Reiki and Shamanism - Together at Last!
Practicing Reiki and shamanic healing in one session isn’t a new idea – many terrific practitioners offer both. I’ve received lots of questions about why getting both techniques in a healing session is better than one, and I thought I’d explore that here.
What are they?
Shamanism is a weird word. Very few cultures - and maybe only one - actually use the word “shaman” to describe the spiritual healers in their communities. I am a student of Core Shamanism, which does not rely on any specific culture or tradition for its ceremony, vocabulary, or understanding. Core Shamanism is nature-based animism, which means we believe that all parts of Mother Earth are alive and have a spirit that connects us – rocks, humans, animals, oceans, trees, the elements, and the earth and sky. Practitioners develop and rely on their relationships with spiritual guides to channel divine healing knowledge and energy for the good of individuals and their communities.
Reiki is a Japanese energy-based healing technique developed in Japan in the 1920’s, though its roots are deep in traditional Japanese healing. A Reiki attunement is structured energy work, and focuses on harmonizing energy centers (chakras). With the help of ascended masters and Reiki gods, the Reiki practitioner channels divine healing energy into the client to align and balance the chakra energy centers; then the practitioner uses sacred symbols to enhance the energy for the client’s best healing.
How are they alike?
Both healing techniques can be completely effective without any direct touch from the practitioner.
Both can take place in person or over distance.
Both require the practitioner to be a channel, not the source, of the healing energy. Your practitioner is not magic! They are simply accepting the energy into themselves and sending it into you. In shamanism, this concept is called being a “hollow bone” for transmitting the energy from its source to the client.
Both are likely to prompt a feeling of peace and relaxation during the session – it is usually a very restorative and restful experience.
How are they different?
Receiving a Reiki attunement is often a silent experience for the client.
In a shamanic healing, the practitioner is likely to use toning (vocal sounds), a drum, a rattle, a bell, a singing bowl, or other instrument during the healing.
A shamanic practitioner may journey for the client. During a journey, a practitioner may get messages from a guide to relay to the client, or discover what the client needs in order to heal.
A shamanic practitioner may do a soul retrieval for the client if the client has experienced soul loss due to trauma.
Shamanic healing and journeying are also powerful ways to help people prepare for death, and is often part of Death Doula training.
Why combine them?
They are both effective, powerful healing modalities. There are many similarities, and by layering them together, the client receives a holistic, focused, thorough healing. Our nervous systems recognize these ancient techniques, and respond.
I learned about Reiki, and received my training and certification as a master Reiki teacher and healer, from my shamanism teacher, Dr Mary Newstrom. Reiki and shamanic healing fit together naturally and effectively.
That was a FAST answer to big questions! If you have more questions, I would love to talk with you about them. And if you like reading, I recommend any books by Sandra Ingerman, who writes clearly and directly about shamanic healing. My favorites of hers are
Medicine for the Earth: How to Transform Personal and Environmental Toxins
and
Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self
All her books are great! She’s got lots of titles on Audible, if you subscribe there.
I’m an English teacher to my bones, so I’ll be recommending more books. Can’t stop won’t stop.
Stay tuned.
Thanks for reading.
