From Mrs Anne Wolff SIR — Michael Akerman vehemently says "no" to Reiki. but he has misunderstood this practice of healing (Letters, June 16).
Reiki is not, as he suggests, a belief, or a religion. The founder of Rei id, Mikao Usui, was a Japanese Buddhist who respected all religions. The healing practice he devised is religiously neutral.
Reiki comes from the Japanese words "Rei" and "ki"."Rei" signifies Universal Spirit, or God and "ke' is the energy contained in all living matter. Reiki, therefore, is life energy guided by God.
The "spirit guides" Mr Akennan refers to are an option to use in Reiki healing. Before commencing treatment on a subject the Reiki healer says a prayer to God and hands over the healing to Him. If the healer feels the need he may also intercede to an angel or a saint (spirit guide) for help. There is no obligation to use "spirit guides".
There is no magic or sorcery involved. The healing process is the action of God. The healer is but a channel for God to work through. Thus, if practiced well, Reiki is a humbling, unselfish and loving discipline which should not be at variance with Catholicism.
Some teachers and healers have personal beliefs which are at variance with Catholicism and this could make for an uncomfortable course of study, or treatment. The best route for an aspiring Reiki practitioner or healing seeker is to, first, find a teacher/healer whose ideology matches their own; and second, read up on the subject extensively before getting further involved.
Yours faithfully, ANNE WOLFF Chesham, Bucks