Comments on: Reiki and the Catholic Bishops, Again

By: Pamela Miles

Pamela Miles — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:51:43 +0000

Takata-trained Reiki master Paul David Mitchell is a practicing Catholic. He will speak to me about Hawayo Takata, Catholicism, and the future of Reiki in a free webinar at 6 PM EST on Monday, January 30, 2012. Click here to register now and you will receive the recording link even if you are not able to be with us live. Registration closes when the event starts.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:30:11 +0000

Dale said it perfectly…

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:29:05 +0000

Amen

By: Mari

Mari — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 06:07:17 +0000

GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING REIKI AS AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY
Interesting information if you would like to know the final statement of Catholic Bishops regarding Reiki, quite informative.

http://www.usccb.org/doctrine/Evaluation_Guidelines_finaltext_2009-03.pdf

By: Reiki & the Bishops in the Boston Globe

Reiki & the Bishops in the Boston Globe — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:12:49 +0000

[...] posts: Bishops’ Syndrome, Reiki and the Catholic Bishops, Again Email this Reiki: A Comprehensive Guide By Pamela Miles If you've enjoyed this, [...]

By: sharonbaker

sharonbaker — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:07:21 +0000

I am an RN, Reiki Master and have practiced energy therapies for over 20 years. I recently treated a Catholic priest with Reiki (and related) both at the rectory and in hospice(Catholic facility). He found his sessions provided pain and stress relief during his last stages of brain cancer. He was completely supportive and said Jesus did this kind of healing. It was an honor to be at his side until he crossed over.

By: Pamela Miles

Pamela Miles — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:30:47 +0000

That’s a very good question, John, the answer to which Reiki practitioners would do well to try to understand.

The Catholic hierarchy clearly doesn’t think that Reiki is a frivolous matter, or they wouldn’t bother condemning it. We don’t have to agree with them to understand where they are coming from, and when we make the effort to understand where those who oppose our values are coming from (instead of just condemning them for condemning our values), we are better equipped to dialogue. One would hope that healers would be uniquely equipped to engage in a productive dialogue even when our values are attacked.

There is a non-involved public watching this controversy unfold. What do the Reiki practitioners look like to them?

By: John M

John M — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:16:32 +0000

Why does the Catholic hierarchy strain to find things to condemn, especially if they benefit humanity (such as Reiki, gay rights). Don’t they have better things to do?

By: Carla Heisten

Carla Heisten — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:46:41 +0000

Very interesting and exciting that this conversation is taking place…that in itself is encouraging. I personally do my best to realease my judgments of the church…not always entirely successful in this as they are deeply ingrained, but i do try to remember that the churches opinions are as valid to them as mine are to me. Must be that i am human? Huh? go figure.
I did note the statement that Jesus should not need to be supplemented. Apparently that didn’t apply to modern medicine, or to prayer as Allison mentioned. Pray then take an asprin…that is ok, but no Reiki. Am I interpereting their position incorrectly? There is more to it I know. It really is very interesting how everyone’s views of life are so different. No one sees things or interperates them the same way. We all have our very own illusion of life don’t we?! How fun. It would be so boring if we were all the same.
I am very glad that people in general are at least becoming much more aware of the alternative ways of approaching healing. Reiki has brought me much closer to “God” by whatever name, including Jesus, so for me I suppose, in my life Reiki has succeeded where the traditional church failed me. Viva la difference! and let the conversation continue!

By: Kay Gillard

Kay Gillard — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:29:31 +0000

First off, I completely agree with every Allison says about prayer & the laying on of hands – really well said.
What a shame that the person presenting the Catholic viewpoints here had such an incredibly narrow view of Reiki. I do think that this kind of black and white thinking is prevalent in the Catholic church but it is by no means the view of all Catholics. The beautiful thing about Reiki is that it does connect us in directly with divine energy – and that means it is suitable for anyone to use, regardless of their background. As has been suggested in the comments, all you’re talking about then is an issue of language. My students would all describe this connection to the energy source in different ways, depending on whether they are christian, pagan, hindu, buddhist, muslim, or anything else.
Reiki can fit within different spiritual frameworks and this is what makes it so inclusive. What is wrong with explaining this energy in terms of a faith one already holds? Only one speaking from a place of fear and insecurity could suggest that to deepen one’s spiritual practice outside of the confines of the church is to ‘downgrade Jesus’ (or any other emanation of divine energy). I think Rev Weinandy is a very sad spokesman for the Catholic church on this issue; what is even sadder is that the narrow stance has made many Catholics feel the need to hide their practice and will stop many Catholics using Reiki as part of their healing, which they could get so much benefit from.
I have a friend who is a Catholic priest in America and a Reiki Master, and he tells me that the American Catholic church is more closed to these sorts of practices than the Vatican, something that these comments agree with! I didn’t know that the Pope had a more open stance, so thanks for sharing that information too! Unfortunately the American Catholic church’s stance on this has led to a real crisis of faith for my friend, and many in his area to speak out against his Reiki work. They may lose a priest who is compassionate, loving and healing – what a terrible shame. So while I agree with you Pamela that not everyone goes the New Age route and a holistic route to healing can exist within religions, views like Rev Weinandy’s do put up a block to this happening for many people.