The Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Bishops has released is “Guidelines For Evaluating Reiki As An Alternative Therapy”. The guidelines are too lengthily to include here, but can be, and should be, viewed at http://www.usccb.org/dpp/doctrine.htm.

As a Reiki Master, my view on their finding is bias, but, hey, this is my blog, my avenue to vent. So....

The first point I question in their guidelines, is their definition of natural healing. Apparently, the Church considers all medicinal, so-called standard medical procedures, as natural. By doing so, they can state they support natural healing and cite the number of Catholic hospitals to support their claim. Now, if they would have simply stated that prayer is a form of natural healing they would have presented some credibility. But no, prayer, according to them, is in another class called super natural. (?) It seems to me then, that all the wonders of the Universe are super natural, for indeed, they are, as all things can be traced back through synchronicity to Deity.

The “Guidelines” state that Reiki lacks any scientific credibility and has not been accepted by scientific and medical communities as an effective therapy. Research says otherwise. I refer to studies that include Kirlian photo images of auras before and after a Reiki treatment. Numerous other studies have been conducted and a growing number of hospitals incorporate Reiki into their treatment plans, including having staff trained as Reiki practitioners. Some medical insurances will even cover Reiki treatments.

The only way to “Divine Healing” is through prayer? Really? Does that prayer need to be in the form of “Our Father who art….” or “Hail Mary, full…”? But wait, even if you include those prayers with Reiki, as some do invoke a Deity, including God or Christ, during a treatment, that “does not affect the essential nature of Reiki” that makes it unacceptable. That is because the Bishops deny the existence of Universal Life Energy, the core of the Reiki concept. Once again, I wonder about the nature and extent of their research regarding this.

A point I find ironic is that the Late Pope John Paul not only gave blessing to priests and nuns who trained in Reiki (some reaching Master level) but the Pope, suffering with Parkinson’s Disease late in his life, reportedly received Reiki regularly. Further irony is to have a religion based on a hands-on healer (Christ) oppose it.

Let the Catholics condemn me to their Hell for I will not cease nor apologize for being a Reiki Master and advocate. I will place my destiny in my own hands as I believe in a non-judgmental Deity that will not punish for an act of kindness toward another. To my Catholic blog readers, I implore you to question your church’s Bishops. Demand that they get all the facts on any issue before leading others down any path. More importantly, ,look inside yourself. Get the facts. What seems right to you? Do you really want to deny anybody or animal pain relief, deny ease of mind, deny a relief from stress? While it is true, you may not fully understand how or why it works, does not knowing how your TV, computer or car work stop you from using them?

Let common sense prevail and if it harms none, do as ye will.

Blessed Be!