Each of these subtle bodies, which subsist around the body, has its own distinctive frequency. These bodies are interconnected and they influence each other and affect the feelings, emotions, thinking, behavior and health of a person. Consequently, imbalance of one body causes imbalance of other bodies. Human aura lengthens above the head and below the feet in an oval shaped field. It is a multilayered energy field, which is created by chakra energy centers. Auras can extend up to four feet around the body and meditation can help one to augment one’s energies.

Reiki, the spiritual healing therapy, influences the aura bodies or layers. Attunement is the consecrated process to commence Reiki, and it makes the aura stronger and allows the practitioner to get control over his life. It suggests that attunement allows the practitioner to use the universal life energy, for the intention of curing a person or a situation. Reiki master is the only person who can impart the attunement, which is a powerful curative in itself. There are a number of auras that surround an individual.

Aura Bodies

Etheric Aura (Base Chakra)
Generally blue in color, Etheric Aura lengthens about two inches from the corporeal body. It is related with body’s health and physical condition.

Emotional Aura (Sacral Chakra)
Emotional Aura extends about 2-4 inches from the body and appears in clouds of rainbow colors. Associated with feeling, the aura is bright colored when feelings are positive and dark colored when feelings are negative.

Mental Aura (Heart Chakra)
Usually yellow in color, Mental Aura lengthens about 4-8 inches from the body. This aura is related to our thoughts and mental processes, and it appears bright when the thinking is active.

Astral Aura
Astral Aura extends about 8-12 inches from the body and come into sight as rainbow colored clouds. It is actually a link between the material world and the spiritual realm.

Etheric Template Aura (Throat Chakra)
Appearing like a blue print form, Etheric Template Aura lengthens about 12-24 inches from the body. It suggests divine spirit within an individual as well as his/her commitment to articulate and follow the truth.

Celestial Aura (Brow Chakra)
Celestial Aura extends about 24 inches from the body and becomes visible like a shimmering light of dull colors. It is related to divine love and spiritual elation.

Ketheric Template Aura (Crown Chakra)
Ketheric Template Aura comes into view as an extremely bright golden light and lengthens about 36-48 inches from the body. It suggests divine mind tranquility, and understanding of greater universal pattern. Moreover, it shields everything within its limits.

To have a complete understanding of Reiki, knowledge of chakras is essential. ‘Chakra’ is a Sanskrit word that suggests a ‘wheel’ or ‘disk’. Regarding a human body, a chakra is an integral point that vibrates as per the energies. The Universe is the benefactor of these energies, which flow between chakras along pathways, known as ‘Nadis’. In scientific terms, a chakra is a point where one or more vital glands are present in a body. These glands are required to function in a proper manner for a healthy living.

A person is healthy when his chakras vibrate with positive energy. The way each human being has a body, every chakra too has a subtle body. The seven chakras of a body form part of the large network of subtle energies inside it. Each chakra manages certain emotions and some of the body parts which are related to the gland. The layers of auras are also linked with these chakras. Imbalance of chakras can generate problems associated with physical, mental or emotional self and vice versa.

In Reiki, the chakras are used to focus and channelize the universal energy. The idea behind this therapy is to take up the energy and allocate it uniformly. Before starting Reiki, the chakras are cleared so that it becomes easy to drawn and rightly channelize the energy. When energy rises, chakra vibrates swiftly and represents progress from an earthy life to a spiritual one. However, such practice must be done under proper supervision and guidance, since excess of energy could be harmful.

Root Chakra
Located at the base of spine, Root Chakra is the first chakra that is linked with the large intestine and the rectum. It has a little influence over the kidneys too. It is the groundwork for the entire chakra system. Its harmony brings stability to life.

Navel Chakra
Naval Chakra is located just above genitals, and affects the sex drive and reproduction system. It influences testicles, ovaries, urinary bladder and kidneys. This chakra acts as a center for cleansing, purification, health, liver functioning, metabolism, digestion, detoxification, immunity and balancing of blood sugar. Blockages of Naval chakra result in menstruation problems, menopause and relationship issues.

Solar Chakra
Located just above naval, Solar Chakra is related to self-esteem and self image. It is connected with liver, gall bladder, stomach, spleen and small intestine. In physical terms, this chakra influences adrenal glands, deep effect on sympathetic nervous system, muscular energy, heartbeat, digestion, blood circulation and mood.

Heart Chakra
As the name suggests, Heart Chakra is sited at the heart. It is related to love, trust, compassion, equilibrium, well-being and other higher emotions. Adversely affected by stress, Heart Chakra is linked with heart and arms. Problems with this chakra can be caused by lack of giving or receiving love. Blockages with Heart chakra result in anger, pain, jealousy, grief, loneliness, fear and ill-treating other people.

Throat Chakra
Located at the throat, Throat Chakra embodies communication of all types. As and when communication problem arises with a person, it means his chakra is affected. This chakra influences the thyroid-balance of nervous system, metabolism, muscular control and body heat production. It is the function house of growth and creativity, and directs all forms of expression.

Third Eye Chakra
Third Eye Chakra is located at the forehead, between the eye brows. It is directly related to the spiritual development of an individual. This chakra has a great influence over intuitions, premonitions and psychic abilities. It is the chakra of time, awareness and light. Third Eye Chakra is linked with the physical parts like brain, face, nose, eyes etc. It functions as a pituitary master control center of mind and body, and affects most of the endocrines.

Crown Chakra
Located at the top of head, Crown Chakra doesn’t have a related body organ. However, it is associated with the whole being. The universal energy comes into our body through this chakra. It is connected to divine consciousness or the ultimate truth. Crown Chakra merges personal energy field with the universal, feminine with masculine and awakens eternal realization.

All the major chakras, minor chakras, and acupuncture points are openings for energy to flow into and out of the aura.  We are like sponges in the energy sea around us.  Since this energy is always associated with a form of consciousness, we experience the energy we exchange in terms of seeing, hearing, sensing, intuiting or direct knowing.

Therefore, we can see that staying “open” means two things.  First, it means absorbing a lot of energy from the universal field through all the chakras, large and small.  Second, it means letting in, and in some way dealing with, all the energetic information that is associated with the energy that is flowing through us.  That is not an easy task, and most of us cannot do it.  There would simply be too much input.  Psychological material related to each chakra is brought to consciousness by increasing one’s energy flow through that chakra.  Too much psychological material would be released by a sudden flow of energy, and we could not process it all.  We therefore work in whatever growth process we are in to open each chakra slowly, so that we have time to process the personal material that is released and integrate the new information into our life.

It is important to open the chakras and increase our energy flow, because the more energy we let flow, the healthier we are.  Illness in the system is caused by an imbalance of energy or a blocking of the flow of energy.  In other words, lack of flow in the human energy system eventually leads to disease.  It also distorts our perceptions and dampens our feelings and thus interferes with a smooth experience of full life.  We are not psychologically prepared, however, to stay open without working and developing our maturity and clarity.

Each of the seven main chakras has one or more areas of the body that it governs along with a color association.  There are also common chakra characteristics when a chakra is too open, blocked or balanced.  Please check out the chart that I have listed below:

1 – Root Chakra: Spinal column, adrenals, and kidneys

Color Association: Red

Too Open (chakra spins too fast)-bullying, overly materialistic, self-centered, engages in physical foolhardiness

Blocked (chakra spins sluggishly or not at all)-emotionally needy, low self-esteem, self-destructive behavior, fearful

Balanced (chakra maintains equilibrium and spins at correct vibration speed)-demonstrates self-mastery, high physical energy, grounded healthy

2 – Sacral Chakra:  Reproductive system and gonads

Color association: Orange

Too Open (chakra spins too fast)-emotionally unbalanced, a fantasist, manipulative, sexually addictive

Blocked (chakra spins sluggishly or not at all)-over-sensitive, hard on self, feels guilty for no reason, frigid or impotent

Balanced (chakra maintains equilibrium and spins at correct vibration speed)-trusting, expressive, attuned to own feelings, creative

3 – Solar Plexus Chakra: Stomach, liver, gall bladder, nervous system, and pancreas

Color association: Yellow

Too Open (chakra spins too fast)-angry, controlling, workaholic, judgmental and superior

Blocked (chakra spins sluggishly or not at all)-overly concerned with what others think, fearful of being alone, insecure, needs constant reassurance

Balanced (chakra maintains equilibrium and spins at correct vibration speed)-respects self and others, has personal power, spontaneous, uninhibited

4 – Heart Chakra: Heart, blood, circulatory system and thymus gland

Color association: Green/Pink

Too Open (chakra spins too fast)-possessive, loves conditionally, withholds emotionally “to punish”, overly dramatic

Blocked (chakra spins sluggishly or not at all)-fears rejection, loves too much, feels unworthy to receive love, self-pitying

Balanced (chakra maintains equilibrium and spins at correct vibration speed)-compassionate, loves unconditionally, nurturing, desires spiritual experience in lovemaking

5 – Throat Chakra: Bronchial and vocal apparatus, lungs, alimentary canal and thyroid gland

Color association: Sky Blue

Too Open (chakra spins too fast)-over-talkative, dogmatic, self-righteous, arrogant

Blocked (chakra spins sluggishly or not at all)-holds back from self-expression, unreliable, holds inconsistent views

Balanced (chakra maintains equilibrium and spins at correct vibration speed)-good communicator, contented, finds it easy to meditate, artistically inspired

6 – Third Eye Chakra: Lower brain, left eye, ears, nose, nervous system and pituitary gland

Color association: Indigo (deep dark purplish blue)

Too Open (chakra spins too fast)-highly logical, dogmatic, authoritarian, arrogant

Blocked (chakra spins sluggishly or not at all)-undisciplined, fears success, tendency toward schizophrenia, sets sights too low

Balanced (chakra maintains equilibrium and spins at correct vibration speed)-charismatic, highly intuitive, not attached to material things, may experience unusual phenomena

7 – Crown Chakra: Upper brain, right eye and pineal gland

Color association: Violet/Gold/White

Too Open (chakra spins too fast)-psychotic or manic depressive, confused sexual expression, frustrated, sense of unrealized power

Blocked (chakra spins sluggishly or not at all)-constantly exhausted, can’t make decisions, no sense of “belonging”

Balanced (chakra maintains equilibrium and spins at correct vibration speed)-magnetic personality, achieves “miracles” in life, transcendent, at peace with self

Dr. Usui did an extensive study for 21 yrs to know about the healing phenomena of ancient sages. He also studied the earliest sutras, which are Buddhist teachings written in Sanskrit. Usui explored the ancient sounds & symbols that stimulate the life force energy for healing, and are directly connected with human body and nervous system. He then went through a metaphysical occurrence and got empowered to use these sounds & symbols for healing. Till his death in late 19th century, he taught the healing art all over Japan and named it Reiki.

Though it is not known from where Dr. Usui learned Reiki, numerous people round the world have learned the healing process from him and his foundation. The traditional practice moved further through many exponents like Dr. Chujiro Hyashi, Hawayo Takata and Phyllis Lei Furumoto. While the healing art was getting popularized in Japan, it began to develop and assume new shapes. Reiki was adapted by numerous masters, who later developed the healing art according to their requirements.

In the mid-1970′s, Reiki was brought to the western countries of the world and ever since, its popularity has increased. Today, Reiki is practiced in various forms, with the major ones being “the Usui System of Natural Healing” and “the Radiance Technique”. Reiki helps to cleanse the body, energize its energy and create balance at mental and spiritual level. Whatever be the history, Reiki is actually a powerful spiritual art of healing which has also received scientific validation.

Just for today, do not worry
The past and present events are dealt by anger, whereas worry deals with future events. Though worries don’t always represent negative, continuous worries might overpower one’s consciousness. Whatever has been done in the past, one cannot change it and what would happen in future, is not known to anyone. If we think about future, we get worried and unknowingly waste our energies. Leaving all worries would bring peace of mind and help in healing the body.

Honor your parents, teachers and elders
The third principle deals with Karma, what we are doing or have done, as per the Hindu philosophy. Giving the due honor to your parents, teachers and elders emphasizes the idea of respecting all those who bless you. Actually, we should respect everything that has been created by our ancestors or the people who came before we arrived on the earth. Blessings are very powerful and their appreciation or thankfulness makes them more effective. It brings love into your soul and helps in healing the world.

Earn your living honestly
This distinctive principle suggests that one should earn a respectable living, without harming others. Work at a place where you are happy with the environment and your work. Only money cannot suffice the purpose, since you are following the path of holistic healing. Satisfaction is the utmost consideration while working and money alone cannot serve the purpose. Satisfying work will bring health, happiness and abundance to the soul.

Show gratitude to every living thing
It is a famous phrase that “whatever you do – whether good or bad, comes back to you with twice the force”. This is the only principle in Reiki that deals with the theory of Karma. When you do good deeds, you will get rewards and when you engage in bad ones, you will earn punishment. If you are kind to every living creature, you will be rightly treated by all of them. On the other hand, if you are not good to anyone, you will get negative Karma & may end up in illness or other such things. Do simple things like saying thanks, asking pardon, giving smiles, repeating good words, showing gratitude and feeling happiness of the inner soul!