EternalStudent

I practice Chinese Qigong, and Japanese Reiki. Many would consider these to be a form of Life Magic(k). Is there anywhere in the Writings where Baha'is are told not to practice magic(k), even if it is healing magic(k) like Reiki and Qigong? I don't contact spirits when I do my Qigong and Reiki work, and it harms no one. But if it's against Baha'i law, then I'll stop.

arthra

I've never heard of any specific references to Reiki or Qigong....I practised Hatha Yoga myself.

Baha'u'llah does however reveal the following:

Among the specified sciences were the science of metaphysical abstractions, of alchemy, and natural magic. Such vain and discarded learnings, this man hath regarded as the pre-requisites of the understanding of the sacred and abiding mysteries of divine Knowledge.

~ Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 184

Now you could argue that these "sciences of metaphysical abstractions, of alchemy and natural magic" harm no one, but knowing that such sciences are frowned on by Baha'u'llah.....? I dunno...Maybe spending lots of time on them while also a diversion is affecting your own development.. I can't say.

Divination such as using say sticks to divine the future..Astrology or Tarot cards or going to fortune tellers... We're supposed to use prayer.

Being in seances would probably be a no..no.

EternalStudent

From that it sounds like Qigong and Reiki would probably be frowned upon at least.

Rani

While I don't know a lot about Reiki, it has a fair bit to do with healing through the laying on of hands and transfer of energy, is that right?

There is a little at least in the Writings about healing through the laying on of hands.

'The other kind of healing without medicine is through the magnetic force which acts from one body on another and becomes the cause of cure.
This force also has only a slight effect. Sometimes one can benefit a sick person by placing one's hand upon his head or upon his heart. Why? Because of the effect of the magnetism, and of the mental impression made upon the sick person, which causes the disease to vanish. But this effect is also very slight and weak.

Of the two other kinds of healing which are spiritual -- that is to say, where the means of cure is a spiritual power -- one results from the entire concentration of the mind of a strong person upon a sick person, when the latter expects with all his concentrated faith that a cure will be effected from the spiritual power of the strong person, to such an extent that there will be a cordial connection between the strong person and the invalid. The strong person makes every effort to cure the sick patient, and the sick patient is then sure of receiving a cure. From the effect of these mental impressions an excitement of the nerves is produced, and this impression and this excitement of the nerves will become the cause of the recovery of the sick person. So when a sick person has a strong desire and intense hope for something and hears suddenly the tidings of its realization, a nervous excitement is produced which will make the malady entirely disappear...
To conclude, the complete and perfect connection between the spiritual doctor and the sick person -- that is, a connection of such a kind that the spiritual doctor entirely concentrates himself, and all the attention of the sick person is given to the spiritual doctor from whom he expects to realize health -- causes an excitement of the nerves, and health is produced. But all this has effect only to a certain extent, and that not always. For if someone is afflicted with a very violent disease, or is wounded, these means will not remove the disease nor close and heal the wound -- that is to say, these means have no power in severe maladies, unless the constitution helps, because a strong constitution often overcomes disease. This is the third kind of healing.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 254)

O physician! In treating the sick, first mention the
name of Thy God, the Possessor of the Day of Judgment,
and then use what God hath destined for the healing of
His creatures. By My Life! The physician who has drunk
from the Wine of My Love, his visit is healing, and his
breath is mercy and hope. Cling to him for the welfare of
the constitution. He is confirmed by God in his treatment.
This knowledge (of the healing art) is the most important
of all the sciences,..

'Abdu'l-Bahá writes: --

He who is filled with love of Baha, and forgets all
things, the Holy Spirit will be heard from his lips and the
spirit of life will fill his heart. ... Words will issue from
his lips in strands of pearls, and all sickness and disease
will be healed by the laying on of the hands.

O thou pure and spiritual one! Turn thou toward God
with thy heart beating with His love, devoted to His
praise, gazing towards His Kingdom and seeking help
from His Holy Spirit in a state of ecstasy, rapture, love,
yearning, joy and fragrance. God will assist thee, through
a spirit from His Presence, to heal sickness and disease.

Continue in healing hearts and bodies and seek healing
for sick persons by turning unto the Supreme Kingdom
and by setting the heart upon obtaining healing through
the power of the Greatest Name and by the spirit of the
Love of God.

How All Can Help

The work of healing the sick, however, is a matter that concerns
not the patient and the practitioner only, but everyone.
All must help, by sympathy and service, by right living and
right thinking, and especially by prayer, for of all remedies
prayer is the most potent. "Supplication and prayer on behalf
of others," says 'Abdu'l-Bahá, "will surely be effective." The
friends of the patient have a special responsibility, for their influence,
either for good or ill, is most direct and powerful. In
how many cases of sickness the issue depends mainly on the
ministrations of parents, friends or neighbors of the helpless
sufferer!
Even the members of the community at large have an influence
in every case of sickness. In individual cases that influence
may not appear great, yet in the mass the effect is potent.
Everyone is affected by the social "atmosphere" in which
he lives, by the general prevalence of faith or materialism, of
virtue or vice, of cheerfulness of depression; and each individual
has his share in determining the state of that social "atmosphere."
It may not be possible for everyone, in the present state
of the world, to attain to perfect health, but it is possible for
everyone to become a "willing channel" for the health-giving
power of the Holy Spirit and thus to exert a healing, helpful
influence both on his own body and on all with whom he comes
in contact.
Few duties are impressed on Bahá'ís more repeatedly and
emphatically than that of healing the sick, and many beautiful
prayers for healing have been revealed by both Bahá'u'lláh and
Abdu'l-Bahá.

(Dr. J.E. Esslemont, Baha'u'llah and the New Era, p. 112)


936. Healing by the Holy Spirit

"We have no reason to believe that the healing of the Holy Spirit cannot be attracted by ordinary human beings. But this is rare, a mystery, and a gift of God."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual
believer, March 26, 1950: Ibid, p. 9)

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 278)

'Spiritual healing, however, is not and cannot be a substitute for material healing, but it is a most valuable adjunct to it. Both are, indeed, essential and complementary.'

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 276)


So we are repeatedly told in the Writings that two ways of seeking healing is through prayer, and by consulting competent doctors and through diet etc. I love the above extract of a quote by Abdu'l-Baha however about the social environment, and that healing is not just between the patient and the doctor. For a 10 minute consultation with someone who just issues drugs is not helpful when illness is multi-factoral.

It is also true that we are not to associate any particular healing practice with 'baha'i healing'.
I myself, am a bit surprised by this quote:

.' Words will issue from
his lips in strands of pearls, and all sickness and disease
will be healed by the laying on of the hands.'

as another quote above implies that the laying on of hands has weak effect only and doesn't effect cure in severe cases, barring rare incidents.

You mention these (reiki and qigong) might be considered as magic, but didn't you intend them as a way of healing?

Rani

Oops, I see that it was J.E. Esslemont who talked about the effect of the social environment in this passage, and not Abdu'l-Baha, my mistake. However, Abdu-l-Baha surely does talk about visiting the sick and bringing joy to them, helping them in practical ways and caring for them, no doubt about it.

EternalStudent

Rani said: "You mention these (reiki and qigong) might be considered as magic, but didn't you intend them as a way of healing?"

Yes, Qigong and Reiki are used for Healing. Qigong CAN be used for self defense, but it is extremely difficult to do.

But just because they are considered a form of magic(k) by many, that doesn't make them "evil." Most of what's called "folk magic(k)" is used for curing sickness. Qigong and Reiki use the manipulation of Life Energy, or Qi/Ki, to heal. They are also used to improve the health of those that are not sick, helping to insure that they don't get sick in the first place (this is where Qigong excels).

Rani

Well, I myself, have not heard either of them -Reiki or Qigong, referred to as 'magic'.

I do have one baha'i friend who uses reiki a bit and even gives reiki to others.

I haven't heard that we can't use these kinds of treatments.. For myself though, I just wouldn't see them as the 'be all and end all'. I'd continue to read the Writings about the best ways of curing any illness and preserving health, and we know that God is the ultimate Healer.
I think any treatment done with good intention and love is positive, as long as we are calling on God and His help when we do so.

I posted some of the quotes above, as I thought that reiki involved the laying on of hands or one's palms to transfer Ki.

EternalStudent

Usually when I give Reiki I won't 'lay hands' on the person recieving the Ki, but I'll pass my hand over them, or, more commonly, I'll read their energy feild with my hand, find an energy blockage, then say a prayer so that my own Ki is strengthened, and hold my hand over that one point, sending Ki in. Sometimes I'll add another hand to create a circut.

cire perdue

I cannot tell you how moved I am by your attitude of obedience to the teachings. That kind of bond will serve you spiritually all your life and I hope you find a way to keep that. I cannot answer your question, don't have a clue. I know that many non-traditional things are just now being looked into by science. I think practices with empirical results are what one would aim for, but perhaps some things can't be measured succinctly, hmmm? It is joked that the practice of medicine is that, practice, and there are protocals out there that are empirically based, and there is serious movement toward that. However I think one would be amazed at how much is done from theory without a knowledge base in the medical field today, however that is changing. And we should demand that it change.

arthra

Eternal student might like this Tablet...uhh ... take one in the morning and one before bedtime...

2234.

Wherefore, O ye illumined youth, strive by night and by day to unravel the mysteries of the mind and spirit, and to grasp the secrets of the Day of God. Inform yourselves of the evidences that the Most Great Name hath dawned. Open your lips in praise. Adduce convincing arguments and proofs. Lead those who thirst to the fountain of life; grant ye true health to the ailing. Be ye apprentices of God; be ye physicians directed by God, and heal ye the sick among humankind. Bring those who have been excluded into the circle of intimate friends. Make the despairing to be filled with hope. Waken them that slumber; make the heedless mindful.

Such are the fruits of this earthly life. Such is the station of resplendent glory. Upon you be Baha'u'l-Abha.

- Abdul-Baha

(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian)

(Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol II, p. 415)

EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ'U'LLÁH

1012. Whenever ye fall ill, refer to competent physicians. Verily, We have not abolished recourse to material means, rather have We affirmed it through this Pen which God hath made the Dawning Place of His luminous and resplendent Cause.

("Kitáb-i-Aqdas" - provisional translation from the Arabic)

1013. We have granted you permission to study such sciences as will benefit you, not those which lead to idle disputes. Better is this for you, did ye but know.

("Kitáb-i-Aqdas" - provisional translation from the Arabic)

1014. Whatever competent physicians or surgeons prescribe for a patient should be accepted and complied with, provided that they are adorned with the ornament of justice. If they were to be endued with divine understanding, that would certainly be preferable and more desirable.

(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian)

1015. Well is it with the physician who cureth ailments in My hallowed and dearly-cherished Name.

(From a Tablet - translated from the Arabic)

1016. In all circumstances they should conduct themselves with moderation; if the meal be only one course this is more pleasing in the sight of God; however, according to their means, they should seek to have this single dish be of good quality.

("Kitáb-i-Badi"' - translated from the Persian) 460

1017. Know thou that the soul of man is exalted above, and is independent of all infirmities of body or mind. That a sick person showeth signs of weakness is due to the hindrances that interpose themselves between his soul and his body, for the soul itself remaineth unaffected by any bodily ailments. Consider the light of the lamp. Though an external object may interfere with its radiance, the light itself continueth to shine with undiminished power. In like manner, every malady afflicting the body of man is an impediment that preventeth the soul from manifesting its inherent might and power. When it leaveth the body, however, it will evince such ascendancy, and reveal such influence as no force on earth can equal. Every pure, every refined and sanctified soul will be endowed with tremendous power, and shall rejoice with exceeding gladness.

("Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh", rev. ed. (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1983), sec. 80, pp. 153-54)

Rani

Yes, good point CP. I did read this via wiki:

'The concept of ki underlying Reiki is speculative and there is no scientific evidence that it exists; a 2008 systematic review of randomised clinical trials concluded that "the evidence is insufficient to suggest that reiki is an effective treatment for any condition. Therefore the value of reiki remains unproven."[4] The American Cancer Society[5] and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine[6] have also found that there is no clinical or scientific evidence supporting claims that Reiki is effective in the treatment of any illness.'

That's not to say that subsequent trials couldn't come up with new results however.
Again, I think whatever helps someone, as long as it doesn't go against decent sound practices, can be helpful.

A friend who does use this, but also tries other similar treatments.. well I wonder sometimes if it is therapeutic for her purely because she is having contact and support from people, as she feels very unsupported in her significant-other relationship (her marriage).

Guardian

Not surprised that you finally brought this subject up... In the Christian faith, of which I belong, it is stated the witchcraft disappoints my Lord; however, witchcraft involves demonic entities while the manipulation of energy, (magick), does not exactly include any type of supernatural being, depending on your focus of study, so is safe to be considered a neutral practice.

Though only He can give sight to the blind so they may tread their own path.

EternalStudent

Well, those are American. The problem is, America is capitalist. The drug companies, and all that work with them in some way, make money by selling people drugs. You can't 'sell' Reiki and Qigong. There's always someone willing to give it away for free. In China, where I believe the government pays for the peoples' medical care, they came to the exact opposite conclusion, and were even planning on having their soldiers use it on the battlefield to speed up healing. But they would save money by using Reiki and Qigong. So, their results may not be any more trustworthy than the American results. To tell you the truth, I don't trust any of those, because they will alter the test so that they can benefit from it. I trust reason + experience. I know Reiki and Qigong work. When I started Qigong, my health skyrocketed. Then, after I started Reiki, I was able to help speed up the healing process for family members. We had been trying Western (accepted) Medicine for years. It didn't work. In fact, we got sicker. But once I started learning and trying Eastern Medicine, BOOM, I'm losing weight, I'm getting stronger, I almost never get sick now. I went from a 210 lb, deathly pale, sick every day, 14 year old, to being a 185 lb, tan, healthy as a horse, 16 year old, and now at 18 I'm doing even better! That's why I'm really hoping Reiki and Qigong aren't in any way against Baha'i law. Before I started doing them, I was actually on my way to dying before reaching 18, and I don't want to go back to being that sick.

Rani

That's cool Eternal.. ! Sorry, I only posted that excerpt from Wiki to give one perspective.
It just seemed interesting that at least one of those groups accepted acupuncture as worthwhile, but they didn't give reiki the same thumbs up; However!! It is also true that sometimes certain therapies take a period of time to have their efficacy appreciated and acknowledged by the mainstream.

To be honest, I also don't have much trust in pharmaceuticals. My body seems largely intolerant to those things, and I seem better off understanding diet and nutrition.
The House of Justice says that a competent physician is one who has studied a 'scientific system of medicine'. To me that at least includes naturopaths and herbalists.

So I suppose reiki and Qigong are not a form of medicine so much, but are still a kind of treatment modality (?).

Again, I don't think there's anything in the Writings specifically about it, so I think it's safe to say using them is *not against baha'i law. From my personal view, I think you shouldn't feel bad about it at all, seeing as you are only trying to keep and restore health in yourself and others, and that is a positive goal. Neither of them should be considered as 'magic' imho.

You might want to write a quick note to your LSA or NSA even, just to feel more comfortable.
I think you wrote that you are not a declared baha'i, as yet anyway, but I believe you should still feel welcome to write to them if you choose to.



1015. No Specific School of Nutrition or Medicine has been Associated with the Bahá'í Teachings

"No specific school of nutrition or medicine has been associated with the Bahá'í teachings. What we have are certain guidelines, indications and principles which will be carefully studied by expert and will, in the years ahead, undoubtedly prove to be invaluable sources of guidance and inspiration in the development of these medical sciences. Moreover, in this connection the Guardian's secretary has stated on his behalf that "It is premature to try and elaborate on the few general references to health and medicine make in our Holy Scriptures." The believers must guard against seizing upon any particular text which may appeal to them and which they only partially or even incorrectly understand... "In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas Bahá'u'lláh has stated: ' Whenever ye fall ill, refer to competent physicians. Verily, We have not abolished recourse to material means, rather We have affirmed it through this Pen which God hath made the Dawning Place of His luminous and resplendent Cause.' The secretaries of the Guardian have conveyed his guidance on this point in many letters to individual believers in passages such as these: ' ... refer to competent physicians, and abide by their considered decisions'; '... invariably consult and follow the treatment of competent and conscientious physicians...'and'...consult the best physicians...doctors who have studied a scientific system of medicine.' Thus the obligation to consult physicians and to distinguish between doctors who are well trained in medical sciences and those who are not is clear, but the Faith should not be associated with any particular school of medicine theory or practice. It is left to each believer to decide for himself which doctors he should consult, bearing in mind the principles enunciated above..

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, January 24, 1977)
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 297)