The difference between Reiki and energy healing

Reiki and energy healing are not two parallel types of healing techniques - Reiki is a subdivision of the energy healing system with clear inheritance standards. The core differences between the two are concentrated in the three dimensions of theoretical origin, energy transmission logic, and operational boundaries. The rest of the differences are mostly practical differences between different schools and are not universal.

To be honest, when I was setting up a stall at the City Healing Market, the first thing three customers asked me was, "Are you doing Reiki or energy healing?" ”, no wonder everyone is confused, after all, these two words are almost tied together in the public context. To use a more understandable analogy: energy healing in a broad sense is like the entire catering circuit, from the eight major cuisines to street food and private dining, as long as it is a technology that achieves physical and mental balance by adjusting the human energy field, it can be included - as small as the crystal bracelet you wear to adjust the magnetic field, as large as shamanic soul retrieval, Taoist guided breathing, and even singing bowls and flower essences are all included in the broad category of energy healing. Reiki, on the other hand, is more like a chain of Japanese-style set meals with unified SOPs and clear production standards, so the probability of missteps is much lower.

Interestingly, the traceability of Reiki is one of the few branches of energy healing that does not have much controversy: the mainstream Usui Reiki is a system summarized by the Japanese monk Usui Ong'o in 1922 after he meditated and became enlightened on Mount Kurama. The subsequent Karuna Reiki and Shambhala Reiki also have clear inheritance paths. To learn, you must go through the "initiation" ceremony of the instructor, and advance through the first, second, and master levels. Each stage has fixed symbols and hand position requirements. When I first learned the first level of Reiki, my palms felt hot for three consecutive days after the initiation, and even an ice cola felt warm when I touched it. This somatosensory reaction is a common experience that almost every Reiki learner has had.

However, the origins of energy healing are diverse: some are inherited by Native American tribes, some are systems passed down by modern psychics, and many are self-created schools that integrate crystals, singing bowls, and hypnosis techniques. There is no unified learning standard, and even many independent healers' techniques are discovered through their own somatosensory experience. I used to know a girl who did shamanic energy healing. She had to play drums, sing, and dance specific steps when clearing stuck points for a client. This was completely different from the reiki master who sat quietly beside the patient and laid hands on the patient's hands.

When it comes to the logic of energy transmission, the difference between the two has been a topic that the entire industry has been arguing about for several years. The core logic of Reiki is that "the healer is a conduit of cosmic energy." During the entire process, the healer does not need to use his own energy. He only needs to be in an empty state to conduct high-frequency cosmic life energy to the patient. Therefore, regular reiki masters will not feel tired after completing the case. If they feel tired, it is probably because they have not learned to "be a conduit" and forcefully pour their own energy into the other party. However, the energy healing transmission logic of different schools is very different: in some schools, the healer uses his own practice energy to help clear the case. After the treatment, the healer may feel dizzy and nauseated. ； Some use the energy of crystals, plants, and minerals for transfer. ； There are also schools that help clients connect to their higher self and look back at stuck points in past lives. Many orthodox reiki masters feel that "expending one's own energy for healing" is a wild idea. Conversely, many energy healers feel that the so-called "cosmic channel" of reiki is too weak and not as real as their own somatosensory feedback. No one on either side can convince the other.

The distinction between operating boundaries is actually more practical for ordinary consumers. There is a very clear industry consensus on the operation of Reiki: it cannot promise to cure diseases (it can only be used as an auxiliary and soothing means for medical treatment), you cannot give initiations to people without going through advanced learning, and even if you give it to minors, you must first obtain the consent of the guardian. I once met a client who said that the reiki master I met before said he could help her eliminate thyroid nodules. I said on the spot that it must be against the rules. If you really have a physical problem, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Healing can at most help you relieve the swelling and pain of nodules caused by emotional stress. But the operational boundaries of energy healing are much wider: some can help you deal with your pet’s separation anxiety, some can help you adjust the energy field at home, and some focus on emotional tuning and career tuning. Of course, it should be said here that most orthodox energy healing practitioners will sneer at metaphysical promises such as "helping you get back together" and "helping you increase your salary." However, many niche schools do have relevant operational content and cannot be killed in one fell swoop.

Oh, by the way, in fact, the boundaries in the industry are no longer so clear-cut these days. When I do Reiki on a case, I sometimes use crystal arrays and add corresponding essential oils according to the condition of the case, and the effect is better than doing Reiki alone. My biggest feeling after being in this business for almost 6 years is that whether it is Reiki or other energy healing techniques, the essence is to help people relax from a tense state and return to their original rhythm of relaxation. It is not that important what your name is or what school you belong to. If this is your first contact and you don’t know what to choose, just remember: if you just want to relax, improve sleep, and relieve anxiety, just find a Reiki master with a formal inheritance. It’s safe and you can’t go wrong. ； If you have clear emotional stuck points, such as childhood trauma or the death of a loved one, just read more about what therapists have to say and find one that matches your philosophy.