REI means spirit or ghost, and is translated as “the wisdom and knowledge of the entire universe”.
KI means life force energy which flows through every living thing: plants and all creatures. It is also present in some form in everything around us, even rocks and inanimate objects. When our life force is abundant we are strong, healthy and happy.
Reiki can then be described as a frequency of energy that works on a higher vibration than the Ki that exists all around us. It is coming directly from the Source/ God/ Universe and is directed by that higher intelligence for healing anything, whether it be living or inanimate.