"Rei" translates as spiritual/ghostly/unseen
"Ki" is identical to Chi and roughly translates as life force energy. This is the energy that is believed to be in everything and therefore is by it's very nature Universal.
When Reiki came to the West the correct translation for Rei was left out as it is believed that it was likely to have put westerners (mainly with Christian beliefs) off doing Reiki. Even in Japan the term Rei is not used widely as it is seen as somewhat "spooky". Thus in the west the tranlation for Reiki was just given as Universal Life Force Energy and, through lack of understanding, many have taken the Rei part to mean "Universal" which is not the case.
I'll have to accept your explanation of "reiki" although I haven't come across that before. Chi, on the other hand, means "energy" and is not really a reference to "universal" energy; there is Earth Chi, Human Chi and the Heavenly Chi according to Chinese medicine.
As for the meaning of the term Reiki, has anyone read pages 43 to 51 of The Spirit of Reiki by Lubeck et al? Far too complicated for me to type out. 🙁
An excellent book and one I have in front of me at this very minute (although all my other books are only a short stretch away).
I love to use the old kanji for Reiki myself as I prefer the fact that there is more meaning in the characters than the modern kanji.
Love and Reiki Hugs
Hi ya
Energylz: Totally agree with you, the old kanji is far more meanful.
Darren: Heavenly, earthly, and human Qi (chi) is just one way of looking at energy. It's a basic Taoist model. Don't forget that the Chinese for Rei Ki is Ling Qi. And Energylz's explanation of the term Rei (spirit/ghost/unseen) I have also come across.
Best wishes
Reiki Pixie
And Energylz's explanation of the term Rei (spirit/ghost/unseen) I have also come across.
It's more than just 'come across'. It's in the Japanese/English dictionary. 😉
Love and Reiki Hugs
Don't forget that the Chinese for Rei Ki is Ling Qi.
That's what I said!