“Help Me!! I think I’m addicted to Reiki” was the start of an email I received recently in response to the Reiki.WhatItAllBeLike.Com Reiki Contest which went live yesterday. I got quite a chuckle and thought it had the makings for an interesting post… so here you go! 🙂

What is Addiction?

According to a review of the most common definitions of addiction as compiled here, the recurring themes are that addictions are:

• a disease
• uncontrollable
• harmful
• compulsive

and I wonder exactly why this is so. Is it only possible for an addiction to be a negative thing? Are there no positive addictions? How do we define what is an addiction as opposed to other uncontrollable habits? For example, is breathing addictive? I do it all the time (and highly recommend it) can it be said that I am addicted to air? Eating and sleeping also come to mind for similar addictions. These seem to be pretty widespread too. Other addictions I have are studying, playing with my kids, watching Boston Legal, and of course my addiction to LOVE in is many shapes and sizes.

Reiki – the Good Addiction

I suppose eating and sleeping too much can have negative effects (especially if I eat too much and then fall asleep and miss Boston Legal!) so it seems a line must be drawn as to what exactly is too much. In every case mentioned above (and every other case I can think of) regarding things that are addictive, it seems that overindulgence would indeed be a bad thing… except for Reiki… I can see no negative effects at all from too much Reiki. Being too preachy about Reiki or trying to force others to accept the Reiki Principles could all potentially result in negative consequences… but those aren’t Reiki addictions… more like Reiki Fanaticism (which is a topic for another day).

I am referring to a Reiki addiction as the mere act of doing Reiki whenever possible. You can do it when you’re driving, eating, sleeping, studying, and yes… even while watching Boston Legal with absolutely no negative side effects… as you are not required to concentrate or focus on Reiki… just turn it on and let it flow.

Not to detract form the importance of using Reiki to deal with more harmful addictions or to deny the psychological trauma many are suffering from dealing with their own assorted addictions, I just want it to be on the record that Yes, my name is Duane Flowers and I’m an addict!!! I’ve been addicted to Reiki for several years and I am loving every minute of it!!! And my response to the email referenced above is a direct quote from Dr. Peebles… “God Bless You Indeed!!!”

For further explanation or discussion, your thoughts are most welcome and highly encouraged, please feel free to comment below!!!