Distance Energy Healing
What is non-local distance healing? How can someone heal without a practitioner being present?
First, let’s look at what energy healing is. Energy healing/medicine was coined in the 1980’s as ‘complementary and alternative medicine or CAM (Bennett, E, 2021).
There are a number of healings that can be done without the practitioner being present at the time with the client. Reiki, chakra cleansing, aura cleansing, Akashic record cleansing, and even prayer to name a few types of energetic healing is said to help heal one’s body without being in the same vicinity. While these are great alternative types of healing, they are very hard to prove scientifically, especially if done over distance.
Energy healers, also known as Energy workers will use their hands, intuition, and most if not, all will say they are guided by a higher power. “Physicists would point to quantum entanglement—referred to by Einstein as “spooky action at a distance” and called quantum interconnectedness by physicists like David Bohm. Physicists speculate that disparate subatomic particles and waves work in tandem regardless of distance and time and are part of an integrated whole. Quantum entanglement recognizes electrons, neutrons, and protons as correlated. They influence each other, tethered into a complex fabric. They share pattern similarities with neuronal maps and mycorrhizal networks, the invisible fungal threads in the ground that assist trees and other plants in communicating with one another” (Pallant, C, 2023).
Do any of these methods work? In 2008-2009 there was a Reiki study done which showed significantly lower pain as well as relaxed and the more experienced the Reiki practitioner was, the stronger the effects were. In doing the same study, prayer however was not shown to have any effect (Radin, Schlitz & Baur, 2015). Some may say that it is mind over matter. Well, we know how much our mental wellbeing plays a part on our healing, so I would say, yes, it works. Not only from that, but from testaments from clients.
Reiki is a Japanese form of healing that translates to “Universal Life Force Energy”, or “Spiritual Energy”. This originated in the 1920’s by Dr. Usui and was later brought to the west by Mrs. H. Takata. Today there are numerous types of Reiki, such as the original Usui Reiki, Holy Fire Reiki, Lightarian Reiki and others. In order to perform Reiki, one needs to be ‘attuned’ for it, and if doing distance Usui Reiki, you must be level 2 or higher.
Chakra cleansing, Aura cleansing, and Akashic record cleansings do not seem to have as much background information, other than they have been around for a very, very long time. The chakra system originated in India between 1500 and 500 BC in the oldest text called the Vedas (Indigo Massage & Wellness 2013). Usually when they are being worked on, they are focusing on the 7 main chakra centers.
Aura cleansing is working on your energy field. Your aura can get blocked by other people’s energies as well as air pollution.
Akashic comes from the Sanskrit word Akasa, which means “sky” or “ethers”. These records are said to hold your past lives. Going through them helps to clear our emotional traumas that you didn’t know you had. They are said to not hold physical issues, but energetic issues.
Prayer can be done for others by anyone and at any time. I recently read (I don’t remember where) that repeating a prayer such as ‘Hail Mary’ can reduce stress and relax the person who is saying it. Some pray with their hands, others with mala beads. There’s no wrong way to do it.
Unlike reiki, the practitioner of these above-mentioned practices do not need to be ‘attuned’, they are typically taught in a class and given a certificate (except for prayer).
When explaining distance healing, I like to think of it like this; Have you ever thought of someone and then later that day, they call you. Perhaps someone said something you were just thinking of? You are putting an intention into something.
It’s the intention to heal that gets the energy flowing. Some people like to say phrases such as “let the energy flow”, to help them prepare. You can also do the same when finished. Doing this can help the practitioner visualize their intention. Your intention to heal should be for the person’s highest good. To help with the connection, some practitioners will use a picture of the client, others may use a proxy such as a doll or pillow, some don’t need any of that.
How does one prepare themselves to receive distance healing? It is best if the client can relax during the appointed time. This isn’t always possible and it is ok, you’ll still receive the benefits. Drink plenty of water and rest after the session. Avoid caffeine and alcohol if possible. Even if they don’t know the time the energy work is being done, the client will realize they are feeling better. There can be adverse reactions, but they are rare. These reactions may include headaches, vomiting or others.
When doing any type of healing, it is imperative that you have permission to do so. It’s easy when a client comes in and asks for a healing, but distance can make it tempting to heal many. What I mean by this is you can’t just send healing energy to your client without them asking for it, even if you know they are sick. That’s hard when you know someone is hurting, and yet doesn’t want your help. However, some feel if the client is unable to give permission say because they are in a coma, it is ok to do so. This is very tricky and should be done with caution.
Also, very important is to protect your own energy when doing any type of energy work on people (well, really in general you should). Some people may visualize a bubble around them or mirrors around them. Even if you are doing work on someone in your family who you are close to, you always protect your energy before doing the work.
Works Cited
Bennett, E. (2021, September 16). Feeling stressed and stuck at home? give remote healing a try. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/remote-energy-healing-does-it-actually-work#what-energy-healing-is
Pallant, C. (2023, January 10). How does distance healing work?. Spirituality+Health. https://www.spiritualityhealth.com/how-does-distance-healing-work
Radin, D., Schlitz, M., & Baur, C. (2015, November). Distant healing intention therapies: An overview of the scientific evidence. Global advances in health and medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4654780/
What is the origin of the chakra system?. Indigo Massage & Wellness. (2013, March 26). https://indigomassagetherapy.com/uncategorized/what-is-the-origin-of-the-chakra-system/#:~:text=The%20chakra%20system%20originated%20in,oldest%20text%20called%20the%20Vedas.