What Does The Church Have To Say About Chakra Therapy?

Dear Father John,

Recently, a Catholic friend mentioned that she was involved in a healing ministry at her parish. They are holding "healing services", and visiting people with serious illnesses who request a home visit. She mentioned laying on of hands, as well as "cleansing and realignment of chakras."

Although I've heard of this concept before, this is the first time I've heard it mentioned within the context of Catholic ministry. Does the Catholic Church have any teachings in regard to New Age healing, particularly about healing and chakras?


Amanda

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Dear Amanda,

I don't believe the Catholic Church has any particular teaching with regard to any specific healing method, whether ancient or modern. As for chakra therapy, there is really nothing new about this "New Age" medicine. The word first appears in the Upanishads, Hindu literature written down between 1200-900 BC, but transmitted orally for perhaps another millennium prior to that.

Basically, chakra therapy involves the same principles of healing massage therapy and chiropractic, manipulating specific points on spinal column in order to relieve discomfort, and cure physical problems in other parts of the body connected to each of these focus points.

God bless you and yours,

Father John