Reiki is fast gaining popularity as a method for healing and gaining
wisdom by connecting forces with the Divine. Reiki can be loosely
defined channeling Universal Light for the purpose of healing the
self or others. Though the original system of Reiki does not point
towards the appearance of spirit guides, many a time this Light also
brings with it a spiritual energy in the form of a guide who many
call a spirit guide, a Reiki guide or even angelic guides depending
on their spiritual inclinations.
A spirit guide is different from a spirit, when you are performing
Reiki you are not channeling spirits but because of the high amounts
of Spiritual Energy generated that is directed towards a positive
purpose like healing, spirits who assist in such purposes may stage
an appearance. These spirits are not just spirits invoked in
shamanistic rituals but these are spirits who work as guides,
advisors or spiritual counselors. The ancient Shinto religion
features Divine Spirits called Kami who inhabit this world and are a
part of each and every thing in this world like the elements and even
intangible qualities like joy, fertility etc. however the system of
Reiki started by Dr. Usui Mikao did not include any aspects of
Shintoism that had to do with working with these spirits or Kami.
Thus even though originally this Japanese tradition did not work with
spirit guides, their presence started becoming favorable to the
process of Reiki and during the 80's and the 90's with the coming of
the new-age spiritual revolution, Reiki systems also began
incorporating spirit guides often calling them as Reiki guides.
However Reiki techniques such as Byosen Ho and Reiji Ho help the
practitioner develop intuitive abilities that are a gateway to astral
wisdom and connecting with spirit guides....

More About Reiki: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/reikijenf