Craig Brown, a specialist surgeon, wrote the Massachusetts legislature opposing S261, a bill to require state licensing for Reiki and all non-invasive natural healing practices. He shared his letter with me and I asked permission to share it with you. —
I have been, and continue to be, a licensed board certified practicing allopathic physician and surgeon for the last 44 years. I am AMA residency trained, and have continuously practiced my specialty since 1981.
27 years ago, I developed an aggressive form of cancer. I treated it with an aggressive form of surgery. And I was cured of the cancer but badly crippled by the necessary surgery. In the recovery, I received Reiki sessions extensively and had an extraordinary recovery, and within six months I was back to full medical practice, surgery, hiking, and camping. Though by training a skeptic, I could feel something unusual happening every time I received a Reiki session. I credit western medicine for my diagnosis and surgical cure, and Reiki practice for my recovery.
My curiosity led me to learn more about this. I studied it by taking the courses and receiving the full spectrum of training. After 9 years of extensive Reiki training, I was given permission to teach Reiki as a master teacher. I then traveled around the country and studied with many of the senior Reiki Masters and practitioners of the United States. I observed that they walked the walk and helped and comforted many people that western medicine failed. They helped many more people like me who benefited from western medicine but needed something more for full recovery.
Reiki practice is not something that lends itself external organization, or certification. It is much more akin to spiritual healing. It cannot be organised and taught; it can only be learned.
Our country was founded on the principles of religious freedom of individuals to find their own spiritual path. We do not have a state religion in the United States. Nor should we have a state sponsored spiritual healing industry. Whatever money and power touch, they eventually corrupt. Whoever is in charge will try to remake everything in their own image, and sadly, too often for their own profit.
I have never seen people harmed by Reiki practice, and I have seen hundreds healed with it.
Reiki practice is safe and for many, very effective. Of course it doesn’t cure everyone; neither does penicillin or heart surgery.
Recently, political powers in Washington are cutting access to health care for millions of Americans.
Please do not take away this form of health care as well.
Please oppose bills such as S261 that attempt to regulate Reiki and similar healing practices.
Allow people to make their own decisions.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Craig J Brown MD FACS
