In Defense
Of Reiki

It was with dismay that I read the letter to the editor from Donna Brown, "Reiki Claims Are Disturbing." As a Reiki practitioner and teacher in this community, I have been holding an ongoing Reiki clinic in Rochester with the intent of educating the public and offering Reiki to any one in need. The people who came to these clinics rewarded my efforts (and the efforts of those working with me) with warm gratitude for the benefit they received from this amazing energy.

Reiki is compassionate action. This is demonstrated on a regular basis by my colleagues in the Vermont Reiki Association (VRA) and myself as we volunteer our time giving Reiki treatments at events around the state such as the Stowe Weekend of Hope for cancer patients, Camp Knock Knock for bereaved children and their families and the Breast Cancer Conference in Burlington.

On the issue of training, we are not doctors and therefore not subject to their educational requirements. As members of the VRA we adhere to a strict code of ethics. One of those requirements is that we: "Educate clients on the value of Reiki and explain that sessions do not guarantee a cure, nor are they a substitute for qualified medical or professional care. Reiki is one part of an integrated healing program." We never diagnose or prescribe.

Misinformation is "dangerous." Reiki is not. It is very gentle. It relieves stress and relaxes the mind and body so it can do its own healing. In fact, Reiki is being used as a complementary modality in hospitals and respite houses across the state including Dartmouth's Norris/Cotton Cancer Center, Fletcher Allen Hospital, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and the VA Hospital.

The goal of the VRA is to educate the public so there is no misunderstanding of what Reiki is and does. For more information about Reiki please email me at info@vermontreikiassociation.org or come to our free clinic on the third Friday of the month from 6-8 p.m. at Inner Harmony in Rochester and try Reiki for yourself.

In closing I would like to share one of the principles of Reiki. "We shall count our many blessings and honor our fathers and mothers, our teachers and neighbors and honor our food." You don't have to practice Reiki to see the advantage of living this principle.

Kelly McDermott-Burns

Stockbridge

President, Vermont Reiki Assn.