• Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • Home
  • Freebies
    • Free eBooks
    • Reiki Resources Hub
    • Reiki Workbooks
    • Reiki Infographics
    • Reiki Calendars
    • Reiki Oracle Cards
    • Reiki Hand Positions
  • Topics
    • Practice
    • Protection
    • Healthcare
    • Chakras
    • Abundance
    • Crystals
    • Guidance
  • Authors
  • Books
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Latest Articles
  • Podcasts

Reiki Rays

Is Reiki ‘All in Your Head’?

Articles

11 Oct 2014

Article by Angie Webster

In Western society, we are very protective of the scientific approach and insist that all things be looked at in an intensely logically manner. Science has greatly benefitted the world and is a wonderful tool. However, there is almost a fear of not seeing things through the filter of the hyper critical, extremely logical mind. This approach misses entire areas of the brain. It leaves out intuitive thinking, intention and emotion. In fact, it completely negates their importance in the scientific process, when these things likely play more of a role in the way the world functions than simple logic, facts and figures, more than things that can be directly seen, touched and easily measured. You may have heard the phrase ‘not seeing the forest for the trees’. To me, this stiff approach is much like only seeing a single vein on a single leaf on a single tree and missing the entirety of the rest of the forest.

I often hear very scientific types say they are not satisfied with the evidence that has been shown in studies that Reiki is effective in helping in the care and treatment of illness, pain or immune function. There are a number of studies that show its effectiveness, and more are being completed all the time. However, very scientific people prefer studies that show a specific thing being effective in a specific way, preferably in a laboratory setting. This is not very testable with something like Reiki.

Autumn Colors

Image by vl8189

Reiki is done through intention, using the natural healing life force energy that is all around us and in us. Very little is scientifically known about how intention works or how it effects the outcome of studies, though what little is known has created some issues for researchers in other studies. It is difficult to examine the validity of the results of a study where the outcome is said to be determined by intention. How do you research intention? Or prove it? Do the researchers’ intentions affect the outcome as well?

It is becoming fairly accepted by more and more in the medical community that Reiki does no harm and that it helps to relieve pain at the very least, and seems to balance the immune system and calm side effects of surgery and chemotherapy drugs in most cases as well. However, many lay people and scientific types as well still wonder if it is simply a placebo effect. And that is considered to be a negative, unscientific thing. Yet, I have always wondered, if it works and it’s safe, what difference does it make what you call it?

I am asked quite often if Reiki is “all in people’s heads”. This question doesn’t offend me at all. I know the mind is quite powerful. Intention is quite powerful. That isn’t something to be defensive about. It is something to embrace fully! It makes no difference to me if someone wants to see Reiki as being “all in my head.” That doesn’t make it less real. Everything starts in your head, with an intention. And then it makes its way into reality. The people asking this question simply don’t understand this yet. This is understandable because most people rarely do the things in their lives with purposeful intention. The intentions are there, but they aren’t aware of them and don’t choose them.

Reiki is a method of consciously and purposely aligning with kind and loving healing energies so that those energies may assist someone in finding their best possible version of themselves, body, mind and spirit. It relieves pain, it eases depression, it boosts the healing response. I think it would be really great if more “proofs” were seen, but truly, as long as it keeps helping people, I don’t care if it’s called a placebo. The healing is real, no matter where it is said to come from.

Free eBook download: We’ve created an eBook with our best articles on this topic, and offer it for free to all our newsletter subscribers.


Angie Webster

Angie Webster made a significant contribution to the Reiki community, with a particular focus on Animal Reiki, which she had a deep affection for. As a knowledgeable Reiki Master Teacher and Author, she conducted online courses on energy healing, herbalism, flower essences, and personal growth.
She is the author of “Animal Reiki: How it Heals, Teaches & Reconnects Us with Nature” and “Reiki from A to Z”. Currently, Angie has decided to retire from her professional life to devote more time to her health, family, and the little joys of life.

Related Articles

  • Reiki Your Reiki
    Reiki Your Reiki
  • Reiki Radiance
    Reiki Radiance
  • From Reiki Head to Reiki Heart
    From Reiki Head to Reiki Heart

9 Comments

Previous Post: « Reiki Shield for Protection from Lower Energies
Next Post: [Infographic] How to Draw the Reiki Symbols »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angela says

    October 11, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    I was having a conversation with my 19 year old nephew yesterday & asked him the same question & his answer was a very succinct what does it matter? I’d it works for you & it helps people, why worry! Love & Light

    Reply
    • Angie Webster says

      October 11, 2014 at 9:21 pm

      Exactly! Smart young man!

      Reply
  2. Elise says

    October 11, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    Excellent and helpful article, and . . Last time I looked, our heads are, in fact, connected to our bodies.

    Reply
    • Angie Webster says

      November 13, 2014 at 2:34 pm

      Thank you, Elise! Yes, we can sometimes forget that everything is connected!

      Reply
  3. Jackie says

    November 13, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    Love your explanation Angie!! Put perfectly! Love your articles generally, love learning from your experience x

    Reply
    • Angie Webster says

      November 13, 2014 at 2:33 pm

      Thanks, Jackie! Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  4. Shirley says

    November 13, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    My hands really tingle every time I open a post on Reiki xx

    Reply
  5. Issa Gammoh says

    February 12, 2015 at 4:31 pm

    Energy is neutral, you need an intention to steer it into a direction and give it a purpose to do it’s required job, the intention is In your head so yes half of it is inside your head, but also without the other half which is being connected to the healing spectrum, your regular energy is not enough to do that healing purpose.

    If it’s meaningless to use your head try living without neural connections, you can’t and you wont actually

    Reply
  6. Aleksandra says

    April 10, 2015 at 8:54 pm

    Angie this is a beautiful article. Thank you! Different conscience levels requires different approach. And Reiki will find the way 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Reiki Workbooks

  • Reiki Symbols carusel
  • One whit Reiki Workbook
  • Create you year Workbook
  • Reiki booklet
  • Reiki summit workbook
  • Reiki Christmas Activities Booklet
  • Reiki Journal Carusel

Free Reiki eBooks

  • Reiki Tips You Haven’t Thought Of
  • Reiki Your Crystals
  • Combine Reiki with Other Healing Tools
  • Reiki and Healthcare
  • Traditional Usui Reiki Symbols
  • Reiki Attunements Demystified
  • Angels in Reiki Practice and Life
  • Meditate with Me
  • How to Keep Reiki By Your Side All Day Long
  • Praise Be to the Light
  • Be a Lightworker... All the Time
  • Heal and Balance Your Chakras with Reiki
  • Archangels Glory
  • Reiki Case Studies
  • Karuna Reiki® Symbols
  • Children of Light
  • Healer, Cleanse Thyself of Negative Energies
  • Show Me the Money The Reiki Way
  • Healing Past and Future with Reiki
  • Cut the Cord with Reiki
  • Sleep Tight with Reiki
  • Lose Weight with Reiki
  • My Precious Crystals and Reiki
  • Far Away, A Must Read for All Distant Healers
  • Beautiful Gifts of Reiki
  • Reiki, an Integral Part of My Life
  • Reiki Wings
  • In Search of Our Objective Truth
  • Do Reiki and Be Reiki
  • Under the Moonlight
  • Being a Reiki Angel on Earth
  • The Gifts of Reiki

Reiki Projects

Reiki Projects

Reiki Rays Calendar

  • Path of Mastery – Reiki Calendar May 2025
  • Coming Home To Yourself Reiki Calendar April 2025
  • Planting New Seeds - Reiki Calendar March 2025
  • Healing through Love - Reiki Calendar February 2025 copy
  • Energy Flows, Abundance Grows - Reiki Calendar January 2025
  • ‘Tis the Season to Heal and Glow - Reiki Calendar December 2024
  • Rise Anew with Your Inner Phoenix - Reiki Calendar November 2024
  • Harvesting Inner Peace - Reiki Calendar October 2024
  • Upgrade Your Healing Toolbox - Reiki Calendar September 2024
  • Enjoy Your Life - Every Day! - Reiki Calendar August 2024
  • Integrating All Parts of The Self - Reiki Calendar July 2024
  • The Power of Setting Boundaries - Reiki Calendar June 2024

Reiki Guidance of the Week

Reiki Guidance

Here’s our archive with 3000+ articles on various themes:

Most Popular

Reiki Symbols
Reiki Attunements
Animal Reiki
Karuna Reiki® Symbols
Angels in Reiki Practice
Distant Healing
Combine Reiki with Other Healing Tools
Chakras

Resources

Reiki Wisdom Library – The App
Reiki Calendars
Reiki Rays Infographics
Reiki Rays Interviews
Ask Reiki Rays – Podcasts
Reiki Rays Authors
Reiki Practitioners and Teachers

Contact Us

contact@reikirays.com

Disclaimer

This site is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Reiki Rays is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment. Please seek professional care if you believe you may have a condition.

Policies

Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Legal Notice

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkNo