The basic topics of energy working would be simply the concious movement of "magical" energy. This would include shaping and intent. However, since each tradition defines what can/should be done with shaping and intent, that is where I will draw my line. After that, your defining what a particular tradition does. While to ME, being able to see what your doing is important, in some other traditions it's a side effect, so again, I wouldn't list it as basic of energy working. (ie. Some traditions teach visualizations for their energy work, and while some might say that's using one's senses, those same groups don't teach how to see other's work, or even their own after the energy has been manipulated. Some don't even teach visiualization, they just teach you to "feel" your way.).
"The concious movement of energy" is defined by someone purposeful moving energy with only themselves, as opposed to doing ritual work where physical objects are being moved (or chants or what-have-you), that as a side effect, move and shape the energy the practioner wants to do because they believe that such objects will have that effect. They have to believe it or else it doesn't work, but that's a seperate topic.
While Spartan brought up ethical issues, that is for the tradition to define, and has nothing to do with energy working as a magical form (ie. don't confuse the psion's tradition with energy working as a whole). I also disagree with his interpretation on that basic abilities change (ie. the same abiliity is basic and can go advanced). The SPECIFIC ability doesn't change, and while might get stronger, it's function in all that time as the practioner gets more experienced doesn't change. For example, movement of energy itself. That is a basic skill. Your strength in it might vary based on experience/time at it, but even when your VERY experienced and/or very strong, it's still a basic skill. You just know what to do with it better, which is technique which gets back to a tradition's teachings. A basic skill is always a basic skill, the embelishments make it "advanced", but then it isn't the original basic skill anymore is it? It's been built upon and other things added.
I would not consider constructs basic energy working, because again, that is done based on a tradition's teachings. I could be wrong, but I don't think Reiki uses constructs (but I'm not a reiki expert), but I would consider reiki energy working (ie. that reiki is in the energy working classification).
Do keep in mind, that people who just come up with their own stuff may not be following an "official" tradition, but in my opinion is still following one...their own.
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