An Answer to the Bishops about Reiki

Jenny watches news articles closely, for new articles on Reiki, and there was a challenging one today in the Frederick news. I followed through on this link, and indeed a committee of Catholic Bishops has recommended that Catholics not utilize Reiki.

It is necessary to stress two points: a) first and foremost, be respectful. Whether it is a Jewish concern for the Sabbath, or a Muslim concern for avoiding pork or alcohol, or a Catholic concern with not using Reiki - in Hospice we are honored to be in a position to help, and this trust requires that we respect the history, strengths, and values of that individual and their family.

b) second, and these points are never intended for disputing this article of the Bishops with a Catholic patient, the Bishops stated that there was "no evidence scientifically" supporting Reiki - i need to comment on that. There have been recent articles supporting "spiritual energy" based alternative forms of healing such as acupuncture, reiki, reflexology, aroma therapy, massage therapy, and simply touch. In February of this year, the Institute of Medicine recognzied this fact and encouraged more evidence based study. A recent article noted on my blog demonstrated nurses employing methods adding "meaningfulness" were more effective in treating Terminal cancer patients, and were less likely to "burn out." Another recent article quoted broadly at the AAHPM meeting discussed findings that while Massage therapy reduced pain in Terminal cancer, Simply human touch did almost as well.

What to do?

First, this reinforces the importance of taking a spiritual history on all Hospice patients, and not doing anything without the patient's consent. Do not do Reiki (or anything else) without consent. This is never about us, this is about our patient, and we approach prayer or spirituality from the point of view of the patient.

Second, with the patient's consent, we can without doing Reiki, still hold someone's hand, or touch their shoulder, or simply be there for them making contact of Simply Touch in a human way. If they do not wish to be touched, we can just sit there and talk, and if they do not wish to talk we can just be a presence.

Our training in Reiki, should assist us in restraint and in respecting the tradition of the Catholic patient, just as Catholic priests, at their best, have served as Chaplains to patients of all faiths without attempts to coerce or convert.

If we are present, and our intention is to support, we do not need to "turn on" the Reiki channel, to be of service, or to relieve fear.

The Bishops noted that, Reiki has 5 principles of action, and they referred to these in a derogatory way without restating them in their article - those principles are: 1) i will not worry just for today 2) i will not be angry just for today 3) i will be grateful just for today 4) i will work hard just for today and 5) i will give kindness and compassion to other human beings just for today.

In the Hebrew scroll, it is said that the geometic center of the sheepskin scroll is the sentence which translates into English, "i will not do to my neighbor what is hateful to myself." The central teaching for many, of Judaeo-Christianity, is respect and caring for others, as ourselves. Reiki views us as all connected through a single Creator, a unifying source of energy that connects us all.

Reiki is not a religion, because it does not require a specific name of God, or even a faith, nor does it require a specific set of rituals or prayers. It is quite simply a method, that helps us focus, and accepts that we are all connected in a spiritual way.

We need not be threatened by this "banning." We must accept it with the utmost respect. If a Catholic patient is not aware of this ban, we ought to let them know. Never do Reiki without consent. As we "Honor life and offer hope" - let us do so with respect and in the tradition of each patient. Let the ripples of caring and respect continue ....