Your mind should be like your intestines. Take in everything at one end, absorb any goodness and dispose of the waste out of the other end.

"In the world of the true believers – astrologers, psychics, clairvoyants, faith healers and those with other paranormal specialties, or "gifts" – anyone who dares to consider evidence and search for truth is closed-minded while anyone who unquestionably accepts that what they are witnessing is beyond natural explanation is considered open-minded.

I'm not sure how this ever came about. It's difficult to see how something which is locked tight is actually open while that which is awaiting input is irreversibly closed."

Cartoon at: open-minded

As for the power of positive thinking, that has today been dealt a blow with research suggesting it doesn't work when you could really use it.

Reiki as a metaphor, as a visualisation I don't have an issue with it's the other claims that some practitioners make and the pseudo spiritual history of its origin. The same with yoga. There are substantiated physical and metal benefits from practsing, the religious/mystical stuff is fine if not taken literally( I find it unecessary). Much the same with Martial arts as well, chi etc all well and good for explaining concepts or for getting the student to understand some technique or movement its when it goes beyond this that have objections.

Rather than some miraculous cure-all, I tend to see Reiki more as a power of positive thinking exercise, mixed with deep relaxation or meditation. For me, that is not something that requires proof, it's merely a technique.

Another common phrase I come across is " I was Skeptical too until…"

Quite a few people are small "s" skeptic (especially when you get telemarketers on the phone), not too many people take the time to school themselves in critical thinking and in psychology/science nor take the time to understand how easily we can be decieved, manipulated.