Reiki: A Method of Improvement for Mind and Body -Shin Shin

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Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing of mental, emotional and physical states.[1]

This form of healing was originated by Mikao Usui in 1922 at Mt. Kurama, near Kyoto Japan. Dr. Chujiro Hayashi was taught by Sensei Mikao Usui and opened a clinic in Tokyo where Hawayo Takata would eventually be treated for severe illness.[2] The practice migrated to the U.S. in the late 1930s by Sensei Hawayo Takata, a native Hawaiian and Reiki Master Teacher who brought the practice to the US where it was spread throughout the world.[3] 

Today, there are many different lineages of Reiki, however, the elements of the technique remain the same. 

The general meaning of “Rei” is "spirit" or "spiritual", and this is how many people use the word in the current context. “Rei” can also mean it is present everywhere.[5]

Thus, the meaning of “Rei” can be viewed as spiritual and present everywhere. 

The word “Ki” within the Japanese construct means “energy” or "vitality",  it can also mean “vital energy”.[6] 

This meaning is similar to Genki in Japanese, the Chinese concept of Chi, Prana in Sanskrit, Ti or Ki in Hawaiian, and modern science’s reference to biofield energy.[7].[ 

While Ki, Chi, and Prana are some more common names we have been accustomed to, it should be noted this idea of life energy has permeated many cultures and been given many other names, for sake of inclusion but also brevity, all others are incorporated by reference.  

In sum, the word Reiki can mean "spiritual life energy" to include which is present “present everywhere” and in all things. 

[1] Rand, W. L. (2014). Reiki: the healing touch, first and second degree manual. Health Harmony.

[2] Id at 22-24

[3] Id at 24-25 

[4]Id. at 37-38

[5] Id. at 3

[6] Id at 4.

[7] The term biofield describes “a field of energy and information, both putative and subtle, that regulates the homeo-dynamic function of living organisms and may play a substantial role in understanding and guiding health processes.” citing Jain, S., Daubenmier, J., Muehsam, D., Rapgay, L., & Chopra, D. (2015). Indo-Tibetan Philosophical and Medical Systems: Perspectives on the Biofield. Global advances in health and medicine, 4(Suppl), 16–24. https://doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2015.026.suppl

Sensei Mikao Usui believed that Reiki would continually evolve. He alluded to this when he said he was "not at the top of the Reiki system, but one step below"[1]. 

Thus, the quality and practice of Reiki would continue to become more refined over time.

Usui Shiki Reiki Master, researcher, and writer, Robert Fueston, states his "definition of Traditional Reiki Practice is simple: If Mikao Usui would recognize the system you are practicing, then it is traditional.[2]"

Yet Fueston confirms, "Usui himself modified his teachings over time. Hayashi and/or Takata further modified the initiation process for greater effectiveness.[3]"

Before his passing, Usui Sensei had asked Chujiro Hayashi Sensei to open his own Reiki clinic and to expand and develop Reiki Ryoho based on his experience as a medical doctor in the Navy. Motivated by this request, Hayashi Sensei started a school and clinic called Hayashi Reiki Kenkyukai (Institute).[4]

He opines, "Hayashi’s and Takata’s modifications to the initiation process were a natural evolution, similar to how Usui himself modified his initiation method many times to increase its effectiveness.[5]"

The Western hand placements used in nearly all lineages of Reiki today were introduced by Ms. Hawayo Takata as an addition to the Usui method.

Another addition by Ms. Takata was the addition of the "Master Symbol". It's reported that those of her twenty-two Master students she trained in the mid-1970s onward received this symbol.[6] 

Wiliam L. Rand, combining Usui and Kaku Rei, introduced Usui Tibetan Reiki in 1989. Kaku Rei originated from Arthur Robertson who was taught by Iris Ishikuro a descendant of Ms. Takata.[7] 

Between 1993 and 1995 Karuna Reiki® was introduced[6]. This master-level class encompasses "compassionate action" and included additional symbols or intentions geared towards emanting aspects of healing the self.[8] 

In 2014, Holy Fire® Reiki was introduced dropping the Tibetan styles and replacing them with the Holy Fire® symbol. Karuna® Reiki was additionally upgraded and is now taught as Holy Fire Karuna® Reiki.[9] 

Since 2014, Holy Fire® Reiki has been upgraded two times, once in 2016, and again in 2018, with increasingly refined properties. It can be taught or sent in person or online with equal effect. 

Therefore, Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki is yet another evolution of Usui's original practice, though refined and evolved. 

Notably, Usui Sensei's zazen practice remain as the foundation while other aspects have been refined based on the properties of Holy Fire® energy. 

The most notable difference is the attument or initiation process - removing the need for the Teacher to conduct physical attunements. This allows the essence of Holy Fire®  Reiki to be completely involved in each student's process of experiencing their own innate brightness in deeper and more profound ways which are attenuated perfectly for their present level of awareness. 

Refinements in terminology have also taken place, such as referring to attunements as placements or ignitions.  

References:

[2][3][5]Fueston, R. N. (2017). The history and system of Usui Shiki Reiki Ryoho.

[1][4][5][6][7][8] Rand, W. L. (2000). Reiki, the healing touch: First and second-degree manual. Vision Publications. 

Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki is a new form of Usui Reiki Ryoho that was introduced in 2014 by the International Center for Reiki Training (ICRT) and was most recently upgraded in 2022.  

"It is both powerful and gentle and provides purification, healing, empowerment, and guidance." 

This is the form of Reiki that is taught and practiced as part of our Usui Reiki classes and sessions.  

The Holy Fire® energy is noticeably more refined and comes from a higher level of consciousness. 

Some of the qualities students have experienced include:

• Works continuously even when not thinking about it and spontaneously heals issues as they come up.
• Always respects free will.
• Heals deeply and quickly without distress.
• Heals relationships and interactions with others.
• Releases worry and replaces it with a sense of safety in a most pronounced way.
• Spontaneously provides guidance that is palatable for every level of life experience.
• Tends to develop all the personality traits that are healthy for a person to have such as love of self and others, kindness, patience, confidence, vitality, enthusiasm, optimism, trust, joy, peace, and so forth.
• One of the more wonderful effects is a feeling of being loved. This is a deep and refined feeling that is very nurturing.
• Once received, it continues to develop itself to be more evolved and effective.

The use of the word holy in the name Holy Fire® is not intended to have a religious meaning. The word holy has as its root meaning to be whole and complete and this is how it is used in Holy Fire®. Therefore, Holy Fire® is an energy that creates wholeness through purification, healing, empowerment, and guidance. - William Lee Rand

Laurelle Gaia, the author of four books on Reiki including "Be Peace Now", stated: 

“Holy Fire® Reiki is not so much a different energy than Usui Reiki, it expands our awareness of Divine energy. Before Holy Fire we were only aware of a portion of Divine Healing energy, thanks to Holy Fire®, we have become aware of Reiki in an expanded way."

She continues, "Usui, himself said ‘Reiki would continue to evolve’ Perhaps what was misunderstood through translation, could have been that humanity itself would evolve to understand Reiki in a greater way, perhaps.” 

In-Person Reiki Treatments

Some important factors to keep in mind when considering a Reiki session: 

Reiki energy will always flow to where the recipient needs healing and guides the practitioner as indicated, the practitioner does not guide the energy. Likewise, the Practitioner’s energy is not part of the session. Further, Reiki can do no harm and Reiki honors the free will of the client or patient in all circumstances. 

A Reiki practitioner gently moves their hands on or just above the client’s fully clothed body. The traditional method is by use of hand placements as specific points of the body starting from the top of the head and moving downward towards the feet, but avoiding sensitive areas, yet at all times considering the client's comfort level. 

Whichever method is used by the practitioner; the treatment works through its interaction with the client’s bio-field. The bio-field has been referred to as the chakra system in Ayurvedic medicine and meridians in Chinese medicine. 

Reiki is not the same as acupuncture, shiatsu, or reflex zone massage! Reiki is not concerned with recognizing and treating the "right" place. Instead, it is primarily important to give Reiki to the entire body so that its systems can function better and it can heal itself.[1]

[1]Walter Lubeck;Frank Arjava Petter;William Lee Rand. The Spirit of Reiki: From Tradition to the Present  Fundamental Lines of Transmission, Original Writings, Mastery, Symbols, Treatments, Reiki as a Spiritual ... in Life, and Much More (Shangri-La Series)

Reiki at a Distance vs. In-Person  

Distance Reiki treatments are just as effective as in-person treatments, allowing patients to receive healing from afar.  Distance Reiki sessions are performed for patients who are unable to come for in-person sessions. 

Second-degree and Master Reiki practitioners learn methods in which to conduct these sessions.

Distance Reiki works according to quantum entaglement theory because we are all consciousness, energy, and matter, we are part of a larger whole and therefore all connected. 

In recent studies from 2013 and 2020, we have begun to understand  Reiki as ultra-weak light photon energy (UPE) which would follow the theory of quantum entanglement.

Although we are only beginning to scratch the surface of our understanding of the application of theories, this process has worked for well over 100 years. 

As such, intending Reiki to be sent at a distance at the inception of a session becomes more like a level of interbeing where time/space is a nonbarrier.

Distance Reiki sessions can be done in several ways, such as video conference, phone, or an email request. However, for best results, it's recommended that the recipient be present and in a comfortable and quiet place in order to relax and be open to receiving or rather allowing their conciosness to be an active participant in the experience. 

The Reiki Experience

As a recipient of Reiki, you might feel a warming or cooling sensation or a tingling during the session or nothing at all but sheer relaxation. The session should be very pleasant, relaxing, and invigorating. Often the results of a single session continue over the next several days which may manifest in healing releases of negative energy from the body. 

Each person's experience is different and each session may feel different for the same person. What is always constant is that the Reiki will always go where it is needed and works for the highest good of the recipient. Reiki can do no harm.  

Mikao Usui Sensei developed the form of Reiki most used by people all over the world. 

The system has evolved and continues to do so through the present day. 

Reiki was discovered by Mikao Usui Sensei in Japan in 1920 at Mt. Kurama during a period of prayer and fasting. 

Mikao Usui Sensei descends from the Chiba clan of noble samurai lineage.  He was raised as a samurai from childhood, specifically in the martial arts techniques of Aiki (合氣術).  

As an adult, he practiced as a Tendai (lay) Buddhist monk. it is believed that he traveled to several Western countries, including the Americas, Europe, and China as a part of his continued study. His studies included history, medicine, Buddism, Christianity, psychology, and Taoism. 

During the early 1920s, Usui did a 21-day practice on Mt. Kurama called discipline of prayer and fasting, according to translator Hyakuten Inamoto. 

Common belief dictates that it was during these 21 days that Usui developed Reiki. As Mount Hiei is the main Tendai complex in Japan, and is very close to Kyoto, it has been surmised that Usui would also have practiced there if he had been a lay priest.  

Soon after receiving Reiki, Sensei Usui created the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, translated as Usui Reiki Natural Healing Method Society. 

Shortly thereafter the great tsunami and earthquake hit Japan injuring millions and killing over 100,000 people.  During this time Sensei Usui taught Reiki to over 2,000 people. 

Eleven of these students continued their training to reach the Shinpiden level, a level equivalent to the Western third degree, or Master level. 

Thanks to Sensei Usui and those who followed, Reiki made its way through hospitals in Japan, and to the West including the U.S. just prior to WWII.  

 The Five Principles of Reiki 

• Just for today, I will not get angry
• Just for today, I will not worry
• Just for today, I will be grateful
• Just for today, I will do my work honestly
• Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing

-Sensei Mikao Usui 

1865-1926