Essay on Connection Between Psychology and Reiki

Reiki is popularly known as a Japanese technique that mainly applies to relaxation, reduction of stress and also a way of promoting healing. The method bases on the belief that there is an energy life force within individuals that enables people to be alive (Nield-Anderson, & Ameling, 2000). Therefore the Reiki technique occurs through the laying on of hands. It has two Japanese words, Rei which means the higher power or the wisdom of God and Ki which means life force energy. Therefore its translation is a life force energy that has spiritual guidance (Shore, 2004). As a form of treatment, Reiki feels like glowing radiance that flows within an individual, and it is also excellent and pleasant. Those who administer and experience the treatment explain that it heals the person holistically including the mind spirit emotions and the body and therefore resulting in various beneficial consequences that include feelings of peace, relaxation, a sense of security and well-being within the individual. There have been reports of miraculous results from different individuals who have experienced Reiki (Shore, 2004).

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Psychology on the other hand closely relates to the functions that the Reiki treatment plays. It is a health component that aims at the holistic wellbeing of the individual (Vitale, 2009). According to psychology, for one to be considered healthy, he/she needs to balance all the aspects of his/her life including the physical, spiritual, psychological and social. In doing so, the individual is considered to be holistically healthy. In a way, one could say that psychology and reiki and one and the same technique except that Reiki is initially deemed to be a Japanese technique while psychology is a field of health that applies everywhere around the world.

In many instances, individuals undergo physical pain that has no medical etiology or whose origin may not be medically identified. In this case, counseling psychologists work on the identification of the psychological issues that may be the cause of the persons physical pain. In the same way, Reiki works on identifying and healing and emotional or mental issues that one is going through (Vitale, 2007). It is considered a method that is safe for holistic healing and self-improvement for any individual who needs to use the technique. Many aspects of Reiki are similar to those of psychology including its purpose and the expected results for each.

The techniques are believed to have various healing abilities with individuals confessing to getting relief from issues like long-term back pain after using Reiki (Bassman & Uellendahl, 2003). Research also talks of receiving various tools that enable them to handle their current matters in a better way including those that are physical. One aim of psychology is similar to that mentioned which is providing individuals with coping mechanisms that help them better handle their issues (Xara, 2016). It is so in both areas to ensure that the people develop the attitude and belief that he/can handle any issues they experience in their day-to-day lives.

A unique characteristic of Reiki which is also shared by psychology is the identification of the cause of matter in a person and addressing this cause. Psychology refers to it as the underlying issue. Those who practice and belief in Reiki know that is an individual considered to be a healer promises a cure for one's disease it is probably and empty promise because they believe that if the cause of the issue one is experiencing is not dealt with, then the person is likely to experience the problem again (VanderVaart et al., 2009). It is a belief also held by psychologists who only aim for identification of the underlying issues a client is going through. Psychology professionals believe that the problem a person presents when they visit is most likely a manifestation of what he/she is likely going through (Engebretson, & Wardell, 2002). Therefore, is the professional does not identify and deal with the underlying issue but only focuses on the symptoms, here is more hurt than help the individual will experience.

Psychology believes in the power within a person to identify and adequately address the issue that are within the person and which are causing discomfort to the individual. A precise example is Carl Rogerss psychology which mostly centers on the individual and the power the person hold in identifying and dealing with any issues they may be going experiencing. It is the individual that takes the lead in psychology as the professional only guides and helps when there is the need. Reiki works in a similar way with a focus of the inner healer through direct contact and stimulation of this part of the self (Stone, 2008). Reiki believes that the self or the individual knows the exact requirement for the person to become healthy in all aspects of his/her life (Howard, 2007).

Psychology aims for the creation of rapport and a caring relationship between the individual and the client. By doing so, psychologists believe that one can easily express themselves helping the professional identify the exact underlying issue the customer is experiencing. Therefore the person develops trust and works with the psychologists in a more comfortable way. Reiki is no different. It is a technique whose roots are in love and its guidance is spiritual (Autret, Valade & Debiais, 2012). It is, therefore, a healing process because it is gentle and works through divine intelligence. Just as psychology works on identifying a harmony and providing healing for all systems of energy within the person including the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual systems, so does psychology who on providing a balance for the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of the person, therefore ensuring holistic wellbeing.

References

Autret, A., Valade, D., & Debiais, S. (2012). Placebo and other psychological interactions in headache treatment. The journal of headache and pain, 13(3), 191-198.

Bassman, L. E., & Uellendahl, G. (2003). Complementary/alternative medicine: Ethical, professional, and practical challenges for psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 34(3), 264.

Engebretson, J., & Wardell, D. W. (2002). Experience of a Reiki session. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 8(2), 48.

Howard, J. (2007). Do Bach flower remedies have a role to play in pain control?: A critical analysis investigating therapeutic value beyond the placebo effect, and the potential of Bach flower remedies as a psychological method of pain relief. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 13(3), 174-183.

Nield-Anderson, L., & Ameling, A. (2000). The empowering nature of Reiki as a complementary therapy. Holistic Nursing Practice, 14(3), 21-29.

Shore, A. G. (2004). Long-term effects of energetic healing on symptoms of psychological depression and self-perceived stress. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 10(3), 42.

Shore, A. G. (2004). Long-term effects of energetic healing on symptoms of psychological depression and self-perceived stress. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 10(3), 42.

Stone, D. (2008). Wounded healing: Exploring the circle of compassion in the helping relationship. The Humanistic Psychologist, 36(1), 45-51.

VanderVaart, S., Gijsen, V. M., de Wildt, S. N., & Koren, G. (2009). A systematic review of the therapeutic effects of Reiki. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(11), 1157-1169.

Vitale, A. (2007). An integrative review of Reiki touch therapy research. Holistic Nursing Practice, 21(4), 167-179.

Vitale, A. (2009). Nurses' Lived Experience of Reiki for Selfcare. Holistic nursing practice, 23(3), 129-145.

Xara, S. B. (2016). Psychological constructs in practitioners and non practitioners of meditation, reiki and yoga.