Comments from Pamela Miles on the proposed points of consensus

Pamela Miles of reikiinmedicine.org, author of Reiki: A Comprehensive Guide, has contributed the following comments to our discussion:

Is there another way we could conceive of energy blockages? The phrase seems to contradict itself. No matter how dense 'energy' becomes, it's doesn't even approach cardboard. How can there be evidence that Reiki removes energy blocks when there isn't any evidence of energy blocks to begin with—not in conventional science, anyway (a point you already made).

Making a distinction between religion and spirituality can be very helpful. Reiki is spiritual and non-dogmatic. Religion involves dogma. Religion and spirituality are two different types of experience. Reiki as spirituality is compatible with all religions but not all religions are open to individual spiritual experience—which is why mystics are often proclaimed heretics. Mysticism/spiritual attainment arises when dogma gives way to the immediate experience of the absolute. Of course this is the promise of Reiki, a practice which began as a subset of the spiritual practices taught by Mikao Usui.

Much like your comment on the dangers of a positive attitude that is not grounded, Thich Nhat Hanh speaks of hope as taking one out of the present.

In "Reiki works for many aspects. . ." what does works mean? Seems that when we use that word in an area that we can't quantify, we appear to be making claims.

The healing that comes with Reiki practice comes from within; the practitioner is not doing anything to the recipient, not invading or imposing on the recipient, but rather the treatment enhances the essential wellness from within.

Thank you, Pamela! I look forward to further discussion on these important points.