What's the difference between Reiki Healing and Shamanic Healing?

Hello beautiful soul,

I wish to reply to this question which many of my students ask me during our healing course. Let's demystifying these two healing techniques.

What's the difference between Reiki and Shamanic Healing?

Reiki and shamanic healing are both alternative healing practices, but they come from different cultural backgrounds and employ different techniques and philosophies.

Here are some key differences between the two:

1. Origin and Cultural Background:

   • Reiki: Reiki originated in Japan in the early 20th century, developed by Mikao Usui. It is influenced by Japanese spirituality and the concept of "ki" or "qi," which refers to the life force energy.
   • Shamanic Healing: Shamanic healing has roots in various indigenous cultures around the world, including but not limited to Native American, South American, African, and Siberian traditions. It involves connecting with the spirit world and working with spirit guides, ancestors, and nature spirits.

2. Techniques:

   • Reiki: Reiki practitioners use a technique called "laying on hands" or simply channeling energy to facilitate healing. The practitioner acts as a conduit for universal life force energy, which is believed to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and cleansing. The practicioner or teacher often work with various tools such as crystals, healing sounds, oils, and herbs.
   • Shamanic Healing: Shamanic healing involves a variety of techniques, which may include energy work, soul retrieval, extraction of negative energies, journeying, rituals, and ceremonies. Shamans often work with various tools such as drums, rattles, feathers, stones, and herbs.

3. Beliefs about Healing:

   • Reiki: Reiki practitioners believe that the body has the innate ability to heal itself, and Reiki energy helps to facilitate this process by balancing the body's energy systems and removing blockages.
   • Shamanic Healing: Shamanic healers believe that illness and imbalance are often caused by spiritual disharmony or the loss of vital essence, and healing involves restoring harmony and balance on a spiritual level.

4. Role of Practitioner:

   • Reiki: In Reiki, the practitioner serves as a channel for the universal life force energy, but the healing is ultimately believed to come from a higher source. The practitioner's role is to facilitate the flow of energy and provide a safe and supportive space for the recipient. 
   • Shamanic Healing: Shamans often take on a more active role in the healing process, traveling to worlds and different dimensions to pick informations, working directly with spirit allies and guides to identify and address the root causes of illness or imbalance.

5. Spiritual Framework:

   • Reiki: While Reiki has spiritual elements, it is not tied to any specific religious or spiritual tradition. Practitioners may come from diverse backgrounds and belief systems, and Reiki can be practiced in a secular or non-religious context.
   • Shamanic Healing: Shamanic healing is deeply rooted in animistic and earth-based spiritual traditions, where everything is believed to possess a spirit or consciousness. It often involves rituals, ceremonies, and practices aimed at honoring and connecting with the natural world and the spirit realm.

In summary, while both Reiki and shamanic healing are holistic approaches to healing that address the mind, body, and spirit, they have distinct origins, techniques, beliefs, and cultural contexts. Individuals may be drawn to one or the other based on their personal beliefs, cultural background, specific healing needs or learn and merge the two and tailor their practice.

While I feel not everyone is born to be a shaman in this life, I truly believe anyone who has the strong pure desire to heal and give can access to the healing of Reiki and its powers. In my experience Reiki has been life changing and very quick to access when in need and I am not at home, especially in emergencies, and feels much lighter. Shamanic healing of course is also amazing but wants his time and respect. The practice cannot be rushed, there is the need for time in opening the space properly, welcoming the spirits, ancestors and work with the nature spirits and unfold the ritual and healing. 

For the Reiki I suggest to get initiated by someone you trust so you avoid using your personal energy and getting drained during the healing sessions.

For the shamanic healing there are initiation and rites of passage to go through, even there I would say to find a shaman with your core values and mission and get hands on training where you can learn to travel, connecting with other worlds and spirit and bring healing in your life and other people lives. 

I love both practices, they are very dear to me and I would use them in different occasions to fulfill different soul purposes. I hope this might come helpful in your research and discovery.

Namaste,

Moana x