Reiki, Complementary Therapy

As you learn about Reiki, it may seem like regular sessions could completely replace many, if not all, modern therapies. I would argue, however, that Reiki can and should be used in conjunction with, and not a replacement for, modern therapies.

Reiki is a catalyst for implementing profound, lasting change, but it isn't a silver bullet; the sources of imbalance and dis-ease weren't created overnight - it will take time, effort, and a healthy dose of brutal self-honesty to return to a state of balance.

Depression, for example, is one of the most common afflictions experienced by members of society today. Prior to my experience with Reiki, improvement with medication and counseling seemed like a very slow process. The medicines and doctors seemed to be treating the symptoms, and not my actual illness.

In SPONTANEOUS HEALING (also see here )by Dr. Andrew Weil (http://www.drweil.com), he discusses the problems inherent in medical model; through many examples, he demonstrates two things: first, the modern medical model is afflicted with a tendency to treat the symptoms, rather than the source, of problems; secondly, when therapies work with the body's natural healing ability - for example, chiropractics, which operates off a holistic, whole person approach to healing - the body is more efficient to heal itself.

He also offers some historical context to explain how this model came to be. "In ancient Greece, doctors worked under the patronage of Asklepios, the god of medicine, but healers served Asklepios's daughter, the radiant Hygiea, goddess of health ... For the worshipper of Hygeia, health is the natural order of things, a positive attribute to which men are entitled if they govern their lives wisely. According to them, the most important function of medicine is to discover and teach the natural laws which will ensure a man a healthy mind in a healthy body. More skeptical, or wiser in the ways of the world, the followers of Asklepios believe that the chief role to the physician is to treat disease, to restore health by correcting any imperfections caused by accidents of birth or life."

I feel it's important to state that I am in no way saying that people should stop using modern medicine or modern therapies; today, people are living longer than even 10 or 20 years ago, thanks to scientific advancements in medical technology and biological research. I would never endorse not going to the doctor if you are sick or have a broken arm, although I also believe the modern medical model does have its limits.

In an earlier post, I mentioned that symptoms of my depression had disappeared following my first attunement; while that is true, my depression wasn't cured, per se. Even after this point, I continued sessions with a professional counselor. Even though Reiki served as a great catalyst for change, and did what medications could not, the source of my depression was not fully resolved. As I stated in the previous post about choice, Reiki doesn't necessarily cure imbalances, but it does allow a person to face their fears head on - if they choose to.

Ultimately, I do believe that, when used in conjunction with other therapies, Reiki can be a powerful therapeutic practice for making great leaps forward. Maintaining an objective mind - whether achieved through journaling, professional counseling, or talking with a trusted friend - is highly valuable in order to confront and release imbalances that Reiki brings to the surface.