Expanding options: Catholics find value in holistic techniques

Some of those ideas may be unfamiliar to the average Catholic (see sidebar), but their proponents say that they can relax a patient, lower blood pressure, heighten awareness of one's body, reduce pain and alleviate depression, as well as bringing a person into greater harmony with universal energy, often equated with God.

Retreat houses, wellness centers and parishes in the Albany Diocese have seen the popularity of these practices rise sharply in recent years.

Body and soul

Among Still Point's retreat offerings are reiki, t'ai chi, yoga, meditation and expressive arts (using art to explore and express one's emotions).

"People are coming to a greater awareness of inclusiveness and how to include the body in prayer," said Sister Mary Ellen.

"They're looking for a centering experience," Sister Lillian added. Those who come to Still Point "want to learn how to pray, personally and in a faith community, and also looking for a way to meditate."

Ways to heal

Medicine is focused on curing patients, but that's not always possible, she said. Therapeutic touch focuses on healing via relaxation and pain reduction rather than on a medical cure. Sister Rita Jean calls this a complement to the "medical model."

"This is what people are searching for," she said. "People are seeking their own self-care. More and more, I see people in search of a means for wholeness."

Catholic enough?

Many practitioners of reiki or other forms of energy-balancing have heard the argument that these techniques "aren't Catholic enough." But the schedule at the Oneness in Peace Spiritual Center in Germantown includes a t'ai chi day, a yoga retreat and therapeutic massage for retreatants, and co-directresses Claire Langie and Sister Vergilia Jim, OSF, say that "we include the holistic approach in any retreat we're giving."

These practices "have been out there for quite a few decades," noted Ms. Langie. "I think Catholics originally were thinking these things are not of God. But it's our whole person Jesus came to redeem, not just our souls. It's our whole person God wants to bring to fullness and completion."

Connecting to God

When she teaches non-Catholics, Mrs. Wahl uses the term "divine energy" in defining "chi." But with Catholics, she notes that the "chi" is the Holy Spirit, who flows through her body and brings clarity to her life. T'ai chi "helps the divine energy flow, so you can really be about God's work."

Sister Rita Jean agreed that while she treats people of all denominations, "I am coming from a Christian perspective." The energy she uses in therapeutic touch is "God's energy. I am a conduit through which God's energy comes."

Performing reiki on someone is "no different than the healing Jesus did when He walked the earth," said Sister Lillian. "People come and request that healing energy. We see and experience transformations of people in their interior life."

Old and new

"I don't think there's any either/or," said Ms. Langie. "The Rosary is a wonderful mantra. I love the Jesus prayer."

"It's really enriching spirituality in a Christian context," observed Sister Vergilia. "All comes from God, all is good, all is beautiful."

Exchange with East

"We have wonderful mystics to offer on the other side," Sister Lillian said. "The richness of our heritage is very unique."

However, Catholic retreats have and will continue to become more open to using techniques from other traditions, the group agreed. "People are rooted in the Catholic tradition. When you have a root, you can really open up to other possibilities," Sister Lillian stated.

Try it

"There's nothing to be afraid of," Mrs. Wahl stated. "It's all to do with the spirit of God. If people have experienced it, the fear dissipates. God is always showing us more and more."

(Contact Still Point House of Prayer at 587-4967; Oneness in Peace Spiritual Center at 537-5678; Wellness Institute at St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam at 842-1900; the diocesan Consultation Center at 489-4431.)

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