What Is Reiki and Can Christians Practice It?

Reiki is a Japanese form of healing that teaches the flow of spiritual energy through the hands to increase balance and well-being. The word “Reiki” comes from two Japanese words: rei means “universal” or “spiritual,” and ki means the life energy. Reiki practitioners believe this energy flows through all living things. When something blocks or disrupts this energy, it causes illness, stress, or imbalance. Reiki tries to restore proper harmony of the body and soul by channeling this energy into a person through touch or even without physical contact. 

The practice of Reiki started in Japan with Mikao Usui. He founded the Usui Reiki System in 1922. Usui supposedly had a spiritual awakening after a period of fasting and meditation on Mount Kurama, where he felt he received the ability to channel this universal energy. He began teaching and healing, and his students carried on his methods. Starting with Usui, Reiki has passed down to other teachers, eventually spreading beyond Japan. The development continued through Chujiro Hayashi, who opened clinics. One of his students, Hawayo Takata, brought Reiki to Hawaii in the 1930s. Takata adapted the practice for Western culture, simplifying the techniques. She trained many Reiki Masters by the time of her death in 1980. 

Due to these adaptations, Reiki has grown into a global movement. While it still has foundations in Japanese spiritual traditions, it has adjusted to a variety of contexts. Many modern Reiki practitioners use it along with other healing methods like massage, counseling, or medicine. Hospitals, wellness centers, and private practitioners offer Reiki sessions. Some even use self-Reiki for personal care. 

Along with the healing practices, Mikao Usui taught five guiding principles to live by.

Just for today, do not be angry. 
Just for today, do not worry. 
Be grateful. Work diligently. 
Be kind to others.

These principles help to stop any blockages of the universal energy, as he believed it. 

Today, Reiki has different schools, such as Usui Reiki, Karuna Reiki, and Holy Fire Reiki. At the core, they all share the basic idea of channeling the universal life energy for holistic healing. Critics question the scientific aspects since research hasn’t been able to validate its usefulness. However, some people claim Reiki reduces stress and leads to relaxation. 

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The Bible speaks to many of the same ideas, principles, and desires found in Reiki. The five principles have direct biblical parallels, and the Bible also teaches us how to find inner peace and healing, although from a different source.

Reiki encourages us to let go of anger. The Bible calls us to the same, although for a higher reason. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” James 1:20 warns against anger. “The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Anger disrupts our hearts and keeps us from living right, but Christ gives forgiveness, bringing us peace and allowing us to forgive others.

“Just for today, do not worry” is another Reiki principle. Jesus said directly, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink … but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” (Matthew 6:25,33) Jesus taught that the absence of worry comes from a correct aim and focus, not simply deciding not to do it. Paul echoes this in Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requestions be made known to God.” The solution isn’t simply mental calm but trusting and gratitude to God, the person.

The Reiki principles also highlight gratitude, and general thankfulness has value. However, Scripture highlights gratitude even more, pointing us to be thankful for the source of all goodness. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Gratitude comes not only for good things which pass away, but we are thankful to God who works all things for eternal good (Romans 8:28).

The Bible also expresses how we should work diligently. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) Again, the focus is not the goodness of work itself but who we work for—the Father. The apostle Paul encourages us to work not out of compulsion but joy, since any labor offered to God has eternal value (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Reiki calls for kindness, and Scripture clearly commands the same: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Jesus summed up the whole Law in the two commandments to love God and our neighbor. Once more, Jesus connects our love for others with our complete love for God.

At the heart of these principles is the idea of living in the moment: “just for today …” Jesus also taught daily dependence. In Matthew 6:34, he says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Christ calls us to be fully present today, yet we live in the moment by trusting in God’s ability to care for us tomorrow and in the future. In this, fear and worry can’t steal our peace. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Scripture invites us to live in each moment, today as a gift, and for those in Christ, we can do this because of God’s eternal plan and love for us.

Reiki speaks of inner balance and energy, but the Bible talks about shalom, the Hebrew word for holistic peace and harmony, a blessing for today and the future. Shalom doesn’t come from some impersonal force but from the God who loves us. This inner peace, shalom, comes as another gift from God through Christ: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27) The Spirit’s presence within us produces love, joy, and peace, greater than anything we could accomplish (Galatians 5:22).

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Reiki seeks good goals—healing, inner peace, living for today, and more. Yet Reiki teaches that this results from an impersonal life force flowing through creation, one we can control. God wants to give us these same good things, and yet Scripture reveals that the transcendent isn’t impersonal but a real person, a living God who created and sustains all things. He isn’t a force we can direct. He’s the Lord we follow and worship. In that right worship, we find what we long for.

The prophet writes in Jeremiah 10:10, “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and everlasting King.” God isn’t described as energy coming from the universe. He is the creator, the eternal King who rules over all things. Paul speaks to Greek philosophers, saying, “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” (Acts 17:24-25) God is the giver of all life, all goodness, the source of what we want and need.

Therefore, the Word of God points us to inner peace and wholeness from the One who created us. Once more, the Father isn’t impersonal, just some energy or force. He exists as a person with thoughts and a will. Our peace comes from aligning ourselves with him. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3) The apostle Paul teaches us to pray to God, bringing our requests to him, and “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) The focus remains prayer and dependence on Jesus, not in manipulating any energy.

Scripture directs our longings differently from Reiki. The Bible calls us to rest in God, who gives us the peace and healing we desire both here and forever. Through God, we find meaning and hope.

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When encountering someone who believes in Reiki, our first priority must be kindness. Scripture calls us to speak the truth in love, and this starts with listening. We shouldn’t assume we already understand everything someone believes. Instead, we can ask what Reiki means to them, or “How has Reiki helped you?” We show interest and listen, showing humility and sincerity instead of just waiting to preach to them. While we have this conversation, we listen to the Holy Spirit for insight and ways to respond or share our experience with Christ. 

Second, as we listen, we affirm the good goals Reiki often seeks. We have these goals in common, things like holistic well-being, kindness, gratitude, and freedom from worry and anger. We don’t reject these goals. The Bible calls us to the same. Affirming what is good helps us build bridges rather than walls, conversation rather than argument. 

Third, and most important, we can share from our personal experience how we find these goals fulfilled in God. Rather than debate, we testify to our peace, healing, and completeness through Jesus. For example, we may share how a prayer or praise brought us calm in a time of trouble, or how God’s presence gave us strength to forgive and love. Our stories should point to the person of Jesus as the power, as he alone can save. In relationship with him, we find true inner shalom, and this holistic peace from God flows to how we treat others. 

Approaching someone of Reiki belief requires our compassion and conviction. We shouldn’t compromise biblical truth, but neither should we be dismissive or harsh. By making sure we love the other, wanting their eternal best, we can both live out and share the message of Christ, revealing how true healing and inner integrity are found in God. 

Peace. 

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