Reiki

What is Reiki?

Reiki is an ancient art of natural healing, rediscovered in Japan by Dr Mikao Usui over one hundred years ago. It is a gentle but powerful ‘hands-on�?technique which brings wholeness to both recipient and practitioner. Reiki restores the natural balance of the body, providing deep relaxation and bringing a sense of peace and wellbeing. It is called Universal Life Energy because it draws upon the healing energy of the universe rather than the energy of the practitioner. Reiki heals the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies. It complements the healing properties of all modalities including orthodox medicine, natural therapies such as herbs, aromatherapy and homoeopathy, massage, psychotherapy and others and can be given in conjunction with any other therapy or treatment. Reiki is not intrusive since the energy will pass through clothing, bandages, plaster casts or braces and the recipient remains clothed. The technique of Reiki can be used on animals, plants, buildings, cars, people and places - in fact you can use your Reiki in any situation you desire. To benefit from Reiki you need only be open and willing to receive the energy and to channel it.

What Does Reiki Involve?

Reiki is a simple, non-intrusive, hands-on technique of natural healing. At a Reiki workshop, students are taught a system of hand placements covering the entire body. In First Degree Reiki, your Reiki Master/Teacher gives four initiations which will enable you to channel Reiki energy. In Second Degree Reiki, students receive a series of sacred symbols and chants which enhance the power of the Reiki energy and they are empowered to perform absent healings. Once initiated into Reiki in the First Degree, the energy stays with you for the rest of your life and unless you wish to pursue Reiki as a practitioner or Master/Teacher, you need go no further. Special one day practitioner workshops are also available for those wishing to review their Reiki or get together with other practitioners to exchange experiences and ideas. Third Degree, or Master/Teacher training is available to those who have completed First and Second Degrees and who have worked as a Second Degree practitioner for at least twelve months.

There are many Reiki master/teachers out there who work in different ways - search around and see who you resonate with. It is my firm belief that when you are ready to learn and practise Reiki, you will make the right choices for yourself.

Anyone and everyone can be initiated to channel Reiki: Universal Life Energy

Reiki Fundamentals - Reiki Level I

Rei in Japanese means spirit. And ki means life force energy. Together they can be read as "spirit led life force energy." The first "attunement" given by a Reiki teacher to a new student is a fairly simply process. Ideally it is given as a sacred ceremony in an atmosphere of reverence. How the attunement is given will depend on the teachers style and intuition. The process involves the teacher opening up the student's crown chakra (or the energy center at the top of the head), and the chakras in the palms of the hands. An energy channel is then created between the crown chakra and the chakra's in the palms. Once this is done, the channel is then "attuned" to Reiki energy. From this point on, the simple intention of channeling Reiki energy will cause this channel to open, allowing Reiki energy to flow into the top of the head and out through the palms. At this point the teacher will probably show the student how to administer a treatment. Just for definition, a Reiki practitioner is someone who administers Reiki treatments. Reiki treatments are ideally given in a quiet peaceful atmosphere with no distractions. While the "patient" is lying or sitting comfortably, the practitioner (the new student in this case) simply rests his/her palms on the patient's body and allows the energy to flow. Trying to direct the energy can actually restrict or block its flow, so it's best for the practitioner to take on a passive observant attitude by just being present. In a sense the energy is pulled through the practitioner by the patient's body and goes where it is needed. Only as much as needed will be channeled, you can't channel too much. Most practitioners find that their hands will get warm from the energy flow and will cool off when it stops. In the beginning a formal set of hand placement positions are taught. With practice though, intuition will direct the practitioner where to place the hands and for how long. A typical session takes anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the health of the patient.One distinction between Reiki and other energy healing techniques is that a practitioner can channel the Reiki energy through their hands into their own body. Another distinction is that a practitioner will be more full of energy after working on someone, because they are not transferring their own energy.

Reiki Fundamentals - Reiki Level II

Rei in Japanese means spirit. And ki means life force energy. Together they can be read as "spirit led life force energy." When a practitioner receives their second attunement they are taught three symbols. These symbols are memorized and then used when appropriate by either drawing them with their hand(s) or visualizing them while at the same time mentally saying the name of the symbol. Each symbol has a special purpose and can be used by the practitioner while working on a patient or themselves.While giving a Reiki session, the first symbol, the Power Symbol, can be used when they feel an increased amount of Reiki energy would be helpful. The second symbol, the Emotion Symbol, can be used when they feel that emotional healing or balancing is needed. And the third symbol, the Absent Healing Symbol, is used when they are not able to physically be present with the patient they are working on. Theoretically this symbol can also be used for healing painful events in the past because it enables the practitioner to channel energy both through space and time.

Reiki Fundamentals - Reiki Level III

Rei in Japanese means spirit. And ki means life force energy. Together they can be read as "spirit led life force energy." When a practitioner receives their final attunement, they are taught the fourth symbol, the "Master" Symbol. It is used by a teacher when giving an attunement for opening up and attuning the practitioner's energy channel (which runs from the top of the head to the palms of the hands). The symbol is drawn both on the top of the practitioner's head and in the palm of their hands. Then the symbol is "blown", or implanted into the energy channel. Once this has been done it cannot be reversed, the symbols are permanently implanted (so be sure the teacher is legitimate before receiving an attunement). Once the attunement has been done, the student teacher will often work on an apprentice basis, sometimes for at least a year, before going out on their own. This ensures that the new teacher knows what they are doing and are of good character.

Takata Tradition versus Non-Takata Tradition

When Mrs. Takata trained people in Reiki for free she supposedly found that no one appreciated it. Rather than using Reiki on themselves or their family members they would end up coming back to her for treatments (My teacher told me she has had similar experiences). As a result of this, Mrs. Takata set up a fee structure for Reiki that would ensure that only those people who sincerely wanted it would come to her for training. Because they paid for the training, they were also more likely to use it. She also required the teachers she trained to adopt this fee structure.According to Takata a teacher should charge $150 for Level I, $500 for Level II, and $10,000 for Level III. There is also a waiting period of at least six months between Level I and Level II, and at least a year between Level II and Level III. Part of the reason for the wait is to ensure the student becomes proficient with the tools before acquiring new ones. The other reason for the wait, as with the fee structure, is to weed out those who might be taking Reiki just out of curiosity or because it's a fad.Some of the recently trained teachers have decided that the fee structure and wait is not appropriate and have broken away from the "tradition" by charging less and by teaching the first two degrees in one session. Other teachers have broken up the training into seven or more degrees, the result being they end up charging even more. And some teachers are combining various New Age practices with Reiki training, such as crystals, Spirit Guides, Earth Energy, Chi Kung exercises such as the "Microcosmic Orbit", and fasting or special diets.A disturbing trend that has recently emerged is that you will find teachers who were trained by people who had never received Reiki attunements. And they believe themselves to be legitimate Reiki teachers and continue to dilute the tradition by teaching others pseudo-Reiki. If you ever receive a treatment by one of these teachers you can easily tell the difference. Some of the people calling themselves Reiki teachers say they were trained by a Shaman or a Sprit guide. Because of this it's very important to verify a Reiki teacher's lineage. I have great respect for people who do energy healing work, but not when they degrade the Reiki tradition by marketing themselves as Reiki teachers when in fact they are not. If a teacher cannot or will not divulge their lineage, or if it can't be verified, stay away. There are too many legitimate Reiki teachers around to settle for this.People have asked me if there is an advantage to studying with a Takata "tradition" teacher versus a non-tradition teacher. It depends on the teacher.It's perfectly acceptable to study with a "non-traditional" teacher provided that they are legitimate Reiki teachers. Ideally a teacher is "Non-traditional" only to the extent that they are not charging the fee structure set up by Takata. Be wary of teachers who teach more than 3 degrees, or teach all 3 degrees combined, or say they are teaching Reiki they learned from a Shaman or spirit guide. And be aware that Reiki energy needs no assistance or amplification in the form of crystals or spirit guides. If someone teaches otherwise it may indicate they have a lack of confidence in Reiki or did not receive proper training.

Reiki Choosing a Teacher

Rei in Japanese means spirit. And ki means life force energy. Together they can be read as "spirit led life force energy." Before choosing a Reiki teacher to give you an attunement, I highly recommend that you ask your higher self, your inner wisdom, the universe, or what ever you perceive to be a higher source of guidance, to lead you to the teacher that is right for you.Let me relate my story as an example:When I decided to be initiated into Reiki I meditated and asked to be lead to the teacher that was right for me, and for signs that would tell me if I shouldn't study with someone. After that I found out there were four different teachers living in my area (one was trained by Takata herself). With all four I made appointments to receive a Reiki treatment.

These were the results:
Teacher #1 (non-traditional)-This teacher called me just before our appointment to let me know that she was sick with a cold. I took this as a pretty clear sign.

Teacher #2 (non-traditional)-She and her assistant were to work on my roommate first and then myself. After working on my roommate, her assistant got very tired and had to leave (she was probably channeling her own energy instead of Reiki energy). After my treatment, which felt OK but nothing special, I went to leave and found my car had a flat tire in her driveway. My overall impression was not to study with her even though she was very persuasive about how great her Reiki courses were (which included 7 Levels and incorporated crystals).

Teacher #3 (traditional-personally trained by Takata)-When I showed up for our appointment she told me I was a day early, so I wouldn't be worked on. We talked and when I mentioned the other teachers I was considering studying with she radiated very negative energy and told me how she was the only one teaching "real" Reiki. Then she sold me one of her books and I drove home (about an hours drive). It turned out the book she sold me was in German, so I couldn't read it. The next day when I returned for the Reiki session I had an overwhelming feeling that I shouldn't go in, so I left. Even though I was tempted to study with her because of her direct lineage with Takata, my heart told me she wasn't the right teacher for me.

Teacher #4 (non-traditional)-Right after I received a treatment from this teacher I could literally taste mercury in my mouth being released from my system. And I felt a strong sense of energy, as if something had been shifted within my being. She was genuinely very modest about her skills and I was almost tempted not to study with her because she was so modest. But I soon found her to be very pure of heart and down-to-earth, much like what I imagine Mrs. Takata to have been like. In my heart I knew she was the right teacher for me. And I have not been disappointed.

An attunement is a very intimate process so take your time and feel who's right for you, who you are most comfortable with. And don't be too anxious to rush through the degrees. Learn what there is for you in each degree before going to the next (the people I've met who have rushed through the process seem to not be well integrated). Best wishes on whatever path you choose.

Reiki Symbols

1. FOCUS The Power boost Symbol Cho Ku Rei

Cho ku rei (cho koo ray) (long o in cho ) is the Usui power boost mantra and symbol to increase the power of Reiki . This energy calls in higher universal energy and accelerates Reiki from low to high and gives greater power and focus to the energy .Power boost is used with the other energies as well as by itself during all treatments hands on or distance. This energy has been used to clear rooms and crystals and to charge food and water. As a Buddhist term this refers to the nature and organization of reality and to the emergence of substance from the void of potential.

2. HARMONY The Mental and Emotional Healing Symbol Sei He Ki

The mental emotional healing function Usui mantra is sei he ki (say hay key) . The mental emotional function is used to facilitate emotional and mental healing and to assist self programming and treating addictions and habits as well as all other mental and emotional concerns, it is said to work on the subconscious. Some teachers use it on the first 4 chakras only and some use it on all positions The mental/emotional healing shakti or function helps to balance the right and left sides of the brain, and is often used for healing unwanted habits or for programming in desired habits.

3. CONNECTION The Distance Healing Symbol Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen

The Usui distance function mantra is hon sha ze sho nen (hawn shaw zay show nen). and it is used for sending the energies hands off, for absentee healing and treating Issues from the past including past life issues distant healing can bridge time and space, allowing you to send healing energy across a room, or around the world to heal past wounds.(yes the number eleven is missing though the entire symbol is shown. One problem with images of this symbol is that some people have mistaken the number eleven for part of the symbol.}

The Distance energy attunement also gives you the ability to use all the Reiki energies for hands off treatments at any distance at all .. you can use this energy long distance and to beam the energies to someone in the room, this is especially useful in treating children and animals, in treating yourself on areas you can not reach and when in public or anyplace where a hands on treatment might be impractical.

4. EMPOWERMENT The Spiritual Empowerment or Master Symbol Dai Ku Myo

Third Degree Reiki adds the mantra and symbol Dai Ko Myo or dai ku myo (dye koo myo, (mm yoh long o )Self empowerment, Intuition, Creativity , and Spiritual connection it enables recognition and clarity about your true path. Less is known about this most powerful of the Reiki energy functions because until quite recently there have been very few people empowered to use it so it is still somewhat unexplored . It activates a powerful energy for Self Empowerment it is used for opening Spiritual connection and intuition and cellular healing .once you are attuned for this energy I recommend using it for treating yourself and others each time you activate Reiki . It is said to work at the cellular and genetic levels and is valuable for treating Migraine Headaches. Many people have found that the Reiki Attunement particularly to this Reiki tool increases the intuitive and psychic awareness that they can comfortably access.
I have heard this called the vocational or life purpose mode because it often seems to initiate dramatic changes in career and lifestyle. It is also used as a Manifestation energy by some as is Cho Ku Rei the power boost from second degree Reiki . to use for manifestation you activate this energy and clearly visualize what you intend to manifest this will not bring you things that are not in accord with your high self and soul purpose.

The Dai ku Myo is also known as the Master Symbol. This is the energy that the Reiki master activates to do the Attunements that make the Reiki energies permanently accessible to the new practitioner .Many Reiki Masters do a non master three a attunement that activates the Dai ku myo as the spiritual intuitive energy but does not give the ability to do attunements.
The Dai Ku Myo is in Buddhist teaching the representation of unlimited potential and of all spiritual teachings and natural laws of the universe All of the functions which have been added to variations of Reiki are actually contained in the Dai Ku Myo.
I personally think that these symbols were not ever considered secret by Dr Usui but were in fact matter of fact activation's of intent by someone well versed in Buddhist esoteric meanings this is my personal opinion based on a 30 year Buddhist practice. Cho-Ku-rei (organizing the essence of the spiritual life force) hon sha ze sho nen (living correctly without barriers, universal right action) Dai ku myo ( the great essence of all sacred laws) I was not familiar with Sei he Ki before.