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Author: Bret Gordon  In the first installment of this series (click here) I described the practices of Kiko and Reiki as modalities for physical health, but as every martial artist is familiar with, we train the spirit, mind, and body. As such, our healing practices should address the same. Reiki especially is often used to promote emotional and spiritual healing, but this is where things can go wrong or even be dangerous, and it's this aspect of Reiki that I'd like to address today. Please forgive me, as this may be one of my longest articles to date, but I feel it's necessary to do justice to the subject. Electricity is one of the four elements that are collectively referred to as Ki, and the human body creates its own electromagnetic field which Dr. Ann Baldwin, a professor of physiology at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine, refers to as the "biofield." On a physical level, Reiki works through the interaction between two human electromagnetic fields which guide bodily functions. According to this article from the Institute of Integrative Health, Reiki was better than a placebo in activating the parasympathetic nervous system, as measured by reduced heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and increased heart rate variability. The article also states that Reiki is more effective than a placebo for patients with chronic health conditions for reducing pain, anxiety, and depression, and improving self-esteem and quality of life. Multiple studies, like this pilot study performed in 2017, find that recipients of Reiki often show significant reductions in pain, blood pressure, respiration rate, and anxiety. Another study focusing on cancer patients that had completed chemotherapy found that fatigue decreased within the Reiki treatment group over the course of treatment, and quality of life showed significant improvements. Daily symptom monitoring before and after each treatment session demonstrated significant decreases in tiredness, pain, and anxiety (click here for source). With numerous studies and testimonials of how Reiki has helped people struggling with depression, anxiety, and psychological trauma, why would you not seek it out?  In a typical Reiki session, the recipient is either seated or lying down fully clothed while the practitioner places their hand in various positions across the body (or slightly above it while still being in range of the biofield). Research has found that prolonged physical touch, like hugs or other comforting gestures, boosts dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. For those who are unfamiliar with what these hormones do:
With so many positive benefits, how could Reiki be something negative or harmful? It all comes down to why the recipient is seeking treatment in the first place. If they are generally anxious or living a stressful life, the risks are minimal, but if they are seeking to deal with some form of trauma without also going through psychological therapy, we cross into the danger zone. Reiki has a tendency to create a sense of intimacy between the practitioner and recipient. If the recipient has unresolved trauma including feelings of abandonment, loneliness, physical or sexual abuse, or any number of other circumstances, it very often leads to an unhealthy and "unexplainable" attachment to the practitioner. They may feel an emotional connection often mistaken for love or lust, leading to (at best) an uncomfortable dynamic between them and the practitioner, who now has to navigate the fragile emotions of the recipient and attempt not to cause further harm. Setting professional boundaries in this scenario is often interpreted as rejection, possibly sending the recipient into a worse emotional state than before. This is one of many reasons why, like any other treatment option, it's important to properly vet your practitioner to ensure proper credentials and professional standards for the safety of everyone involved. It's also a major reason that Reiki should only be a part of, and not the totality, your health and wellness plan. Here's where I may lose some readers, but to understand Reiki we must also dive into the spiritual aspects of the modality. As a member of the Catholic faith, I want to explore not just Reiki's origins in Buddhist practices but also how it aligns with Abrahamic Scripture. If you have no interest in exploring this aspect of the healing arts, I'll see you again for part 3. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released this statement in 2009 as their evaluation of Reiki as an alternative therapy. Not surprisingly, they concluded that Reiki was incompatible with Catholic teachings as it has "no basis in natural science or Christian faith." I would argue that if I only had a cursory understanding of Reiki based upon widely available information, I'd come to the same conclusion. However, just like Aiki, the information that seems to be universally accepted is not always the most correct. From the statement above: "According to Reiki teaching, illness is caused by some kind of disruption or imbalance in one's 'life energy.' A Reiki practitioner effects healing by placing his or her hands in certain positions on the patient's body in order to facilitate the flow of Reiki, the 'universal life energy,' from the Reiki practitioner to the patient." While technically true, the statement demonstrates a lack of understanding of what is meant by "life energy." As I've covered, this is not some mystical force but rather the culmination of blood, oxygen, lymph, and electricity in the body, and yes, a disruption or imbalance in any one of these may cause illness. Another statement that is fundamentally flawed is that "Much of the literature on Reiki is filled with references to God, the Goddess, the 'divine healing power,' and the 'divine mind.' The life force energy is described as being directed by God, the 'Higher Intelligence,' or the 'divine consciousness.'" Except this time, the flaw is not with the Conference's interpretation but with the Reiki community at large. Unfortunately, Reiki has been adopted as one of several healing modalities used by the New Age spiritual movement and the majority of available information comes from that frame of reference. Put simply, this is not Usui's system of Reiki and "divine consciousness" features nowhere in his works. The name he gave his system, Usui Shiki Ryoho, literally translates to the Usui Natural Healing Method. Given the common teachings about Reiki, I can't fault the Conference of Bishop's ruling, but I would like to clarify the issue. As I stated in part 1, nearly every culture has noted the use of healing through touch. Touch is an essential human care need. Touch has been described as vital for growth and development; those deprived of touch fail to thrive. Touch is integral to nursing practice, both in instrumental forms such as touching during procedures, and in nurturing forms like touching to communicate support, connection, and compassion. A considerable amount of research has been conducted on the benefits of touch (click here for source).  But where can we find this in Scripture? At the beginning of Christ’s ministry, He went about healing many. "While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them." (Luke 4:40). Of course, this isn't the only instance we see Christ healing through touch. Other verses that describe Him using this method of healing include: "And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.' Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing; be cleansed.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." (Matthew 8:2-3) "When Jesus came into Peter's home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him." (Matthew 8:14-15) "When Jesus came into the official’s house, and saw the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder, He said, 'Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.' And they began laughing at Him. But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up." (Matthew 9:23-25) "Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'It shall be done to you according to your faith.' And their eyes were opened." (Matthew 9:29-30) "And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, 'If you will, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean." (Mark 1:40-42) At this point, I am sure you're thinking that it wasn't Christ's physical touch but rather His Spirit and Divinity that actually performed the miracles, and certainly we are not capable of doing what He can. After all, He's God. To that I would like to point out that the entire purpose of Christ's ministry was to demonstrate how we should live, worship, and love our fellow man. Every action He engaged in was deliberate, and He was leading by example. He quite literally showed us how to promote healing in our community, made possible through the Holy Spirit which we who believe in Him are recipients of. In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he discusses the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to believers in Christ. He explains: "The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way. That is for the good of all. To some people the Spirit gives a message of wisdom. To others the same Spirit gives a message of knowledge. To others the same Spirit gives faith. To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing. To others he gives the power to do miracles. To others he gives the ability to prophesy. To others he gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others he gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And to still others he gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages. All the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit. He gives gifts to each person, just as he decides." (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) Clearly, some people indeed are given the gift of healing and just like you wouldn't go to a medical doctor that hasn't received proper training, you should not go to someone professing to be a healer without proper training. Of course, all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are meant to be used to glorify God. More on that later... This isn't the first instance of Christ transferring His power and authority to His disciples. "So Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.' And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.'" (John 20:21-23). This verse is the foundation for the Catholic sacrament of Reconciliation where, by the priest's authority passed down in ordination (through the laying-on of hands), sins may be absolved.  Now, the argument against going to Confession is the same argument against Reiki. "Maybe it's legitimate, but why go through an individual when you can go directly to the source?" The Catholic Church's response to this question, in the case of Reconciliation, comes down to intent. The Catechism defines perfect contrition as "arising from a love by which God is loved above all else" (CCC 1452), whereas imperfect contrition is "born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner” (CCC 1453). In both cases a Christian experiences sorrow for sins committed, but the motive for sorrow differs. The Church upholds that a private act of perfect contrition is sufficient for the forgiveness of mortal sins. In contrast, those making an imperfect contrition are assisted by an intermediary.
In the case of seeking spiritual healing through Reiki, the assistance of the practitioner can help expedite and guide the recipient through the healing process. It is not necessary by nature, and there is such a thing as self Reiki, but certainly beneficial. This raises the question as to how Reiki heals the spirit, and who is actually doing the healing. It must be understood that in this context, healing the spirit does not imply the forgiveness of sins or anything related to salvation. It is also not a form of exorcism or "deliverance," which come with their own complications that would make this article unnecessarily lengthier. Instead, it's an extension of emotional healing but on a deeper level. Rather than simply addressing someone's anxieties and depression, this is where Reiki can be used to overcome trauma and any underlying psychological conditions that would hinder a person's growth and development. As part of a complete healing program, that includes psychological therapy as described above, the hormones increased by Reiki (dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin) allow the recipient to release and/or cope with their trauma. Which brings me to my last point (finally, am I right?), who is actually doing the spiritual healing through Reiki? Is it the practitioner or the Holy Spirit? The answer is yes and no, to both. In the case of medical doctors, one can argue that it was the Holy Spirit that guided them to medical school and the Holy Spirit that facilitated that doctor's place in your life to intervene in your health care, but ultimately it was the doctor's training and knowledge that treated you. In the same manner, the practitioner may have been given the Holy Spirit gift of healing and you crossing their path may have been divine intervention, but they are performing the Reiki treatment using their training, skills, and understanding. God gives us the tools to do His work, but it's our hands that must actually do it. That being said, to misuse the gift for ill-intent or simply to boost one's own image at the expense of God's glory creates a whole other host of problems. "The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9).
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