What is Reiki: from an evangelical-Christian perspective

Some say that Reiki is 'of the devil'. Others say that Reiki and faith combine perfectly, because Reiki is a neutral thing. So what of it? Let's set the facts straight. 

What is Reiki, how does such a course work?

If you go on a Reiki course, this means that a group of people gather under the supervision of a Reiki master. You are initiated. This means that some sort of channel is opened inside your head. The initiation is carried out using secret symbols you are not supposed to pass on. Opening this channel allows certain energies to enter into you and if you wish, you can pass this 'energy' on to other people with your hands. Reiki 2 teaches you new symbols, which enable you to do this from a distance. This makes you a container, a channel for certain energies. 'Reikians' say this is the universal energy of life. Universal means not attached to any religion, simply existing in the cosmos. Reiki says energy is a substance from which everything is made, for instance your or someone else's mind, or spirits in the invisible world that surrounds us. Spirits. You allow yourself to be opened so this energy can flow through you and enter into you.     

Trying to put this in a Christian context

When I hear and read  all this, it raises all kinds of questions for me. Maybe it does for you too.  

Who or what is this energy that enters into you? Is it really some sort of universal life force? Is God identical to this universal life force? In Reiki's world view there is no absolute good or evil. There is only energy that you can use in a proper or improper way. This is an oriental world view. If you delve more deeply into Reiki's world view and its origins, you will find that it offers a view of God and man that is fundamentally different from what you read in the Bible. In the Bible you read that God is a personal God who wants to enter into a relationship with people. You also read that God has angels, who are also called spirits. Some of these angels or spirits rebelled against God, led by an angel called Satan. God shows in the Bible that absolute good and evil do indeed exist. You also read in the Bible that Satan is capable of all kinds of deceptive miracles. Consider, for instance, the magicians of Egypt, who imitated the miracles that God worked through Moses. I read somewhere that Satan is sometimes called the ape of God, because he apes God. In the Bible I read very clearly that Jesus says: 'No one comes to the Father except through Me.' It is important here that Jesus says 'through Me'. And also: if you want to ask something to the Father in heaven, you do so in the name of Jesus Christ. Being cured or reaching balance through Reiki is entirely different: not through Jesus, but through Reiki. This is clearly a different source altogether.     

There is no Bible text that says: thou shalt not practise Reiki. The Bible does show who God is, who Jesus is and who Satan is and what his practices are. As you grow into this, you will see more and more clearly what things you should not do as a Christian, what things you should be wary of. This is for all individuals to sort out for themselves  and it will clear up a lot of things. Then you can make a more informed decision whether you want to have anything to do with it.

Of course you can say: I am a Christian so Satan cannot harm me, but what if you enter into his domain? If you open up to things you are not sure of whether they come from Jesus or God? As long as a dog is safely leashed in its kennel, it can only come within a certain distance. Then I am safe and it cannot bite me. But what if I enter into its kennel – then I am not safe anymore, obviously. 

Conclusion

By all means, Reiki is some sort of energy that is sent into your body and does something there, has a certain effect. In other words: energy can come from various sources – in the here and now energy can be produced by burning waste, or come from the sun, or be produced by windmills. There is a spiritual world that also consists of certain energies, substances. We know that these can either come from God and His angels or from Satan. Universal energy, independent from God, does not exist. So the first thing you must do is enquire what world view is behind it. Do not follow a course or undergo a treatment just like that. Always remain critical.

What do you choose? Or should I say: who do you choose?

Sources: www.todio.nl