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What is reiki
Hi, Susana:
Thanks for the question.
I am sorry to say that, at the level of a lot of details, this whole are is somewhat outside of my area of expertise; however, I remembered a letter from the USCCB (Catholic Bishops of the United States) that was circulated in my Diocese some time ago. I saved the document in my files, and am copy/pasting the main excerpts from that same letter below:
GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING REIKI AS AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY
1) Bishops have been asked whether Reiki is appropriate in Catholic institutions. The
Committee on Doctrine has decided to provide some guidance.
2) The Church recognizes two kinds of healing: healing by divine grace and healing that utilizes
the powers of nature. The two are not mutually exclusive.
3) Reiki practitioners believe that illness is caused by some disruption or imbalance in one's "life energy" and that they can serve as channels for what they call the "universal life energy" in order to restore health to the patient.
4) Reiki is not supported by scientific evidence and is not accepted as authentic medical
treatment by the modern medical community. Thus it would not be responsible to recommend
Reiki as a natural means of healing.
5) Reiki is frequently presented as a "spiritual" kind of healing, as an alternative to common
medical procedures using physical means. Some even identify it with what Christians refer to as
divine healing. The two, however, are radically different. For Christians, the access to divine
healing is by prayer. Reiki therapy is based on a technique passed down from the "Reiki Master"
to the pupil, a technique that is supposed to produce results in reliable manner.
6) Reiki therapy finds no support either in the findings of natural science or in Christian belief. While it would not be prudent to care for one's physical health by a technique that has no scientific support, it could be spiritually dangerous for a Catholic to use Reiki, as this would involve accepting at least in an implicit way central elements of the worldview that undergirds Reiki theory, elements that belong neither to Christian faith nor to natural science. Without justification either from Christian faith or natural science, a Catholic who puts his or her trust in Reiki would be operating in the realm of superstition.
7) Since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, itwould be inappropriate for Catholic institutions or persons representing the Church to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy.
I hope this is helpful...
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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