Reiki: A Journey into Energy Healing That Might Just Change Your Perspective – or Not
Imagine drifting into a deep sleep during a healing session, only to wake up wondering if anything actually happened. That’s exactly what Jemima Kelly experienced—twice—during her reiki sessions with Sama Trinder, a self-described ‘joyraiser’ and reiki master. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Trinder assures her that the healing still works, even if the mind isn’t fully aware of it. And this is the part most people miss—reiki isn’t about theatrics or dramatic revelations; it’s about subtle shifts in energy that may not always be tangible but can still be profound.
Trinder, who operates from the serene Bingham Riverhouse in Richmond, combines reiki with sound healing, using tools like a shamanic drum and a crystal bowl to enhance the experience. She describes herself as a ‘conduit,’ channeling universal energy to balance the body’s chakras. During Kelly’s sessions, Trinder focused on her heart and throat chakras, areas often associated with emotional expression and communication. But does it work? Kelly admits feeling relaxed and cared for, though she’s unsure if it’s more than a good massage. And that’s the controversy—while some swear by reiki’s transformative power, others remain skeptical, questioning its scientific basis.
Reiki, rooted in early 20th-century Japan, is part of the broader field of energy healing, which claims to address both emotional and physical ailments. Studies, like one published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, suggest it may alleviate chemotherapy symptoms, with participants reporting relaxation and gratitude. However, the evidence is mixed, and researchers call for more rigorous, placebo-controlled studies. So, is reiki a legitimate therapy or just a placebo effect? That’s a question worth debating.
Enter Nieve Tierney, another reiki master with a unique approach. Formerly an art director in the fashion industry, Tierney now calls herself a ‘modern-day energy coach,’ offering virtual sessions that promise to ‘change your frequency.’ Her high-profile clients include Olympic athletes and Hollywood stars, and she even claims to have helped a woman conceive after 17 years of infertility—a ‘reikibaby,’ as the client calls it. But here’s the twist: Tierney’s sessions are largely Zoom-based, challenging the notion that energy healing requires physical proximity. Quantum theory suggests energy can transcend space and time, but does that make virtual reiki as effective as in-person sessions? It’s a bold claim that invites skepticism.
Tierney’s method is also more DIY, teaching clients to manage their own energy. She introduced Kelly to visualization techniques, like imagining stepping into a giant disco ball to protect against negative energy, or ‘plunging’ foreign energy out of the body like a cafetière. These rituals are undeniably soothing, but do they actually unblock one’s ki (life force)? Kelly remains uncertain, leaving us with a thought-provoking question: Can something so intangible still be effective? Or is reiki just a beautifully crafted placebo?
What do you think? Is reiki a legitimate healing practice, or is it all in the mind? And if it works, does it matter how or why? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that’s as energizing as the practice itself.
