This is a surprisingly well-balanced profile of some nuns that are into freaky reiki. It gives a fair amount of air time to the teaching of the bishops on reiki. Watch the vid and then a few comments.
I liked this part in which the reiki witch tries to characterize those with common sense as having black/white rigidity and to be acting out of fear. She then offers the best and only defense of reiki in the whole piece. It means a lot to her.
LAWTON: The bishops’ document is not a mandate, and local dioceses may implement it as they choose. But Reiki supporters say it’s already had a chilling effect. Many Catholic institutions, including hospitals and retreat centers, are no longer offering Reiki, and most nuns are reluctant to speak publicly about their use of Reiki.
SCHMIDT: Some people, I think, find comfort in the perceived security of a black and white theology, and Reiki doesn’t fit within that black and white theology, and so in those kinds of situations there tends to be judgment, there tends to be fear, there tends to be reaction.
LAWTON: Schmidt says she’s sad the bishops would oppose something that has meant so much to her spiritually.
Too bad the instruction of the Bishops and the rest of your faith don’t mean as much.
February 15, 2010 at 4:16 am
Some people, I think, find comfort in the perceived security of a black and white theology
Some people, I think, find comfort in the perceived security of flying in an airplane designed according to correct aerodymanics, but what the hell do they know?
February 15, 2010 at 5:07 am
"Jesus commissioned his disciples to heal." No he didn't. He commissioned His disciples to go out and spread the Gospel. The miraculous healings came as part of their preaching the Gospel.
February 15, 2010 at 5:31 am
Hey, wait a minute! I thought you said there were nuns in the video.
February 15, 2010 at 6:01 am
Why is it almost always the case that women fall for this nonsense? Is it that the incredible depths of real Catholicism aren't enough for them? Or is it just simple, stupid pride that assumes that the "WE, ME, I, US," types of the "faith communities" are the ones who are the healers and distributors of grace? I may have to watch the video again to be sure but I don't remember the "nun" ever saying anything about The Father, or The Son or The Holy Spirit. They are lost if they believe in this New Age witchcraft.
February 15, 2010 at 7:46 am
The nun could find nothing in the Church of her Spouse Jesus Christ such as the Holy Rosary of the Blesses Virgin Mary, that could help her mother in what was undeniably a time of pain? She has to resort to a pagan practice that runs counter to Christian teaching? Amazing and tragic.
February 15, 2010 at 9:01 am
Pleasantly pleased at how ell the media presented authentic Catholic teaching. But I am not surprized by the attitude of this Sister. She is clearly operating under a spirit of rebellion.
This is clearly "New Age" witchcraft being practiced by a person whose god is an impersonal higher power. The "nuns" who are reluctant to speak out are the same ones who are currently under investigation & are refusing to cooperate with the visitation as well.
Finally Schmidt's black & white comment is a perfect example of relativism that papa Benedetto has been decrying.
February 15, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Some people, I think, find comfort in the perceived security of a black and white theology and Reiki doesn't fit in that.
That is the best argument AGAINST Reiki that I've ever heard.
February 15, 2010 at 4:12 pm
My father was in the hospital three weeks back. One afternoon (during his recovery) a family friend came in and asked whether she could pray with my dad. He quickly said "sure" as he welcomed any and all appeals to prayers for his health to our Lord. What followed was one part bizarre and one part hilarious. She started to trace around his body (three inches above) with her hands to "manipulate his healing energy." We were stumped. What's worse (and truly sad) is that this nice woman, who clearly had the best of intentions, informed us that she had been "trained" to do this by local nuns (why on earth any "training" was necessary is beyond me). All appeals to "a healing energy" and the "life force within" are at best misguided and at worst dangerous. The simple reality is that the authentic expressions of our faith offer true, sufficient and real connections with the source of life–Christ. It is sad that (for whatever reason) that a great number of women religious ignore this fact and disregard true diamonds (such as the roasry) in search of theological rock candy.
February 15, 2010 at 4:30 pm
It was a little off-putting how the nun talked about her "core" and "innermost being." Both are new-age speak for the soul. The fact that the nun could not bring herself to acknowledge the soul as her innermost being shows you how far from the path of basic Christianity this practice has lead her.
I'm suspicious of anything that claims to channel energy and control "life forces" and what-not. Just like with the Ouija Boards, when you play with supernatural forces you don't understand, you can bite off quite a bit more than you can chew. Whatever happened to gathering a prayer group to pray around or lay hands on the sick person as a means of comfort, support and spiritual healing? Why can't we just trust the simple prayers Jesus gave us and His sacraments?
My prayers are with these new-age nuns for their conversion.
February 15, 2010 at 6:34 pm
(LOL!) Romishgraffiti: too funny!
February 16, 2010 at 1:29 am
"Keep drinking the Kool Aid, Sister. Keep drinking."
Poor souls. Pray for them, as they have been deceived by Satan himself.
February 16, 2010 at 8:25 pm
I had my own experience with Reiki
To become a practitioner of same requires the "laying on of hands" by the instructioner who passes on the "Spirit" which grants practitioners the ablility …
This is the Number 1 reason Baptised Catholics out not get into this
we are Christ's not the "school" of Reiki
(Thank God for the protection of our Guardian Angels!!!)