What is Reiki & 5 Myths Revealed
Updated: Nov 2, 2022
Over the years, Reiki, a Japanese form of energy healing, has gained popularity. Today it is used worldwide, including in hospitals, as a complementary therapy and taught in clinical institutions to patients' caregivers and the general public. But what is Reiki exactly?
Let's start with the basics–what is energy?
Have you ever walked into a room and felt the good vibes or sensed the negative energy? That's because there's energy all around us and it comes in different forms--light, electrical, sound, kinetic, mechanical, etc. If we take this one step further, quantum physics states that mass and energy are interchangeable, meaning mass can be converted into energy and vice versa. So, in a nutshell, everything, including you and I, are made up of energy.
What is Reiki and how does it work?
Reiki is an energy healing technique that promotes deep relaxation through gentle touch. The goal of a Reiki practitioner is to bring a person's body back to a healthy and balanced energetic state. Because when the steady movement of energy is disturbed, meaning there's too much, too little, or an obstruction, then, over time, our bodies can manifest physical or emotional ailments.
To explain how Reiki works in practical terms, let me start by quoting the first law of thermodynamics, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only get redirected from one place or form to another. Hence during a Reiki session, trained practitioners use their hands to transfer energy to a person's body, helping to improve the flow and balance of energy to create an internal environment conducive to self-healing.
To further shed light on Reiki, here are five myths I regularly hear about the healing technique and their answers.
Reiki can heal in just one session. While one session may be enough for most people, others may need more than one session to sustain the healing process. Traditionally, four Reiki sessions are recommended as a starting point to evaluate the results and overall benefits received. However, if you're skeptical about booking multiple sessions at once, start with one and go from there.
Reiki practitioners have special powers. Reiki practitioners do not possess special mystical abilities. Through training, they learn particular hand positions and symbols that allow them to act as a conduit for energy to pass on to individuals receiving treatment so their natural energy flow can be restored.
Reiki can only be performed in person. Reiki can be performed both in-person and virtually, at a distance. Like energy frequencies from cell phones, radio signals, and wi-fi work across distances, so does Reiki. Using specific symbols received during training, a practitioner tunes in to a person's energetic needs to channel energy their way during a specific agreed-upon time.
Reiki is an equal alternative to Western medicine. Reiki is a complementary form of therapy and should not be used as a substitute for traditional medicine. Reiki aids in creating an environment that promotes healing in the body and can increase the efficacy of other medical treatments. If a person is already in good health, regular Reiki treatments can serve as a form of preventative care and can enhance overall well-being.
Reiki is a religion. Reiki is not a religion but rather spiritual and can complement any particular faith or belief system. The name itself comes from the Japanese Rei, meaning God's Wisdom or Higher Power, and Ki, which is spirit or life force.
If you're still curious about Reiki, the best way to find out if it's right for you is to try a session or email us your questions.
Other Resources