Reiki

[BumBurnerBum]

Just curious really as to what other people think about Reiki?

I don't really know anything about it, other than I think it is supposed to be transferring of energy without touch. [Is that right?]

There are a lot of practitioners out there and it seems to be considered a reasonably respectable form of alternative medicine, but surely it's just...magic?

Or have I completely misunderstood this?

Ask those who know about reiki or practice it to explain it to you. What you'll get more of here is a bunch of people who know nothing about it saying it's bullshit, etc unless that's indirectly what you came for.

I wouldn't go into a christian gathering to ask what they think about a Muslim practice and vice versa. If you're really after knowledge, ask those who'll give you informed and accurate information. Unless that's not what you're after.

P.s I don't practice it but I know of it..not enough to give you correct information though.

Reiki Is Nonsense

Oh and P.S: I don't understand it either nor do I want to. When/If I do, I wouldn't come on MN chat to ask. Perhaps philosophy/religion forum might have the type of people I could ask (even though I don't think it's philosophy or religion).

It's utter woo bollocks.

I've had reiki twice - neither time did I seek it out, but took up offers in a 'why not', kind of way. I'm not woo at all, and I have a science degree, so I tend towards cynicism.
The first time was someone who was training as a practitioner - I lay there for about 20 minutes, not feeling very much, but immediately upon it finishing I started with a massive migraine and my first period in about 4 months (I have PCOS). This could, of course, be a coincidence, though if it was the result of the reiki it's probably not what the trainee practioner was aiming to achieve.
The second time was at Glastonbury - a friend and I got chatting to a girl and she offered us reiki the next morning. She didn't want any payment, and we gave her none. The reiki felt like the warmest sun on my body, yet she wasn't touching me. It felt blissful, I've got to be honest - though much of that could be that I was lying in a field in Glastonbury. But afterwards, she had a quick debrief with both my friend and me separately, in which she said some very, very insightful things that she had no way of otherwise knowing (not vague psychic medium crap either - she was specific and entirely correct).
Something occurred both times - the first wasn't pleasant, the second definitely was. I've not had it since and probably never will.

Thank you everyone.

To the pp attempting to police where I get information - I think Mumsnet is used for all sorts of discussions no? I'm perfectly entitled to ask for opinions / experience where I chose thank you.

The reason I haven't asked practitioners to explain it to me is that they are naturally biased towards it and I was hoping for some more 'lay' opinions. Google tends to return articles / adverts rather than opinion, which is why I like to ask Mumnet.

Ok ask away then. Apologies. No one was trying to police where you ask. My mistake for thinking you were looking for actual information rather than an indirect way to join in slagging off what you're "trying to understand".

Why are only the people who believe in it allowed to comment?

As I said, I thought OP was looking for information on it, not a chat about it. Anyone can chat and have their say. Not.my business really. OP has already been nasty (reported), so leaving the thread.

Saying 'this is why reiki doesn't work' is providing information on it.

That's fine. Please go ahead with your information. I'm really not invested in this. I made a mistake coming on here. Just ignore me.

Well I am as cynical as they come but I have seen a reiki practicioner put their hands over our dog and then say exactly where his pain was. I knew she was right because he had injured himself a few days previously. She didn't know about that.

sciencebasedmedicine.org/reiki/

Might be worth a read.

Maybe some kind of 'placebo'effect or the practicioner feeling heat (and therefore pain) through their hands. ...I used to work with horses and of course injured tendons are hotter than uninjured ones...

Actually I do think there might be something in it, am interested in what Mumsnet thinks. Certain posters have accused me of slagging it off which I haven't in any way and have then gone running to MNHQ about me being 'nasty' and my comment was promptly deleted as apparently you're only allowed to tell people to fuck off in twee acronyms these days.

This mumsnetter thinks it’s soo nonsense.

*woo

Thanks autocorrect

I would have written it off as woo nonsense a few years ago also but I have a more open mind these days. Still think homeopathy is boolocks but that's a whole 'bother thread....

'Nother. ...

...any of these so called 'alternative' therapies probably work on some kind of placebo effect. I mean the power of the mind is massive. That is why witch doctors and marabouts and other 'ju ju' men still have customers.

Also I am sure it's a kind of...attention gratification...

For example that ridiculous foot rubbing thING where points on the foot are said to correspond to various body parts....

It's not going to do an old person any harm to have someone come by with warm fluffy towels, wash their feet and massage them firmly is it?

Of course they will feel goos after who wouldn't. ..but it's a lot of woo woo nonsense in its essence.