Traditional Reiki - Usui Shiki Ryoho
Reiki is a Japanese technique of reducing stress, relaxing and improving the quality of life by using specific methods to access universal energy (also called qi, ki or prana) which can be transmitted towards self or another person, for benefic purposes.
Reiki is a spiritual path, a method to develop personality based on initiation, and a form of energetic technique which helps reestablish the physical, emotional and spiritual balance.
“It is possible that the body may cure through soul, and the soul through body.”
- Oscar Wilde
The expression Reiki is a combination of 2 kanji (syllables), the first of them –REI- meaning universal, cosmic, divine, spiritual, vital, unconditioned love, while the second –KI- means energy, omnipresent vital force. Combining these two syllables we can understand the true meaning of Reiki: Spiritual Energy, Universal Energy, Vital Universal Force, Unconditioned love, etc.
In cuantic physic, as well as in esoteric sciences, energy is known as the fundamental nature of existence. In this way, the human body, thoughts and emotions are made of energy which functions at different frequencies. Bringing the human body and mind at the same level with the Energy of the Vital Universal Force- Reiki- we become healthier, more beautiful, more content, more balanced and in harmony with ourselves and with everything that surrounds us.
Among the payoffs of reiki we can mention: balancing the energies of the body, reducing stress and emotional pressure by bringing the nervous system at a normal level, obtaining a physical, emotional and mental balance, making the detoxification and purifying of the body possible, developing positive thoughts, views, logic thinking, creativity and mixing intuition with reason.
Reiki is NOT a religion, but it talks about the basis of all ancient religions, that is about Unconditioned Love. It helps us respect and love ourselves. It helps us defeat the gap that we have created between us and the others, and reestablishes divine harmony.
As a spiritual system or energizing technique, Reiki does not have dogmas, laws, interdictions, or conditions, it is free of all of them and can accept any way of perceiving the world and any other teaching. It can be done in parallel with other techniques and with maintaining medical treatment. It is one of the most beautiful and clear ways to know yourself.
With Reiki you don’t need to focus on transmitting energy, Reiki begins automatically, if you if you approach your palms to your body, and you need energy in that area; you are just a channel to transmit energy (like an antenna).
The history of Reiki is based mainly on the spoken transmitting, from master to master, and from master to disciples. Nowadays there are many versions on the history of Reiki. Next, we will briefly present one of them.
The method has been elaborated by the Japanese Mikao Usui in the early 1920’s, but similar techniques are being practiced for thousand of years.
Usui was born on the 15th of August 1965, in Japan. From his manuscripts we know that he was a person who enjoyed studying, medicine, psychology and poetic art being among his subjects. Looking for answers at the miracles that Jesus and Buddha performed, he decided to lent and meditate for 21 days on mount Kurama, where he lived an extraordinary experience and received the initiation in Reiki. On his return from mount Kurama, he began teaching this system to his disciples.
Usui introduced 5 principles of life, that all Reiki practitioners obey:
Today you shall not get annoyed!
Today you shall not get stressed!
Today you shall respect your parents, teachers and neighbours!
Today I shall win my daily bread through honest work!
Today I feel respect and love for everything that is alive!
Usui had many disciples, among which Chujiro Hayashi and Mrs. Hawayo Takata, whose contribution to Reiki has later on reached west and became a spiritual worldwide movement.
Degrees in traditional Reiki:
Nowadays the traditional Reiki has three degrees, which were introduced by Chujiro Hayashi, Usui’s disciple. In those days, the master and the disciples lived in a small geographic community, so the disciple received information and initiation step by step, according to their level of development.
The one who was considered worthy of this path became at his turn a master. The division of the Reiki teachings on degrees ahs been first made by master Hayashi in order to measure the commitment and spiritual development of his disciples. Later on, Hawayo Takata took over this ranking.
1st Degree: after the initiation, the apprentice can use his hands as treatment either for himself, as self-treatment, either for other people. The positions of placing the hands are simple and intuitive, based on the up-down principle, following the chakras, on the front and back of the body. The hands are also placed on painful areas.
2nd Degree: after the initiation, the apprentice receives his first Reiki symbols, with the help of which he can achieve greater efficiency with his hands and can cure also by creating and visualizing symbols in well-defined areas. Also, the symbols allow the disperse of negative energy from the room, purifying and energizing food, but also sending light and creating protection areas.
3rd Degree: after the initiation the apprentice receives new symbols and learns the technique of initiating, and everything necessary to hold Reiki classes.
Questions related to Reiki
How does Reki energy work?
The answer is : “simple”. The person concerned works as channel to transmit the energy. During Reiki sessions the one who chanalises the energy places his palms on the one that receives it, and if needed, the energy begins to flow.
Who wants to become a Reiki practitioner needs certain native qualities in this respect?
Learning to practice Reiki is easy and accessible to everyone. It does not assume prior esoteric knowledge, or learning complex meditation, visualization or breathing techniques. Anyone can practice reiki after being initiated, even if he/she doesn’t believe in its effects.
The capacity to work with Reiki energy cannot be taught from books, this capacity is received through initiation from a Reiki Master.
Initiations to the Universal Energy are specific energetic procedures after which the reiki practitioner can access Reiki and work with it alone.
What is the effect of initiations?
The effect of initiations varies from one person to another depending on the level of his/her vibrations during Reiki initiation, after the initiation starting a period of purification of minimum 21 days. After the initiation: the personality develops, the different energetic levels of the person become balanced, the body functions are stimulated, there is a positive influence on healing, pain is reduced and creativity and intuition are developed. Reiki helps us encompass our problems easier, get through difficult psychical situations, stress, fear, depression, etc. It also helps communication and inter-relationships.
It is not harmful and it presents no side effects whatsoever.