Two Energy Systems in the Body, Demystified.
- Reiki Ema
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Meridians and Chakras and Auras - Oh My!
When I first started delving into learning about Reiki, I immediately (for the first time) encountered Chakras, in depth. I had no idea about the mantras, meanings or colour associations assigned to the Chakra system, and so had to brush up fairly quickly, since it became apparent early on, that most people were under the impression that Chakras were what were used in Reiki. As someone who had been fascinated by and reading up about Japan since childhood and even learning Japanese in my early 20s, this seemed rather at odds with my wider learning. I wasn't sure why Chakras were being used in Japan, which is where the Usui Reiki Energy Work methods originated. What's more, I knew that Reiki did not mean Universal Life Force - so that teaching immediately made me want to go off and discover the truth - to research and find out what was really behind it all, and how it really began; like the determined geeky/nerdy human with a penchant for detective work, I am! Move over Sherlock Holmes!
Chakras and Reiki
Discussing energetic systems with other Reiki practitioners and Reiki Master Teachers, when a little further on in my Reiki path, and reading from other sources on the subject of Reiki, I discovered that it seemed to be a truth universally acknowledged, that Chakras were the "correct" energetic system to work with for Reiki. Even the narrative around how Reiki worked, was interpreted through the lens of Chakras: as we move from the crown down towards the root chakra, during a treatment, the vibrational frequency of Reiki would shift, in order to better interact and resonate with the Chakras in question. It was presented as a definite. Chakras and auras are what we use; full stop.
"Impossible!" Meridians
When I was in my early days as a Reiki 1 newbie working towards my CNHC diploma, if I asked about Meridians in front of more experienced Reiki Masters and Practitioners, I would receive the answer that Meridians are "impossible" to learn, so, in the opinion of most professionals, they didn't even warrant further investigation! In fairness, Meridians were mentioned in the Reiki Manuals for my levels 1 and 2, as well as some good information about what they are and some associations. But as someone who was learning to work with Meridians in my Zen Shiatsu diploma course, I quickly came to the conclusion that I would have to figure out whether/how they applied to Reiki, by myself!
Since I began my Shiatsu (another Energy-work modality of Japanese origin) and Reiki journeys at around the same time, I know for a fact that Meridians are NOT impossible. Complex, detailed and demanding, yes. But impossible? Absolutely not!
Are Meridians even necessary to understand for Professional Reiki practitioners?
From my own experience and observations, Meridians are far from irrelevant to working with Reiki, as a professional practitioner! Over time and with more experience of how tremendously relevant, helpful and insightful they are (for me and my therapy clients), I've no longer got any qualms about sharing my experience, insight and conviction that it would benefit Reiki Practitioners to familiarise themselves with the 5 Elements theory, at the very least! It also makes sense to have a working understanding of the general location and start/finishing points of the Classical Meridian channels, for a practitioner who really wants to be working from a well-grounded and well-rounded place of knowledge and Continuous Professional Development.
Acupressure points too would be ideal for a more advanced Reiki professional therapist, in my opinion - but learning their locations and actions etc is not really necessary, given the resources available out there. There is a wonderful app called Tsubook available on the Google Play Store (as well as for Apple) which I heartily recommend to my students and fellow Reiki practitioners. The free version of Tsubook allows a practitioner to quickly and easily look up acupressure points by bodily location, to learn what it does, and its associations. So if a precise acupressure point was especially responsive during a treatment (this can be the case a during hands-off as well as a hands-on treatment), they could look up the point, and integrate that information, if appropriate, into their notes, or guidance to the client in question. And no, I'm not on a referral programme for Tsubook - my motivation is purely to share a great tool which I believe can bring a lot of value!
Generally speaking, when an acupressure point is very active or responsive - or when it gives an impression or sensation to a practitioner when they connect with it, that's because the body's energy is telling us that the acupressure point wants some work, or that there's an energetic imbalance in the client, which is manifesting through the way the acupressure point responds.
I can state from my own experience, that Reiki works beautifully with the Meridian system in the body, as well as with the Auric field and Chakra system. I frequently switch between the different layers of energetic systems, whilst giving Reiki treatments - and I find that the emotions, colours and other impressions I receive, have so much more meaning and make so much more sense, when interpreted using the full range of 5-Elements / TCM theory, with space to include the Chakras as well.
There have been occasions (mostly during Reiki Shares) when another Reiki practitioner has mentioned to me or another person they've been treating, some impressions they've had which fit perfectly and simply into an energetic pattern from my TCM learning, but which have had them stumped/looking for a more complicated explanation.
Isn't it too much work to learn a whole new energetic framework? Why should I bother?
It can definitely be a challenge, but one I'd say is very worthwhile, from my own experience. And there's no need to jump in at the deep end! If you're interested in a more easily approachable introduction to 5 Elements Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (not to be mistaken for the various other 5 Elements traditions around the world), I've created a mini-course with audio, reflective and experiential exercises and (coming soon) video "do-in" (pronounced "dough-in") Meridian Tapping exercises, to help you connect in with the Meridians' energies in your own body. This sort of practice, as well as my "Connecting with the Three Burning Spaces" guided meditation can help you to add new facets to your Reiki practice organically, and easily.
How Chinese Medicine-focused theories around qi were developed
The Chinese Meridian system, and Chinese 5 Elements Theory, were developed over hundreds, if not thousands of years - through observation, then formulating the theory and associations, then reviewing and amending in light of new or more refined/evolved understanding. It is a living framework, which comes from many practitioners' observations using all of their lived experience and expertise - so the theory follows what was observed.
This is in contrast to the Western scientific approach, where the primary focus begins with the hypothesis itself, and seeks to prove it to be true.
Why is it important for Professional Energy Workers to learn about more energy systems in the body than just Chakras?
The 5 Elements Theory and the Meridian systems evolved, and were refined over the course of many hundreds (if not thousands) of years. They are not frameworks which were plucked out of thin air or from one man's mind. Because of the way these ancient, living frameworks evolved, they use the same language of metaphor and image, as (what's sometimes referred to in Holistic circles as) the "Bodymind" naturally does.
The body's language - my Meditators' experiences with energetic meditation
There's something I'd like to share with you now, which might surprise you!. It's somethingI have observed time and time again, from 2020 when I trained as a Meditation Teacher, until now, when leading Energetic/healing Meditations on the Insight Timer app with a group of people (from all over the globe) - many of whom have absolutely no knowledge or experience of energy work.
So often, my Meditators comment on how astounded they are by the way that the imagery they describe, added to their situation and energetic pattern they also describe, fits so accurately within the theory of TCM - and gives them helpful, useable information and guidance about how to better support themselves!
So in my experience, the body uses the same metaphors to show us what's happening (when we choose to listen), whether or not we have the tools to decode them - as I've seen in other practitioners at Reiki Shares, and also in my Meditation groups.
These seemingly unapproachable theories from Traditional Chinese Medicine are actually a tremendously valuable gateway to understanding the somatic (or bodily experienced) information which as energy workers, we can receive from ourselves and our clients. Once we take the time and put in the effort to learn the basics, it's a powerful tool to more clearly understand what energetic patterns are present, as well as how we can more effectively support the person in their healing.
But what about the fact that many great Reiki Masters say that the right way to use Reiki, isn't about "doing" but about "being" Reiki?
It's absolutely true that learning to "be" rather than "do" Reiki is at the Heart of Reiki, and is a wonderful and powerful way to practise and teach it.
It's at the heart of teaching Reiki, and also at the heart of Reiki as a spiritual path. When a person takes this approach to Reiki, at some point of their journey, then there is simply no need for discussion, advice, interpretation or "doing". They are offering the Reiki, and sharing the energy, the experience, the one-ness with their recipient. It is empowering, beautiful, pure.
In my (current) view though, this sort of Reiki treatment is not for everyone. This is for a number of reasons, which include the following:
Not everyone is ready, emotionally or mentally, to take responsibility for their own healing - on any level. Many people can't even connect with their own experience - sometimes due to trauma, rather than due to lack of inherent capacity. These people also deserve and can benefit from receiving a Reik treatment.
Some people will be able to benefit from this more pure, spiritual approach to Reiki, in time, but perhaps they need need a different, more tailored approach to begin with.
Some people can benefit from Reiki, but they are nearer the start of their healing path, and right now are looking for help with some symptoms, or simply want to find out what Reiki is. This can be a big enough step for people to take, and to me, being a compassionate therapist is about meeting our client where they are.
Some people have mental, emotional or spiritual blocks around the idea of spirituality, or need a little support to get their mind to not reject it. Again, these people can also benefit from Reiki, which doesn't need any kind of belief, and is universally appropriate, where it's respected and asked for.
The case for Reiki as a Professional Complementary Therapy
I am of the belief that if Reiki can benefit a person, they should have the opportunity to receive it, in a tailored and appropriate way for them - where they stand. Reiki's great gift (or one of them) is that it is so accessible, and can do so much good - irrespective of the degree of healing required or of their background. Reiki truly is universal (even if it's not literally translated as meaning that)!
Not "either or", but "both", and "each"!
All this said, I am also firmly of the belief that we all "are" Reiki - in terms of the fact that we all have a connection to Reiki, whether we're aware of that, or whether we have been attuned to Reiki or not. It's my firm conviction that as Reiki practitioners, teachers and those who use Reiki for their spiritual practice, we should all "be" Reiki anyway. Some of us will "do" Reiki as well, in our professional practice - but this does not preclude our "being" Reiki as well! It's not an either/or binary here - both being and doing Reiki are aspects of a Reiki path, which are absolutely not mutually exclusive. I'm happy to say that I make use of both "being" and "doing" in my Reiki practice, with my Reiki teaching, and in my daily life - and you can, too, if you choose to!
As a Reiki Practitioner as well as a Reiki Master Teacher, my experiences so far point to the fact that Reiki makes use of everything we are, and everything we've experienced and learned. This is part of Reiki's power as an energy-working modality (as well as in its aspects as a Spiritual Path); and in itself, would make a compellingl case for the fact that I interpret the impressions and information I experience during Reiki treatments - and this extends to all of the energy systems in the body, with which I'm familiar.
However, I would make the point that Reiki Professional Practitioners, are working holistically (with the mind, body, emotions, psyche and mental level, as well as the spiritual aspects of the person), and the body uses metaphor and associations; which, having been observed over time by many practitioners, are included in some of the pre-existing frameworks of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Therefore, if we are working as Professional Reiki Practitioners, it makes sense to move beyond the Chakra system (which was first introduced to Reiki when it came to the USA), to other energy systems in the body; and also to embed more of this information into our practice. This can benefit both our own awareness and development, as well as deepening our capacity to work even more effectively, for our clients, with a more complete toolbox. And who doesn't want a fuller range of tools at their disposal!
What's your perspective? Join in the discussion, in the comments!
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