Reiki and Christianity

[Dorothy]

<<. 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! >>

Amen!

 

[Greg27]

You don’t manipulate your energy in reiki. You just ask that God fill you with healing light. Then you transport that light into the person you want to be healed. You only direct the healing energy to the person. It is not possible to direct where in the body it goes, though. It only goes where it serves the highest good.

This sounds somewhat similar to some forms of Buddhist meditation, except the light is not God (rather it is a metaphorical symbol for enlightenment, transcendental wisdom or compassion) which you then wish for all creatures in existence.

Reiki though in my understanding is more connected to Taoist notions like Chi and so on.

 

[Greg27]

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 am not sure what your beliefs are, and because of that I can’t judge their truth or falsity. However this is a Catholic forum, and some Catholics will say Eastern religious ideas can’t be mixed with those of Christianity.

I’m interested in Eastern Religion but more so in Eastern forms of Philosophy, though I don’t practice Eastern meditation or religion in any form. If you want a fairly good response to the mystical religions of Asia from a Catholic contemplative perspective, William Johnston (who spent 20 or so years in Japan) and Thomas Merton (who was a trappist monk) are good authors to read. They examine and critique Asian religions (or rather, the Westerners who tend to mix Asian religion up haphazardly) from a fairly Orthodox Christian perspective.

Christianity also has a very rich heritage of meditation and mysticism which in some of its forms, like the Asian religions, aims at an image-less contemplative experience of God. The main difference is that in Christian practice the aim is contemplation of the Absolute as God, rather than contemplation or union without distinction of an Absolute which is impersonal, as in Buddhism and many forms of Hinduism.

 

[cheese_sdc]

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!

Thanks for your reply! I was actually trying to not be defensive, and my statement “Reiki is not evil”, is not directed at you personally, rather to the general reader. That statement served as my thesis sentence for the post.

And you are correct. The Church has not made a direct statement that “Reiki is good, everyone should do it!”.

However, I hoped to show, by the use of various Church documents and scripture, that reiki is not necessarily incompatible with Catholicism (as it stands today).

You have asked for proof that reiki is compatible with Catholicism. In my first post I started with the scripture that “he who is against us is with us”. At very basic level, this shows a universal idea that unless we are direct opposition to Christ, we are with Him. I understand reiki to be in this category.

I then posted from the Church’s document “The Declaration on Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian religions”. Again, the Church does not reject anything that is “good and holy” in any religion. Reiki is good and holy. Therefore I do not reject it.

God bless.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Does ANYONE here practice Reiki?
Surely there must be others besides me. I know there are.

I used to. I used to do a lot of things when I was a Witch. So before you jump all over anything I am about to say, read this: I was a Witch. I was South and Fire in all of my coven’s rits. I was the public spokesperson for the group to the local media and to the college campus that allowed us to meet.

Numerous members of my coven and I took part in Reiki, both on members of the coven and on members of the public who wanted “healed”.
After a particularly nasty incident that ended up placing myself and another member of the coven in the ER (for physical injuries) and the psych ward (for other fun things that ended up needing a priest), I have learned that “manipulating energy” no matter how “light-filled” and “positive” it is is not to be messed with or manipulated.
And, oh yeah… it’s not of God. No matter how much you wrap it in that paper, it’s still slimy, nasty, mean and dark.

 

[Dorothy]

I used to. I used to do a lot of things when I was a Witch. So before you jump all over anything I am about to say, read this: I was a Witch. I was South and Fire in all of my coven’s rits. I was the public spokesperson for the group to the local media and to the college campus that allowed us to meet.

Numerous members of my coven and I took part in Reiki, both on members of the coven and on members of the public who wanted “healed”.
After a particularly nasty incident that ended up placing myself and another member of the coven in the ER (for physical injuries) and the psych ward (for other fun things that ended up needing a priest), I have learned that “manipulating energy” no matter how “light-filled” and “positive” it is is not to be messed with or manipulated.
And, oh yeah… it’s not of God. No matter how much you wrap it in that paper, it’s still slimy, nasty, mean and dark.

Thank you so much for sharing that!

 

[Mickey]

Reiki is good and holy.

Are you sure about that? :ehh:

 

[Pat_the_Cat]

I just want to answer a few objections to the post earlier in this thread by cheese_sdc

Originally posted by cheese_sdc 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.

**Do not be deceived, Confirmation is a **Sacrament **Reiki is the use of **Magic.

**From the American Heritage Dictionary - **mag·ic (māj’ĭk) -n.
1- The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.
2- a) The practice of using charms, spells, or rituals to attempt to produce supernatural effects or control events in nature.
b) The charms, spells, and rituals so used.

The best lies are always the ones that APPEAR to be true, or even have elements of truth! That is why Magic has become so appealing.

 

[cheese_sdc]

Are you sure about that? :ehh:

I am sure that when I use reiki, I am using it for the highest good of both myself and the person I am working with. I am sure (and we are talking of certainty here) that when I use it, it is good.

I am sure that that energy can be mis-used and perverted for other purposes. However, in that case, it is no longer reiki, it is something else.

 

[cheese_sdc]

I used to. I used to do a lot of things when I was a Witch. So before you jump all over anything I am about to say, read this: I was a Witch. I was South and Fire in all of my coven’s rits. I was the public spokesperson for the group to the local media and to the college campus that allowed us to meet.

Numerous members of my coven and I took part in Reiki, both on members of the coven and on members of the public who wanted “healed”.
After a particularly nasty incident that ended up placing myself and another member of the coven in the ER (for physical injuries) and the psych ward (for other fun things that ended up needing a priest), I have learned that “manipulating energy” no matter how “light-filled” and “positive” it is is not to be messed with or manipulated.
And, oh yeah… it’s not of God. No matter how much you wrap it in that paper, it’s still slimy, nasty, mean and dark.

Out of curiosity, what do you see as the sources of energy in the world?

And I have no reason to distrust your post. I do believe that energy, misused and without the guidance of God is playing with fire. Quite literally.

I would also tend to think that a coven, using the trappings of the Evil One while invoking energy (and in some cases literally invoking Evil), would leave themselves open to all sorts of entities and forces that could do physical harm. shudders

I rejoice that you broke free of that and found the Truth!

 

[InLight247]

I used to. I used to do a lot of things when I was a Witch. So before you jump all over anything I am about to say, read this: I was a Witch. I was South and Fire in all of my coven’s rits. I was the public spokesperson for the group to the local media and to the college campus that allowed us to meet.

Numerous members of my coven and I took part in Reiki, both on members of the coven and on members of the public who wanted “healed”.
After a particularly nasty incident that ended up placing myself and another member of the coven in the ER (for physical injuries) and the psych ward (for other fun things that ended up needing a priest), I have learned that “manipulating energy” no matter how “light-filled” and “positive” it is is not to be messed with or manipulated.
And, oh yeah… it’s not of God. No matter how much you wrap it in that paper, it’s still slimy, nasty, mean and dark.

Thanks for your first hand testimony!
I hope those who practice Reiki read and take your experience seriously.

 

[Mickey]

I am sure that when I use reiki, I am using it for the highest good of both myself and the person I am working with. I am sure (and we are talking of certainty here) that when I use it, it is good.

Satan is a master deceiver!

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Out of curiosity, what do you see as the sources of energy in the world?

And I have no reason to distrust your post. I do believe that energy, misused and without the guidance of God is playing with fire. Quite literally.

I would also tend to think that a coven, using the trappings of the Evil One while invoking energy (and in some cases literally invoking Evil), would leave themselves open to all sorts of entities and forces that could do physical harm. shudders

I rejoice that you broke free of that and found the Truth!

What do I see now, or what did I see then?

Now: Energy is the result of motion or atoms in movement (ie: Newton’s law) and the ingestion of calories to aid in survival

Then: The life force of all things that reside in a coexistent structure. Energy is what gives people their specific characteristics, and energy that is not traveling correctly within the person, or along the lay lines of the earth, can cause certain symptoms within people.

We did not using “trappings of the evil one”, in our minds anyway. We believed “energy is neither good or evil, it is the intent of the energy used”

As I stated before, no matter how much “light” you try to say Reiki uses, it doesn’t. It is just another tool of Satan.
What is the saying? “The biggest lie that Satan has ever perpetuated is that he does not exist” In denying his hand in reiki, you are giving him more power to persuade you that you are doing is “of the light”

 

[Mickey]

As I stated before, no matter how much “light” you try to say Reiki uses, it doesn’t. It is just another tool of Satan. What is the saying? “The biggest lie that Satan has ever perpetuated is that he does not exist” In denying his hand in reiki, you are giving him more power to persuade you that you are doing is “of the light”

Your words ring true!

 

[cheese_sdc]

Now: Energy is the result of motion or atoms in movement (ie: Newton’s law) and the ingestion of calories to aid in survival

Agree.

Then: The life force of all things that reside in a coexistent structure. Energy is what gives people their specific characteristics, and energy that is not traveling correctly within the person, or along the lay lines of the earth, can cause certain symptoms within people.

Mmmm. Agree and disagree. I wouldn’t call energy "the life force or say that energy is what gives people their specific characteristics. I would agree that it can cause symptoms within people.

We did not using “trappings of the evil one”, in our minds anyway. We believed “energy is neither good or evil, it is the intent of the energy used”

nods. I’ve heard this before as well, and as an outsider, I’ve always wondered about it. If a person is raised in the Christianized Western World, they have certain cultural attitudes. I wonder if by taking on the title of witch, they also take on the Darkness that this entitles. There are many different titles that a person that is energy sensitive can use. Intuitive, Sensitive, Psychic, etc - none of these terms carry the sense of Darkness that “witch” does. (I’ll stop rambling now).

As I stated before, no matter how much “light” you try to say Reiki uses, it doesn’t. It is just another tool of Satan.
What is the saying? “The biggest lie that Satan has ever perpetuated is that he does not exist” In denying his hand in reiki, you are giving him more power to persuade you that you are doing is “of the light”

An impassioned argument from experience. And yet my own argument is from experience as well. Whose experience is more valid?

I am a baptized, confirmed catholic in good standing with the Church. I receive the sacraments regularly and use the Sacramentals. I am in a loving marriage with a child and using NFP. Until work and family issues took over my free time, I was in the Choir, taught religious ed, and I still participate in the life of my parish. Do these facts establish my “Catholic street Cred” sufficiently?

 

[PatienceAndLove]

An impassioned argument from experience. And yet my own argument is from experience as well. Whose experience is more valid?

I will not engage in that argument.

I am a baptized, confirmed catholic in good standing with the Church. I receive the sacraments regularly and use the Sacramentals. I am in a loving marriage with a child and using NFP. Until work and family issues took over my free time, I was in the Choir, taught religious ed, and I still participate in the life of my parish. Do these facts establish my “Catholic street Cred” sufficiently?

Honestly- yes… until you add in Reiki.

 

[cheese_sdc]

I will not engage in that argument.

Very good! Neither one of use can. Which leaves the documents of Church and scripture to help sort this out. I’ve posted my reasons above.

Honestly- yes… until you add in Reiki.

sighs It is always that way. No matter what I say, no matter the scriptures I post or how I show the teaching of the Church - it is always that way.

Oh well. God bless and have a good life.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

sighs It is always that way. No matter what I say, no matter the scriptures I post or how I show the teaching of the Church - it is always that way.

Oh well. God bless and have a good life.

Are you going at this from the point of the mystics?

I think the main argument that I, and others, have against reiki is that there is way to much potential, and from my experience actualities, of the involvement of Satan, and other “fun” nasties.

 

[Antwill]

Reiki is a new age movement, correct? If so, this is what the Vatican has to say about it.

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html#1.4.%20The%20New%20Age%20and%20Catholic%20Faith

Seems to me that a faithful Catholic would take this to heart and stay away from such practices.

 

[InLight247]

Reiki is a new age movement, correct? If so, this is what the Vatican has to say about it.

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html#1.4.%20The%20New%20Age%20and%20Catholic%20Faith

Seems to me that a faithful Catholic would take this to heart and stay away from such practices.

The above link contains overwhelming materials to read.

Here is a more specific one, directly point to Reiki:
cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=200

What Does Vatican II Say?
…………………………
Reiki and similar New Age spiritual practices are neither medically credible practices, nor are they compatible with Christianity; indeed, these practices pose serious spiritual risks for those who participate in them. Given the nature of Reiki and similar practices, they cannot be adapted to conform with Christianity. Jesus Christ the divine Healer is the true of source all spiritual healing and freedom (cf. Jn. 8:32), whether that pertains to life on earth or preparing us for life eternal with Him in heaven. Indeed, it is Jesus Christ—“the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6), the One came to provide us “life abundantly” (Jn. 10:10)—who should be sought for our spiritual well-being, now and forever.