Both Reiki and Quantum-Touch work with Life Force Energy to promote healing. This article will explore the similarities and differences between these two energy healing practices.

What is Life Force Energy?

Also known as chi (in traditional Chinese medicine), prana (in Hindu philosophy), or ki (in Japanese), Life Force Energy can be described in many ways:

• In the Star Wars movies, it is defined as "The Force" -- an energy field created by all living things.
• Life Force Energy is the vital energy that animates all living beings. It can be understood as being the essence of life itself, the animating principle responsible for consciousness, growth and vitality.
• It is the subtle, unseen force that flows through every cell, tissue, and organ of the body, sustaining life. Life Force Energy is present in all living things, connecting us to each other and to the larger universe.
• Life Force Energy is the difference between something that is "alive" and something that is "dead."

When you enter a party and get a “vibe," what you are probably picking up on is the life force energy of the room. Similarly, if you’re driving down the freeway and “know” someone is looking at you, it’s because you can feel their energy.

Origins

Although both Reiki and Quantum-Touch work with Life Force Energy, they have different origins.

Reiki:

The word "Reiki" is derived from two Japanese words: "Rei," which means universal, and "Ki," which means life energy or vital energy. Therefore, Reiki can be translated as "universal life force energy."

Reiki originated in Japan in the early 20th century through the teachings and experiences of Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist monk and spiritual seeker. Mikao Usui was born on August 15, 1865, in the village of Yago in the Yamagata district of Gifu prefecture, Japan. He grew up with a keen interest in spiritual and philosophical matters, which led him to study various religious and healing practices. Usui's life changed dramatically when he embarked on a spiritual retreat to Mount Kurama near Kyoto, Japan. During a 21-day meditation and fasting retreat, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening and enlightenment. According to Usui's teachings, during his spiritual experience on Mount Kurama, he received a revelation or mystical experience that granted him the ability to heal through the laying on of hands. This experience is often referred to as a "Reiki attunement" or "Reiju.

Following his spiritual awakening, Usui began practicing and teaching his healing method, which he called the "Usui Reiki Ryoho" or the "Usui System of Reiki Healing." He founded a Reiki organization called the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai in Tokyo, where he taught and shared his healing techniques with students.

Today, Reiki is practiced and taught worldwide and it continues to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of modern practitioners and recipients. While Reiki has its roots in Japanese spiritual practices, it is not affiliated with any specific religion or belief system. It is considered a holistic and non-invasive therapy that can be practiced by people of all backgrounds and belief systems.

Quantum-Touch:

Quantum-Touch was developed in the late 20th century by Richard Gordon, an American author, lecturer, and energy healing practitioner. In the early 1970’s, Richard Gordon attended the Christos School of Natural Healing in Taos, New Mexico, where he studied therapeutic massage, spiritual healing, and herbal medicine. While attending school, Richard was amazed when he felt energy (universal life force energy) around his hands. A few weeks later he was introduced to Polarity Therapy, which led to a wide range of further discoveries about energy, and he eventually wrote a book, Your Healing Hands: The Polarity Experience.

In 1978, right around the time Your Healing Hands was going into print, Richard met Robert Rasmussen, who seemed to possess an extraordinary ability to do energy healing. While observing Robert work, Richard initially concluded that Robert had some supernatural ability and no one else in the world would ever be able to do it. However, after apprenticing with Robert, Richard realized that he too could work with life force energy to facilitate healing, just like Robert.

Eventually Richard Gordon was asked to take over Robert's organization upon Robert’s retirement, and that's how Quantum-Touch was born. Richard began offering workshops to teach Quantum-Touch techniques to others. These techniques aimed to facilitate the body's natural healing process and promote holistic well-being, based on the principle that the practitioner can amplify and direct life-force energy through focused intention, breathwork, and body awareness. Quantum-Touch workshops provided hands-on instruction, demonstrations, and practice sessions to help participants learn how to apply Quantum-Touch energy for healing purposes.

In 2002, Richard Gordon published "Quantum-Touch: The Power to Heal," which introduced the principles and techniques of Quantum-Touch to a wider audience. The book provided practical guidance and instructions for individuals interested in learning and practicing Quantum-Touch for themselves. Richard Gordon has also published additional books and developed further workshops on Quantum-Touch.

Today, instructors teach Quantum-Touch worldwide in multiple languages. Its principles have been applied in various contexts, including healthcare, wellness, and personal development. Like Reiki, Quantum-Touch is practiced by people of all backgrounds and belief systems.

Philosophy

Quantum-Touch:

Quantum-Touch emphasizes the innate ability of the body to heal itself and aims to support this process by amplifying the body's own healing energy. It operates on the principle that the practitioner acts as a facilitator rather than a "healer." Ultimately healing comes from within the individual rather than being something imposed from an external source.

Richard Gordon, founder of Quantum-Touch often says, "We can not heal another person any more than we can eat their lunch!" Healing is not something that one person can solely bestow upon another. Just as one person cannot digest another person's lunch for them, healing is an individual journey that requires active participation and engagement from the person seeking healing. Quantum-Touch emphasizes the importance of self-responsibility and empowerment in the healing process, suggesting that true healing arises from within each individual.

Reiki:

Reiki encourages practitioners to deepen their connection to the spiritual essence of life by focusing attention on the flow of universal life force energy and remaining fully present in the moment. Practitioners often view themselves as conduits for this energy rather than the source of healing. Some practitioners report receiving spiritual guidance or insights during Reiki treatments, which they interpret as messages from the divine or higher self. This spiritual connection provides comfort, guidance, and support on their spiritual journey. Reiki practitioners often experience a deepening of their spiritual connection and intuition through their practice.

Approaches

Reiki:

The ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, instead, practitioners are initiated into the flow of universal healing energy through a series of attunements guided by a Reiki master. During the attunement ceremony, the Reiki master channels the energy of Reiki and directs it towards the student. This energy is believed to flow through the Reiki master's hands and into the student's energy field, activating their ability to channel Reiki energy for healing purposes. During the attunement process, sacred Reiki symbols are passed down from Reiki master to student. These symbols are visual representations used by practitioners to focus intention and channel energy during healing sessions. Each symbol holds specific meanings and is associated with particular aspects of healing and spiritual growth.

Quantum-Touch:

Unlike Reiki, Quantum-Touch does not offer attunements and does not work with sacred symbols. Instead, during a Quantum-Touch workshop, students learn a variety of energy healing techniques, including breathing exercises, body awareness practices, specific hand positions, understanding energy patterns, vortexing the energy, working with Chakras, and more. These techniques allow the Quantum-Touch practitioner to powerfully focus and amplify life-force energy. The Quantum-Touch techniques are demonstrated by the instructor and then practiced by participants, allowing them to gain proficiency and confidence in their application.

Training and Certification

Reiki:

In Reiki training, there are typically three main levels or degrees of attainment, each building upon the previous one. These levels are commonly referred to as Reiki Level 1, Reiki Level 2, and Reiki Master/Teacher Level. Here's a brief overview of each level:

Reiki Level 1 (Shoden or First Degree): At this introductory level, students learn the basics of Reiki, including its history, principles, and techniques. They receive attunements from a Reiki Master, which open their energy channels to channel Reiki energy. Students learn how to perform Reiki self-treatments and give Reiki treatments to others, including hand positions and techniques for working with energy. Reiki Level 1 focuses primarily on physical healing and self-care.

Reiki Level 2 (Okuden or Second Degree): In Level 2, students deepen their understanding and practice of Reiki. They receive additional attunements that increase the flow and potency of Reiki energy. Students learn about the use of Reiki symbols and how to incorporate them into their practice for specific purposes, such as mental/emotional healing and distance healing. Level 2 also involves learning advanced techniques and protocols for giving Reiki treatments.

Reiki Master/Teacher Level (Shinpiden or Third Degree): Reiki Master/Teacher Level is for those who wish to deepen their practice and potentially teach Reiki to others. Students receive further attunements that strengthen their connection to Reiki energy and enhance their ability to transmit it to others. They learn advanced Reiki techniques, including additional symbols and healing methods. Master/Teacher Level also includes training on how to attune others to Reiki and teach Reiki classes.

In addition to these main levels, some Reiki systems may have variations or additional levels, and the structure of training can vary depending on the Reiki lineage and tradition. It's also worth noting that becoming a Reiki Master doesn't necessarily mean one has mastered Reiki, but rather that they have attained a level of proficiency and are capable of teaching and attuning others to Reiki. Ongoing practice, study, and personal development are integral to deepening one's understanding and mastery of Reiki.

Quantum-Touch:

Quantum-Touch, like Reiki, offers various levels of training designed to deepen practitioners' understanding and abilities. Quantum-Touch offers multiple workshops, including Level 1, Supercharging, Level 2, Self Created Health, and Manifesting Miracles.

Quantum-Touch Level 1: Level 1 is the foundational workshop where participants learn the basic principles and techniques of Quantum-Touch. Students are taught how to use specific breathing and body awareness techniques, visualization, vortexing, hand placements, and more to raise and direct energy for healing purposes. Level 1 training typically covers techniques for working with the physical body to facilitate optimal wellness.

Supercharging: Supercharging expands on the Quantum-Touch principles and practices taught in the Level 1 Workshop. Students learn new ways to cultivate deep healing Energy and take energy work to the next level. Topics covered include: how to revitalize yourself with the 12 fundamental colors of optimal health and well-being, the Energy Amplification Technique, and how to work with all 12 chakras.

Quantum-Touch Level 2: Level 2 builds upon the skills learned in Level 1 and Supercharging and expands into more advanced applications of Quantum-Touch. Participants learn additional techniques and protocols for addressing specific conditions or challenges, such as emotional or mental issues. Level 2 also includes instruction on distant or remote healing, where practitioners learn how to send Quantum-Touch energy over a distance.

Self-Created Health: Self Created Health workshops are designed to empower individuals to take an active role in their own healing and well-being. Participants learn how to focus on addressing underlying emotional issues that contribute to physical symptoms.

Manifesting Miracles: Manifesting Miracles teaches students how to attract and manifest miracles in your life using Quantum-Touch. Student learn how to cultivate Life Force Energy manifest their ideal future.

Practitioner and Instructor Certification is available for those who complete the required training, practice hours, and mentoring.

Reiki Versus Quantum-Touch?

Reiki and Quantum-Touch are different energy healing modalities with different origins and methods. Neither Quantum-Touch nor Reiki will claim that one energy healing modality is "better" than another because both Reiki and Quantum-Touch support collaboration over competition: We believe practitioners of any and all modalities can work together to support each other's growth and development, sharing knowledge, experiences, and insights.

Although Reiki and Quantum-Touch can be used as standalone healing modalities, oftentimes, practitioners integrate them with other therapies and practices to enhance their effectiveness. Practitioners can combine Reiki and Quantum-Touch techniques for a more comprehensive approach to healing. Reiki and Quantum-Touch can enhance each other. For example, the Quantum-Touch techniques can amplify the Reiki attunements and symbols with the addition of simple breathing and body awareness techniques. Reiki masters who have taken Quantum-Touch workshops have nicknamed Quantum-Touch, "Reiki empowerment."

Di Wilson, a Quantum-Touch Instructor from the United Kingdom, learned both Quantum-Touch and Reiki and commented: "I've been teaching Reiki for ten years. I walked, talked, breathed Reiki. Then I found Quantum-Touch! When I first started using the exercises on people I was kind of wondering, What's Quantum-Touch and what's Reiki? I wasn't sure how much Reiki energy was flowing in as I did the Quantum-Touch sweeping and breathing techniques. As the results got more and more astounding my conclusion was 'it doesn't really matter!' In the time that I started combining Quantum-Touch with Reiki, I have helped people to reach levels of healing that I only glimpsed with Reiki alone."

When combined, Reiki and Quantum-Touch create a wonderful synergy!