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==Research, critical evaluation, and controversy==
==Research, critical evaluation, and controversy==
===Scientific research===
===Scientific research===
In 2007, a study published in the journal ''Integrative Cancer Therapies'' sought to determine which was more effective at reducing cancer-related fatigue (including pain, anxiety, and overall quality of life) in patients - one Reiki session a day or one hour of rest.<ref name=IntCTher>Integrative Cancer Therapies (2007). ''Pilot Crossover Trial of Reiki Versus Rest for Treating Cancer-Related Fatigue -- Tsang et al. 6 (1): 25 -- Integrative Cancer Therapies'' (online). Accessed 1 March 2010 (available: http://ict.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/6/1/25?ck=nck)</ref> This study was a counterbalanced crossover trial of 2 conditions: (1) in the Reiki condition, participants received Reiki for 5 consecutive daily sessions, followed by a 1-week washout monitoring period of no treatments, then 2 additional Reiki sessions, and finally 2 weeks of no treatments, and (2) in the rest condition, participants rested for approximately 1 hour each day for 5 consecutive days, followed by a 1-week washout monitoring period of no scheduled resting and an additional week of no treatments.

Sixteen patients participated in the trial. It was found that fatigue on the FACT-F decreased within the Reiki condition over the course of all 7 treatments, and participants in the Reiki condition experienced significant improvements in quality of life (FACT-G) compared to those in the resting condition. On daily assessments (ESAS) in the Reiki condition, those patients who received Reiki indicated significant decreases in tiredness, pain, and anxiety, which were not seen in the resting condition.<ref name=IntCTher />

A 2008 [[systematic review]] of [[Randomized controlled trial|randomised]] [[clinical trial]]s assessing the evidence basis of Reiki concluded that efficacy had not been demonstrated for any condition.<ref name="Lee_SR"/> Nine studies fit the inclusion criteria; a modified [[Jadad score]] of methodological quality was used, taking into account the difficulty of [[Blind experiment|blinding]] practitioners. Non-randomized studies were excluded, as the potential for intentional or unintentional bias in such studies is large, rendering the results uninterpretable. Overall, the methodological quality of the evidence base was found wanting, with even high-ranking studies failing fully to control for [[placebo]] effects and most studies suffering "methodological flaws such as small sample size, inadequate study design and poor reporting."<ref name='Lee_SR' /> As trials with such flaws are known to be likely to show exaggerated treatment effects, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that Reiki is effective as sole or adjuvant therapy for any medical condition, or that it has any benefits beyond possible [[placebo effect]]s.<ref name='Lee_SR' /><ref name=Ernst_PW>Henderson, Mark. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/alternative_medicine/article3760857.ece "Prince of Wales's guide to alternative medicine 'inaccurate'"], The Times. April 17, 2008. Accessed November 13, 2008.</ref> [[Placebo-controlled study|Placebo trials]] of Reiki are complicated by the difficulty of designing a realistic placebo.<ref>[http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.1999.5.153 Ahlam A. Mansour, Marion Beuche, Gail Laing, Anne Leis, Judy Nurse, "A Study to Test the Effectiveness of Placebo Reiki Standardization Procedures Developed for a Planned Reiki Efficacy Study", ''Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine'', April 1999, 5(2): 153-164. doi:10.1089/acm.1999.5.153.]</ref>
A 2008 [[systematic review]] of [[Randomized controlled trial|randomised]] [[clinical trial]]s assessing the evidence basis of Reiki concluded that efficacy had not been demonstrated for any condition.<ref name="Lee_SR"/> Nine studies fit the inclusion criteria; a modified [[Jadad score]] of methodological quality was used, taking into account the difficulty of [[Blind experiment|blinding]] practitioners. Non-randomized studies were excluded, as the potential for intentional or unintentional bias in such studies is large, rendering the results uninterpretable. Overall, the methodological quality of the evidence base was found wanting, with even high-ranking studies failing fully to control for [[placebo]] effects and most studies suffering "methodological flaws such as small sample size, inadequate study design and poor reporting."<ref name='Lee_SR' /> As trials with such flaws are known to be likely to show exaggerated treatment effects, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that Reiki is effective as sole or adjuvant therapy for any medical condition, or that it has any benefits beyond possible [[placebo effect]]s.<ref name='Lee_SR' /><ref name=Ernst_PW>Henderson, Mark. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/alternative_medicine/article3760857.ece "Prince of Wales's guide to alternative medicine 'inaccurate'"], The Times. April 17, 2008. Accessed November 13, 2008.</ref> [[Placebo-controlled study|Placebo trials]] of Reiki are complicated by the difficulty of designing a realistic placebo.<ref>[http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.1999.5.153 Ahlam A. Mansour, Marion Beuche, Gail Laing, Anne Leis, Judy Nurse, "A Study to Test the Effectiveness of Placebo Reiki Standardization Procedures Developed for a Planned Reiki Efficacy Study", ''Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine'', April 1999, 5(2): 153-164. doi:10.1089/acm.1999.5.153.]</ref>


Revision as of 16:51, 29 March 2010

This article is about the energy therapy. For the Japanese era name, see Reiki (era). For uses of the homophone "raki", see raki.
A Reiki treatment in progress. Here, the Reiki practitioner is working with the solar plexus chakra.

Reiki (English: /ˈreɪkiː/) is a spiritual practice[1] developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui, and uses a technique commonly called palm healing as a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).[2] Through the use of this technique, sometimes refereed to as "tenohira" (meaning "the palm" in Japanese), practitioners believe that they are transferring "healing energy" in the form of qi (or ki in Japanese) through the palms.[3][4]

There are two main branches of Reiki, commonly referred to as Traditional Reiki and Western Reiki. Within both Traditional and Westernised forms of Reiki, there are three forms of degrees, commonly refereed to as the First, Second, and Master/Teacher degree. According to Reiki practitioners and Masters, at First Degree, a Reiki practitioner is able to heal themselves and others, at Second Degree is able to heal others distantly (commonly called distant healing) with the use of specialised symbols, and at Master/Teacher level is able to teach and attune others to Reiki.

A systematic review of randomised clinical trials conducted in 2008 did not support the efficacy of Reiki or its recommendation for use in the treatment of any condition.[5][6] The Catholic Church has also sought to stop the practise of Reiki within Catholic health care facilities and retreat centres as it is "unscientific" and therefore "inappropriate for Catholic institutions".[7]

This article is part of a series on
Alternative medicine
General information
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Conspiracy theories
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Diagnoses

History

Reiki
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese靈氣
Simplified Chinese灵气
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese alphabetlinh khí
Korean name
Hangul령기
Hanja靈氣
Japanese name
Hiraganaれいき
Kyūjitai靈氣
Shinjitai霊気

Derivation of name

The Japanese word Reiki ("霊気" in Shinjitai Japanese or "レイキ" in Katakana), meaning "mysterious atmosphere / spiritual power" is a loanword from the Chinese word líng​qì​ ("靈氣" in Traditional Chinese, "灵气" in Simplified Chinese), which some Chinese-English dictionaries translate as "spiritual influence (of mountains etc) / cleverness / ingeniousness";[8] This Japanese compound joins the words rei (霊), meaning "ghost, spirit, soul / supernatural, miraculous, divine; ethereal body", with ki (気), meaning "gas, air / breath / energy / force / atmosphere / mood / intention / emotion, attention", here meaning qi, which means "spiritual energy / vital energy / life force / energy of life".[9] Some Reiki translation equivalents from Japanese-English dictionaries are: "feeling of mystery",[10] "an atmosphere (feeling) of mystery",[11] and "an ethereal atmosphere (that prevails in the sacred precincts of a shrine); (feel, sense) a spiritual (divine) presence."[12]

Used in English, Reiki is syntactically used as a noun, referring to either "the putative energy" or "the therapeutic method based upon it," though is commonly used as a verb and an adjective. Through transliterations, a word cannot be translated with precision pertaining to the original language, and some Western authors loosely translate Reiki as meaning "universal life energy".[13] This coinage partially mistranslates, as ki means "life energy", though rei does not mean "universal".

Origin

See also Five Precepts and Timeline of Reiki history

Reiki was discovered by Mikao Usui (臼井甕男) in 1922 whilst performing a twenty-one day retreat on Mount Kurama, involving meditation, fasting, and prayer.[14] Usui said that by mystical revelation, he had gained the knowledge and spiritual power to apply and attune others to what he called Reiki, and in April 1922, Usui moved to Tokyo and founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai ("臼井靈氣療法學會", meaning Usui's Reiki Healing Society).[15]

Usui was an admirer of the literary works of the Emperor Meiji (明治天皇), and in the process of developing his Reiki system, summarised some of the emperor's works into a set of ethical principles, which later became known as the Five Reiki Precepts (五戒, or Gokai, meaning "The Five Commandments"). It is common for many Reiki teachers and practitioners to abide by these five precepts, or principles, but not all do.

The five concepts of Mikao Usui, contained within the whole text (Japanese writing is read from top to bottom, moving from right to left). Note: Commonly called the Five Precepts or Five Principles, they start in the third column from the right below the space, and continue in the fourth and fifth columns from the right.

The secret art of inviting happiness,

The miraculous medicine for all diseases.

At least for today:

Do not be angry,
Do not worry,
Be grateful,
Work with diligence,
Be kind to people.

Every morning and evening, join your hands in meditation and pray with your heart.
State with your mind and chant with your mouth.

For the improvement of mind and body.
Usui Reiki Ryoho.

The founder,

Mikao Usui

During his lifetime, Usui taught over 2000 students to use Reiki,[citation needed] and sixteen of these students continued their training to reach the Shinpiden level, a level equivalent to the Western third degree, or Master/Teacher level.[16] In 1926 on 9 March, Usui died of a stroke.

Early development

After Usui's death, Chujiro Hayashi (林 忠次郎), a former student, left the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and formed his own association. Hayashi simplified the Reiki teachings, stressing physical healing and using a more codified and simpler set of Reiki techniques.[17]

Hayashi then initiated and trained Hawayo Takata,[18] who travelled widely throughout the United States, practising Reiki and teaching the first two levels to others.[19] Takata stressed the importance of charging money for Reiki treatments and teachings, and in 1976 began teaching the Shinpiden level and introduced the term Reiki Master for the level.[20] She also fixed a price of $10,000USD (roughly £6,500GBP or €7,400EUR) for the Master training.

Takata died in 1980,[21] by which time she had trained 22 Reiki masters,[22] and almost all Reiki taught outside Japan can be attributed to her work.[23]

Systems

Today many branches of Reiki exist, though there are two major systems, respectively called Traditional Japanese Reiki and Western Reiki.

Traditional Japanese Reiki

The term Traditional Japanese Reiki is normally used to describe the specific system that formed from Usui's original teachings[24] and the teachings that did not leave Japan. During the 1990s, Western teachers travelled to Japan in order to find this particular system of Reiki, though found nothing. They therefore started to establish Reiki schools, and started to teach Reiki levels 1 and 2 to the Japanese. Around 1993, a German Reiki Master, Frank Arjava Petter, also started to teach to the Master/Teacher level, and as a result, the Japanese started teaching their knowledge of Traditional Reiki. Since then, several systems of Traditional Japanese Reiki have been established, the main systems of which are listed below.[25]

  • Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (臼井靈氣療法學會, meaning "Usui's Society of the Spiritual Energy Healing Method") is the name of the society of Reiki masters founded by Mikao Usui. His style is assumed to have survived to the present day (assumed as no-one knows exactly how the Gakkai practises nowadays), with Ushida being the one who, upon death, substituted the presidency of the association. This society remained secret for many years and at present, the shihan (master), Masaki Kondoh, is the president of the Gakkai. Though many of their teachings still remain secret, little by little, members of this association - such as Master Hiroshi Doi - have been sharing their knowledge with the rest of the world. In spite of this, it continues to be a hermetic society, nearly impossible to access.
  • Reido Reiki Gakkai (靈道靈氣學會, meaning "The Society of Spiritual Occurrence [and] Spiritual Energy") is the name given to the system that derives from the masters of the Ryoho Gakkai, and is led by Fuminori Aoki, who added to the teaching of the Gakkai, though differences in teaching are minimal. In this system, the Koriki (meaning "the force of happiness") symbol that inspired Fuminori Aoki has been adopted.[26][27]
  • Komyo Reiki Kai (光明レイキ會, meaning "The Society of Enlightened Spiritual Energy") is the name given to the system that takes the name of a school of Japanese Traditional Reiki, and was established by Hyakuten Inamoto (稲本　百天), a Reiki teacher with Western Reiki background. It differs from other systems in that it does not originate with the Gakkai, but instead comes from the Hayashi line, through Chiyoko Yamaguchi (山口　千代子) that remained in Japan. Nevertheless, Inamoto never achieved Master/Teacher level from Chiyoko Yamaguchi, only levels 1 and 2.

Jikiden Reiki (直傳靈氣, meaning "The Direct Teaching of Spiritual Energy") is the name given to the original system that was taught by Dr. Hayashi, and was founded by Mrs. Yamaguchi and her son, Tadao Yamaguchi (山口 忠夫).

Western Reiki

Western Reiki is a system that was developed by Hawayo Takata. The principle difference between the traditions is the use of set hand patterns for internal treatments instead of Reiki-ho, the intuitive skill of "knowing where to place the hands." Western Reiki places more emphasis on the healing of ailments, and ascension to higher levels of attunement is more formalised.

The Western Reiki tradition spread to Hawaii first, then to California, and then to the rest of the Western world. As a result of the second world war, Takata decided to modify the Traditional Japanese Reiki system in order to make it more understandable and credible to the mentality of the West, of which several variations followed. Additionally, there are independent teachers and small associations who continue Takata's system independent of the Reiki associations, a few of which are listed below.

  • Usui Reiki Shiki Ryoho (臼井靈氣式療法, meaning "Usui's Spiritual Energy System of Natural Healing") is the name given to the Western system of Reiki, and is a system that has tried to stay near enough the same as the practises of Hawayo Takata. It is taught today by, for instance, the Reiki Alliance, led by Phyllis Lei Furumoto, Takata's granddaughter. In this system, as with most Western systems of Reiki, there are three levels, respectively called the First Degree, Second Degree, and Master/Teacher Degree, and uses Takata's versions of the four original symbols.
  • Usui/Tibetan Reiki is the name given to the system that was developed by an American by the name of William L. Rand. This system is derived from Usui Reiki as taught by Takata and includes techniques from the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, such as Byosen Reikan-ho ("Scanning Method"), Gyoshi-ho ("Healing Eyes Method"), and Kenyoku-ho ("Dry Bathing Method"). A modified attunement method is used, incorporating the Violet Breath and the use of two Tibetan symbols along with the four Usui symbols. Along with introducing more symbols and the Violet Breath, Usui/Tibetan Reiki incorporates psychic surgery. Unlike Usui Reiki Shiki Ryoho, it has four levels, called First Degree, Second Degree, Advanced Reiki Training (commonly 3A), and Master/Teacher (commonly 3B).
  • Gendai Reiki Ho is a system that incorporates elements of both of the above two systems, and was established by Hiroshi Doi. Doi was first trained in Western Reiki by Mieko Mitsui, a Master of the "Radiance Technique." In 1993, he was granted membership to Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai. This system complements the Traditional Japanese Reiki with the Western system, but in essence, it is still Western Reiki, since Doi does not have the correct qualifications of a traditional Japanese Master.

Teachings

Reiki teachings claim that Reiki is inexhaustible[28][29] and that it can be used to induce a healing effect.[30] Practitioners claim that anyone can gain access to this energy[31] by means of an attunement process[32] carried out by a Reiki Master.[33] Claims for such energy have no known theoretical or biophysical basis.[3][34]

Reiki is described by adherents as a holistic therapy which brings about healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.[35] The belief is that the energy will flow through the practitioner's hands whenever the hands are placed on, or held near a potential recipient. Some teachings stress the importance of the practitioner's intention or presence in this process, while others claim that the energy is drawn by the recipient's injury to activate or enhance the natural healing processes.[36] Further to this notion, the belief is that the energy is "intelligent",[37] meaning that the Reiki knows where to heal, even if a practitioner's hands are not present in the specific area.

Training

The teaching of Reiki outside of Japan is commonly divided into three levels, or degrees, the most common of which are described below.[38]

First degree

The first degree Reiki course,[39] sometimes given the Japanese name of Shoden (meaning "'Elementary/Entry Teachings"),[40] teaches the basic theories and procedures. A number of "attunements" are given to the student by the teacher.[41] Students learn hand placement positions on the recipient's body that are thought to be most conducive to the process in a whole body treatment.[42] Having completed the first degree course, a Reiki practitioner can then treat himself and others with Reiki. Course duration is dependant on the Reiki Master Teacher; some hold four sessions spread over a number of days, others hold two sessions over two days.[43]

Second degree

In the second degree Reiki course,[44] sometimes given the Japanese name of Okuden (meaning "Inner Teachings"),[45] the student learns the use of a number of symbols that are said to enhance the strength and distance over which Reiki can be exerted.[46] This involves the use of symbols to form a temporary connection between the practitioner and the recipient, regardless of location and time, and then to send the Reiki energy.[47][48] Another attunement is given, which is said to further increase the capacity for Reiki to flow through the student, as well as empowering the use of the symbols.[49] Having completed the second level, the student can work without being physically present with the recipient - a practise known as "distant healing".[50]

Third degree

Through the third degree, or "master training",[51] sometimes given the Japanese name of Shinpiden (meaning "Mystery Teachings"),[52] the student becomes a Reiki Master. In Reiki terminology, the word "master" does not imply spiritual enlightenment, and is sometimes changed to "Master/Teacher" in order to avoid this confusion. According to the specific branch of Reiki, either one or more attunements can be carried out and the student learns a further symbol.[53] Having completed the master training, the new Reiki Master can attune other people to Reiki and teach the three degrees. The duration of the master training can be anything from a day to a year or more, depending on the school and philosophy of the Reiki Master giving the training.

Variations

There is much variation in training methods, speed of completion (i.e., attunment), and costs. Though there is no accreditation and central body for Reiki, nor any regulation of its practice, there exists such organisations within the United Kingdom that seeks to standardise Reiki and Reiki practises, such as the UK Reiki Federation[54] and the Reiki Council (UK).[55] Reiki courses are also available online, although traditionalists state that attunement must be done in person in order to take effect, as the Reiki Master/Teacher doing the attunement must be able to actually touch the energy field of the person being attuned. A distance Reiki attument is not always recognised by certain Reiki federations, such as with the UK Reiki Federation, who state, "[a]ll training must have been "in-person" or "face to face" (distant attunements are not accepted)."[56] Some traditionalists also hold the ideal that methods that teach Reiki "quickly" cannot yield as strong an effect, because there is no substitute for experience and patient when mastering Reiki.

Practice

The seven major chakras; from top to bottom - the Crown Chakra, the Brow Chakra, the Throat Chakra, the Heart Chakra, the Solar Plexus Chakra, the Sacral Chakra, and the Base Chakra.
A schematic diagram of the human body's meridians.

It is taught that Reiki works in conjunction with the meridian energy lines and chakras through the use of set hand-positions. These hand-positions will normally correspond to the seven major chakras on the body, used both on the front and back, and can include specific areas (see localised treatment). Though there are now set hand-positions, it is said that Usui only five formal hand-positions were used, which focused on the head and neck.[57] After Reiki had been given first to the head and neck area, specific area of the body where imbalances were present would then be treated.[57] The use of the chakras is widespread within Western Reiki, though not as much within Traditional Japanese Reiki, as it concentrates more on treating specific areas of the body after using a technique called Byosen-ho - a technique used to find areas of dis-ease in the auras and physical body.

Whole body treatment

In a typical whole-body Reiki treatment,[58] the Reiki practitioner instructs the recipient to lay down, usually on a massage table, and relax. Loose, comfortable clothing is usually worn during the treatment. The practitioner might take a few moments to enter a calm or meditative state of mind and mentally prepare for the treatment,[59] that is usually carried out without any unnecessary talking.[60]

The treatment proceeds with the practitioner placing his hands on the recipient in various positions. However, practitioners may use a non-touching technique, where the hands are held a few centimetres away from the recipient's body, for some or all of the positions. The hands are usually kept still for 3 to 5 minutes before moving to the next position. Overall, the hand positions usually give a general coverage of the head, the front and back of the torso, the knees, and feet. Between 12 and 20 positions are used, with the whole treatment lasting 45 to 90 minutes.[61]

Some practitioners use a fixed set of hand positions, while others use their intuition to guide them as to where treatment is needed,[62] sometimes starting the treatment with a "scan" of the recipient to find such areas. The intuitive approach might also lead to individual positions being treated for much shorter or longer periods.

It is reported that the recipient often feels warmth or tingling in the area being treated, even when a non-touching approach is being used. A state of deep relaxation, combined with a general feeling of well-being, is usually the most noticeable immediate effect of the treatment, although emotional releases can also occur.[63] As the Reiki treatment is said to be stimulating natural healing processes, instantaneous "cures" of specific health problems are not usually observed. A series of three or more treatments, typically at intervals of 1 to 7 days, is usually recommended if a chronic condition is being addressed.[61] Regular treatments, on an on-going basis can be used with the aim of maintaining well-being. The interval between such treatments is typically in the range of 1 to 4 weeks, except in the case of self-treatment where daily practice is common.[61]

Localised treatment

Localised Reiki treatment involves the practitioner's hands being held on or near a specific part of the body for a varying length of time. Recent injuries are usually treated in this way,[64] with the site of injury being targeted. There is great variation in the duration of such treatments, though 20 minutes is typical. Takata-sensei described "localised treatment" as 'hands-on work,' compared to distant or absent healing, which she described as "absent healing."[65]

Some practitioners use localised treatments for certain ailments, and some publications have tabulated appropriate hand positions,[66][67] However, other practitioners prefer to use the whole body treatment for all chronic conditions, on the grounds that it has a more holistic effect.[68] Another approach is to give a whole body treatment first, followed by a localised treatment.[69]

Provision by national health services

The National Health Service of the United Kingdom (NHS) offers complementary therapies such as Reiki throughout a number surgeries, such as Velindre Cancer Centre (Welsh: Canolfan Ganser Felindre) in Wales,[70][71] and also offers information regarding Reiki,[72] as does the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in the USA.[73]

Research, critical evaluation, and controversy

Scientific research

A 2008 systematic review of randomised clinical trials assessing the evidence basis of Reiki concluded that efficacy had not been demonstrated for any condition.[5] Nine studies fit the inclusion criteria; a modified Jadad score of methodological quality was used, taking into account the difficulty of blinding practitioners. Non-randomized studies were excluded, as the potential for intentional or unintentional bias in such studies is large, rendering the results uninterpretable. Overall, the methodological quality of the evidence base was found wanting, with even high-ranking studies failing fully to control for placebo effects and most studies suffering "methodological flaws such as small sample size, inadequate study design and poor reporting."[5] As trials with such flaws are known to be likely to show exaggerated treatment effects, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that Reiki is effective as sole or adjuvant therapy for any medical condition, or that it has any benefits beyond possible placebo effects.[5][6] Placebo trials of Reiki are complicated by the difficulty of designing a realistic placebo.[74]

Safety and effectiveness

Main article: Alternative medicine § Testing of safety

Concerns about safety in Reiki are similar to those of other unproven alternative medicines. Doctors of medicine and allied health care workers believe that patients might avoid clinically proven treatments for serious conditions in favor of unproven alternative medicines.[75] Reiki practitioners may encourage their clients to consult a medical doctor for serious conditions, stating that Reiki can be used to complement conventional medicine.[76] Clinical trials have not reported any significant adverse effects from the use of Reiki.[5]

The National Council Against Health Fraud suggests that any clinical effect of Reiki may be due to suggestion (the placebo effect),[77] and Reiki has been labelled as a "feel-good" therapy, where recipients themselves do not expect any significant healing effects.[78]

Internal controversies

With the many varied ways that have been used to teach Reiki, there have emerged points of controversy between different groups, teachers, and practitioners. Controversies exist on topics such as the nature of the Reiki energy itself, fees charged for courses and treatments, training methods, secrecy of symbols, and attunement methods.[79][80]

Following the death of Hawayo Takata, through to the mid 1990s, there were rival claims to the title of "Grandmaster" of Reiki. However, this dispute largely evaporated when it was discovered that Takata herself had created the term.[81]

Catholic Church concerns

In March 2009, the Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a decree (Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy,[82] 25 March 2009) halting the practice of Reiki by Catholics, including Reiki therapies used in some Catholic retreat centres and hospitals. The conclusion of the decree stated that "since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, it would be inappropriate for Catholic institutions, such as Catholic health care facilities and retreat centres, or persons representing the Church, such as Catholic chaplains, to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy."

See also

Look up Reiki in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Notes

  1. ^ Lübeck, Petter, and Rand (2001). Chapter 14, pages 108 to 110; Ellyard (2004). Page 79; McKenzie (1998). Pages 19, 42, and 52; Lübeck (1996). Page 22; Boräng (1997). Page 57; Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 72
  2. ^ Institute for Complementary and Natural Medicine. "BRCP Divisions & Practises". Accessed 25 February 2010.
  3. ^ a b National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Reiki: An Introduction
  4. ^ Reiki flows through hands: (McKenzie (1998). Page 18); (Ellyard (2004). Page 27); (Boräng (1997). Page 9); (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 33)
  5. ^ a b c d e Lee, MS; Pittler, MH; Ernst, E (2008). "Effects of Reiki in clinical practice: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials". International Journal of Clinical Practice. 62 (6): 947. doi:10.1111/j.1742-1241.2008.01729.x. PMID 18410352. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  6. ^ a b Henderson, Mark. "Prince of Wales's guide to alternative medicine 'inaccurate'", The Times. April 17, 2008. Accessed 25 February 2010. Cite error: The named reference "Ernst_PW" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ USCCB (2009). USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) Reiki Therapy Unscientific, 'Inappropriate for Catholic Institutions,' Say Bishops' Guidelines (online). Available: http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2009/09-067.shtml (accessed 26 February 2010).
  8. ^ MDBG (2010). Word dictionary - líng​qì​ - Learn Chinese faster with MDBG (online). Available: http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=lingqi (accessed 28 February 2010)
  9. ^ Derivation of name: (Lübeck, Petter, and Rand (2001). Chapter 6)
  10. ^ M. Spahn and W. Hadamidtzy (1989), Japanese Character Dictionary With Compound Lookup via Any Kanji, Nichigai.
  11. ^ J. H. Haig (1997 edition), The New Nelson Japanese-English Character Dictionary, Tuttle.
  12. ^ T. Watanabe, E., R. Skrzypczak, and P. Snowden (2003). Kenkyūsha's New Japanese-English Dictionary.
  13. ^ Lübeck, Petter, and Rand (2001). Page 302; McKenzie (1998). Page 18; Shuffrey (1998). Page 1
  14. ^ Usui's 21 day retreat: (Lübeck, Petter, and Rand (2001). Page 14); What is the History of Reiki?
  15. ^ Founding of Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai: (Lübeck, Petter, and Rand (2001). Page 14)
  16. ^ Number of people taught by Usui: (Lübeck, Petter, and Rand (2001). Page 16)
  17. ^ Hayashi's teachings: (Lübeck, Petter, and Rand (2001). Chapter 19, Page 17)
  18. ^ Hayashi trained Takata: (Ellyard (2004). Page 13)
  19. ^ Takata's Reiki practice and teaching in the US: (Ellyard (2004). Page 15)
  20. ^ Start of Takata's teaching of Reiki Masters: (Ellyard (2004). Page 15)
  21. ^ (Petter (1997). Page 21) and (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 26)
  22. ^ Takata trained 22 Reiki Masters: (Ellyard (2004). Page 14), (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 26) and (Petter (1997). Page20)
  23. ^ Significance of Takata in bringing Reiki out of Japan: (Ellyard (2004). Pages 14 to 16) and (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 26)
  24. ^ D. Stein (1995). Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art. ISBN 0895947366
  25. ^ Reiki-master.com (2010). Master Reiki - Become a Reiki Master (online). Available: http://www.master-reiki.com/ (accessed 28 February 2010)
  26. ^ Template:Es icon Tomaqui (2010). KORIKI - Un primer símbolo (online). Available: http://usuarios.multimania.es/tomaqui/KORIKI%20-%20Un%20primer%20simbolo.htm (accessed 28 February 2010)
  27. ^ James Deacon (2007). Reido Reiki (online). Available: http://www.aetw.org/reiki_reido.html (accessed 28 February 2010)
  28. ^ Reiki is inexhaustible. McKenzie (1998). Page 18; Boräng (1997). Page 9
  29. ^ Reiki as universal life force energy: Lübeck, Petter, and Rand (2001). Page 62; McKenzie (1998). Page 18; Ellyard (2004). Page 75; Lübeck (1994). Page 13; Boräng (1997). Page 8
  30. ^ McKenzie (1998). Page 18; Lübeck, Petter, and Rand (2001). Pages 14 and 68; Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 30; Ellyard (2004). Page 27
  31. ^ Anyone can be attuned to Reiki: (Lübeck, Petter, and Rand (2001). Page 8); (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 35); (Ellyard (2004). Page 77)
  32. ^ Note: The terms attunement and "initiation" are usually used interchangeably with regard to Reiki. Occasionally there is a slight difference of emphasis implied, with attunement used when discussing the gaining of access to the Reiki energy and "initiation" when discussing the personal (or spiritual) growth aspect. Both these aspects relate to the same physical procedure.
  33. ^ Access is by means of attunement: (Ellyard (2004). Page 27 and 31); (Lübeck, Petter, and Rand (2001). Page 22); (McKenzie (1998). Pages 18 and 19); (Gollagher (1998). Page 26); (Boräng (1997). Page 12)
  34. ^ Stenger, Victor J. (1999). "The Physics of 'Alternative Medicine' Bioenergetic Fields". Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine. 3 (1): 1501. doi:10.1126/science.134.3489.1501. PMID 14471768. Retrieved 2008-03-30. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  35. ^ Reiki is holistic, bringing healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels: (Baginski and Sharamon (1988). Page 35); (Gollagher (1998). Page 44); (Boräng (1997). Page 10); (McKenzie (1998). Page 81)
  36. ^ Reiki activates or enhances natural healing: (McKenzie (1998). Page 18); (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Pages 78 and 93); (Gollagher (1998). Page 24)
  37. ^ Reiki is "intelligent": (Ellyard (2004). Pages 28 and 29); (Boräng (1997). Page 10)
  38. ^ Reiki is taught in 3 levels: (McKenzie (1998). Page 54); (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 117); (Petter (1997). Page 38)
  39. ^ First degree course content: (McKenzie (1998). Page 54); (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 118); (Petter (1997). Page 38)
  40. ^ James Deacon (2002), Reiki Glossary: S - Z (online). Accessed: 23 February 2010 (available: http://www.aetw.org/reiki_glossary_s.html)
  41. ^ Effect of attunements in 1st level: (Ellyard (2004). Page 37)
  42. ^ Teaching of hand positions during First degree course: (Baginski and Sharamon (1988). Page 48), (Petter (1997). Page 39)
  43. ^ Duration of First degree course: (Baginski and Sharamon (1988). Page 46), (Petter (1997). Page 38)
  44. ^ Second degree course content: (McKenzie (1998). Page 56); (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 119); (Petter (1997). Page 43)
  45. ^ James Deacon (2002), Reiki Glossary: M - R (online). Accessed: 23 February 2010 (available: http://www.aetw.org/Reiki_glossary_m.html#o)
  46. ^ Teaching of symbols in Second Degree: (Ellyard (2004). Page 81)
  47. ^ Reiki can be sent to past or future: (McKenzie (1998). Page 39), in Western Reiki; (Ellyard (2004). Page 115); (Lübeck (1994). Page 155)
  48. ^ Use of symbols for connection during distant healing: (McKenzie (1998). Page 39); (Ellyard (2004). Page 110)
  49. ^ Effect of 2nd level attunement: (Ellyard (2004). Page 81)
  50. ^ Healing at a distance taught during Second Degree course: (Petter (1997). Page 43)
  51. ^ Master training: (McKenzie (1998). Page 58); (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Pages 120 to 124); (Petter (1997). Pages to 47 and 49)
  52. ^ James Deacon (2002), Reiki Glossary: S - Z (online). Accessed: 23 February 2010 (available: http://www.aetw.org/Reiki_glossary_s.html)
  53. ^ Content of master training: (Ellyard (2004). Chapters 16 and 17)
  54. ^ UK Reiki Federation website link: http://www.reikifed.co.uk/
  55. ^ The Reiki Council website link: http://www.reikicouncil.org.uk/
  56. ^ UK Reiki Federation (2009), Membership Form. Accessed 23 February 2010 (available: http://www.reikifed.co.uk/pub/about/fed/join/reikifed_mem-app.pdf)
  57. ^ a b James Deacon (2006), Usui's Original Hand Positions (online). Available: http://www.aetw.org/d_treatment_usui.htm (accessed 25 February 2010)
  58. ^ Whole body treatment: (Lübeck (1994). Chapters 4 and 5); (McKenzie (1998). Page 84); (Ellyard (2004). Page 45); (Lübeck ,Petter, and Rand (2001). Chapter 20); (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 79); (Petter (1997). Pages 50 to 55); (Boräng (1997). Page 36)
  59. ^ Mental preparation by practitioner at start of treatment: (Ellyard (2004). Page 46)
  60. ^ Minimum talking during formal treatments: (Ellyard (2004). Page 45)
  61. ^ a b c Duration of whole body treatment and others: (Ellyard (2004). Page 41)
  62. ^ Use of intuition: (Usui and Petter (2003). Page 17)
  63. ^ Immediate effects of treatment: (Ellyard (2004). Page 44)
  64. ^ Treatment of injuries: (McKenzie (1998). Page 110); (Ellyard (2004). Page 70); (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 77)
  65. ^ James Deacon (2006), On CKR, SHK, and Absent Healing (online). Accessed: 23 February 2010 (available: http://www.aetw.org/reiki_takata_course2.htm)
  66. ^ Reiki.nu (2009), Reiki hand positions photoes - treating others, self and "quick version" (online). Accessed 23 February 2010 (available: http://www.Reiki.nu/Treatmentguide2.pdf)
  67. ^ Hand positions for specific ailments: (Usui and Petter (2003). Pages 49 and 67); (Lübeck (1994). Pages 173 and 184)
  68. ^ Whole body treatment for chronic conditions: (McKenzie (1998). Page 108); (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 81)
  69. ^ Localized treatment following on from whole body treatment: (McKenzie (1998). Page 105)
  70. ^ Canolfan Ganser Felindre | Velindre Cancer Centre - Patients & Visitors (accessed 13 February 2010)
  71. ^ Canolfan Ganser Felindre | Velindre Cancer Centre - Complementary Therapies (accessed 13 February 2010)
  72. ^ The Nhs Directory of Complementary and Alternative Practitioners (retrieved 16 February 2010)
  73. ^ Reiki: An Introduction [NCCAM Backgrounder] (retrieved 13 February 2010)
  74. ^ Ahlam A. Mansour, Marion Beuche, Gail Laing, Anne Leis, Judy Nurse, "A Study to Test the Effectiveness of Placebo Reiki Standardization Procedures Developed for a Planned Reiki Efficacy Study", Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, April 1999, 5(2): 153-164. doi:10.1089/acm.1999.5.153.
  75. ^ Lilienfeld, Scott O. (2002). "Our Raison d'Être". The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice. 1 (1). Retrieved 2008-01-28. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  76. ^ Reiki does not replace conventional medicine but complements it: (McKenzie (1998). Pages 7, 18, and 105)
  77. ^ A skeptical assessment of Reiki: National Council Against Health Fraud article.
  78. ^ Some Thoughts about "CAM" Beliefs
  79. ^ "Charging for Reiki Healing". Indobase. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
  80. ^ Ray, Barbara (1995). "The Radiance Technique, Authentic Reiki: Historical Perspectives". The Radiance Technique International Association Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
  81. ^ "Grandmaster" dispute: (Veltheim and Veltheim (1995). Page 106), (Ellyard (2004). Pages 21 and 23)
  82. ^ Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy, 25 March 2009

References

  • B. Baginski and S. Sharamon (translations by J. Harrison and C. Baker). Reiki: Universal Life Energy: Holistic Method Suitable for Self-Treatment and the Home Professional Practice, Teleotherapeutics/Spiritual Healing (English language print: Life Rhythm, 1988), ISBN 0-940795-02-7.
  • L. Ellyard. Reiki Healer: A Complete Guide to the Path and Practice of Reiki (Lotus Press, 2004) ISBN 0-940985-64-0.
  • T. Gollagher. Reiki: a Gift from the Universe (Publisher unknown, 1998).
  • Eleanor McKenzie. Healing Reiki (Hamlyn Health & Well Being, 1998) ISBN 0-600-59528-5.
  • F. A. Petter, T. Yamaguchi, and C. Hayashi. The Hayashi Reiki Manual: Japanese Healing Techniques from the Founder of the Western Reiki System (Lotus Press, 2004) ISBN 0-914955-75-6
  • B. Ray. The Reiki Factor in the Radiance Technique (Radiance Associates, 1983) ISBN 0-933267-06-1
  • S. Leir-Shuffrey. Reiki - A Beginner's Guide (Hodder Headline, 1998) ISBN 0-340-72081-6
  • M. Usui and F. A. Petter. The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui: The Traditional Usui Reiki Ryoho Treatment Positions and Numerous Reiki Techniques for Health and Well-being (Lotus Press, 2000) ISBN 0-914955-57-8
  • Dr. J. & E. Veltheim. Reiki: the Science, Metaphysics and Philosophy (PaRama, 1995) ISBN 0-9645944-0-4

External links

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