Before we discuss anything about types of energy healing like pranic healing or reiki healing, let us understand what energy healing in itself is. Considered as a holistic approach, energy healing has gained mass attention in the last few decades. It considers the human body, mind and the spirit with subtle energies that combine them. Those who practise these techniques consider that an imbalance or blockage in these subtle energies can lead to physical, mental, emotional or spiritual harm or discomfort. By gaining a certain control over their balance, people can restore their state of being smoothly. Among several healing practices in the world, pranic healing and reiki healing are the two most popular healing practices. Let us understand them.
Pranic Healing
- Origin and history:
When we speak of the origin and history of pranic healing, foundation comes into consideration. Pranic healing was founded by Master Choa Kok Sui who was a spiritual teacher as well as an engineer of Chinese Filipino descent. He crafted and forged this particular technique in the 1980s through immense research with modern science. He always aimed to heal humans via energy healing on all levels.
- Major principles:
Pranic healing works on a belief system that every human being consists of seven energy centres known as ‘chakras’. They vitalize the body and when not healed or balanced, they cause different kinds of ailments. Healers that practise pranic healing techniques concentrate on cleansing and balancing these chakras to bring a human being to peace and clarity. Energising is also part of the process.
- Techniques and practices:
In the techniques section, three main concepts come into consideration: scanning, cleansing and energising. A patient’s energy field is scanned with the help of a practitioner’s hands. The person feels the aura’s clarity and blockages. The person also comes to know about which chakra is balanced and which needs to be cleansed. In the second concept, the healer uses visualisation and proceeds for various hand movements to heal the person. Once the cleansing is done, the healer energises the chakras which is also said to give ‘prana’ to the person while replenishing and revitalising the person.
- Advantages and applications:
Some of the major benefits of pranic healing include physical healing, emotional healing, mental healing and spiritual healing. This means everything from chronic pain, digestive disorders, respiratory issues, stress, anxiety, depression and so on can be healed via pranic healing. It can also help foster inner peace and enhance focus.
- Controversies:
The usual confusion and dilemma around spiritual practices like pranic healing is the existence of the result. Some critics claim that patients may undergo placebo effects when they are being taken under practices like pranic healing by healers. Although there is very limited proof of people being healed, several people claim to see positive results today when undergoing a pranic healing session.
Reiki
- Origin and history:
Speaking of origins and history of reiki healing, it was founded by Mikao Usui. Forged in the 20th century, Mikao Usui was a Buddhist monk who developed this practice after a unique spiritual experience on Mount Kurama. Soon after this experience, he claimed to receive certain healing powers and the guidance of healing people through it. After its widespread application, Reiki became extremely popular in Japan and soon found its way to the western world.
- Major principles:
The core principles of reiki healing involves the universal life force meaning Ki or Chi and hand positions with symbols. Ki or Chi explains the meaning of the term that reiki is a universal life force in Japan and China respectively. Practitioners are believed to channelize universal energy to the patient and heal the person. Reiki healers use hand movements and different symbols given to them during different levels of achievement to heal a person. These symbols are considered highly sacred and used to heal a person’s chakras as well as aura during a healing session.
- Techniques and practices:
Reiki includes three steps in terms of its technique. First is the attunement, second is the hand placement and third is distance healing. Reiki healers are believed to become healers only when they gain attunement from their masters via the passage of various symbols. After this, a reiki healer is expected to gently place his or her hand on the top of the region to be healed with some distance in between in order to heal the person. This promotes a flow and relaxation in the body. Distance healing on the other hand is done when the patient and practitioner are not present at the same location. Symbols are visualised to be sent to the patient in order to heal the person.
- Advantages and applications:
There are several claimed benefits of reiki healing like emotional balance, reduction of stress, relaxation, management of pain and so on. Many people also claim to see positive results in chronic terms in regards with chronic conditions. It also reduces anxiety and depression to a huge extent.
- Controversies:
The criticism and controversies around reiki healing is mostly the same as pranic healing. The difference is just that reiki is observed to be practised by more number of people than pranic healing. This indicates more existence of results or probably, just a mere fact of lesser awareness.
Key Similarities between Pranic Healing and Reiki
- Both of them are energy based healing techniques.
- Both of them focus on balancing and cleansing the energy present in the body.
- Both of them are holistic approaches to healing.
Key Differences : Pranic Healing vs Reiki
- Cultural and philosophical origins: Origins of both pranic healing and reiki healing differs to a huge level. Pranic healing originated in the Philippines while reiki has roots in Japan and Buddhism. Pranic healing has over time included different cultural practices whereas reiki healing has maintained its Japanese heritage.
- Techniques and practices: Pranic healing includes the process of scanning, cleansing and energising whereas reiki healing includes usage of specific hand positions and sacred symbols.
- Application and scope: Both of them have similar goals ultimately but very different modes of application. Pranic healing considers a broader range of applications like physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health as well as aura whereas reiki healing considers emotional well being and relaxation more comparatively.
Conclusion
To wrap up all the information, pranic healing and reiki healing are two slightly different healing techniques that originated with different foundations and in different cultures. With some key similarities, they might sound very similar to several people but the key differences shared above make them unique in their own ways. The above article spreads light on both the concepts along with their advantages and history as well as techniques and controversies. The choice of any one healing practice will completely depend on the individual and personal preferences.