What is Reiki Healing for Patients With Cancer?

Reiki master Twanda Frazier explains in an interview with CURE that reiki is an ancient Asian healing technique centered on energy — the energy around, within and between people. For patients with cancer, she says, reiki focuses on releasing what no longer serves them and promoting emotional and spiritual healing.

Each session allows patients to receive energy meant to restore balance, with many returning for continued sessions as part of their healing journey. “It’s never a coincidence that someone signs up for reiki,” Twanda says. “Your soul always knows what you need.”

Twanda administers reiki at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York.

Transcript:

Can you explain what reiki is and what a typical session looks like for someone going through cancer?

Reiki is a very, very old Asian technique based on the idea that everything is made of energy. It’s about harnessing the energy around us, within us and within another person to help them heal and move things along. People seek reiki for many reasons, but for patients with cancer, it’s really about healing the mind and releasing what no longer serves you — which is easier said than done.

Often, people come for more than one session. During our time together, they work with me, and then on their own, they can continue whatever healing work they need to do. It’s never a coincidence that someone signs up for reiki — your soul always knows what you need. I’ve had many people say, “I don’t know why I signed up,” and I tell them, “Because you needed it.”

At the end of the day, it’s about receiving that healing energy. Some people are naturally able to harness these energies and help others — I just happen to be one of them.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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