Top 3 Misconceptions People Have About Reiki

As a Reiki Master/Teacher and Licensed Acupuncturist, I am grateful to have the joy of working with people from all walks of life, and from various perspectives.

That means that sometimes there are those who are woke, and vibe with what I do, because they are listening to Spirit and well on their journey towards aligning with their Higher Self.

That also means that sometimes there are those who are yet awakening, who are finding themselves dissatisfied with aspects of their lives, know that they are meant for bigger things, want to discover their personal magic, ready to see how to heal their old patterns, and are just looking for some guidance on their path.

And, then there are those who may not have a thorough understanding of what Reiki and Acupuncture can provide, and so they draw their own erroneous conclusions about these modalities.

I’ve heard the fear-based criticisms on these healing modalities numerous times. From my personal experience, this is often due to their own deep fears and/or unawareness of their own gifts and power (often there’s some Third Eye denial happening), lack of trust in themselves or Source/Higher Power/God/dess, fear of what they do not understand, or because they have been simply misinformed.

This post will not focus on defending or validating this medicine that resonates on deep levels of the whole body.

However, I don’t mind laying down some truth about it.

In this article, I’d like to dismantle some fallacies people may have about Reiki.

Why not talk about the misconceptions about Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a modality that has been termed “alternative”, despite it being around for over 2,000 years. Yet, because it is now becoming a more understood medicine, so much so that many insurance companies now include it as a benefit in their plans, and Western physicians are referring their patients for acupuncture treatments for various disorders and health concerns, it seems that other powerful healing modalities, such as Reiki, are still left in the dark.

Come to think of it, misconceptions people have about Acupuncture deserves its own article!

What is Reiki? From my Reiki FAQ’s page:

“Reiki is a healing technique that was developed by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui in 1922, and has since evolved into many practicing traditions.  “Rei” is defined as the all-knowing divine universal, and “Ki” is the energy that animates all living things, and flows through everything that is alive, including plants, animals, and humans.  It is used all over the world by people of many different faiths, cultures, and spiritual paths.  I practice White Light Reiki.

Reiki is a technique that uses “hands-on” and also “hands-off” healing that can assist in relieving or reducing pain and discomfort by balancing the body’s energy centers, or chakras. “

I have heard all kinds of things people think Reiki is about. Some of it is joyfully accurate, and some of it leaves me scratching my head and thinking, “What the wha??”

Here are the top 3 misconceptions people have about Reiki:

Myth:

It is a massage.

Truth:

Sometimes people ask about “Reiki massage”. A massage entails manipulating the fascia, muscles, tissues, and working the articulations of the body for therapeutic relief. Reiki is performed with gentle “hands on” and/or “hands off” placement of hands at certain energy centers of the body (otherwise known as chakras), as well as other areas of the body. I have seen Reiki sessions result in ease of flow in muscles and physical areas of pain, but this is usually due to rebalancing the energy body within on deep levels. When I personally receive a Reiki treatment, it feels like a Soul Massage. However, there is no physical massage involved in a Reiki treatment.

Myth:

It is related to some strange cult or religion.

Truth:

During my earlier days as a practitioner, I was volunteering my Reiki services to an organization to help their participants. Even though I had explained to their Coordinator what Reiki does and how it works, I was surprised to find that she believed that Reiki was affiliated with some esoteric religion. I had to inform her that this was not the case. Of course, Reiki practitioners have their own ways of performing their healing art, and it is an older healing modality with various traditions, so some practitioners may have their own healing prayers. But, if you’re expecting some sinister ritualistic shenanigans during a treatment, you will be sorely disappointed! Reiki is all about channeling Universal Light. Pretty much the opposite of sinister. 😉

Myth:

Nothing really happens during a Reiki session.

Truth:

Quite untrue, my Dear! In fact, lots of things are transpiring during a Reiki session, despite the fact that the person receiving the treatment is simply laying down on a table. When I first began my Reiki practice, and I was yet unsure of myself as a practitioner, I might have somewhat believed this myth to some extent. After all, I had not yet experienced the transformational aspects of this modality, among them: bringing deep shadows and old patterns a person may be holding to the surface to be healed, healing chakra imbalances (which is helpful if you want to release fear and survival issues, disconnection from your emotions and your creative expression, low self-esteem, depression and disconnection from your heart, the inability to speak your truth, mistrust of your intuition, and your lack of connection to Source), connecting with your Spirit Guides, Angels, and/or Ancestors, and depending on which gift(s) you have to take in the world around you, guidance sometimes comes in various forms during a session, or as a sudden or gradual “a-ha!” some time afterwards. And, since your Spirit Guides and Higher Self are invited to partake in the healing of the Reiki session, there is often a lot of “behind the scenes” clearing that can often take place. So, even if a person may appear to be resting on the table (sometimes they may even take a nap to more easily receive the “download”), internal shifts are happening in subtle but powerful ways.

Have you experienced Reiki?
If so, how has it created internal shifts within you?
Please share it with us in the comments, below!

In light,

 

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All information on this website is my own opinion, and not to be taken as medical advice. Reliance on any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk. Please refer to your medical practitioner before making any medical decisions.