I think people should be careful doing Reiki

[lottieandmia22]

This post assumes a belief in spirituality so I'm not interested in debating that specifically. If you want to please start your own thread.

From what I can see, reiki is channeling occult energy through people's bodies and is therefore potentially risky. It seems to me that new age practitioners will repeatedly say they don't believe in malevolent entities but I think this is naive.

One of my friends told me that his dad was never the same after he became involved with reiki.

And also nearly everyone I've met who has done it was told by the reiki practitioner that they are 'special' have a 'gift' or could easily become a reiki master.

People believe what they want and or need to believe to get through life. If something gives a person some comfort, purpose, what does it matter that there possibly is no empirical data or research to back it up? Really, what does it matter?!! Why the need to be right.

As long as these beliefs don't infringe on another person's beliefs and way of life, as long as they don't become so dogmatic to the point of hatred for the other person - what the hell does it matter!? It doesn't.

Up to a point, I agree with you Candy. But the problem is that it's not just an individual matter. Vulnerable and desparate people-and just gullible people-get drawn in and given false hope and spend money on things that don't work. Public money is spent on things that don't work. And the whole "what do experts know?" mindset fuels stuff like climate change denial. And all the anti science bullshit that people like Trump peddle.

But the problem is that it's not just an individual matter. Vulnerable and desparate people-and just gullible people-get drawn in and given false hope and spend money on things that don't work. Public money is spent on things that don't work. And the whole "what do experts know?" mindset fuels stuff like climate change denial. And all the anti science bullshit that people like Trump peddle.

Bertrand, I think it is important not to let your thinking operate in terms of hyperbole. I think hope is very important. It stops people slipping into despair. It maintains quality of life even whilst not all news is good news. I know this only too well as I have been going through treatment for breast cancer. Without hope life would be very miserable.

However I am receiving standard treatment and Reiki doesn't really tempt me. But that is me. I think it is important to let people make their own choices, as long as they have capacity, even if they have been diagnosed with serious illnesses.

Governments though should only fund treatment with proven efficacy, IMO, as they are spending public money. Equally I would feel a bit cross having treatment which is not proven 'pushed' upon me by HCP. They don't know my beliefs and I don't think it is in their remit to expect me to spend time believing in and undergoing unproven treatment.

It’s not hyperbole, magpie- it’s all about mindset. Look at America talking about Oprah being president.........

Bertand, there are more than two available mindsets.

I can accept the validity of scientific research whilst still acknowledging scientists are not perfect and might have missed an important prior which affects results.

I can keep my mind open to the possible efficacy of certain alternative treatments for some people, in certain (statistically uncommon) contexts, without wholeheartedly believing in the treatment for myself. As all medicine is only appropriate in certain contexts. I would not recommend the chemotherapy regimen I was on to anyone who did not have a diagnosis for the kind of cancer it treats, for example.

This bears no relation to my political leanings. I voted Labour in the last election.

“I can accept the validity of scientific research whilst still acknowledging scientists are not perfect and might have missed an important prior which affects results”

But that sums up the scientific method. Which is why peer review. And why hypotheses are revisited when new evidence emerges.

And I am not sure why your voting habits are relevant!

And I am not sure why your voting habits are relevant!

I mentioned my voting habits because Trump has been mentioned numerous times on this thread.

But that sums up the scientific method. Which is why peer review. And why hypotheses are revisited when new evidence emerges.

Exactly. So why have posters who claim to be defending the validity of the scientific method been so incensed over me views? Which have not changed since the beginning of this thread where I have posted throughout explaining them.

You say in your op that you're not interested in the actual validity of reiki. Your concerns cover a much wider area than reiki. It's about the scale/threshold people use to determine how 'real' something is.

What we do know is that regardless of how true a belief is, that belief can be detrimental. Surely the answer is to advocate a world where people are rigorous about what they believe? A world where people scrupulously challenge their own ideas?

So why have posters who claim to be defending the validity of the scientific method been so incensed over me views? Which have not changed since the beginning of this thread where I have posted throughout explaining them

because your views are so unscientific. Anti-scientific even.
'
All of the posters saying that all experiences are valid and how if someone says it works then it does and how some things are outside of science...it's all anti-scientific.
It needs to be challenged.

It needs to be challenged.

Why?

Because it's contributing to the already epic stupidity of society. We all have a responsibility to counteract the bollocks.

Oh I met a lady today who does reiki, new neighbour! I was really tempted to ask if she could channel the occult for entertainment but then I thought, she'll never take my parcels for us

cantucciniamaretto so you have a mission to uphold standards and maintain integrity.

Good for you. We all need hoikers.

You see I hear stuff on a daily basis that I don't agree with, think is misinformed or untrue.

And I simply let it go.

Because to do otherwise would make me a very annoying person.

We all have a responsibility to counteract the bollocks.

We don't.
Sometimes we have to live and let live.

We also know that belief can be a source of strength, hope, happiness and belonging.

Belief in false things can be a source of unhappiness and can kill you.

Speak, just because you have no standards and don't care about others doesn't mean we all have to be so blase.

cantucciniamaretto

Ah so it's a public service you are doing.

Saving people from their own ignorance. How selfless.

What false things are you talking about?

What false things are you talking about?

Seriously? You've been on the thread for a while, have you not been paying attention?

Saving people from their own ignorance. How selfless

I know. There should be medals! Shame its so necessary, but it is, and we all have to do our best.

Yes, I have been on this thread for a while and have read about Reiki helping people. In RL I know some people who have been helped by reiki and homeopathy, one whose life has massively changed for the better. I know bereaved parents whose faith has been a source of strength and hope and has got them through the worst pain imaginable.

So I ask you again: what false things are you talking about.

The reiki and homeopathy for a start. False things thal t people get comfort from are still false things. Lies that feel good are still lies

But the effect is not a lie.

Isn't it?

No, it isn't. The effect is real. It lessens their sickness, reduces their pain, helps them sleep, reduces anxiety. This has a knock on effect on the rest of their life. Improving their relationships, prospects and physical and mental health.

Have you ever been sleep deprived? The difference a good night's makes is enormous. The effect is real.

Altruism, I think not.

"Altruism, I think not."

Your confidence in your knowledge of other people's motivation and thought processes is breathtaking.