Posts Tagged ‘Healing’

De-Stressing with Reiki

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

Bringing balance into our lives is the most effective way to get the best out of life. The system of Reiki centers on bringing the body back into balance. This is a Japanese technique from the early 1900’s created by Mikao Usui. The word can be translated as either ‘spiritual energy’ or ‘universal energy’. The first level is taught over a two-day period and has dual competencies; the student may use it on clients (in conjunction with other therapies) and on the self as a personal development tool.

The purpose of a Reiki treatment is to re-align and bring the body into a natural balance physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The energy washes down through the body clearing energetic obstructions and strengthening the flow of this energetic ‘river’, or the meridians. Therefore, there are similarities between the system of Reiki and other therapies such as acupuncture. The differences are that this system does not manipulate the energy or body, is not intrusive and is an extremely simple technique that anyone can learn and use in complete safety.

A client will find that Reiki works on many levels. This system is not diagnostic and does not aim to achieve specific results. It is believed that the client’s body is always in survival mode and will therefore draw the energy where he/she needs it rather than where the practitioner believes it is beneficial. This is why the practitioner cannot harm the client, as it the client’s body that is in control of what is energetically happening.

To be aligned or balanced sounds wonderful but what does it mean for the client? Initially, one moves into a deep, restful space and may or may not actually sense the energy according to one’s sensitivity. Benefits of this ‘giving over’ to the energy may be clarity of thought, renewed physical strength, calmness, reduced stress levels, a sense of connectedness as well as the easing of conditions such as insomnia, depression and addiction. True relaxation is reflected in one’s face after a Reiki treatment. Stress tightens the muscles and skin and when we relax we look and feel years younger.

Clients do not need to remove any clothing during a treatment and hands are placed either on or just off the body. Practitioners are taught to channel energy from around them through their bodies and out through their hands. The client then draws on this energy. This means that the practitioner does not use his/her own energy and feels refreshed afterwards rather than exhausted. In fact the practitioner is receiving a treatment at the same time as the client -making it beneficial for all involved.

To practise this system it is necessary to learn from a Reiki teacher (often called a Reiki Master). It is possible to integrate Reiki into any health or beauty modality once the practitioner has completed the first level of the 3-part system. If the practitioner wished to work solely with the system of Reiki then it would be suggested that the practitioner complete the second level of the system and join a student clinic to build experience with the energy and on-on-one client skills. The third level of the system continues the practitioner’s own personal development and may be used to begin studying toward becoming a Reiki teacher.

Clients today are more interested in spirituality and well-being than ever before. To be able to bring these elements into the traditional clinic environment of a salon or spa, a special atmosphere is created. Clients today expect ‘Holistic’ treatments. This meaning that they wish to be pampered from every direction including the more mystical and spiritual paths.

It is exciting for clients to know that when they come for a treatment there is likely to be a new element added to the more traditional salon and spa techniques. If a client knows that the practitioner is continually upgrading their knowledge and abilities then the client will also feel confident in such capable hands.

The International House of Reiki is run by the founding directors Reiki Master/Teachers Frans and Bronwen Stiene. This International Reiki centre prides itself on its professionalism, student support systems and strong ethics. Courses are held regularly in Newtown, Sydney and Fitzroy, Melbourne as well as in other state capitals on arrangement.

Frans and Bronwen’s open, informal style of teaching has been an inspiration for students and clients throughout Europe, Asia and Australia. Their research book, The Reiki Sourcebook, is due out in December 2003. Frans and Bronwen have traveled to Japan to research Reiki and teach a traditional Japanese form of Reiki.

Reiki – A Path to Wholeness

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

At any given moment, people all over the world are reassessing their life. They wonder if it is worthwhile getting up every morning; if there is any point in going to work, in eating dinner, falling asleep and then getting up to start all over again. They are told they can be anything they want to be and yet they’re not even sure what that is.

Ask yourself what you want. Move past the initial expensive car, castle, super job extravaganza and keep asking – what do I want?

Stop for one moment. Feel your physical body, notice your thoughts and draw one large deep breath. Now breathe out and sit quietly in this fresh space. Experience how the breath has briefly connected your mind and body together. Now ask, “What is it that I truly want out of life?”

You may eventually answer:
I want to feel happy.
I want to know who I am.
I want to feel free and light without any pressures at all.
I want to feel safe and warm and touched by life.
I want to know love – unlimited and unconditional.
I want to see the beauty around me.
I want to experience what this world is all about and understand why I am here.

In short: you want to feel connected.

You can be all of these things and more, because happiness comes from inside of you. Inside you there is a place that, when accessed, knows what each of these things feel like.

The system of Reiki aims to help you find that inner heart and learn from it. You have the aptitude, and the system has the tools. There are no secrets or magic to this – all that is needed is you and your intention to remember. Everyone can find what the Japanese call “honu no reikô,” the spiritual light that exists within.

Finding the spiritual light within you is possible because it has always lived there. You are this spiritual light. Beneath the clutter of everyday life exists this precious human self.

Working with a solid energetic practice such as the Japanese form of Reiki can guide you on this path back to your inner self. Originating in the early 1900s in Japan, it is the system’s four major influences that give it its backbone. These are Japanese martial arts, Shintoism (the indigenous faith of the Japanese people), and two esoteric forms of Buddhism–Shugendô and Mikkyo. Elements taught in the Japanese Reiki system include breathing meditations, hands-on healing and simple daily precepts and guidelines. These elements help develop a spiritual practice that supports you in remembering your connection, no matter what religion you may be or what other techniques you may practice.

At the crux of many facets of Japanese culture, religion and philosophy are something we’ve called the three diamonds. These three diamonds are also at the very core of a traditional Japanese Reiki practice.

A diamond is an analogy for the self. Each and every day a Reiki practitioner polishes the diamond by performing his or her practice. This is a constant task for humans who, in this earthly realm, attract dirt, becoming muddy and tarnished. A diamond is so sharp that it can cut through almost anything humanity attaches itself to, bringing back the true essence of life, as seen in the perfection of a sparkling diamond.

Each of these three diamonds works with a different energetic part of you. The first is the physical, grounded aspect of you called Earth energy. The second is the mental, emotional aspect of you, called Sky energy, and lastly, the third diamond is Heart energy. It is in Heart energy that the Earth and the Sky are brought together to create wholeness.

Imagine a triangle: it has a lovely broad base with a point at its tip. If that base tried to balance at the top it would topple over. The human body is just like this triangle; it energetically needs a firm foundation before progressing further into deeper spiritual realms.

Therefore, energetic work begins with the first diamond, Earth energy, which symbolically occupies an area just beneath the navel. This is your base and foundation in life. It grounds you helping you feel relaxed, assured and capable, and offers your physical body the strength to perform well.

The second diamond of Sky energy is representative of the mind with its ethereal nature. Here your intuition is developed and your mental skills are honed.

Lastly, the third diamond of Heart energy is home to the integrated forces of these two human strengths: the body and the mind. If you have worked on the first two diamonds, you will find that the heart opens with ease and that the list of what you truly want out of life can become a reality. By clearing the elements of human nature and then drawing them all together, you have become whole.

So, go on, stop for one moment. Feel your physical body, notice your thoughts and draw one large deep breath. Breathe out and sit quietly in this fresh space. Experience how the breath has briefly connected your body and mind together. Now ask, “What is it that I truly want out of life?”

What Do I Do With The Colours I See With Reiki?

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Many people when they experience a Reiki treatment or enjoy a Reiki course have the experience of seeing colours.

It is a common phenomenon though not one experienced by everyone. Some of us are more prone to visual experiences than others. So for those of you who may have experienced this here is a brief understanding of what it might mean for you.

It is commonly asserted that human beings have five senses – sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. We use these senses to learn about, and navigate in, the world. These senses are our antennae and as we grow up we begin to intellectually understand what it is to use these senses and what each of their benefits are.

To cross a road we use our ears to listen out for traffic, our sight to see the oncoming cars and the path we are about to walk, our touch to move easily from the footpath onto the road, perhaps our smell to check that everything is ‘safe’, and our taste on this occasion takes a backseat (unless you happen to be licking a lollipop at the time).

We are born with a natural ability to use one or more of our senses more than another and at the same time we also hone separate senses depending on our life choices.

Some of your senses will be more sensitive than others depending on how you use them. If you are a cook then perhaps your sense of smell and taste will be very sharp. If you are a sculptor your sense of touch, and perhaps sight, might earn you your living. A data analyst would use his or her sense of sight to read (or ears to hear an audio tape), sense of touch to use a computer and taste to slurp endless cups of coffee (oops, I’ve already used that joke).

When you begin to consciously work with energy you may not know what energy feels like or how you will ‘read’ it. No matter what age you are the experience may surprise you.

Say that you are enjoying a wonderfully relaxing Reiki treatment, you’re almost dozing off in a beautiful twilight space of awareness crossed with ‘who cares’ when BANG – the sky lights up and you are enjoying the most amazing fireworks. First blue explodes followed by emerald green and a red that melts into a golden haze. What on earth was that? Aaaah well, you’re still very relaxed and unconcerned, your eyes have remained closed throughout and only if you’re lucky do you remember afterwards what happened during the treatment.

Does it mean something? Does it matter?

Yes, it can mean a number of things. Some metaphysicians will state that a certain colour indicates a specific state of mind, activity in an energy centre, or even use the colours to decide upon a client’s spiritual development. Some of these statements may well be interesting and in some cases true and yet no-one can guarantee that they are correct. Red may well indicate passion, but it could also symbolise anger. Cultural consequences can also affect the interpretation with red representing Good Luck in some Asian countries. Who decides which of these is the correct energetic translation?

Judgements made about the results of sense stimulation are in fact attachments to the senses. Both the client and practitioner can become attached to the idea that the colours are the important part of a treatment and once this occurs they become side-tracked and taken away from the profound experience that a Reiki treatment can be.

Attachment leads the practitioner to want to have the same outcome in the next treatment, boosting the ego with a sense of personal validation. And as a client you may want to repeat the same experience because it really was ‘amazing’. Both of these viewpoints will only obstruct the free flow of energy.

So, does it matter what these colours might represent? No. By attaching to specific interpretations we limit our true understanding of the practice of Reiki. We should see the colours as they are – and what they are in essence is simply energy.

But don’t be mislead into thinking that colours are unimportant.

When you are lying on the massage table and those colours begin to move and snake their way around your inner world, the universe is definitely speaking directly to you. It is saying, “Things are beginning to change in your life. Let go, and open up further to experience this treatment, to let the energy flow freely. As a human you have been given the gift of the senses; these senses are indicating by their flow and ebb that your life too is changing and flowing. Be thankful and enjoy.”

This understanding in itself might be the healing that you require.

Tomita ’s 1933 Book on Healing

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Kaiji Tomita was a student of Mikao Usui. He wrote a book called, Reiki To Jinjutsu – Tomita Ryû Teate Ryôhô (Reiki and Humanitarian Work – Tomita Ryu Hands Healing) in 1933. The book was re-published in 1999 with the help of Toshitaka Mochizuki.

Included in his book are case studies, the technique hatsurei ho (which includes the use of waka) and hand positions for specific illnesses.

The book has some great photo’s with people practicing Reiki either on clients lay ing down or sitting in seiza.

The name of his school was Teate Ryoho kai and it was taught in 4 levels – shoden, chuden, okuden, and kaiden

Techniques of one kind or another have always been used in conjunction with the system of Reiki. Hatsurei-ho is one of the early techniques. Below is a translation of this technique from that book which is much simpler than what is practised in Japan and the West today. (The chanting of waka, poetry written by the Meiji Emperor, is not practised in the modern form of hatsurei ho in the West)

First sit down and try to concentrate (unify) the mind and body. Choose a quiet place or somewhere comfortable where you can relax. Included in the text are 2 different readings of the word seiza. One means to sit still and is the first part of the technique the other relates to the physical action of sitting in seiza.

Seiza (lit. Japanese to sit still)
Sit in the seiza position and gasshô with the objective to gather/concentrate the energy from the heart into the palms of the hands. Hold the hands together without using force from the arms or the shoulders. Drop the shoulders and clasp the hands, joining the fingers lightly and feel the alignment of the posture. Close your eyes.

Jôshin hô (Mind purification method)
The aim of Jôshin-hô is to unify and purify the mind. Once the sitting upright is achieved, recite (in your head) some waka poetry and feel at One with its meaning.

The following are some examples of waka that can be used for Jôshin hô

ikanaran goto ni ahite mo tayumanu ha
wagashiki shima no yama to damashii
asami dori sumi watari taru o hosora no
hiroki wo wo no ga kokoro tomo gana

Hatsurei hô
If you have followed the previous steps and stayed focused on the palms of your hands they start to become warm. This is what (Tomita ryû) calls reiha ?? (wave of rei). It describes the tingling sensation that is comparable to an electrical current. The heat created and the wave of rei are what constitute spiritual energy. Even if the sensations are weak at first, they should become stronger as you keep concentrating.

5 Day plan
Repeat the above steps for 5 consecutive days, and concentrate for at least 30 minutes (progressively increasing eventually reaching an hour)

Reiki on the Road

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Have you always wanted to travel but your budget is a little short and you’re worried you’ll ‘feel so lonely I could die, boom boom’?

Well there’s something that you could take with you that might help; it doesn’t weigh a ton (it’ll even leave room for that extra book) and will always leave love and compassion strewn across the path behind you . You’ll have guessed by now what I’m about to suggest – Reiki! This article also applies to those who practise any healing art whether it be massage, shiatsu or acupressure.

Here’s how to set yourself up.

Cost: We suggest that you charge the local price for a massage. Remember, you don’t have to charge a lot to cover the costs of your next meal and you’ll meet really interesting, like minded people who you’ll probably end up having lunch with anyway and perhaps even travelling with. Instead of charging money you could also swap services; a massage, a painting, information, food etc.etc.

Where: Reiki can be practised anywhere though preferably in a quiet(ish) space on a comfortable something. Hmmm sounds a little vague doesn’t it? But then that’s the point – it really doesn’t matter! When you’re travelling you can do Reiki in the room of a backpackers, by the beach or in a park. Make the space more attractive by using aromatherapy (incense), candles or locally handcrafted materials.

Other ideas are to ring Health Resorts (your dream destination) and work for a month as a practitioner on a commission basis or for free board and rent.

Reiki Masters might want to rent a space if they are staying in an area for a while and offer courses for travellers. This can be a huge success as travellers are often interested in self development.

How: Carry an A4 sheet with you that announces ‘Reiki treatments by your name’. Don’t fill in where as yet but do leave a space. When you have found a place to practise, photcopy the sheet and fill in where. This might be your address ‘Room 8, The Backpackers Inn’ or it might say ‘For more information meet me at Grandma’s for breakfast between 8 and 10 every morning’ – you eat there anyway! All you do is place a leaflet on the table so that everyone knows that it is you who they are looking for.

You can then copy this sheet a number of times and place in backpackers, hostels, restaurant windows, bus/train stations. Make sure you ask beforehand – you’ll find most locals are curious and more than willing to help your venture. If necessary offer them a free treatment!

If money’s no object and you are simply interested in practising your Reiki for the benefit of others, now’s your chance. When travelling you can become involved in the immediate community by volunteering your services. You can do this formally through the Red Cross or local hospital or just ask around and there will surely be someone who needs Reiki. This is an excellent way to meet people, understand the culture (a little bit) and spread love and compassion. Perfect!

What Do I think About When I am doing Reiki?

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

By ‘doing’ Reiki we’re referring to the act of placing your hands on the body with the intention that energy be drawn into the body. Hands-on healing, or tenohira in Japanese, is one of the five elements of the system of Reiki.

This is something that Reiki practitioners the world over are doing for themselves in the morning, at work, on the bus, with friends and family, as a job, and most deliciously in the evening before they head off for a peaceful night’s sleep.

So what DO you think about as your hands relax onto (or just off) the body – minute after minute?
Perhaps you feel the energy being drawn through you and your mind begins to wonder what is happening – are you helping? What’s causing this sensation?
Perhaps you feel nothing and you wonder what on earth you are doing sitting here looking like one of the three wise monkeys.
Or perhaps you’re sitting here wondering what you are wondering about! That’s the mind for you – always looking for something to keep you occupied with – even if it is only with itself.

One point we’d like to like to make is that before you begin any practice it is highly useful to prepare yourself first. This is the way to connect strongly with your practice and be open to receiving the greatest benefit from it.

Before beginning tenohira we suggest this regular preparation below:
* Set your intent – know your practice and its approximate length of time. Know that you are unconditionally open to whatever healing is about to occur. Know that although you will physically be moving through this hands-on routine step-by-step you will not be judging or diagnosing yourself or the energy. All you will be doing is letting go.
* Sit or lie comfortably but make sure that your body is not restricted, cramped or hunched.
* Either close your eyes or if sitting gaze at a point on the floor about 3 feet from the body.
* Consciously release all tension from the body so that you are physically and mentally ready for your practice.
* Bring the mental focus to the hara (3 inches below the navel). This is your grounding point and the foundation for the body’s energetic system according to traditional Japanese practices. By connecting with this point your energy expands and readies for work.
* Just before beginning allow the hands to rise in gasshô and pause. In this moment you stop everything – mind and body. You are an integrated spiritual being.

Now you are ready. Place your hands on the body. But wait, before you begin – has the initial question been answered? ‘What DO you think about while doing Reiki?’

Remember back to the preparation and its first step – Intent: First to be aware of the practice and then to let go. That’s the answer. By not holding onto motivations, rationalisations and diagnoses you allow the energy to flow freely, you just let go.

It’s not about working out what’s wrong, making things happen, informing someone about how they should or shouldn’t live their lives – it is the act of not interfering and leaving the tick-tock of your busy thoughts alone. Of sensing the innate truth that you are connected to the universe and if you allow your connection its natural right then blissful living will be yours. It’s about letting the energy flow freely.

Free Flowing Energy – it sounds wonderful but hang on… is it possible to experience totally free flowing energy? For some, yes. But for most of us it remains our aim rather than our experience. It is something that we are working toward. Free flowing energy is a state of Oneness with the Divine, actually being the universal flow.

This means that although your intention is strong and your actions appropriate you may still end up thinking about the shopping list. Don’t worry. Know that what is important is not what has been or what is to come but… now, right now.

So rather than regret your stray thoughts about your dinner’s ingredients, accept those thoughts and, even if it was only for a second, you know that you have let go.

The Reiki Energetic System

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

The system of Reiki is a set group of Japanese practices (see Five Elements of the system of Reiki) that when brought together create a system that supports spiritual growth and healing. These practices work with energy – spiritual energy. As the Japanese name for spiritual energy is Reiki – you can see where the system’s name originated from.

But what energetic system are the principles of a Reiki practice based on? As Reiki is a Japanese practice that was created in the early 1900s we are aware that (as with many martial arts and Ki practices that were formalised in Japan at the same time – karate, judo, aikido) the hara or tanden were considered to be the centre of the body’s energetic powerhouse.

The word hara literally means stomach, abdomen or belly in Japanese. Energy is stored in this point of the body from where it expands throughout the whole body.

Usui Mikao’s teachings focus on building the energy in the hara. From Hawayo Takata’s diary notes it can be seen that she too was taught to practice in this manner. For a copy of her handwritten notes relating to the hara click here and click here for her daughter’s typed copy of the notes. Once the system of Reiki became more westernized in the 1980s the chakra system (an energetic system from India that has been incorporated into the New Age movement) was introduced and replaced this system – the chakra system is now commonly used in the West

In traditional Japanese teachings and exercises today the hara system is still the main focus for building a person’s energy. There are, in fact, two other energy centres in the body according to the Japanese energetic system. One is the head and the other is the heart. In the Japanese Art of Reiki we have called these the Three Diamonds. By linking all three areas the practitioner creates unity and balance. Most important, however, is to first develop the lower hara, as this is the body’s central axis point.

Re-establishing this connection with the Original Energy through the hara will ensure good health and recovery from illness. There is always access to a reliable source of strength whenever needed.

An inner attitude results from first focusing on the hara. From this central point there is an ability to cope with everyday tasks and sudden emergencies with an ease of understanding. This allows appropriate action to be taken in a balanced and unprejudiced manner.

1. Lower hara (approximately 3 inches (8cms) below the naval)
In this centre, Original Energy is stored. This is the energy you are born with, the energy that is the essence of your life and gives you your life’s purpose. The Original Energy is not only the energy you receive from your parents when you are conceived but most importantly it is the energetic connection between you and the universal life force. When the singular term hara is mentioned it is the lower hara that is being discussed. This is the symbolic energetic centre for Earth Ki.

2. Middle hara (at the heart centre)
The energy in this centre is connected with emotions. It is ‘human’ energy connected with human experience. Through this centre you learn your life’s process. From childhood through to adulthood and back to being a child. When you are a child you are without experience and as you grow older you become a child with experience. This is the symbolic energetic centre for Heart Ki.

3. Upper hara (third eye area).
This is the energy connected with your spirit. When you are connected with this centre you may see colours or you might have psychic ability. It is important for you not to become unbalanced and keep yourself centred. If you can use this energy in a balanced way, you can see beyond the immediate. This is the symbolic energetic centre for Heaven Ki.

The three diamonds of Earth Ki, Heaven Ki and Heart Ki are at the foundation of the system of Reiki. They are also at the crux of many facets of Japanese culture, religion and philosophy.

A diamond is often used as an analogy of the self in Buddhism. Each and every day a practitioner polishes the diamond by performing his or her practice. This is a constant task for humans who, in this earthly realm, attract dirt: becoming muddy and tarnished. A diamond is so sharp that it can cut through almost anything humanity attaches itself to, bringing back the true essence of life as seen in the perfection of a sparkling diamond.

For a more detailed explanation of these three energetic centres and how they relate to the system of Reiki please read The Japanese Art of Reiki.

Am I Channeling Positive Energy with Reiki?

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

It is always good to clarify definitions at the beginning of any article.

* The system of Reiki is a spiritual practice that was developed by a Japanese man called Usui Mikao in the early 1900s. It includes 5 basic practices: reiju (attunement), palm-healing, techniques and meditations, precepts, and symbols and mantras.

* Reiki, the energy, is the name of the energy used within the system and is literally translated from the Japanese to mean ‘spiritual energy’ or ‘sacred energy’. One variation used in the West is ‘universal energy’. Generally these terms represent the concept of ‘the energy of everything’.

When a Reiki practitioner works with energy it is sometimes called channelling the energy. The reason why we channel energy is to support the movement of that which is stagnant in order to live life in its natural flow.

When we are not at One with this natural flow of life (or energy) we come up against obstacles: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Often where one of these elements ends and the other begins we do not know. All we know for sure is that these elements are interdependent of one another and together they create the filters through which we experience our lives.

The practices taught within the system of Reiki affect these obstacles, thereby supporting change and affecting every aspect of our lives. So, does this mean that we are in fact channelling positive energy?

No. Not if we are truly experiencing universal energy, the energy of everything.

Within universal energy we always channel negative and positive energy. In Japan these two elements are called In and Yo and in China, Yin and Yang.

In and Yo are not words for ‘good’ and ‘bad’ but rather representations of dual elements – the two flipsides of a coin. In and Yo also represent other dualities such as Earth and Heaven, female and male, the moon and sun. By balancing and blending dual elements within ourselves we are creating a non-dual existence, one where we begin to resonate fully with universal energy.

Therefore, when we work on ourselves or others it is not about taking the negative away and filling ourselves up with positive energy. True healing takes place as the two forces balance harmoniously out.

Why then do some like to believe that Reiki is positive energy only? Perhaps we are too scared to see that which might be labelled as ‘bad’ within ourselves.

To heal we need to face all sides of ourselves, including our fears and darkest issues. By working on ourselves, and by taking responsibility for our personal spiritual progress, we learn to let go of self-condemnation and work toward balance instead.

Take this responsibility into your own hands, own it and live life in acceptance. Move away from the need to label your experiences. Move instead into a state of union with the universe; it is there that your obstacles have the opportunity to dissolve.

Breaking the Reiki Code

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Current research into the system of Reiki is bringing to light a great deal of hidden knowledge about the system’s beginnings and original intentions. While researching our books, The Reiki Sourcebook, and the soon to be released The Japanese Art of Reiki, we discovered that this is not the sort of knowledge that has deliberately been buried away from prying eyes – rather it has been lying under the dust of an unexplored past. By brushing off some of that dust, this article reveals a code: one that is constantly in play for practitioners across the globe – often unrecognized and unacknowledged.
Do you practice Reiki to help others, to work on yourself, to send distant healing, or for other reasons? The motivations behind an individual’s practice are endless due to the system’s numerous and immeasurable benefits. At the heart of these many rewards, deep within the foundations of the system, exists a law that makes this all possible. It is the home of spiritual energy and its name is non-duality.

The word, non-duality, expresses the underlying Oneness of existence: that there is no ‘I’ – just the simplicity of being. It exemplifies the concept that we all come from the same source, are the same source and return to that same source.

As a practitioner, the more knowledge you obtain about what you do and experience, the deeper the connection to your practice becomes. This unshakeable groundwork accordingly sharpens your intent: resulting in an overall more effective practice.

By delving into the Japanese background of the four traditional Reiki symbols and mantras, it is possible to discover how this code is the system’s blueprint and what that signifies in practical terms. To respect the nature of the teachings (as a system employing levels) the mantras in this article are replaced by the pseudonyms CKR, SHK, HSZSN and DKM. The symbols are listed as Symbol 1, Symbol 2, Symbol 3 and Symbol 4 as is taught in Japan.

The four symbols are clearly recognizable in Japan. Symbol 1 has connections to Tendai symbology and versions of Symbol 2 can be seen in temples across Japan. Symbol 3 and 4 are Japanese kanji[i] and when read in Japanese create the actual name of the coresponding mantra.

Breaking this code requires that a researcher first tap into understanding the Japanese philosophy of Heaven and Earth. Knowledge of these dualities, or polar opposites, is the primary structure required before appreciation of this law can grow. Dualities are the breeding ground for the ultimate experience of non-duality. Non-duality is not specifically a Japanese concept; it exists in all forms of life and its dual beginnings can often be found in references to yin and yang, negative and positive, or female and male. These examples are just the tip of an infinite iceberg of opposites.

A Japanese cosmological theory states that through the union of the dual forces of Earth energy and Heaven energy all things were born, including humankind.[ii] By this it is understood that people are a blend of both these forces, and to live purposefully these elements need to flow freely, becoming united. This can occur through working specifically with the first two traditional symbols and mantras taught in the system of Reiki.

Symbol 1 and the mantra CKR enable practitioners to connect to Earth energy. To do so one must direct the focus within, rather than outside of, the self. It is within that this energy is accessed. You are Earth energy – you just haven’t acknowledged its existence.

Underneath the growing layers of anger, sadness, fear, judgments and beliefs that humans gather – this knowledge lies hidden and neglected. These layers obscure one’s true nature that inherently comprises Earth energy. To re-establish a personal connection with the energy of the Earth is the purpose of Symbol 1 and CKR practice.

In the West, Symbol 1 and CKR are renowned for their grounding, protective, physical and powerful qualities – each of these is a basic Earth trait. By comprehending this and applying this facet of the code to the system of Reiki, one’s practice begins to take on a whole new potency of meaning.

Working with Symbol 2 and SHK involves exploring your mental and intuitive abilities. By taking this understanding one step further than the Western usage, the realm of Japanese philosophy and its connection to Heaven energy is exposed. Heaven is an expression that can trigger a thousand-fold beliefs, emotions and visions in as many religions and cultures worldwide. Viewed commonly throughout the globe as an abode for angelic beings, a floating paradise or a future resting place; Heaven maintains its culturally unique interpretation in Japan – one that includes an internal connection. As with Symbol 1 and CKR, practitioners can find their relationship to Heaven energy innately within themselves.

Energetic qualities are best understood through experience rather than words. To achieve a profound understanding of the connection between Earth energy or Heaven energy and yourself requires dedicated practice. This is accomplished by practicing solely with one symbol and mantra at a time, rather than a list of symbols and mantras simultaneously. Humans are too often in a rush to get to the end station of enlightenment forgetting that the process itself may possess the enlightening factor.

The grounding effect of the first symbol and mantra supports the ensuing work with the ethereal second symbol and mantra. Without this centered preparation the development of intuitive or psychic abilities can be hazardous. You may become unbalanced like an upside down triangle wobbling on its tip; reverse the pattern and stand with your base firmly rooted to the Earth, supporting your inner growth.

Now comes an intriguing part of the system of Reiki: the third symbol and mantra HSZSN. In the West this is commonly associated with distance. It is believed that by using these elements distance can be breached to send energy to someone or something else. From a Japanese perspective this concept goes deeper still, into the mechanics of the Japanese universal laws: Symbol 3 and HSZSN aid the realization of Oneness. This makes complete sense if you grasp that within Reiki – the energy of everything – distance cannot exist. Hiroshi Doi’s translation of HSZSN is ‘Right consciousness is the origin of everything’ – that ‘right consciousness’ is Oneness. Experiencing Oneness with everything, whether it is with another being, place or thing, is an alternative viewpoint of the machinations of ‘distant healing’.

To fully comprehend the purpose and meaning of Symbol 3 and HSZSN it is also necessary to have worked with the previous 2 symbols and mantras of Heaven and Earth energy. Without undergoing the process of first becoming Earth and subsequently Heaven energy it is impossible to give birth to the concept of Oneness within. Just as in conception it is imperative that the egg and the sperm join to create the miracle of a complete human. With Earth energy alone and no understanding of Heaven energy, or the other way around – Oneness cannot be given birth to. This is the central cosmology to the system of Reiki. Practicing successively with each of the symbols and mantras draws one along the path to Oneness and non-duality.

So where does that leave the fourth and final symbol and the mantra DKM? DKM, a frequently used Japanese word, when translated literally means ‘Great Bright Light’. It appears commonly in Japanese religious texts and even in Japanese martial arts practices.

Becoming this light is truly Knowing the concept of non-duality. In it everything is experienced as One: there is no good or bad, dark or light, ugly or beautiful, positive or negative, no God or Buddha – just existence. Once you acknowledge this Oneness in every thought, feeling and movement of your being – the true nature of existence is uncovered.

This system that you practice is multi-layered. As you progress through each layer new truths come to meet you, joining you on your journey. Know that the profundity of these arcane teachings is here to be discovered – their sole purpose being to support your life’s spiritual progress.

Uniting Heaven and Earth together, you travel the inner path to Oneness. The unique system of Reiki is offering you the opportunity to return to your true nature, that of the Great Bright Light. The code is broken.

The Benefits of Reiki

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Anyone, anywhere can use this system. A child, as you can see by this photo, can grasp the simplicity of meditation practices used within Reiki and will respond to hands on healing naturally -receiving and offering it without self consciousness when a situation arises.

It is the most natural thing in life to want to live well and be with others in harmony and that is why children respond to it so easily. The system of Reiki encourages such a lifestyle. For adults it is the task of remembering these qualities that we must endeavour to recall through practice.

Our mind and body knows how to help itself – the system of Reiki supports that innate healing process. Therefore by working with Reiki we can see that it speeds up the natural healing process. For these reasons it was taught in Japan in the late 1920s as first aid to the military who, though they were technologically advancing rapidly, had a health system that was antiquated.

One of the most fundamental concepts of Reiki is that our bodies draw on more energy to clear stagnant energy. We cannot say exactly why this happens and with the system of Reiki it is not necessary to do so. This is not a system that diagnoses – all we need to know is that our bodies will draw on the energy and take it where it is needed. If the rational mind gets in the way by diagnosing we are limiting the healing possibilities of spiritual energy.

Below we have listed some of the possible benefits of the system to give you an idea as to how the energy can affect your life.

Physical
* Reiki works on all chronic and acute illnesses, including serious problems like heart disease and cancer as well as skin problems, flu, fatigue, headaches, back pain etc.
* The immune system strengthens allowing the body to fight off illness easier.
* First Aid (as it speeds up healing)

Mental
* Your mind becomes calmer
* You no longer feel stressed
* When you think clearer you can ’see’ clearer
* You will be able to answer all your own questions knowing that you have the answers.

Emotional
* The mind calms and becomes less erratic.
* Eases depression, insomnia, lack of confidence, addiction and fear-based illnesses.

Spiritual
* Increased intuition leads to a more purposeful direction in life.
* Feel connected and in tune with the universe.