Pneumatology: The Spirit of Reiki
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Authors
Allen, Ruth
Issue Date
2009-05
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
reiki , healing , source of life , universal life force , Christian healing , charisms
Alternative Title
Abstract
Reiki is a complementary medicine, a form of “hands on healing,” used in hospitals, hospice, medical doctors’ offices, in private practice, and in conjunction with psychotherapy sessions and spiritual direction. This thesis focuses on Reiki as practiced and interpreted from a Christian point of view. The initial focus is on the person and role of the Holy Spirit as discussed in the Old Testament, New Testament, and by leading theologians.
The Spirit represents life itself and indwells in all creation. The terms ruach in the Old Testament and pneuma in the New Testament refer to the Spirit as breath, wind, and spirit. The Spirit and the Word share a mutual relationship.
Of the various charisms given to each human by the Holy Spirit, the charism of healing is chosen to demonstrate the manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s role as the “source of life” or “universal life force.” The charism of healing was surveyed through a review of the healing ministry of Jesus, healing practices in the Christian tradition, and the practice of Christian healing today. Charisms are associated with the precise role(s) each Christian is called to by God.
Unlike glossolalia or prophecy, the gift of healing is mentioned by Paul as a fact of Christian life. Using Jesus’ ministry of healing as a model, Christians have used this gift of healing from the time of the apostles through today. Authentic Christian healers focus on the Lordship of Jesus or the Holy Spirit and leave the healing to God.
All charisms must be trained and have a means of being expressed. One means of training and expressing a gift of healing is the practice of Reiki. Reiki transcends all religions, cultures, creeds, and nationalities. It is not a religion. Reiki is a method of stress reduction and relaxation which promotes healing at the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical levels. It is a non-invasive technique of gentle touch that restores dysfunctional vibrations to resonances that are in closer harmony with the indwelling Trinity, thus producing healthier dimensions of being. All Reiki practitioners are conduits for Universal Life Force energy. Christians call this energy the Holy Spirit.