Reiki from a Christian Perspective

I am a Christian and I've not, so far, in any of my study of Reiki found a conflict. However, some of my more fundamental friends have, so I've been on the internet and in the bible reading and resolving for a while now. I put together a bit of the information I've found mostly as rebuttal material, however, I've ordered it a bit differently for this workshop. Some of the following is from my head and other bits of it are from other writers, all put together in my own way.

More and more Christians view Reiki as a practice that provides an opportunity to follow more closely the teachings and examples of Jesus healing the sick. Others are concerned that Reiki has an Eastern origin and are searching for more information and experiences before deciding how to respond. Thoughtful, committed Christians seek accurate information and pray for guidance as part of deciding whether to adopt the practice of Reiki into their lives.

Christian churches have a long tradition of adopting practices that enhance the spiritual life of its members based on examples of Jesus' actions described in the Bible.

The laying on of hands is a religious practice found throughout the world in varying forms. In Christian churches, this practice is used as both a symbolic and formal method of invoking the Holy Spirit during baptisms, healing services, and ordination of priests, ministers, elders, deacons, and other church officers, along with a variety of other church sacraments and holy ceremonies.

As Christians seek ways to increase and strengthen their spiritual moments, many have adopted practices to develop the "Gifts of the Spirit." In I Corinthians 12:4-12, Paul speaks of the gifts to including speaking wisdom and knowledge and the power to heal. Also Paul describes people within the church having roles as apostles, prophets, teachers, those who perform miracles, those who heal, those who direct others and those who speak in strange tongues (I Corinthians 12:28-31).


Scripture clearly indicates that healing is something with which Christians are appropriately involved. Christians who have a solid foundation in their faith know that God will always protect and guide them. Those Christians who practice Reiki do so within the guidance and protection of God through Christ, secure in the belief that they have been guided to follow Jesus' example to be a healer.

Just a few examples include:

Matthew 8:3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.

Peter's mother-in-law: Matthew 8:15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

Matthew 9:20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you."

Matthew 9:25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.

Matthew 9:29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored....

Matthew 14:35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

Healing the disciples' fear: Matthew 17:7 But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid."

Matthew 20:34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Mark 3:10 For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.


Mark 6:5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.


Mark 9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.


Mark 10:13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: "In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues, they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Luke 4:40 When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

Luke 6:19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.


Acts 3:7 Taking him by the right hand, he [Peter] helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.

Acts 9:41 He [Peter] took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive.

Acts 28:8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.


As Christians, we are are disciples of Jesus (Disciple: One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.)

In Matthew 10:5-8 of the Message: Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people, right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously."

I don't have a handle on raising the dead yet, and I'm not really adept at kicking out demons. I am working with some folks who are pretty terrific at being conduits for God's healing power, however. Reiki is just a method of opening up to the healing power of God and letting that power pass through our hands. How can this be un-Christian? Jesus even told us that it wasn't he who was healing the sick but the Father within! A Reiki practitioner does not heal either, but allows the healing force of God flow through his hands into the client on the table. God heals. God healed in New Testament times and God is healing now.

There are many similarities between the healing Jesus did by laying on of hands, and the practice of Reiki. One important similarity is the fact that Jesus could and did pass on the power of healing, to others which is similar to the Reiki attunement process. We read in Luke 9:1-2 that Jesus gave his twelve disciples power to drive out all demons and cure diseases.

There is some good information indicating that Jesus' healing methods were preserved by the Church of the East and passed on by it's missionaries who traveled along the Silk Road and other trade routes to the Far East. It is possible that this information on healing could have been incorporated into the religious teachings of the Far East and therefore could have been the original source of the Reiki techniques that were used by Dr. Usui. It is possible that Reiki is Christian Healing straight from Jesus himself, and only preserved in the Far East!

Remember the words of Hawayo Takata, "I believe there is only one Supreme Being - the Absolute Infinite - a dynamic force that governs the world and the universe. It is a universal force from the divine spirit and is available to anyone interested in learning the art of healing." It really sounds to me as if she's talking about God.. Jesus told us it wasn't him doing the healing but the Father within. God heals. We are conduits of that healing whether we call it "laying on of hands" or Reiki. Each of us has our own unique way of "moving out of the way" so God can use our hands to heal his children. Reiki is just another method for doing that.


"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Matthew 17:19-21