art, its philosophy and the results that I had with it that I took the courses, and am happy to say that I became a Reiki Master/Teacher.
When I practice Reiki, I like to set up an environment that is conducive to healing and stress relief. This includes lighting, incense or aromatheraputic oils and soft music in the background. It makes a space that is relaxing for my subject while being relaxing and meditate for myself to work in.
Music is always a challenge. There is music out there that might be interpreted as healing music, and I look for something that will be gentle on the nerves yet not elevator music. Much of the music for healing these days seems to be oriental in flavor, and while I may enjoy it, it is my subject that I need to please more so than myself.
I am familiar with the music of Llewellyn from his CD entitled "Moonlore". Others may know him from his CD "Celtic Legend". His music has a magical and mystical edge to it and is a pleasure to listen to. I was thrilled to see that this CD of Reiki music was written by him.
The music on this cd is broken down into 5 minute tracks to be used with the 12 basic hand positions in Reiki. The inside cover of the CD gives an overall look at Reiki as a healing art, a primer on Reiki Healing Sessions with the 12 positions of the hands for healing, the principles of Reiki, a brief history, and then an overview of the music.
Llewellyn did an excellent job of combining electronic music and natural sounds in music that is soft but not elevator music. It has his magical touch to it, making it more than just background music. It is more of a meditative flow, and a de-stressing sound.
I have had the opportunity to work Reiki with this music, and besides the 5 minute timing that enables you to concentrate on healing rather than timing, it also is not distracting while being just at the edge of where you are when you are working with Reiki. Some of the Reiki Teachers I have had the opportunity to share this with like the music and all of my subjects said it was soothing and not overbearing.
The music is also not of that oriental flavor so much of the recent healing music seems to be. While Zen Meditation music is very nice, it is nice to have something that is different and can be offered in addition to Bali Bells or Japanese flute music.
I found this package to be well presented, with a very good explanation of Reiki for the beginner and well thought out for the benefit of the Reiki practitioner. And the choice of Llewellyn for the composer of this music was, in my opinion, the best choice for this CD. A good addition to the music library of any Reiki practitioner, and if you are not, then give this a listen and see if it isn't one of the best relaxation CD's you have heard in a while.
