The traditional Japanese ideogram (kanji) above, represents the word Reiki. It's divided into two parts, the upper and lower elements. Reiki is actually two words joined together as one - Rei and Ki. Reiki has come to mean 'Universal Life Force Energy' in the West, but this is quite a basic meaning. Most of the Kanji symbols operate on several levels. The expanation given below took me to a much deeper understanding of how Reiki energy works.

Rei
At a higher more esoteric level, Rei means Higher Knowledge or Spiritual Consciousness. It comes directly from God. Therefore this energy is all seeing, and able to reach to the very heart of all difficulties knowing just how to handle them.

Rei brings you into balance with the Universe and therefore the All Knowing part of yourself as well. It exists in the 'Ever Present Now', beyond the realms of matter, and therefore its limitations and pain. This is the place where all things are possible. We are not separate from this energy - we are a part of it and it is the part of us. It transcends the wants and desires of the ego personality. Since the ego itself is attached to results, and it is never able to live and savour life moment to moment, its focus is always out there somewhere in the future searching, and therefore is not very grounded. The Rei energy asks us to Let Go (Surrender) and Let God, for it has a far better understanding of our needs than ever our personality could.

Through the Rei energy we have the potential to achieve Enlightenment. And certainly, if we let go and consciously allow this intelligence to work through us, we can achieve very powerful healings and insights into ourselves.

Ki
Whilst Rei is the all knowing, spiritual essence of the overall energy, the Ki is the aspect which animates all things , frequently called 'life force energy'. Without it, life is absent. If our Ki energy is restricted or depleted in any way, then we may become ill. Ki moves through various channels in our bodies, known as meridians. It is also present throughout our energy bodies, the chakras, aura, as well as all the physical organs. A Reiki treatment, therefore helps free any energetic block or restriction. when we are well the Ki flows freely through all these aspects of ourselves.

Whilst we may have a physical illness or discomfort, it may have originated in a negative thought pattern which inhibited the free flow of energy. This is where the Rei part of the energy comes in. Since it is all knowing and has an intelligence all of its own which doesn't rely on the Reiki practitioner, the energy will flow to free up the emotional block that originally created the discomfort. Reiki energy therefore goes where it is needed most to treat the root cause of the problem This will ultimately help prevent a reoccurrence of the original problem.

Bibliography:

Reiki - The Healing Touch First and Second Degree Manual - William Lee Rand Vision Publications

Gillian Holland Hemel Hempstead, England