Sacred/Secret
Symbols
Published in the October 2000 issue of "The Messenger"
I see
the Reiki Symbols every where... in books and on websites. I was
taught that they were sacred. Are they also secret? What is there
origin?
We must remember that Reiki comes from a country/people
steeped in traditon and ceremony. When Reiki first came to America,
via Mrs. Takata, she did indeed try to project the 'sacredness' of the
teachings, as well as the symbols, because that is how she learned
from Hayashi Sensei. The symbols are not actually secret; they were
chosen by Usui Sensei because their vibrations duplicated specific
frequencies (everything is composed of energy vibrations) he could
feel within the entire Reiki spectrum.
These were teaching aids so
Usui's students could learn to detect some of the sensations that he
felt as a result of his enlightment/Satori (heightened awareness).
These symbols were public domain, and were written in older forms of
calligraphy, and contained deeper, more spiritual definitions/meanings
than the newer style of writings popular in Japan today. In my
opinion, Usui Sensei probably directed his students to not make public
the techniques nor the symbols, so there would be an 'air of
mystique' about the system of natural healing that he called Reiki.
Afterall, Usui Sensei was a very educated, well-traveled man, versed
in many subjects/philosophies from countries outside his own. So the
information that he drew upon to form his techniques and teachings was
available to anyone who wanted to spend the same time and energy to
research them that he had in his lifetime. But what he did offer to
the masses was his understanding of energy, healing, spirituality, and
his enhanced ability to discern subtle frequencies of energy without
the necessity of a lifetime of reading and study. He formed an
exclusive, closed society for practitioners who wanted to practice
together, exploring this new system of natural healing, in discovering
its full potential. Of course, like any closed society, there would
be secrecy/mystery that caused 'outsiders' to want to learn the system
of Reiki so they could be on the 'inside'. This continues today in
the form of receiving teachings that have been passed down from
teacher to students for years (lineage), an attunement that can only
be performed by a 'certified Reiki Master', and the receiving of
'sacred symbols' that were thought to be received by transmission
directly from Creator. Added to that is the 'payment' that completes
the 'right' to receive these gifts from those who also 'payed the
price'. I love Reiki, and Adonea and I teach the techniques that were
taught by Usui himself, and that are still taught in the Usui Reiki
Ryoho Gakkai in Japan. But I want to share with all of the readers of
this page, that nothing taught in Reiki is secret... it is only
packaged in a way that makes it easy to learn, helps students of the
system to focus on and feel/sense subtle frequencies of energy,
empowers its students to take more responsibility in their individual
processes of life (healing/wholing), and gently leads one's awareness
toward the 'Divine'... the ultimate source of life and lifeforce. To
this end, Reiki is one of the greatest discoveries of modern times,
and the world is increasingly a better place because of the dedication
to spirituality sought by Mikao Usui, Reiki Sensei. Isn't that enough
reason to continue teaching Reiki as a spiritual discipline that can
lead one from being a victim to being a divine 'co-creative agent',
creating wholeness, balance and wellness in body/mind/spirit?
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