There are a couple of reasons why I like reiki healing so much.

* It is easy to learn
* It should be relatively inexpensive to study
* You can practise is alone or with a group
* It works

But, when it comes to depression, nothing really compares to reiki. In my opinion.

There are 3 main reasons:

# You do not have to do anything

I have suffered mild depression. Of course family members in their wisdom, thought they needed to convince me it was far more severe than mild depression. But, luckily I had a good local doctor whom I trusted and was able to give me some clarity about how severe it really was. And, even for me I can tell you it was very difficult to find the motivation or inclination to change things. I knew lots of great things that might lift the energy: meditation, tai chi, martial arts, pilates. But, the problem it not so much not knowing what to do, when you suffer depression, it is actually finding the willingness to act.

That is the great thing about reiki. You go along to a reiki person’s shop/clinic, or house, and you get a treatment. It is like a massage. You just lie there. But, the difference between reiki and the massage, is that it heals the underlying cause of the problem. (if you give it enough time)

# Reiki is non-invasive

Or perhaps non threatening is a better way of saying that. You keep your clothes on for one thing. The reiki person can even give you a reiki session without actually touching you at all. (The hands can rest 1-2cm above you body and give the reiki treatment that way if the person feeling more comfortable) There is no dogma that comes with reiki. No cult you need to join. Or organised religion you need to subscribe to.

# Reiki is gentle energy

About the last thing someone needs if they are reaching out for help is to have an extreme reaction. Reiki is a very gentle and loving energy which heals over time. Not all at once. Can you imagine getting old all at once. It would be a pretty big shock. And so would healing all your physical, emotional and spiritual issues or inspirations. Reiki works best when done regularily and consistently over a period of time. It is said that in Usui Sensei’s day the reiki practitioners would have some idea approximately how many treatments would be needed to clear the energy block that was causing a particular symptom. And, I am very confident there are reiki people that can practise that way today.

Conclusion

Actually, the main reason why reiki is so helpful with depression, is that is just works. Over time, a genuine sense of happiness and purpose can return. And merely from letting someone give you reiki. Though, in my experience (and it is taught in Usui Sensei’s too) if you want the healing to be lasting you need to learn to give yourself reiki and practise the 5 reiki ideals.