Am I Channelling Positive Energy with Reiki?

To continue our trend this year of writing articles to help practitioners clarify for themselves basic ideas about the system of Reiki, we have chosen to discuss the concept of positive and negative energy within the system of Reiki.

It is always good to clarify definitions at the beginning of any article.

• The system of Reiki is a spiritual practice that was developed by a Japanese man called Usui Mikao in the early 1900s. It includes 5 basic practices: reiju (attunement), palm-healing, techniques and meditations, precepts, and symbols and mantras.
• Reiki, the energy, is the name of the energy used within the system and is literally translated from the Japanese to mean ‘spiritual energy’ or ‘sacred energy’. One variation used in the West is ‘universal energy’. Generally these terms represent the concept of ‘the energy of everything’.

When a Reiki practitioner works with energy it is sometimes called channelling the energy. The reason why we channel energy is to support the movement of that which is stagnant in order to live life in its natural flow.

When we are not at One with this natural flow of life (or energy) we come up against obstacles: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Often where one of these elements ends and the other begins we do not know. All we know for sure is that these elements are interdependent of one another and together they create the filters through which we experience our lives.

The practices taught within the system of Reiki affect these obstacles, thereby supporting change and affecting every aspect of our lives. So, does this mean that we are in fact channelling positive energy?

No. Not if we are truly experiencing universal energy, the energy of everything.

Within universal energy we always channel negative and positive energy. In Japan these two elements are called In and Yo and in China, Yin and Yang.

In and Yo are not words for ‘good’ and ‘bad’ but rather representations of dual elements – the two flipsides of a coin. In and Yo also represent other dualities such as Earth and Heaven, female and male, the moon and sun. By balancing and blending dual elements within ourselves we are creating a non-dual existence, one where we begin to resonate fully with universal energy.

Therefore, when we work on ourselves or others it is not about taking the negative away and filling ourselves up with positive energy. True healing takes place as the two forces balance harmoniously out.

Why then do some like to believe that Reiki is positive energy only? Perhaps we are too scared to see that which might be labelled as ‘bad’ within ourselves.

To heal we need to face all sides of ourselves, including our fears and darkest issues. By working on ourselves, and by taking responsibility for our personal spiritual progress, we learn to let go of self-condemnation and work toward balance instead.

Take this responsibility into your own hands, own it and live life in acceptance. Move away from the need to label your experiences. Move instead into a state of union with the universe; it is there that your obstacles have the opportunity to dissolve.

Bronwen and Frans Stiene

Bronwen and Frans Stiene are the co-founders of the International House of Reiki and co-authors of The Reiki Sourcebook, The Japanese Art of Reiki, Your Reiki Treatment, The A-Z of Reiki Pocketbook and the Reiki Techniques Card Deck. Bronwen and Frans teach in the USA, Europe and Australia. Visit the Courses page to find a course near you.