Does anyone know about reiki?

[Auntie_A]

Bottom line is, if you have no interest in Reiki, thats fine. However, don’t criticize something that you have no knowledge about.

What I see on this thread is that every person who posts has some or a little knowledge about Reiki and is questioning: 1.) It’s usefulness. and, even more important, 2.) Its safety and validity, both spiritual and physical, as a form of healing.

This is not an easy discussion because it’s not a “slam dunk” like the efficacy of physical therapy in stroke recovery or the validity of the power of prayer in healing. These things have been documented and, for the most part, stand on their own without major questions in almost all healthcare settings, as well as in churches (or at least The Church; this IS a Catholic forum after all, and furthermore, some other “churches” even question the use of medicine, surgery, and even therapies used for stroke recovery.)

With Reiki, energy balancing, and other forms of esoteric, invisible, alternative, or unconventional techniques, there are many arguments from both sides that are worth expressing and conversing as we search for the truth. It is easy to approve of something like Reiki and believe that one is being open-minded because of your belief in something new; yet that can be as close-minded as someone who does not want to follow anything new. Perhaps it is even more close-minded in its arrogance in shunning any opposition to the new idea or practice, than in the fear of someone who shuns all things new.

When I first came back to the Church and began to stop thinking of it as a Smorgasbord, it was hard for me to listen to the faithful who were sometimes absolute in their distrust of all things new, or eastern, or New Age. But I stuck around to consider what they were saying. I asked questions. And I did not insult them with what I, at first, perceived as their closemindedness. I have learned that I was not the open-minded, tolerant person that I imagined myself to be. In fact, as time has gone by, I have found there is a greater tolerance and ability to think critically amongst these so-called close-minded people. I am humbled now into learning from them.

 

[jblake]

mikew262;:

Did you bother to read the Christian Reiki site? It does quote scripture as justification for Reiki and has articles from several Catholics.

The Christian Wicca site also quotes scripture to “prove” that is compatible with Christianity. Those cites don’t make it so. The Second Temptation of Jesus should be enough explanation.

Christ and his apostles healed by the laying on of hands. This is a pretty good example, I would say.

Going by the accounts in the Gospels, Jesus did not use a talisman to do the healing. More to the point, none of the examples of healing by individuals in either the Tanakh, or New Testament, involved a talisman.

However, Reiki does involve a talisman, albeit one that is constructed in the psychic realm, not physical realm. That psychic realm is the devil’s playground.

My Reiki material is with my material on Ceremonial Magick. Neither set of material is conductive to Christian growth and spiritual development. (If I still had that material, I’d be able to cite where the Reiki talismans appear in Ceremonial Magick, and how they are used to invoke the minions of Lucifer. )
Aunti A;:

Call me a problem but not all healing comes from God.

Especially when one realizes that Reiki training is the first step in learning how to harm people by non-physical means.
JCismywingman;:

Could you shed more light specifically on the symbols associated with reiki?

They are talismans whose roots can be found in Daoist Folk Magic. They also occur in the Western Ceremonial Magick Tradition.

mikew262:

Could it be that the healing power of touch that even Christ used as well as his apostles, which maybe some call Reiki today does have benefit and comes straight from God, but many including the Church maybe are blind to it?

Possible, but extremely unlikely since the symbols are used in the practice of both occidental and oriental magic.

Adding to its lack of credibility, is the not so trivial issue of explaining why the accounts of its discovery in Japan and in Europe are radically different.

 

[cheese_sdc]

My Reiki material is with my material on Ceremonial Magick. Neither set of material is conductive to Christian growth and spiritual development. (If I still had that material, I’d be able to cite where the Reiki talismans appear in Ceremonial Magick, and how they are used to invoke the minions of Lucifer. )

Sorry dude, I call BS. Cite your source. I have spoken with many people who have knowledge of both ceremonial Magic and Reiki, and they have never mentioned any such connection (this includes wiccans, shamans, ceremonial magicians and a staggering array of just plain ol’ strange people).

And an excerpt from reiki.org/reikinews/usuisym.html

The first two symbols vary from this somewhat. While the names of the Power and Mental/Emotional symbols are Japanese, the symbols themselves may be shamanic or a combination of Sanskrit and Japanese kanji. It is a practice of Japanese Buddhists’ to sometimes combine ancient Sanskrit with Japanese kanji in their sacred writings and symbols so the way these first two symbols are drawn may have been influenced by this practice.

 

[Mickey]

While I concur with the Church on most things, I don’t on a few. This may be one of them.

Obviously.

You call this website silly

Yes. And dangerous.

Could it be that the healing power of touch that even Christ used as well as his apostles, which maybe some call Reiki today does have benefit and comes straight from God, but many including the Church maybe are blind to it? Use your brain and think about it

Yes. I have thought about it and used my brain. Reiki is dangerous and against Church teaching. It has hiduistic roots and has absolutely zero connection to Apostolic Christianity or the Biblical teaching of laying on of the hands.

My wife has had an interest in Wicca. Whats your point

I have seen many people start with reiki and then get sucked in deeper and deeper into new age and occultic activities–including wiccanism. Once there is a foot in the door–the flood gates open.

However, don’t criticize something that you have no knowledge about.

I have more knowledge of it then you think. And I am compelled to proclaim the truth.

 

[jblake]

cheese_sdc;:

Sorry dude, I call BS. Cite your source.

Thanks for proving that it is related to the practice of magick.

xan

jonathon

 

[cheese_sdc]

Thanks for proving that it is related to the practice of magick.

Not quite sure I follow you.

 

[Vicnau74]

Clearly one should approach Reiki healing very carefully and make sure that they are not “mixing” Christian practice with pagan practices. Any ministry whether it is counseling, spiritual direction, hospice work, or other should be done in the name of Jesus and the trinity for God’s glory. What about massage therapy? My muscles are aching, the massage therapy says only hello and starts working out the kinks, not that I am massaging you in the name of the holy trinity. Since Reiki is of eastern origin, it is different, Reiki therapy should be clearly identified as to whether it is Christian or Easten practice.

It is clear to me that if I practice yoga positions to stretch out my back muscles, I am not violating my christian principles simply becuase yoga has eastern origins.

I am a cradle catholic (man) who has found a renewed devotion to our saviour and the virgin Mary in my 40s and 50s. I have had one Reiki session from a Catholic woman I have known and trusted for about four years. Her Reiki healing was done in the name of Jesus Christ to balance my energy flows.

Do we as christians have energy flows? I think so. Try walking up to a stranger (or someone you know) and stand 3 inches away from them. Even if they don’t know that you are there, they will spin around and ask you to get out of “their space”. I believe that “our space” is part of our spiritual energy that every human is created with.

Honestly I have not decided that I believe that Reiki healing done in the name of Jesus (or the trinity) is ready or right or holy or however you want to term it to be ported into catholism or christianity, but I am open to thinking more broadly and am taking the issue to prayer. My key points of comparison are; chiropractic manipulation is not in the bible, yoga is not in the bible, Benedictian meditation and contemplation is not in the bible, etc.,We all need to have an open heart and pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Love, from Clarkston, Michian, Victor

 

[Mickey]

Reiki therapy should be clearly identified as to whether it is Christian or Easten practice.

Do not be deceived. There is no such thing as “Christian reiki”.

If you want healing energy from Christ, continue to participate in the sacraments–especially the Eucharist.

 

[Vicnau74]

Hey Mickey,

While I respect your opinion, it is not that clear cut to me. To draw a comparison, switch to yoga. If warrior II yoga pose really helps to stretch out my back muscles (chronic back pain from an old injury), is it ill-advised to practice this yoga position to relieve pain? Yoga is an Easten practice with some questionable non-christian philosphy, but does that mean all yoga poses are tainted and not be used?

In Christ’s love,
Victor

 

[LDNCatholic]

Hey Mickey,

While I respect your opinion, it is not that clear cut to me. To draw a comparison, switch to yoga. If warrior II yoga pose really helps to stretch out my back muscles (chronic back pain from an old injury), is it ill-advised to practice this yoga position to relieve pain? Yoga is an Easten practice with some questionable non-christian philosphy, but does that mean all yoga poses are tainted and not be used?

In Christ’s love,
Victor

No it isn’t ill advised to practice the poses.

Yes it is ill advised to practice it in an attempt to attain moksha.

Is it ill advised to let someone else lay their hands on you and call upon the ‘‘universal life force’’ to heal you? According to the Catholic Church, and scripture, yes, most assuredly.

 

[Mickey]

No it isn’t ill advised to practice the poses.

Yes it is ill advised to practice it in an attempt to attain moksha.

Is it ill advised to let someone else lay their hands on you and call upon the ‘‘universal life force’’ to heal you? According to the Catholic Church, and scripture, yes, most assuredly.

Ditto.

 

[mikew262]

Do not be deceived. There is no such thing as “Christian reiki”.

If you want healing energy from Christ, continue to participate in the sacraments–especially the Eucharist.

Who is to say this energy, healing power, or whatever does not flow from God, especially if the person has invoked it in his name? The answer is, you don’t know. You are just offering your opinion or parroting what the Church has told you.

I’m certainly not minimizing the sacraments, but there still is so much we don’t know concerning the mystery and power of God.

Loosen your blinders a little bit.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Who is to say this energy, healing power, or whatever does not flow from God, especially if the person has invoked it in his name? The answer is, you don’t know. You are just offering your opinion or parroting what the Church has told you.

I’m certainly not minimizing the sacraments, but there still is so much we don’t know concerning the mystery and power of God.

Loosen your blinders a little bit.

If you do not know, why take the risk that is demonic, you don’t know either mike.

 

[mikew262]

If you do not know, why take the risk that is demonic, you don’t know either mike.

True, I don’t know for sure, but if it relieves pain or suffering and/or produces positive results, I highly suspect it’s not evil.

The Reiki practitioner, a Christian one anyway, has “faith” that any talent or power he/she may have comes from Jesus Christ. Are you going to question that faith?

Remember, none of us truly know much of anything about God, and we won’t until we die and meet him someday. However, we have “faith” that what we believe about him is true and correct. Some say the Bible is nothing but myths and fairy tales, but we as Christians have “faith” that it’s the inspired word of God.

 

[LDNCatholic]

The Reiki practitioner, a Christian one anyway, has “faith” that any talent or power he/she may have comes from Jesus Christ. Are you going to question that faith?

Remember, none of us truly know much of anything about God, and we won’t until we die and meet him someday. However, we have “faith” that what we believe about him is true and correct. Some say the Bible is nothing but myths and fairy tales, but we as Christians have “faith” that it’s the inspired word of God.

I will not question their sincerity, I will question the truth. If Scripture advises against it, then it is wrong. If the Catechism advises against it, it is wrong.

Why take the risk when at best it has been proven to be a placebo, and at worst you are dealing with Satan himself?

 

[LDNCatholic]

True, I don’t know for sure, but if it relieves pain or suffering and/or produces positive results, I highly suspect it’s not evil.

Euthanasia relieves pain, so does heroine, are these acceptable too?

 

[Mickey]

You are just offering your opinion or parroting what the Church has told you.

Amen. And I will always parrot what the Church tells me. The Church has 2000 years of apostolic wisdom.

Do not be deceived! Satan can appear as an angel of light.

Be watchful Mike!

 

[LDNCatholic]

Amen. And I will always parrot what the Church tells me. The Church has 2000 years of apostolic wisdom.

Do not be deceived! Satan can appear as an angel of light.

Be watchful Mike!

Certainly rather parrot the Church, the body of Christ on Earth, led by God Himself, than someone who just wants to hear that what they’re doing is OK.

 

[Mickey]

Certainly rather parrot the Church, the body of Christ on Earth, led by God Himself, than someone who just wants to hear that what they’re doing is OK.

Amen.

 

[zmyr88]

From the Christian reiki site

Now, based on the translation of Rei, the word also means life energy from the universal spirit. To say that this is God is making eastern philosophy paletable to western minds. This is not Catholic thought.

This, to me, is as big a deal as the whole is it good or evil argument. Have there been people who feel better after the treatment and FORGO real medical treatments, to their detriment? If so, it should be banned.

and so would we for the sacraments.
all has its place; you would not for example JUST do laying of hands on someone who broke their foot, you would take them to a doctor to have it set. (christian science excluded)

everything has its indications and contraindications.

as for the first; in different cultures different things have the same meaning but different terminology. one might call the soul many things.

above all , discernment from god is needed always.

as can be seen here (reiki seminar @ a parish), if the church started teaching morally wrong or plain false things, some would not realize it. as they have a weak conscience and can’t receive god’s discernment.

the bible warned of false teachings, and they will come from both outside, and inside as well. that may apply if any new church teachings are made.