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Reiki: Alternative Medicine real Practice or Business?
Reiki Healing is what?
Reiki is one of the fastest growing Alternative Medicine techniques around the world and Reiki healing is seen as having a real positive effect on clients' health. Unfortunately for some Practitioners or Masters it is just a business to make money. And when making money comes first problems arise every time.

Reiki, a new Alternative Medicine technique?
Introduction.
The history of Reiki begins in 1922 when a Japanese man, Mikao Usui, discovered this spiritual healing practice after a period of meditation on Mount Kurama. But this is not really true.
The concept of a Universal Life Force, the common translation of Reiki, dates back to the beginning of civilization: Greeks had Pneuma, Romans had Spiritus, Indians have Prana, Chinese have Qi or Chi, Catholics have the Holy Spirit, Native Americans have the Great Spirit and Japanese have Reiki. Plus Jedi Knights have the Force.
As you can see nothing new under the sun. Moreover every European King of the past was said to have the ability to cure diseases through the "laying on of hands" and there is also Jesus Christ's ability to heal. Throughout the East there are many techniques of increasing health through energy and a lot of them through the hands of a Practitioner. That is to say that the Universal Life Energy concept has been always present in human history, as much as the ability to heal with this energy. So Reiki healing is not something really new under the Sun.
So, what's the catch with Reiki Healing?
What makes Reiki so popular? Here are some of the reasons:
- One day training: no need to study for years (for the first level).
- Simple concept: energy is everywhere and can be used to heal.
- Simple technique: just put your hands where the energy needs to go.
- Simple Organization: three levels to reach.
- Low fees to learn: at least for the first level.
- High self esteem: you can become a "Master".
- Magic: you learn secret symbols to use to deal better with energy
- It works: maybe you don't heal but usually everyone feels better after a treatment.
I've studied Reiki, so I'm a Practitioner, I don't use the term Master, and on the basis of my further studies in Hypnosis I know Reiki Healing can work, and I'm going to tell you why soon. At the same time I agree that it's also a business, and I'll tell you why soon too.
Short yet interesting Chi use video.

Another interesting one.
Reiki as an Alternative Medicine Practice
Does Reiki Healing exists?
From a spiritual/religious point of view the idea that everything that exists is connected is pretty acceptable. China and India have an history far longer than the West, can they be wrong after all these years studying Chi or Prana? And in the West we have the Holy Spirit which is more or less the same thing.
Looking at the concept of Reiki from a kind of scientific point of view Albert Einstein in his Mass-Energy Equivalence concept stated that everything that has a mass has an energy, so everything that exists has an energy. Moreover everything has also an electric charge so that Reiki could be also considered a kind of electricity. The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy is never wasted but always transformed, so energy is always moving and transforming and changing. Then the idea that everything in this Universe is linked together in some ways becomes pretty right or acceptable.
But we can't see Reiki: well we can't also see radio waves but we can nevertheless use our cell phone or WiFi connection, right? And we have also that microwaves oven.
My own opinion on Reiki Healing:
I can't be sure about it existence but I've seen some demonstrations on animals and something seemed to happen, animals can't be influenced by beliefs so at least a change in Practitioner's hands temperature happens, if this is really the Universal Energy is another thing. And as a healing techniques on human beings there are many proofs that it works, and there are even some clinics beginning to test its real effects. I don't have any stone-carved certainty or proof but there are many scientific theories much more airy-fairy than the Reiki theory, so I'm pretty positively sided.
What I'm sure is that Reiki can heal the Practitioner, and this is for two reasons:
- The Law of Expectation: whatever you believe you can achieve, or whatever you expect deeply is probable to happen.
- Reiki can be a road to use our Inner Powers, the Powers of our Subconscious Mind.
That is we are entering into the field of Hypnosis and its powers.
So, how can it be that disregarding its real existance Reiki works?
Reiki healing as Self Treatment.
During a self session of Reiki the Practitioner must deeply relax (a kind of induction) and feel the healing energy coming from the Universe inside his body and feel it flowing throughout his body healing everything (suggestion).
Reiki Healing as Treatment to others.
During the session the client must deeply relax (induction), and listening to the soothing voice of the Practitioner feel the healing energy flow throughout his body (suggestion).
Conclusion: Yes Reiki Healing works. Maybe not really as it is commonly thought but it works nevertheless. Medicine too uses the Placebo Effect (based on the Law of Expectation) every day with astonishing results.
Be it a real healing life energy or a good self hypnosis technique Reiki can work.

Reiki not for Healing but for Business
There are many good Reiki "Masters" around, but not all "Masters" are good.
Now I'm going to give you some points to ponder, so you can decide if all this secrecy and business around Reiki and its healing ability is justified or not.
- Attunements: usually there are three levels of Reiki (but some schools have many more), each with an increasing cost, some third level attunement (the so called "Master" level) depending on the school can cost several thousands (?) dollars. Reality: Usui attuned himself, never created a "Master" level and I guess he would have never asked for so much money. The first level of Reiki is more than enough. And you can even attune yourself without spending a penny.
- Symbols: three symbols at the second level and one Master symbol at the third level. These symbols are usually kept secrets. And you have to pay to get attuned to them and to be able to use them. Reality: symbols are useless, they are common knowledge in Japan or in the East and are useful just as a way to focus. The same job can be done using the symbols on a Playstation pad: cross, triangle, square and circle, and they are free to learn too. And the fact that the symbols existed before Reiki appearing in the West is highly debated. That is they probably are a modern invention.
- There are schools with more than three levels and more than four symbols. Obviously each level has a fee.
- Levels are for receiving and being able to use different, more powerful frequencies of Reiki, you also learn how to direct better the energy flow. Reality: if Reiki is the Universal Life Energy then there is one Energy, it's universal, and if it's an intelligent energy which can do no harm and it's able to go directly where it's most needed then there is no need to learn how, if ever, to direct it.
- Some "Masters" use this levels thing in order to bring people swiftly and gradually toward paying a lot of money to be able to call themselves "Master". Don't do that.
- Before anything, either a treatment or a course, check if the "Master" treats clients consistently or just runs courses. A course can be worth 10-20 clients going down to money.
Conclusion: keep your money in your pockets and if you really want to go to a Reiki "Master" than find a serious one and never pay more than 100 bucks for the first level , in my opinion they are more than enough.

Usui Wish for Reiki
Mikao Usui said that the beauty of Reiki is that it is available to anyone so that every human being can live a better, healthier life. I think he would have been quite disgusted by all the business that has grown around Reiki which has nothing to do with healing.
Is there really someone who thinks that a man like him would have accepted someone asking for thousands dollars to be a "Master". I don't think so.
Even only from my Hypnosis point of view Reiki is a great technique for healing, relaxing, feeling better and even increase health, but not as a get rich quick scheme.
Conclusion and Self Hypnosis Suggestion
Reiki is a healing technique and also a big business, nevertheless it's a good tool to be healthier. It's bad name is due to some people's behaviour, but it would be a pity to disregard Reiki Healing ability because some elements use it to make big money on people's suffering.
Be wise, be skeptic and think twice before giving your money. There are many good Reiki teachers around.
I hope you liked reading this article, and if you are one of those who believe in the existence of a Universal Life Force but cannot afford to learn Reiki this is for you.
- Buy a good book on Reiki, there are many around and some of them even free on the web.
- Read my hub on Self Hypnosis Induction.
- Read my hub on writing Suggestions.
- Substitute as needed the speech with your subconscious: something like "I know that there is a Universal Life Energy interconnecting everything on this Universe and I know that I can connect with it and be able to heal myself and others with it. This would lead to a better life...."
- Arrived at the Suggestion point use these suggestions: I can connect with the Universal Life Energy and be able to use it to heal myself and others. I want to be connected with the Universal Life Energy and be able to use it to heal myself and others. From now on I am (permanently) connected with the Universal Life Energy and I'm able to use it to heal myself and others.
- Always remember to keep Reiki simple, as it is. No need for symbols or any strange stuff.
Thanks for reading this article on Reiki Healing, please leave a comment and if you like it rate it and share.
Have a wonderful day!
Copyright
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Comments
My opinion is that Reikki is a very holistic approach to stress relief. My good friend is a practitioner, and I was her subject several times. We would go to an open park and relax in the grass while she would practice her energy work on me. By the end of each session I always felt relaxed and centered, which rarely happens for me. I don't have a mystical opinion, or medical opinion for that matter, but I can say from my own testimony that Reikki can be a powerful experience, whether it's spiritually connected or a placebo.
Very good article thank you.
Hypnodude, I agree there many Masters/Teachers out there over charging for classes, attunements and services for Reiki. It makes it bad for the ones trying to help. I was attuned for the third level in 2007. I only paid 60.00 for each level and have never charged a fee my what I do.
I focus on the dogs, cats and horses at the shelter I work at. It doesn't take long for the animals to respond to the energy. They are more accepting of it, (especially the cats). I have noticed the reactions from abused and feral to calm and relaxed during and after a session.
Paws
I’ve been curious about Reiki for a long time, although I have never experienced a Reiki session. Your hub was very interesting. Whether Reiki involves self hypnosis or connection with a universal life force, it’s great that it works.
Hi there,
I like your reference to Usui.
I was trained in 1979 by Barbara Brown (one of Takata's own students).
I am so sad at what has happened to Reiki over the past 30 years.
I would like to add the powerful word simplicity to this post.
Dinah
It can be both. Why not make an extra little money by helping people.
Learning more and more about Reiki. As you stated 'nothing new under the sun.' however, certain techniques and/or procedures work better for some than for others, all employing the universal life force, as you stated. Voted-up/rated!
hypnodude,as I said I am getting to learn the art and its finer points all over again,its not as simple as it sounds besides these ancient Asian arts were kept so secret that it took real concentration to lean them and so were these divided
into levels,I shall come again and try to learn more about it.Thank you.
Thank you!! I will!! She lives in Japan and would like to travel back to Europe sometime. I will email you from hubpages so we can connect and then I will connect you with her directly.
I love that you put in the business/money part to it, as it is. Thank you.
I did try to go to meeting sessions to learn Reiki, but it did not feel quite right to me the way they were charging the students. Basic instinct.
Now I am friends with a Reiki Master who does it just like you said it should be done.
What is the effect of healing on the Master doing the healing?
My friend tells me that when she does it, sometimes she feels really bad after doing distant healing to some patients...like vomiting and feeling dizzy, and at other times, she feels good. What does this all mean?
When I was attuned to second degree many moons ago and Reiki was still in it's toddler hood in this country I was told by my teacher (who had paid the 10,000 for her master level attunement but charged only 400 for her students) that there was a person who after the first attunement decided she knew it all, gathered info from other reiki practioners, wrote a couple of good books on the subject and set about teaching. I'm a bit more on the spiritual side of this so that bothered me. My teacher said that they were being asked to reattune her students as we found them for no fee. I filed that in good to know for later on and later on years later on in fact after becoming a teacher a friend, more of an acquaintance at the time, told me of her unsatisfactory attunement to reiki in a class for massage therapists which focused mainly on how to charge. She had herself reattuned by a yoga instructor who only charged her half price. We talked and I realized that the first was a student of a student of a student of somenone not truly attuned so I reattuned my acquaintance at no fee. Time has passed, we are now friends and she still uses reiki.
I believe people should be paid a reasonable fee for giving treatments and in fact should be able to make a living at this but when it comes as a part of a marketing for massage therapists or just get a certificate and a table and you're good to go I see a problem. I've seen the results.
Reiki is wonderful, its like coconut butter: tastes good with everything.
My wife and I use massage and Reiki together and have a wonderful time with our clients. Reiki Ranch as we know it has been wonderful for relaxation and teaching reiki. the healing we see in the many people use/practise reiki is truly wonderful. many folks have health crashs or issues in their lives after the attunment process and find they feel lost and stop with it all togerther. hope and faith is a click away. "thank the internet for hub pages.
Steele.
Dr. Mikao Usui would have never charged anyone a single coin for attunements nor healing. Reiki is a FREE gift, and as such, it should always be offered for free. It has become a business, indeed. It has strayed from the original teachings of Dr. Usui. This is a gift that's meant for everyone to have, not just a few.
When i read your hub about Reiki I think of animals. It's known that they can sense our energy, fear, etc. People who work with dogs will especially confirm this. Also if you go into a situation with an animal with good expectations already in place, it saves you a lot of grief like when training a dog. I used to raise rabbits and they are highly sensitive and reflect your energy to you when you are around them. Their gestures mirror how you feel inside without saying a word. Since this is all instinctual to animals, and humans aren't as in touch with their instincts, I think it would take a lot of training for someone to practice Reiki effectively.
hypnodude, like a lot of the above commenters I have not heard of Reiki. I like to learn something everyday and this is my 'today' learn :-) I am a big believer in the power of the mind and I'm convinced that we have a long way to go in discovering it's full potential.
Thumbs up on this Hub, great information :-)
Hi Hypno, I link it to my reiki hub, Maita
Hi Hyno, I have just taken the 1st level and am now practicing as much as I can. My teacher was not expensive and very down to earth. I had had reiki with her before asking for her to teach me.
During my practicing, I've had some amazing experiences. I feel this form of healing is my calling and unites my non-religious spiritual beliefs with my desire to help people heal in a holistic way that pharmaceuticals just can't do.
I am very scientifically oriented and had my doubts about the attunement. I had no idea what to expect but was amazed at the experience. I discover new things everytime I practice.
Thank you for the hub!
I came across this again hypno while reading about Chinese culture, Yin and Yang etc, so I came back and read it again, I am interested in it, Thank you, Maita
Hi there, mio carissimo amico...
I really like this hub for several reasons: a)It is unbiased and recognizes the existence of the true REIKI b)The importance of what Usui Sensei taught and wanted c)There is nothing more effective against "money-takers" than true exposure. Regarding the symbols, it is a matter of concept. I believe strongly in the power of the OM symbol(though it is Sanskrit) Let the chips fall where they may... Energy is there for everyone! I had Reiki books and performed hand healing on my mom, partner and sister, and it worked! I haven`t practiced in a long while, but for me Chi, Qi, Prana, Ki, Energy are the same thing. Moreover, Pure Energy is NEUTRAL and it is qualified accordingly by the practitioner.
Great Hub!
Two thumbs up!
warm regards and blessings,
Al
Hypnodude: About 12 years ago when I didn't know what Reiki was, one morning I had a weird dream of symbols that were being giving to me in circular like objects; I shared my dream in detail in a spiritual forum without knowing what it was about, and an online friend who was a member of the forum was thrilled, as she was a Reiki healer, and had sent me Reiki the evening before without my knowing this. This was a confirmation for everyone, and my introduction to what Reiki is!
Superb hub!
Any time Hypno, as so many people don't believe in Reiki, yet there is no real reason to doubt it is very likely it does work based on the fact there is so little of the brain we actually use, and who really knows what we are capable of therefore? I too have seen impressive results on a dog I used to own who had a knee problem, and that was just in about 20 minutes of treatment.
Great info here Hypno,
I am actually surprised at the amount of people who have not heard of Reiki in any detail though. My Sister swears by it, and is adamant that even if you 'don't' believe, it still works. She also says you can actually 'feel' the heat flowing into you when the Reiki is taking place. My Sister is as healthier skeptic as I am, and if she has experienced this (aged 45 now), then I believe her. I have only tried Reiki once, (from a Reiki Master who my Sister knows), and have to confess I left feeling incredibly relaxed, so I guess the purpose of the appointment, (to reduce my stress), did work.
I do believe now, but need to know any Reiki Healer I ever go to is a "Master" or at least has a good reputation amongst former patients.
Fab Hub. :)
I agree with all that you had to say, I went to one Reiki attunement and feel that is sufficient. I also agree about the symbols. The energy is very real and truly healing and learning to tap into and utilize this resource is not done through expensive classes. The hands are an energy vortex but the mind directs and determines what the vortex accompishes and the signals it sends out. Another excellent article, I rated it up and highly recommend it. Sue
I have heard about this. I will be re-reading this again and absorb what this is all really about. I am very much interested about this. Thank you for sharing. More power.
Thank you for sharing such great advice concerning Reiki, hypnodude. I really like your practical approach to Reiki, its benefits, and especially its commonalities in accordance with similar or same methods used in other nations and cultures. I especially liked this line:
Unfortunately it is. There are many good "Masters" around, but not all "Masters" are good.
Excellent work my friend! Thank you so much for sharing this. You are certainly gaining star power here at HP! Keep it going!
Interesting take on Reiki, Hypnodude. Unfortunately it does attract a lot of get-rich-quick merchants because it is relatively easy to get the certificate. People need to check out the practitioner they intend to go and see, and if they don't feel comfortable go and find someone else.
Hypnodude, thank you for such an easy to read and understand article on Reiki. It certainly sparked my interest. Rate up!
Hi hypno, thanks so much for this one, I heard it before but now I learned more from this hub of yours. It is easy to understand, orderly and methodical, love your style, Thank you, Maita
HypnoD I commend you on your wonderful, creative hub. You've taken a much talked about (or should I say "preached" about subject and have given it a practical twist. I say this humbly since I also have a Hub on Reiki and am one of those Reiki "masters";(although I do not charge for services and I regularly treat myself and others). I love the way you tie hypnosis into the equation too and bring up the fact that Usui would be shocked (as would other religious figures) at the modern interpretation and practice of their teachings.
I've always wondered about reiki but have been scared to try it. My friend said in a session he was lying down and random thoughts kept popping into his head and then leaving. At one stage he thought he was aware of three men in hawaiian shirts in the room - apparently they were some sort of spirit guides. Another story I heard was after someone went to a session, they started seeing a little green monster and other creatures that are normally invisible. Kinda freaked me out a bit! But I really enjoyed reading more about it in this hub! Thanks
Ps. Congrats on 100 Fans/Followers. I made a mental note to congratulate and forgot - a lot of Reiki in my head.
Cheers.
Interesting... I've heard the name "Reiki" but didn't have a clue about it until reading your Hub. It's very intriguing. Maybe it could be an alternative to medicine for people. Very enlightening. Thanks.
Wow! i have heard of reiki before but never understood what it was, thanks for the information. Sounds great!
hynodude-thoroughly enjoyed this Hub. I often wonder what if science and religion could come a little closer together. . what amazing things could and would be discovered.. I do believe in being able to direct energy.. task at hand is always to learn from the bad energy and replace it with positive, good and 'light' energy or at least learn how to balance them.
Very good article, Hypnodude. Self-hypnosis is a wonderful thing, and I have no doubt that a good Reiki Master would be able to help themselves very effectively. I firmly believe that there is a power for good in the Universe, that can perhaps be chanelled through Reiki, or any other healing ceremony for that matter. I've seen how effective healing can be at first hand, and I've also seen some amazing transformations through hypnosis.
Nice article hypno - rated up :) I think Reiki is real. I've been doing it for about 12 years and have had some incredible healing experiences.
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