Abstract

BORDES, Mariana  and  SAIZAR, Mercedes. An Ethos of Effort and Humility: Symbolic Configurations within the Context of Hospital Work by Reiki Practitioners (City of Buenos Aires). Rev. urug. Antropología y Etnografía [online]. 2025, vol.10, n.1, e103.  Epub June 01, 2025. ISSN 2393-7068.  https://doi.org/10.29112/ruae.v10i1.2432.

The article explores one aspect of the phenomenon related to the growing presence of so-called alternative or non-conventional medicines of eastern roots in the official health care field in the City of Buenos Aires: the one that refers to the processes of adaptation, reappropriation and “adjustment” that these non-biomedical practices operate in order to remain in these spaces. Based on an interpretative and qualitative research approach, through the analysis of original materials from semi-directed interviews and participant/non-participant observation, the article focuses on the perspective outlined by a group of practitioners of a particular discipline of Eastern roots: reiki. This work explores certain convergences and continuities between the symbolic repertoire of this Eastern discipline, how the practice is posed, and the institutional and professional constraints, limits, and impositions that hospital work entails. The results interpret the hospital as an enabling space in which the development/reinforcement of skills and a new conception of practice are possible.

Keywords : non-conventional medicines of eastern roots; hospitals; reiki; reappropriation processes.

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