Reiki: A Journey into Energy Healing That Might Just Change Your Perspective – or Not
Imagine drifting into a deep sleep during a healing session, only to wake up wondering if anything actually happened. That’s exactly what Jemima Kelly experienced—twice—during her reiki sessions with Sama Trinder, a self-described ‘joyraiser’ and reiki master. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Trinder reassures her that healing doesn’t require the mind to ‘know’ what’s happening. So, did Kelly’s subconscious benefit while she snoozed? And this is the part most people miss: reiki isn’t about theatrics or immediate revelations; it’s about subtle shifts in energy that might not always be tangible.
Trinder, who operates from the serene Bingham Riverhouse in Richmond, combines reiki with sound healing, using tools like a shamanic drum and crystal bowl to balance the body’s energy centers, or chakras. She describes herself as a ‘conduit,’ channeling universal energy rather than performing the healing herself. During Kelly’s sessions, Trinder focused on her heart and throat chakras, areas often linked to emotional expression and communication. But does this ancient Japanese practice, rooted in the concept of rei (universal) and ki (life force), actually work? Controversially, some studies suggest it might. A recent Journal of Pain and Symptom Management study found participants reported relaxation and symptom relief after reiki, though researchers caution more rigorous studies are needed. Is reiki a placebo, or is there something more to it?
Kelly admits she felt relaxed and ‘emotionally unburdened’ after her sessions, though she couldn’t pinpoint a major energetic shift. Enter Nieve Tierney, another reiki master, who takes a modern, DIY approach to energy healing. Tierney, a former fashion industry insider, now offers Zoom sessions, guiding clients to master their own energy. But can energy healing really work virtually? Tierney points to quantum theory, which suggests energy transcends space and time. She even shares a jaw-dropping story of a client who, after years of infertility, conceived her first child following reiki sessions. Coincidence, or something more?
During their Zoom session, Tierney focuses on Kelly’s ‘energy hygiene,’ helping her identify how she absorbs others’ negativity and blocks her own energy flow. Tierney’s techniques include visualization exercises, like imagining stepping into a disco ball to protect against draining energies, or ‘plunging’ negative energy out of the body like a cafetière. Are these just feel-good rituals, or are they genuinely unblocking one’s ki? Kelly remains skeptical but finds the practices oddly comforting.
Reiki, whether in-person or virtual, challenges us to consider the intangible aspects of well-being. Is it pseudoscience, or a gateway to deeper self-awareness? As Kelly’s experiences show, the answers aren’t always clear-cut. But one thing’s certain: whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, reiki invites us to explore the unseen forces that shape our lives. What do you think? Is reiki a legitimate healing practice, or just a trendy placebo? Let’s discuss in the comments!
