Packer and I are both Reiki Masters, Dana Farber is using Reiki for pain ard palliative care....when my son was in the hospital on a respirator for 3 weeks I continuously reiked him. Two years ago, when Frank was so sick waiting for an appt, I reikied him. Did I cure him, I seriously doubt it, did it make me feel better? Yes. I believe in the power of reiki, as well as theraputic touch, which is a lot less mysterious, In my mind, they are similar to prayer. I think the medical community is beginning to accept these practices as an ADJUNCT to treatment..........Am I going to tell Frank`s docs to just forget it, I`ll cure him ? Hell, no!There is also another practice that I use called Tonglen, where you breathe in the other persons pain, this one really helps, when you feel helpless to do anything...........Please understand me, I am not advocating any of these practices as a substitute for standard medical care. I think they have a lot to do with belief, and I would only consider them as complimentary practice, in a theraputic setting. And quite honestly, you don`t have to go through the whole Reiki mystery thing to do it on your own...Brian, I feel really nervous about posting this, I know how we all feel about quack cures, if I thought I could cure Frank with Reiki, I sure wouldn`t be dragging him back and forth to Boston ! I just wanted to let all know that hospitals are beginning to recognize it`s usefulness in a theraputic setting...........if anyone is interested in learning how to use it, without paying a fortune, or getting mystical symbols written on their palms, just email me, and again, let me stress, as a health care professional, IT IS NOT A CURE.............Dee