Is REIKI demonic?

Oh baby baby! Here we go down a slippery slope of religion and spirituality. So buckle up and get some CBD tea to relax into this topic with me…

You may be wondering, where the heck did this topic come from, and why am I talking about it!?

Last month, I made a reel/post on my instagram that highlighted the mutliple holistic practices I was taking part in to get myself into a healthier state of mind body and spirit. I had broken a bone in my right hand and was not able to do the workouts and training routines I was used to. Because of this, I found myself having to adjust a lot in my every day activities. Like anyone else who os used to a routine, this rocked my world a bit.

In the same breath, it forced me to focus on practices that I had once made a priority in my life in the past, and I chose to lean into them all again. In doing so, I found great peace, and ease in my days. I found myself enjoying the slow pace I was forced into, instead of resisting the change. I embraced it, and sparked an old flame of spirituality inside me.

I am a certified Reiki master, and have completed my 200 hr Yoga certification. During this healing process, I leaned into both Reiki and yoga to help me stay grounded in my mind body connection.

Shortly after posting this I received several comments stating that Reiki and yoga were demonic practices, and “tapping into the wrong side of the spirit world”.

I was somewhat shocked! I some what expected it from those who did not quite understand Reiki, but I was more taken back from those saying that the poses and teachings of yoga was some how dangerous and negative.EVEN MORE SO I was surprised that people were seeing simple breathing as a negative!

Here is a detailed description of what Reiki is from reiki.org, The International Center for Reiki Training website,

“Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.

Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.

While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.

During a meditation several years after developing Reiki, Mikao Usui decided to add the Reiki Ideals to the practice of Reiki. The Ideals came in part from the five prinicples of the Meiji emperor of Japan whom Mikao Usui admired. The Ideals were developed to add spiritual balance to Usui Reiki. Their purpose is to help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience. In order for the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, the client must accept responsibility for her or his healing and take an active part in it. Therefore, the Usui system of Reiki is more than the use of the Reiki energy. It must also include an active commitment to improve oneself in order for it to be a complete system. The ideals are both guidelines for living a gracious life and virtues worthy of practice for their inherent value.”

Just from reading that passage from the reiki.org website, I believe that there is not much a person could consider to be negative or demonic. As you just read, it is universal, and spiritual. It is not considered a religion, and those who do practice a religion may also have Reiki in their life. It is truly a loving energetic healing that has changed people’s lives on all levels.

As far as yoga goes, that is another topic entirely. If you are wanting to discuss that further I would love to dive into that as well.

In conclusion, I understand that not everyone will agree with my thoughts, ideas, or beliefs. I on the flip side will not always see eye to eye with others and the way they live their life. I will respect my neighbors though, and try to understand, while not putting down their belief system in doing so. This is where society lacks in the community aspect. We can practice different lifestyles together as long as we are respecting one another, and not doing harm to ourselves or others.

Reiki is wonderful in my opinion, and I have not found a single negative in. It has been nothing but a blessing and positive in my life, and many others whom I have had the pleasure of providing the healing energy to. Because of this, I will continue to practice, and provide healing energy to anyone who needs my service. For those who are against it, I hope one day you can find peace within your own life. For those who haven’t tried it, I would suggest exploring the idea of it. For those who love it, you’re in good company.

The secret art of inviting happiness
The miraculous medicine of all diseases
Just for today, do not anger
Do not worry and be filled with gratitude
Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people.
Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer.
Pray these words to your heart
and chant these words with your mouth
Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind
The founder,
Usui Mikao

https://www.reiki.org/faqs/what-reiki