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Reiki, Chi and other energetic healings
enko
Explorer
What is everyones experience/opinion on energy healing such as Reiki or Qi Gong?
Or the concept of chi generally etc?
Does the buddha, or other learned buddhists make mention of such things?
I had some Usui Reiki attunements done about 10 years ago. I still use it on myself most days when watching tv or after meditating. Also on select people or my pets who love it. To me the feeling is a warm, peaceful glow and really helps the letting go. I have also experienced a Qi Gong healing treatment whilst ill and it really was amazing the boost i got, very euphoric (i know no attachment).
Anyone else have any similar stories or insights?
Or the concept of chi generally etc?
Does the buddha, or other learned buddhists make mention of such things?
I had some Usui Reiki attunements done about 10 years ago. I still use it on myself most days when watching tv or after meditating. Also on select people or my pets who love it. To me the feeling is a warm, peaceful glow and really helps the letting go. I have also experienced a Qi Gong healing treatment whilst ill and it really was amazing the boost i got, very euphoric (i know no attachment).
Anyone else have any similar stories or insights?
0
Comments
I don't doubt the concept of Chi at all by the way.
Abu
I'm curious if its worth going to? Anyone ever been? And have they fixed any energy related problems?
Tai, I'd say choose your practitioner very carefully, or stick with Japanese acupuncture.
Japanese acupuncture might be interesting.
Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely be careful on who I choose to throw my money at.
My bf does reiki; he learned it while he was living in japan. They used to have sessions where all the reiki practitioners would gather and give reiki to each other. You might see if there is a group that meets, just for the intent of practicing. This group in Tokyo you could attend for free, so others might be the same.
I find that reiki at the very least just helps me relax on a deeper level, be it real or placebo.
I have also seen energy workers, but I agree with Dakini in that the difficulty would be knowing who is the real deal and who is not. And like SattvaPaul, I think it also depends on the patient - if you are not open and sensitive yourself, then it can also be hard to tell.
Though I have a good friend who does Shiatsu work and tells me the therapy is working regardless if the patient is too in their head or not.
Best wishes,
Abu
Usui who developed Reiki was a japanese buddhist and through "mystical revelation" during a buddhist retreat gained the knowledge and spiritual power to attune people. (see wiki). Reiki practitioners believe everyone has the power to channel this energy, just need the attunements.
Shoalin monks are another example of Buddhists controlling their chi to do some pretty amazing things.
Even doing Reiki on myself - Ol' Skeptical me - has worked so well, I was amazed.
I have seen my skin disorder disappear for weeks at a time. Knee pain (moderate to severe daily pain) would nearly disappear after one or two Reiki sessions before bedtime, and stay minimal for a couple weeks as well. It works.
But I gave up -a long time- ago trying to assess in a strictly logical and/or scientific manner why Reiki works -- and I just accept that it does.
Perhaps it's the placebo effect; mind-over-matter; simply relaxation and de-stressing that makes Reiki clients/patients feel better in general. ? Does it matter?
I combine my Reiki sessions with Chakra sound therapy (Chakra tuned singing bowls) ... and the two work together so naturally, and so well, that clients never want Reiki without the singing bowls again.
And yes, I agree with Enko and most other Reiki practitioners -- anyone can do Reiki with the proper teacher, technique and attunements. No special woo-woo required.
It definitely caused discernable effects depending on what paired mudra points were worked on but most people that I know who meditate regularly found the results a bit too coarse and with slightly manipulative over tones.
grab a coffee, this is long.....:D
It seems to be a trait of the western mind-set to be analytical to the point of scepticism about certain things...I remember reading a funny anecdote in Reader's Digest ('Points to Ponder') that an educated scientist, wearing a white coat and carrying a clipboard, in the corridors of an official scientific research establishment, can tell us, looking at a star, that it's very possible that star no longer exists, due to the time light takes to travel.... and we say, *wow*... googly-eyed and amazed... Yet a Park attendant can tell us to not sit on the bench, the paint is still damp, and we have to touch it to make sure for ourselves....:D
I am an ex- registered Feng Shui Consultant with the Feng Shui International Association, (lapsed membership, admittedly - the money they want, for the prestige of being able to say that!) but I used tobe a very busy lady, and did frequent consultations for people, and (just being overly simplistic here) the Right Hemisphere of my brain would be instructing people to 'move that mirror there, and hang this picture here, and buy a blue vase, and place a red pot....' and the Left Hemisphere would be saying "What the phukk in god's name do you think you're talking about - ?! you crazy woman, whatchoo doing?!" And my right side would tell my left side to shut up and just go with it...
And whaddya know....why? I don't know, I can't explain - but time, after time, after time, people would call me up a few days later and say - "OMG!! you will NEVAH guess what happened! After we did what you suggested...." and folks would regale me with positive results of my visits and recommendations. It stunned even me, I promise you.
but something worked. Things fell into place, and something had a positive effect.
Funnily enough, people would look me up, ask me to go over, assess their home, request I give them a consultation, submit a written report with recommendations, and rely - even depend at times - on my personal expertise to help them remedy whatever 'problem' they had, and pay my fee....and then when they achieved some kind of positive result, would call me and say "Well, I don't know whether it's a coincidence, but...." so even after all that personal and financial investment, they were still a little sceptical and reluctant to put the apparent change in their fortunes, for the better, down to something which is frankly intangible and invisible. It could all have just been a coincidence.
I had about 187 such coincidences.
I know Chi exists, because I've felt it, and I've used and channelled it, both for my own benefit and that of others. I've taught people Qi Gong, and they've all, without exception, benefited from the results. I practice shiatsu, and I know how to Feng Shui an environment.
But please don't ask me to explain or clarify it.
That's when my articulate, voluble and communicative skills fail me miserably.
From here
Federica said: "grab a coffee, this is long..... "
Gee, by some coinky-dink I had JUST sat down with my first cuppa coffee when I saw your reply!
and:
"... and did frequent consultations for people, and (just being overly simplistic here) the Right Hemisphere of my brain would be instructing people to 'move that mirror there, and hang this picture here, and buy a blue vase, and place a red pot....' and the Left Hemisphere would be saying "What the phukk in god's name do you think you're talking about - ?! you crazy woman, whatchoo doing?!" And my right side would tell my left side to shut up and just go with it... "
I can sooooo relate to that two sided brain issue! Thank you for allowing me to see *I* am not 'crazy'.... or, umm... perhaps we both are? LOL Well, good company and all that...
Anyway, I know only a little about Feng Shui, myself, but I have felt the newly positive affects of a rearranged room according to Feng Shui beliefs, so yeah, I believe it works -- some how, some way, for some reason.
I'm not going to 'waste time' trying to analyze it and explain it away for myself. Would that really change anything?
Love the anecdote, by the way. So true!
I laughed so much the tears ran down my legs....
Some people call Reiki a form of "massage"... yet there doesn't need to be any touching between practitioner and client at all. As a matter of fact, routinely, I only touch a client's crown, face, neck, shoulders / upper chest. I'm strictly hands off from that point down- unless requested to concentrate on lower joints or internal organs after that point.
I never tell clients how they should feel, or will feel during a session, because frankly it can vary wildly. Some people see colors behind closed eyes, feel warmth, feel very emotional, feel sleepy, feel jazzed -up, and some feel nothing at all. The only thing I do tell clients before they leave, is to drink a little extra water that day, eat light, and that any specific symptoms MAY sometimes get worse for the next 12-24 hrs, and then clear up considerably. I attribute that to opening the chakras and having chi flowing again which can sometimes stir things up a bit.... but balance will come soon.
Back to the original question as to how this all 'relates' to Buddhism, etc-
I think one with a Buddhist mind-set of "Be Here Now" and "Be in the Moment" works very well for alternative healing therapies.
There is no need to give credit to a "God" or to associate healing with reward or punishment from a higher being. There's no need for actual "belief" or faith in any spiritual path at all. I'm sure there are times for some people (many people?) when alternative healing does not work... for any number of reasons. That's Ok, too-
but it certainly does no harm.
Your experience proves a theory I've held for a long long time:
that one's home (it's condition, not it's luxury or lack of it) reveals one's inner "home" as well. I find that when one comes across a home that is cluttered, scattered, disorganized, maybe even a little messy beyond normal, more often than not the person in charge of that household is also cluttered, confused, disorganized in actions and personality, and maybe not as conscientious as they could be.
I've also found that when one sees a clean and organized house at first glance but then discovers hidden messes under beds, in closets and crammed away in drawers, more often than not the homeowner is put together and confident on the outside, but has many issues on the inside...
This is why I believe you'll never see a serious, practicing Buddhist on that (American) TV show, "Hoarders".
But having said that, I realize I cannot speak on anything until I've tried it for myself... which brings me to my second question. I would really like to try reiki sometime, but how can I tell if the practitioner is authentic? It's easy to spot a bad massage therapist, lol. But when there isn't even touch involved... I don't want to try my first reiki treatment, get no result, and then form a poor opinion of the practice when it could just be that one practitioner. Part of the reason I ask is because I set up a loose trade with an acquaintance of mine who is about to take some reiki classes. Basically, massage for reiki treatments, you know how it goes... But in talking to her a little more, I found out that the training was quite pricey and the entire training took place over one weekend... which made me feel a little skeptical. That seems like so little time for something that seems like it would take a lot of work to be good at. As a reiki practitioner, what do you think?
@ ZombieGirl,
Ahhh Z, you have hit on one of my weak(est) spots! My own skepticism getting in the way of "selling myself and Reiki" to clients! I can write quite a bit about that problem/solution and quite a bit more regarding your next comments and questions further down in your post...
Would it be appropriate to continue the conversation here? (Asking long-time members and moderators) Or should we continue the conversation off the board -- in email or some other way?
What do you think?
@porpoise :
You said; " It seems to me that in practice belief / faith in an alternative therapy is a requirement, otherwise it's not going to work. Another requirement is having plenty of money because these therapies are not cheap."
Reiki is different in that people of ALL religious and spiritual paths can learn it, do it and once at a certain level, teach it. And people with no religious background or belief in any god can also do the same.
Now if you meant one must have faith and 'believe' in the actual therapy itself for it to work.... well I can partially agree with you there, in most aspects.
However, Reiki teachers insist that Reiki will work whether the client/patient believes it will or not. They may not acknowledge it, they may not admit it even if they acknowledge it to themselves, but it supposedly works anyway- eventually.
As for being cheap or not... That is a whole other topic for discussion.
Most of my Reiki clients at this time are family and friends. I charge them *nothing* in cash, but ask that they barter something for it instead. My niece cuts my hair for free, my sister-in-law will bring me baked goods, my daughter will do some house cleaning in exchange for Reiki.
There is a tradition in Usui Reiki that there must be "an exchange of energy" between practitioner and receiver to give the Reiki 'value' (this is a simplistic explanation) .... in our modern world that exchange is measured in money - most of the time.
When I do charge people money, (strangers) it's around $35 per session, when many spas and others get $50-60, or even more.
At best, it's placebo. At worst, it's an expensive waste of time.
All medicines can have a placebo effect; that's not really the issue. The issue is whether they have an effect in addition to the placebo effect.
There are numerous studies now showing the effects of acupuncture; as recently as June 11 of this year results were published of a study which "clearly demonstrates that acupuncture is a useful adjunctive therapy in reducing DOE in patients with COPD."
Dyspnea on exertion (DOE) is a "major symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is difficult to control:"
http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1151703
You make that statement as if it were fact.
That's a little blunt and frankly, a bit disrespectful and in-your-face to those who practice Reiki (or any form of energetic therapy) and to those who have submitted to Reiki treatment and found it helpful.
not all those who practise Reiki are extortionate crooks, and not all those who have had Reiki are lying when they say they have felt beneficial effects as a result.
Kindly be a little more thoughtful about how you phrase and present your opinion.
Thanks.
I also feel nicely relaxed after a good meditation session, which costs absolutely nothing.
It can be (and has been) said meditation has no basis in verifiable science either. It can be said that meditation is nothing more than self-hypnosis and wish thinking. And yet, maybe you swear by it and practice meditation every day? Maybe meditation makes you feel good, centered, and will lead you to "Enlightenment"... and yet maybe you just THINK it does/will.
I think you are getting fixated on the whole money thing with Reiki and other alternative medicines. You are judging their value on what the cost is... which is exactly why there is a cost for Reiki. (in modern times - money is generally our exchange; not food, services and other barters).
I'm sorry you feel that way about alternative medicine/healing. But it's your right to limit your experiences and hand out judgments any way you see fit. Even if you're wrong.
Peace.
To my way of viewing and understanding and using Reiki, it does not "cure" anything, per se.
Can having Reiki ease physical symptoms of pain and suffering for days, weeks or longer? Absolutely. Arthritis included (which is my physical issue).
Can Reiki help balance body systems and emotional issues? Yes, I believe so.
If one believes in chakras, 'energy', chi, life-forces, etc and the manipulation or elevation of those things through meditation, prayer, chakra work, etc .... one can believe Reiki may work as well; as merely the unblocking, flow and alignment of internal chi or life-force which in turn enhances the natural body (healing) processes.
It's not going to CURE cancer, though, or any other serious physical abnormality of the body, at least not permanently. But when you take an aspirin to 'cure' your headache, do you believe you've cured your reason for headaches and will never get that pain again?
Scientific, indisputable proof ? Sorry. Don't have that. That's why it's called "alternative" medicine/healing. If one wants scientific proof, one needs to stick to chemical lab results and Big Pharma to cure symptoms.
As for the $$ issue, stay away from retreats, spas and new agey massage therapy and find a private Reiki practitioner who will give you your first session for a tiny fraction of the cost... and then keep it scaled to what YOU can afford. Some Reiki practitioners charge around $25 a session, some don't charge $ at all.
thanks.
If I'm suffering in pain and I can go to someone who can help ease that pain, why devalue that service by saying it's just a placebo. Why not look at it as going to a proffessional who works WITH you to lessen that suffering.
It seems pretty cut & dry to me if folks say it helps them.
@MaryAnne, from my perspective my need for mind drugs is threatened by people calling them just for profit. So I can totally see why you don't want people to criticize your therapy.
I'm a bit skeptical when it comes to stuff like this. I've practiced martial arts for a bout 10 years, and most of my teachers (except for one) didn't believe chi existed. Personally, I think the majority of chi/ki headings are the result of a placebo effect.
When can you come round?
Reiki is placebo.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/21531671/