Website & contents
© In A Crystal Garden 2005-7
No part of this website may be reproduced without permission.
Website by
The Creative Team
Healing using the channelling of universal energies through the hands of the giver to the recipient is as old as mankind itself. Knowledge of its use has been recorded in both written and oral traditions throughout human history, in all pagan, mystic and shamanic belief systems and even in the doctrinal religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism. Reiki - ‘re’ meaning universal energy and ‘ki, meaning life force - is a particular style of this form of healing (see below).
Of course, if the concepts of 'channelling' and 'universal energies' are understood, this makes perfectly reasonable sense: the doctrinal religions all have their legendary healers who were able to ease the pain and suffering of the multitude with a touch of their hands, Jesus being the more familiar of these in modern Western culture. If, however, they are unfamiliar terms, or are terms which have been imbued with negative or occult connotations for whatever reason, the whole concept of healing will be viewed with at best scepticism, and at worst outright hostility, even claims of the devil's work! Providing workable definitions of both these terms without degenerating into so much 'New Age' mumbo jumbo is notoriously difficult, because as we have become more scientifically oriented in our world view we have lost the language to be able to describe them with any sense of understanding or conviction. However, it is important to make such an attempt in order to demystify, de-demonise and generally bring to light what is in practice a very simple yet highly effective procedure. Healing is an innate ability which, with a bit of practice and the right intentions, we can all use for the benefit of ourselves and each other.
Very simply put, channelling begins with the healer centering, calming and grounding their own energies so that they become receptive ('attuned') to the healing energies which are present all around us, for the purpose of passing those energies on to the recipient. In shamanic terms, the healer becomes like a 'hollow bone': personal ego is put to one side while the energies being passed on are only those attuned to. We all know how exhausting it can be to give too much of ourselves to others and it is no different for healers: if they constantly allowed their own 'stuff' to get in the way they would rapidly burn out.
How does the healer know that these energies are 'good' energies and not 'bad/evil' energies? This is done by constantly reiterating the premise that healing is being done for the highest good of all, for the harm of none and by checking in with the ubiquitous 'universal law of 3' which states that if you ask a question 3 times, it is impossible to deny the correct answer by the third time (at least without consequential cost) - this appears to be a trans-dimensional maxim. In our more prosaic world, psychiatrists, psychotherapists and even the police are known to use this principle to good effect with individuals in various stages of denial.
For some healers this process is something they do entirely naturally - children especially seem to have this ability, perhaps because they simply have less ‘stuff’ to get in the way. For most others, some form of training is usually required to help with grounding and centering, with attuning to healing energies and with learning the egoless 'hollow bone' technique, which in itself is no mean feat in our self-centred, materialistic world. There are a number of organisations worldwide which offer this sort of training.
A word of caution: an internet search on channelling will throw up various references to clairvoyance, mediumship and other paranormal activities: these are other, directed forms of channelling in which psychics, sensitives and those with such abilities are able to connect and communicate with other trans-dimensional beings and entities. This is not the focus of what healers do, although there are of course healers who also have this ability.
There is a point at which even the most selfish, self-centred egotist will recognise that there is a fundamental degree of connection between people – even if they only use this knowledge to exploit others! It is this connection, taken in its widest sense, which healers are attuning to. This connection is not just between Homo Sapiens, but connects us to every other being – sentient, non-sentient and trans- dimensional – in the entire universe. Evidence of this is all around us: why are we so moved when faced with the tragic loss of life in various disasters (the tsunami, 9/11, etc) or when we see an animal suffering, or faced with the destruction of the rainforests? Why are we constantly looking to the stars for evidence of other life if (some) scientists tell us we are unique and alone? Why do telepathy, distance healing and clairvoyance appear to work? True, there is no scientific evidence of this connection and as such it is very easy to discredit, but remember that huge amounts of science itself is simply theory and conjecture: we don’t even know the real shape of the molecule (roundness is simply a convenient model), nor is there yet any explanation for the 90 per cent or so of ‘dark matter’ which makes up the universe.
There is of course plenty of subjective and anecdotal evidence of the efficacy of healing, of ‘miracle’ recoveries and lives changed. It depends whether one is happy to accept the many millennia of evidence, or the 200 year old posturings of an organisation which to this day is not able to provide a definitive explanation of how electricity works. Quantum physics has muddied the waters even further: many are beginning to notice the similarity between what shamans, sages and other have been saying about our experience of the world and what some scientists are now discovering, and it can make uncomfortable reading for the strictly rationalist mind.
What name do we give to this connection, this energy or force? It has many: universal consciousness, the light, the divine spirit, even god in its various forms. Whatever its name, we are all able to tap into it for the benefit of all. It helps, of course, if ego, self-delusion and the burden of our emotional trappings are put aside so that it can be fully appreciated. Interestingly, it is this path which all religions and belief systems – in one form or another – suggest we follow as a path to enlightenment/awakening/meeting with god. Healers are simply dipping a toe into this pool of wonderment for the benefit of others. Unless they are already enlightened of course!
As already discussed, Reiki as a term means no more than has already been described for healing, but is most commonly taken to mean the Usui System of Natural Healing This was formulated by Dr Mikao Usui in the early 20th century, after he received a revelation (one of those Aha! moments) following years of searching to find the truth behind the healing skills of both Buddhist and Christian healers. Much of what is known about the history of Dr Usui and of the beginnings of this form of healing is shrouded in the mists of legend and conjecture, there being little in the way of written evidence. Suffice to say that Reiki is generally a hands-on form of healing (although can also be done just off the body) and uses particular symbols to enhance the flow of energy to the recipient. These used to be kept very secret in order to maintain their integrity and purity, but are now freely available on the internet and in books. Reiki practitioners undergo a specific attunement process in order to ‘switch on’ their healing skills: this is done by a Reiki Master who has usually undergone further training and self-development to reach that level. This form of healing has suffered somewhat in recent years due to over-commercialisation, factionism and the huge variety of different training methods available, although there is no doubting the success of its marketing as large numbers of therapy centres now offer it as a conventional form of treatment.
It is claimed that Reiki is more powerful and effective than ‘ordinary’ healing because of the attunement process and the use of symbols. As there is little evidence of a direct comparison between the two (hard or anecdotal) it is difficult to say, one way or another. However, as for healing, the Reiki practitioner needs to be able to adequately ground and centre, attune to the healing energies and become the egoless 'hollow bone' regardless of their knowledge of the symbols or their attunement process: it is here where the two become the one.
As with all therapeutic treatments, clients are advised to drink plenty of water afterwards, and to take it easy in the immediate post-treatment period. Grounding and centering exercises may be suggested as energywork therapies can occasionally lead to a temporary sense of ungroundedness, especially for those for whom this is already an issue. Your therapist will advise accordingly.