I see the term Reiki energy used a lot.
I'm not sure if folks interchange the
word Universal to mean Reiki. Do we
have any clarification that these two
words mean the same?

chi_solas wrote:I see the term Reiki energy used a lot.
I'm not sure if folks interchange the
word Universal to mean Reiki. Do we
have any clarification that these two
words mean the same?

that would probably depend on how you are using the word "Universal"

Thanks James that's an interesting thought
I was thinking the opposite. I see Reiki
as a system that uses rituals and natural
universal energy.

chi_solas wrote:... I see Reiki
as a system that uses rituals and natural
universal energy.

Ah yes - we do seem to use the word "Reiki" variously

in one sense it is commonly used as a noun to refer to the 'system' itself
in another, to refer to the 'phenomenon' or 'energy' which lies at the heart of the system - the 'motive force' as it were, behind the system

and we also find the word 'Reiki' being used as a verb: eg:
"if your shoulder is sore, would you like me to Reiki it?"

however the more pedantic amongst us (OK you can all stop looking in my direction - right now ! ) might be tempted to point out that, for the sake of clarity, the 'system' - ie. the concepts, protocols and practices which define the art - should perhaps more properly be referred to as 'Reiki Ryoho' (or simply Reikiho )

Rlei_ki wrote:

however the more pedantic amongst us (OK you can all stop looking in my direction - right now ! ) might be tempted to point out that, for the sake of clarity, the 'system' - ie. the concepts, protocols and practices which define the art - should perhaps more properly be referred to as 'Reiki Ryoho' ......

hmm, maybe place a little 'Usui Shiki' in front of that, to be more pedantic... hehe.

Milarepa wrote:

Rlei_ki wrote:
- should perhaps more properly be referred to as 'Reiki Ryoho' ......

hmm, maybe place a little 'Usui Shiki' in front of that, to be more pedantic... hehe.

well, those pedantic people (I said stop looking in my direction!) would probably disagree


In the case of "Reiki Ryoho", properly, we should only have 'Usui' before it
(or possibly some other Surname, if you are so inclined)

We should have
either
"Usui Reiki Ryoho"
or
"Usui Shiki Ryoho"
but not
"Usui Shiki Reiki Ryoho"

[and most certainly not - as I have seen in one manual - "Usui Shiki Reiki Ryoho Te-ate"]

Milarepa wrote:

Rlei_ki wrote:

however the more pedantic amongst us (OK you can all stop looking in my direction - right now ! ) might be tempted to point out that, for the sake of clarity, the 'system' - ie. the concepts, protocols and practices which define the art - should perhaps more properly be referred to as 'Reiki Ryoho' ......

hmm, maybe place a little 'Usui Shiki' in front of that, to be more pedantic... hehe.

Or maybe 'Shin Shin Kaizen Usui' to be even more pedantic!

Rlei_ki wrote:

[and most certainly not - as I have seen in one manual - "Usui Shiki Reiki Ryoho Te-ate"]

Colin wrote:
Or maybe 'Shin Shin Kaizen Usui' to be even more pedantic!

Blasphemy! And double blasphemy!

OK, so enough of hijacking Bridget's thread

chi_solas wrote:
...I'm not sure if folks interchange the
word Universal to mean Reiki. Do we
have any clarification that these two
words mean the same?

If you are asking can the Japanese word 'Reiki' be translated as 'universal'

- that is 'universal' in the sense of:

"existing or occurring everywhere "

then No, not directly

hi,

There is no difference in a reiki and Universal Energy they are same. But if any body saying there is difference than again it is difference of his mind not energy, Energy has no name.. It is Omni present and same for everybody and all univeses.....

take care

vijay kumar bali

Rlei_ki wrote:OK, so enough of hijacking Bridget's thread

chi_solas wrote:
...I'm not sure if folks interchange the
word Universal to mean Reiki. Do we
have any clarification that these two
words mean the same?

If you are asking can the Japanese word 'Reiki' be translated as 'universal'

- that is 'universal' in the sense of:

"existing or occurring everywhere "

then No, not directly

Then my question would be, "if I decided
to have Reiki which one of the hundred's
of Reiki style should I choose"

vijaybali wrote:hi,

There is no difference in a reiki and Universal Energy they are same. But if any body saying there is difference than again it is difference of his mind not energy, Energy has no name.. It is Omni present and same for everybody and all univeses.....

take care

vijay kumar bali

That depends on how you use the word Reiki.
Reiki energy, or Reiki system that defines
an energy technique. It's not a massage,
acupuncture or other energy modality it's
Reiki

chi_solas wrote:
Then my question would be, "if I decided
to have Reiki which one of the hundred's
of Reiki style should I choose"

My answer would be: "obtain literature, chat to various Reiki practitioners in your area and choose the one whose explanation of what Reiki is, and what happens at a Reiki session, feels right to you."

chi_solas wrote:I see the term Reiki energy used a lot.
I'm not sure if folks interchange the
word Universal to mean Reiki. Do we
have any clarification that these two
words mean the same?

My answer to the original question in your post is similar to that of James: "No, I don't think the Japanese word 'Reiki' can literally be translated as 'Universal'."

As for the title of this thread:

Is Reiki and Universal energy the same or different?

I used to think it was but the more research I do the more I don't think it is!

Universal Energy is a subtle energy that is found everywhere and is commonly part of many forms of bioenergetic healing including the practice of the system of Reiki Ryoho. It is this Universal Energy that has many names in many cultures e.g. Ki, Qi, Prana, etc.

However, I believe that Reiki itself is a specific spiritual phenomenon that occurs when the spiritual interacts with the physical, either spontaneously or through the medium of person such as a Reiki practitioner.

In Japan many spiritual places are said to have the presence of Reiki. This is similar to Kami (Divine Presence), I suppose, but maybe the Reiki which can be felt is the effect of the interaction of Kami with the physical in this case?


Just my thoughts and opinions - not necessarily the reality!

This discussion reminds me of a question I posed to a Martial Arts friend of mine.
The kanji we use for Reiki is actually Chinese calligraphy for Ling Qi or External Qi.
I asked him if Reiki and Ling Qi were the same, here is his response.

"Ling qi refers implies the involvement of "spirit", "effectiveness," "mystery," and some kind of divine spirit or intelligence." In this respect it has similarities with Reiki.
But not so much with the other aspects "It can also refer to cleverness, agility, and easiness. Ling can also refer to a sprite, elf, or spirit."

As mentioned in another post, is Reiki the same as Universal energy. I would say if you asked a variety of reiki practitioners, I don't know that you would get a common answer.

Personally, I like to say that Reiki is Spirit Energy as opposed to Universal. When
mentioning Universal my mind goes off into science and thoughts of string theory and such.

With regards to choosing one style of Reiki over another finding what resonates with you is an excellent response. If you find it hard to accept or believe what the teacher is explaining to you then you probably wouldn't use Reiki. You might move on to another energy healing modality. However, if you found a teacher who matched your belief system and you understood what they were explaining then you might just practice Reiki.

I don't think anyone can tell you which one is the best, that is up for you to decide. Sometimes that is part of the fun. Trying one style and seeing if it is suitable, if not then trying another. Hopefully, or eventually you will find a style that feels like "home".
Blessings on your journey of self discovery.