I want to take a moment to share something that's been on my mind for years but only recently crystallized, particularly when people contact Soul Vision asking for 'Reiki.'

 For over five years, both my intern and a colleague, who are 'Reiki Masters,' have offered this service at Soul Vision, and I fully trusted and supported them. However, I didn't fully grasp the practice myself, and I noticed a subtle inner response whenever clients requested Reiki. Instead of redirecting them towards Shamanic Practices, I respected their preference and supported our practitioners.

Through ongoing introspection, something I prioritize daily, I've come to appreciate the importance of education in understanding these diverse healing modalities. It's not about promoting one over the other but empowering individuals with information to make informed choices.

The commercialization of Reiki compared to the relative inaccessibility of many ancient healing traditions is a complex issue tied to cultural appropriation, capitalism, accessibility, and the modern spiritual marketplace.

Why Reiki Became Commercialized

1. Standardization & Certification:

   Reiki, as it is commonly practiced today, was systematized in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui in Japan. It was later brought to the West, where it was adapted into a structured, teachable method with levels, attunements, and certification processes.

   Unlike indigenous apprenticeships or oral healing traditions, Reiki became something you could “learn” in workshops, leading to a structured training model that fit well into Western commercial frameworks.

2. Marketability & Simplicity:

   Reiki requires no special tools, substances, or deep cultural initiation—it’s an energy-based practice that can be taught in a relatively short time and is accessible to people from all backgrounds.

   The hands-on (or hands-off) method appeals to a broad audience because it doesn’t require physical touch, making it more acceptable in medical and wellness settings.

3. Integration into the Wellness Industry:

   Reiki was marketed alongside yoga, meditation, and other holistic practices that were rebranded for self-care and stress reduction, fitting seamlessly into the modern wellness industry.

   Hospitals, spas, and wellness centers began offering Reiki as an adjunct to conventional medicine, further legitimizing it as a paid service.

Why Many Ancient Healing Traditions Have Not Been Commercialized 

1. Initiation & Lineage Protection:

   Many indigenous healing systems require a deep apprenticeship, initiation, or the transmission of sacred knowledge through a lineage. This makes the practice harder to standardize or and can not be taught in a weekend course.

   Traditional healers often undergo years or decades of training under a mentor and are not permitted to sell their knowledge to outsiders. This has been something in my community that has been a discussion - especially to keep offering these healings for free. Most Shamanic teachers have bills to pay due to living in the USA. Many indigenous practitioners are offering trainings and teachings to being the ancient wisdom and healing practices to the urban community because they have witnessed deep transformation and healing.My teachers here in the US have required currentsea for the teachings and apprenticeships that I have been happy to pay.

2. Sacred Reciprocity vs. Capitalism:

   Many traditional healing practices operate on principles of reciprocity, where healing is exchanged through offerings, service, or barter rather than a set financial price. This has sparked discussions within my community because, while we strive to avoid capitalist frameworks, we still have bills to pay. As an urban practitioner committed to bringing healing to my community, the barter system often falls short in covering the necessary overhead costs to keep a healing center open and accessible.

   Soul Vision operates with a primary focus on healing and transformation, guided by heart-centered and respectful practices that honor ancient traditions. In today's 21st-century reality, there's a growing need for accessible knowledge and healing, especially here in Long Beach, CA, where maintaining services incurs necessary overhead costs. We strive to keep our services affordable while upholding a commitment to 'DO NO HARM'—both to ourselves and to those we support and hold space for.

3. Cultural Barriers & Gatekeeping:

   I've been fortunate to be accepted and welcomed into various communities where ancient healing practices are deeply rooted in specific cultures, languages, and traditions. Through teaching and apprenticeships, I've had the privilege to learn from Lakota, Mexican, African, Native American, and Celtic traditions. Isis has apprenticed and learned from Chinese and Daoism lineages. We both hold high regard and reverence for all cultures.

   Colonization and cultural appropriation have made indigenous healers wary of sharing their knowledge due to historical exploitation. The indigenous healers that we have learned from don’t allow past colonization to deter them from teaching us. 

4. Legal & Ethical Restrictions:

   Unlike Reiki, which is non-invasive and generally considered 'safe' by Western standards, some indigenous healing methods incorporate psychoactive plants, physical interventions, or ritual practices that are highly effective and often unconventional. 

   Legal restrictions on plant medicines have prevented their widespread commercialization. The plants are healing. I support the use of plant medicine. Legal restrictions have limited their widespread commercialization, despite their healing properties. These plants may not be suitable for everyone, but documentaries like 'Fantastic Fungi' and 'How to Change Your Mind' on Netflix are educating the masses about their benefits. And it’s for each human to decide for themself.

The Double-Edged Sword of Reiki’s Popularity

On one hand, Reiki has helped introduce people to energy healing and alternative modalities, making these concepts more acceptable.

On the other hand, its commercialization has led to watered-down teachings, quick certifications, and an industry where people pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for something that was originally meant to be accessible and freely shared.

Where This Leaves Ancient Healing Traditions

Some traditional practices, like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), have been partly commercialized but still retain deep cultural and philosophical roots.

Other practices remain protected or are slowly being shared under strict guidance, often by indigenous practitioners ensuring authenticity and respect.

Final thoughts . . .

Reiki’s commercialization illustrates how healing practices can be shaped by modern economics. In contrast, shamanic traditions, like the work Isis, Javier and I practice, remain rooted in community, deep initiation, and a commitment to reciprocity that transcends commodification in capitalism. These ancient practices offer profound healing alternatives that resonate on a deeper level than conventional approaches. Charging for our services is necessary to sustain our work and support our livelihoods, without diminishing the sacredness of our practice.