The 4 original Reiho symbols and
their energetic connections by Adonea
When we look at Reiki as a
Spiritual discipline instead of a healing technique, the information
and symbolism takes on a different light. In second degree there are 3
symbols taught, if we are not taught that they represent certain
qualities of energy like Wisdom/Power/Focus, Light/Peace/Harmony and
Love/Compassion/Connection they are only marks on a page or something
we are told to draw because it will help balance the mental/emotional
bodies for example. Why would a simply symbol balance the
mental/emotional bodies? I often wondered about the symbols and
thought to myself drawing lines on paper or in the air is going to
connect me to someone on the other side of the world, why? All of the
Reiki teachers I worked with could not answer that question, they
simply said it works just do it, again why? Here is what I have come
to understand, the symbols call upon specific deities that represent
qualities of energy or 'God Virtues'. When using the harmony symbol to
do mental/emotional balancing for example, the energy and qualities
of the Amida Buddha who will bring spiritual 'Peace of Mind' are
called upon. Each symbol represents a concept, supported by particular
energy qualities. It is also interesting that the symbols are in a
particular order as drawn by Mrs. Takata and Hayashi Sensei -
First/Power/Focus, Second/Harmony, Third/Connection. If one looks to
Buddhism and the Amida Sanzon a trinity of deities, one finds
First/Seishi the Bosatsu of the 'Vigor or Power of Wisdom',
Second/Amida Nyorai who represents 'Infinite Light and Peace of Mind',
Third/Kannon Bosatsu of Compassion who reaches out to those in need
with a 1,000 arms. The inner connections are amazing and truly were
eye opening for me. So what are the symbols teaching us? The
connection symbol teaches us to hone our compassion body by reaching
out to those in need and send them Reiki via distance. We also use the
other symbols to bring forth the qualities they represent i.e. we add
the focus symbol to increase the power/focus on the Wisdom of being
compassionate and reaching out to those in need (which opens and
softens/strengthens our hearts bringing forth Divine Love); or perhaps
the Wisdom of 'Peace of Mind' through calm mental and emotional
bodies with the ability to relate to others insightfully and
peacefully in all situations. When we become a teacher we get a symbol
which contains within it the qualities of all the symbols, it is all
we need to connect to the fullness of the energy with the goal of
totally becoming or merging with the energy itself. Once this is
accomplished the use of symbols is no longer needed. This is part of
the awakening process giving us back responsibility for our creations
and leading us to Enlightenment.
Information on the deities is
important because it gives a broader perspective of what the symbols
mean and the qualities they bring forth in all who utilize them. Each
Buddhist deity is also represented in other religions in some way
(perhaps not as a deity but a concept). Here is an example, Dainichi
Nyorai is MAHAVAIROCANA BUDDHA who if you look at the description of
this Buddha represents all creation (what is known/matter) and the
void (the knower/mind), supports all life through his vital force,
etc., in other words is creator of all that is... he is what
Christians refer to as God, Native Americans as Great Spirit and so
forth. Just different ways of describing the greatest force/love of
the Universe. Buddhism also teaches that all other Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas are various emanations or qualities (i.e. Love, Wisdom,
Peace, Compassion, etc.) of Dainichi. This is also true in
Christianity (saying we are all children of God), with Jesus
representing his undying Unconditional Love, Mary his complete
Compassion, etc., praying to these beings brings forth the qualities
they represent. I feel that religion was originally created to help a
person be reverent, humble and thankful, giving them a place and time,
out of their busy schedule each week/day to commune with Creator
directly. It also reminds us to seek a 'good' life, be compassionate
towards others and so forth. It is also important to keep in mind that
each deity is a representation of a quality of energy or God Virtue.
Each quality is important to embody within oneself, rather than
worshiping the deity him/her self as this puts the quality outside of
ourselves which may seem unattainable. We as corporial beings (humans)
sometimes get caught up in the facts presented, or the worship
ceremony/deities themselves and lose the true essence of the message
itself.
One need not be Buddhist to see the value of the information
presented. There is no dogma or need for one to believe a certain way
to garner Truth from it. The concepts presented are guideposts to
right life/thought which will ultimately align one with Creator/Source
and thus help gain Enlightenment or Satori.
|