Reiki

Question:

Hi, Group. I went for my first Reiki treatment Saturday. I was hopeful but skeptical. I was very pleasantly surprised, though, that I could actually feel the Reiki energy and so could my girlfriend, who accompanied me. It’s wearing off now that I’m doing a lot of typing, but I just spent 10 hours virtually free of pain from my fibromyalgia/myofascial pain. Soon after the start of the new year, both my girlfriend and I plan to take Reiki classes so we can have this ability, and so I can live more pain-free. I know Reiki can sound fairly "out there" but before I decided to try it I found an abstract or two of double-blind studies that show Reiki helps reduce pain. And more nurses and even doctors are using it with all sorts of patients. Something to think about, maybe. Bryon

Response:

> Hi, Group. > I went for my first Reiki treatment Saturday. I was hopeful but > skeptical.

I am a Level 2 Reiki student, and I thought I was the worlds largest skeptic.  That is, until I met my Reiki master!  She works in a hospital based pain management program with cancer patients.  She is extremely skeptical, yet is still practicing Reiki on herself, her patients and the hospital staff. I’m no "true believer", but I know when something works.  From our temporal perspective, Reiki may or may not work to provide the "cure" we are seeking, but it does do _something_.  What that something is, of course, is a matter of personal perspective. > I was very pleasantly surprised, though, that I could actually feel the > Reiki energy and so could my girlfriend, who accompanied me.

What did you get?  I get ringing in my ears and very warm hands. > It’s wearing off now that I’m doing a lot of typing, but I just spent 10 > hours virtually free of pain from my fibromyalgia/myofascial pain.

Good for you! > Soon after the start of the new year, both my girlfriend and I plan to > take Reiki classes so we can have this ability, and so I can live more > pain-free.

Sharing Reiki with your loved ones is the most difficult art – there are lots of issues to overcome.  If you can do it – great!  I can only do Reiki with my daughter – my wife is too closed up and won’t let anyone in, even me.  When she ( my wife ) opens up to my touch – maybe once a month – it’s only for 10 minutes and then she’s overwhelmed by the emotions.  Like I said, lots of issues. > I know Reiki can sound fairly "out there" but before I decided to try it > I found an abstract or two of double-blind studies that show Reiki helps > reduce pain. And more nurses and even doctors are using it with all > sorts of patients.

My teaching Reiki Master told a story about a hyper-skeptical surgeon who was having chemo for ovarian cancer and was all full of bluster and brusque and demanding.  My friend uses the "non-directed guarantee" on people like that – "I don’t know if it will work.  What do YOU think Reiki will do?" The doctor was all business and said that nothing was changing and why was she wasting her time on this claptrap, etc, etc – all while coming in 3 times a week for Reiki.  After a couple weeks, the doctor strode in an announced "Well, your mumbo-jumbo hasn’t helped my pain at ALL!"  Then she tossed the latest liver function tests on her desk and said "But my LFT’s are better than they have been in years.  I guess I’ll send some of my patients over." My friend surmised that was some sort of "Thank you." And so it goes… > Something to think about, maybe.

Always I’m thinking, and thinking… Robert Conner (all dots and caps removed to stop offending)

Response:

Hi, Robert. Thanks for sharing all of that in your post. It’s good to hear about other people’s experiences with Reiki. As soon as the Reiki master put her hands on my head, my arms and hands — which is where most of my pain is — felt warm and there was a slight tingle. Later, she had my girlfriend put her hands on me, and then the master channeled the Reiki through my girlfriend to me. My girlfriend reported exactly the feeling I had, which made a believer of her. I’m encouraged by stories such as you shared of people who use Reiki in clinical settings. And I’m glad there is some research being done on it. I do wish, though, someone would conduct a full-blown scientific study on Reiki so we could discuss it in more scientific terms. Like you, I’m content that it works, but the metaphysics can so easily get in the way of anyone trying Reiki. It almost did for me. I’ve thought doing an MRI of someone receiving Reiki would be quite interesting. Bryon

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Some one educate me here. What is the Reiki plan? Dave/

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> Some one educate me here. What is the Reiki plan? > Dave/

You can basic info at: http://www.reiki.com/ The page is AWFUL to look at (don’t go there RUADA) but the info is good. You may also visit my Reiki Master’s page at: http://www.solcities.com/biz/reiki/ A comprehensive site can also be found at: http://www.onedegreebeyond.com/index.htm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Some one educate me here. What is the Reiki plan? > Dave/ > You can basic info at: http://www.reiki.com/ > The page is AWFUL to look at (don’t go there RUADA) but the info is good. > You may also visit my Reiki Master’s page at: > http://www.solcities.com/biz/reiki/ > A comprehensive site can also be found at: > http://www.onedegreebeyond.com/index.htm

Why thank you for the warning.  It Is truly only a problem when I’ve got a bad headache and is the animated stuff as far as causing pain.  I stay off the www when that is the situation.  The rest of my points about HTML are specific to newsgroups.   The fact that many readers do not support it and the fact that it takes at least twice as much band width to store it thereby making servers overload and purge must faster than when plain text is used.  What the webtv stuff does is another issue altogether as I have recently learned and was explained in the Questions for Ruada thread.  But again thanks for thinking of me and the warning. Ruada

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> Why thank you for the warning.

No prob.  You know how testy you can get… > It Is truly only a problem when I’ve got a > bad headache and is the animated stuff as far as causing pain.  I stay off > the www when that is the situation.  The rest of my points about HTML are > specific to newsgroups.   The fact that many readers do not support it and > the fact that it takes at least twice as much band width to store it > thereby making servers overload and purge must faster than when plain text > is used.

I use cable modem at home, DSL at work and have my own 2 servers running my webpages and the various sites I maintain.  Bandwidth is one of those things old-timers use to beat up newbies, but it really isn’t relevant anymore. Cheap hard drives, faster transmission and better maintenance is making the whole bandwidth issue redundant. > What the webtv stuff does is another issue altogether as I have > recently learned and was explained in the Questions for Ruada thread.  But > again thanks for thinking of me and the warning.

Well, you know how things get mis-communicated sometimes… Robert Conner (all caps and dots removed to stop offending)

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: Is anyone out there interested in this energy science?  If so, I am : interested in knowing if there are newsgroups on this particular : subject.  I took a Reiki level one course several years ago and would : like to share my experiences with people who have Reiki or are interested : Del I would also be very interested in info on Reiki.  A freind wants to get started. Thanks! Lee

Response:

If you are interested in getting more information about Reiki you might want to contact the Reiki Alliance.  The Alliance is an international affiliation of Reiki masters and traces it’s lineage to Dr. Usui who rediscovered how to channel the energy and initiate others into the practice. The Reiki Alliance can be reached at Susan Mitchell The Reiki Aliance P.O. Box 41 Cataldo, ID 83810 208-682-3535 voice 208-682-4848 FAX Susan Mitchell is both a Reiki master and the central public contact for the alliance. If you have any specific questions I will be glad to try to answer them.  I do not believe that there are any resources through the net. Michael Shiffman

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Is anyone out there interested in this energy science?  If so, I am interested in knowing if there are newsgroups on this particular subject.  I took a Reiki level one course several years ago and would like to share my experiences with people who have Reiki or are interested Del

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I know of no such studies.  Some practioners get no sensation, many others get many and varied sensations.  I understand it as an energy transference more than anything else (I’m sure opinion on this varies) and as such feel the only evidence you can get is empirical. Light, YeiBiChe

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Hi All     Is any one out here doing Reiki?  Would like to share experiences.                                   Terry ^                       *                                         ^ ^   There’s a way to do it ..                             ^ ^            you just haven’t figured it out yet    ^ ^                                                                  ^ ^                           Taz                                  ^

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I am a 2nd degree practioner, saving for the next 2.  Also SoTai and Magnified Healing.  I have had some terrific experiences with Reiki.  Sometimes just talking about it my palms will burn.

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writes: >I have had some terrific experiences with Reiki.  Sometimes just >talking about it my palms will burn.

I’m fascinated by this stuff YeiBiChe, and involved with psychoneuroimmunology which is an exciting area working on mind/body interactions. Reiki is like Chi Gong I believe. I’m doing Chi Gong for cancer remediation and it is going really well. Do you know of any studies which have measured the heat effects you experience? Most doctors won’t believe any of this stuff and I’m looking for more evidence. With best wishes.

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|> |> : Hi!  I’m looking for any and all information about Reiki… I want to know |> : everything about this!  (I already know it works..just finished Reiki I) |> |> To the members of the thread, particularly Dragon Slayer – there are |> enough controlled studies of TT and other "energy healing" technologies |> to suggest a valid although difficult to explain phenomena. Then produce the papers! I’d love to check them out. (BTW, I have to do a paper search in the next, oh, week or so, so the sooner the better) I will read them and comment. Let’s have a nice, intelligent discussion!    Not placebo |> – works at a distance, on animals, has magnetic field effects, etc.   |> References can be had from Dan Benor’s Healing Research, Vols I and II or |> more easily accessable in Healing Words by ???? (darn, I hate to get |> old) Ahhh Larry Dossey!.   The magnetic field stuff is from the "Copper |> Wall" studies by Elmer Green et al, published in "Subtle Energies". I’d still like to see the literature cites, if at all possible. I’d bet alot of the stuff is in non-peer reviewed journals… |> |> Incidently, I find Reiki to work for some stuff but not to be too |> different from TT and bioenergy therapy.  The practitioner variable is |> also critical. |> |> — |> Jerry Wesch  -  Health Psychology Consultations – Evanston, IL |> | "The GOAL is to become so aware of all of the levels of all of the |> forces determining your behavior that you can make a Real Choice."| |> DragonSlayer

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: Hi!  I’m looking for any and all information about Reiki… I want to know : everything about this!  (I already know it works..just finished Reiki I) To the members of the thread, particularly Dragon Slayer – there are enough controlled studies of TT and other "energy healing" technologies to suggest a valid although difficult to explain phenomena.  Not placebo – works at a distance, on animals, has magnetic field effects, etc.   References can be had from Dan Benor’s Healing Research, Vols I and II or more easily accessable in Healing Words by ???? (darn, I hate to get old) Ahhh Larry Dossey!.   The magnetic field stuff is from the "Copper Wall" studies by Elmer Green et al, published in "Subtle Energies".   Incidently, I find Reiki to work for some stuff but not to be too different from TT and bioenergy therapy.  The practitioner variable is also critical. — Jerry Wesch  -  Health Psychology Consultations – Evanston, IL | "The GOAL is to become so aware of all of the levels of all of the forces determining your behavior that you can make a Real Choice."|

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: I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating : that Non-Contact Theraputic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly : implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for : both methods are quite similar indeed. I’m not sure that your characterization of Reiki as a strictly non-contact therapy is accurate.  At least sometimes, Reiki clearly involves contact. You might be interested, incidentally, in taking a look at the medical studies which show a clear correlation between a lack of physical contact and an infant’s Failure To Thrive.  That there is such a clear correlation between touch and physiological development here indicates that Reiki (in as much as parts of it, at least, are contact based) might produce real effects.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (Bernie Simon) writes: writes: >|> >|>    I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating >|>    that Non-Contact Theraputic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly >|>    implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for >|>    both methods are quite similar indeed. >|> >|> It would be easier to look up the research if you provided us with a >|> CITATION. Perhaps you are referring to the article about a year ago in >|> the Skeptical Inquirer? That article was poorly written and also >|> didn’t give any citations. Does all your "research" come from the >|> Skeptical Inquirer, publications of the NCAHF, and Consumer Reports? >|> — >No, bernie. Unfortionately, I don’t have my paper collection here. >I read an article in _Skeptic_ magazine, this winter’s issue. It >contains a report on the controversy over non-contact theraputic >tuch as taught in the University of Colorado. From what I’ve >been able to track down, the skeptical critiques of NCT are >valid. Even a promoter of NCT *did* indeed get published an article >demonstrating that NCT was as effective as placebo… However, >the University of Colorado School of Nursing still permits >work on NCT, due to the pollitical influence of the promoter… >under the guise of ‘academic freedom’. Now, how do you like >those apples??? >OK, Bernie, go get the magazine and trace down the sources listed. >I can assure you that a full bibliography is included with the >article. >DragonSlayer

It is your responsbility to do that for us. You tried this once before. Now you are also a bloodsucker of others time. Too bad nothing no modality has worked for you. As Bernie said just what haven’t you done better than all the others in the world.

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|> |>    I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating |>    that Non-Contact Theraputic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly |>    implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for |>    both methods are quite similar indeed. |> |> It would be easier to look up the research if you provided us with a |> CITATION. Perhaps you are referring to the article about a year ago in |> the Skeptical Inquirer? That article was poorly written and also |> didn’t give any citations. Does all your "research" come from the |> Skeptical Inquirer, publications of the NCAHF, and Consumer Reports? |> — No, bernie. Unfortionately, I don’t have my paper collection here. I read an article in _Skeptic_ magazine, this winter’s issue. It contains a report on the controversy over non-contact theraputic tuch as taught in the University of Colorado. From what I’ve been able to track down, the skeptical critiques of NCT are valid. Even a promoter of NCT *did* indeed get published an article demonstrating that NCT was as effective as placebo… However, the University of Colorado School of Nursing still permits work on NCT, due to the pollitical influence of the promoter… under the guise of ‘academic freedom’. Now, how do you like those apples??? OK, Bernie, go get the magazine and trace down the sources listed. I can assure you that a full bibliography is included with the article. DragonSlayer

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   I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating    that Non-Contact Theraputic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly    implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for    both methods are quite similar indeed. It would be easier to look up the research if you provided us with a CITATION. Perhaps you are referring to the article about a year ago in the Skeptical Inquirer? That article was poorly written and also didn’t give any citations. Does all your "research" come from the Skeptical Inquirer, publications of the NCAHF, and Consumer Reports? —

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Hi!  I’m looking for any and all information about Reiki… I want to know everything about this!  (I already know it works..just finished Reiki I) If you have any ideas where to find more information, or have anything you’d like to share with me about this, please write! Thanks! Lori

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|> |> Hi!  I’m looking for any and all information about Reiki… I want to know |> everything about this!  (I already know it works..just finished Reiki I) |> |> If you have any ideas where to find more information, or have anything |> you’d like to share with me about this, please write! Thanks! |> |> Lori I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating that Non-Contact Theraputic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for both methods are quite similar indeed. Reiki may have worked for you, for placebos can and do sometimes work. DragonSlayer

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Is Reiki turning into little more than pyramid-selling?  I’m a UK journalist (Daily Mail etc) who specialises in natural health.  I researched Reiki several years back and was very impressed – now I’m not not quite so sure. It seems as if anyone can become a Reiki master providing they can come up with the cash. Any thoughts?  Please e-mail printing their comments.  If you prefer to stay anonymous, that’s fine.

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>Is Reiki turning into little more than pyramid-selling?  I’m a UK >journalist (Daily Mail etc) who specialises in natural health.  I >researched Reiki several years back and was very impressed – now I’m not >not quite so sure. It seems as if anyone can become a Reiki master >providing they can come up with the cash. Any thoughts?

For a different perspective on Reiki, check out the new book "All of Reiki Book I", by Harry M. Kuboi. Master Kuboi is one of the original 22 Reiki Masters that Mrs. Hawayo Takata initiated. He has been channeling with the spiritual world for over ten years and has just released his first book in August 1996. "All of Reiki Book II" is scheduled to be released before the end of 1996. "All of Reiki Book III" is scheduled to be released sometime in 1997. I’ve set up the "All of Reiki" Web page to help to increase awareness of these books. Please visit there for updated information on the books (including information on the new distributor, and the new pricing schedule)…   http://members.aol.com/RKaya1/hkuboi.html Raymond T. Kaya Reiki II Honolulu, Hawaii http://members.aol.com/RKaya1/index.html

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Go to the Reiki Message Board on Vitamins Network. The address is http://vitamins.net.forums/eastern. From there click on message board and select Reiki. There is also a real-time chat room there and more. Regards, Mike

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Just what is Reiki? george

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>Just what is Reiki? >george

Hi George.. Whole books have been written about Reiki, so whatever I write here will simply scratch the surface… Reiki is spiritual energy, and can be used for healing. One cannot "learn" Reiki by reading about it. One has to be initiated or attuned by a Reiki Master. The Reiki Master opens the student’s channels, so that this energy flows through the student, and out through the palms. Reiki addresses the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. One doesn’t have to have a problem to benefit from Reiki treatments. Reiki can be used simply to enhance health, promote relaxation, etc. One nice thing about learning Reiki is that you can treat yourself… Reiki was rediscovered by *Eitoku* Mikao Usui during the latter part of the 19th century. Actually Reiki is much, much older, it just wasn’t called "Reiki" before… Mrs. Hawayo Takata, a resident of Hawaii, "learned" Reiki in Japan during the 1930’s. She returned to Hawaii and began treating people. Later, she became a Reiki Master. She initiated 22 Reiki Masters before her transition in 1980. Today Reiki is spreading throughout the world… Please see my home page, the URL is indicated below. I’m not selling anything. Through links in my home page, you can see what my own Reiki Master, Judy Lau, has to say, and learn about the new book her Master (Harry Kuboi, one of the 22 original Masters) has written… Raymond T. Kaya Reiki II Honolulu, Hawaii http://members.aol.com/RKaya1/index.html

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Ladies and Gentlemen: Regarding the subject of "Reiki", DragonSlayer apparently posted some information, of which I only received part, no doubt because our server at the BBS here only keeps a certain number of posts before discarding, so I must apologize, both to the newsgroup and to DragonSlayer, if anything I say mischaracterizes DragonSlayer’s original post.  I was only able to retrieve part of it, and it is the part I was able to retrieve, and *only* this part, to which I shall make some reply.  Concerning Reiki, DragonSlayer says: DS>  I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating DS>  that Non-Contact Therapeutic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly DS>  implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for both DS>  methods are quite similar indeed. While I shall not attempt to characterize the scholarship that came to the conclusion that Non-Contact Therapeutic Touch is no more effective than placebo, I should, first of all, like to point out that, as I understand the Colorado research, (it was discussed briefly in an editorial accompanying the Fall 1994 issue of the ISSSSEM (the International Society for the Scientific Study of Subtle Energy Modalities (?) ) this Colorado study made no mention of any other non-touch modalities other than Non-contact Therapeutic Touch and specifically stated that conclusions based on this study should *not* be extended to any other modalities since *only* Non-contact Therapeutic Touch was studied. Further, there are at least three significant differences between Usui Shiki Ryoho, or the Usui Method of Natural Healing (known as "Reiki" in the United States) and Non-Contact Therapeutic Touch.  [Now, it may turn out that these differences do *not* result in the modality known as Reiki being more effective than a placebo, but the differences *are* real and, IMHO, ought to be *proved* to be relevant or irrelevant *before* anyone (including, with all due respect, DragonSlayer) concludes that Reiki is no more effective than a placebo simply because Non-Contact Therapeutic Touch may have proven to be thus.] Firstly, the most significant difference between the two modalities is that, in the Usui Method of Natural Healing, practitioners must undergo a process known as "attunement" whereby they become attuned to the "ki" energy that is all around us.  Now, whether one accepts this process called "attunement" as a useful event or as a non-effectual event whose efficacy cannot be scientifically measured, (and hence, irrelevant from a scientific viewpoint), it is still an actual occurrence, and its impact upon the efficacy of a statistically significant number of Reiki practitioners ought to be examined.  To date, this has not occurred. Secondly and thirdly, in the Usui Method of Natural Healing, there are symbols that are drawn in the air by the practitioner with his/her hand(s) (these symbols are called "mudras") and there are names of the symbols that are audibly intoned (the audible names of the symbols are called "mantras" and their intonation is called "invocation") that are used by advanced level practitioners for the specific purposes of gathering, focusing, and channeling "ki" energy in significant amounts to deal with different aspects of one’s disease, illness, or trauma, so that the recipient can use the "ki" energy to heal him/herself of the specific problem at hand. The efficacy of the use of these "mantras" and "mudras" in conjunction with Reiki practice has not been studied scientifically, but their presence and use in the practice is real and should not be automatically dismissed as irrelevant. They may have an impact on the efficacy of the practice. Now, the explanation for all of this only becomes interesting if there is a significant difference between placebo result and Reiki result.  To the best of my knowledge, this has not been tested with a statistically significant group. (Add to this, no self-respecting Reiki Master would ever claim to "heal" anyone. Instead, most Reiki Masters insist that the recipient of "ki" energy heals him/herself by using the "ki" energy that the Reiki Master channels to the client.) "But is anything really happening?" enquiring minds want to know. Notwithstanding the modesty of these Reiki Masters, this question remains to be answered in a double-blind, scientifically engineered study, to determine whether there is an unexplained variation between placebo results and Reiki results (either better *or* worse.  Either would prove *something* is happening.) In this respect, I would say the following:  it is unscientific to dismiss the possibility of an event occurring, simply because one has not yet figured out a way to measure the event itself (a la Heisenberg), or to locate the source of the event (also Heisenberg).  To wit, radioactivity existed long before our ability to measure it quantitatively, and long before we figured how to use it productively; perhaps the same can be said for the existence and movement of "ki" energy.  The fact is, over 100,000 pages of Buddhist sutras, predominantly the Lotus Sutra, point out the existence of the "mystic law of cause and effect through sound or vibration", and did so long before the invention of the electron microscope enabled us to confirm the vibrational nature of the atomic structure.  The absence of this electron microscope in no way negated the Buddhist writers’ certain knowledge of this vibrational energy contained in all sentient and insentient beings, *in spite of* their being unable to "prove" it scientifically.  According to these Sutras, they *used* this "ki" energy to perform what we would today call "miracles."  Did they?  To what *can* we attribute their seemingly farsighted knowledge?  The debate continues. I am not asking anyone to "believe" that "ki" energy exists or that its presence makes a difference in a person’s recovery from illness, disease, or trauma, although this is what *I* personally have experienced (anecdotally, of course). However, I would respectfully commend to the attention of the non-Reiki practitioner community that there are enough differences between Reiki and other non-touch based modalities (such as the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, Non-contact Therapeutic Touch, Huna, Pranic Healing, Mahikari No Wara, etc.) that "lumping together" Reiki with other non-touch modalities would "short-change" the world of the opportunity to verify the true efficacy of this authentically unique energy modality, in effect, "condemning" Reiki to the placebo "scrap heap" without a fair, scientific trial.  This, I believe, is inappropriate, shortsighted, and undeserved. While I shall not insist that anyone ought to believe (without scientific proof) in the efficacy of Usui Shiki Ryoho (or "Reiki" as it’s known in the U.S. and some other countries), notwithstanding my anecdotal experiences or those of approximately 60,000 practitioners throughout the world, I personally would like to "weigh in" and say that, at the least, the differences between Reiki and other forms of non-touch energy work are significant enough to warrant a separate study before "throwing out the Reiki with the bath water." Thanks for listening. Brian M. Carter, B.S., C.M.T. Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master California State-authorized Instructor (Cert #105502, expires 01/97)    in Massage and Massage Therapy Subjects L.A. County License 0594-116598I1 City of Pasadena License 52-058755 —

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… |> (in the sense of Rolfing Structural Integration core length) |> In fact a proof crazed German Rolfer actually photographed a small group |> of clients with the aim of seeing if discrimination could be used to |> figure out whether a person had been Rolfed, Reiki-ed, massaged, or had |> hair messed up and walked around the table.  In fact there was not enough |> discrimination between the body types used in the very small sample of |> people except for one thing:  both the Reiki-ed and the Rolfed people |> exhibited "core" length. |> Subsequently I tried out Reiki twice for myself.  It was a very enjoyable |> experience each time and did produce a short term feeling of core length |> and well-being that lasted into the next day. | Some of us are unfamiliar with the technical terms from rolfing, would you care to give us a definition of "Rolfing Structural Integration core length"? Regards, Scott W.

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Most interesting post from Brian Carter about Reiki.  My experience as a fairly sophisticated consumer of energy bodywork tells me that Reiki is very good for restoring core length(in the sense of Rolfing Structural Integration core length). In fact a proof crazed German Rolfer actually photographed a small group of clients with the aim of seeing if discrimination could be used to figure out whether a person had been Rolfed, Reiki-ed, massaged, or had hair messed up and walked around the table.  In fact there was not enough discrimination between the body types used in the very small sample of people except for one thing:  both the Reiki-ed and the Rolfed people exhibited "core" length. Subsequently I tried out Reiki twice for myself.  It was a very enjoyable experience each time and did produce a short term feeling of core length and well-being that lasted into the next day. Of the energy works I prefer Reiki, Jin Shin, and a version of shiatsu called Ohashiatsu (so long as it is not contaminated by "digger" shiatsu, which can interfere with structurally integrated bodies.  I have also enjoyed chakra balancing and polarity therapy if attention is paid to crisscross, side to side, front to back, top to bottom balance etc.

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A really good place to get information and ask lots of question is alt.healing.reiki. Everyone there is really receptive to any kinds of questions and stuff you may have.  It is a personal decision whether you want to try it or not, but I have had some really good experiences since trying it. You can email me if you want. Wish you luck on your search, : ) Kelly

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I have heard that Reiki is very theraputic and a good alternative therapy. Has anyone tried having a Reiki session? What exactly is involved? Before you buy.

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<>Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative <> <>: Is anyone out there interested in this energy science?  If so, I am <>: interested in knowing if there are newsgroups on this particular <>: subject.  I took a Reiki level one course several years ago and would <>: like to share my experiences with people who have Reiki or are interested         It seems to me that alt.backrubs is an appropriate newsgroup to discuss Reiki in but there hasn’t been much discussion there before (only 1 article in the archive).  You might also find pointers to resources in the alt.backrubs FAQL. —     Answers to questions frequently asked in alt.backrubs are available via     anonymous FTP from rtfm.mit.edu in pub/usenet-by-group/alt.backrubs/faq            (ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-group/alt.backrubs/faq)

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>Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative >: Is anyone out there interested in this energy science?  If so, I am >: interested in knowing if there are newsgroups on this particular >: subject.  I took a Reiki level one course several years ago and would >: like to share my experiences with people who have Reiki or are interested >: Del >I would also be very interested in info on Reiki.  A freind wants to get >started.

Lee, I do not think that a Reiki mailing list has been formed — yet.  You may want to sign up to the holistic list as Reiki has been discussed there from time to time.  The participants on the group would know more about any Internet resources for Reiki. Hope this helps.                              - Mark P.S. — The World Wide Web page:             http://zeta.cs.adfa.oz.au/Spirit/healing.html has a link to a Reiki page as well as other natural healing techniques.

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: Is anyone out there interested in this energy science?  If so, I am : interested in knowing if there are newsgroups on this particular : subject.  I took a Reiki level one course several years ago and would : like to share my experiences with people who have Reiki or are interested : Del I would also be very interested in info on Reiki.  A freind wants to get started. Thanks! Lee

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If you are interested in getting more information about Reiki you might want to contact the Reiki Alliance.  The Alliance is an international affiliation of Reiki masters and traces it’s lineage to Dr. Usui who rediscovered how to channel the energy and initiate others into the practice. The Reiki Alliance can be reached at Susan Mitchell The Reiki Aliance P.O. Box 41 Cataldo, ID 83810 208-682-3535 voice 208-682-4848 FAX Susan Mitchell is both a Reiki master and the central public contact for the alliance. If you have any specific questions I will be glad to try to answer them.  I do not believe that there are any resources through the net. Michael Shiffman

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Is anyone out there interested in this energy science?  If so, I am interested in knowing if there are newsgroups on this particular subject.  I took a Reiki level one course several years ago and would like to share my experiences with people who have Reiki or are interested Del

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I know of no such studies.  Some practioners get no sensation, many others get many and varied sensations.  I understand it as an energy transference more than anything else (I’m sure opinion on this varies) and as such feel the only evidence you can get is empirical. Light, YeiBiChe

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Hi All     Is any one out here doing Reiki?  Would like to share experiences.                                   Terry ^                       *                                         ^ ^   There’s a way to do it ..                             ^ ^            you just haven’t figured it out yet    ^ ^                                                                  ^ ^                           Taz                                  ^

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I am a 2nd degree practioner, saving for the next 2.  Also SoTai and Magnified Healing.  I have had some terrific experiences with Reiki.  Sometimes just talking about it my palms will burn.

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writes: >I have had some terrific experiences with Reiki.  Sometimes just >talking about it my palms will burn.

I’m fascinated by this stuff YeiBiChe, and involved with psychoneuroimmunology which is an exciting area working on mind/body interactions. Reiki is like Chi Gong I believe. I’m doing Chi Gong for cancer remediation and it is going really well. Do you know of any studies which have measured the heat effects you experience? Most doctors won’t believe any of this stuff and I’m looking for more evidence. With best wishes.

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|> |> : Hi!  I’m looking for any and all information about Reiki… I want to know |> : everything about this!  (I already know it works..just finished Reiki I) |> |> To the members of the thread, particularly Dragon Slayer – there are |> enough controlled studies of TT and other "energy healing" technologies |> to suggest a valid although difficult to explain phenomena. Then produce the papers! I’d love to check them out. (BTW, I have to do a paper search in the next, oh, week or so, so the sooner the better) I will read them and comment. Let’s have a nice, intelligent discussion!    Not placebo |> – works at a distance, on animals, has magnetic field effects, etc.   |> References can be had from Dan Benor’s Healing Research, Vols I and II or |> more easily accessable in Healing Words by ???? (darn, I hate to get |> old) Ahhh Larry Dossey!.   The magnetic field stuff is from the "Copper |> Wall" studies by Elmer Green et al, published in "Subtle Energies". I’d still like to see the literature cites, if at all possible. I’d bet alot of the stuff is in non-peer reviewed journals… |> |> Incidently, I find Reiki to work for some stuff but not to be too |> different from TT and bioenergy therapy.  The practitioner variable is |> also critical. |> |> — |> Jerry Wesch  -  Health Psychology Consultations – Evanston, IL |> | "The GOAL is to become so aware of all of the levels of all of the |> forces determining your behavior that you can make a Real Choice."| |> DragonSlayer

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: Hi!  I’m looking for any and all information about Reiki… I want to know : everything about this!  (I already know it works..just finished Reiki I) To the members of the thread, particularly Dragon Slayer – there are enough controlled studies of TT and other "energy healing" technologies to suggest a valid although difficult to explain phenomena.  Not placebo – works at a distance, on animals, has magnetic field effects, etc.   References can be had from Dan Benor’s Healing Research, Vols I and II or more easily accessable in Healing Words by ???? (darn, I hate to get old) Ahhh Larry Dossey!.   The magnetic field stuff is from the "Copper Wall" studies by Elmer Green et al, published in "Subtle Energies".   Incidently, I find Reiki to work for some stuff but not to be too different from TT and bioenergy therapy.  The practitioner variable is also critical. — Jerry Wesch  -  Health Psychology Consultations – Evanston, IL | "The GOAL is to become so aware of all of the levels of all of the forces determining your behavior that you can make a Real Choice."|

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: I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating : that Non-Contact Theraputic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly : implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for : both methods are quite similar indeed. I’m not sure that your characterization of Reiki as a strictly non-contact therapy is accurate.  At least sometimes, Reiki clearly involves contact. You might be interested, incidentally, in taking a look at the medical studies which show a clear correlation between a lack of physical contact and an infant’s Failure To Thrive.  That there is such a clear correlation between touch and physiological development here indicates that Reiki (in as much as parts of it, at least, are contact based) might produce real effects.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (Bernie Simon) writes: writes: >|> >|>    I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating >|>    that Non-Contact Theraputic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly >|>    implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for >|>    both methods are quite similar indeed. >|> >|> It would be easier to look up the research if you provided us with a >|> CITATION. Perhaps you are referring to the article about a year ago in >|> the Skeptical Inquirer? That article was poorly written and also >|> didn’t give any citations. Does all your "research" come from the >|> Skeptical Inquirer, publications of the NCAHF, and Consumer Reports? >|> — >No, bernie. Unfortionately, I don’t have my paper collection here. >I read an article in _Skeptic_ magazine, this winter’s issue. It >contains a report on the controversy over non-contact theraputic >tuch as taught in the University of Colorado. From what I’ve >been able to track down, the skeptical critiques of NCT are >valid. Even a promoter of NCT *did* indeed get published an article >demonstrating that NCT was as effective as placebo… However, >the University of Colorado School of Nursing still permits >work on NCT, due to the pollitical influence of the promoter… >under the guise of ‘academic freedom’. Now, how do you like >those apples??? >OK, Bernie, go get the magazine and trace down the sources listed. >I can assure you that a full bibliography is included with the >article. >DragonSlayer

It is your responsbility to do that for us. You tried this once before. Now you are also a bloodsucker of others time. Too bad nothing no modality has worked for you. As Bernie said just what haven’t you done better than all the others in the world.

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|> |>    I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating |>    that Non-Contact Theraputic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly |>    implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for |>    both methods are quite similar indeed. |> |> It would be easier to look up the research if you provided us with a |> CITATION. Perhaps you are referring to the article about a year ago in |> the Skeptical Inquirer? That article was poorly written and also |> didn’t give any citations. Does all your "research" come from the |> Skeptical Inquirer, publications of the NCAHF, and Consumer Reports? |> — No, bernie. Unfortionately, I don’t have my paper collection here. I read an article in _Skeptic_ magazine, this winter’s issue. It contains a report on the controversy over non-contact theraputic tuch as taught in the University of Colorado. From what I’ve been able to track down, the skeptical critiques of NCT are valid. Even a promoter of NCT *did* indeed get published an article demonstrating that NCT was as effective as placebo… However, the University of Colorado School of Nursing still permits work on NCT, due to the pollitical influence of the promoter… under the guise of ‘academic freedom’. Now, how do you like those apples??? OK, Bernie, go get the magazine and trace down the sources listed. I can assure you that a full bibliography is included with the article. DragonSlayer

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   I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating    that Non-Contact Theraputic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly    implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for    both methods are quite similar indeed. It would be easier to look up the research if you provided us with a CITATION. Perhaps you are referring to the article about a year ago in the Skeptical Inquirer? That article was poorly written and also didn’t give any citations. Does all your "research" come from the Skeptical Inquirer, publications of the NCAHF, and Consumer Reports? —

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Hi!  I’m looking for any and all information about Reiki… I want to know everything about this!  (I already know it works..just finished Reiki I) If you have any ideas where to find more information, or have anything you’d like to share with me about this, please write! Thanks! Lori

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|> |> Hi!  I’m looking for any and all information about Reiki… I want to know |> everything about this!  (I already know it works..just finished Reiki I) |> |> If you have any ideas where to find more information, or have anything |> you’d like to share with me about this, please write! Thanks! |> |> Lori I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating that Non-Contact Theraputic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for both methods are quite similar indeed. Reiki may have worked for you, for placebos can and do sometimes work. DragonSlayer

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Is Reiki turning into little more than pyramid-selling?  I’m a UK journalist (Daily Mail etc) who specialises in natural health.  I researched Reiki several years back and was very impressed – now I’m not not quite so sure. It seems as if anyone can become a Reiki master providing they can come up with the cash. Any thoughts?  Please e-mail printing their comments.  If you prefer to stay anonymous, that’s fine.

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>Is Reiki turning into little more than pyramid-selling?  I’m a UK >journalist (Daily Mail etc) who specialises in natural health.  I >researched Reiki several years back and was very impressed – now I’m not >not quite so sure. It seems as if anyone can become a Reiki master >providing they can come up with the cash. Any thoughts?

For a different perspective on Reiki, check out the new book "All of Reiki Book I", by Harry M. Kuboi. Master Kuboi is one of the original 22 Reiki Masters that Mrs. Hawayo Takata initiated. He has been channeling with the spiritual world for over ten years and has just released his first book in August 1996. "All of Reiki Book II" is scheduled to be released before the end of 1996. "All of Reiki Book III" is scheduled to be released sometime in 1997. I’ve set up the "All of Reiki" Web page to help to increase awareness of these books. Please visit there for updated information on the books (including information on the new distributor, and the new pricing schedule)…   http://members.aol.com/RKaya1/hkuboi.html Raymond T. Kaya Reiki II Honolulu, Hawaii http://members.aol.com/RKaya1/index.html

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Go to the Reiki Message Board on Vitamins Network. The address is http://vitamins.net.forums/eastern. From there click on message board and select Reiki. There is also a real-time chat room there and more. Regards, Mike

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Just what is Reiki? george

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>Just what is Reiki? >george

Hi George.. Whole books have been written about Reiki, so whatever I write here will simply scratch the surface… Reiki is spiritual energy, and can be used for healing. One cannot "learn" Reiki by reading about it. One has to be initiated or attuned by a Reiki Master. The Reiki Master opens the student’s channels, so that this energy flows through the student, and out through the palms. Reiki addresses the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. One doesn’t have to have a problem to benefit from Reiki treatments. Reiki can be used simply to enhance health, promote relaxation, etc. One nice thing about learning Reiki is that you can treat yourself… Reiki was rediscovered by *Eitoku* Mikao Usui during the latter part of the 19th century. Actually Reiki is much, much older, it just wasn’t called "Reiki" before… Mrs. Hawayo Takata, a resident of Hawaii, "learned" Reiki in Japan during the 1930’s. She returned to Hawaii and began treating people. Later, she became a Reiki Master. She initiated 22 Reiki Masters before her transition in 1980. Today Reiki is spreading throughout the world… Please see my home page, the URL is indicated below. I’m not selling anything. Through links in my home page, you can see what my own Reiki Master, Judy Lau, has to say, and learn about the new book her Master (Harry Kuboi, one of the 22 original Masters) has written… Raymond T. Kaya Reiki II Honolulu, Hawaii http://members.aol.com/RKaya1/index.html

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Ladies and Gentlemen: Regarding the subject of "Reiki", DragonSlayer apparently posted some information, of which I only received part, no doubt because our server at the BBS here only keeps a certain number of posts before discarding, so I must apologize, both to the newsgroup and to DragonSlayer, if anything I say mischaracterizes DragonSlayer’s original post.  I was only able to retrieve part of it, and it is the part I was able to retrieve, and *only* this part, to which I shall make some reply.  Concerning Reiki, DragonSlayer says: DS>  I would suggest that you look at the work done in Colorado demonstrating DS>  that Non-Contact Therapeutic Touch is a placebo. This research clearly DS>  implies that it is highly likely that Reiki is a placebo as well, for both DS>  methods are quite similar indeed. While I shall not attempt to characterize the scholarship that came to the conclusion that Non-Contact Therapeutic Touch is no more effective than placebo, I should, first of all, like to point out that, as I understand the Colorado research, (it was discussed briefly in an editorial accompanying the Fall 1994 issue of the ISSSSEM (the International Society for the Scientific Study of Subtle Energy Modalities (?) ) this Colorado study made no mention of any other non-touch modalities other than Non-contact Therapeutic Touch and specifically stated that conclusions based on this study should *not* be extended to any other modalities since *only* Non-contact Therapeutic Touch was studied. Further, there are at least three significant differences between Usui Shiki Ryoho, or the Usui Method of Natural Healing (known as "Reiki" in the United States) and Non-Contact Therapeutic Touch.  [Now, it may turn out that these differences do *not* result in the modality known as Reiki being more effective than a placebo, but the differences *are* real and, IMHO, ought to be *proved* to be relevant or irrelevant *before* anyone (including, with all due respect, DragonSlayer) concludes that Reiki is no more effective than a placebo simply because Non-Contact Therapeutic Touch may have proven to be thus.] Firstly, the most significant difference between the two modalities is that, in the Usui Method of Natural Healing, practitioners must undergo a process known as "attunement" whereby they become attuned to the "ki" energy that is all around us.  Now, whether one accepts this process called "attunement" as a useful event or as a non-effectual event whose efficacy cannot be scientifically measured, (and hence, irrelevant from a scientific viewpoint), it is still an actual occurrence, and its impact upon the efficacy of a statistically significant number of Reiki practitioners ought to be examined.  To date, this has not occurred. Secondly and thirdly, in the Usui Method of Natural Healing, there are symbols that are drawn in the air by the practitioner with his/her hand(s) (these symbols are called "mudras") and there are names of the symbols that are audibly intoned (the audible names of the symbols are called "mantras" and their intonation is called "invocation") that are used by advanced level practitioners for the specific purposes of gathering, focusing, and channeling "ki" energy in significant amounts to deal with different aspects of one’s disease, illness, or trauma, so that the recipient can use the "ki" energy to heal him/herself of the specific problem at hand. The efficacy of the use of these "mantras" and "mudras" in conjunction with Reiki practice has not been studied scientifically, but their presence and use in the practice is real and should not be automatically dismissed as irrelevant. They may have an impact on the efficacy of the practice. Now, the explanation for all of this only becomes interesting if there is a significant difference between placebo result and Reiki result.  To the best of my knowledge, this has not been tested with a statistically significant group. (Add to this, no self-respecting Reiki Master would ever claim to "heal" anyone. Instead, most Reiki Masters insist that the recipient of "ki" energy heals him/herself by using the "ki" energy that the Reiki Master channels to the client.) "But is anything really happening?" enquiring minds want to know. Notwithstanding the modesty of these Reiki Masters, this question remains to be answered in a double-blind, scientifically engineered study, to determine whether there is an unexplained variation between placebo results and Reiki results (either better *or* worse.  Either would prove *something* is happening.) In this respect, I would say the following:  it is unscientific to dismiss the possibility of an event occurring, simply because one has not yet figured out a way to measure the event itself (a la Heisenberg), or to locate the source of the event (also Heisenberg).  To wit, radioactivity existed long before our ability to measure it quantitatively, and long before we figured how to use it productively; perhaps the same can be said for the existence and movement of "ki" energy.  The fact is, over 100,000 pages of Buddhist sutras, predominantly the Lotus Sutra, point out the existence of the "mystic law of cause and effect through sound or vibration", and did so long before the invention of the electron microscope enabled us to confirm the vibrational nature of the atomic structure.  The absence of this electron microscope in no way negated the Buddhist writers’ certain knowledge of this vibrational energy contained in all sentient and insentient beings, *in spite of* their being unable to "prove" it scientifically.  According to these Sutras, they *used* this "ki" energy to perform what we would today call "miracles."  Did they?  To what *can* we attribute their seemingly farsighted knowledge?  The debate continues. I am not asking anyone to "believe" that "ki" energy exists or that its presence makes a difference in a person’s recovery from illness, disease, or trauma, although this is what *I* personally have experienced (anecdotally, of course). However, I would respectfully commend to the attention of the non-Reiki practitioner community that there are enough differences between Reiki and other non-touch based modalities (such as the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, Non-contact Therapeutic Touch, Huna, Pranic Healing, Mahikari No Wara, etc.) that "lumping together" Reiki with other non-touch modalities would "short-change" the world of the opportunity to verify the true efficacy of this authentically unique energy modality, in effect, "condemning" Reiki to the placebo "scrap heap" without a fair, scientific trial.  This, I believe, is inappropriate, shortsighted, and undeserved. While I shall not insist that anyone ought to believe (without scientific proof) in the efficacy of Usui Shiki Ryoho (or "Reiki" as it’s known in the U.S. and some other countries), notwithstanding my anecdotal experiences or those of approximately 60,000 practitioners throughout the world, I personally would like to "weigh in" and say that, at the least, the differences between Reiki and other forms of non-touch energy work are significant enough to warrant a separate study before "throwing out the Reiki with the bath water." Thanks for listening. Brian M. Carter, B.S., C.M.T. Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master California State-authorized Instructor (Cert #105502, expires 01/97)    in Massage and Massage Therapy Subjects L.A. County License 0594-116598I1 City of Pasadena License 52-058755 —

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… |> (in the sense of Rolfing Structural Integration core length) |> In fact a proof crazed German Rolfer actually photographed a small group |> of clients with the aim of seeing if discrimination could be used to |> figure out whether a person had been Rolfed, Reiki-ed, massaged, or had |> hair messed up and walked around the table.  In fact there was not enough |> discrimination between the body types used in the very small sample of |> people except for one thing:  both the Reiki-ed and the Rolfed people |> exhibited "core" length. |> Subsequently I tried out Reiki twice for myself.  It was a very enjoyable |> experience each time and did produce a short term feeling of core length |> and well-being that lasted into the next day. | Some of us are unfamiliar with the technical terms from rolfing, would you care to give us a definition of "Rolfing Structural Integration core length"? Regards, Scott W.

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Most interesting post from Brian Carter about Reiki.  My experience as a fairly sophisticated consumer of energy bodywork tells me that Reiki is very good for restoring core length(in the sense of Rolfing Structural Integration core length). In fact a proof crazed German Rolfer actually photographed a small group of clients with the aim of seeing if discrimination could be used to figure out whether a person had been Rolfed, Reiki-ed, massaged, or had hair messed up and walked around the table.  In fact there was not enough discrimination between the body types used in the very small sample of people except for one thing:  both the Reiki-ed and the Rolfed people exhibited "core" length. Subsequently I tried out Reiki twice for myself.  It was a very enjoyable experience each time and did produce a short term feeling of core length and well-being that lasted into the next day. Of the energy works I prefer Reiki, Jin Shin, and a version of shiatsu called Ohashiatsu (so long as it is not contaminated by "digger" shiatsu, which can interfere with structurally integrated bodies.  I have also enjoyed chakra balancing and polarity therapy if attention is paid to crisscross, side to side, front to back, top to bottom balance etc.

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A really good place to get information and ask lots of question is alt.healing.reiki. Everyone there is really receptive to any kinds of questions and stuff you may have.  It is a personal decision whether you want to try it or not, but I have had some really good experiences since trying it. You can email me if you want. Wish you luck on your search, : ) Kelly

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I have heard that Reiki is very theraputic and a good alternative therapy. Has anyone tried having a Reiki session? What exactly is involved? Before you buy.

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<>Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative <> <>: Is anyone out there interested in this energy science?  If so, I am <>: interested in knowing if there are newsgroups on this particular <>: subject.  I took a Reiki level one course several years ago and would <>: like to share my experiences with people who have Reiki or are interested         It seems to me that alt.backrubs is an appropriate newsgroup to discuss Reiki in but there hasn’t been much discussion there before (only 1 article in the archive).  You might also find pointers to resources in the alt.backrubs FAQL. —     Answers to questions frequently asked in alt.backrubs are available via     anonymous FTP from rtfm.mit.edu in pub/usenet-by-group/alt.backrubs/faq            (ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-group/alt.backrubs/faq)

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>Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative >: Is anyone out there interested in this energy science?  If so, I am >: interested in knowing if there are newsgroups on this particular >: subject.  I took a Reiki level one course several years ago and would >: like to share my experiences with people who have Reiki or are interested >: Del >I would also be very interested in info on Reiki.  A freind wants to get >started.

Lee, I do not think that a Reiki mailing list has been formed — yet.  You may want to sign up to the holistic list as Reiki has been discussed there from time to time.  The participants on the group would know more about any Internet resources for Reiki. Hope this helps.                              - Mark P.S. — The World Wide Web page:             http://zeta.cs.adfa.oz.au/Spirit/healing.html has a link to a Reiki page as well as other natural healing techniques.

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