A Great Service…
Rhonda McClenton shares the insights she gained from venturing into a world she never realized was just outside her window. That world is all around us, a world where hurting people seek healing. Reiki is a therapy with mythical roots that claims to have spiritual and scientific validity. In seeking to understand Reiki and those engaged with it, McClenton’s research brought her to uncomfortable places. In doing so, she developed a love and concern for those she met. She also learned about the dangers that many are inadvertently exposing themselves to.

While negotiating the murky waters of energy healing, McClenton researched the roots and claims about Reiki. Her engaging narrative weaves the stories of those she met with the findings of her research. She explores the roots of Reiki and shows its deep connections to Buddhist and pantheistic worldviews. Her equally thorough investigation into biblical healing and the laying-on of hands reveals the incompatible natures of the two approaches. Her findings on the potential harms of Reiki are particularly important as many claim it is a force only for good. She shows how both Reiki practitioners and critics warn of real dangers, especially in the spiritual realm. McClenton has done a great service… [for those] who may be wondering about Reiki.

Dónal O’Mathúna, PhD, is Senior Lecturer in Ethics, Decision-Making & Evidence in the School of Nursing at Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland. He is a Fellow at the Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity in Illinois. He is the author, with Walt Larimore, MD, of Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook (Zondervan, 2007).

A Must Read…
I want to start off by saying that I was hooked from the very first page. I couldn’t put the book down. It is a must read for all who are involved in or who are considering becoming involved in Reiki. It really opened my eyes to the hidden dangers involved. As I read the book, I really felt privileged to receive this timely information. Although this book undoubtedly is the product of diligent research, it is far from sterile. The author narrates her own personal experiences and then she delves into the history of Reiki. Kudos to Ms. McClenton for sharing the fruits of her labor with us.

Touching One’s Soul
This was excellent and brilliantly written. If you’ve ever gone somewhere, and you’ve felt an uneasy presence, perhaps reading this book may open your eyes for a better understanding.

 About the Author

Originally trained as an English teacher, Dr. Rhonda McClenton has had a variety of career changes, ranging from an educational administrator to forays as a counselor, clinician, and college instructor. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she attended both public and private schools where she developed a love for writing and life-long learning.  To the end, she graduated with a B.A. from Eastern University in English and Education, an M.Ed. from Temple University in the Psychology of Reading, and a Ph.D. from Trinity Theological Seminary in cooperation with the University of Liverpool with a degree in counseling.

While most of Dr. McClenton’s professional life revolved around educating or helping others to advance personally or professionally, attending seminary crystallized her desire to help individuals connect and develop spiritually.  Accepting Christ at the age of 13, she has been a passionate follower. In 1999 and 2002, she responded to God’s call to ministry and was ordained as a minister where she has taught and counseled.

Around the same time, it was her doctoral research on Reiki, a type of hands-on healing which led her to an environment where Reiki was practiced.  Practitioners talked about getting “connected with spirit” or “connecting with God” for healing of the “mind, body, and spirit.”  Yet, all that she witnessed on this 3-year odyssey was quite different than her experiences and understanding of Christ-based healing.  Thus, her work, Reiki and Christ-based Healing: Differences and Dangers. is the story behind the original research, designed to teach and inform. What makes her work invaluable is that currently, Reiki and Christ-based healing have never been researched together at the doctoral level with warnings of Reiki’s potential dangers.

Dr. McClenton makes her home on the East Coast.  Interests include writing, biking, and computer technology.