Derivation of name

The name Reiki derives from the Japanese pronunciation of two Chinese characters that are said to describe the energy itself: '霊 rei' (meaning 'soul', 'spirit' or 'ghost') and 気 ki (Chinese qi, meaning breath or 'life force energy' in this context). Common translations of the term 霊気 reiki are "aura", "soul energy" and "spiritually guided energy." In English the Japanese noun Reiki is also used as a verb or adjective. Japanese speakers also use the term as a generic "ghostly power" while the Usui Method of Reiki Healing is specifically usui reiki shiki ryoho.