Healing vs. curing: the role of Reiki

The Japanese kanji or words (“Rei” and “Ki”) can be defined as a miraculous and sacred energy of the universe which sustains all life. Reiki practice works by accessing, channeling and directly experiencing this spiritual energy, which exists within and throughout everything. The ultimate goal and benefits associated with Reiki are to feel healthier and happier and progress toward a state of greater self-awareness.  These concepts are similar to other forms of Eastern-based medicine and mind/body practices, including Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga, acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and shiatsu.

When the body's energy ("ki") is in balance, it promotes healing and a state of wellness. “Healing” and “wellness” are rather subjective terms, and are often used interchangeably (or there is an assumption that when someone says they want to be “healed”, they really mean “cured.”) They are not the same thing, and it’s important to understand the distinction.

Healing is the process by which the body repairs itself. Curing is when someone is freed completely from illness or injury. When we are in a state of healing, that process may take a long time and there may or may not be an end state where the body is completely cured. It depends on a number of factors: the duration and nature of the illness or injury, age, environmental conditions and emotional state. Even medical doctors have to be mindful about stating whether or not a course of treatment will cure someone, but they can make some determinations based on what has been observed in clinical practice.

Healing is not the same as curing, and there are many people out there who are not “cured” who do feel they are living a full, meaningful life within the boundaries of their illness or condition.  The journey to wellness is both a process and a mindset. To facilitate healing, we have to find and commit to the practices, treatments and supportive measures needed to create favorable conditions for improvement. We also need to maintain an open, engaged and positive approach. A negative mindset can actually impair the healing process, because the mind ultimately controls what we experience physically, emotionally and mentally.

This isn’t to say that curing a disease or condition can’t happen over time, or even spontaneously, through therapeutic treatment. It sometimes does happen, but why that happens isn’t so easily understood. It could be due to a combination of approaches that finally kick healing into high gear, or that the body was already on the healing path and whatever new thing was added in completed the process. However, expecting to be cured can become a painful and frustrating process when options are being exhausted without experiencing the desired outcome. Reputable health care professionals (medical doctors and CAM practitioners) will generally advocate for reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life, because both of those give people the energy and motivation to maintain a positive mindset, which will also influence the healing process and may lead to experiencing a curative effect.

An important aspect of healing - and also for curing - is to take responsibility for things you can do in order to reduce the frequency of or alleviate symptoms. One of the many benefits of Reiki (as a modality and as a practice) is that it encourages the recipient to maintain balance, remain positive and continue down the path of wellness. Reiki – in treatment and in practice –  helps us reconnect to our natural state of wholeness, regardless of symptoms or circumstances.
 

(Adapted from Healing versus curing: the role of Reiki on Dragonfly Reiki.)