EL REIKI EN LA HABANA VIEJA: LOS NUEVOS RITOS DE PASO Y SUS CONEXIONES CON PRÁCTICAS RELIGIOSAS CUBANAS DE ORIGEN AFRICANO.

The author reflects on the origins, diffusion and connections of Reiki's Cuban culture, one of the so-called bioenergetic techniques of Japanese origin which have a relative cultural influence on Havanan population since its introduction in Cuba in the middle nineties of the recently concluded 20th century. From the many observations and interviews performed in field work, it is very interesting the similarity of concepts, practices and principles existing between Reiki's initiation ceremony of the self called Tibetan School of Old Havana Municipality and the ones of two of the most popular African origin religions: santería and Palo Monte. Also, he analyses the meanings shared by the three phases dividing the rites of these practices, -according to the classification of anthropologist Arnold van Gennep-: personal motives, with sacred connotations for some of its participants, and the mysticism-esoteric environment promoted by school's teachers. The author concludes demonstrating how the double function fulfilled by Reiki's initiation ceremony (one psychotherapeutic and the other cultural), is one of the most attractive features to practising members of Reiki with religious beliefs of African roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]