Most of the benefits reported with Reiki are based on the personal experiences of those who receive treatment and those who administer it.

Several years ago I met Michael W. Smith, a Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) master in practice at the Women’s Place at Carroll County General Hospital in Westminster, Maryland. I interviewed him and later wrote two articles.

The first was an edited transcript of our conversation covering the basics of Reiki.

• The essential Reiki
• Reiki levels and attunement
• A Reiki treatment session
• The appropriate role for Reiki treatment today

The second article describes the effect of reiki on a woman with Alzheimer’s disease. It also compares Reiki to touch therapy and massage.

Taken together, they are, if I say so myself, a good way to begin to understand this form of complementary therapy.

8/11/06 00:25 JR