Mar 31 2009
Reiki: What Is It, Would Jesus Dig It, And Why So Controversial?
A friend and fellow blogger over at Athiest News shared an interesting snippet of news about Catholic bishops banning the practice of Japanese reiki (original story from BBC here).
After hearing many non-Catholic Christians here in the United States bash and blame Catholicism for being archaic and even anti-Christian, I found this news about reiki particularly interesting. Many Protestants as well as non-Christians criticize Catholicism for being overly-superstitious, taking issue with kissing the ring of the pope, praying to saints (idols), and incorporating pagan traditions and holidays into the faith.
Odd, then, that the Catholic Church condemns reiki as kind of hoodoo, huh? My suspicions are that they dislike reiki’s rather modern origins, having been formalized in the 20th century. Furthermore, reiki is “a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation,” according to the International Center for Reiki Training.
As a pagan and universalist (and a student of literature), I examined this site critically. I don’t see any harm in the training, but I see it as an easy target for established religions because reiki itself is somewhat new. Attacking Buddhism or Taoism or anything like that would (by contrast) be seen as wrong by many others, since the religions are at least as old as Christianity. Reiki, however, is new (and is not a religion so much as a practice).
Then again, it could be this article that irked them: Was Jesus a Reiki Master?
What are your thoughts on reiki? Has it helped you?
My friend, Tenise, is going for her Reiki Master’s. She explained to me what Reiki is. Ben is skeptical (mostly because he doesn’t like being touched,) but I warmed up to the idea, and I think I might try it. I’ll let you know what I think of it.
I was skeptical, but my new chiropractor does a lot with ‘fluid flow’ and I’ve had my own (paranormal) experiences that have really strengthened my belief in energy. My skepticism lies in the fact that reiki is a service that you pay for…so are people trying to rip you off? Then again, you’re probably more likely to get ripped off by a mainstream doctor in this day and age.
I won’t pretend I have more than a passing knowledge of Reiki, but I did go read the article about whether Jesus was a Reiki Master and I didn’t find anything that should have been viewed as all that controversial. From what I can tell, they didn’t misquote the Bible passages, they didn’t come out and say that Jesus could not have been the son of God (or God in human flesh), they provided factual information about the Gnostic split from what we now know to be Christianity…and no one can say for sure what Jesus might have been doing between the ages of 12 and 30.
The idea that a portion of the healings Jesus performed are now called Reiki shouldn’t be that big of a deal - especially since the Bible is clear He was able to perform did not require the faith of those being healed. I mean, I don’t have to have faith in my doctor for her treatment to make me feel better.
I think perhaps it’s a misconception that every act of healing Jesus performed was a miracle. Some things are clearly miracles since they’d have no other logical explanation, but others are more basic. *shrugs* But I don’t really get Catholicism so I guess I’m missing the point.
Hello to All,
I for one have had the experience of a Reiki treatment by another. I have also had the Attunement to level 1 which in part allows treatment of self, of which I benefit and in doing so as shall others. Reiki is the Japanese word ford for Universal Life Force Energy. We are all born with Reiki for it is the energy of life itself. Reiki has it’s own intellegents and knows exacly where to go and what to do. A practitioner need not direct for that would be a waste of time for Reiki has mind of it’s own and cannot be directed by a practitioner. Reiki draws though a clear channel thus absorbing of practitioners personal energy- there is none. As far as charging monies for such a treatment of the Divine, this falls in part on society, bartering may be seen as well as donation. In this day and age a practitioner does have expences and a living to make. I’m with surity that what one charges for a Reiki treatment is non-abosbanant. Reiki is spirtual in nature, it’s not a religion. It has no dogma, there is nothing you
must believe in. Reiki comes from God! Reiki principles: Just for today I will let go of worry. Just for today I will let go of anger. Just for today I will do my work honestly. Just for today I will give thanks for my many Blessings. Just for today I will show love and respect for every living thing. Peace,Light & Love
I used to call myself a Reiki practitioner having been attuned and using it in my healing and massage clinic for 15 years. BUT I no longer believe in it. For years I felt like I was ripping people of for charging them to place my warm hands on their bodies when no studies I read definitively proved reiki.
Also, I knew many other reiki practitioners and none of them were particularly healed, healthy or had miracles with their clients. Yeah things happened. Always the stories of breakthroughs and visions, realisations and lessons. But when do they stop, when do we say this is true and I have been healed and when do we realise we are just being taken for a psuedo spiritual ride?
Now I have become a Christian and for the first time in over 20 years know that I am communicating with the real deal.
Another thing- the ‘Universe’ is not just love and goodness. There is evil, it does exist, it is not your fault or lack of ’spiritual’ development when bad things happen to you.
Only God is Love and God is not found via reiki channels.
Jesus will protect you. Yes, he was a great teacher and his words contain profound wisdom (just read the New Testament it will blow you away-and this from a woman who has not only read but studied every New Age book there is and had never read the Bible, indeed I was afraid to!) but He is much, much more than that. There is no risk with Jesus, only good can come, and you will be suprised to be given more than you asked for. God Bless, Jennifer
Thanks all for your comments. I agree that reiki is not necessarily a religion or dogma, but I think it is an issue because some Christians feel that reiki is un-Christian or against their dogma whereas others do not.
Regarding the universe–I don’t think it’s all love and happiness, unicorns and daisies. I struggle daily with understanding the concept of balance and the universe and my place in that. I think that is something people of any faith can struggle with (though some choose not to).
I’ve read the New Testament and I have found a lot of insight. I simply choose to seek other forms of insight as well. I find the words of Jesus to be very valuable…I just thing that Jesus is one face of God, not in a Christian context but in a general context. I think it’s great if Jesus is the way to God that works for a given person, but I think everyone has his or her own way of communing with the divine and that no one path is necessarily better than the other…some paths are just better for some individuals.
Christianity is a beautifully accessible religion and it has heavily influenced me. It’s just not the only thing that has done so and I am content with that.
I do believe in healing energy and touch, though I do not have experience with reiki. I think that a healing touch could come from several mortal (and intangible) sources. Even if there is no physical change…if it makes the person feel better, has the goal not been accomplished?
I don’t know what to say to that really…just that I know what type of healing works for me and I am interested in trying new things.