Reiki and Christianity

[Faith_V]

I don’t know if Reiki works or not. I don’t know if praying at the ‘sacrament’ works or not in effecting healing to the body.

I was given 6 months to live over a decade ago…“Get your affairs in order, and if there’s somehting you’ve always wanted to do…do it…soon…very soon.” are the words spoken from my neurologist.

I prayed I would be given the dignity and courage to die with grace and poise. My mom had died of cancer several years before and she died at peace…accepting death…I wanted to leave this world in gratitiude to the One who gave me life…then I experienced grace…astounding mercy and healing enough to continue living.

I believe the Light is given to all people…John chapter one testifies to the Light that enlightens every one…John 1:9 has been called the “Quaker verse”.

We all are given a measure of the Light.

 

[LDNCatholic]

I didn’t know if you meant supernatural as in ghosts etc. or like the definition above. I agree with you there.

Then why do we pray? Why do we go to Church? Reiki will help us develope our beliefs and help us become more attuned to the source of all light, God. That is why it is good.

Look mate, just because you believe it will bring you closer to God, doesn’t mean it will. When I pray, I would never attempt to manipulate God, I praise Him through prayer. If God chooses to act through me, then so be it, His will be done. However I won’t study for hours and practice reiki for years in the vain hope that one day the Lord will choose me because I believe I have become a reiki master (a master of the ‘‘universal life force’’ that is God???). We pray and go to Church because we have been asked to by Jesus Christ. It is a fundamental part of our faith. Reiki is not. The reasons why it is incompatible have been laid out for you. As the Church is the body of Christ on Earth, anything that is incompatible with the Church is obviously incompatible with Christ and therefore Christianity.

 

[Faith_V]

The “sacrament” should be correctly referred to as the Blessed Sacrament because It is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, God Incarnate. When you go before God, you are assured of healing. However, you must have the same faith as the woman who touched Jesus’s cloak and was immediately healed of her illness, which was described as an issue of blood that no one could cure. I had that same faith and was cured. Not instantly, though, but gradually. My visits to the Jesus, the One True King, were frequent.

The Blessed Sacrament is not a “thing”, It is God in the Flesh. You might not be a Catholic and not understand what I say, so that I would direct you to the Holy Bible where you will find that Jesus took bread and wine at the Last Supper and said, “This is My Body. This is My Blood.” Go look it up.

 

[Dorothy]

Again, why is it incompatible? No one has answered this yet…

“Ransomed from Darkness” is a book written by Moira Noonan, a woman who came back to the Catholic Church after being involved in New Age practices for many years.

sdnewsnotes.com/ed/articles/2002/0402mn.htm

At the above website, if you do not want to read the entire article, then scroll down to slightly more than half the screen and you soon will come to the paragraph where she particularly speaks of Reiki. She had become a master healer and teacher of Reiki.

Please pay attention to what she says about it.

 

[thistle]

Care to elaborate on why it is dangerous? No, it isn’t just New Age. Or shall I just accept that it is dangerous despite my experiences and mindlessly listen to you?

Do a search. There are lots of threads on this which fully explain the dangers. It is not compatible with Catholicism.

 

[4HisChurch]

1. Everything requires faith. I have great faith that my parents love me. Does that make my faith in my parents a religion? no.
2. God, Jesus, Goddess, Spirit, etc. I meant that it incorporates whichever one of these you feel comfortable with in your reiki practice. Reiki does not come from us, but the divine source of this energy, God.
3. The Spirit is the Native American version of God. As long as it’s good you seek, you can’t be harmed.

But God is not “whichever one of these you feel comfortable with”. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Invoking “Goddess” or “Spirit” carries with it, the danger of invoking an evil spirit.

Also, I wondered, in your mind, what is the difference between Reiki and prayer? Why not just pray?

 

[Antwill]

Read above. SO much of what the CC says about Reiki is lies and made up stories. I’d reserach Reiki on the internet or buy a book about it.

Much light to all of you!

No offense, but given your religious profile (Christian, Buddhist, Wiccan) it appears you may be a little theologically confused.

I think I’ll go with what the Church teaches.

 

[Dorothy]

No offense, but given your religious profile (Christian, Buddhist, Wiccan) it appears you may be a little theologically confused.

I think I’ll go with what the Church teaches.

Amen!

 

[LDNCatholic]

No offense, but given your religious profile (Christian, Buddhist, Wiccan) it appears you may be a little theologically confused.

I think I’ll go with what the Church teaches.

This is the problem with ‘‘pick n mix’’ faith, they pick whatever they like from all faiths, leading to the belief that everything is ok as long as you believe its ok .

 

[blacktiger057]

This is the problem with ‘‘pick n mix’’ faith, they pick whatever they like from all faiths, leading to the belief that everything is ok as long as you believe its ok .

Or maybe they can actually all be connected in a way that some close minded person could never understand. I updated my profile on this, btw…

 

[az_4_faith]

Please remember, the Catholic faith is the primary Christian faith.

While Catholicism does recognize that truths do exist in other faiths, religions and schools of thought - Buddhism, Hindusim, Confucism, or other Eastern philosphies, etc., etc. - only the fullness of truth exists in Catholicism, the full manifestation of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, the Alpha and the Omega.

Jesus Christ said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.” He made it very clear that the gate is narrow, but many can enter. While other religions may lead people on a peaceful road here on earth, they do not point to the fullness of truth and eternal life, only on a peaceful means of life this side of eternity.

It is not possible to live a Catholic life rooted in Jesus Christ, the Sacraments (which are signs pointing to eternity) and the life of the Church and then include other philosphies from organized non-monotheistic religions.

In other words, dabbling a little in Catholicism, Buddhism, Wiccan or any other “isms” is not compatible. It’s impossible. There are too many conflicting ideas.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Or maybe they can actually all be connected in a way that some close minded person could never understand. I updated my profile on this, btw…

Mate you seem to have taken this as a personal attack, it isn’t. There isn’t any point being offended, there is also no point in calling me closed minded. I am open to learning about other religions and belief systems and have found it rewarding, however just because a 13 year old new ager tells me ‘‘its good! how can you not like it?!’’ it doesn’t mean I’m going to follow what you’ve said. I stand by my statement about picking and choosing aspects of belief.

 

[blacktiger057]

Mate you seem to have taken this as a personal attack, it isn’t. There isn’t any point being offended, there is also no point in calling me closed minded. I am open to learning about other religions and belief systems and have found it rewarding, however just because a 13 year old new ager tells me ‘‘its good! how can you not like it?!’’ it doesn’t mean I’m going to follow what you’ve said. I stand by my statement about picking and choosing aspects of belief.

I never said that you have to share my beliefs. You said that “Oh, your opinion doesn;t matter because if he has that kind of faith he is obviously very confused.” I listen to your opinion and I never said you were stupid and confused. I should have the same respect. I’m going to share my ideas. If you don’t like them, fine. You are entitled to your own opinion. But please do not call me confused and stupid because I’m not. You hardly know me… Can we have this agreement, everyone?

 

[LDNCatholic]

I never said that you have to share my beliefs. You said that “Oh, your opinion doesn;t matter because if he has that kind of faith he is obviously very confused.” I listen to your opinion and I never said you were stupid and confused. I should have the same respect. I’m going to share my ideas. If you don’t like them, fine. You are entitled to your own opinion. But please do not call me confused and stupid because I’m not. You hardly know me… Can we have this agreement, everyone?

I never called you stupid, or confused, and that isn’t what I believe. I also never said your opinion doesn’t matter. You have taken everything I’ve said as a personal attack, as I said before, they aren’t. This is a forum, a place for discussion, we are discussing the relation between reiki and Christianity, not the state of your mental well being.

 

[blacktiger057]

I never called you stupid, or confused, and that isn’t what I believe. I also never said your opinion doesn’t matter. You have taken everything I’ve said as a personal attack, as I said before, they aren’t. This is a forum, a place for discussion, we are discussing the relation between reiki and Christianity, not the state of your mental well being.

My words weren’t only directed at you. In various threads when someone doesn’t like what I say they call me confused and stupid and other evil things. Very judgemental, and I’m getting sick of it. I thought it was a forum rule that while we may disagree with people, we must still respect their own beliefs…that’s all I’m asking.

 

[Antwill]

My words weren’t only directed at you. In various threads when someone doesn’t like what I say they call me confused and stupid and other evil things. Very judgemental, and I’m getting sick of it. I thought it was a forum rule that while we may disagree with people, we must still respect their own beliefs…that’s all I’m asking.

I’m sure I’m one of the posters you are referring to. What I said was not a personal attack at all. I simply stated the reason that I would trust the Church’s opinion over yours, as you obviously dabble in quite a few different faith disciplines. Of course, I would trust the Church’s judgement on theological questions over anyone else’s, too, so don’t get too worked up about this.

 

[Pat_the_Cat]

Dear blacktiger057,
Here are but a few christian objections to Reiki: -

OBJECTION 1: Prayer?

Rei·ki -noun

1: a system of hands-on touching based on the belief that such touching by an experienced practitioner produces beneficial effects by strengthening and normalizing certain vital energy fields held to exist within the body

Merriam Webster’s Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.

As it states above Reiki practicioners believe that what ***they ***do produces the healing!

The concept that; if we do a certian ritual (or prayer) then our god will do as we ask, is NOT the Christian understanding of prayer. This type of thinking is more akin to paganism and witchcraft than it is to Christianity, as it’s based on a superstitious belief that says that ***we ***are the ones in control and our god is here to serve us. As if we have the power to control our god.
Christians on the other hand, submit to God’s holy will, we offer prayers as sacrifice of love, for no other reson than that we love him. No expectations. If God blesses us, then it was out of His generosity, not because we had power to control his actions, or divert His energy.

OBJECTION 2: Religion?
Reiki **IS **a set of religious beliefs!
Here’s what religion MEANS, just in case you thought it meant something else:

RELIGION –noun

1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. ***the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: ***a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.

**OBJECTION 3 Life Force? **

“the nonphysical energy that animates all living things. As long as something is alive, it has life force circulating through it and surrounding it; when it dies, the life force departs. If your life force is low, or if there is a restriction in its flow, you will be more vulnerable to illness. When it is high, and flowing freely, you are less likely to get sick. Life force plays an important role in everything we do. It animates the body and also is the primary energy of our emotions, thoughts and spiritual life.”

From: “What is Reiki” The International Center for Reiki Training.

Christians believe we have a soul body and a soul. We die when the SOUL leaves the body. Our soul is NOT God. God gave us our soul, but he is NOT our soul. In reiki thinking it is one in the same Life force that animates our body AND does the healing. As christians we do not believe that our soul does the healing, God is the healer.

OBJECTION 4 Occult Powers?

Here’s what Occult MEANS:

oc·cult –adjective

1. of or pertaining to magic, astrology, ***or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies. ***2. beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious.
2. secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated.
   From Dictionary.com

This process [Reiki] opens the crown, heart, and palm chakras and creates a special link between the student and the Reiki source.
The Reiki attunement is a powerful spiritual experience. The attunement energies are channeled into the student through the Reiki Master. The process is guided by the Rei or God-consciousness and makes adjustments in the process depending on the needs of each student. The attunement is also attended by Reiki guides and other spiritual beings who help implement the process. Many report having mystical experiences involving personal messages, healings, visions, and past life experiences
From: “Learning Reiki” The International Center for Reiki Training

Man where do I start here?

Using super-natural powers, Guided by a god-consciousness, Initiation to the powers of reiki, all these things are regarded as OCCULTIC!
Not to mention chakra’s and past life experiences which are both non christian religious beliefs!

 

[cheese_sdc]

I know that I’m going to regret getting involved in this thread, but against my better judgement:

Reiki is not necessarily evil.

Mark 9:38-41:
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said.** "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, **for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. [emphasis added]

I’d like to parse the bolded text: "No one who does a miracle (like using reiki to heal an injury) in my name (all Christian reiki users attribute the healing to God) can in the next moment say anything bad about me (and they don’t), for whoever is not against us is for us.

This statement reveals a basic Truth that was further explained in the “Declaration on the Relationship to the Church to Non-Christian Religions” in which the Church states:

The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men. Indeed, she proclaims, and ever must proclaim Christ, “the way the truth, and the life” (John 14, 6), in whom men may find the fullness of religious life, in whom God has reconciled all things to Himself (4). [emphasis added]

God has revealed Himself to all, and that we Catholics are gifted with the Church and the fullness of revelation. And we also can recognize the gifts that God has given other cultures. Reiki is one of those gifts.

I would like to take this chance to answer one statement:

Using super-natural powers, Guided by a god-consciousness, Initiation to the powers of reiki, all these things are regarded as OCCULTIC! Not to mention chakra’s and past life experiences which are both non christian religious beliefs!

May I answer each one at a time?

Using super-natural powers -

Christians use supernatural powers all the time. Prayer, transubstantiation, holy water, Sacraments.

Guided by a god-consciousness -

I’d like to think that all of us look to God for guidance.

Initiation to the powers of reiki

• I see lots of similarities between the reiki attunement and confirmation. Both have striking similarities - use of breath, the passing of the Holy Spirit from person to person. It is very interesting! But not evil.

Not to mention chakras

• the chakras correspond to nerve bundles at various points in the body. I would hesitate to call that evil. I would also like to reference the Declaration of the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions - I don’t think that we can automatically assume that something is evil merely because it from a different culture. Rather, their needs to be an investigation into the reality of the situation.

I would also like to point out that not all reiki practicioners believe in past lives.

 

[Mickey]

Look mate, just because you believe it will bring you closer to God, doesn’t mean it will. When I pray, I would never attempt to manipulate God, I praise Him through prayer. If God chooses to act through me, then so be it, His will be done. However I won’t study for hours and practice reiki for years in the vain hope that one day the Lord will choose me because I believe I have become a reiki master (a master of the ‘‘universal life force’’ that is God???). We pray and go to Church because we have been asked to by Jesus Christ. It is a fundamental part of our faith. Reiki is not. The reasons why it is incompatible have been laid out for you. As the Church is the body of Christ on Earth, anything that is incompatible with the Church is obviously incompatible with Christ and therefore Christianity.

Excellent post. Reiki is a part of the heresy of new age. Sadly, many will be deceived–including nuns and priests in the Catholic Church.

 

[Pat_the_Cat]

I know that I’m going to regret getting involved in this thread, but against my better judgement:

Reiki is not necessarily evil…

…Rather, their needs to be an investigation into the reality of the situation.

I would also like to point out that not all reiki practicioners believe in past lives.

Thanks for that, but you will in fact notice that not ONCE did I ever CLAIM that Reiki was EVIL. Nor did I make a dig at any other religions, I did in fact answer the question “Is Reiki compatible with Christianity”. I factualy pointed out some objections (without giving you my personal opinion), so no need to get defensive. I’m not attacking you personally. You actually sound like a wonderful person who has a real heart for helping others, and that is commendable. But, the Church, in all her wisdom has shown us the true way to healing. Not through Chanelling God’s energy force, but by communion with the Almighty Himself, by becoming one with Him, through surrender to His will. Why would we want to settle for some couterfeit that can’t offer the same? If someone Christian/Catholic wants to get involved in Reiki, I would reccomend that you exhaust the options that Holy Mother Church DOES encourage.
Eucharistic adoration, and the Sacrament of the sick would be a good start!

:twocents: Can ANYONE show some PROOF (not personal opinion) that reiki IS compatable with Christianity i.e. Church documents, Catechism etc? 'Cos until someone can, I’m sticking with Christ and His Church!