During a recent Reiki discussion with a fellow Reiki aficionado here in Japan the subject came up as to what exactly Reiki is. After some deliberation, the conclusion was that there are objective qualities as well as subjective qualities which, depending on which you favor, can drastically alter the definition. I thought I would take a look at that in greater detail today.
The Objectivity of Reiki
Objectivity in Reiki can be likened to the science connected to Reiki (although there is quite a bit of overlap these days between art and science, the science side comes closer to offering an objective basis from which to proceed). The following descriptors for Reiki denote much more of an objective bias:
- Energy
- Conscious
- Aware
- Intelligent
- Balancing
- Supernatural
- Universal
- Intuitive
From this list it should be easy to get a general feel for the main principles underlying an objective, scientific viewpoint of Reiki. The scientific method relies on more quantitative, measurable, dissectable, exact (in terms of black and white) and objective criteria and tend to have a much colder interpretation.
The Subjectivity of Reiki
Subjectivity, as you may have guessed, can more be likened to the art connected to Reiki (although, again I’d like to acknowledge the great degree of overlap). The following descriptors for Reiki denote much more of an subjective bias:
- Wonderful
- Caring
- Loving
- Mysterious
- Spiritual
- Beautiful
- Miraculous
- Divine
As opposed to the objective viewpoint, this perspective is much more qualitative, immeasurable, fuzzy (in terms of shades of gray) and subjective and tend to be much warmer in their interpretation.
The Marriage of Objectivity and Subjectivity in Reiki
The quantum theory has proven instrumental in creating the ability to combine these two perspectives under a unified umbrella that allows for aspects of both subjectivity and objectivity to coexist whereas previously they could not do so without ruffling feathers around the world. The acknowledgment that things <scientific term> can contain aspects of both, harmoniously benefiting both, is relatively new to the Western world (although the Chinese principles of Yin and Yang have accepted it for millennia) but it seems to be catching on.
For more insight into these quantum implications you might want to have a look at The Quantum Nature of Reiki: Towards a Scientific Explanation.
For further explanation or discussion, your thoughts are most welcome and highly encouraged, please feel free to comment below!!!
2 responses to “Objectivity vs. Subjectivity in Reiki”
I have often thought about this. I like both ways of thinking or talknig about reiki.
jsut like how quantum physics and spirituality can go well together.
I thought of this thread during my Buddha and his teachings class, because we have a hardcore “materialist”(scientific) person in our class, who just isnt open to the spiritual or religious aspects of anything.(when i hear her talk, I usually think to myself I wish i can explain spirituality and religion in another way)
Reiki as both an Art form and a science just makes it open to everyone!!!! 💡
well everyone’s different and has his or her own way of looking at things. people tend to favor one type of information over another, and our personal filters lead us to accept or reject information as it fits into our personal map of reality.
the sad fact is that some people’s filters close certain experiences to them
and that’s why i love the quote “the map is not the territory”
however we perceive reality, our understanding of it is just a map in our head made up of information we allow ourselves to take in. by mistaking the map for the territory, we impose limits on the kind of reality we can experience and create
accepting and learning about both the cold, hard facts as well as the more anecdotal, personal interpretations will enrich one’s experience of reiki
the problem i find with the objective side of things is that it is limited by the capabilities of scientific equipment and methods to measure.