Reiki healing is an ancient Japanese energy practice. It comes from the Japanese words “rei,” meaning universal, and “ki,” meaning life energy. This therapy helps people to restore their balance and engender a lasting sense of wellbeing. In this opinion editorial, certified Reiki Master Maleshane Sekano shares why she believes it’s time for us to stop seeing Reiki as merely a wellness trend, but as a deep healing practice for longevity.
Reiki healing has evolved over the years
While Reiki’s origins go back 2500 years ago (1), it was Master Mikao Usui, a spiritualist from Japan who introduced Reiki to the West. In Japan he practiced Reiki to assist the people, the land, and animals. balancing their energies.
Master Mikao Isui would meditate regularly. He would use alchemy symbols that are universal, but also specific to the individual he was helping.
A flow of energy
Usui (2) created Reiki so that it wouldn’t be restricted to only those of an alternative medicine persuasion. His believed this healing should be universally available As a master teacher he shared his method with many others to make it more accessible.
Reiki practitioners facilitate a vibrational or subtle energy therapy, using light touch on or above the body, which can:
- enable relaxation
- relieve pain
- speed healing
- reduce other symptoms of illness
The evolution of healing
When Japan experienced an earthquake in 1923, Master Usui assisted people affected with trauma, through his Reiki healing practice. However, he was just one person with this deep skill. This motivated him to start teaching more people how to use Reiki. What followed was a more widespread use of Reiki healing.
Reiki healing was used during wartime effectively
The Japanese navy taught Master Usui’s Reiki method as early as the 1920s. Chujiro Hayashi who studied under Master Usui was a naval physician, would later provide Reiki healing to his own patients who were open to this treatment.
Then again during World War 11, the Japanese navy used this complimentary method to achieve faster mental healing for their naval officers. Over the years, studies would show a significant decrease in PTSD in the navy.
From East to West
Reiki made its way to the Western world in the 1940s. In the years that followed, modern spirituality—commonly known as New Age spirituality—helped it gain momentum. During this time, practitioners restructured this ancient healing practice to suit American clientele.
This resulted in a divergence from its roots. By the time Reiki healing reached the rest of the world, it had mutated into many variations.
Divergent approaches
What we witness today is a watered down approach to Master Usui’s methods. I believe Westernized Reiki healing techniques have strayed from the original core values of Master Usui’s work.
What Master Usui created was a deep healing method that can be used every day. From activating energy in food and drinks, to a deeper healing of severe trauma and injuries.
Sadly, the application of Reiki healing is generally viewed as just a trendy, leisurely pastime, enjoyed by the few who are interested in alternative wellness.
This has caused harm to the original form of Reiki. A healing practice that is able to go deeper with the client to effectively help resolve complex personal, and spiritual matters.
Practitioners have popularized Reiki healing as a holistic treatment in the field of alternative medicine, but belief and utility have limited its use.
Many dismiss it as pseudoscience, that has no relevance in the modern world. However, this simply is not the reality.
The importance of honoring this ancient practice
When people seek Reiki healing today, they tend to be misinformed about how it fits into their health.
We should go beyond the surface level of the Western understanding. We need to uncover the magical ways we can use this modality to heal our innermost parts and our subconscious selves.
The collective work that extensive Reiki techniques can do, to heal our ancestors, the land, nature and the animals, is too important to harbor limiting beliefs about Reiki.
We are now called to honor the expansive beauty and potential that Reiki healing offers to us and our communities.
Reiki healing is a powerful energy medicine
Wellness is a river that never runs dry. Of course, one can get caught up in keeping up with the latest trends and miss the opportunity to simply use a select set of tools to maintain the desired outcome.
Energy medicine has evolved, but many vulnerable communities find it hard to access this important therapy due to the reluctance to use it for fear of being labeled anti-science.
Especially those who cannot afford modern medicine.
This is why this river of wellness shouldn’t just be trendy and available to a certain group of individuals. Wellness practices should be a staple option for everyone who is willing to incorporate an array of healing in their treatment.
Offering alternative methods to athletes, military officials, elderly, and the most vulnerable is crucial in truly fostering a healing environment that puts people and desired results first.
End note
Master Usui wanted Reiki healing to be a gift for all. Now more than ever we have the power to take his gift. To reimagine a new way of approaching how we relate to our bodies, minds, and spirits.
About the author
Maleshane Sekano is the founder of Hathorian Therapies, a spiritual practice under the Hathorian wellness brand. She’s a certified Reiki Master who creates spaces for healing and teaches others how to harness their true limitless potential. Hathorian Therapies offers healing for individuals, families, and pets. Maleshane works for the betterment of the land and ancestors so that clients have holistic healing experiences they can carry through their everyday life.Website: https://hathoriantherapies.com
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Main Photo Credit: Anete Lusina: https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-masseuse-performing-reiki-massage-5240734/
