Japanese Reiki Techniques part
2
Published in the November 1999 issue of "The Messenger"
This is the
second article referencing the Reiki workshop attended by Light and
Adonea in Vancouver, BC in August, ’99.
On Saturday morning, we
learned the empowerment that is very close to Usui Sensei’s original
one that he used to connect his students to the energy stream of
Reiki. There was much discussion and questions about the differences
and similarities between it and the westernized attunements. Of
course, the symbols of Reiki were brought up numerous times, and Mr.
Doi answered simply. He said that the Japanese teachers in the Gakkai
do not give much attention to symbols. They do indeed attune a student
to the symbols, but they downplay their importance, stating that they
are but tools in helping students to feel/sense the energy should
they not be so sensitive to subtle energies. The symbols were compared
to ‘training wheels’ on a bicycle. Helpful at first, but if not
removed later, they become a hindrance, and limit a student’s sense of
feeling. It was further explained that symbols are mostly used on
students who are not sensitive to energy, and by drawing the symbols
and intending to feel the difference of vibrations between them, that
student is then developing his/her sense of feeling, and therefore
weaned away from the symbols immediately. The Japanese feel that
western practitioners place too much importance on the symbols, and
that they seem to be a source of contention between practitioners. We
then were given an opportunity to practice the empowerments, which are
called Rei-ju. At first, I can personally say that I didn’t feel
much, but each empowerment that I received, the energy kept building,
and after a few, I felt it like ‘gang-busters’. We were taught the
seven hand positions that are taught by the Gakkai, but then found out
that Usui Sensei originally had five positions. We also learned and
practiced the paired hand positions... when two practitioners are
treating one recipient. That was interesting, because there are some
positions that are very different from any that we have seen, even as
taught in the states.
Throughout the remainder of the Saturday and
Sunday class, we learned techniques that are taught to students of
Reiki to assist the spiritual growth, as well as speed their
sensitivity to Reiki. Perhaps the most important techniques was
Hatsurei-ho (strengthens energy channels and raises vibrational
rates). This is taught to second level students and is performed at
all gatherings/classes. Students are also urged to practice this
technique often each day to help them to increase the quantity of
energy they can access and pass on. Here is the step-by-step
procedure:
Kihon Shisei (standard posture) - sit on the floor (Seiza)
or chair. Relax and close your eyes. Place your focus onto your Hara
(3 - 5 cm. below navel). Put your hands on your lap with palms down.
Mokunen (focusing) - State mentally "I now start Hatsurei-ho"
Kenyoku
(dry bathing or brushing off) - Note: take an in-breath before each
movement, and breathe out as you brush (on or just above the body)
making an "aaaaah" sound during exhalation.
Place the fingers of your
right hands near the top of the left shoulder, with the flat palm
over the coracoid process (indentation below clavicle and shoulder
joint).
Draw the flat hands down across the chest in a straight line,
over the "V" of the sternum (breastbone), down to the right hip.
Repeat this procedure on the right side, using the left hand. Draw it
flattened from the shoulder, in a straight line, across the sternum,
to the left hip.
Repeat the procedure once more on the left side.
Holding the left arm parallel to the floor in front of the body,
place the right hand on the edge of the left shoulder, fingertips
pointing outwards. Draw the right hand, flattened, down the arm to the
fingertips.
Repeat this procedure on the right side, with the left
hand on the shoulder, drawing it down the right arm to the fingertips.
Repeat the procedure on the left side again.
Connect to Reiki - Raise
your hands high up into the air, intend and feel the Reiki flowing
into your hands, running downwards through your whole body.
Joshin
Koku ho (Cleansing Breath) - Put your hands on your lap palms up and
breathe naturally through your nose. Focus your attention on your
Hara. When you breathe in, visualize the white light of Reiki coming
in through your Crown Chakra, into your Hara, expanding throughout you
whole body. When you breathe out, visualize the light expanding
outwards through your skin infinitely in all directions. Repeat the
in-breath and out-breath for a few minutes or as long as you desire.
Gassho (Praying hands) - Put your hands together in prayer position
slightly higher than your heart.
Seishin Toitsu (Concentration) -
Holding Gassho, intend and visualize your are breathing through your
hands. When you breathe in, visualize the light of Reiki flowing in
through your hands, filling your Hara. When you breathe out, visualize
the light in your Hara radiating outwards infinitely through your
hands. Repeat the in-breath and out-breath for several minutes or as
long as you desire.
Mokunen (Focusing) - Put your hands on your lap,
palms down. Mentally state "I have finished Hatsurei-ho". Open your
eyes, and vigorously shake your hands/wrists up and down, side to side
for several seconds (energizing).
There will be more information from
the workshop in next month’s publication.
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